Chapter 240
“The Labyrinths identified so far include the snow mountain, the jungle, the cave…”
As Franz moved his fingers, new holograms floated up in the air. Each hologram perfectly recreated the interior of the Gates that had appeared so far.
It was a technology that would have been incredibly convenient if it had been developed in the modern 21st century. After all, he could pull it straight from his head and use it without needing to prepare any materials.
“First, the Monsters that appeared in the snow mountain are…”
Franz skillfully continued his explanation.
In the past, he had given reports to his superiors, and he had taken on similar tasks when he was the youngest in the Magic Tower.
Furthermore, he had recently had to explain Labyrinths and Gates to investigators from various countries, so he had actually accumulated enough experience that it would be stranger if he were bad at it.
The leaders of each country listened attentively to Franz’s presentation. No, beyond that, they watched in a daze.
How much time had passed since then?
“The tool to measure the threat level of the Gates is currently under development. Given the gravity of the situation, I promise to create it as swiftly as possible.”
The planned presentation concluded smoothly.
It was a huge relief that he was able to finish it without a hitch, considering how nervous he had been. Before standing in this spot, his heart had been pounding as if it were going to burst.
“If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.”
The attendees of the meeting exchanged glances. Just like ordinary people, these leaders were no different.
Then, someone cautiously raised their hand.
“Regarding the frequency of the Gates appearing, how can you be so certain with such specific figures?”
It was someone Franz was acquainted with. It was none other than the King of Ganiphus.
“I do not know if anyone here is aware, but I am a Saint in the Goddess Church that serves Luan. The Goddess has bestowed an oracle regarding this matter, so I merely spoke based on that.”
“I see. Thank you for the answer.”
To be a bit more precise, it wasn’t an oracle, but a face-to-face conversation. He was just keeping his mouth shut because saying that would cause a massive uproar.
Anyway, to think the leader of a nation would express gratitude to a mere Magic Tower Lord, it seemed his character, which Franz had observed that day, was not an illusion after all.
Once the King of Ganiphus broke the ice like that, the others began to ask questions one after another.
Franz answered their questions earnestly. Most of them were expected questions anyway, so he didn’t need to think too hard.
Of course, among them were questions he truly hadn’t anticipated…
“By any chance, are the Monsters coming out of the Labyrinths edible? We’ve had a severe famine this year, and the suffering of our people is beyond words.”
“I will verify that and deliver the information to you within a few days.”
Originally, the Monsters existing in this world were impossible to eat. The mana they possessed acted as nothing short of poison to Humans.
However, there was no rule saying the ones found in the Labyrinths would be the same. For starters, there was a difference in the mana stones inside their bodies.
It was a sharp question in many ways, and one could catch a glimpse of his heart that cared for his people.
“What was the threat level of the most dangerous Gate that has appeared so far?”
“We don’t have a definitive standard yet, so it is difficult to say, but the ones we encountered in the Gate in Nostra were around the level of the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings and their subordinates. And we plan to establish the criteria for dividing the grades once a bit more data has accumulated.”
Starting with that answer, the questions began to dwindle until they completely disappeared, and silence fell over the conference hall.
From now on, there was nothing Franz could do. He would just stand far back and watch their meeting.
“Then, since everyone seems to have understood, we shall begin the meeting in earnest. First, the Empire will provide each nation with magic tools capable of measuring the threat level of the Gates, free of charge.”
“F-Free of charge, you say?”
It was a truly unprecedented proposal. The threat level measuring device was a tool that could immediately overturn the fate of a nation, after all.
Franz was also well aware of this fact. No, rather, it was Franz who had proposed to the Emperor that they do so.
‘The important thing right now is handling the Gates.’
If other nations failed to handle the Gates and an overflow occurred, the Empire would not be safe from the aftermath either.
Not to mention the economic blow, in the worst-case scenario, they could end up in an all-out war with the Monsters.
“There is a condition instead. Each nation must regularly provide the Empire with information obtained from the Labyrinths and Gates and also agree to the creation of a transnational organization, a guild.”
