Chapter 592 – Reunion with the Elders

“Oh, Theodore-dono! Welcome back!”

“So this is what became of Zadias’s ship. Hmm, hmm. A beautiful vessel indeed.”

As we disembarked from the Sirius and met everyone, the elders from the Sages’ Academy came to greet us with unusually enthusiastic welcomes – shaking hands, embracing us, stroking our hair. The Sirius was also quite popular.

“It’s, it’s been a while.”

That was about all I could manage in response.

“Now, now. You’re making Theodore uncomfortable.”

Old Sigmund gave a wry smile.

“No, it’s not that I’m displeased.”

When I responded like that, the elders showed happy expressions. Well, how should I put it… It’s because of our family-like bonds that I don’t find it unpleasant.

The people from the Seven Families apparently had their bonds strengthened during our period of living together with memory loss. The sense of distance feels more like commoners’ relationships rather than aristocratic ones, creating a homely atmosphere.

Though I must admit, being watched by everyone with that “isn’t this heartwarming” look while receiving this welcome is somewhat embarrassing.

“Sigmund-dono. Welcome back.”

“Valentina and Charlotte both look well, that’s what matters.”

“Indeed. You all seem well too.”

“We’ve returned.”

Old Sigmund and the others returned the elders’ greetings.

“Charlotte, how is life in Termwills?”

“Yes. I’m learning sealing techniques from my teacher, conducting research with Grandfather Sigmund and Lady Valentina – it’s very fulfilling. It’s truly a good environment.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful.”

Charlotte exchanged words and smiles with her father Emil.

Emil Orgran. One of the heads of the Seven Families and an elder. Though now he gives more the impression of a kind father than an elder.

Charlotte’s mention of a “good environment” probably includes the fact that there are many animals around.

King Eberhart, Princess Adriana, Princess Stephania, and Princess Elham were also receiving greetings from their aides, making the square quite lively.

After the reunion with the elders settled down somewhat, we next greeted King Eberhart’s aides as well.

Once all the reunion greetings were generally completed, King Eberhart spoke.

“Well, we have much to discuss, but first let me guide you to a place where you can relax. Regarding tonight’s lodging… Theodore and the others would probably feel more at ease at the Sages’ Academy, wouldn’t you?”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

When I bowed slightly, King Eberhart nodded.

Right. Let’s stay at the Academy’s Tower. Either way, preparations for hospitality have been made at the Royal Castle too, so we’ll probably need to go there.

“Then, leave the necessary personnel for Sirius’s security and have them take breaks in shifts.”

“Yes sir!”

Elliot gave instructions to the Demon-Slaying Knight Order. Since King Eberhart said he would station personnel in the square, it seems the security numbers can be kept to a minimum. Either way, since they’ll be taking breaks in shifts, not suddenly changing that cycle would probably be easier for the Knight Order members.

Just then, the familiars, wyverns, and earth dragons poked their heads out from the deck.

“Ah, you can bring those ones to the Royal Castle too. It would be cramped to stay in the ship the whole time after coming to the royal capital.”

“Of course, they’re free to come and go from the Academy as well.”

When King Eberhart and Old Sigmund said this, the animals happily came down from the ship.

Whether it was on Princess Stephania’s instructions or not, Corulis bowed its head to King Eberhart and Old Sigmund, and the others followed suit. The two of them shook their shoulders slightly at the sight.

When the Lindwurm landed in the square, it spread its wings and stretched its neck, lightly loosening up its body.

“Alpha, what will you do? We have plenty of escorts though.”

When I called out to Alpha who was sitting on the deck, it nodded slightly and jumped down to the square. It gave the impression of joining Lavigne and Belius in providing security for everyone.

Well then. It’s become quite lively with this large group, but first let’s head to the Royal Castle.

When we arrived at the Royal Castle, we were shown to a spacious VIP room facing the courtyard.

Magical measures against the cold seemed to be in place, as the entire area from inside the Royal Castle to the courtyard was enveloped in warm air. The animal group also appeared to be stretching and relaxing in the courtyard.

“–We went to Baharzard in the south and the mermaid kingdom in the west. Various things happened.”

Old Sigmund was telling the elders about various matters.

