Chapter 24 - Volume 1 (1/2)

Night. Marion was in the innermost room of the bar Meteor.

It’s a private room with a large round table.

At the round table, on the side opposite from where Marion was about to sit, sat Dort.

And as he stood up—

「Then, the 107th assembly of representatives of the twelve S-class guilds is to be started. I, Dort Kaufmann, shall serve as your host.」

He announced enthusiastically.

「We will be in your care. Though, I’m the only one present at the current assembly.」

As Marion responded to that announcement with applause, Dort showed a complicated expression.

「Hmm, I’m glad that at least one person came. This assembly is pretty much related to the operation of the surrounding cities and hence to the administration of this country, to think that they won’t even send substitutes.」

「Now that the festival of deities is close, everyone headed for the capital to collect items for the gods. And even more than that, the big factor is that there is almost no agenda this time.」

Marion looked at a single sheet of paper placed on the desk.

The issues that were supposed to be discussed at the meeting are written in advance and delivered in letters—

「The main topic this time is the shipment and price adjustments for magic stones and raw materials that Kaufmann-san’s merchants’ guild, Gemini, sells… Well, no one would show up for that.」

「Even though I planned to talk about a valuable opportunity that would be beneficial both for the city and me… Even though many representatives for S-class guilds live in other cities, I prefer if they showed their faces in here.」

Breathing out, as if to reduce his tension, Dort sits down in the chair.

「Now, now. It’s fine, isn’t it? After this, the protocol of the meeting will be sent to the others, I will deliver it. And them not coming also means that they leave the decision on the topic to our own discretion.」

Dort sighs hearing Marion’s words.

「Hmm… That is so. Since it’s a good chance, I guess I’ll use this to my advantage and rake just enough profit as not to induce rage from others.……Mages guild has too much money as of late, I guess I shall raise the price for high-grade magic stones that they need so much.」

Now it was Marion’s turn to sigh, seeing Dort, who started mumbling.

「Please keep it in moderation, so it wouldn’t result in strife.」

「Umu. I know. I was half kidding. ——Well, anyway, this means that I will be able to have a private conversation with you, so quite I’m happy.」

「And by a private conversation you mean?」

「Ah, it’s on the matter of you saving the research facility that we are financing, on top of fulfilling their request. Director Nonoa was very grateful. And so am I. When I received an urgent message about the attack on the facility, I was honestly terrified.」

Due to the importance of research on magical beasts, that facility is receiving financial support not only from the Lord of the City of Stars but from many guilds as well. Among those, Dort’s guild accounted for a considerable share.

Hence, his worries were just as large.

「You must be quite informed on details.」

「Yes, security is important for profits. And… Even more so since Axel-kun was involved… So, how is it? How was he after that?」

「To sum it up in one word – terrific. Enough to get me motivated despite the recent remarkable decrease in the number of transportation guilds.」

「I see, I see. Since there is a positive influence then it’s all good.」

Dort nodded with satisfaction.

Thinking about it, I met with Axel due to his introduction.

…Thanks to that I witnessed a lot of various things, so it was quite fun.

But above that, it all raised a lot of questions. And Marion decided to ask something that was on her mind for a while.

「Say, Kaufmann-san. I have one question.」

「Hm? What is it?」

「……Should I take it that Axel-san is that《Invisible Dragon Knight》Axel himself?」

Being asked, Dort kept silent for a few seconds.

However, his face said that he was hardly surprised.

「Hmm… So you reached the same conclusion after all. I thought that you’d ask this one day.」

Looks like he anticipated this question.

Then it was a good opportunity, so Marion continued talking.

「Well, after being shown such a power. I must ask what do you know. Is it confirmed that he is that hero, who saved this country?」

The existence known as Invisible Dragon Knight and the fact that there was a hero named Axel is something already known in this country.

But with that alone Marion was unable to judge that《Carrier》Axel was《Invisible Dragon Knight》Axel. And it seems that it was the same for Dort as well.

「Personally, I think, it’s almost certain… But, as you know yourself, there is no available pictures or records of Invisible Dragon Knight’s face. At most, it was possible to determine from the voice that it is a man. Thus, many fakes with his name appeared and caused confusion in many settlements. You do know how it went back then?」

It was very easy to pose as Axel, Invisible Dragon Knight. The number of fake Axels has greatly increased since the war with the Demon Lord.

「For the time there have been so many fakes that several heroes at the royal capital became enraged and hunted them en mass.」

「Yes, at the time, I was at the royal capital as well, few heroes with absolutely demon-like expression were catching fakes left and right. It actually left quite an impression.」

「——However, his power is real.」

He was clearly different from the bunch that had nothing aside from the name.