Chapter 122. Relic Exploration Party (2)
Raivan looked at Verden.
'A much younger client than I expected.'
At most, late twenties?
Judging from his outward appearance alone, he did not look ordinary.
'His skin is pale and smooth, so he doesn't seem to be a swordsman.'
And neither was he a Mage.
Even when Raivan tried to sense it, no magic power could be perceived.
It could only be one of two things.
Either he was an ordinary person born with an extremely tiny amount of magic power, or he was a Mage equal to or greater than Raivan himself.
Naturally, the latter was impossible.
Raivan had only reached his level through a lifetime of effort, it was hard to imagine that such a young man was anywhere near his level.
Unless he had talent on the level of a tower master.
Most likely a noble, or the child of some wealthy household.
A customer no different from the usual sort.
Raivan judged Verden as such.
"I am Raivan Crusoe, though undeservedly, I lead the Seekers. And this here is Hans Deikel."
"Hans Deikel."
Verden also introduced himself.
"I am Asher."
"Nice to meet you, Asher."
The three sat at the same table.
Perne quietly brought them drinks and left the chamber so as not to disturb.
Raivan took a light sip, moistening his throat, then spoke.
"Then before we get into the real discussion, let me explain how the relic exploration party operates. Not something defined by law, but since relic exploration is such a matter prone to misunderstanding."
"Go ahead."
"Hans, if you would."
Hans pushed up his glasses.
"Hmm, hmm, the ignorant often belittle ruin exploration as mere luck and labor. Thinking that if you dig through a deserted place, you'll find something, fools...."
"Spare us the extras."
"Ah, yes. In any case, of course that is a mistaken thought. Ruins and relics are remnants of the past itself."
By nature, relics and ruins of value always carried their own stories.
That was also history. As long as history did not vanish, anything born of mankind always left behind records.
Leaving behind traces was the instinct of both human and living being.
"A relic exploration party of our level, the Seekers, possesses an understanding of the vast history of the continent regardless of location. Naturally, the patterns surrounding relics and ruins are no different."
Patterns.
The Seekers could deduce the kind of relic it was, merely by its form. And also, discover the ruins connected to that relic.
Having grasped the traits of the world's ruins, they could even roughly deduce locations based on terrain, objects, and the cultural features of the related history.
The time saved by such knowledge was incomparable to that of other relic exploration parties.
Raivan pulled a sheet of paper from his breast. It was the drawing of the relic Perne had made.
"And judging from those patterns, this relic seems to have been used as a key, a signal, or to seal something. I cannot say for certain without seeing the real thing, but by the knowledge and experience we've accumulated, it must be one of those three."
Raivan slid the drawing across to Verden.
That was his way of saying, it was time to show the real relic.
Then, Verden spoke.
"I was told in your previous message that the Seekers knew about this relic. Before I show you the real thing, I'd like to hear about that."
Raivan gave a glance.
Hans wrinkled his nose, crossed his arms, and spoke.
"To put it more precisely, we don't know the relic's origin itself. What we know, is of a relic exploration party that once received a commission concerning that relic."
The past?
A thought suddenly flashed by.
'Could it be related to the candidates of the Ark?'
It was possible.
The Ark surely would not have kindly pointed out the location itself. Most likely, it had handed them a relic that could lead them to the Demon King's tomb and told them to find it.
That could also be called a trial.
Then, like Verden, they must have commissioned a relic exploration party.
"Where is that exploration party?"
"That, is the very core of this exploration. Naturally, we cannot tell you, at least not until a contract is signed."
The core, huh.
Judging by their reluctance to speak, it meant that simply knowing the whereabouts of that relic exploration party could lead to finding the ruins tied to the relic.
Even if they were not a professional relic exploration party.
"Then, may we see the relic now?"
"Very well."
Verden nodded.
From his spatial bag, he took out the Demon King's relic and showed it to Raivan. Hans stood and examined the relic alongside Raivan.
"An oval blue sapphire. And a brass-colored metal encircling its center like a ring... a very unusual form. There are minute letters engraved into the metal, but I have never seen such writing before."
"The craftsmanship is exceptional. Since the inside is transparent, it doesn't seem to be sealing anything. There is no magic circle or rune, not even on the sapphire itself, so it doesn't look likely to be a signal reacting near ruins, either."
"Then it could be a key to open the ruins."
Raivan and Hans entered into a heated discussion.
Verden quietly watched them.
'Fortunately, they cannot recognize it.'
All the better.
Verden did not trust the relic exploration party before him.
If they had known that this relic was related to the Demon King, troublesome matters might have arisen.
As it stood, they knew only the traces of the exploration party connected to it.
Their ignorance of the relic's true identity was, for Verden, ideal.
The two men observed the relic for a while.
Before long, they nodded, seeming to have reached a conclusion.
"After roughly analyzing it, this seems most likely to be a key. And seeing no features of any past kingdoms, it must have been crafted by some individual. Whoever it was, he was no ordinary man."
Of course.
It was, after all, the relic of the Demon King.
Raivan continued.
"And these letters on the metal ring, they appear to indicate a location. If we can decipher them, we should be able to find it... but it may take a long time."
