Episode 342
Badniker Elders’ Meeting Room.
The atmosphere in the conference room where all the seniors were present was deeply subdued.
Perhaps this is the first crisis the family faces since the revival period.
As always, the first to speak was Agenor Badniker, the Chairman of the Council of Elders.
“Steel Blood Ball is truly a Badniker.”
“… … .”
“… This is what all the people of the empire think. That’s not entirely wrong. In fact, the absence of the matriarch is painful for us. “It means we can’t just ignore the current situation.”
Weak sighs were heard here and there, and the other elders who had kept their mouths closed also opened their mouths one by one.
“… “It is fortunate that the head of the family regained consciousness, but it is not a situation where we can expect the same performance as before.”
“matter of course. “The amount of missions the matriarch is carrying out is the best in the empire.”
“Who would dare to fill that vacancy? Even if we mobilize all of the family’s hidden power, it would be impossible.”
“That is a remark that is very dismissive of the original family. “Badniker’s total power has already surpassed that of a single family.”
“Be quiet.”
As always, Agenor intervened only when the atmosphere was about to overheat.
The cold, sharp voice had a bit of a metallic sound to it, so the elders who were in the middle of arguing fell silent at the same time.
“The current badnik is an unprecedented crisis.”
Of course, Sanghyeolgong did not die.
It is not that the family’s financial situation has collapsed, nor has it lost much of its core power.
But Agenor’s words could not be denied.
The absence of a matriarch in a family is of course a serious matter, but Sanghyeolgong is special even among matriarchs.
The reason is not simply because of the power it possesses.
The achievements he has accumulated so far and the symbolism that comes from them are in some ways surpassing those of the imperial emperor, and as he is involved in many powers, his status is too complex to be explained in one or two words.
Agenor spoke in a firm tone.
“But Badniker must not be shaken. “Any time.”
While saying that, I looked around carefully.
The idea was to express your opinion, which is also why the meeting was held today.
The elders who were thinking deeply quietly presented their opinions.
“… The matriarch originally carried out her mission in secret. It is rare for you to attend official events. “Even if I don’t show up for a while and focus on rehabilitation, I don’t think there will be any immediate suspicion.”
“But it will probably be a month or two at most.”
Assad responded in a blunt tone.
“The number of Delak’s missions that we have identified is dozens. The schedule is already full until next year. If you refuse all of that, or if you postpone it… … .”
“… … .”
“… No matter who it is, you will definitely feel a sense of discomfort. Whether it be the imperial family, Goodspring, Heros, or another force entirely. Even we can’t figure out all the forces intertwined with Delak. “I can’t count the number of fake identities he has on two hands.”
Then one of the elders who was listening cautiously asked:
“There is a chance that I will regain my memories within a month or two… … .”
“well… … . Wouldn’t it be similar to the probability of being struck by lightning while walking down the street? “Or lower than that.”
“ah.”
A quiet sigh broke out.
It is Assad’s statement that most accurately understands the current situation of the Iron and Blood Communists.
Moreover, because the position of Archmage had considerable influence, a heavy silence fell once again in the conference room.
“… How is the matriarch’s condition? So, specifically.”
Assad responded to the words of the young elder, Phyllis.
“Mentally, I still have a lot of anxiety. You can think of him as the head of the family before he was completely reborn as an Iron Blood Ball. In other words, if we give him a similar experience from now on, he will grow into the iron-blooded baller we know… … .”
“Is it taking too much time?”
“That too, and more than anything, Delac is different now than then. The lost protection, the family atmosphere, and above all, the situation on the continent is completely different from when he was able to grow step by step. Even if we create an environment that is as similar as possible, we don’t know what kind of results a small, unforeseen error might cause… … ha.”
Assad’s long muttering ended with a sigh.
In short, it means that the risk is too great.
That was when Phyllis had nothing more to say and closed her mouth.
The one who spoke this time was Zenon Anathos – Hector’s maternal grandfather.
“I think everyone is misunderstanding something. Surely we must return to the matriarch we knew at some point. Badknicker, the Empire, and this era still need a hero called Iron Blood Ball… … . “But isn’t what we need right now a flawless hero, Iron Blood Ball?”
“What do you mean?”
“If it’s just mission-related, there’s no need for full rehabilitation. “What we need now is Delak Badniker, the nightmare of the Dark Church and the greatest demon hunter on the continent.”
While the elders still looked confused, Agenor’s gaze turned to Assad.
“I heard from Mr. Assad that there is no particular abnormality in the matriarch’s body. Is my understanding correct?”
“That’s true, but as I said before, I’ve lost a lot of my blessings.”
“Has the divine protection been permanently lost? Or a temporary inability to function?”
“I don’t know that yet. “I’ll have to find out more.”
“Right.”
Zenon thought for a moment and said.
“For an ordinary guardian, losing any number of guardians would be a huge disaster. In reality, it would be the same as having completely lost the motivation to fight against the devil. But Iron Blood Ball… Our matriarch is a little different. Since the number of divine protections he possesses is large in the first place, his anti-magic power will also be healthy to some extent.”
“What do you want to say?”
