Chapter 309
The outcome of the proxy duel, where boasts met challenges after we moved from the meeting room to the training ground within the castle grounds...
"Hahahahaha!"
Kon's laughter told the tale.He was laughing, but it was clear to anyone listening that his laughter was dry.
It was laughter to help him accept the scene reflected in his eyes.
"I never thought we'd lose so completely..."
Ten matches, eight wins.That was the absolute minimum line I was confident I could guarantee.
But the actual result was...
"It's someone trained by my master. There's no way an average person could win."
The result was a perfect game: ten wins out of ten matches.Well, not that I've personally sparred with and trained many people.
The person Clarice provided was a Dwarf warrior whose training had been delayed due to various circumstances.
The one who fought him was a warrior renowned in the Eastern Continent as a master of combat.
The fact that he appeared fully armed, clad in full armor, showed how serious Kon was, having given the order.
In response, the Dwarf warrior Clarice provided also wore full plate armor, resulting, unexpectedly, in a match-up between an Eastern and Western-style armored warrior.
Yet, the outcome was merciless.
The first match: The Eastern warrior, caught off guard, was charged, took a horizontal axe slash directly to the torso, and lost.Second match: Learning from that failure, he discarded complacency and fought seriously, but was unaccustomed to fighting the short-statured Dwarf and lost to the axe-slash combo I taught, initiated by a foot stomp. (Ah, right, the damage reduction only activates if they're knocked back, so the power increases.)Third and fourth matches: They exchanged blows, but he lost, confused by the axe tactics that incorporated small techniques, not just large swings. (Against a main sword, an axe, which surprisingly controls a close range, is advantageous.)By the fifth match, the continuous losses were causing fluster.At this point, where he *needed* to win, he used a technique outside the axe skills—a throwing move—and won.Sixth match: Overly cautious of the throw, he lost to a straightforward push.Seventh match: He became timid, lacked initiative, and lost.Eighth and ninth matches: Losing repeatedly due to lost confidence from being unable to beat someone of a lower class.The tenth and final match was so one-sided that the Dwarf warrior was visibly perplexed, thinking, "Should I really not win this one?"
"This... truly proves that what Lord Liberta says is correct, doesn't it?"
Kon, facing reality, was desperately maintaining his smile, but the corners of his mouth were twitching.Because they had repeated the divine duels ten times and revealed each other's classes before each duel, he could appreciate the effectiveness of my guidance all the more.
"No wonder Lord Goldos said to spare no expense. Something like this can't possibly be bought with money, can it?"
As if he could only resign himself now that he had lost so utterly, he let out a sigh.Then, straightening his posture and turning to face me directly, Kon bowed his head smoothly.
"I apologize for my discourtesy. Lord Liberta, Southern Hero, would you be willing to bestow your wisdom upon our Eastern Continent? I shall prepare compensation to the best of my ability.""Understood. Then, shall we proceed to negotiations?""Nothing would make me happier."
He accepted the position of seeking teachings, and the discussion moved forward.However, I have a feeling the real problems lie ahead from this point.
We moved once more, returning to the room used for the meeting.The journey was silent.And before I knew it, that shady aura I felt from him had changed.
"Now then, regarding the guidance, I will first present the mandatory requirements from my side.""I am listening."
Sitting in our seats, facing each other, there was now a young man shouldering the burden of a nation sitting across from me.
"First is the confidentiality of the teachings. My wisdom is, so to speak, a principle that can be replicated by anyone. Spreading this to the world would be an item allowing even commoners to become heroes—a veritable double-edged sword.""......"
I first explained the danger of this knowledge to him, who now sat there.Having witnessed the reality of a giant-killing feat in this world, where there is a clear indicator of strength called 'Level,' even for Clarice's talented royal guards, Kon accurately grasped its danger.
"It wouldn't be a problem if everyone in the world were good people, but that's not the case, is it?""That is correct. I too have seen many people, but sadly, those I can confidently call 'good,' including myself, number less than a handful.""Yes, I don't consider myself a good person either.""Even heroes are human. Those like the ones spoken of by bards are rare."
He responded to my wry explanation with a wry smile of his own.
"Therefore, keeping Lord Liberta's wisdom a secret from those not present here is a natural principle. Of course, I accept that condition. I will instruct all the personnel I brought to accept the contract.""Just to be clear, this isn't only your public guards, correct?""Yes, of course. I understand. Frankly, since entering this royal capital, you've noticed the shadows I brought with me, and with everyone being monitored, there's no point in hiding it."
Confidentiality is mandatory.Having secured his agreement on this first, the first stage was cleared.The covert operatives I had strengthened with Duke Edelgard's support were hard at work even today, and just like with Clarice's camp, they had Kon's camp firmly under watch.
"I assume the negotiations proceed based on that understanding?""Yes, that's correct."
Everything up to this point was merely preparatory work to even sit at the negotiation table.The subsequent negotiations would involve Duke Edelgard.
"What I can offer you is wisdom that overturns the very foundations of strength in this world, and the minimum guidance required for it.""What does 'minimum' entail? Without knowing that, I cannot determine what level of compensation to prepare."
