Chapter 286: Aesthetics

Alright, lets hear it.

Well

No one asks you, Im asking Finne. If you want to talk to me then take off that lame mask first.

This damn guy.!

My cheeks involuntarily cramped up but without me saying anything, Finne continues the talk.

Then please allow me to explain. Have Lina-san heard about how Silver-sama got involved with the Empires recent conflict?

Are you talking about the subjugation of the United Kingdoms Holy Dragons I wonder? Being accused of taking the Empires side with just the subjugation of two Elder Dragons, the matter is quite exaggerated isnt it.

However, those dragons were the guardians of the United Kingdom. His intervention saved the Empire and forced the rebels to withdraw. The Council judged that an SS-rank adventurer shouldnt intervene in such a situation and they are currently trying to conduct an inquiry into Silver-samas action.

How idiotic. Calling them [Holy Guardian Dragons] was their own business. We left them alone because they only used the dragons to protect their country. If they used those dragons for invasion then those dragons are just monsters. Its the same as in the SS-rank adventurers case. If we act outside the framework of SS-rank adventurers, we would become one of the most dangerous people on the continent you know.

The Council argues that Silver-sama has acted out of that line in this incident. They said that Silver-sama has favored the Empire too much.

I see. Thats a nice argument they have there. So? What is their real intention?

I believe that they want to put SS-rank adventurers under the Councils jurisdiction. If Silver-sama agrees to be under the Councils jurisdiction then it will set a precedent. I think that they will try to use this to deprive all SS-rank adventurers of their freedom in the future.

Hearing Finne, Linares smiled.

He then stood up silently and started preparing tea.

During that time, Finne doesnt say anything.

People need time to think after all.

Here, Finne.

Thank you.

Linares offers Finne the tea. Sure enough, theres none for me. Well, I dont really mind since I cant drink it anyway.

Finne thanked him and smelled the tea scent.

This has a nice scent. It calms me down.

Right? Greeglow flower is great for making medicine but its not so good for making teas. Thats why I had to try a lot of things to make it delicious. Its really good for your beauty you know.

That must be why you have such beautiful skin, Lina-san.

Ahhh! You are so good at praising me!

Saying so, the two begin chatting by themselves.

The topic has nothing to do with the matter at hand but Finne responds to him with a smile.

It can be said that this is also one of Finnes talents. Her patience really knows no limit.

I understand that waiting is also a tactic in negotiation but you need mental strength to carry it out.

Perhaps because of that, Linares finally returned to the main topic.

..this is only my personal opinion but..

Yes.

It was also partly Silvers fault that he was accused of taking the Empires side. Adventurers should avoid getting involved in politics as much as possible. The higher your rank is, the stronger your influence will become. After all, the more power we have, the more impact we can cause. Ive been thinking about this for a long time you know. Since you can use transfer magic, Silver, you should have stationed yourself at the Guild Headquarters and use your magic whenever the Guild issues an emergency request. Wouldnt it be more efficient that way?

You want me to cover the entire continent by myself?

I am telling you that you shouldnt limit yourself to the Empire alone. I do recognize your power you know? I dont know about one-on-one fights but there are no SS-rank adventurers that can beat you in terms of the variety of things you can do.

Thats surprising. So you do recognize my power huh.

Of course. I always give my recognition to anyone that earns it. So what do you think? The Council wouldnt oppose such a proposition, right? Its not a bad thing considering the benefit the people of this continent will get either.

Linaress eyes were trying to probe me.

Well, how should I answer this?

If I am accused of taking the Empires side then just relocate to the Guild Headquarters and offer my transfer magic for the Guilds use. Certainly, the Guild wont have any ground to complain about such a proposition.

Not a bad proposal at all.

However, if that happens, it will be difficult for me to move inside the Empire.

The problem comes down to my real identity.

When I was thinking that way, Finne quietly raised her voice.

That wont do.

Ara? Why so? This will benefit the people. Its the basic principle of us adventurers you know?

However, before being an adventurer, everyone is a person. We have places that we want to live in, people that we want to be with. It would be too high-handed to force someone to throw it all away. With that proposal, all the burden will only get concentrated on Silver-sama.

Thats why I told you. He did it to himself.

I dont think so at all. Silver-sama is doing his best within his reach. If that is wrong then just what do adventurers believe in?

