The Shape Of The World

Monster corpses were hauled into storage units as adventurers moved through the town, assessing damage from the attack. Minato and his companions regrouped with Alistair to discuss what had just happened.

"Do monster attacks happen like that often?"

Alistair laughed, though there was little humor in it. "Unfortunately, yes. In fact, that's the reason I moved the guild here to stand watch over the entrances. In the past, these monsters were dealt with by the nobles stationed at the frontier. But with the frequency of attacks increasing, it's safe to say the nobles who were put in place to curb the monster population have long since been replaced."

He led them inside, away from the noise.

Minato frowned. "I'm not the most knowledgeable on how things work here, but what do you mean, 'replaced'? How can they be replaced? I always figured you were born into a noble family and that was that, right?"

Alistair looked at him with faint amusement. "My word. You really aren't from this kingdom at all, are you?"

Tristan and the others shook their heads and laughed. Minato rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish.

"Well then, allow me to educate you, young man. In this kingdom or empire, rather we have a very distasteful system."

Minato stepped back and held up a hand. "Wait, wait, is it safe to be talking about your kingdom like that? Won't you get into trouble?"

Alistair's smile widened. "Oh, worry not. We're safe here to speak our minds freely. I've made sure no spies are ever able to set foot in the guild's premises. Besides, it's not exactly a secret. The masses equally hate the system and they're also the very same people who benefit from it." He paused. "You're right, though. Such language shouldn't be used in public unless you'd like to tangle with trouble."

Minato settled and prepared to listen.

"Now then, where was I? You already know the common idea of nobles and commoners. That distinction is all fine and well, but I wonder if you've noticed something rather odd about it all." Alistair leaned forward slightly. "There's no middle ground. No working class to bridge the gap between the two sides. The reason for that is simple. During my grandmother's generation, there was a revolt from the commoners regarding the unjust discrimination they received. The king at the time heard their voices and promised change. And change he did."

He folded his hands.

"Aside from the four Duke houses, every noble peerage was scrapped and turned into nothing but empty titles. Even the Earls were rendered no different from commoners. Then he issued an Imperial order stating that anyone in the kingdom, regardless of background, could receive peerage as high as an Earl as long as they had the money. It didn't even matter where the money came from. As long as you had it and could prove it to House Sangreal, you could buy your way up."

Minato stared at him. "What sort of psycho comes up with a system like that? Don't tell me people actually gave into it. There's no way. They had the majority on their side at that point. As long as they held steady, they could've made the king bend the knee. The public should've been the ones holding democratic power."

Alistair's expression softened, but his voice remained firm. "Your words carry kindness, Minato, but at the same time you remain ignorant to the real world. In an ideal world, maybe that would've worked. But you forget the nature of greed that remains in the human heart."

He leaned back.

"At first, there were no drastic changes. But soon after, people, men and women alike committed atrocities never seen before to garner funds for peerage. Villagers rose to power in pursuit of revenge against those who had been above them. Friendships collapsed. New collaborations formed. The ones who still wished to hold strong against the tide grew fewer and fewer. Eventually, positions such as Earls, Viscounts, and Barons were filled. Then the king opened up newer positions for strong warriors without the best financial sense. Those became the Barons on the frontier, typically tasked with protecting the kingdom. Normally, that would've been a Margrave position, but who knows what the king had in mind. Of course, he couldn't help but also put a price tag on it for those who wanted to pay into noble status. And so now, the ones who are meant to be protecting the kingdom from monsters are no better than pigs. Aside from a handful, I can barely imagine a competent baron from the frontier."

Alistair paused, as if giving Minato time to absorb it.

"That went on for many years. During my childhood, the king introduced another rank that commoners could pay for the status of 'noble.' In actuality, it's no better than a name. But at least at that point, you have the right to enter the city and potentially make a living. Many commoners here are 'nobles,' but it was simply a way for them to make something out of their lives for their children. Some of the orphanages are run by 'nobles.' They operate on financial aid from the kingdom that isn't available to commoners. Right now, being just a commoner makes you no different from livestock."

The color drained from Minato's face. He couldn't stomach the injustice of it, the sheer calculated evil. But what could he do? Suddenly he pointed at Alistair.

"What about the Dukes? What are they doing, just watching all this? Isn't there anything they could do to sway the king?"

Mariah tapped his shoulder and shook her head. "Minato, you probably never heard this from Lady Evergreen, but even for us from the four houses, there's no power we hold over the king. We can't hope to influence him. Not only does the king himself hold the strongest fighting force he stands at the eleventh phase of magic, a level only the headmaster of the royal academy can hope to match but he also has the full support of House Sangreal, the oldest Duke house. House Drakemont has fully given into his ways as well. They see no reason not to. A Duke house that's been nothing but a bunch of power-hungry maniacs for as long as I've been born."

