“So then was it about the whereabouts of the Sage?” With a “hmm,” Zepha sank deeply into his chair. “First, Glen. Don’t be angry to hear this.”
“?”
“We of the Dark Guild played a role in the disappearance of the Sage.”
“What?!” Glen automatically smacked both hands on the table and leaned forward.
Zepha continued, ignoring his reaction. “Whoa there, don’t misunderstand. This was on his request.”
“A request…from the Sage?”
“To become someone completely different and run away—that was his request. We used our forbidden techniques to give him a completely different face and let him escape.”
“…”
Hearing this, Glen muttered with blank amazement. “…No wonder… No matter where we looked, we couldn’t find him…”
“We were also curious about why the Sage would suddenly request such a thing. So we followed him after his disappearance. But the last thing we got ahold of was a record from ten years ago.”
“What did it say?”
“…That the Sage is considered dead.”
Glen’s breath caught.
“Apparently, after his disappearance, the Sage pretended to be an adventurer and led a life of poverty. We never understood what his goal was, but it looks like he had been released from all his obligations and was enjoying his free life as an adventurer. But—in the end, he was attacked by a monster and died. Good grief, what an uninteresting way to go out,” Zepha said dispassionately with a little sigh. “That’s all I know about the Sage. Please don’t let this leak to the Four Saints. I still want to play at being the guildmaster of the Dark Guild.”
“Of course. But…now I’m certain—the Sage vanished of his own volition.” Glen folded his hands on the desk and touched his forehead to them. “I prayed that he was alive…but I suppose that’s just how it is.”
Glen tucked the information that he had gained from Zepha away in a corner of his mind and reached out to the god core.
“I thank you, Guildmaster. Well then, I’ll hand over the information that I have—”