Chapter 235 Io Explained
It was the day after the story of Age of Gods and Chronosphere was disclosed to Aaron and others.
In the workshop that serves as the clan house for the Wooden Sword Way, Io Suleiman was troubled in front of the gathered clan members.
Now, he had to explain to the clan members what was discussed yesterday at the Four Families.
Of course, this was a secret that couldn't be leaked outside, and Io's sacred magic had already put a contract magic into effect.
The content of this contract was that what Io was about to say here today was strictly forbidden to be shared with anyone outside the clan or those who already knew the details.
To witness the use of the contract magic, the Four Families had also sent personnel for confirmation, and when the young man sent from their side nodded and said, "Yes, indeed. I confirm the use of the contract magic," Io finally had to start his explanation.
Besides the one person sent from the Four Families, all clan members, except for Aaron and Fiona, had already gathered in the workshop.
Yes, all clan members.
Glen had been asleep during the discussion yesterday, so it was understandable that she was participating today. However, even Garon, who had been listening seriously, was there with a nonchalant expression.
(I don't want to think that Garon didn't understand the content of the discussion...)
A hint of anxiety crossed his mind.
The story brought by Lucia yesterday was long, complicated, and difficult. However, Io felt that if one listened seriously, they could understand the general idea.
Actually, Io understands the story from yesterday well. And today, to explain it, he has simplified the content, keeping only the necessary parts.
But still, he feels anxious about whether these guys will understand.
"...Now, I would like to explain to everyone about what was discussed by the Four Families yesterday..."
As he spoke, Io looked around the workshop to check everyone's reactions.
"......"
He confirmed each person's face.
"......"
The members of the ≪Iron Wall Alliance≫ and the ≪Wood Sword Appreciation Club≫ seemed to be at least pretending to listen seriously.
Claire and the ≪Flames of Dominance≫, as well as Calum and ≪Balmung≫, Owen, Elliot, and Zara's party, could also be considered serious.
But what about everyone else?
"......"
The ≪Glen Squad≫ goes without saying, and the pigs and the Maiden Group, and for some reason, the drunks who have been chugging from bottles since morning, the ≪Gentlemen's Alliance≫ also had a somewhat decent attitude...
"......"
Io couldn't believe these guys would understand at all.
But Io explained anyway.
"First, let's talk about the stampede. As you all know, that stampede was artificially caused, and the true culprit is a secret organization called Chronosphere, formed by some who broke away from the [Four Great Families of the Seals]."
He kept his explanation concise.
Just the bare minimum is fine. Io decided that the clan's idiots didn't need to know everything.
And so!
"The Stampede managed to minimize the damage somehow. However, thanks to Chronosphere, the [God's Remains] that was sealed deep within the [God's Remains Labyrinth] has been released, and the [Evil God] has been revived!!"
Io decided to skip over many topics, like the "Age of Gods," the "true purpose of the secret organization Chronosphere," the "[Four Great Families of the Seals]," and the "God of Space and Time, Chronosphere"――there was just too much to cover!!
"The [Evil God] has reached the deepest floor of the [God's Remains Labyrinth] and is believed to have taken control of the labyrinth! The proof is that a ≪Great Transition≫ is happening in the labyrinth, and the teleportation circles that were set up in the lower floors have already disappeared. Monsters are not appearing, and it is turning into a Space with no caves or ruins. Soon, the Space itself will vanish, and the labyrinth will be completely restructured into a new form..."
Io spoke as if giving a speech.
Not giving the fools a chance to interrupt.
"If that happens, we will have to start from scratch to conquer the labyrinth again to defeat the [Evil God]! Therefore! While the teleportation circle we set up on the 46th floor is still functioning, we must cooperate with the 4 families and the explorer guild to reach the deepest floor of the labyrinth as quickly as possible and defeat the [Evil God]!!"
This is the important part.
No unnecessary questions should be raised by the fools.
Io raised a fist powerfully, like a politician rallying the crowd, and shouted.
"As soon as we're fully prepared, we'll dive into the labyrinth and defeat the Evil God! That's what we have to do!! ――So, do you understand what's at stake now? We can't slack off on our preparations and training as we head towards the final battle."
"Um, can I say something~?"
"――What is it?"
Just before finishing the conversation, one of the girls from the Maiden Squad raised her hand and interrupted Io's words.
Reluctantly, Io responded, albeit with some annoyance.
