When Fran finally finished talking about Kiara, it was time for her to listen to Diaz. Aurel and Lumina immediately left the room.
“I would like to tell you something about a man named Celldio.” (Diaz)
“By the way, I completely forget about meeting him until recently.” (Master)
Sorry Diaz, Fran doesn't remember who Celldio was. Even though she remembers some annoying nobleman to whom she handed me over, after which he died, she completely forgot both his name and face. However, this shows how insignificant he was for Fran.
“Have you ever met Marquis Ashton?” (Diaz)
“No.” (Fran)
“After leaving Ulmutt, we do plan to head to the capital.” I said.
“I see. Is it because of the auction?” (Diaz)
“Nn.” (Fran)
Fran explained that ever since the blacksmith Gallus took on some top secret assignment from the Ashton family, he’d completely disappeared.
“Yes, I heard that he went to Barbra. So the rumours about his disappearance are true.” (Diaz)
“Looks like the Ashton family is collecting materials for blacksmithing.” I said.
“Oh, really? So the Ashton family really took Gallus? It looks extremely suspicious…”(Diaz)
“We promised Gallus that we would meet in the capital. Given the circumstances, we wont be able do that without running into the Ashton family. Therefore, I would like to know exactly how the Celldio incident developed, in particular: what the Marquis's family might know about Fran.” (Master)
“I see.” (Diaz)
Apparently, the first thing that Diaz did after our "quarrel" was arrange for Celldio’s subordinates to be interrogated, extracting as much information from them as possible.
“However, I heard from them everything that I wanted to believe myself…”(Diaz)
The words "that he himself wanted to believe" sounded very creepy. Although Fran didn’t notice this, in response to leading questions, he allowed himself to be told only the information convenient to him.
“However, it didn’t go so well the last time we tried…”(Diaz)
“What happened?” (Master)
“Under the auspices of the Ashton family, a nobleman named Baron Holmes was sent over; this guy was another pain in the neck for us. He had the skill of seeing through lies and was given a very important job…” (Diaz)
Hmm? That sounds familiar. A skill to see through lies?
“Have you heard of a man named Viscount Alsand? I do believe you’ve been in Ares, so I wouldn't be surprised if you know of him…” (Diaz)
Of course! The same Viscount from whom I took away the Deception Control skill. August Alsand. Then his father must be Viscount Holmes.
“This skill was a big problem for us. It's called "Managing Deception" and not only exposes a lie, it can make anyone believe a lie. Just think about what you can achieve using this skill wisely…” (Diaz)
“Interrogations would be completely useless.” I said.
“Right. For example, if that viscount interfered in Celldio’s testimony, their subordinates would simply lead us on the wrong track…” (Diaz)
In fact, August tried to use his skill in the same way on Fran, obviously plotting fraud.
“True, at some point, Viscount Alsand simply lost his skill in discovering lies. Without that skill, he became a burden to his family and went under house arrest. The affairs of the family of Baron Holmes rolled downhill. Thanks to this, the Ashton family can no longer manipulate the truth with lies.” (Diaz)
But I took the Deception Control skill from Alsand only in retaliation for trying to deceive Fran. I never imagined that this story would ever be brought up again.
“Having magic herbs as evidence, he could not get out. Since Celldio had the title of Viscount, responsibility for his crimes fell on the family of Viscount Resseps. Although the marquis family did not have to be responsible for them, there are rules for the guild representatives. So all the guild leaders whom Celldio annoyed decided to do this out of spite.” (Diaz)
Diaz made an odd gesture, slapping his neck. It couldn’t mean "Getting punished." so it must have been referring to a weight taken off of his shoulders.
In conversation, Diaz appeared to be a good-natured old man, but he was also a seasoned guild manager. To those who encroached on his power, he knew no mercy.
“Speaking of Celldio’s death, I tried to hide Fran’s involvement as best I could. For those who were at the place of his demise, Elsa was very persuasive. Unfortunately, it will still be difficult to hide absolutely everything from them.” (Diaz)
“It can’t be helped.” (Master)
“that's why, various rumours have spread…” (Diaz)
“Various rumours?” I asked.