“Could we hear in detail what this guild is?”
“It is an organization created solely for the Labyrinths and Gates. We are thinking of placing the guild’s headquarters in the Empire and establishing branches in each nation. Furthermore, the guild will only have a cooperative relationship with the nations; it will not be placed under their jurisdiction.”
This, too, was something Franz had decided after putting his head together with the Emperor. Establishing a private organization like a guild could minimize the loss of national power.
Of course, it would be difficult right now. But as time passes, it would naturally settle into place.
After all, there were bound to be those who had the ability right now but couldn’t spread their wings because they were blocked by the wall of social status.
The meeting continued for quite a while after that. Everyone had their own things to protect, so they were that much more cautious.
“Since things have been decided to some extent, let us wrap up the meeting here.”
It had been a whopping six hours since the meeting began.
During that time, Franz had been blankly watching the meeting, so he wasn’t particularly bored. He had been conceptualizing the threat level measuring device in his head.
Starting with the Emperor, everyone rose from their seat.
Afterward, Franz, who was the last to stand up, slipped outside.
“That was truly amazing.”
“I agree. Honestly, I was mesmerized the entire time I was watching.”
The kings who had attended the meeting suddenly flocked around him. Of course, not all of them did, only a few of the more sociable ones.
It seemed they had been quite deeply impressed by the magic he had shown during the presentation.
“I am just grateful that you looked upon it favorably.”
Naturally, it was burdensome. It was even more so because they were the kings of other nations.
But even so, he had to show proper manners first. It wasn’t like they were saying bad things; they were giving him compliments.
“If it’s all right with you, do you have any thoughts of coming to Mihaen to stay for a few days? It would be perfect if you could take a little look at our magic while you’re at it. I can definitely guarantee you VIP treatment.”
“Hey now, my good man. The one that’s truly in a hurry is our country. The level of our Imperial Family mages is becoming more and more abysmal by the day.”
In short, it was this. Come to our country and do some work. We’ll make sure you’re not short on money.
He didn’t dislike traveling to other countries, and he also tended to like helping others, but…
Unfortunately, he couldn’t grant that request. He already had a whole bunch of family members to take care of on his end right now.
Even so, refusing them made him feel a bit awkward, as if he were being needlessly impolite.
So, as he was awkwardly scratching his head…
“Ahem, gentlemen. What are you doing to our Magic Tower Lord right now?”
Right on time, the Emperor appeared and mediated the situation. He had been in a tight spot anyway, so it was truly a relief.
“W-We were just inviting him to come visit…”
“Mhm, of course you were.”
They made appropriate excuses and gauged the Emperor’s mood before quickly hurrying away.
Watching their retreating figures, the Emperor slowly shook his head.
“Franz, don’t worry and just flatly refuse them. I will take full responsibility.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
For the first time, Franz felt that the Emperor was reliable.
Until now, he had only been ruthlessly worked to the bone, so honestly, he hadn’t had a very good impression of him.
Afterward, Franz exchanged farewells with the Emperor and headed straight back to the Magic Tower.
The Emperor seemed to want him to stay at the Imperial Palace a little longer to at least be a conversation partner, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so because of the remaining work. Nor did he want to.
‘Is it better to do it like this…?’
Upon arriving at the Magic Tower, Franz immediately began his magic tool research. He had promised them he would make the threat level measuring device as quickly as possible, so he needed to keep that promise.
But unfortunately, an answer did not come easily. He could somehow manage to imbue divine power into the magic tool, but there was no material that could actually withstand it.
Thus, the method Franz came up with was none other than…
“H-Hyaaaak?!”
Going to find the Goddess.
If it was her, who had created everything in the world, she would surely know of a material capable of containing divine power.
The Goddess, who had been startled by Franz’s sudden visit, nodded after hearing the detailed circumstances.
“There is one.”
“What is it?”
“A holy relic.”
It seemed he had asked for nothing.