Chapter 173. Huh?
Edmon's proposal was sudden, but not particularly surprising.
During the time spent aboard the airship, Edmon had often cast sidelong glances at Verden with eyes full of curiosity.
This must be the extension of that.
"What business do you have?"
"Oh, how composed. Most other Mages tremble nervously the moment they see my face. Ahem, then I'll not hide it and speak directly."
Edmon pointed his staff at Verden.
"Marquis Esperanza has instructed me to find out what kind of man you are. Put bluntly, you could call it a background investigation."
A background investigation, huh.
"Isn't that something you normally do in secret?"
"Ordinarily, yes, but aside from anything else, you are Lady Calia's benefactor, are you not? Naturally, I cannot dig into your past in secrecy. And as you also know, rumors often fail to match reality. Human beings change from moment to moment. All the more so for a Mage who strives to progress further."
A kindly smile fixed itself on Verden.
"The fact that you, known as a 4th Tier, subjugated a Dark Magus is a fine example of that. Thus, meeting directly like this is the most accurate way, wouldn't you agree?"
So that's why he came personally.
Well, truth be told, this was much better than being secretly investigated. Having someone dig behind your back was nothing short of intolerably unpleasant.
"So then, how do you intend to find out what kind of person I am? By asking questions, and me answering them?"
"Hahahaha! Of course not. We are Mages, are we not? Rather than idle chatter, watching magic is far better."
Verden faced Edmon.
In the old man's eyes, beneath the peaceful exterior, burned the inquisitiveness and curiosity of a Magus.
"To see magic, you say. Are you suggesting a magic duel?"
"Something like that. Of course, it's only a proposal, you don't have to accept. I am a Magus, and you are a Mage. Being afraid is natural, indeed."
Edmon nodded as if it were obvious.
…Such an obvious provocation.
Unless one's mind was goblin-level, there was no way to fall for it.
But aside from that, Verden had no particular reason to refuse.
Edmon Rodliner.
He was not a Dark Magus, but a Magus who had pioneered the elemental branch of the way of magic. That alone was more than enough to stir Verden's interest.
And he was curious about what exactly a duel "similar to a magic duel" meant.
At that moment, Edmon continued.
"Well, that said, I sincerely hope you don't refuse. So, Asher, allow me to give you a little incentive. How about a wager with me? If you win the duel, I'll give you a reward."
A wager?
"What kind of reward?"
"Hmm? You think what's at stake is more important than the wager itself? Or do you believe you can win any kind of duel regardless? Hahaha! Whatever the case, that's admirable confidence."
Edmon stroked his beard.
"I have made this wager many times, offering all sorts of rewards. Once, I put up a magic item, another time a sparkling jewel or accessory. Do you know what Mages liked the most?"
"Money?"
Edmon exclaimed in admiration.
"Ohh, you've already grasped the truth. That's right, money. Magic items may prove useful or turn into burdens, jewels and accessories ultimately boil down to value. Thus, money, which represents value itself, is the clearest and most convenient."
Edmon drew a check from his breast and, using Telekinesis, sent it forward.
Verden caught the check.
"It is a check for 100 million Elk, usable at Dyna Bank. If you win the wager, I will give it to you without complaint."
100 million Elk.
Quite a sum for a wager.
'Though for a Magus of a marquisate, it's probably not much.'
"And if I lose the wager?"
"Then you only need to return the 100 million Elk I gave you, nothing else. Not a condition disadvantageous to you, is it?"
Edmon had decided the terms of the wager, and as a Magus, his level was higher than Verden's.
With such a gap, to demand something through a wager was hardly the act of a Magus.
Edmon was merely curious.
Curious about what kind of Mage this gray-robed one before him was.
Verden did not deliberate long.
There was no risk at all in this wager. It was a chance to gauge how strong a marquisate's Magus truly was.
'Meeting Samwell can wait a little.'
Verden slipped the check into his spatial bag.
"I accept the wager."
"Ohh, as forthright as your handsome face. Good, then follow me."
***
The central plaza of Rines.
In its northeast, Calia set foot inside a tall building owned by the marquisate. Inside, knights bearing the crest of the House of Esperanza stood in ranks.
The direct knights of Marquis Esperanza, the 'Red Conviction'.
Among the knights guarding the building without a gap, one approached Calia.
"His Excellency awaits you."
Calia nodded and followed behind the knight.
Thus she arrived before the reception room, where she took a small breath and knocked directly.
───Enter.
A heavy, familiar voice.
Having received permission, Calia stepped inside.
A middle-aged man sat on the sofa.
Hair of dark crimson brushed back from his forehead.
A neatly kept short, red beard, and a robust physique obvious even beneath his clothes.
Ruben de Esperanza.
Calia's father, and the current Marquis of Esperanza.
"Calia de Esperanza, before His Excellency Ruben de Esperanza, Marquis of Esperanza…"
"No need for formality, come and sit."
"Ah, yes."
Calia quickly sat on the sofa.
The Marquis's eyes scrutinized her.
Her exposed skin was bandaged everywhere, and she needed crutches to walk. Truly, there was not a spot uninjured.
Outwardly she seemed somewhat recovered, but thinking back to when she was first wounded… death had loomed close enough to touch.
The Marquis, who had been quietly gazing at Calia, spoke.
"...Not long ago, due to the Undead crisis in the southern part of the Kingdom, thousands of casualties occurred. A large portion of the granary region was trampled under the Undead, and each city was thrown into emergency by the flood of refugees. At present, the Adventurer Guild and the lords are joining forces, devoting themselves to subjugating the Undead.
