Chapter 59

Returning from the Beastfolk District, nothing has really changed, and I continue to spend my days busily.

The relationship between the Beastfolk District and the capital is more complicated than I thought.

At that time, I reconsidered the meaning of the words Quincy said to me.

"If you really wanted to, you could gather the Beastfolk and start a war."

I answered, "Impossible."

It's impossible for me to become a symbol of war.

It's impossible for me to oppose the Kingdom of Albion.

That's what I meant by "impossible."

I know that Luke's job isn't just to assist me but also to monitor me.

So, I said it in a way that Luke could hear and would be reported to the late king.

I thought I had a vague understanding of my complicated position.

Visiting the Beastfolk District made it clearer.

I could say that I came to the capital to be monitored.

I don't want to become a noble because I don't want unnecessary power.

I won't become my uncle's adopted son, but I don't intend to cut ties, and I have no intention of becoming an enemy of the Kingdom of Albion.

I have a rare skill, but I use its power as a guild staff member for the Five Nations Alliance.

If I hadn't come to the capital, I might have lived a quiet life as a guild staff member in Albus.

But when I met Sophia and the others, I wondered what would happen if I ever slipped up.

I thought that if my skill was known, it would be a big problem, but if my brand was discovered, I would lose my personal freedom.

I would be pulled between nations like the other branded person in the Kingdom of Rotus, and if a dark age came, I would be sent to the battlefield.

When the late king learned about my skill, a part of me thought it might be better to be under surveillance.

The me who was born and raised in this world, not the me from Japan, whispered that I should protect myself by being wrapped up in something bigger.

I thought I should let people know my personality and avoid being seen as a dangerous person.

When I lived a normal life in Japan, I never thought of such overtly calculating things.

I also never worried about being suddenly arrested for a baseless crime or being restrained by the royal guards as a traitor.

In the end, my current situation is complicated, but I can still work as a guild staff member.

I don't know if my decision was right, but the late king still allows me a certain degree of freedom.

I don't think anyone has complete freedom.

I am satisfied with my current freedom.

While I understand that this won't last forever, I decided to focus on my daily busyness.

One afternoon.

As usual, after finishing my window duties, I was sitting in the office and chatting with Eugene.

Luke quietly entered.

Even though he hadn't said anything, I already had a bad feeling.

That's because it was unnatural for Luke to be so quiet.

"…Something seems to have happened."

"Hehe, you noticed? Well, I wouldn't call it bad news exactly."

Quincy, who suddenly appeared behind Luke with an ambiguous smile, brought his hand down on the top of Luke's head.

"Speak clearly! What happened?"

"Scared me! Wow, I'll tell you! Please put your hand down, Mr. Quincy!"

While rubbing his head, Luke started again, saying, "Actually, a person with the same skill as Noah has appeared."

"Really?"

"Hmm…"

Eugene blinked in surprise.

Quincy raised the corner of his mouth and cleared his throat.

"Well, there have been many people who claimed the same thing before."

Quincy muttered, "I see." I had never heard of this before.

"There have always been people like fortune-tellers who guess skills or attributes."

"Until now, it was just fortune-telling. But once it became known that such a skill actually exists, the number of fakes increased significantly."

"There are bound to be people who try to make money by bluffing."

So, most of those who claimed to have the skill were fakes.

Since Luke came to report, the person who appeared this time might be the real deal.

I thought optimistically that it would be a relief to be freed from the pressure of being the only one, but Luke's expression suggested it wasn't that simple.

"It would be a problem if there were two people with the Ability Score skill in the Kingdom of Albion."

Until now, I was the only one, and I was working as a guild staff member, so other countries were watching quietly.

However, if there were two in the Kingdom of Albion, the Kingdom of Rotus wouldn't stay silent.

They would likely demand that one be sent to their country.

The Kingdom of Anima, which has no branded person, might also step forward.

"This hasn't been officially announced to other countries yet."

"But this person doesn't hide the fact that they have the Ability Score skill, right?"

Luke nodded ambiguously.

"The problem is that Baron Cody is backing him. It's hard to judge if he's a fake."

"What's the possibility that he's the real deal?"

When I asked, Luke crossed his arms and said,

"He seems to be able to guess skills. He's apparently guessed several, and Baron Cody is boasting about it. He's been told to keep a low profile, but he's been quiet."

"Is he an idiot? He'll be targeted by everyone."

Quincy snorted.

I can understand why Luke looks troubled.

It's only a matter of time before other countries hear about this.

"We need to verify if he's the real deal, right?"

When Eugene said this, Luke pointed and agreed.

"We need to clarify this while it's still a rumor. Is he a fake like the others or a real skill holder?"

It's a big deal either way.

Following the late king's orders, I was to judge whether this person really has the Ability Score skill, with Baron Cody and the guild present.

If we have the same skill, we should be able to read each other's skills. It's the most accurate method.

"Good work today, both of you."

"Yes, good work."

"Noah, good work!"

When I greeted the two consultants, Luciora responded quietly, and Eugene responded energetically.

