"Noelle, are you there?"
A tongueless voice calls me along with the sound of knocking on the door. This is Marie, the billboard girl from Shizukukan, where I'm staying. The time is before noon. The Shizukukan of the Stars is also in a rush hour to prepare for lunch. Yet Marie's voice was laid back everywhere.
Marie smiles softly when I open the door.
"Oh, there you are. Good luck."
"What's wrong with you?
"To Mr. Noel, a customer is here. Do you mind if I let you through?
"Hey, is Modern Opinion a newspaper reporter?
"That's how it works, newspaper reporter. They promised to see you, didn't they?
Marie nods, so I look at the clock. It was a few days ago that Modern Opinion asked me in a letter to do an interview to put it on the column. I promised to start at thirteen o'clock today, but the time is only before noon.
"That's a lot faster..."
Well, it's better than being late. Early morning workouts are so over that I'm free now. Let's just get this over with and have lunch.
"Okay, will you let me through to my room?
"Ok ~.... all of them, aren't you handsome?
"Handsome or not, what does it matter here and now..."
"Ra, I wonder if the combination of handsome and handsome can be more visible. If Noel is going to be alone in the Chamber, he'll be more than happy to look good.
"... just to be clear, I don't have a hobby over there"
"What!? Lie!?
"You..."
Damn, if you're this kid, don't get worse every day. If this is at ten, what happens when you grow up? It's just horrible to think about.
You don't have to be afraid, Mr. Noel. And God said, A handsome man shall be bound with a handsome man. That's the natural dish. "
"Marie, it's time for the doctor to look at your head. Or do you want me to put a hole in your skull and rub your brain?
"Marie is not wrong! What's wrong is that this world is better!
"I've said a hell of a thing, you shitty kid. But I'm impressed with your readiness to turn the world against your enemies, too. I like it, you're free to use our Kouga and Leon."
"What, are you gonna do a picture morel for me?!?
"Oh. You can intertwine them as your overflowing inspiration"
"Wow, I did it!
Marie rejoices as she drools her nosebleed. It's bad for Kouga and Leon, but let's try to get them to be Marie's craving.
If Marie gets satisfied and grown up, her father Gaston should also have a little less hard work. The tired back of the single fathers Gaston occasionally showed was sad and pathetic.
In other words, this is good deed. Those two have good roots, so explain the circumstances and you'll be happy to take them on. - Correction. You'll take it on with a face like you chewed up a bitter bug.
"Come on, is it time to get me a reporter? Look, it's chips."
Marie smiles and nods as I let her grip the change.
"Oh, my God! I'll call you right away!
I dropped off my little back running away and I sighed out loud.
"Really, what kind of adult would you be, that child..."
†
†
"Nice to meet you, Thomas of Modern Opinion."
It was an intelligent-style old man with glasses who came into the room. I'm not really handsome, but I'm familiar, and my hips are tasteful and soft. At least I didn't see any elements that offended me.
We sit in a chair and head over the table.
"Thank you very much for agreeing to the interview during your busy day. And I sincerely apologize for taking the time forward at your convenience."
"I don't mind that, but was there a problem too?
"Yeah, actually, the Explorer (Seeker) Association (Guild) is going to make a big announcement from the time I was promised, and I needed to go out there too... I apologize for the inconvenience caused to Mr. Noel. If it wasn't convenient for you, I was going to apologize for letting you change the day."
Well, it's definitely about the Ten Kings of Underworld Prison. He said he would announce it soon, but is that what it is today?
According to new information obtained from Harold, it appears that it is not a year later, but six months later, that the Ten Kings of Underworld (Valiants) will be in existence. If I were to announce, it would be this time of year. If the Ten Kings of Underworld (Valiants), who are at risk of catastrophic classes, were to become a reality, it would also have a major impact on the economy. You can't delay the announcement any longer.
"Now, let me start the interview quickly. First of all..."
Thomas retrieves the pen and notepad.
"No, let's not do today's interview"
I shook my head to the side.
"What do you mean?
"'Cause we have a big announcement to make after this, right? Nobody pays attention to the columns where my interviews go."
"Well, that's... if you're thinking about the psychology of your subscribers, you might be right. But an information medium called a newspaper doesn't consist of just one article. Many readers would like to read Noel's interview."