“Yes, that the cause of Celldio’s death was either the magic sword of a certain adventurer, or I, or Forund-kun. Although there is actually a rumour that he died from the sword of the Black Lightning Princess, you are too popular a person in this city. On the contrary, it would be strange if such a rumour did not exist. Fortunately, I don't think many people think that this rumour is true.” (Diaz)
If you need to hide something, hide it in plain sight. Our predicament matches that saying closely.
“Moreover, since Celldio’s death, all subsequent interrogations and persecutions have attracted more and more attention. How much attention do you think Forund and I have been given, given our lively interrogation and other activities?” (Diaz)
“I see. And you and Forund are not worried about your safety?” I asked.
“Ha ha ha ha, don’t worry about us. We A Rank Adventurers are incredibly powerful. We have the potential to make an impact on an entire country. Whoever challenges one of us will become an enemy to all of us. The family of the Marquis will never do such a stupid thing.” (Diaz)
“Well, if that's true…” (Master)
“But it will still be difficult to completely hide Fran's involvement in this. Be very careful while meeting with the Ashton family…” (Diaz)
“Yeah. Got it.” (Master)
After talking with Diaz, there was still the last place in Ulmutt where we should have collected information. Yes, we wanted to go to Rumina’s dungeon, where she returned to after our prior conversation. We were immediately transported there by the spatial gate. Since we informed her that we were going to pay her a visit, she was already waiting to welcome us with open arms.
The first thing we talked about was Murellia. Although we've talked enough about Kiara, there was another Black Cat-Kin that I should tell to Rumina about.
However, Rumina's reaction was not as violent as we expected. She hung her head down, nostalgia and regret mixed in her expression. Perhaps all this time she thought that Murellia would never return.
For Rumina, Murellia was a memory of 500 years ago. Moreover, sharing the same bloodline with her, Rumina knew those whose lives were destroyed by the Dark God.
“Its you, Lady… Murellia…” (Rumina)
I couldn’t understand what feelings were swirling in her heart, but for a while Rumina remained silent.
After that, while Fran and Urushi were drinking tea and eating steak, while Rumina, who had calmed down, moved to a separate room to speak with me. Since I could not sit at the chair opposite her, I lied down on the table.
“I apologize. There is something I would like to hear…” (Rumina)
"Something Fran shouldn't hear?"(Master)
“Ehm, its not exactly that, but…” (Rumina)
I told her what I heard from Murellia during that meeting with her in the dungeon. After that, I told her that she was a follower of the Goddess of Chaos, and at the same time that she had no connection with the Dungeon Master.
“Rumina, was it possible that you could not tell Fran about how to evolve? Could it be that you could only speak in my presence?” (Master)
“Oh, I understand.”(Master)
“So maybe it's even easier for you to talk when Fran is gone. So can I talk to you alone for now?” (Master)
“I have nothing against that. What would you like to hear?” (Rumina)
“What does it mean to be a follower of the Goddess of Chaos?” (Master)
I talked to both the Goddess of Chaos, and Murellia, but I never understood it. Although I do understand a thing or two about people associated with her.
“How do I explain what it is… the Followers of a God are those whom the God created with their own hand, but also those who received some kind of power from said God…” (Rumina)
“And which of these cases is mine?” (Master)
“Hmm… Of course, I don’t know, but most likely the follower of the Goddess of Chaos must have something to do with the dungeon…” (Rumina)
“Do you think so?” (Master)
“Unlike other Gods, the Goddess of Chaos does not show up herself in this world in any way outside of the dungeons. The magic of the Goddess of Chaos is intended for the Dungeon Masters, exclusively for managing the dungeon, so until now there has never been something like the Goddess of Chaos creating some kind of living creature. As far as I know, the followers of the Goddess of Chaos are the monsters that are under the control of the Dungeon Master.” (Rumina)
Then, am I one of them? After all, I’m probably not a Dungeon Master. So, when I was created, was the power of a dungeon transferred to me? Or could that mysterious soul that is sealed inside me be a follower of the Goddess of Chaos?
“In the end, I haven’t obtained any useful information...” (Master)
t./n edited by Tonatsi
Wasn't it the principle of falsehood?
