"What’s wrong?"
Cliff noticed my hesitation and looked at me curiously.
He was munching away on the donuts he had ordered extra.
He didn’t look dignified at all…
But I knew he was actually an incredibly capable and amazing person.
Yeah.
I don’t know how this will turn out, but I’ll try talking to him.
"I have something important to discuss."
"Hmm."
Cliff put on a serious expression…
…and then took a big bite of another chocolate donut.
"Um… it’s a serious matter, you know."
"I know. But you see, when you talk about serious things, you use your brain, right? And when you use your brain, you need sugar. That’s why I’m eating donuts like this. Nom."
He said it like it made perfect sense, but… is that really true? I couldn’t help but doubt it.
"So, what’s this about?"
"Ah, yes. It’s going to be a bit long, but actually…"
I explained, to some extent, about the Alliance of Dawn.
I left out the part about the ancient gods.
I felt that explaining that would only make it sound suspicious.
So instead, I told him that there was a terrorist organization plotting to overthrow the royal capital…
and that they were mass-producing dangerous weapons known as magic swords.
"…Hmm."
As if his usual carefree attitude was a lie, Cliff turned serious.
…Though even in that state, he still didn’t stop eating donuts.
"I never expected to hear about the Alliance of Dawn from you, Stuart."
"Eh? You mean you already knew about them?"
"Not as much as you do, but to some extent… yes."
According to Cliff…
After firmly establishing his position as guild master, he had begun reforming the association.
Unlike his predecessor Eisen, he didn’t rush—he carried things out slowly but steadily.
Thanks to that, the association gradually regained its ability to self-correct.
His achievements were recognized, and he rose high enough to be invited to meetings of the association’s executives.
"I don’t really want to get promoted, though."
He said that with a laugh.
Anyway, getting back on track…
Through attending those meetings and gathering information, he apparently began to notice signs of the Alliance of Dawn.
They had even infiltrated the Adventurers’ Association…
and were operating behind the scenes in various places.
"They were even making contact with high-ranking officials in the association, so I thought they were just some newly emerging dangerous group… but I see. They’ve actually existed for quite a long time—and are extremely dangerous."
"You sound pretty casual about it."
"Even so, I am quite surprised. Besides… I’ve also been hearing reports about those magic swords."
Cliff’s expression turned grim.
"It’s been coming up more often within the association lately. But since someone is pulling strings behind the scenes, we haven’t been able to launch a full investigation."
"So it’s gotten that serious…"
The fact that they had infiltrated even the Adventurers’ Association…
It really showed just how cunning the Alliance of Dawn was.
"So… after telling me all that, what do you want to do, Stiat?"
"I want your cooperation."
"Cooperation?"
"The headquarters of the Alliance of Dawn is here—in the royal capital."
"…Is that true?"
"Yes."
I nodded firmly. I couldn’t afford to let him doubt me here.
"It’s reliable information."
"I see… So, to strike at the Alliance of Dawn—or rather, no, you haven’t located their exact base yet. You lack detailed information. And that’s why you want my help, correct?"
"Y-Yes."
As expected, Cliff was quick-witted.
He had said everything I was trying to say.
"If we leave this alone, who knows what will happen… I want to stop it before that."
"So you intend to take them down?"
"Yes. Will you help me?"
"Sorry, I can’t."
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