abcnovels
Chapter 479
Chapter 479
Chapter 479
Chapter 479: The Basic Principle
This is a conversation for adults.
It is a discussion stripped of emotions.
Even so.
"It irritates me to think that you believe I'll be convinced by such a valuable treasure."
"Silver."
"I understand. You give me one of the four Sacred Treasures and enhance my powers with the aim to keep No-Name in check, right? The previous generation might not have listened, but the current one will heed your warnings. They may refrain from antagonizing the Empire for some time. I can understand that."
"If you understand, then please accept."
"It would have been okay if they didnt confront the Empire. If I were a citizen of the Empire, I would agree. However, I am an adventurer. I act for the people. That's the basic principle I've always followed. I won't neglect it now."
"Do you think I don't take pride in that basic principle?"
"I'm not saying that. I understand it's a desperate measure. But I can't cooperate with a temporary, short-sighted solution."
Linares is also an adventurer.
She probably doesn't think it's okay to leave No-Name alone, especially the previous generation.
However, the current generation has experienced the intervention of the previous one, and would certainly resist if something happened to them.
The previous generation herself was also a former SS-ranked adventurer, making her too big to be dismissed.
Maintaining the status quo is the safest, most stable strategy.
However,
"I understand the feeling of caring for your disciple. And that now is not a good time to exert power. But waiting for an opportunity that may or may not come doesn't suit me. Postponing the problem can sometimes be important, but in this case, it might be a bad move."
"What do you suggest then? Defeat them as an SS-ranked adventurer? The stage where this plays out will cause a significant drop in national power. Do you realize the delicate balance each country currently maintains? And it's the adventurers who would destabilize that."
"I won't do such a thing. I understand the context. Using power is forbidden."
There's also the option to teleport No-Name out to sea with my transfer magic, but it won't be that easy.
If it fails, that place would become the stage of a great war.
The damage to the people, to the nations, would be unimaginable.
A national war would surely occur, causing chaos.
That's why both Linares and the guild wish to maintain the status quo.
"There's no other choice. By ignoring No-Name, we can avoid a lot of damage, you know?"
"I don't mind overlooking them. Someday, I'll make them pay, but there's no need for it to be now. However, maintaining the status quo won't change anything. Do you really believe your disciple will wake up someday? That a girl who was only taught her clan's deepest desires will voluntarily leave the previous generation?"
For a child, the orders of a guardian are absolute.
Especially when a parent has sacrificed themselves.
There's no stopping it.
"If I could forcibly separate them, I would have done so long ago! Do you understand what I went through raising that child?! Even so! As Anakreto's granddaughter, I followed the guild's policy! I returned her to the previous generation! I regret it to this day! At that time, I should have made everyone my enemy and run away! But, I didn't."
"If you resist the previous generation, the guild will assist them. If you resist, the SS-ranked adventurers will be dispatched. The odds are against running with a young child. Even if you could convince other SS-ranked adventurers, it would mean the collapse of the Adventurer's Guild. So, you chose the stability of the world over your disciple."
"If you understand, then accept it quietly. There's no other way."
I nod several times at Linares' words.
No matter how many times I hear it, I can understand.
I can understand, but I can't agree.
I might be told that the part I can't agree with is emotional.
I might be admonished for being a child.
However, adults aren't always right.
"I refuse. Your methods, the guild's methods, can't save anyone."
"Save? Stop saying such naive things. Saving powerless people is different. The other party is an SS-ranked adventurer. Any clumsy intervention could overturn the world."
"I won't avoid saving someone because they're powerful. The roles of the savior and the saved are clear. I don't remember being taught such things. What I follow is the basic principle of adventurers. Not the "For the People" phrase coined by Anakreto, but the principle of "For the People" built up by countless adventurers over five hundred years. I help because they are in trouble. I save those who can't be saved by their nation. The predecessors I saw in the imperial capital, at least, were like that."
I stood up at that point.
Giving up on saving, treating it like a touchy subject, might be easier.
But it's too pitiful, too unjust, and it reveals our powerlessness.
"For this matter, I'll turn a blind eye. But let me handle it my way."
"What do you plan to do? Just so you know, the previous generation has the power to issue mandatory orders to the upper echelons of the guild through Anakreto's magical tools. If you act recklessly, it could get troublesome."
Clyde, who had been silent, finally spoke. His face showed interest. There was an air about him as if he was looking forward to my proposal. Therefore, I responded with a particularly impactful statement.
"Have the current No-Name come to the imperial capital alone. If she claims to surpass the House of the Brave Duke of Amsberg, she should have a close look at that power."