"Wouldn't you?
"Of course! Anyway, I'm the master of the hottest clan, Stormwing Snake (Wild Tempest) right now! The same Explorer (Seeker) as well as the general public are paying attention!
"Uh-huh."
"If you're angry that I didn't keep time, I apologize on top of everything else. I'm so sorry. Apologies will be combined with an increase in the interview fee, so why don't you take an interview?
Thomas bows his head in the way he is used to. But I shook my head sideways again.
"It's not about the money. Let's stop today."
"Don't say that, Mr. Noel."
Hand control the eating Thomas.
"Don't get me wrong. I will be interviewed. But we're talking about stopping it today. Again, it's a bad day. No, no one will pay attention to anything else for the time being. Anyway, the Seeker Guild announcement will reward the current state of emergency six months from now."
Thomas opens his eyes to my words.
"... ho, is that true?
"True. Definitely because that's what the inspector in charge told me. It was stopped, but if there is an announcement soon after this, there will be no problem talking about it. Strict scrutiny is needed to narrow down Explorers who can be a force in a showdown six months from now."
"I see. So, you're absolutely sure. But the Ten Kings of the Underworld (Valiant) will be here in six months?... This is gonna be rough all over the empire."
Thomas putting his arms together. How dare you talk about my interview, you're so driven to the corner of your brain.
But that's it. In the first place, I never meant to get a decent interview from the start. The presentation of the Explorers Association (Alliance) was a very convenient topic. Now my measures work smoothly too.
"You must have listened to me and understood. I just did an interview for the column in this situation and no one reads an article like that"
"Indeed, you are right...... The space in the column itself could run out because the story needs to be covered not only on one side, but in its entirety"
"Right? So I suggest we change the day. - And let's change the way we interview. How about I gather more than one major clan master and do a joint interview instead of just me?
"Joint interview, is it?
I nod to Thomas tilting my neck and keep talking.
"How the big clan challenges the Ten Kings of Underworld Prison (Valiants) should be of concern to all of the people. The master of each clan will discuss it in an interview format and your company will make it an exclusive article. I guarantee you topicality."
"Nice, that! Great idea!
Thomas glared his eyes and let his hips float.
"Be sure to let us do it in our company! Full cooperation!
"Then shall I ask you to arrange and prepare the venue? Let's make it a fancy party to make it more topical. I want to call not only Seekers, but also Riches and Celebrities."
"Okay. I'll take care of the venue. If you are electing an invitee, may I leave it to Mr. Noel?
"Oh, I'll take care of that."
"But will the other clanmasters agree with the call? Indeed, the Stormwing Snake (Wild Tempest) has gained visibility since it made its clan debut, but that's why most of its peers shouldn't feel comfortable. I was wondering if it would be a little difficult to gather people in Mr. Noel's name..."
Thomas deserves to be worried. I'm the new master who just made his clan debut, and I've got a lot of bad reviews. Few people would be called by such a young man to endorse it. No, I don't think he's here at all. So I'm going to use 'The Man'.
"No problem. Joint interview opens under the name of another Explorer (Seeker)"
"Who is that other Seeker?
To Thomas' question, I smile.
"Sieg Fanstein, Submaster of Heilong Squad, Empire's Greatest Clan"
†
†
After I broke up with Thomas, I came to the rugged Rock Mountain, located an hour away from Teito using a fast horse. Rock skin is sharp and no decent hiking trails exist. I also needed to climb the rock wall, and even I was constantly working out, it wasn't easy to get to the top.
The summit has thin air and cold winds like ice. Very, not a place where people can stay long. But according to Loki's story, Zeke comes here a lot. Looking for that figure and looking around, a strange sight popped in.
"The mountains are moving..."
Precisely, some of the rock skin is moving up and down. When I approached and checked my identity, I lost a lot of words of amazement.
There, only one man was lifting rock masses as many as Koyama.
I guessed the weight from the size of the rock mass and there would be about four thousand tons. Plus, with that rock lifted, the guy was squatting.
It is no longer a business for people to form. Beyond men, the power of the divine domain.
"Is this the power of the active EX rank…"
Eventually, the man - Sieg Fanstein - throws the rock mass he was lifting far away. The impact sounded like a lightning strike, and the ground rocked tremendously.
