Chapter 158 - Mr. Lion (4)

My reason for mentioning the sacred relic at the meeting was simple. Aside from the slight concern that the information was closely tied to me, the advantages far outweighed the drawbacks.

'For starters, it helps with the whole mysterious persona.'

Clown had just worked everyone up. This seemed more convincing than suddenly bringing up something about the Labyrinth.

Wasn't this what you were curious about earlier? Here, I'll tell you. Consider it a reward.

My reasoning was that if I casually tossed it out like that, even the members waiting expectantly for my information would have nothing to complain about.

And I hadn't been wrong. Far from looking disappointed, they were visibly expecting even more from me now.

"... Do you happen to know where the Master is, too?"

I shrugged at Fox's question, implying that if she brought me something entertaining, there was no reason I couldn't tell her. Fortunately, she seemed to understand. Her little hands clenched into fists, as though she were vowing to get the answer someday.

'I'm going to call it boring no matter what you bring, though...'

My conscience pricked me, but I quickly brushed it aside. This was a business relationship conducted behind masks, wasn't it? Looking out strictly for my own interests was the right approach.

'Still, they seem properly motivated now.'

That was the second advantage I'd identified. By its very nature, the Observer of the Round Table couldn't guarantee perfect anonymity. Knowing information others didn't meant you held a position that gave you access to it.

'Crescent Moon talked a lot about elves, and Fox seemed better versed in the latest news about people and events than hidden pieces.'

Of course, unlike Goblin, whose identity as a paladin had been exposed, the others seemed to know where to draw the line. But to bring entertaining information, they would inevitably have to show their hands. Used properly, this persona would be a tremendous help in deducing their identities.

'I don't know about the others, but I am curious about who Clown is.'

In that sense, this was a good opportunity. They were bound to be just as curious about me. Given my circumstances, Labyrinth information was all I'd be able to offer going forward, so I couldn't miss a chance to make myself look impressive.

It might work the first few times, but if I kept doing that, they could start wondering whether I was actually just some fucking scrub who knew a lot about the game.

Anyway, that brought me to the third advantage.

["I'd like to buy information on who received the oracle."]

Clown had already shown a keen interest in the oracle. If the information was going to get out anyway, I figured it made sense to put it to use like this. Of course, even I couldn't be sure how much he'd uncover. I didn't know how tight-lipped the temple's people would be.

But...

'I could use him to check, instead.'

If Clown, who was considered high-level even among the Observer of the Round Table, couldn't find out, then I could rest easy. It would mean the secret was being well protected.

I was still resting my chin on my hand, thinking all this through, when Fox spoke.

"Well, shall we go around once more?"

With her taking the lead, the second round began.

Goblin went first again, but things were a little rocky right from the start. After getting a red light, he barely managed a green on his next attempt... only for the members to object in unison.

"The Saint's real name? I suppose it might prove useful somewhere if we looked hard enough..."

"You're trying to get off far too easily."

"That might have worked before, but you won't get away with that sort of thing now."

In the end, Goblin had to offer new information useful enough to satisfy the members before he could finally pass the turn along. And yes, it was more temple-related information.

'The commander of the Second Paladin Order—that's the woman who stood beside Crovits when the oracle came down, right? I never imagined she was a lesbian.'

It was closer to scandalous gossip than anything, but surprisingly, no one objected. I could more or less guess their reasoning. They probably considered it valuable information that could give them leverage over the commander of the Second Paladin Order, if they could secure proof. This was a world where homosexuality was considered a grave sin.

"Well, my turn, then."

Fox, who was up next, revealed which double-digit Numbered item would appear at the Sky Auction House.

"Getting two turns out of one piece of information, are you?"

Stag Horns voiced his displeasure, but didn't go as far as formally objecting. He knew it himself: a double-digit Numbered item was worth that much.

The turns continued, and the members divulged more secrets. Stag Horns offered information about royal politics, while Crescent Moon spoke of the elves' successor being stripped of their position for committing a grave sin.

"Hmm, my turn now?"

Clown, who had dropped the bombshell about six-person Unity magic, toned things down this time and offered something more ordinary.

Well, perhaps ordinary wasn't quite the word.

"Actually, these masks we're wearing weren't chosen at random."

"What do you mean?"