"That's ridiculous,"
"I always thought you were crazy, and it seems I was right."
"Call it what you will. As long as she's with her predecessor, No-Name's negative influence can't be avoided. First, we need to separate the two. It should be a good idea. Given my presence, it would be extremely difficult for No-Name to approach the imperial capital with her Dis Pater. It's unlikely that the current generation will have the opportunity to see the holy sword or Amsberg in the imperial capital. You should agree."
After all, she will be an opponent to fight against in the future.
She'd want to survey the enemy's situation.
To what extent has the current Dis Pater approached the holy sword?
This would be a good opportunity to measure that.
"If the predecessor agrees to this plan... wouldn't it become a move that could collapse the imperial capital?"
"I'm good at seeing through people. The current No-Name is not a bad person, and she knows the minimum line he shouldn't cross. She shouldn't go on a rampage that involves the people of the imperial capital. Also, if the current generation becomes independent as an individual, future problems should be greatly reduced."
"Indeed, if she rebels against his predecessor, most of the problems would be solved. But you know, It's selfish to expose the imperial capital to danger. Do you know how many people live there? Do you intend to endanger many for the sake of saving one?"
Any possible scenario must be avoided.
It's not just about the imperial capital.
If No-Name and Elna clash in the imperial capital, the balance of the nations will collapse.
If the empire in the central part of the continent collapses, it would lead to a continental war.
Linares frowned at the risky gamble.
And then...
"If No-Name is left unchecked, it could eventually cause a great deal of sacrifice. Do you think it's acceptable to expose the people of the imperial capital, who live in the present, to danger in order to prevent the sacrifice of the future? You have teleportation magic. You can escape when necessary. But the people of the imperial capital cannot."
"Do you think I'm belittling the lives of the people of the imperial capital?"
"I can't help but think so. You can take your loved ones and escape when things get tough."
"Loved ones, huh... Even for me, there would be too many to escape with. To me, the entire imperial capital is home."
While saying this, I let out a sigh.
They probably wouldn't believe it just from my words.
If there were no people I cared about in the capital, then I would indeed be irresponsible.
I wouldn't be taking any risks.
If neither I nor my loved ones are included in the calculated sacrifices, it could be called an irresponsible strategy.
That's why I slowly removed my mask.
"Arnold Lakes Adler, the Seventh Prince of the Empire. As a prince of the Empire, I will invite No-Name to the imperial capital. If need be, I will stake my life to protect the imperial capital. So please follow my instructions."
"Prince Arnold...? You are Silver? This isn't an illusion, is it...?"
Clyde rose in surprise. He was so astonished that he opened and closed his mouth several times. Meanwhile, Linares asked sharply.
"Why would you, a prince, go so far?"
"Because it's not someone else's problem. No-Name's target is my childhood friend. If left alone, the blade of resentment will eventually be directed at my childhood friend. It might be too late, but it might not be. Depending on the current No-Name, the resentment might be settled."
If her goal is to regain her clans name by surpassing the hero, there's no need for them to kill each other.
They can have a one-on-one fight and compare their powers.
If Elna loses, No-Name will be released from his clan's grudge and obsession.
Even if No-Name loses, if she pushes Elna who holds the holy sword into a corner, she should be able to regain her name.
There are only a handful of people who can do that.
Neither of them needs to die.
It might be difficult to set up a place for a one-on-one fight, but it's not impossible.
For that, No-Name needs to become independent as an adventurer. If she stays with his predecessor as she is, it will not happen.
So...
"Bring the current No-Name to the imperial capital. It's far better for her to interact with people and the world than to stay with her predecessor. If that doesn't work, we'll think about what to do next."
"How can you trust No-Name so much?"
"Because Finne was getting along with her. I trust her more than I trust myself. That's enough for me. That's my personal judgment. I understand you're uneasy, so gather forces in the imperial capital just in case."
"Even if you say gather forces... We can't place three SS-ranked individuals in the imperial capital. It's a problem even with just two."
"Then place S-ranked ones. Wasn't there a talk about placing an S-ranked one in the imperial capital?"
"Yes, an S-ranked adventurer from the Imperial Kingdom."
"Change that. If they're master and pupil, we'll face them with a master and pupil. Bring my disciple to the imperial capital. She'll be as useful as an SS-ranked."
With that, I gave a sly smile.
TL's Notes:
I changed the name of No-Name's sword from "Underworld God" to "Dis Pater" to better fit the name given in the Light Novel... Yes I bought the whole collection until Vol 11 :^)
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