Goddess of Chaos was the one who gave MC his HUD. (Mysterious System)
Announcer-chan was just there to help process and understand. (Cheribum leftovers)
Fenrir allows for quick growth through predation (of magic stones instead of flesh n blood). (Mysterious Soul)
Elmera (Divine Blacksmith) was the smith. (Crafter of Cheribum, had to reforge cause it was too strong)
Thats my overall guess.
It annoys me to see that Rumina, who is contemporaneous with the events and knows the truth about Murellia, does not feel any animosity towards her. Murellia still wiped out her people to help a foreign country. And considering how Bashar's kingdom took advantage of Murellia's shrewd help, and even attempted to destroy the Beastkin Kingdom out of pure rascism, the royal family was not completely wrong to be hostile to humans.
In fact, the old black catkins are the least worst of the protagonists of 500 years ago. They monopolized power to the detriment of other tribes? They at least did not enslave an entire people like their successors. Did they use the power of the Evil God? They didn't do it to resuscitate him or take over the world, they just didn't want to be defeated, and seeing what their conquerors inflicted on them, it's pretty understandable that they were up for anything.
@Alcyon Well, what to say then, that's how politics are i suppose. Sometimes it's extremely complicated and sometimes it happens on impulse. Black cats curse incident is something that already happened hundreds years ago. At this point rumina feels angry to murella won't change anything
What happened to black cats is something to be grieved indeed. But it's something that need to be done or else same mistake would be made by others tribes...
@Evolto Except that the gods erased most people's memories, and now no one remembers this story. What is the point of exemplary punishment if its cause and even the fact that it is a punishment is ignored by everyone, including the victims?
In addition, lots of people use the power of the evil god without the other gods intervening. In the arc of the town of Kranzl, the magician Lindford attempts to sacrifice the entire population to become an avatar of the god of evil. It is not nothing like a catastrophe and yet there is no divine intervention. Does this mean that the rule is "you can do whatever you want, until you cross an invisible line, and then the gods will punish you in the cruelest way possible"?
It does not seem very fair to me for divine justice. In fact, it even almost looks like a trap. Besides, that's why I find it strange that Rumina and the other black catkins don't feel any resentment towards the gods.
@Alcyon Wasn't it mentioned before that sometimes divine punishment takes a while due to gods having a bad sense of time.
Also It's possible that the Black Cat Clan did do the things that you listed but it's hard to say for certain since we lack information.
They monopolized power to the detriment of other tribes? Probably. It was known that the Black Cat tribe at the time weren't very good people and didn't have very good relations with other tribes which is why no one helped them when they were in trouble. So they probably did do many things that benefitted them personally and the expense of others.
They at least did not enslave an entire people like their successors. Probably not but mainly because we don't know of any tribes that they would hate enough that trying to enslave them all is worth their time. I wouldn't be surprised if they did though.
I thought that they used the power of the evil god purely for the sake of power. I don't remember reading anything that shows that they would have been in trouble if they didn't use the power of the evil god.
I think I remember reading that the gods didn't erase the memories of the Black cat tribe or at least not the one on the same continent as the beastmen country. The gods mainly just destroyed any records of the black cat tribe. The reason why no one know about the curse know is due to the beast king wiping out all information about the Black Cat tribe.
@heroeric In Murellia's point of view, it is said that it was only after the rebellion against them began that the beat lord wanted to use the power of the Evil God. So it's clearly a reaction rather than a thirst for power. Moreover, even if the reign of the Black Catkins was disputed, it is the fact that Murellia wanted to end the persecution of humans that started it all. That says a lot about the beastkins of this era.
Regarding the gods, they erased from people's memory the fact that the black catkins reigned, except apparently beastkins (Why only them? The author is not very coherent, especially since Bashar's kingdom remembers the facts, even if they are distorted by propaganda). But the new beastlord, in order to permanently neutralize the black catkins, burned all the books and murdered everyone who knew the history of the black catkins, in order to hide the fact that the black catkins could evolve and that it was a curse Divine. It was certainly not foreseen by the gods (although ...) but in this case, why did they not intervene? Besides, the current beastlord said that if his father did not try to exterminate the black catkins, it was because he feared the wrath of the gods, so they should not appreciate that mortals interfere in their punishments.