Siege, who is raising the hot air from her naked upper body, takes the towel out of her bag at her feet and wipes her sweat. Its flesh, which boasts extraordinary strength, is thin and supple without enlargement. Perhaps the muscle density is awesome. It should be many times heavier than normal, even if it looks thin.
Sieg, who finished wiping his lightly habituated flax hair with a towel, looked back and smiled softly, a little surprised when he found me.
"This is a rare customer."
"You're a surprisingly hard worker. I never dreamed I'd be training out of line like this. I reviewed it a little."
"Thank you for the compliment. But hard-working isn't a good word."
Sieg takes out the water bottle and moistens his throat before continuing.
"Noel, you'll see. Effort is no word, no praise whatsoever. All we need is results. As hard as it is, even children can do it. In the first place, how many people are not striving for this world? I mean, hard work is evidence of ordinary people. Being all sweaty like this is more of a disgrace. If that's true, I want my efforts to disappear like foam and only the results will remain."
Ordinary, huh? I don't think that's the word of anyone who got to the EX rank. But it doesn't seem like it's masochistic pride. Sieg feels like he's sincerely saying it.
I suppose a spirit that can work harder than anyone, even though it despises the effort as crap, is why it pushed this man to the strongest corner of the Empire. I mean, the steel will do whatever it takes to be strong.
"So, what can I do for you? I came all the way here to see you. Sounds like a story you can't do in Imperial City. You're welcome to go down to the military gates of the Heilongs, but that doesn't seem to be the case."
"I need to ask you something. Will you listen to me?
"I remember you saying terrible things... well I'm an adult too, let's just say the past runs into water. If you just want to ask, you can ask."
When I walked over with my consent, Zeke pointed to the silver-wing snake, the symbol of the brooch I was wearing on my chest - the Stormwing Snake (Wild Tempest).
"That clan symbol is becoming famous. So the other Seekers (Explorers) often call you 'snakes' rather than clan names about you. When it comes to snakes in Imperial Capital, it means storm-wing snakes (Wild Tempest), and it shows you"
"Is that it?
"Snakes are creatures that frighten people. I just thought if we weren't careful, we'd be poisoned and swallowed whole."
I laughed bitterly at Sieg's shoulder.
"Don't worry. I'm not gonna rip your fangs off."
- Now, yeah.
"My favor is to borrow your name."
I'm planning a joint interview with Modern Opinion. After listening, Zeke strokes his jaw with an intriguing face.
"That sounds pretty funny. Is the purpose of looking for patrons (patrons) in a party named Joint Interview?
"Oh, you're right. I need money."
When I snort, Sieg smiles at me like he's mean.
"Noel, isn't that a lie? No, maybe that purpose too. But the real purpose is to use influential interviews with the public to clear up the bloody stripper (leather mask) - Hugo's wrongdoing, right?
"Oh, you knew."
I guess Sieg also has his own network of information, just like I have an informant named Loki. Nothing surprising from what I knew.
"Don't you deny it?
"It doesn't hurt or itch where I'm known."
As Zeke said, my real purpose is to steer public opinion to clear Hugo of his wrongdoing.
It is difficult to move an authoritarian ministry of justice. So I've been letting Loki use it to gather information of high value for use.
We already have all the materials that can prove Hugo innocent, but what we need as a last resort is to put public opinion on our side and create a situation where the Justice Department, in extension, the State itself, is forced to admit wrongdoing.
It was impossible when it was outside the sky (Blue Beyond). In a position to the extent of Rookie's expectations, no one would have listened. But not now. And more seductively (sensationally), we can also have a place where we can sue Hugo for his innocence.
"Noel, your measures are not bad. You'll get the results you want. But that's not convenient for me. But is there a reason why I should take on your favor?
"Of course, I'll prepare it in return"
"What great return would that be? I'd love to hear it."
"I'll let you fight Rio"
When I told him, his expression disappeared from Sieg's face.
The Empire City, the sanctuary of the Seeker, is home to two of the strongest. One is Sieg Fanstein, a sub-master of Heilong Squad in front of him. And the other, the Master of the Hundred Nights, is Rio Eddin.