"According to the Master, when we first choose our masks, we pick the one that most closely resembles our destiny."

That was quite intriguing, though whether it counted as useful information was debatable.

"That's why I look down on you, Goblin. It means you're destined to be weak, with just enough cunning to get by."

Goblin trembled after becoming the target of Clown's utterly unrestrained example. Perhaps someone felt a little sorry for him.

"I don't know about Goblin, Clown, but I think I understand why you're so obnoxious."

Stag Horns muttered the taunt, but Clown merely snickered, showing no sign of offense.

"Still, this hardly seems like important information."

"Yes. If the Master said it, it is rather intriguing, but..."

"Give us something more useful."

Faced with objections from three people, Clown clicked his tongue.

"Tsk. I went to the trouble of giving you a clue about destiny. Is this what they mean by casting pearls before swine?"

As he muttered, Clown glanced my way. Once again, I simply remained silent. Silence was always a safe middle ground.

"Then I suppose I'll have to tell you something more suited to your level."

Clown offered another piece of information, this time about the Explorer Guild. It passed without objection.

Then my turn came around again. I shared one of the pieces of information I'd selected beforehand—high-level information, but so high-level that knowing it would be useless.

"The Stone of Resurrection exists."

The instant I finished speaking, every gaze turned to the center of the Round Table. And the moment the gem shone green...

"..."

"..."

Silence fell.

* * *

"Um, what is the Stone of Resurrection...?"

Goblin was the first to speak. Fox answered his tentative question.

"It's an item that can bring people back to life. Or rather, perhaps I should say that's what it's reputed to do."

Even in the game, the Stone of Resurrection was known only through rumors. With good reason, too. To get it, you had to meet insane requirements under extraordinarily lucky circumstances. The first time I got one had been pure coincidence, and afterward, I couldn't obtain another even knowing the requirements. How would people who'd cleared the cheat version possibly know about it?

"W-with that, can you truly bring the dead back to life?"

Crescent Moon asked cautiously, his voice brimming with excitement he couldn't quite conceal. Was there someone he wanted to bring back?

"Yes."

In return for all the useful information I'd heard today, I threw in a little extra.

"With the Stone of Resurrection, resurrecting the dead is possible."

There were complicated requirements attached, but it was fair to say the effect itself was exactly as rumored.

But apparently that wasn't enough for him.

"Then, do you happen to know who has—"

"Enough."

I cut Crescent Moon off coldly. If he wanted to hear more, he would have to return with information worth the price. He soon collected himself.

"Then at least tell me what interests you. I absolutely need that item."

Hmm. I hadn't expected this development...

I considered it for a moment.

The man in the lion mask was an eccentric who found everything dull and tedious, who'd come even to a gathering like this in search of amusement. What would he say here?

Before long, a suitable line came to mind.

"I don't know myself."

Mr. Lion didn't even know himself.

"What interests me, that is."

It was a slightly edgy teenage sort of backstory, but aside from that, a fairly good persona. Dodging the question like this would prompt them to bring useful information on a wide range of subjects... and make it easier for me to dismiss anything they said as boring.

"It will be no easy task, entertaining someone like you."

Crescent Moon let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with determination to uncover the answer. For some reason, my conscience pricked me. Still propping up my chin, I averted my gaze and stared into space.

Did I look lonely like that? No one spoke, and the silence lingered for a while.

"Ahem! Well, what shall we do now? If everyone's willing, shall we go around once more?"

Fox appointed herself moderator and steered the conversation forward. Goblin raised his hand.

"I'll sit out from here. I don't have any more information that would satisfy you all."

"Then I'll sit out too. I prepared several more things just in case, but judging by today's standard, I'm not at all confident."

With Stag Horns joining Goblin in declining, the decision to end the meeting came naturally.

But what was this?

'Ha. This again?'

Instead of leaving, everyone was quietly looking at me. Come to think of it, they'd done the same at the last meeting. They were pretending otherwise, but apparently they wanted to hear my assessment.

Well, their pride must have taken a hit last time. I'd practically radiated disappointment, as though asking whether that was all they had.

'... Then what should I say this time?'

After a moment's thought, I decided. I swept my gaze over the assortment of masks one by one, then gave a faint chuckle, as if to acknowledge their commendable effort.

"I'll look forward to next time."

