CH 199

“…Guildmaster, do you have a moment?”

“What is it?”

“I heard from acquaintances in the merchant guild and the alchemist guild what happened to the dragon materials.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The dragon materials.”

“…”

“W-well, I heard the he… That a fire dragon was defeated in the Prekes dungeon…”

“I see. I didn’t hear about that… So?”

“I was wondering if you could negotiate with the Prekes adventurer guild to share some of the materials.”

“…That would be a no from me.”

“W-why is that!?”

“Is that information even reliable? And we don’t mediate material transactions in the first place. If there was a transmission from the guild, I think you can work through that.”

“B-but then…”

“If you’re not happy with that, why not negotiate with them directly?”

“…I see, excuse me.”

“…Ahh, what a troublesome fellow. If you want to score some points, do it yourself…”

“…Maybe he doesn’t want to move in a conspicuous manner. Maybe he got his hands on some dangerous information.”

“W-who…! M-Mister Ignis.”

“Yes, don’t worry about it.”

“W-why are you here? And since when?”

“I came in when he left. I think you were too deep in thought to notice. And I’m here because… Well, I had some business in the area. Is everything still the same over here?”

“Y-yes. No, there are some problems…”

“Are there?”

“…There is this merchant called Sora… Do you know him?”

“I do.”

“That is what figured. The technique performed on him was yours…”

“Anything you want to ask?”

“…Why did you let an otherworlder live? He…”

“Are you complaining?”

“No, I would never! I’m sure you have some sort of idea in mind, Mister Ignis.”

“…Firstly, I figured I could use him. Second, his heart wasn’t broken.”

“His heart?”

“Yes. This summoning was performed by people, meaning something happened to those summoned… No, something was done to them. Like a curse that slowly eats into their hearts.

Effects vary, but it makes it easier for them to succumb to negative emotions, and once it starts, there is no going back.

But that’s just incidental.”

“Really?”

“Someone with a very strong heart… Or not. Unless they are in an environment that doesn’t place a burden on their hearts, it will stain. Maybe they knew that, because they kept them out of our reach until it progressed to a certain point…

And yet, they let him go. I heard something about him not having any fighting power, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

“That is true. I saw him, and it did seem strange.”

“That much?”

“Yes…”

“…You can tell me the details later. What else stuck out to you?”

“W-well, there was a… Saint with him.”

“Saint? Is that true?”

“Y-yes. I heard about what happened too, so I thought I was mistaken at first, but there is no doubt about it.”

“…I see. Then I should report to the old man.”

“To him?”

“Yes. He was really angry when he heard Adonis killed the saint. Well, I get it.”

“…Hm, I heard a saint is an even bigger enemy to the demon king than heroes. Are you sure she should be left alive?”

“It’s not a problem. In fact, it helps to know exactly where the saint is. Barring exceptions, there can only be one saint in this world. It’s easy to look for them because humans don’t know that and worship them, but it still helps us to know where she is, rather than having to look.

And it’s convenient for us that she is with him.”

“…I see. S-so, should I stop them from conquering the dungeon?”

“…There’s no need to interfere, and that would just bring unnecessary risks. But if the saint just happens to die, contact me.”

“Understood. One more thing. I feel like the dungeon has been getting more active lately…”

“That’s an effect of the demon king’s power rising. I think it’s less the dungeon, and more the world itself.”

“Then!”

“The awakening is drawing near. Just keep on working as usual, and think about retreating if you feel you’re in danger.”

“Very well. But I don’t think that will be a problem.”

“Hopefully not… But humans are experts at doing foolish things. Don’t forget that.”

“Yes. What are you going to do now, Mister Ignis?”

“Well… I checked what I needed to check, so maybe I will pay some old friends a visit.

If it’s true… No, maybe this is destiny…”