The clan's rank is higher for the Heilongs, but Sieg and Rio rank EX each other. Moreover, unlike Viktor, the master of the other EX ranks, Heilong Squad, it is also physically in full season. Therefore, in the present imperial capital, there is a trend to treat these two as the strongest in the same row.
However, it was to be known in the last interaction that the prized Sieg was unhappy with the treatment. He also wants to wear black and white, which is stronger than Rio. Best of all, each other's positions. There is no way I can be allowed to fight selflessly.
Yeah, I know I've been trying to convince myself.
"You want to fight Rio, don't you? I can make that happen."
"True, I want to fight Rio. Come on, I want to make it clear which one is the true strongest. But I'm in a position. I'm not allowed to have a personal fight where my life is in danger."
"So I'll let you fight in full without worrying about life or death, where everyone admits it"
"... how?
I decided not to give the answer immediately, but to explain it in an orderly fashion.
"Storm Winged Snakes (Wild Tempest) will be Seven Stars (Regalia) in six months"
To that proclamation, Zeke said nothing. I don't know if you think it's possible, but at least I never laughed that it's impossible. A sub-master of the strongest clan. By shutting up, Sieg is just encouraging ahead.
"Seven Stars (Regalia) is a title given by the Emperor. In other words, a glimpse will come true. Then I'm going to propose a plan to the Emperor."
"A plan?
"All Explorers (Explorers) have been granted the right to compete in a Fighting Game."
"What!?
I keep explaining to Sieg, who is surprised to see his eyes round.
"As you know, the Ten Kings of Underworld Prison (Valiant) will be present in this empire. If you think of the anxiety of the people, you need a grand ceremony to quench it. The emperor always swallows my suggestion. And many more prestigious Explorers (Explorers) than will be held in the name of the Emperor will also want to compete in a Fighting Games that will give a broad indication of their strength. Especially since the Seven Stars (Regalia) will fight directly against the Ten Kings of the Underworld (Valiant)."
The Ten Kings of Underworld Prison (Variant) will be challenged in the Alliance of the Seven Stars (Regalia). Then there will be the story of who will be the general general who will take command of the formation.
Given our track record, it's Viktor, the master of the Heilongs. But Viktor is too old. It's impossible to fight while taking command on the front line.
In other words, everyone else in the Seven Stars (Legalia) has a chance to become the General, more than Viktor is excluded. And in order to be a general, the fighting tournament that I plan is the stage for showing strength.
Of course, for me.
"I see, I see... I see! That idea was a blind spot. If the rules prohibit the killing of your opponent, you can indeed fight Rio. Besides, if the emperor recognizes the fight, my participation as a sub-master of the Heilong team will not be considered a problem."
"Exactly. We're still working on the rules, but we're going to make it possible for people with different ranks to fight each other from the front so that everyone can win."
"That's an interesting idea, too. But can I talk so perky? You can steal that idea and I can open it myself, right? Because if I kill you here and now, no one will think it's an idea that someone else has in mind. And convenient, this is a place rarely visited by anyone."
I laughed with my nose at the clear Zeke threat.
"It's better not to say things that aren't in your heart either. You think it's quicker to use me than to throw your own fighting competition. More importantly, can you ask Riau to compete?
"... poke where it hurts. Pride is a real pain in the ass."
Sieg looked sinister and turned his back on me.
"Fine, I'll take your measures. I'll lend you my name, so make sure you open a fight at dawn when you become Seven Stars (Legalia)."
"Admitted. By the name of my grandfather, Brandon Stolen."
The story came together. Sieg accidentally keeps talking as he tries to turn his heel back and leave.
"Noel, I want to ask you one thing. Which one do you think is stronger, me or Rio?
"... I've never met Rio in person. But as far as his combat record goes, Rio is stronger. The most powerful Seeker in the Empire is definitely Rio."
It's also true that Zeke is out of standard. But even with the same EX rank, Rio is much better than I expected.
"Well, let's just say I believe in your analysis. So I'm going to be a challenger?... It burns."
Moment after moment, a spectacular struggle was unleashed from Sieg. I don't know his face because he's turning his back, but I'm sure Sieg has a deep grin.
"Sieg, I don't hate that about you"
The words, whining small, were rolled in a blowing breeze and vanished without reaching Siege.