I am not saying that its wrong. There would be no problem if he is an ordinary adventurer but Silver is an SS-rank. It is a fact that Silvers presence gives the Empire more power and his action already proved it.

The Empire is already a superpower before the appearance of Silver-sama. Without Silver-sama, the Empire would just come up with a countermeasure for our own problems. It is only sophistry to connect the strength of Silver to the Empires national power. At most, the only real benefit would be that the Empire doesnt need to spend money to lure high-ranking adventurers to set up base in our territory.

Thats right. The Empire is a powerful nation. One could say that it is the strongest nation on the continent. This is exactly why other countries are complaining. And their complaints are not that far off the mark too. Silver has based himself inside the Imperial Capital. Just by having the doubt if he will suddenly show up on the battlefield alone will put considerable psychological pressure on the Empires opponents. Having multiple high-ranking adventurers wont exhibit the same effect you know.

For a moment, Linares and Finnes eyes intersect.

Both are staring at each other without saying a word.

High-level psychological warfare is unfolding.

Even if it seems like Silver-samas presence only benefits the Empire, he has also traveled to neighboring counties. The case where he subjugated the Sea Dragon in the Principalitys waters is a good example. Because we are located at the center of the continent, the whole continent will benefit from Silvers presence at the Imperial Capital.

You want others to ignore the disadvantages because of the advantages you provide huh? Then for example, if a foreign country develops a technique to freely manipulate monsters and use them in their army, will Silver just wipe out those monsters along with the army? That is not the problem that other countries can just ignore you know.

In that case, he would only be following the basic principle of adventurers. To act for the people is to eliminate the possible threat to them in advance. That is the adventurers job. Even Lina-san would do the same in such a situation right?

In response to Finnes words, Linares shows a satisfied smile.

Alright. I will cooperate with you.

Thank you very much!

I thought that if you get shut down by me then you stand no chance against those old foxes in the council so I tried that out but.there doesnt seem to be a problem. To be honest, I hate being in charge of the negotiation you see.

Please allow me to take on that task myself.

Thanks. Its SS-rank adventurers job to rampage, right? None of us is exactly good at negotiating you see.

Could you not group me with you.

You are the subject of the inquiry right? You lack the power to convince them. After all, no matter how good your defense is, they wont care unless you have someone else to present them.

Saying so, Linares mockingly grins at me.

I really cant handle this guy.

Ah, thats right. I wont be doing this for free you know.

The compensation is it? If its something that I can do then.

No, that wont do. The person himself has to pay the price.

What?

Take off that ugly mask. If you do that then we are square.

Eh!?

Finne stares at Linares in surprise.

It seems that he will not help us unless I remove the mask.

Fine.

S, Silver-sama!?

Leaving the panicked Finne aside, I remove the mask.

Then I show my face to Linares.

are you taking me for an idiot?

No, Im serious though?

I cant see your so-called seriousness at all. I mean, your face is covered in black. You are just hiding it with magic arent you.

I dont remember being told not to hide my real face though.

YOUU.! I can just blow away that magic cover you know?

If you are fine with breaking your favorite room then do it.

you really are an unpleasant man.

Calling it smart would be more preferable.

Saying so, I put on the mask again.

Seeing that, Linares frowned.

When I told you to take off the mask I mean permanently you know? I dont want to cooperate with someone wearing something lame you see.

Then you should have specified so from the start. I accepted the deal because it was only temporary after all.

You are shameless, you know that..!

If he has a handkerchief with him hes probably biting on it by now.

When I grin at him, Linares seemed like he could just punch me at any moment.

Seeing that, Finne tries to calm him down.

Li, Lina-san! Let me make up for it myself!

.its okay. A promise is a promise. A promise is something that you hold yourself accountable to your past self. Its beautiful because you have to protect it. Unlike that shameless man over there, I am not so despicable you know.

Your sense of aesthetic is wonderful, I will give you that.

Shut up! I dont want to be praised by you! Seriously!

Linares started to get angry and take me and Finne out of the house.

Then, he speaks to us in a serious tone.

Now, lets go. I have to teach those ugly people not to put a free bird in a cage. Birds are free and beautiful after all.

No, I will come to pick you up just before the inquiry. I still have to look for Noname after all.

Noname? That child told me that he was going to visit a dungeon you know?

A dungeon?

Somehow, a valuable clue just came to us from an unexpected place.

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