Part Twelve

Somewhere along England’s eastern coast. Ixan Isphael’s secret manor…….

“Is this accurate?”

“Yes, my Lord. Our agents were positive about this,”

“Hm, then I suppose fate really is a fickle thing.”

Several weeks ago, Ixan had asked Regina to look into a certain something for him, and she’d finally finished compiling the report. And it was slightly troubling.

“Michael Walters, Alicia Burrows, Kalia Mendez, Gwen and Gwyn Morgan. So these are the mercenaries who attracted the Dread Servant’s attention, and lived to tell the tale. Leaving aside the first one, why does that last name sound so familiar to me?”

“I believe he was one of the founding members of Garret Braddock’s organization, though he left before it crumbled. Kalia Mendez was as well, though I’m not quite sure what led to her joining the other two. Our agents that went into the Ethiopian Dungeon all died there, so we’re rather in the dark about the events that occurred there.”

“I see. I suppose that’s acceptable. Now then, is this who I think it is?”

“I…had to do a deeper search into his history to be sure, but I’m positive it’s him.”

“Ha…hahaha…hahahahahahhaha! My, what a truly fickle and cruel world we live in. Does Clint know?”

“…No my Lord, he does not. I believe he’s preoccupied with the matter we discussed yesterday.”

“Mn. Then I suppose I’ll cut to the meat of the matter. Where are they now?”

“That’s…slightly more complicated. Michael Walters seems to have split from the group. I was limited in how much I could find out, but it seems that he returned to the States a short while ago. Considering that he went via New York, I believe his objective was the Pennsylvanian disaster zone.”

“Hm, but why? Could it have something to do with his encounter with the Dread Servant? Are there perhaps other Spirits we’re not aware of? No, our dear friend would’ve told us about a threat like that. Then perhaps…a Trial?”

“Gasp! My, my Lord, are you sure of this? It’s barely been half a year since World Decay began. How could anyone already be at the first threshold? Even the strongest amongst us has only just barely reached that point-.”

“Regina.”

Ixan's Aura immediately forced Regina to realize what she’d just done. In response, she dropped into a deep bow, apologizing to her master from the bottom of her heart.

“Ah! A-apologies, my Lord. I spoke out of turn.”

“It's fine, Regina. Everyone loses their composure now-and-then. The important thing is to learn from these moments.”

“Y-Yes my Lord! But…is it really possible?”

“It is. Our dear friend specifically told me about three scenarios where something like this might happen.”

“T-three!? I find it hard to imagine that there’s even one way to do such a thing.”

“Yes, three. As you know, it takes the average mortal roughly six months to a year to reach the first threshold, though that time could be shortened if the individual in question is talented or pushes them self to the edge. That’s actually the first scenario, and probably the least troublesome. But the second is even worse. They could have a backer from an established organization. One that could provide them with all the items and knowledge necessary to jump up through the ranks. Though, I doubt that this is the case here. There’d be some sign if it was.”

“Yes, I believe you’re right. Everyone around him has an established history going back years. I doubt any otherworld organization has the capability to fake that so soon.”

“Mn. Which brings us to the third possibility, and perhaps the most troubling. A Dungeon that uses time dilution. And since there’s only a very small number of low-rank Dungeons that use that particular mechanic, we can be near certain that this will not end well. If Michael Walters survives his Trial, he will become an obstacle. Even if he doesn’t want to. It’s an inevitably at that point. That’s simply how this war is fought.”

***

Warsaw, Poland. Temporary Headquarters for the Allied Committee of International Defense……

“Tee-hee~. Why hello there!”

“…Madam Director, what is the meaning of this?”

“Well, I’m wondering that myself.”

“”””””…!?””””””

After several discussions with Tesandros, Natasha had reluctantly agreed to introduce her to the Committee’s Executive Board. The tiny menace had basically strong armed her into this, though it should be mentioned that Natasha had believed what she’d said about their world dying. It was kind of hard to discount what a literal fantasy creature said. Also, the cutesy façade she put on wasn’t so cute once you got a taste of the horror lurking beneath it.

“Oh, don’t be such a sourpuss, Natasha. I’m just tryin' my best. Aren’t we all?”

“You can cut that out now. You’re fooling anyone here.”

“Oh boo. You’re no fun. Fiiiiiine, no more games. Let’s get to business.”

With those words, the air around Tesandros shimmered, and her body rapidly expanded, becoming about the same size as the others in the room, though she maintained the same facial features. The sudden transformation stunned the members of the Executive Board, who’d already been rather perplexed by this series of events. Having talked to her for several days now, Natasha was the only one who wasn’t taken aback by it. She knew the fairy lookalike had a penchant for mischief and dramatic flair. She just hoped she’d rein it in for now. There was no need to make the others hostile this early on.

“Firstly, an introduction. I am High Seeker Tesandros Corvagos, leader of the Seeker cell assigned to this dimension. My comrades and I represent the interests of the Lore Seekers, an interdimensional organization devoted to the preservation of knowledge.”

One of the Board members raised their hand at that. “Wait, Lore Seekers? Like, the mysterious organization that created that forum the mercenaries use?”

“Yes, exactly! Well, that’s not exactly why we created that forum, but if it came in handy, then I suppose it was worth all the effort involved. Oh, the vindication!”

