Chapter 205 I'd Like To Confirm Something With You
After we took our seats, I thought the discussion would start right away, but that wasn't the case.
"What's going on? Are we not starting yet?"
"Not yet. Three more people haven't arrived."
Lucia, the little girl sitting next to me, answers my question.
It seemed we weren't the last ones to arrive. As evidence, the door opened again after a short wait, and the remaining 3 people entered the room.
The ones who entered were all familiar faces.
Logan Abrams.
Ail Hermit.
Noah Kirke.
These 3 people were the ones.
All of them had "Anti-Magic Rings" embedded on their necks, and Logan and Ail were also wearing sturdy, metallic handcuffs. It was as if――no, it was clear they were being treated like prisoners.
However, compared to the remaining one person, they were somewhat better off.
Like Logan and the others, Noah Kirke also had an "Anti-Magic Ring" embedded, but he was seated in a wheelchair, and his entire body was restrained with belts, not just his wrists. Even so, a faint, arrogant smile was floating on his face――until the next moment, when his expression crumbled.
"Eva... Eva!"
"Brother and Logan are over here, Mr. Ail is with Uncle Nacht."
"Understood."
Lady Eva, who had approached Noah and the others as they entered the room, walked behind Noah and pushed his wheelchair. Meanwhile, Ail, who had received instructions, moved to where the people with black hair and golden eyes――likely from the Caduceus family――were seated.
"Ah, I'm causing you trouble, Eva. I want to do it myself, but it can't be helped. It's also kind of refreshing to have Eva take care of me like this."
"You should reflect on your actions, big brother."
Lady Eva responded with a complex expression to Noah's casual remark, and moved towards the corner where Kirke's people were gathered.
Anyway.
And then, after the last 3 people entered the room, the 4 magicians from the 4 families, who were standing in the 4 corners of the room with their staffs at the ready, activated their magic.
Magical energy spread throughout the room, and then a barrier was deployed.
It's probably a space perception magic, a type of barrier magic. Its purpose was clear, and it was meant to prevent eavesdropping or other unforeseen events.
After all, the conversation that was about to take place here was something that the [Four Great Families of the Seals] absolutely did not want to be overheard.
"It looks like everyone's here now."
I said, taking another look around the room.
There were the heads of the [Four Great Families of the Seals], as well as the young people who were likely to be their successors. There were also people who served the families, like Stewart, who held important positions like that of a steward.
About 5 or 6 people from each family were attending this meeting.
However, Kirke's group seemed to have a few more people, probably because Logan and Noah were there.
And in the corner where the people from Caduceus had gathered, there was also Chloe, who looked like she was feeling a bit cramped.
And the people from the Explorer Guild, it seems that only 3 people were called, including the Guildmaster, his secretary, and the leader of "Dark Crow", who had explored the labyrinth with me before.
Aside from the 4 families and the Guild, only our group, ≪Wooden Sword Way≫, was present, and the only others in the room were the magicians maintaining the barrier in the 4 corners.
There was no one else.
"――Alright."
Just as the last ones, Logan and the others, took their seats, Zephyr Aron stood up.
Mr. Zephyr's nervous-looking face scanned the room, and he opened his mouth.
"From now on, I plan to share information about the Stampede 2 years ago and this time, as well as the masterminds behind it. Of course, I think you all understand, but what is discussed here must be kept confidential. ≪Wooden Sword Way≫ has permission to share it with their clan members later, but you must make a magic contract to keep it confidential."
And Mr. Zephyr looked at me――or rather, at Io.
"I understand. I can make the magic contract, so don't worry."
"Ah, thank you. ...Really, thank you."
For some reason, Mr. Zephyr looked at me again and emphasized it.
Hmm... since I'm the clan master, I'm responsible for controlling the clan members, that's what he wants to say. Ugh, being the head of an organization is a real pain, with all the responsibilities. But I won't run away from my responsibilities as the workshop leader.
I smiled and nodded at Mr. Zephyr, who was looking at me.
Then, for some reason, Mr. Zephyr looked at Io again.
"......Io, I'm counting on you. I'm counting on you."
"...Yes, I'll take care of it."
Mr. Zephyr is really worried, isn't he?
By the way, the contract magic that's forbidden to speak about isn't the kind that forces people to do something, like the one Logan had. It's a type of sacred magic where if the contractor breaks the prohibited terms, a tattoo-like pattern called a "guilt mark" appears on their face.
You can't force someone to do something, but if they have a guilt mark, they'll lose all credibility and be shunned by society. That means it's impossible to live a decent life with a job.
For many people, that's a fear that's on par with death. That's why the compliance rate for contracts made with this magic is extremely high.
As expected, only sage like Io can use this magic, so when we talk to the clan members, Io plans to use contract magic.
