A hidden room connected to the Clan Master's office.
The room is windowless for security reasons and is crammed with treasures.

Treasure trove. A special tool that manifests itself in places with a high concentration of mana and material.
As he checked each of the items he had spent so much time and money collecting, he sighed helplessly.

This is bad. I'm almost out of magic.

I knew this was coming, but I'm halfway there.

Collecting treasure is not only one of my hobbies, but also one of the few ways I can defend myself.

Most skilled treasure hunters have a treasure trove as a trump card, but not me, as I am empty of talent.

For me, treasure tools that have the same effect regardless of who uses them are my lifeline.
In particular, it is wonderful to have a variety of abilities and to be able to deal with any situation on the board even if you are not good enough.

However, there are two major weaknesses to these useful tools.

The first is that the treasures found in treasure halls are basically one-of-a-kind, and the more powerful they are, the more expensive they are.

The second is that they need to be filled with magical energy before they can be moved.

The first problem can be solved with financial power, so it's not that hard to do, but the second problem was heavy for me.

Magical power resides in the bodies of living creatures.
The filling of magic power is basically done manually, and in addition, a lot of magic power is required to operate the treasure.

The amount of magic power is such that even a magus with a large amount of magic power will feel strong fatigue after filling a few points.

In addition, the filled magic power will be gradually lost over time even if it is not used.

This is the reason why hunters do not have many treasures in spite of their usefulness. For hunters, treasure is both a trump card and a costly tool.

The Association of Explorers recommends that you only have as much treasure as you can fill with magic yourself.
If you are not a mage hunter, you can use one or two at most. The basic rule is to consult with your own magic power to decide what to use.
If you are a mage with a lot of magic power, you can't deviate too far from that.

On the other hand, the number of treasures I own just recently exceeded 500.
I don't have all of them equipped at all times, but I always try to keep them filled with magic power just in case something happens.

And of course, it is not my job to fill them.
There is no way that I, a person with below-average magic power, can fill the magic power of a huge number of treasures.

The rearguards of the Ghosts of Sorrows have always been in charge of replenishing the magic power of the treasures instead of me.

This time, too, they filled them up before I left, but it had been over two weeks since the last time, and most of them had already turned into mere figurines.

There were a few that were still usable, but they would not last long.

The safe-ring will not run out of magic power for the time being because it drains magic power at a slower rate, but the warding finger is only an insurance policy and cannot be used to break out of a pinch when the time comes.

You may think that it doesn't matter if you've been holed up in Teito all this time, but I'm a chicken. Even though I try to keep a low profile, my face is fairly well known.

Going out without any means of self-defense or escape is outrageous.
The security of the Imperial City is not bad, but there are hunters who will pick fights with anyone and everyone to make a name for themselves.

I threw my Dark Wings of the Night Sky cloak, which had lost its magic power and had become just a nice looking cloak, to the ground and fell on the bed with a sigh.

I can't even go out for ice cream like this.

I can't even ask my clan members for some. I'm out of one or two, but I'm out of hundreds.
Even if we used up all the mages in the Footprints, it would be difficult to fill up all the treasures with magic.
Besides, I'd be pissed if I asked you to do that.

The only one who came back, Liz, is useless in a situation like this.
I asked her to do it once, but after the third time, her magic power was empty and she became unsteady. She still didn't try to stop me, so I had to stop her. The brakes didn't work too well.

I lay on my back in bed, looking at the seamless ceiling and breathing slowly.

I wonder what Luke and the others are doing now.

If the attack went as planned, they should have returned by now.
Even if Ark isn't there, it would be quite reassuring if Luke and the others came back. ...... There doesn't seem to be any problem, or is it just a road trip? ...... seems very likely.

Just then, footsteps echoed down the aisle.
It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

There were only a few people who could enter this room.
The only entrance to the room is behind the bookshelf in the Clan Master's office, and the Clan Master's office is basically off-limits to hunters.
Liz and the others completely ignore the rules and come and go as they please, but Liz and the other members of Strange Grief never hear any footsteps.

There was only one visitor who could hear footsteps.

