Magic Caster of Destroy

“My prince. I trust you understand that aside from those with copper plates, every adventurer is stronger than the average soldier?”

“Umu. Of course. That’s why we should draft them. Once enlisted, they’ll produce excellent results.

They’ll be able to defeat the Imperial knights with ease!”

“I do not dispute that point. However, if we did that, then our enemies ― the Empire, for instance

― would also conscript adventurers to counter our use of them. In that case, rather than a battle between adventurers, it would become a systematic slaughter of the rank and file by adventurers.

The losses would be far greater, and many conscripts would die. This is why both sides don’t use adventurers, to avoid such an arms race. In addition, the Adventurer’s Guild would never allow it.”

Workers were also not used for similar reasons. In addition, they were usually more expensive than adventurers, and less reliable.

“Is that so… though I still don’t like that idea, I can accept it. Then what if a city was attacked? If they still didn’t join in the defense, wouldn’t that be treason, for a citizen of the Kingdom?”

“I understand the point you’re trying to make. However, they feel that they have discretion over whether or not they count as citizens of the Kingdom. In addition, they might also be travelling abroad at the time. The most important thing is that the better they are, the more the nation is diminished when they perish in battle. It may lead to a situation where a monster appears, but there’s no adventurer around capable of stopping it. As such, we need to handle adventurers carefully.”

“Marquis Raeven, did you not mention earlier that you had conscripted some retired adventurers into your forces? Something about… former-orichalcum? Why is that allowed?”

“That’s fine. They’re no longer bound by the rules of the Adventurer’s Guild once they retire and are no longer members. That’s why I hired them.”

“…I see. Although, I hear it, but I don’t quite understand it.”

Soft laughter and sounds of approval came from the noble contingent.

“Still, that only applies up to adventurers ranked up to orichalcum. Adamantite-ranked adventurers are a different matter entirely. Of the two adamantite-ranked adventurer parties in the Kingdom…”

There was nobody here who didn’t know of the daring exploits of Blue Rose during the demonic disturbance.

“Before they took center stage, there was another group of adamantite-ranked adventurers. Although they’ve all retired, they haven’t been hired since then…Right, Warrior-Captain-dono?”

“That’s correct. There are four of them. One opened an exclusive sword school for pupils he chose himself. Two more went on a journey. The last one was the granny who spent some time in Blue Rose before leaving for parts unknown.”

Gazef counted the familiar faces on his fingers as he recalled them.

While he was strolling through the capital, he had been dragged into a training hall by his future teacher, and he’d been subjected to a hellish regimen of sword training and lectures.

Because of that encounter, the Gazef who should have only been a mercenary had ended up becoming the king’s champion, but even if that was the case―

No, come to think of it, those were good memories too.

“I see. I’ve also heard that this city is the base for the adventurer team called ‘Darkness’. If only we could count on the ‘Beautiful Princess’ Nabe to fight Ainz Ooal Gown… although that seems difficult.”

While that was a good idea at heart, the Adventurer’s Guild would never allow it.

Several nobles began loudly cursing the Guild.

For instance, “they’re nothing more than peasants!”

For instance, “who do they think pays them?!”

For instance, “if they’re citizens of the Kingdom, they should be helping us!”

It was only natural that those in power would be displeased by the Adventurer’s Guild which refused to submit to that power. However, it was also a fact that they were the only ones who could deal with monsters.

If the Adventurer’s Guild left the Kingdom, they would have no way of beating back powerful monsters. As a result, the Kingdom would be steadily destroyed, and not even Gazef’s presence would change that.

Monsters had many special abilities, and defeating them would require an equally diverse repertoire of attacks, defenses and healing methods. Because of this, adventurers were indispensable. The fact that the Empire incorporated magic casters and rangers into its legions was a different matter.

“A-as expected of his Highness! I feel that this is a marvellous idea!”

The one who spoke was a baron who hailed from parts unknown.

He was a minor lord among the peers present, which meant he was someone’s vassal.

“As a magic caster, she might have some insights into this situation. It might be good just to listen to what she has to say. Maybe we should send an emissary over, just in case.”