Chapter 104: Catching up (2)

"Although I can’t say for sure that the S-Rank beasts actually happened, I can tell you that the beast invasion was real. There were so many of them... Not hundreds, but thousands of beasts! C-Rank and B-Rank... Even A-Rank," he said.

It was a half-truth. The reality was that he had seen thousands of beasts there, though they weren’t necessarily real beasts.

"If I had to give you any advice, it would be to cancel all missions to that place. It’s surrounded by dangerous forests, and I think those beasts came straight out of a dungeon on the hill by the Sacred Temple."

Lodrey and Azrik looked at each other, then nodded.

"According to Lord Azrik’s investigation..." Lodrey spoke up. "He believes that the hill of the Sacred Temple hasn’t actually been conquered by those stubborn Cardinals who rule there, even though they claim otherwise. We haven’t seen it up close, but we think there’s a dungeon down there. Did you see anything?" he asked.

Zaid saw a good opportunity, so he nodded.

"I saw a lot of beasts coming out of there. They climbed or flew over the walls, and then... Then I don’t remember anymore. It took a lot of effort to escape, and I was beaten by powerful beasts. It’s a miracle I’m still alive."

Lodrey nodded.

Azrik nodded. He jotted down a few things in a notebook and then continued to listen.

"How did you get out of there alive? And to make it all the way here on your own... How on earth did you do that?"

Zaid sighed and nodded to Valia.

"Actually, she’s a familiar of mine," he said, removing the cat costume she was wearing. Her wings spread, and she flew around the room. "She’s stronger than I am, but her special ability is that she can fly very high."

"Did you fly back?" Lodrey and Azrik’s eyes lit up. Even Frank, who had been feeling very down, cheered up a little at that.

"Yes."

Lodrey caught up to Valia, not to grab her, but to confirm something. "It’s a spirit... I see. So you’re actually a Spirit Tamer. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one."

Zaid nodded. "Actually, I am one."

All three nodded, and although they were interested in asking more questions about it, now was not the time.

"Too many high-ranking died on this mission... Even a 10-year expedition doesn’t result in so many deaths," said Azrik. "And the deaths of Mr. Khan, who has strong ties to the armed forces, and Young Lord Martin of the Lawrences and the Celestial Lance put us in a bind."

Lodrey nodded. "Then there are the people at the academy. We’ll have to investigate this thoroughly. We’ll need to give them a very detailed explanation... Reporting this is going to be difficult."

Azrik sighed. "At least we have one survivor."

Even if he was the weakest...

"And we don’t have many powerful people available," Frank said suddenly. "Mr. Jake and Miss Laura left to complete the Immortal Serpent Expedition just two weeks ago. Without them, I’m practically on my own."

Azrik sighed heavily... "I’d forgotten that." If he hadn’t had to keep up appearances, he would have pressed his hand to his forehead in frustration.

’Jake and Laura... Aren’t they the ones I ran into right before I went on that damn mission? It looks like they’re high-ranking in the guild,’ Zaid thought.

Azrik looked at Zaid for a moment. "You have enough points to move up to Silver Rank. Have you accomplished anything noteworthy recently? What rank are you?" he asked, interested.

"I’m still at F-Rank, but I’m two beasts away from moving up to E Rank. My biggest achievements so far have been killing several C-Rank beasts."

"Rank C? Have you really killed Rank C beasts while being Rank F?" Azrik stood up, in shock.

Lodrey and Frank looked at him, too. What kind of phenomenon was this guy?

"Yeah. Although I did it with her help... I killed several while I was running away. Maybe about seven? I couldn’t keep their bodies." He recalled.

His eyes sparkled, and the three of them smiled.

Azrik then stood up. "Starting today, you’re a Platinum-Rank Mercenary. If you’re interested in joining a guild, just let me know, and I’ll put you in touch with one of them with a strong recommendation. If you’ll take my suggestion, I’d recommend the Sword Saint Guild."

Zaid had already been expecting something like a promotion, so he nodded happily. However, he hadn’t expected to be recommended to a guild so soon.

’Sword Saint is Azrik and Lodrey’s guild. Two S-Rank members. They aren’t very numerous, but they’re powerful,’ he thought.

Zaid didn’t want to rush into anything, because he was already in enough trouble as it was. So, although he was happy with the suggestion, he didn’t commit to anything.

"Thank you very much, Lord Azrik. I’ll give the guild matter serious consideration."

"All right." Azrik smiled. "We’ve lost 6 Platinum Mercenaries, 3 Adamantium Mercenaries, and 1 Diamond Mercenary on the mission that will earn you a promotion of several ranks. You’ll be famous for a while—I hope you know how to handle the fame," he joked.

"I’ll do my best."

At this point, Zaid made no move to say goodbye. In fact, he took off his mask and wasn’t afraid to reveal his identity.

Although none of the three were surprised by his identity—but rather by the fact that he had finally chosen to reveal himself.

"Gentlemen, there’s one thing I’d like to ask you. I know you’re strong and have a lot of information, so I was wondering if you could answer."

Although surprised, they had no problem with it.

"You can ask whatever question you want. If we know the answer and it won’t put your life in danger, we’ll tell you."

Zaid nodded and mulled over the question in his mind before asking it.

"I suspect that the Church of the Seventh Night has a connection to my family. I believe its origins are our concern. Do you know anything about the founder of the Church of the Seventh Night or its current leaders above the Cardinals?" he asked.

Azrik and Lodrey frowned.

It took them more than a minute to decide whether or not to answer that question.

Normally, Zaid would excuse himself so as not to bother them, but this time the question unsettled him. Because the right answer could give him more clues than he could find on his own.

It wasn’t until three minutes later that Azrik answered.

"It’s true that the founding of the Church of the Seventh Night can be traced back to your family, the Zacharys—specifically to Sir John D. Zachary. But... Your question touches on a very dangerous subject. There are some questions that are best left unasked, because the answers could put your life in danger."