Published: January 24, 2026
◇
“Everyone, thank you for responding to my call today despite your busy schedules. I am the new grandmaster of the Seeker’s Guild, my name is Solda.”
As representatives and deputies from various nations gathered, a staff member of the Seeker’s Guild began the opening address.
So he is the successor to Belia as grandmaster…
To say this may be rude, but he is rather unremarkable.
As a member of the royal family, I’m confident in remembering faces and names after seeing or hearing them once, but I feel I could easily forget him if I weren’t careful.
He lacks distinct features—or perhaps it’s more accurate to say he lacks presence?
“Given the current situation, I would like to get straight to the main point, but may I ask just one thing first?”
Normally, gatherings like this include some sort of social gathering before or after the meeting, but this time there isn’t one.
Our country managed to respond quickly to the demonic beast flood thanks to effective measures against the empire, but that’s not the case for all countries.
There are still several nations unsettled, which means the situation is quite urgent.
Because of this, I believe we must discuss matters and swiftly put decisions into action.
“As you all know, the previous grandmaster of the Seeker’s Guild, Belia, passed away recently. He possessed the longevity supernatural ability and was an outstanding figure who supported the guild since its founding. There is no one else who could have united the guild like him. Now, in this world that has come to be, his power was desperately needed. We truly lost an invaluable person.”
Solda’s voice trembled as he wiped his eyes.
He must have admired Belia.
I wonder if he even knows that Belia was the very person who created this world.
No—how many here truly know that truth?
“I am committed to devoting all my energy to ensure humanity overcomes the threat of the demonic beasts. However, I am far from being the great man Belia Sans was. Therefore, I humbly ask for all of your support!”
As Solda declared this and bowed his head, an elderly man clapped his hands.
This man was Gunnar Stern, chairman of the Ludain Federation, a major power in the eastern continent that holds the Great Eastern Labyrinth and wields strong influence there.
“I have observed your work as the guild master of the eastern guild for many years. Therefore, I can say with certainty that there is no one else but you, Lord Solda, who can now unite the Seeker’s Guild. Succeeding Lord Belia is a heavy responsibility, but I trust you can fulfill it. I support you, Solda. Let us overcome these harsh times together.”
Gunnar clapped his hands again after saying this.
Others followed suit.
(The Ludain Federation, which controls the Great Eastern Labyrinth, is backing Solda, who was the guild master in the East, as grandmaster? This reeks of political maneuvering. Personally, I find it uninteresting, but since the groundwork must have been done long ago, this choice neither benefits nor clearly harms the Nohitant Kingdom.)
Believing that speaking out now to create resentment or a bad impression would harm my country more, I silently joined the others in clapping.
“Thank you all. Though I am inexperienced, I will give my all. Now then—let us begin the summit to counter the threat of the demonic beasts.”
With Solda’s declaration opening the summit, he disclosed the information the Seeker’s Guild had about the world’s current state.
According to him, dungeons without exception are experiencing (....) floods.
And this is something I already knew, but the flooding dungeons do not include the Great Labyrinths.
“—I ask again. To all who have responded to our call, can I assume you agree with the Seeker’s Guild’s stance that 'now is the time to transcend national boundaries and unite people to face the threat of the demonic beasts'?”
After explaining the situation, Solda addressed us.
Then, one participant raised their hand and spoke.
“There’s no objection to that idea itself. But what exactly do you mean by joining hands?”