However, I had received permission to proceed with my side of the negotiations first.
"Currently, an unprecedented crisis looms over this continent, including myself. If you agree to cooperate in that battle, I will train you up to Class 7. If you cannot cooperate, I will limit it to Class 5.""...Which option did Lord Norland choose?""I chose the former. Additionally, I promised not only cooperation in this battle but also in subsequent requested interstate collaborations, so I received further guidance on skill enhancement as part of the instruction.""Incidentally, given it's called 'unprecedented,' I should mention the life-threatening danger is quite significant.""Hmm."
Hearing from Clarice that the negotiation terms were broadly two options, Kon also began to ponder.Strangely enough, as he did, his thoughtful gestures began to mix with that shadiness, reverting to the initial impression.
"At Class 5, one possesses strength spoken of as a renowned warrior in my continent. Reaching Class 7 beyond that is synonymous with stepping into uncharted territory."
Seemingly trustworthy, yet not.Kon's demeanor, wrapped in an atmosphere like twilight, standing in such a position, was undeniably rare even among the many FBO characters.
They aren't nonexistent, but such characters are usually on the villain's side.It's rare for someone with such an aura to hold a position like 'Hero,' leaning more towards the side of good.
"However, it comes with the condition of risking one's life. Considering that 'while there's life, there's hope,' refusing is an option, yet you say you will impart considerable wisdom... Hmm, a difficult point to decide."
After agonizing for about a minute, such a person...
"By the way, what form do the confidentiality conditions for this wisdom take? I understand we cannot disclose it to others, but for instance, is it permissible to pass it down to descendants as a secret tradition, say, to one's heir?""No. It is a contract that forbids disclosure under any circumstances, be it to blood relatives or the royal family. The benefit is solely for the involved parties. The instruction will also be concluded here, on-site. If you intentionally attempt to replicate the same thing, it will be recognized as disclosure, and divine punishment will likely follow.""Hmm, I see."
He asked for further details, as if checking the weights on a scale, but there were limits to what I could disclose.
I couldn't possibly tell him everything.
"I've decided.""May I hear it, then?""Yes. We will risk our lives. Even if the power lasts only for one generation, I believe it is necessary for me now."
Even with such limited information, Kon chose to become stronger.
"Understood. I will have you form the contract based on that point as well.""Yes, acknowledged."
In that case, the Edelgard Ducal House, Clarice's Royal Guard, plus Kon's 'Garden Keepers' (御庭番衆), and through Claudia's connections, likely trustworthy Temple Knights would also be trained.
Hmm... Am I going to collapse from overwork?
That said, deploying Class 5 units against Azidahaka is tantamount to wasting lives.
If I can bring them to the borderline of being deployable on the front lines—the Class 7 cap—they will be useful as combat strength.
"Now then, considering we are risking our lives, what might you desire, Lord Liberta?""Crimson Gold.""You've set your sights on a fine thing."
And so, I wanted to procure Crimson Gold, a specialty of the Eastern Continent, in large quantities on this occasion.Crimson Gold, depending on how it's worked, can become material for arms and accessories reaching up to Class 9.
If treated as consumables, it could become an effective tool even against Azidahaka.
However, this Crimson Gold is a rare item obtained only in small quantities from the gold mines of the Eastern Continent, unavailable even in the Central Continent.
"It is obtainable. I can provide it as compensation. But if that were the sole compensation, I couldn't prepare a sufficient quantity."
Even such a rare item cannot balance the scales against obtaining legendary-level strength.No, perhaps Kon thinks he would need to prepare an outrageous amount to try and balance them.
"For reference, if you were to prepare the maximum amount possible, Lord Kon, how much would that be?""It would fall short of one hundred kilograms. And that would involve considerable strain, pushing to the absolute limit.""One hundred kilograms? That's certainly not enough.""Indeed. Therefore, I would prefer if you could disperse the cost a bit more."
Crimson Gold had many uses in FBO as well.Even in my gaming days, I was chronically short and often went mining for it.
"......I see. Well then, how about this: I want permission for my party to enter the dungeons you possess, limited to the period during which I am providing guidance.""I thought it might come to that.""Yes, it does. I've heard they are rich in rare metals, and I'd like to benefit from that."
Other rare ores like Orichalcum, Adamantite, and Royal Diamonds are always in short supply.If the rumored dungeons are real, there's a possibility of obtaining large quantities of the items I want.
It might seem quite reasonable as compensation for wisdom, but Kon made a troubled face and avoided an immediate answer.
"Personally, I think I'd be willing to agree to that. However...""There's someone who wouldn't look kindly on it?""Yes... While I cannot speak of it lightly, let me just say that 'the young master has his own troubles.'""Does that mean it's impossible?"
This seemed like a response hinting at needing to avoid the divine will on the Eastern Continent's side.Clarice also struggles with such hierarchical relationships, and it seems Kon is not without his own struggles either.
"I am truly sorry."
The fact he called himself a 'young master' suggests he holds authority but not overwhelming power.I thought that this might be the source of his earlier statement about needing strength.