“It means that the matriarch’s body is still unshakable.”
Badniker’s elders did not age in vain.
They also slowly began to understand what Zenon Anathos wanted to say.
“Lord Zenon, no way-.”
“After at least explaining the situation to the matriarch, he must resume his duties immediately. This means that he must not refuse any request or mission that he has already accepted. “Procrastination should not last longer than a few days or a week at the most.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
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Phyllis reflexively retorted.
Reaction from the youngest elder.
Because the tone was also high, the attention of those around him was immediately focused.
Phyllis felt pressured by the atmosphere, but had no regrets.
This is because they judged Zeno’s words to be harsh.
The fact that the request will be delayed for only a week means that the Sanghyeolgong will be sent to the mission immediately within a few days at the latest.
Sanghyeolgong was on the brink of death just a few days ago.
Even if there is no problem with physical ability, it makes no sense.
Phyllis’ head felt hot, but she spoke in as calm a tone as possible.
“… It’s not like the matriarch doesn’t know the difficulty of the missions she usually performs, right? Based on Heros, most missions are at least S-class. An S-class mission is one that no one has been able to complete for at least several years.”
There are probably no people here who don’t know that fact, but Phyllis went so far as to say it.
“Of course, the matriarch has completed most of those missions. He returned safely without any major injuries. “Until this incident happened.”
“… … .”
“As you know, 0 and 1 are completely different. There is no guarantee that something like this will not happen again. Moreover, if you have lost all experience like now… … .”
“Phyllis.”
Agenor spoke in a calm voice.
“The introduction is too long. If you want to refute it, tell me what you plan to do.”
Phyllis swallowed her saliva and spoke again.
“… Even if carrying out a mission is unavoidable, the difficulty level needs to be adjusted.”
“So, let’s start with low-level missions and gradually increase our level?”
“That’s right.”
Zenon opened his mouth while looking at Phyllis.
“Lord Phyllis.”
“… … .”
“You are a knight. So you probably know better than anyone else. “Where is the sense of unmannedness most precisely established?”
The battlefield and the firing line.
Know.
I know, but… … .
Phyllis recalled the Iron Blood Ball she had seen briefly before coming here.
I couldn’t forget the sight of him sitting blankly on the bed, losing his memory and protection.
The face that took off the veil of intimidation was younger than expected, and he really looked like a boy of that age.
Would it be rude to harbor such thoughts towards the head of the family?
Maybe so.
but… … .
“The absence of knowledge can be quickly filled.”
Zeno’s voice interrupted my thoughts again.
“The matriarch was brilliant even before receiving divine protection. The same goes for lack of experience. “I think this is a problem that will be solved quickly once you get some real-world experience.”
“… … .”
“Of course, as you say, it could be dangerous. You may even face the risk of death. But that’s Badniker’s position as the matriarch.”
“… … .”
“Of course, this is my personal opinion. If there is a better plan, I will listen.”
Zenon finished speaking like that, but none of the elders spoke.
The last thing Phyllis saw was Assad.
The man closest to Delac… … .
That man who was an elder in the family when he was young, but later became a teacher and eventually a close friend… … .
“… … .”
However, Assad had a rather stiff face and did not open his mouth until the end.
“I don’t think there is a better opinion. “Good.”
Agenor spoke in a low voice.
“I will leave aside the fact that the matriarch has lost her memories and protection, and decide to carry out the existing requests and missions as is.”
“… … .”
“Let me explain.”
Phyllis closed her eyes tightly.
Before Luan met Delac.
This happened at Badniker’s conference room.
* * *
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Delac’s face as he witnessed my sigh.
It’s probably not an expression that suits this man, and it’s certainly not what I should say… … .
It was like watching the youngest caught lying.
In that state, his eyes were slightly lowered, and I could tell that he was worried, but I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
I asked interrogatively.
“Have you lost all your protection?”
“Not really.”
This means there are a few left.
I should consider it a blessing among misfortunes, but perhaps because the situation was so crappy, I couldn’t think positively.
While I keep thinking that I’m just screwed… … .
Sanghyeolgong said something unexpected again.
“… “Can you keep this a secret?”
“yes?”
“No one should know that fact.”
What on earth is this man talking about?
As I glared at him with my absurd expression on display, Delac continued.
“I said it earlier. Now is the most important time for Badknicker… … . I heard that the family’s prestige was higher than when I remembered it. It’s hard to believe that it was I who achieved it… … .”
“… … .”
“… Badniker The strongest family head of all time, the charisma of a great family, and the sword of the imperial family. “You said that was me?”
A somewhat humorous tone.
Delac spoke in a voice that was completely different from the Iron Blood Master I knew, and even smiled slightly before continuing.
“I know where I am now. I also heard about the situation on the continent. The rise of the Dark Church is just beginning, and the chaos in the empire will gradually deepen. “No matter what, this is not the time to lie in a hospital bed and rest.”
These words brought me to my senses.
“Are you really going to go on a mission again in that condition?”
“… … .”
Sanghyeolgong fell silent again and answered in a calm voice.
“If that is the role assigned to me, then I should do it.”
