Chapter 396: Again about Serudio

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