Thanks for all the sweet intel, folks.

* * *

In the Round Table room after Mr. Lion's departure, Goblin finally voiced the question he'd been holding back, sounding dazed.

"... Who in the world is that man?"

"Clearly no ordinary person."

Stag Horns answered with a brief click of his tongue, and Goblin sighed deeply.

He'd only meant to suggest they try to figure it out together. Why was he always treated like this?

At last, Goblin shared what he'd been thinking.

"... Perhaps he's one of our people."

"Heh. What do you mean by that, Goblin?"

"Fewer than ten people in our order knew about the oracle. Every one of them was at least a high priest or an order commander. If he's one of them, that would explain every—"

"Ha. So that's what you were getting at."

Clown abruptly cut him off, then snapped irritably.

"This is why people always look down on you. Why are you so simple-minded? That man, a cardinal? An order commander? You think he'd be merely that?"

"But! Otherwise, it makes no sense. It hasn't even been half a month since the oracle came down..."

"Tsk. Pathetic. Has it never occurred to you that one of them could be his agent?"

"That's absurd..."

Goblin trailed off in disbelief. Understandably so—he knew how devout the temple's senior figures were. They were not people who would ever serve an outsider.

But what was going on here?

"Wait. Do all of you think that?"

Everyone except him was readily accepting that ridiculous claim.

"There's no other explanation."

"Honestly, I thought he was the sort to act alone. But apparently not..."

"Perhaps we've made the acquaintance of someone far more influential than we imagined."

At this point, even he began to wonder. Could that man's reach truly extend into the very heart of the order? Of course, nothing was certain yet. So Goblin focused on the conversation that followed.

"Then let's put our heads together with the time we have left. Even if we can't identify him, perhaps we can work out what sort of person he is."

"A good idea. We might even discover what interests him."

At Fox's suggestion, their collective detective work began. The goal: uncover Mr. Lion's identity.

"I'll start. He showed no interest in the double-digit Numbered item. Presumably, he's so strong he doesn't even need something like that."

"The same went for the plan to subjugate Noark. He didn't so much as stir when he heard it. He must have eyes and ears in the royal family's inner circle."

"Hehehe. I can't say for sure, but he must have killed at least thousands of people. Not even knowing what interests him anymore? I've only met a handful of people that broken, you know."

As each person shared their observations, Goblin began to suspect they'd all been hypnotized. Crescent Moon's conjecture was the crowning touch.

"Perhaps... he already knows who all of us are."

"What do you mean, Crescent?"

"When he first mentioned the Stone of Resurrection, he was looking straight at me. As though he even knew my story."

Goblin let out an incredulous laugh despite himself. He understood the man was extraordinary, but wasn't this too much of a leap?

'A coincidence seems more likely... You were sitting directly across from him in the first place, weren't you?'

Of course, he kept that thought to himself. Everyone was taking Crescent Moon's words seriously.

"Hmm. I'd been wondering why he suddenly brought up the Stone of Resurrection. That would explain it."

Clown was thoroughly convinced, and the others felt the possibility was at least worth considering. Goblin was beginning to feel confused himself. With all these intelligent people saying the same thing, he was starting to think it really might be true.

"Ah!"

Fox clapped her hands and cried out.

"The mask! There's his mask."

"His... mask?"

"Yes. If we think about that mask, couldn't we get some idea of what sort of person he is?"

"Hmm. Certainly, if what Clown said is true, we might learn something about his disposition."

"A male lion..."

One by one, the members shared what came to mind when they thought of a male lion.

"Hmm. The first thing I think of is that story about lions dropping their newborn cubs off cliffs."

"The one about only raising those that survive? That's all a myth. Still, to become that strong, he must have endured something harsher than being dropped off a cliff."

"Heh. All I can think of is the king of beasts. Could it mean Mr. Lion will become a king someday?"

"Hmm. He certainly didn't seem like someone who would serve under anyone."

"I've heard that lions were used as symbols of sovereigns in the East."

"A symbol of sovereigns! Now that's interesting!"

Goblin simply sat quietly and listened to them. As he did, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

'Lions are polygamous, aren't they...? Couldn't it just mean he's destined to have lots of luck with women?'

Of course, he kept that thought to himself too. It was obvious they'd only look at him as though he were pathetic.