Minato spoke up quietly. "Then what of our houses? House Evergreen and Veymaris oppose his ways, don't they? From what I've seen of you two, I can only assume it's the same."

Alistair's voice turned cold.

"Minato, please don't misunderstand my actions. Though I treat commoners the way I do and run the adventurers guild, don't be deceived. My family and I are on the side of profit. As far as we're concerned, noble or commoner I see no difference between the two as long as we stand to benefit. My older sister, for example, facilitates trade and finance. She wouldn't be caught dead with a commoner not out of hate, but because what on earth does she stand to gain? As for me, I opted for this route. I purchased the guild and built it into what it is today, and I'm making more profit than I could ever imagine."

He met Minato's eyes.

"A word of advice: while I do appreciate your kindness, please understand the world is cruel. Be kind when you can, but also do not hesitate to choke the life out of your enemies. Balance out the good with the evil, and you will no doubt make it far in this land."

His words held true. Deep down, Minato had slowly been coming to the same conclusion. Unlike the land he once knew, this world was a world of order through disorder. People committed evil for the sake of good. Some forsook outside influence and died in good faith. He took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and looked at Alistair.

"Well, somehow change has to come. I'm glad to have met you here, Alistair. And I'll take your words to heart I promise."

Alistair smiled warmly. "You're already growing, it seems."

Some time later, Minato and the others helped with cleanup and organization around the town before returning to the guild, which was once again filled with laughter and life emanating from the adventurers.

"This place feels invigorating," Minato said. "The energy is contagious."

"When we first stepped in here, we felt the exact same," Tristan said.

Rowan grinned. "You were so awkward, Tristan. Sweating buckets. Mariah and I were fine, though."

"Sure you were."

Rowan and Tristan bickered and teased each other while Minato spoke quietly to Mariah.

"By the way, what about the initial reason you joined the guild? Any new leads?"

"Unfortunately, no. But I can confirm some adventurers here know about it. The kidnappers we dealt with, for example they actually planned to send us off to the person in charge of the drugs. If we're going to move forward with this, we need my brother's help."

"But didn't you say you couldn't get your family to help? Your parents forbade it and everything."

Mariah smiled. "Minato, dear. Don't worry. I've got a plan."

She carefully convinced the receptionist, then dragged her companions into her brother's office for another discussion.

Alistair looked up from his desk with a long-suffering sigh. "Darling little sister, I can't help but notice the frequency of these talks you've had with this dear guild master. Please understand I have important work to do like a mountain of paperwork. I beg for mercy."

"Oh, don't worry. In fact, what I have to discuss would benefit you too, guild master."

"'Guild master,' is it? Fair enough. Let's talk."

They both settled. Minato, Tristan, and Rowan stood at Mariah's back.

"I've been tasked by my family to investigate the recent kidnappings and, most importantly, the development of the rampant enhancement drugs. As the guild master, it's safe to assume you have some knowledge of this. I would like to enlist your assistance in this matter. Provide information, and I will pay you both in services and funds. I know for a fact these kidnappings are causing strain on the guild, so allow us the chance to help alleviate this annoying pest."

Alistair thought hard, then smiled. "Fair enough. More manpower would be nice. I'll provide information whenever I can, but in the meantime it would be best if you continued working as plain old adventurers to avoid suspicion. In due time, I'll send a list of names regarding suspects who may be engaging in these kidnappings. When the time comes, you'll receive quests regarding them. Please be patient. As for my payment, I'll inform you of the amount later."

He looked at Minato.

"And regarding the manpower please remember this young man isn't an adventurer yet. Until he registers, he may not accompany you on quests."

Shock appeared on their faces. They'd forgotten about his registration.

"My bad," Minato said. "It actually slipped my mind."

Mariah composed herself. "We'll get it sorted soon. That trial period would be dreadful, but Minato, good luck with that."

"Worry not. I'll waive his trial period and complete his official registration as soon as we get downstairs. From what we've seen and with him being able to deal with those kidnappers his skills are already C-rank, if not B-rank. I see no reason why not."

Minato shyly raised his hand. "Um. About that."

They all looked at him, confused. He stood there, embarrassed.

"Well, you see, yeah, I did deal with them. But if I was asked to do that again now, I'd lose one hundred percent. Me being able to function at that capacity that day was only temporary. Moving like that, with that level of magic control, calls for inhuman levels of awareness, levels a person wouldn’t be able to achieve through normal means."

He explained what had happened beforehand: the overclocking, the healing, and his immediate rush to the forest afterward.

Alistair nodded slowly. "I understand your case now. Still even so, I'd like to place my trust in you, Minato. If you'll accept it, how about we place you at D-rank alongside the rest of your party? Keep working diligently, and you'll reach C-rank in no time."

Minato agreed. He completed his adventurer registration while Mariah and the others received rank increases on their licenses. Shouts of praise and joy rang out through the guild, bringing the day to a close.