"Let's go to the conference room."

Luke had told me this yesterday.

It's after window duties now.

Next, I have to meet the alleged skill holder.

The location is the guild's conference room.

When I entered the conference room with Eugene, the chief was sitting in his usual spot.

Quincy, who had been out of sight, was already in the room, looking over from a corner.

"You're here. Luke is welcoming Baron Cody. Please sit and wait."

I sat as directed, and the two who followed me sat on either side.

Luciora is here because he is from the Kingdom of Anima and can represent it, as Luke explained beforehand.

"Here they are."

The Baron Cody Luke brought in was a well-built man in his fifties.

He was wearing luxurious clothing and pressing his protruding belly.

Behind him stood the alleged skill holder.

"I am Baron Cody."

"Baron Cody, thank you for coming to the guild today."

Baron Cody introduced himself, and the chief greeted him politely.

"Well, if it's a direct order from the king, there's no choice. Gentlemen, this is Thorn."

"My name is Thorn."

Thorn, who squinted and smiled, was wearing unusual clothing.

It looked like a minstrel's outfit, with a somewhat exotic ethnic style.

The sleeves were long, and the overall impression was sharp. Standing next to Baron Cody, Thorn looked even thinner.

His age was hard to guess.

He could be in his twenties or thirties.

Thorn has a debt to Baron Cody and is now serving as his bodyguard.

I turned to face them and introduced myself.

Baron Cody nodded calmly, and Thorn narrowed his eyes even more in a bow.

"Shall we proceed with the skill verification immediately?"

The chief said, and I faced Thorn.

Baron Cody and the others were sitting and watching the situation.

"Please, go ahead."

When Thorn said this, I nodded and reached out.

Touching Thorn is to feel magic without a crystal.

It's a necessary action to activate the skill, even though it's not needed for me.

"…Hmm."

I couldn't read anything.

I couldn't determine Thorn's race or skill at all.

This was the first time this had happened, so I was surprised and let go of Thorn's hand.

Combined with Thorn's mysterious aura, he felt like an unknown entity.

"What's the matter?"

Baron Cody asked, looking puzzled.

"I can't read it…"

"Noah?"

Eugene called my name anxiously in response to my mutter.

"It seems the skill didn't activate."

Thorn smiled and took a step closer.

"Then, let me try. Please show me your skill."

Just as I was about to step back, Thorn grabbed my arm and looked into my eyes.

"You really are a double skill holder, an appraiser and Ability Score. How about elemental magic?"

Each time Thorn spoke, I felt a chill down my spine.

Being known by someone else was a more uncomfortable feeling than I thought.

"Lightning! You have a flashy attribute."

Is lightning flashy?

I've only used it with the power of static electricity, so I don't really feel it, but I guess it would be flashy if I could summon lightning bolts.

"That's enough. Thorn's skill is real. I'll report that to the king."

Unable to withstand the pressure from Thorn, I looked away, and Baron Cody spoke.

"It seems Noah's skill is incomplete. Thorn seems more competent."

"Are you saying Noah is a fake?"

Quincy, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.

"…I didn't say that. I just thought Thorn would be more useful to the king."

Baron Cody didn't hide his intention to advance his career using Thorn.

He said calmly, ignoring Quincy's rude tone.

"Why don't you try again? Thorn, is that okay?"

"Yes, Baron Cody."

Honestly, I didn't want to touch Thorn again, but I had no choice.

I touched Thorn's hand again and tried to activate my skill.

"…It doesn't work."

Shaking my head, I said, and Quincy frowned deeply.

"Then, how about this guy?"

Quincy pointed to Eugene.

My skill can know information that isn't unusual to know.

Since he knew my attribute, he must have some skill.

But Thorn didn't mention his job level.

Baron Cody might have stopped him because something inconvenient would have been revealed if he continued.

Thanks to the time Quincy bought, I had a chance to think.

Thorn can indeed know people's skills and attributes, but it seems he's not exactly the same as me.

"Thorn, how about it?"

"I don't mind."

Despite this, Baron Cody and Thorn remained calm.

Eugene hesitantly stood up and approached Thorn.

At that moment, the bracelet on my wrist heated up.

Then, the entire guild shook.

The windows creaked from the wind pressure.

Quincy glanced outside and spat.

"Hey, let's put this on hold. Let's go outside."

I had no idea what was happening, but I saw red light coming through the windows.

If it was the sunset, it would have set long ago.

Then, what was that red light?

"Chief!"

The conference room door opened with a loud noise, and a guild staff member, out of breath, rushed in.

"What's going on?"

"There was an explosion in a nearby building! I'm not sure, but a large fireball is approaching the guild!"

The light was from the flickering flames, whipped by the wind.

We ran toward the guild's entrance, led by Luke.

"My carriage is parked! Everyone, get in!"

Baron Cody pointed to one of the two carriages.

A swirling column of fire was approaching.

"Get in first!"

At Quincy's urging, Baron Cody and Thorn got into the carriage, and Noah and Eugene followed.

At that moment, I lost consciousness.