As expected, it was Eva who came downstairs. At the sound of a knock, she catches her breath and answers.
The door slowly opens. When Eva saw me spreading out my Dark Wings of the Night Sky, she opened her eyes.

'...... What are you doing? What are you doing here?

Watch out, watch out.
It's always a good idea to be seen slacking off, but you never know what people will say when you're lying around in the middle of the day.

I've refused Mr. Gark's call. Eva, who is the contact person for the clan, would want to complain to him.

'No, I'm just doing some research. ......'

'?

Eva's expression changes to one of wonder.
Indeed, this room is my private room. Other than the treasure trove, there is only minimal furniture.
If I were in her position, I would think, 'What are you talking about doing research in an empty place like this?

But Eva is one of the few people who know my true nature. She can read the atmosphere, so she should be able to understand me.

'What are you researching? I can help you if you'd like.'

She didn't get it at all. It's not like he's taking my words at face value. .......
I looked away from the staring eyes.

'No, it's okay. I'm the only one who can do it, and I'm just about done.'

I unfold the velvety Dark Wings of the Night Sky and put it on a hanger.

What are you doing here? How did you do it? What do you mean I'm the only one who can do it? Is that something you'd do even if you had to turn down a call from the higher-ups at the research council?

I can't stop criticizing myself. By the way, the answers are all NO. I'm starting to sweat.

I can't stop my face from tensing up, and I hear Eva's little sigh in my ear.

It's obvious ...... that you've been skipping work and lounging around in your room, you know.

But it's bad enough that there's no way to get out in the first place.
......

'...... Is there anything we can do for you?

What?

'No.'

I answered reflexively, and Eva's eyebrows twisted in a grimace.

Do you believe me? I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.


It's me who's lying, but how can you believe me when you see how I usually am?

Or is it sarcasm? I think that's still more likely.

Eva's pale purple eyes are staring at me as if she's trying to read my thoughts. I can't tell from her expression if she really believes me or if she sees through the lie and is just blaming me.

I panicked and gave a small cough once.

'I'm not saying that Eva is useless. This is an extremely sensitive and ...... dangerous issue. Only I can do it. Not even Arc or Lies can do it.

'?

Eva's cheeks tensed up. I rushed to add to her expression.

'Oh, no. It's not that complicated, you don't have to be so surprised. ...... I appreciate the help but I think I'm enough on my own.

In Footprints, the clerks who run the clan have more authority than the hunters. In the event that the hunter doesn't listen to the clerk when establishing the clan, it might cause trouble in case of emergency, so we set such a rule.
It would have been better if Eva had been misled and strange rumors had been spread.

After all this time, I think it would have been better to say that I was checking the treasure trove. It's not the reason why I kicked Mr. Gark's call, though.

'That's--'

'That's all I have to say on the matter. I won't be taking any questions, so please don't tell anyone about this.

I shut down Eva's attempt to say something. Let's pretend this never happened before it gets out of hand.
If I say this, no matter what the reality is, Eva, who is below me in position, will not be able to say anything.

'...... I understand.'

Eva made a regretful expression for a moment, but it quickly turned into a blank expression.

I'm sorry to say this, but if you have time to deal with me, you should be doing your own work.

The air was tense. I said jokingly.

'Well, ...... if you really want to do something, you can find a reputable ice cream store. ......'

'............Okay.'

Eva nodded her head in disapproval at my joke, not even smiling.



§ § §



'No change in the veins in the vicinity, or ......'

Looking at the report, the head of the Imperial City Zebrudia Branch of the Explorers Association, Gark Werther, gave a low roar.
With his intimidating aspect and his well-built physique, it sounds as if a bear is roaring.
The members of the Third Order of the Empire of Zebuldia, whose duty was to maintain public order in the country, straightened their postures at the unfavorable expression on his face.

A geological vein is like a blood vessel in the human body.

It is a pathway of power that spreads in all directions underground, and anything in the vicinity is greatly affected by it.

The influence varies. It can attract powerful demons that like the strong power that flows through it all the time, or it can be used to perform large scale magic rituals with little catalyst if the power that flows through it is used effectively.
And above all - treasure halls tend to appear in the vicinity of earth veins.

