Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 312

Episode 312 Arc (2)

The aircraft carrying Verden slowly lowered its altitude.

It seemed that the distance to stop was close, but it was only a worry. With a near-perfect precision of control, the flying craft turned and landed precisely at the Ark's dock.

“Thank you for your hard work, candidate.”

The people waiting below greeted us politely and inspected the ship.

Verden looked at the sight.

“Are they all part of the ark?”

“At the same time, I am also a resident of the Ark.”

People who live on Sky Island.

I had expected it to some extent, given the size of the island and the architecture… … .

‘… … It doesn’t feel real.”

It was the same even though I was coming down the stairs and stepping on the Sky Island.

Verden's mind was very complicated.

I felt an indescribable sense of bewilderment at the reality that was magically difficult to understand, and that feeling even led to astonishment.

And on the other hand, curiosity was piqued.

It was the instinct and habit of a wizard facing the unknown. That was why Verden was speechless.

Just how big is the ark?

To be honest, I wasn't curious about that right away.

I just wanted to explore this place, Ark.

“What’s your schedule like now?”

“The Ark meeting is tomorrow, so you can spend today however you want. However, as a candidate for the Ark, the areas you can freely move around are limited.”

“For example, the library…….”

“Of course you can. Would you like me to guide you?”

“Please.”

“Haha, you don’t have to say that. That’s my role. Anyway, I’m glad you like Ark quite a bit. Oh, what will Lady Leila do?”

“I’m going to the training ground.”

Leila tapped the hilt of her sword.

Since I couldn't move properly on the plane, I thought I'd swing my sword to cool down my sore body.

“Then let’s see each other later.”

Leila suddenly left.

Taylor was by her side.

“We should also go to the library now… Hmm?”

The listener stopped talking midway.

His gaze fell on another dock in the distance. More specifically, on a flying boat that was attempting to dock at the dock.

“The last flying boat from the Western Continent has arrived. Judging by the time… Lord Locke is probably on board.”

Ark candidate, Locke.

He was a warrior who fought alongside Verden in the Duchy of Liviant to subdue Gluttony, and was a disciple of Ren Balhag, the elder of the Ark.

“Did Locke go to the Western Continent?”

“I heard that Gluttony appeared on the Western Continent. So, Lord Locke himself has gone out to investigate. Since you are on your way, would you like to meet him?”

Why did Gluttony appear in the Western Continent?

Although such questions did arise, there was something else I wanted to know.

The situation in the Western Continent.

To be precise, about the latest information about the Bohemian Tower that is not reported in the newspapers.

“That would be good.”

Verden nodded after thinking about it.

* * *

Adrian's mission is to investigate Riverrun.

It was about whether the corpses of demons managed by the Adventurer's Guild, or related materials, were being distributed and disposed of normally.

The Adventurer's Guild is naturally a target of search.

And the same was true for the upper echelons of Riverrun.

'The guild can't do anything on its own.

Adrian had a keen insight into the workings of the Adventurer's Guild.

I've already decided where to start.

'First, the Adventurer's Guild Leader.'

Finding him was simple.

A young man leaves the Adventurer's Guild before the sunset.

She was adorned with various accessories and luxurious clothing, and was accompanied by a bodyguard who appeared to be an adventurer, so she stood out from afar.

'And there are three who are secretly guarding the guild leader while keeping a distance.'

I'm not a noble or anything.

The fact that a single guild leader has an escort like this means that there must be something fishy going on. It doesn't matter if there's no evidence at the moment.

In Adrian's experience, this was certain.

We continued to pursue them while keeping a distance so as not to be detected.

About two days had passed like that.

An ordinary carriage passed through the dark streets where the city was engulfed in night shadows. The guild leader got out and headed towards a building right next to the Hepin River, carrying a box.

This time, there was no escort at all.

As Adrian immediately expanded his scope, the guild master's voice was heard.

───… …Are you inside?

───You just arrived. Come in.

The guild leader adjusted his clothes and entered the building.

The man who had let him in stared blankly outside and then closed the door.

A moment later, as the guild leader entered the space at the center of the building, the sound completely disappeared.

'It's protected by magic.'

But there is no problem.

Magic is useful in many ways, but it is not a panacea.

The loopholes are even more obvious if it's not a high-level magic. Even if you're a swordsman and not a magician, there are many ways to exploit him.

Adrian closed his eyes.

After calming my mind and breathing, I used my energy to focus all my nerves on hearing.

Instead of the disappearing presence, a sound was felt.

Through the gap of magic, the voices of a young man and an old man could be heard alternately. Judging from the way they treated the guild master, they must have been of a high rank.

'Are you a noble?'

Maybe it's a city official.

The two of them chatted nonstop, laughing with each other.

The atmosphere seemed to get even more heated as we shared the very expensive liquor that the guild leader had brought. Most of the chatter was pointless, but it never stopped midway.

Adrian sat quietly and listened to the conversation.

And patience soon paid off.

I got a clue.

───The funerals of the adventurers who died this time have all been held. Haha, I didn't even make any donations, but the priests came out and prayed in person to commemorate the sacrifices. Thanks to that, I've saved up money.

───That’s great. But the money… … .”

