(Rudeus POV)
[Thunder Bolt].
That's the name of the clan [Stepped Leader] is a part of. A clan can be best described as an organization of parties gathered to organize things distributing work in assigned locations best suited for parties with specific skills.
That has the effect that conflict or over demand of work between adventurer groups be reduced to a certain minimum.
As the Labyrinth they conquered before I joined their party, they have been waiting for news about the next possible one.
And now, after a long time of waiting, a newly discovered labyrinth appeared. And it happens to be close to the city the next clan meeting is being held.
At the capital of the Ranoa Kingdom, Sharia.
***
For Transportation possibilities we keep two options in mind. The first one was the good old traveling by bought carriage. And the second, cheaper option, was to look at the guild's bulletin board for any escorting missions towards or near Sharia.
The latter one is the preferred option, of course.
As me and Soldat went inside, like always gossip about me started happening once I got recognized. My spot as a Great World Power has turned me into a celebrity these days.
There were some fools who thought they could beat me, but after I broke them a leg or an arm they instantly gave up.
Anyway, we went towards the bulletin board to see if luck decided to be on our side today.
And we just so happen to come across Marquis with [Counter Arrow] behind him.
"Why hello there, Flourishing Calamity. I see that you're wearing my son's product already. How is it on you?"
"… Marquis." I started, looking neutral at him. "I already heard from Luis what you did. Don't you think you pushed your son a bit too far?"
In return, he gave me a raised eyebrow.
"Come on. You are smart enough to get even 'that', right?"
After a few seconds, I sighed about how annoying this has become.
He is using the fact that a Great World Power is buying one of his son's product to get it advertised. This would make a great start for Joan's career as a Magic Tools tailor.
Although it makes me feel like being used similar to how Phillip did, this time it doesn't involve a secret marriage. Just as long as I don't end up getting job offers from nobles, I'm fine.
"So, to what danger do you plan to go into this time?"
"This time it's more of a preparation of a goodbye. My party has been called for a clan meeting at Sharia. We were looking for any escort missions that may take us there."
With his arms crossed, Marquis looked at me with a grin.
"Funny that you came here. The group behind me was just hired for guarding my next patch of products. And now that you and your leader are here, how about I hire you and your party as well?"
"Really?"
On the one hand, I was surprised to get a job faster than I had to look for, but on the other hand, I was shocked to find out that Sara and her party were leaving too.
"Why do you guys want to leave?"
The one who answers me was Susanne.
"Since there aren't many people here putting requests, we decided to move on to the next city. Timothy has some relatives over there, so we decided to make that our next destination."
"I see."
They aren't the only ones who do that. A few other parties have decided to go to another city to look for monster hunting quests.
There is actually something I have gotten informed about but was also asked to keep it to myself.
"Well, if it's not a problem, then please do take us in, Marquis."
"Hah. The only problem we'll be having is yours."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
I hope he is not implying how I attract danger to myself and others. Like hell, I had a choice in this! Maybe this is a part of my curse… please don't be.
"I'm talking about your little students."
"….. Oh."
It will be like my separation with Roxy all over again. Only this time, I had more than one student and taught them just for a short period of time.
W-Who knows, maybe they won't be so sad after all?
***
(The next morning)
I shouldn't have jinxed myself so hard.
"Do you really have to leave?"
"We haven't learned much yet."
"Please stay."
"We will miss you, master."
The five kids rounded up to see me at the gate with Marquis one more time. And as expected, they cried on me leaving.
Both parties are currently laughing at me from behind.
Bastards! Just help me here already. How am I supposed to handle this all on my own?
"Look, you all. The reason I came to this city in the first place was solely because of my search for my missing parent."
Then I went down on one knee and looked the five children in the eye.
"All of you are the start of what might be the next generation of great Magicians or something else. Your training hasn't ended yet. I'm sure that you all will grow up to be great people who were taught something world-changing. As long as it's for the greater good and not something evil, you can do whatever you want with this ability."
Some of them started to wipe their tears off and calm down just a little bit.
I can only hope that their understanding of my circumstances is strong enough despite their young age.
Then I looked at the only kid who hadn't cried at all and was just looking down.
"Verdinant."
By the call of his name, he then looked up at me, pouting.
There is a slight problem with him. He is overly arrogant when it comes to competitive games. Out of the five of them, he has the most talent when it comes to Attack Magic, and that has made him a bit cocky.
I attempted to convey that this attitude would be detrimental in the future. However, he remained determined to surpass me.
There is no defined method on determining his or the other kids' current manapool size, and letting them exhaust it in one session is something I am not risking them doing.
In terms of manapool growth, it isn't great as mine used to be. 20 or 30 percent is what they have got, so I can say for a certain amount of confidence that me and Sylphy are special cases.
The parents were already informed about the signs of near death mana exhaustion.
By the way, my own hair has turned back to the brown and white hair color as when I first came to Rosenburg.
I stood back up and went over to Verdinant, putting a hand on top of his head.
