Return of the Runebound Professor Chapter 871: Show

“Hmm,” Noah uttered, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “That appears as though it could pose a rather significant challenge.”

“Fortunately, it’s not our burden to bear,” Mordred stated. He performed a brief throat-clearing maneuver and stepped back slightly, adjusting his attire. His expression then settled into what Noah presumed was its typical demeanor. “Politics are a repulsive affair, entirely outside my sphere of interest. Such matters are for the Prophet to navigate; there's precious little that we mortals can influence. I have complete faith the Prophet will devise a suitable solution.”

“Your tone suggested a far less confident outlook moments ago,” Brayden interjected, his substantial arms folding across his chest. “You seemed quite convinced that a single misstep could lead to our utter destruction.”

“And if that were the inevitable outcome? What recourse would we possess?” Mordred countered, shaking his head. “None whatsoever. Should a Rank 8 entity decide to obliterate us, that would simply be the conclusion of our existence. Therefore, why torment ourselves with such anxieties? Our focus is better placed on more compelling subjects, such as the inquiries I have for Lee.”

“I believe those can be deferred,” Noah suggested.

“Perhaps. Alternatively, another matter might be more appropriate,” Mordred proposed. He brought his fingers together in a delicate rubbing motion, his icy gaze locking with Noah’s. “The arcane method you employed to disintegrate my deck of cards was rather unusual. Did you know that literally no trace of them remains? Not even a speck of dust. I imagine you are aware of this.”

“That seems to fall outside your purview. I recall no promise to divulge personal information. I may choose to share it with you at a later juncture.” Noah gestured towards the door. “However, we have lingered here for an excessive duration. You are correct on one point: the Prophet’s problems are beyond our influence. This issue falls squarely within her domain. My primary concern is the impending tournament. A tournament for which we must depart promptly if we are to arrive before its commencement.”

Mordred scrutinized Noah for an additional moment before inclining his head. “Very well. Proceed. I shall rejoin you at a later time.”

“You aren’t accompanying us?” Lee inquired.

“No, I find that to be an excellent suggestion. He ought to depart,” Brayden chimed in. “Preferably to a considerable distance. I’m certain he has some extremely pressing engagements that require his full attention. Perhaps something that will occupy him for an extended period.”

“I require a superior vantage point from which to observe the tournament,” Mordred declared, completely disregarding Brayden’s remark. “Direct observation from the combat arena will yield minimal useful intelligence. They actively discourage participants from acquiring excessive knowledge about factions to which they do not belong. Consequently, I shall temporarily set aside my personal curiosity to ensure the fulfillment of our agreement to the utmost of my capacity. My intention is to identify the most formidable combatants within the divisions with which you are likely to engage. As for the lesser opponents… well, if your abilities are insufficient to overcome them without my assistance, then my insights would prove largely inconsequential in any practical sense.”

Despite Mordred’s peculiar nature, his genuine intention to uphold his end of the bargain was evident. It proved difficult to refuse such a proposition, particularly given the prospect of avoiding the eccentric man’s constant distractions throughout the competition.

“I find no grounds to object,” Noah conceded. “How will you convey the necessary information to us? Will you even be able to ascertain our location once the tournament commences? Aqua Terra is a vast location, and I doubt the tournament grounds will be any less expansive.”

“Your assessment is accurate. It will be infeasible to re-establish contact with you following the tournament’s commencement. My associates will act as my intermediaries. I possess the means to communicate with them.”

“The very individuals whose shoulders you were perched upon?” Brayden questioned.

“Indeed,” Mordred confirmed. “I shall assign Fist to accompany you. That should prove adequate. However, in return, you are obligated to honor my questions. I am entitled to conduct a thorough interview with Lee once the tournament has concluded. No pretexts, no evasions.”

“Provided your inquiries are appropriate,” Noah stipulated, after a brief, meaningful glance exchanged with Lee. “And she retains the absolute right to decline any question she deems unsuitable or to terminate the interview should your questioning become excessively intrusive. This will, in essence, be a dialogue. Its duration will be contingent upon your ability to exercise restraint and refrain from vexing her.”

“I am in possession of a substantial quantity of provisions,” Mordred announced.

“Food does not grant you license to irk Lee,” Brayden grumbled.

“On the contrary, I believe it does,” Lee remarked, stroking her chin. “It certainly provides a considerable boost to my tolerance levels.”

“That statement is not helpful, Lee,” Brayden admonished.

“My apologies,” Lee responded. She directed a glance towards Mordred. “Might I trouble you for another one of those confections?”

Mordred silently retrieved a second individually wrapped treat and presented it to Lee. “That exchange will count as one question. It is not complimentary. I shall pose it at a later time.”

“Acknowledged,” Lee replied, engaging with the wrapper with an unusual degree of deliberation. It appeared she was, for some inexplicable reason, hesitant to consume the imbued material—

Her eyes narrowed in concentration, she eventually abandoned her meticulous efforts and ingested the entire confection in one go.

