"Quiet down, everyone!"
Captain Gilmore's booming voice easily cut through the din.
"While this may be a very badly timed prank, on the off-chance that this person claiming to be a Disciple of Ashran is the real thing, we will bring them here to meet Adventurer Tor. All of us here will act as witnesses. Are there any objections to this?"
While most of the room was still disquieted, we were all more curious than anything. I had no idea why one of Ashran's followers would be asking for me - it was unheard of!
In the uneasy silence that followed, punctuated by curious and tense stares directed my way by most of the room, Gilmore made his way over to where I was still sitting to speak to me about this development at a more normal volume.
"Adventurer Tor, I can see you look shocked by this - you obviously don't have any idea why they would be looking for you. By the timing of it, this visit may be related to the incident we are all here to examine. Is there anything further you can tell us about what happened, even if it seems unrelated?"
My first impulse was to shake my head, 'No.' I had included everything in the report submitted to the guild - most of which we covered in the meeting already. But then I remembered one detail I had not included because I didn't think it related. I looked to Priscilla, and could see the realization reflected in her own stunned expression.
"Actually, yes. After waking up in the infirmary, I had a case of mana exhaustion - we treated it with potions and it was solved. But, I also gained a second class that has a high mana capacity - the name of it is hidden. Before then, the last time I checked my levels with the [Rank Stone] was about a year ago so I'm not sure if the second Class is a new development or not, but its the only thing I could think of."
Something within me squirmed at telling the Captain this information, and I found myself frowning. I had no reason to hold this information back - gaining a second class was rare, but not impossible. I hadn't done anything against Guild regulations, and any information might prove helpful to the investigation, even if I couldn't understand how this piece might... It was an odd feeling.
"Hmmm." Captain Gilmore mulled over this new information for a long moment before shrugging. "I can't think how that would be relevant either. On that note, I better go and fetch our guest..."
With a brief parting comment to the rest of the room, Captain Gilmore left.
----
There wasn't much information commonly available about the Disciples of Ashran, and what many people considered to be a cult, rather than a Mage Organization.
Ashran himself was a controversial figure - a famous (or infamous, depending on whom you asked) Dark Sorcerer from three centuries ago. He pioneered a bulk of what became modern magical theories, invented a number of potions and elixirs still used today, and halted an invasion from the Demon Realm, sealing the ancient Hell Gate shut. Any other figure would have been revered, but while Ashran's accomplishments were acknowledged and something any common child might know, his methods in doing so tended to breed fear and resentment.
He had been a Dark Sorcerer - a practitioner of what many people considered evil magics. Necromancy, Demon-Summoning, Blood Rituals, and more - in many ways people considered Ashran to be as fearsome as the Demon Lords he had thwarted.
The Disciples of Ashran were supposedly the dead mage's followers - hoarders or artifacts, caretakers of his lost magic items, practitioners of his forbidden magic. The truth was far less glamorous: most 'disciples' were made up of failed magic and alchemy scholars, and eccentric fans who thought idolizing the dead Sorcerer to be 'cool'. They were rarely taken seriously.
Which begged the question of why there was weight being given to the request of this one?
----
Captain Gilmore returned after only a few minutes, holding open the door for the apparent Disciple that followed behind them. Instead of the disheveled or kooky appearance I had imagined, this person was almost intimidatingly elegant.
She was a striking figure - taller even than the captain - with long midnight hair flowing loosely over a fine red cloak embroidered with gold and black thread. There were glittering jewels sewn in the elaborate brocade that circled her shoulders, and a large dark ruby was set into the clasp at her throat. Her skin was as pale as milk, her features fine and delicate, and her mouth a vivid red as it curled in a slight smile when she looked out over the room. Her eyes were a similar shade of crimson.
...No wonder they were treating this more seriously. This woman was a vampire!
"Greetings, esteemed members of the Guild," she began, bowing lightly towards us. "I am called Lady Eileen - I am the most senior member of the followers of our dear Lord. As you can tell by my appearance, I am a true Disciple of Ashran, not one of the many false claimants that you may have encountered before. I am here to seek the adventurer who felled the Rank-A monster related to the incident being discussed here today."
There was a small flash of fangs visible when she spoke. Her voice was smooth and measured, her accent slightly foreign.
It was both relieving and concerning to know she hadn't been asking for me by name. A relief, as it meant I wasn't personally being stalked for whatever reason... But concerning because this information shouldn't have been readily available for just anyone to come across. How did she know to come here, and now?
However, she was incorrect on one point.
I stood, and waited for her to notice me. "I am Adventurer Tor," I confirmed. "However, I did not defeat the Giant Centipede. It was formed around a mana crystal which happened to run dry while I was making my escape."
"Oh? Interesting, but false," she refuted, chuckling lightly. "Even if you believe otherwise. Hmm.. Allow me to explain my reasoning to visit you all frankly: the Ancient Hell Gate's Seal is crumbling. The Demons will invade this world once more. And I will require Adventurer Tor to stop it."