Chapter 88

Happy New Year! ('ω')

I hope you have a wonderful year ahead.

"Then... did you indeed say ‘culling’?"

"Yes."

A week after Hilde's manifestation.

Currently, I am in the reception room of the Dunna Adventurers' Guild, being directly questioned by Marquis Bedivere, the head of the Royal Academy.

After consulting and deliberating with Viscount Boardman and Maniera, we decided to report to the Royal Academy via messenger bird, but I didn’t expect to be interrogated by the Marquis, who literally flew here from the capital to Dunna using a scroll of teleportation magic.

"Is there no visual record?"

"Unfortunately, it was quite sudden."

"No, I’m not blaming you. I just wanted the most authentic information possible."

A high-ranking noble close to the heart of the nation smiles lightly at me.

It’s uncomfortable to make such a high-ranking person, whom I would normally find it difficult to even meet, feel uneasy.

"May I ask a question?"

"Of course. If you’re concerned about the title, don’t worry about it now. It would be a loss if you were too intimidated to share the voices from the field."

"What is ‘culling’?"

"Hmm."

Marquis Bedivere, who grunted slightly at my question, opened his mouth.

"Well, I should tell you. After all, you were chosen."

While uttering suspicious words, the Marquis spread out a sheet of paper that looked like a diagram on the table. It looks like a painting, but the margins are filled with annotations.

"What is this?"

"It’s a copy of an old mural in the royal family’s underground. It was something my father, the previous head of the academy, researched, and it seems to depict ‘culling’."

I stared intently at the spread-out drawing.

It depicts a large, black beast and people facing it in a simplified manner, with ancient script written on it.

Rein might be able to read it, but it’s a bit difficult for me.

"According to my father, ‘culling’ is the selection of the world."

"Selection?"

"Yes. Are you aware of the suggestion of the existence of other worlds or parallel universes?"

I nodded at the Marquis’s words.

Having delved into the ‘Colorless Darkness,’ I remember it vividly.

That place is precisely the convergence point of such things.

"The large-scale phenomenon to select the overabundant worlds is called ‘culling.’ If not dealt with, the world itself will perish... that’s the story."

"Such...!"

The weight of the information is overwhelming.

It’s hard to believe that the strange labyrinth could be such a significant event.

I am aware that I am avoiding the issue.

"However, from what I hear... this incident feels deliberate. It’s odd to call it natural, but it seems to have been imposed on our world from the ‘Twilight Capital’."

"Yes. From what Hilde said, it sounds like it was brought into this world."

"Regardless, ‘culling’ has arrived."

A heavy atmosphere filled the conference room where we were alone.

I wished Maniera were here, but the one-on-one interrogation was at the Marquis’s instruction.

"Well, about this matter... I have to rely on you."

"Me?"

"Your name was called, wasn’t it? If so... you are at the center of this ‘culling’."

"What do you mean?"

"Upon the arrival of ‘culling,’ the world is said to indicate countermeasures for its defense. Look at this."

The Marquis pointed to a specific point on the copy of the mural.

In the painting, a person holding a sword stands at the forefront of an army, facing the black giant beast.

"The ‘Hero’."

A shiver ran down my spine.

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes at the weight of what I was being asked to shoulder.

This is no joke.

"Please spare me."

"That’s not possible. Yuke Ferdio."

The Marquis looked at me with a smile that concealed pressure.

"Fortunately, you are an A-rank adventurer. You are in a position where a strong push can be made in terms of qualifications. Your track record is also sufficient. And, to add, you have a certain appeal."

"Wait. The responsibility is too heavy."

"Someone has to do it. And it’s not just anyone."

He maintained a smile, but his eyes didn’t smile.

And there’s no one to turn to for help.

Is this a one-on-one interrogation because they anticipated this?

"If you don’t do it, I’ll have to ask other members to be promoted to A-rank and take on the task."

That threat is too unfair.

I couldn’t help but forget that he is a high-ranking noble and glare at the Marquis.

"Whoa, are you starting to get motivated? You remind me of Saga when he was young, but compared to him, you’re a bit too negative."

"Do you know my uncle?"

"An old friend. A great adventurer with the skills to back up his overflowing intuition and confidence."

The Marquis’s eyes, filled with nostalgia, turned to me.

"He would have gladly accepted, wouldn’t he?"

"..."

This is also unfair.

It’s difficult to remain calm when my respected uncle is brought up.

However, I don’t think I have the same level of skill as my uncle.

Most importantly, involving those girls in such a matter is too risky.

If it were just me, it would be different.

"Seriously, I would be grateful if you could take it on. I’ll provide as much support as possible."

"Are you expecting too much from me?"

"Intuition. Besides, weren’t you named by the apostle of another world? You’ve been given a named request... A-rank adventurer, Yuke Ferdio."

Those words sank deeply into my heart.

This Marquis seems to understand adventurers well.

"Can I think about it for a bit?"

"Of course. But a quick response would be preferable. You understand, right?"

"Yes."

The Marquis smiled at me, nodding.

His expression seemed to see through me, but I didn’t feel bad about it.

"There’s something only you can do."

"I’ll discuss it with my companions."

"Do so. If my intuition is correct, your hesitation will clear up soon."

With that, I bowed deeply to the smiling Marquis Bedivere and left the reception room.

How was it? ('ω')

I hope you enjoyed it.