Opinions on this were mixed amongst the Board members. Some considered the forum and the mercenaries who used it to be issues that would need to be dealt with, while others considered them a blessing in disguise. Some of the later had even placed requests there, hoping to reclaim lost assets.

Only Natasha reacted differently. From their earlier talks, she knew that it wasn’t Tesandros who’d set the forum up, but one of her subordinates. There was apparently Magic involved in the process, which was why no one had ever managed to figure out anything about it. Their current technology didn’t account for Magic or mana.

“Hehe, aaaanywaaaay, our main goal in any new world is to help them survive the destruction caused by World Decay. The collapse of mortal civilizations is one of the leading causes of lost knowledge, something we strive to prevent. Unfortunately, I can’t say that you guys are off to a good start. You’re not going make it at this rate.”

“And who are you to say that!? What give you the right to waltz in here and-. Gah!”

One of the more combative members of the Board had jumped up at the perceived insult, though it was hard to say that Tesandros was wrong. Fact of the matter was that several countries had already fallen, and several others were under constant threat. Even the fact that they hadn’t seen it coming wasn’t enough to dispute what she’d said. Six months had already gone past, more than enough time to get their act together. Any leader from one of the nine Decay Worlds would consider them pathetic, and it seemed that Tesandros agreed with that sentiment. The second she’d seen the man jump up, she’d cast a Wind Magic Spell to knock him back into his seat. And for better or worse, all the Board members present had seen Magic being cast before, causing them to be shocked by the speed and precision of her casting.

“No way. How…?”

“Could the hero cast that quickly?”

“I, I doubt it. He’s strong, but that was just…it was just too fast.”

“Ahaha, that’s not something to get worked up about! It was just a little wind to quiet an unruly child, nothing spectacular. There are plenty of people and things out there stronger than me. But we should get back on track. What I’m offering is a chance at survival, not a guarantee. In exchange for material and knowledge, we’ll provide you with an assortment of goodies, all designed to help you survive the hells to come. And orrdinarily, I’d talk you through it all right now, buuuut, seeing as you’re all flustered now, I think I’ll give you some time to think it over. Hehe~, I wouldn’t want you to pass on this opportunity just ‘cause the blood went to your heads.”

Before anyone could respond to her, Tesandros snapped her fingers, causing herself to be consumed by a shimmer before disappearing. She’d used Space Magic to teleport away, leaving the Board stunned. Even Natasha could only hold her head in her hands. She’d unfortunately realized that Tesandros really didn’t care what happened to them. To her, they were just a source of entertainment.

***

[Menayos' POV]

*POP!*

“Woo-hoo! That was so much fun! Hahahahahaha! Did ya see their faces when I smoked that guy with [Gust]? Ahaha, priceless!”

“….High Seeker, your bad habit’s showing again. Please don’t treat the humans like toys.”

“But I can’t help iiittttt! When I see their little faces, I just want to tug on their cheeks or tease them into tears! What’s wrong with that? It’s a sign of affection I say! A sign of affection!”

Haaah, why are all the High Seekers this far gone? Menayos sighed to herself while watching her superior throw a temper tantrum. Most mortal beings that managed to make it to S-Rank were rather…out there by normal standards, and Tesandros being a monster certainly didn’t help. Jinjui were known for their love of cruel and unusual games, though this High Seeker’s actions were at the level of childish pranks. Menayos knew of more than a few who had all their screws loose. Even she was better than them, and she performed near-heretical experiments on a daily basis.

She was only here to act as backup just in case something happened. That meant she’d seen everything that had just happened, though she didn’t really care. She just wanted to leave. Tesandros was extremely exhausting to deal with.

“Please compose yourself. I’d like to get back to my research.”

“Grrr! That’s all you care about Menayos, research! Why not try to have some fun, or cut loose once in a while?”

“No thank you. I know what your idea of fun is, and I have no desire to ever indulge in something so…strange and unnatural.”

“Wha!? It isn’t strange! It’s wholesome! Wholesome I say!”

“No, it isn’t. There is nothing wholesome about children.”

“That’s where you’re wrong!...okay, okay, I’ll stop. Jeez, you don’t need to start casting spells at me. Just stop for a second though. There’s one, no, two more things before you go.”

“…Fine, what are they?”

“Uh, first, tell Asantos that I want to see him as soon as possible. I’ve got a job that only he can do. Secondly, do you know who the ‘hero' they mentioned was? You don’t think it’s…?”

“No High Seeker, I do not believe it’s a follower of Demiel. In fact, I believe I know who they were referring to. And while that boy does possess an affinity for Holy Magic, he is in no way one of the Father of Law's zealous followers.”

“Oh, thank the System. If he had been one, it would’ve been a disaster! With everything going on in this world, the last thing we need is one of those rule fetishists running around! The agents from House Valec are fine, but the Night Mother’s chosen would likely butt heads with him. And even if they didn’t, there’s no telling what he could’ve gotten up to. Those zealots are terrifyingly righteous. Why, they’ll hunt you down for breaking centuries-old rules that no one's even heard of! It’s disgusting!”

The teary-eyed look on her face said that she’d personally experienced what she’d just said, though Menayos was unmoved. In fact, she’d already teleported away by now, causing Tesandros to begin crying even harder. For someone who enjoyed teasing others, she sure was a crybaby.