───Tsk tsk, you really can't wait. You handled it well without me having to rush you. After disposing of the assets of the adventurers without connections, you've made quite a bit. Here's the promised rate.

───Thank you, Assistant Torlin. But what about Bishop Lena?

───Did you notice? Ha, I said it before, but don't worry about that. You only know how to reveal the money, you're so naive. You won't even dream of what's going on. By the way, what happened to the Ainzong?

───Ah, yes. All the corpses you mentioned have been loaded onto the ship. The guild ledger has been neatly organized, so even if an inspector comes, you don't have to worry about being caught. Um, by the way, there's something I'd like to ask you…

───What?

───What are you going to do with the corpses of the Ainz race that haven't even been dismembered? The amount I've given you so far is quite large.

───Hmm, you have a problem with that mouth. Do you really need to know that? You make money, and we benefit. Isn't that enough? You see, curiosity is often poisonous. The mayor will be very upset if he hears what you say.

───Sorry, I'm sorry. I made a slip of the tongue.

───Okay. Just pour me a glass.

The voice continued without interruption.

But since then, no significant information has been revealed.

Adrian, whose spirits had been calm, opened his eyes.

'He is the mayor's assistant.'

I got a clue.

I have a general understanding of what is happening in Riverrun.

Smuggling of Ainzoku materials.

It was a crime that was commonplace in the central continent, and there was nothing particularly strange about it.

'But it's strange that they moved the corpse instead of the material.'

Adrian pondered, with one question in mind.

How are we going to handle this from now on?

'Should I tail the aide?'

It wasn't a bad choice.

If things go well, we might be able to find out where the Ainz race's bodies are and who they're dealing with.

But I can't guarantee it.

If the aide breaks up that place and only reports, then this time I'll have to tail the mayor of Riverrun.

Adrian's pride was in speed, but he wasn't so confident in subtle infiltration.

It would be impossible to kidnap him secretly, since the city's guardian is guarding the mayor's side.

It's too ambiguous to end quietly.

That doesn't mean I wanted to spend too much time investigating, because the most important thing was to finish the work before the lord arrived.

then…….

───I'll leave it to your discretion.

'Yes, that's what the lord said.'

There's no need to be concerned about what others think.

All you have to do is do things the way you've always done them.

Is there any need to waste time?

Adrian already knew.

Just because stealth is required doesn't mean you have to move quietly.

I immediately turned my outer garment inside out and wrapped it around me.

He exhaled, his figure completely hidden by a robe that was gray, not blue.

There are a total of seven people inside the building.

Two wizards.

There are three who have awakened the spirit.

One each for the guild leader and the assistant.

'Subdue them in one breath and extract information.'

Even a frontal assault is no problem.

As long as your identity isn't discovered, it's considered undercover.

Adrian, full of enthusiasm, kicked the floor.

* * *

The slowly moving aircraft stopped.

As I descended the stairs from the deck, two people came trudging down.

A young man with brown hair and a man wearing a black robe.

The young man, Locke, took a deep breath.

“Haa, I finally made it. It feels really good to be back at the Ark after so long. Don’t you think so, Theon?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Compare what should be compared.”

“Hey, look at what you’re saying. Isn’t the assistant treating the ark candidate too rudely?”

“What about an assistant? You’re just taking me around unilaterally. It’d be better to take on another mission. I don’t even want to step on Gluttony’s shadow.”

“Well, that’s true. Since you’re a traitor to Gluttony, if Gluttony finds out and catches you… you’ll literally be boneless. Won’t you be chewed up and eaten?”

Theon was a former member of Gluttony.

An assassin who worked as the doctor's henchman in the city of Martes, a principality, and attempted to kill Verden, and was later captured by Verden while being chased by Gluttony's transplants.

His fate was extremely strange.

I lived as a mere consumable, but ended up becoming a henchman for the ark to subdue the fifth fang of Gluttony.

After that, he was temporarily assigned to the ark and received thorough training.

It was a fortunate turn of events.

Theon had been kidnapped as a child and forced to become an assassin for Gluttony, and was immune to the Shards of Gluttony, a powerful tool of their control, so he had plenty of room for reform.

Theon hung his head as he recalled his turbulent past.

“……Even I find it surprising that you’re still alive.”

“You’re both unlucky and lucky. By the way, if you don’t want to hang out with me, you can tell Master? Or maybe train at the Ark.”

Elder Ren Balhag, Locke's mentor.

Theon shuddered as he remembered his strict upbringing.

“That’s a bit…….”

“Then stop whining and help. If we mess up in the Western Continent, we could both be ruined. Oh, and first, let’s go get something to eat since I’m hungry.”

Two people walked.

After nearly a year of traveling together, the companionship had become familiar. Theon took a water bottle from his space bag and moistened the inside of his neck.

It was at that time.

A shadow blocked the way ahead.

"……uh?"

Locke's eyes widened as he realized the identity.

“Brother Asher?! I heard you were coming, but when did you arrive?”

“Just now. I see you’re okay.”

Verden shifted his gaze.

“And you too, Theon.”

A heartless wall engraved in my memory.

The moment he faced him, Theon's eyes widened.

“Coolook, coolook!!!!”

I heard a sare.