"How long?"
"With good luck, a year. On average, about three years. Since it is writing we've never seen before, deciphering it would mean repeated trial and error."
Just the deciphering alone would take that long.
"Then, how long would it take if we were to follow the traces of the relic exploration party?"
At that question, Raivan smiled.
"Not even a quarter of that time, I'd say. And as a bonus, it would save you an enormous amount of the effort and money you would normally have to spend."
His tone carried confidence close to certainty.
Verden met Raivan's gaze for a moment, then spoke.
"May I see the contract?"
"As much as you like."
Hans quickly pulled out a contract and writing tools, setting them before Verden.
"It's the standard contract customarily used. Even royalty and nobles have all signed the same document, so there should be no clause that causes discomfort."
Verden ran his eyes along the contract.
Then suddenly, his gaze stopped. He pointed at the seventh clause.
"During the contract period, the rights over the relic are transferred to the relic exploration party 'Seekers'... Is my understanding correct?"
"Hmm? Yes, that's correct. To speed up the exploration process, of course it's natural to keep the relic with us. Just think of it as lending it temporarily. Ah, I understand what you're worried about. You're thinking we might steal the relic and run, aren't you?"
Raivan stroked his chin.
"We Seekers are neither thieves nor scoundrels. I swear on my conviction as a Mage that such a thing will never happen. Now, does that not earn your trust? If so, please, sign at once."
Trust, he said.
Verden replied with an expressionless face.
"I refuse."
***
Lend them the relic?
'What a joke.'
It didn't matter whether they were a famous relic exploration party or not. Fame might serve as a measure of trust for others, but not for Verden.
At his refusal, given without a trace of hesitation, Raivan was momentarily at a loss for words.
"...You cannot trust us?"
"Must I?"
The Seekers.
Their achievements stood unrivaled, even when compared to other exploration parties. They were, in truth, proven people.
And yet he flatly rejected them.
Such a case was so rare that for a moment, Raivan was stunned.
Hans glared.
"You ask us to interpret the relic, and yet you refuse to hand it over? Are you playing with us...."
"Wait, Hans. It's fine. Let me speak."
Ahem.
Raivan cleared his throat, to refocus the atmosphere.
"Well, if you don't know much about this industry, it's natural not to trust. You don't even know what value the relic holds, so of course it would be hard to simply hand it to another."
But.
"Since the founding of the Seekers, we have never once betrayed a commission. Not a single time have we acted against a client's will. With a little research, you would find my words to be true. So, why not trust us, and lend us the relic? I assure you, we will not bring meaningless results."
But Verden's answer remained the same.
"I refuse."
"How dare you...!"
Bang!
At the repeated refusal, Hans shot up from his seat.
He felt insulted.
He had thought himself rather courteous, and yet to hear such a rude reply. For a moment, he thought to teach some manners, and activated his mana circuit.
Hans's magic power seized the surroundings.
But of course, it could not oppress Verden.
Witnessing this, Raivan's eyes widened.
'He's ignoring Hans's magic power?'
Hans clenched his teeth, steadily raising the intensity of his coercion, but Verden still showed no reaction. As if such magic power was not even worth noticing.
'Could he be a Mage...?'
And clearly one beyond Hans's level.
And since Raivan had not noticed, it meant he was likely at a similar level to himself. Raivan could not hide his dismay at that realization.
Verden looked at him with cold blue eyes.
'If nothing else, this clause is unacceptable.'
The relic of the Demon King.
What if Raivan were to learn its true identity?
He was a Fifth-tier Mage. And a product of the Magic Tower.
He might ignore the reputation the Seekers had built, and simply take it and run. No, surely he would. Such a possibility had to be eliminated completely.
'And besides....'
Hans, who was still applying that pointless coercion.
It was getting annoying.
Fwoosh!
Verden briefly focused his magic power on Hans. Instantly, Hans's magic scattered, and a not insignificant shock struck him.
"Gah!"
Startled, Hans collapsed onto the floor. His face blank, as though he had no idea what had just happened, it had been so brief.
Raivan, who had kept silent, spoke.
"...My apologies. I failed to recognize a distinguished Mage."
In the world, there existed magic items that could conceal one's appearance.
And there were indeed artifacts that could halt aging, as well as dark magic similar to such.
Rare though they were, there certainly existed strong ones who concealed their outward form.
'That one called Asher must be among them.'
Raivan was convinced.
Of course, Verden was in truth the age he appeared. But there was no need to correct their misunderstanding. On the contrary, it would make negotiations more convenient, so it was only right to use it.
"Please forgive Hans with your broad generosity. He is but an inexperienced Mage."
"It doesn't bother me. More than that, I would like to discuss the terms of the contract."
Ordinarily, Raivan would not have accepted. Exceptions piling up, and rumors spreading, would make later negotiations troublesome.
But the initiative was already lost.
The existence of a relic he had never seen before. Because of that, the contract was essential.
He would need to arrange the contract in favor of the Seekers if possible, but... his opponent was a powerful Mage concealing his identity. Not one to be dealt with lightly, Raivan instinctively knew.
Raivan swallowed hard.
He was tense now.
"...Then, let us hear your terms."