Volume 3 Chapter 8.4 (1/2)

Volume 3 Chapter 8.4

Translator: Adam Seacord

Editor: Weasalopes

“I’m back. Any new information on the incident in the Desert?”

At the Darl palace, the queen who had been absent under the pretense of meeting with the temple representatives had asked Sergio the one thing that was on her mind the whole time, the second she returned. The whole reason for her traveling this time was because of this incident, anyway.

“A long absence for just talking in the temple. We do have a good collection of information.”

“I see. I’ve stopped by everywhere I could to collect as much as we could.”

“Your Highness, please don’t go wandering about in this emergency…”

“Only so much information one can trust without getting ahold of it themselves.”

The Queen was too careful to limit her source of information to anyone within her palace. If she hadn’t collected rumors on her own accord, all it would take would be for Sergio to betray her for her to become the ignorant, Naked Queen. While it wasn’t very likely for Sergio to betray her now, she knew there was no absolutes in this world.

Truth be told, the Queen wanted to change the very system where all info coming into the palace had to pass through Sergio, but since there was no one else to do the job, she had to maintain the status quo.

“Let’s get back on topic. New intel?”

“Let’s see. Our intel team just returned. The biggest tip is that we finally narrowed down the location of the incident.”

“Oh? Where was it?”

“Apparently, about 50 kilometers South South East from the entrance into the Scorching Desert. They can’t be sure without seeing the actual location, but someone had cast a major spell. Judging by the fact that the vibrations reached us, it’s a spell comparable to Hell Inferno. Most likely.”

“…That’s certainly a scary thought. But it would narrow the search down if we’re looking for someone who can cast such a spell.”

While Hell Inferno had its time in the spotlight every decade or so when a large horde of monsters appeared, but it was, of course, nothing that could be fired off left and right in this world. The magic needed to use it was on an entirely different level than spells that could be used in normal combat. It was a little difficult for a solo mage to use it without stipulation.

Even Tatsuya, who had ten times the amount of magic as the average mage, could only use the spell once in his best condition, if it wasn’t for the cost reduction he got from his wand. That was a major spell. Naturally, it would narrow down whoever could use it, and it could only be used, ordinarily, as a ritual spell or with the aid of many boosters. It wouldn’t be too difficult to narrow down the castor. While much more efficient than Hell Inferno, the same could be said for the most part about the technically major spell, Holy Octocannon.

A major spell was something that most high-ranking adventurers, let alone any civilian has seen it cast. With the scale of the spell, it was no wonder that it was seen as some catastrophe in the desert. In Darl, anyway, a spell like that was only cast once every decade or so, after all.

“Now this is my personal opinion, but perhaps this Barold is more than a part of it, but the attacker himself?”

“Hm. Do you mind if I ask why you think so, Your Highness?”

“First, from what I’ve read in the documents from Farlane, this Barold apparently used Hell Inferno with ease. Besides, the attack on the temple workers that have got the city riled up shares someone of the M.O. with this Barold.”

“But is that enough, Your Highness? Besides, I believe Barold was taken out by Alvan.”

“It was active in Farlane at the same time, I believe. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to think that some knaves of similar powers are all over the place, working under the same name, now, is it?”

Sergio could only nod with a frown at the queen’s response. Truth be told, it was no laughing matter if there was a bunch of creatures that could each fire off Hell Inferno on their own, but after inspecting foreign intel, he couldn’t be too sure that the queen was wrong.

“And my biggest reason for believing this…”

“…What is it, Your Highness?”

“There’s intel that suggests our guests from Farlane were in the desert before noon. The incident occurred a little past 3. If the Norton sisters were with them, it isn’t impossible that Barold was after the sisters, and entered combat with them, resulting in the incident.”

The queen had excluded this possibility at first, but now that she had seriously considered it in her mind, she notified that much to Sergio. If she had been sure that the incident wasn’t caused by the like of a major spell, she wouldn’t have given the theory a second thought.

“Then, they’re…”

“I don’t know how, but they seem to be alive, at least. They’re stuck in the sandstorm and would return tomorrow or later. According to the communication the temple received, anyway.”

“Survived being caught in a major spell…”

“If they were the kind that wouldn’t, they would have died in the incident in Farlane.”

Sergio could only agree with a chuckle at the queen’s assessment. Judging from their relationship with Farlane, it seemed difficult to take the party in, but they were sure that they definitely could not make enemies out of this party. Honestly, neither of them had the prospects to defeat them in that case.

“In any case, there’s the future to think of. As soon as they return, get them to the palace. With the proper etiquette they deserve, of course.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

There was much on the horizon. Frist of all, they had to make a connection. Thanks to the royal intentions in that manner, Hiroshi and his party would end up getting tangled up with the royalty in Darl, too.