And.
"The diocese was annihilated by the assault of an unknown Dark Magus. From the testimony of survivors and an inspection of the site, many believers perished, including two bishops."
Each piece of news was enough to shake the entire Kingdom.
"And almost at the same time, you led the White Crest Order to the south, then afterward went to the diocese with the paladin order. Then, after stealing an airship and heading somewhere, you returned before me in this grievously wounded state…"
The Marquis's crimson eyes flashed.
"Explain what in the world happened, Calia."
"…Yes, Father."
Calia swallowed and began to recount the chain of events.
She began with the rescue of the Dark Magus Warrens, then spoke of everything that had transpired since.
The Marquis's eyes twitched at her explanation.
"What? The Third Prince joined hands with that Dark Magus group called Glory of the Dead?"
"Circumstantially, it is certain."
"…Do you have proof?"
"No physical evidence, but the Dark Magus who attacked the diocese said that they had formed a Union."
The Marquis's face grew ever more grave.
Glory of the Dead.
It was a Dark Magus group he had never once heard of in his life.
'But according to Calia's words, it is clear they possess power not to be taken lightly.'
The Dark Magus who had shattered the diocese.
That they were the ones who released the Undead in the southern Kingdom was as good as a foregone conclusion. As Calia said, the circumstances all fit.
'That means it is highly likely the Third Prince's command.'
If the granary fell, the entire Kingdom would be shaken.
Above all, the First Prince and Second Prince, who had their political base in the southern Kingdom, would suffer immeasurable loss. To stage such a catastrophe to hinder his rivals.
It was nothing short of madness, yet, knowing the greedy conduct of the Third Prince, it was believable.
"This verminous royal family…!"
At the Marquis's fury, Calia flinched.
A vein bulged on his forehead. Pressing hard on his temple, he barely suppressed his rage, then continued listening to Calia's account.
Thus, he learned what had transpired in the Kingdom, and how it ended.
The Marquis fell into thought.
Only the ticking of the clock's second hand in the reception room filled the silence. As Calia darted glances, watching him nervously, Marquis Esperanza gave a small nod.
"I understand well what has happened. You did well, Calia. For now, return home and rest."
"Uh… yes?"
Calia blinked.
Normally, for such a massive incident as stealing an airship, he would have lashed out in anger or imposed severe punishment. While she wavered in confusion, the Marquis went on.
"You caused an unprecedented, major incident… but just this once, I will make an exception."
The Undead crisis and the disaster at the diocese had broken out far too abruptly.
Even if Calia had reported Glory of the Dead earlier, countermeasures would have been difficult. And though she did not report, until the crisis exploded, she had managed matters well enough.
And now, Calia was a gravely wounded patient.
Even as Marquis, he could not bring himself to rebuke a suffering daughter.
"By the looks of it, you will need at least a month of recuperation. So return home, and devote yourself to recovery."
"…Yes, Father."
Calia bowed, then hobbled out with her crutches.
That she had escaped punishment was such a surprise and relief, her footsteps sounded almost light.
'When will she ever grow up.'
The Marquis sighed as he rose from his seat.
Standing at the window, he watched the backs of Calia and the White Crest Order leaving.
And he thought.
'Asher.'
The subjugation of Glory of the Dead, in which the gray-haired Mage took the lion's share.
It was he who tracked them from the diocese, who saved Calia's party's lives in the Mausoleum, who brought the Orb of the Undead from the Kingdom's forbidden zone.
'Who in the world is that Mage.'
At a young age, a 5th Tier.
Not stopping there, but possessing strength to subjugate alone the Dark Magus who annihilated the diocese and the Undead that overwhelmed Calia, all with ease.
It was beyond extraordinary, bordering on suspicious.
Thus he had told Edmon.
Find out what sort of man that Mage was.
'By now, they must be holding that magic duel.'
For Edmon was a Mage full of curiosity.
Without doubt, he would have confronted him as soon as they disembarked from the airship. And as always, he would have wagered a bet.
'One way or another, he will bring back the result soon.'
Marquis Esperanza gazed out over the streets of Rines, waiting for Edmon.
***
The place Edmon led to was the training hall of the Adventurer Guild.
It was also the place where Verden had first met Calia. Edmon stood at the center of the empty hall.
Verden tilted his head.
"Isn't this a bit narrow as the stage for a magic duel?"
It might suffice for a 3rd Tier Mage, but for two who had surpassed the 4th Tier and reached the 5th, it was far too inadequate.
Even a small misstep would destroy the training hall, and heavily damage the streets outside.
"That's why I said it, didn't I? I suggested something similar to a magic duel. I mean mana coercion."
Mana coercion.
Of course, with this alone one could not gauge overall ability, but it was enough to roughly discern whether one had the fundamentals as a Mage.
'Indeed. If it's that, this place will do fine.'
Mere mana would not bring the training hall down.
"I understand."
"Oh, from the way your expression does not change a whit, you must be confident. Good, then there are two conditions for victory. One, if the opponent's knees or hands touch the ground. The other, if the opponent declares surrender. Do you agree?"
"I agree."
"Then, I will yield the first move."
Verden activated his mana circuits to the fullest.
His opponent was a veteran Magus. There was neither reason nor need to hold back. Mana surged around Verden, violently. Densely concentrated mana began to exert strong physical force.
The wave of mana swept down on Edmon in an instant.
"Huh?"