"I understand we have to defeat the [Evil God], but, um~, is that really something we have to do~?"
"...What do you mean?"
"There are other forces like the Four Noble Knights~ and the Necronia Security Forces, right~? I think there are plenty of other people who can help. Plus, when you say [Evil God]~, isn't that the one that even the heroes from the Age of Gods couldn't defeat and had to seal away~? Can we really take it down~?"
"That's right! Why do we have to do such a dangerous thing!?"
Following the Maiden Squad, the others also voiced their dissatisfaction.
"Hmm... there are many reasons why it has to be us. After all, our clan currently holds the greatest fighting power in Necronia..."
There were plenty of reasons. If they didn't defeat the [Evil God] before the Great Transition was fully completed, it would definitely lead to trouble. Plus, reaching the deepest part of the labyrinth where the [Evil God] is believed to be would be difficult without high-level explorers.
No matter how strong they were, the Four Noble Knight Orders and the Security Forces were not used to the labyrinth, and each of their combat abilities was lower compared to the "Wooden Sword Way." Therefore, in the deeper parts of the labyrinth, they would just be a burden.
There were many other reasons, but... Io didn't explain any of them.
If the opponents were the Maiden Squad or the pigs, there were easy words to silence them.
"――By the way, the [Evil God] is targeting Lady Fiona's body..."
"Let's kill the [Evil God]!!!"
"We're gonna kill it!!!"
The Maiden Squad and the pigs shouted all at once, and any opposing opinions disappeared.
With that, Io's explanation was successfully over――
"Um, what about that Chronosphere? What was their goal in causing the stampede?"
"......"
A member of the ≪Iron Wall Alliance≫ raised their hand to ask a question.
Then, Claire, Calum, and Owen also raised their hands to ask.
"First of all, why did the Four Noble families create such an organization?"
"Also, I think it's pretty bad that the [Evil God] has revived. What led to its revival?"
"Was the goal of those Chronosphere guys to revive the [Evil God]?"
"......"
Io answered.
"――The only thing we must do is one thing!! We must defeat the [Evil God]!!!"
"""Oooooo!!! We're gonna defeat the [Evil God]!!!"""
The voices rose, centered around the Maiden Squad and the pigs.
Io, not caring about the details, shouted loudly to drown out Claire's questions!!
"That's right!! Let's defeat the [Evil God]!!"
"""Let's defeat the [Evil God]!! Let's defeat the [Evil God]!!"""
"Let's defeat the [Evil God]!! Let's defeat the [Evil God]!!"
"""Let's defeat the [Evil God]!! Let's defeat the [Evil God]!!"""
"Alright!! Now that the explanation is over, everyone disperse!! For today, focus on your own training!!"
"Um, Io—―."
"Disperse!!"
They dispersed!!
* * *
And then time went back, Lucia stayed at the Aron house, taught Chloe some knowledge, and then returned to Aaron's home――this was the day after that.
Early in the morning, Eva Kirke, the head of the Kirke family, heard... no, felt a "voice" that wasn't just the air vibrating.
It was a thought call through the Brain Support Interface.
'――H-help me, Eva!!'
Immediately, Eva, who was busy with her work, stopped her hands.
After a few seconds, recognizing the voice's owner, Eva couldn't believe her ears.
'――Huh? Is that you, Lady Lucia?'
'Yes! Help me, Eva!!'
Seeing that the usually calm and expressionless little girl was in a panic and asking for help, Eva instinctively tensed up.
She could easily predict that something serious was happening.
After taking a few deep breaths, Eva forced herself to calm down and asked Lucia.
'Lady Lucia, please calm down and tell me what happened. What exactly is going on?'
'W-well, Fiona...'
'Fiona!? What happened to Fiona!?'
But hearing her friend's name made her calmness vanish in an instant.
What on earth happened to Fiona? Could it be... the worst-case scenario? The [Evil God] is targeting Fiona, who has the backdoor Jobs.
Could it be that the [Evil God] has come to kidnap Fiona...?
Lucia's thoughts trembled as if she were crying.
'F-Fiona has... broken...!!'
'...Huh? Fiona has broken...? W-What does that even mean!?'
Eva stood up from her chair at the unsettling answer.
The vassals who were working in the office turned to look, wondering what was going on, but she didn't have the luxury to care.
Lucia revealed the cruel—truth.
'Fiona has become all fuzzy and regressed to a toddler...!!'
'........Huh?'
She couldn't quite understand what she was saying.
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