The imperial capital, Zebrudia, is also based on the location of the earth's veins, and if they were to change significantly, it would be necessary to change the location of the capital.
In fact, it was known that among the magical civilizations of the past, there were some that perished overnight when the core of the city's magic went out of control under the influence of a change in the earth's veins.

Of course, the location of the earth's veins rarely changed.
The most important factor that causes changes in the earth's veins is a large-scale crustal movement such as a major earthquake. Naturally, if such an event were to occur, there would be great damage to the Imperial Capital.

'But if the earth's veins haven't changed, what's the cause ......?

The reason why the investigation was carried out again this time was because of the anomaly in the White Wolf's Lair.

The White Wolf's Lair is a level 3 treasure house. The quality of the phantoms that appear is also comparable to that.

Phantoms are alive, but they are not, strictly speaking, living beings. They are pseudo-lifeforms generated by mana material that has been given such directionality.
Its quality is proportional to the concentration of mana material in the land, and if its strength suddenly changed, the quickest possible cause would be a change in the concentration of mana material - a change in the earth's veins.

It doesn't have to be a big change. Just a slight change in direction can greatly increase or decrease the power flowing through the White Wolf's Den.

But this time, the results of the Knight Order's investigation with a specialized team revealed nothing.

It is true that the level of the Treasure House has risen. The strength of the phantoms that appear has increased greatly. I'm still investigating the details, but I'd say it's up two or three levels.

There are many hunters in the Imperial City. Even though there is no need to make a fuss about the increase in the authorized level of the White Wolf's Lair, the fact that the cause is unknown is very eerie to Gark, a former war hunter.

As he looked down at the materials, his mind thought of something else.

'Is it man-made ......, no, but--'

The Temple of Treasures is not only a danger zone, but also the greatest mystery created by nature. Since the beginning of time, countless researchers have been working to investigate it.
But what we know is too little.

There were those who tried to forcibly twist the earth's veins and artificially create the Treasure House.
There were those who tried to capture "phantoms" from other treasure houses and take them to other treasure houses.
There were those who tried to turn the several nearby treasure halls into one big treasure hall, and there were those who tried to fix the location of the treasure so that the treasure could be obtained safely and regularly.

However, as far as Gark's memories were concerned, there was nothing that applied to this case.

He closed his eyes and thought for a while, then slowly opened his eyes and looked at the knight man as if he was glaring at him.

'...... We'll get people out here too. Let me know if you hear anything.'

At Gark's words, the man returned the salute and left the room.

The current level of the White Wolf's Lair is not that high, but the fact that the cause is unknown means that there is no guarantee that it will stop here.
If the level of the White Wolf's Lair doesn't stop rising, it won't be long before there will be almost no one left in the capital who can handle it. There was even a possibility that the northern road would become unusable.
It was imperative to clarify the situation.

Gark had no idea what was going on in his mind. No similar events.
But he knew someone who might.

He exhaled deeply once, and motioned to his deputy, Chyna, who was standing far behind him.

'I'll talk to Kry. Send out a messenger.'

'I thought he said he was busy.

'If he refuses, tell him I'm coming to see him.

Caina's eyes lowered in annoyance at the rough voice.
Hunters registered with the Explorers Association are obligated to listen to their instructions in emergency situations.
However, the scope of this duty is not clearly defined. It is not uncommon for them to be refused, and the Footprints are already quite powerful among the hunters of the Imperial City.

Seeing Kaina's reluctant expression, Gark added.

'Don't worry, no matter how many Crys there are, they won't run away in a situation like this. Besides, that guy knows something about ....... That's for sure.

He arranges the materials on his crumpled office desk and hands them to Chyna.
He continued to give Chyna a look of disbelief.



'A guy who hasn't been in the treasure house recently went all the way there. It must mean there was something there.

Words filled with strong conviction.
If it had been just a hunter, it would have been a case of bad luck.

But not the "Thousand Transformations". There is no element of luck involved in his actions.
The footprints of Krai accumulated over the years since he came to the Imperial City are enough to make me believe that.

Caina nodded to Gark's words without any further argument.