We're also scheduled to send personnel to the 4 families to confirm that the contract magic has been established.
"Ah-ha... Well, before we talk, I'd like to confirm something with you, Aaron Gale."
"What is it...?"
I thought it was strange, but I urged him to continue.
Then, Mr. Zephyr continued.
"Before we discuss the mastermind behind the Stampede, if you can release Ail and Noah from their contract magic, we can get more detailed information from them directly. So, if possible, could you please release them from their contract magic...?"
"No, what's that...? You're asking me, but I don't know if I can do it. If it's possible, then shouldn't you just do it?"
I was confused. Why was he asking me to do something like that?
However, Mr. Zephyr and the other heads of the 4 houses, upon hearing my response, began to exchange glances, as if they were trying to communicate some sort of intention. It seems like they're thinking I gave a predictable answer...
"Aaron, from here on out, I'll explain."
As the heads of the houses exchanged glances, Logan suddenly spoke up.
"You know how I told you about the powerful contract magic called [Testament (Contract before God)] that was cast on me in the underground?"
"Yeah."
"Normally, this contract magic can't be undone by others, nor can it disappear on its own. But the [Testament (Contract before God)] cast on me actually disappeared. That's why I could say the name 'Chronosphere'."
"Hmm..."
"That day, the day after you left Kirke's mansion, we――myself and the heads of the houses――tried to figure out why the contract disappeared. And as a result... it seems that we've reached the conclusion that you, Aaron, are the one who erased the [Testament (Contract before God)] cast on me."
"What? Me? Are you guys mistaken?"
I'm even more confused now. That's because I don't have any memory of doing something to erase the contract.
So, I think the heads of the houses might be mistaken... but Logan seems completely convinced.
"No, it's possible. You're the only one who could have done it, Aaron. Do you remember the sword technique you used against me last time? You cut through my magical energy, didn't you?"
"Ah... yeah."
I nodded, recalling the memory.
Magical energy was cut off, what a wonder. If I had to describe that one blow in one phrase, it would definitely be an expression like that.
"Huh?"
"After that one blow, the magical energy inside me dried up. That's not all. The nanomachines that were massively produced after drinking the 'Activator' must have been eradicated as well. It's likely that the [Testament (Contract before God)] was also erased at that time."
"Ahh... so, you mean that thing? If you take the same blow again, I can cancel that [Testament (Contract before God)]?"
"That's right... Can you do it?"
With a serious face, I was asked, and I looked at Ail, then Noah, and thought about it.
To be honest, I think I can do something similar. However, I'm not too confident that I can do it exactly the same way. That's because I'm not clearly aware of how I cut off the magical energy back then.
Probably the only thing I can do now is to fuse my sword and aura to create a white silver sword. And I think I can somehow replicate the sword techniques Logan used and the invisible slashes.
But, I'm not sure if I can cut off only the magical energy with that.
It's extremely difficult to cut off only the magical energy without affecting anything else.
If I can refine my senses to the limit, I might be able to do it, but I don't think I can achieve that state again, like back then.
Somehow, I feel like I won't be able to reach that state even if I fight Logan again.
It's also because, when I fought Logan, I didn't think I'd struggle as much as I did back then, not because of overconfidence or arrogance, but...
However, I can't say it's absolutely impossible...
I thought it through carefully and replied with a serious face.
"If I fail, I think you'll end up in a worse state than minced meat... but if that's okay with you, I'll give it a try?"
Maybe I'll succeed.
I can't deny the possibility.
But that didn't seem to be the answer Logan and the others were looking for. The heads of the 4 families were also shaking their heads from side to side.
"No, if there's a possibility of failure, let's stop... or maybe I'll end up like that too?"
"Ah, well, yeah."
I nodded in agreement with Logan, who had a subtle, tense expression.
When I think about it, the probability of Logan being liquefied beyond minced meat with that attack was higher. I managed to cut through the magical energy with just my sword, which was unbelievable, back then.
However, I took out "Black-White" from my Storage Ring and asked Zephyr.
"Can't you cancel that [Testament (Contract before God)] or something?"
"Ah, don't worry about it. In that case, those who understand the circumstances, including myself, will discuss it and share the burden. So put that sword away. We can't rely on violence right away."
"Okay. I feel relieved hearing that."
I put "Black-White" back in the Ring.
I also dislike relying on violence. I'm a pacifist at heart.
"And so, who's going to talk to us then?"
Anyway, even if it's uncertain, I'd be in trouble if I didn't take the initiative, so I decided to take the lead. And then, the one who responded wasn't Mr. Zephyr.
"It's only natural that I'll be the one to start talking."
With a burst of energy, the little girl jumped off the sofa and said that.
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