"Look, you may have a talent for magic, but it will be up to you to put it into use.
I already suggested to your parents already to send you to the University of Magic in the Ranoa Kingdom when you're older. Just wait a few more years and keep on practicing with the others, okay?"
Still pouting, he nodded his head. I guess swallowing his pride may not come soon enough.
"Just you watch. One day, I will surpass you."
Did… did I just create a shōnen protagonist? Am I… in a manga? Is it possible that I'm in a coma dream because I've read too many light novels? Nah. There is no such thing as reading too many light novels.
"We'll see about that. I will see for myself what dangers you will cause you little brat. Until then, good luck."
'And to Luis and Joan, good luck to you two on raising this little bundle of potential chaos.'
I took my seat at the back of the carriage and Marquis's subordinates brought it to move with the horses.
As the distance between us and the gates widened, memories about… well, now that I think about it, the bad memories are overshadowing the good ones.
….. Let's just say that it was an eventful time there.
Now that we are a good distance away, I have to talk to my comrades now.
"All of you, there is some information I have to reveal to you."
They all got rather surprised to hear me speak out like this. Sara even started to get anxious about what I'm gonna say.
"Was it that important to keep it a secret until now?" Soldat asked with a stern voice.
"A month after the Red Dragon attack, Arumanfi appeared in my room. He informed me about the actual circumstances of the disappearance of the native monsters. The strong presence of those dragons has made them migrate to other countries out of fear, especially the Red Dragon."
"So you say that while we were enjoying our peace, other people had to struggle with monsters like that?" Sara asked in disbelief.
"I know that it sounds terrible, but I was asked to keep it to myself so that not too many adventurers would leave this country. The native monsters should come back after a bit more time.
Luckily, only Rosenburg had trouble in the form of dragons. Other unusual mutations are roaming around the Northern Territories, but those countries have already taken notice and are beginning to prepare. We just had the first cases to go against."
They were all in disbelieve about the bomb of intel I just laid on them.
"To think that the Armored Dragon King is working with the nations. Truly a hero at heart." Timothy said with his hand on his chin.
'Oh boy, this is even harder to say.'
I scratched the back of my head while maintaining a Stoic smile.
"The presence of the Red Dragon was the only reason he got active for."
"What? Why?" Timothy asked.
"Apparently one of his familiars had identified it as the Red Dragon King, Laplace's pet. But because it had features unlike the actual Red Dragon King, he merely watched what happened out of curiosity of a Laplace follower being behind this."
"Wait a sec." Susanne started to say. "So you mean to tell us that the connection to Laplace is the only reason he investigated?"
"As tough as it sounds, it's the only reason he hasn't done much after the Laplace campaign. He stated to only move if it involves him."
Just like me, they looked dumbfounded. After hearing that a legendary hero has some limited desire to involve himself into things other than his arch nemesis, anyone would be surprised.
"You were speaking with him about all of that?"
"Not at all. Arumanfi acted as a conveyor to the both of us. I never stepped foot on [Chaos Breaker]."
In actuality, despite the number of information I've received from him, I refused the offer for an audience at his flying castle.
I don't feel like I can trust him, and that feeling has intensified after hearing him only sitting in his castle until something of his sealed nemesis occurs.
But that does raise more questions than answers.
Laplace. He is supposed to reincarnate one day. Has he already reincarnated or are there cults preparing for his revival and have thus created his strongest monster for him?
Ruijerd would be enraged if he heard about that. Especially since his revenge on Laplace for ruining his tribe's reputation hasn't been fulfilled yet.
But then there is the thing about the curse on the Superd.
I can't put enough believe in Hitogami's words, and it doesn't seem like Perugius knows much about it either.
Yet even so, I don't think worrying that much about will help.
My plans on making Ruijerd figurines may restart soon again. As I promised to him, I will help get the Superd reputation back up to its former reputation.
Speaking of Ruijerd, I wonder where he went next. Maybe him and Eris are searching for hints on survivors together.
As long as she gets away from the pesky hands of Darius or the like, I can accept it.
I took out one of my Sea Dragon kunais and thought about a few things.
At first, I could only think of the monsters I would be using them on, but eventually, I would be using it on people too.
I'm still undetermined on killing people, but at this point it's idiotic to waver anymore.
There exist individuals who aspire to claim my position as a Great World Power in order to demonstrate their worth and establish a reputation in the world.
The majority will look down on the fact that I'm not eve an adult yet, and after I shatter their pride, it's likely that they seek revenge on me.
The people who challenged me in Rosenburg at least knew about my accomplishments and recognized it after their defeat against me whenever they wanted to fight me.
Others may not hold my strength in high regard and solely evaluate it based on my physical appearance.
And if that happens, people may remember Randolph as a joke for someone that got the word death in his title.
So to prevent that from happening, I will make sure to take this rank with pride to those who can be acknowledged for their own strength.
Sword God and North God aren't the only two I may have to face in the future, but my priority lies in finding Zenith. Everything else I will have to take care of once she is safe.
That will be my rule for the future.
///