We were having a friendly conversation in the VIP room until dinner preparations were complete, so I was talking with the Academy elders. Since there was much to discuss, before talking about Beriondora, we needed to share various things about our situation and what we had learned.

“Personally, I’m surprised not just about Beryl Mall, but that you’re even normally bringing along Cerberus.”

“We met Beryl Mall in the eastern abandoned mines. Cerberus… came from the labyrinth.”

“Oh ho…”

“Theodore and the others created Belius’s body.”

When Sheila said this, the expressions and movements of the elders who had been chatting happily froze.

“What… I did think it was different from ordinary creatures, but…”

“…Powerful phantom beasts like Cerberus are usually only encountered in literature.”

“Belius.”

When Claudia called Belius’s name, it poked its head through the open window. The elders stroked its head and peered at it with great interest.

“Theodore-dono is not just the same as before… but rather even more so than before, I’d say. That… your staff’s appearance has changed somehow…”

“Um… it was processed using Orichalcum bestowed upon me by His Majesty Farid of the Kingdom of Baharzad.”

When I answered honestly, there was a brief pause. Then the elders all opened their eyes wide and voiced their surprise.

“Orichalcum? Indeed, I heard stories that Baharzad developed metallurgical techniques seeking blacksmiths who could process unidentified metals, but…”

“If it fell from the sky… that means it was brought from the moon, doesn’t it? That it came into Theodore-dono’s hands after such a long time makes me feel something fate-like.”

“That it could be processed… probably only because Claudia-sama knew its true nature.”

When Viola said this, Princess Elham nodded quietly. Indeed. If we hadn’t known its properties, even Viola or Princess Elham would have had difficulty processing it.

“When it comes to talk of Moon Folk heritage, we must also discuss Valros.”

Forset said with a serious expression.

When Forset told them about Halvaronis and Valros, the elders listened quietly. No one blamed Halvaronis’s people. There was no point in saying anything to Forset about it.

“–Moon Folk heritage, is it? We should probably assume Beriondora has it too, shouldn’t we?”

One of the elders who had finished listening to Forset’s story shook his head slightly.

“Something connected to the key that Zadias took from the Royal Castle… isn’t it? We’ve developed various hypotheses and theories here too.”

For example, functions similar to the labyrinth. Like monster generation devices.

This too is still just a hypothesis.

“Even though we know there’s something called the Chamber of Keys, we don’t know its contents… The documents were destroyed when Beriondora was abandoned, you see. We don’t know the crucial parts.”

The elder furrowed his brow, but Claudia shook her head.

“When the descendants of the Seven Sages withdrew from Beriondora, they probably couldn’t have imagined later escaping to establish Silvatoria and such.”

“That’s right. At that time, that choice was probably the best. I would have done the same.”

Rosemary said while pondering.

Indeed. They probably burned important documents and papers to prevent the demons from obtaining information, but the seal on the Demon Lord has been maintained from then until now, so their judgment at that time was probably correct. There’s no point regretting it. They prevented the situation from worsening after Beriondora’s fall.

To begin with, the demons seemed satisfied just with capturing Beriondora. Their goal was Beriondora from the start.

“However, we’ve obtained information about Valros’s personality… That’s quite important information, isn’t it?”

Grace said. Formulating strategies and countermeasures based on an enemy commander’s way of thinking and personality is important. Regarding Valros, he gives a harsh impression.

Not that he doesn’t choose his means for his goals… rather, it would be more accurate to say he doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice various things to achieve his goals. Obsession or conviction? A troublesome fellow.

After sharing various information, we began discussing our investigation strategy for Beriondora.

“–So, we’re considering having this golem named Seeker infiltrate.”

Ashley said, and Marlene showed Seeker to the elders as well.

“So it can cover itself with earth and stones, and transmit scenery and sounds from afar.”

Princess Stephania smiled.

“I see… Then, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the established strategy, we should select magic tools and treasures that can reinforce the strategy and give them to you.”

The elders said this, looked at each other, and grinned. It seems that while searching through documents, they had also been selecting various magic tools and spell formulas that might be useful to us.

It’s possible that adding something at the last minute could cause the entire strategy to collapse. So it’s probably about things that don’t conflict, things that can reinforce it.

In that case, they’ll probably be things that play supporting roles, but I’ll gladly rely on them here.