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Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes
Voices from the Ruined Continent
「From what I know, Dew Roke has already fallen into the hands of the people from the New World.」Kaglai said.
「Did a fight break out?」
「I do not know of any details. But Vireocean requested for assistance from every nation. They sense a great threat from these people.」
「I see.」
Hikaru understood the situation. The waters to the east of Dew Roke were infested with huge sea monsters, and a fleet went past them. These people clearly had the forces to do so. Perhaps they employed some sort of method to avoid the monsters. Either way, they probably possessed unknown technology.
These people survived for five hundred years in an environment filled with monsters much more vicious than the ones in this continent.
「So there’s a crisis-response meeting after this.」
「Yes. We still do not know what these people from Grand Dream want. That is what they call the continent, by the way.」
「Is it really that important that you have to go yourself?」
It bothered Hikaru. A foreign invasion would be a threat to the concerned parties. Since Vireocean obviously bordered the eastern seas, and so did Quinbland, they saw the risk of an invasion. But that was not the case for Ponsonia and Forestia. Do the rulers of those nations have to go as well? Hikaru thought.
Kaglai smiled.「It was the first time in history that Vireocean, a nation that boasted absolute confidence and prided itself to be the number one in the whole continent when it comes to the sea, sent such a humble message.」
「They’re that desperate, huh?」
「That they are. I could not believe my eyes at first. I wanted to reaffirm it, so they sent the message again to be certain. “Please, we beg you to come here. It’s a matter of utmost importance that concerns the whole continent.” They went as far as to beg for help. How could we not answer their call? Quinbland is on good terms with Vireocean as well, and Man Gnomes were involved in the matter five hundred years ago.」
Vireocean’s earnestness spurred the emperor into action.
「Queen Kudyastoria and Queen Marquedo will come as well. The latter will pass through our empire.」
「Oh…」
Even Marquedo’s going, huh? Hikaru thought.
「Anyway, let’s rewind a bit. Why me?」
「Is it not obvious? With Unken gone, you were the only one I thought of who was as skilled as him. No, you are even better than him.」
「I thought there were competent Man Gnomes back in your hometown.」
「I had already asked for their help.」
「What on earth is going to happen anyway?」
「This is just my hunch, but I sense a battle coming.」
Instinct. Hikaru checked Kaglai’s Soul Board.
【Soul Board】Kaglai G. Quinbland
Age: 73 Rank: 38
4
【Vitality】
..【Natural Recovery】1
..【Stamina】3
..【Perception】
….【Smell】2
【Magical Power】
..【Mana】4
..【Spirit Affinity】
….【Air】2
【Physical Strength】
..【Strength】3
..【Weapon Mastery】
….【Sword】3
【Agility】
..【Power Burst】1
【Dexterity】
..【Dexterity】3
..【Tool Mastery】
….【Musical Instrument】2
【Willpower】
..【Mental Strength】8
..【Charisma】5
….【Heroic Nature】1
..【Appeal】2
【Intuition】
..【Instinct】2
….【Insight】
……【Music】2
……..【Natural Talent】1
..【Memory】1
Like Hikaru, he had two points on Instinct. The emperor could sense things even with only limited information. So there’s a high chance of a battle breaking out.
「What do you want me to do?」Hikaru asked.
「I want you to obtain information.」Kaglai immediately replied.「These people from Grand Dream do not know anything about us, and we do not know anything about them. Just gather as much information as you can.」
「And that’s supposed to be good for the empire?」
Kaglai smiled.「Of course. But there is more: Who would not want to know how these people, who we had not contact with for five hundred years, think or how they lived? I want to know. I want to know faster than anyone else. We might find something we can use in our negotiations, and perhaps we can even settle things peacefully. Above all, my curiosity will be satisfied. Sneaking into unknown territory is a feat only you can do. Am I right?」
Hikaru thought about it for a moment. Lavia and Paula were in Pond waiting for his return. But if he went to Vireocean, he would have to go with Kaglai who already pushed his departure to the last minute. If he didn’t go with him, he might miss the first contact with the people from Grand Dream.
He could use the Drakon Passage, but Drake should still be asleep. Departure was at noon tomorrow. If he went to the Adventurers Guild first thing in the morning, he could send a message quick. He instructed Lavia to visit the guild every day in case he sent a message.
「Okay, I’ll go with you. But no one will know about me. Just prepare one more carriage that I can use as camouflage. Don’t worry about food and other accommodations. I’ll deal with those myself.」
「Will coin do for your reward?」
「No, that’ll only get in the way. Besides, I’m not in any need of money right now. Let’s see… I’ll take one rare book from the palace library.」
「You sure are a man of few wants. Do you want to visit my hometown? There are even rare books over there.」
「I’ll pass… That’ll only come back to bite me later on.」It felt like the yakuza had its eyes on him.
「I see. Very well, then. So we have a deal?」
Kaglai held out his right hand, hoping for a handshake. Then the wind blew, ruffling the curtains, drawing the emperor’s eyes in that direction. It took a bit of time before he realized that Silver Face had disappeared.
「Good morning, Paula.」
「Good morning. By the way, Drake opened his eyes a little bit just now.」
The girls were staying in a room in Grand Hotel Pond. Drake was sleeping in a basket, covered with a blanket. At a glance, he looked like a white furry puppy curled up on his bed.
「His belly’s gotten a lot smaller.」
「Yeah.」
At first, Drake’s stomach bulged too much after swallowing the dragon stone. It was actually possible to see where the stone was exactly. But now, it was hard to tell with just a glance. His tiny body was digesting the stone. It looked like he was really just asleep—he breathed normally and his body was warm.
「Sorry, Paula, but could you look after Drake today too?」
「Of course. Are you going to the Adventurers Guild? Take care, then.」
Lavia made her way to the guild alone to check if Hikaru sent a message. As always, there weren’t a lot of adventurers around. Aurora, her face gloomy, stood quietly behind the counter. Her dismal aura was a waste of her beauty.
「I have a message for you, Miss Lavia.」
「Really?!」
Is it from Hikaru? Lavia wondered.
「The guild has finished assessing the materials you brought the other day.」
「Oh… you meant that.」
Hikaru was told by Jill to wait for the computation until they could find places to sell the materials.
「The total amount is 687,200 gilans.」
Lavia’s eyes widened. It was quite a lot of money. Still, it was nothing compared to what was in Hikaru’s account as of the moment—around 90 million gilans.
Aurora explained how they arrived at the number. She also included the materials in the explanation, which would take some time, but Lavia didn’t have any plans today, so it shouldn’t be a problem. She ended up listening quietly as she found the receptionist’s voice pleasant to the ears.
「That is all. Thank you for listening.」Aurora bowed, and so did Lavia.
「Thank you too. If you’ll excuse me, then—」
「Oh, one more thing.」
「What is it?」
「We received a message from Hikaru this morning.」
「What?!」
You should’ve told me that first!