“In that case, I shall now take my departure. I would strongly advise you to do likewise. The tournament is on the verge of commencing, after all,” Mordred stated. He cast a glance out the window before clearing his throat. “It appears my ladder has deconstructed itself. Might we perhaps utilize the main entrance?”

Noah responded with an eye-roll before drawing his mask over his face.

“Let us proceed. You may introduce us to your team properly as we make our exit.”

***

“This,” Mordred stated, gesturing towards a heavily armored woman with a weary expression etched onto her battle-hardened features, “is Fist.”

They were assembled on the street just outside the tavern, facing Fist and the other individual comprising Mordred’s crew—a burly man clad in armor similar to Fist’s.

“My apologies,” Fist offered, inclining her head slightly.

“There is no need for apologies. Your parents’ unfortunate choice of nomenclature is hardly your failing,” Mordred remarked casually.

“I wasn’t apologizing for my name. I’m apologizing to them for having to endure you,” Fist declared with a discernible sigh. “Whatever nonsense Mordred has told you, I assure you it was likely meant with good intentions. He isn’t a pervert, nor is he fundamentally a bad person. He is, quite simply, a colossal idiot.”

“Hey!” Mordred exclaimed defensively. “What kind of limited choices are those?”

“Kindly cease speaking, please,” Fist implored. “We are already on precarious ground. Do not forget, Mordred, if we accumulate a few more grievances—”

“Bah. Our contributions are significant. Cease fretting over your employment so excessively. Consider the future potential we cultivate instead.”

“Our effectiveness is only truly realized when a task reaches its conclusion,” the other member of Mordred’s contingent interjected. “Which, if memory serves, occurs approximately 30% of the time.”

“Silence, Ace,” Mordred commanded. He then cleared his throat. “I shall entrust Fist to your care as I depart to fulfill my part of our agreement. Ensure that Lee does not meet his demise during the tournament. I would be most displeased if such an event were to transpire.”

“Wait, is that a possibility?” Fist inquired, bewildered.

“Is such a thing feasible?” Noah questioned. “The tournament permits lethal combat?”

“That information is unknown to me,” Mordred responded with a dismissive shrug. “See to it that it is averted regardless.”

With that, he vanished, executing a sharp about-face and proceeding with brisk steps.

His ostentatious departure was briefly interrupted barely five feet onward when he spun back around, pointing a finger at Ace. “You are accompanying me. I never granted you permission to remain behind either.”

“Damn it all,” Ace muttered. He offered a mock salute to Noah’s assembled group before hastening to catch up with Mordred.

Fist observed the departure of the two men. She then turned her attention back to Noah. “Uh… and why am I the one remaining here?”

“Mordred volunteered your assistance to provide us with certain information he intends to acquire. Apparently, you possess a method of communication?”

“Oh. Is that the case?” Fist responded, nervously scratching the side of her neck. “Well, I suppose I can. Fortunately, we were issued badges for the tournament.”

“You appear considerably more composed than Mordred,” Brayden commented. “What compels you to associate with such an erratic individual?”

Fist emitted a prolonged, heavy sigh. “It is a rather lengthy and complicated history. Not one I believe any of us are particularly keen to delve into. Suffice it to say, he functions as a highly capable leader under precisely the right circumstances—and exclusively so.”

“That is hardly a reassuring statement,” Brayden remarked with a measured tone. “On the contrary, that sounds precisely like the type of rationale that would deter me from following anyone.”

“We are generally quite adept at orchestrating the occurrence of the appropriate circumstances,” Fist stated. “It is only in assignments such as these that he tends to lose focus. Mordred harbors a degree of fixation on studying mystical species. He… has his motivations. Yet, his intentions are generally benevolent. Usually. I presume them to be so. He would not have left me here otherwise. However, I give you my word, I will not be resorting to any peculiar card displays. I shall remain unobtrusive and simply uphold Mordred’s obligation. You have nothing to fear. However, I must inquire—who are you all? I am acquainted only with Lee.”

“I am Brayden,” the large man introduced himself, giving Noah a slight nod. “This individual is Spider.”

“Spider?” Fist echoed, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Did our mothers happen to attend the same academy for whimsical naming conventions?”

“Regrettably, that is not my given name,” Noah replied with evident regret.

Fist winced. “Understood. Who else would inflict such an unabashedly foolish appellation upon their offspring? It was foolish of me to inquire. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My apologies for my role in assisting Mordred with your unauthorized entry.”

“Eh. Such things happen,” Noah conceded. He reached towards the scabbard at his side, withdrawing the black badge. An arrow materialized upon its surface, indicating a direction to their left. He lifted his gaze to survey the street it indicated. “Now, shall we proceed with haste? A tournament is commencing within the next few hours, and it is my intention to be present at its inception.”

The moment had arrived to stage a spectacle.