Chapter 435 – Certification Tokens of Order
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“…It’s a ring that looks like a superb piece of art,” Azol commented while staring at the ring.
Next I showed her the underside of the ring.
“And on the inner side of the ring…”
“Oh, really…the “Crest of the Marquess’s House” and “To the Dragon Slayers” has been carved into the metal!”
“”――Eeehh!?””
The other alliance members besides Azol were all surprised.
While letting her eyes wander, being restless, Lynn muttered with her cheeks red, “You actively participated in the Evil Dragon King subjugation…”
As she looked at me, flames of passion were burning in her eyes.
“That means the adventurer card was genuine, too. In the end, strong warriors have their own tales as strong warriors, huh? And…” Dogal muttered, just to direct his eyes to Azol and Lynn at the end.
And then they looked at each other and nodded.
“Shuuya-san, you’re…”
“That rumored…”
“””Dragon Slayers!!!”””
All three yelled out in perfect harmony.
Azol hit the table with both hands, appearing quite excited. In response, her wrench weapon fell on the ground. And then she agreed with 『I guess that makes sense』.
She’s on the side of those managing the adventurers, so it’s natural for her to know about this, I guess. It was a huge event in Mt. Baldok that also served as exploration of an unknown region.
“The only spearmaster who made a seizable contribution to the Evil Dragon King subjugation among the countless individual participants. So that was you, huh?” Azol’s eyes were shining as they released mana.
“Rumors of cults, who even hold spearmaster tournaments, are circulating in the area around Hekatrail.”
“I hear that the number of spear users has drastically increased for a time.”
I heard the stories from Mel, but it looks like spear wielder tournaments also took place in Hekatrail.
“…That’s how it is. This is the proof that I produced some results during the Evil Dragon King subjugation. I got it from that marquess.”
“…We were also surprised when we saw that ring.”
“Indeed.”
Higlia and Ryokline nodded. Daon-san, too.
“His magic spear is made out of Evil Dragon King materials, too. I remember howling in excitement when I heard about that,” Daon-san recounted while changing a part of his claw armor.
“…I can agree with that. Adventurer. It’s increasingly becoming clear that we’ve made a big blunder here…”
No need to fret about it. Rather than that, I’d like to hear more about the ocean. Lynn, please tell me about that ridiculously huge ocean as much as you can.”
I’m interested in stories about Adventurer Minister Fluide, so I prompted Lynn to talk.
“Of course. Beyond the southern great ocean, Sea Light City Gazeljan, and the edge of the Spirit Fog Island lies the 【Island that is Rainbow】. The place where the pirates gather. Many famous rumors make the rounds in the 【Laznal Bar】 over there. One of them talks about the existence of an unknown sea route…called Big the Foot Line. People are talking about it as if it were true.”
I really feel like taking a look at that Big the Foot Line. The south, huh? Sounds like it’s pretty damn huge. Wild God Cazdolo had left towards the southern continent.
“We don’t really have many contact points with the Azura Pirates. Ray, the one we’re pursuing, isn’t part of their pirate crew anymore, after all,” Dogal added.
For them, talks about the ocean are no more than distant gossip. It’s just that one of their targets used to belong to a pirate crew by chance.
From Mel I heard about a conflict over the silver ship and a breakup of the fishmen pirates Attenborho and their subsequent destruction.
“I see.”
“The main road of Phenimul Village, which is currently brimming with rumors about the appearance of a divine child, has been recently bustling with activity.”
I heard about this from the members of Red Tiger Storm, too. Sarah had bought the medicine of a mysterious doll. The northeastern road led to Hekatrail.
“I frequently hear about Phenimul.”
“Yep. Trade between Alze and Phenimul has picked up quite a bit and the number of caravans has drastically increased.”
“But, in exchange…the number of bandits, who target those caravans, has grown likewise.”
“It’s just as you say. This time might be connected to that as well…”
Anxiety clearly dyed Dogal’s eyes.
“This time? Connected to what?”
“You see, the reason for our fight with you relates to a group called Travelers of Death who betrayed their adventurer comrades during the subjugation request of the White Lady.”
“Shuuya-san, what Dogal said just now is his opinion and one of the possibilities,” Azol corrected.
While nodding, I said, “I think you’ll run into conflicts of interests everywhere, but I don’t know the details here. Still, I guess land routes are just as complicated. If you focus on moving your caravans via land, the roads in the Sea of Trees will cross the territories of monsters. Adventurers seem to have their work cut out for them, too.”
“Indeed. One couldn’t have expected that this time’s subjugation request for the White Lady would overlap with bandits who are cooperating with dark guilds with all of this being overshadowed by conflicts of interests by various human factions.”
“Figures.”
Azol and Dogal glanced at me, before looking at each other and nodding.
“Alze is also plagued by disputes over rights that involve enterprises. Various organizations are trying to target the resources sleeping in this forest,” Lynn added.
Lynn has thin eyebrows, pointed and narrow eyes, and a high nose bridge. You can see a birthmark on her cheek. Her tone is somewhat vulgar, but she gives me the impression of actually being prudent.
She emphasized the part about “various organizations” and by looking at me, she implicitly hinted at me being a part of those various organizations. It probably includes Higlia and her wolfmen as well as Cydale, too.
“Leaving aside all the things going on in the background, 【Travelers of Death】 used to be an outstanding adventurer clan. I’m curious about their motive for betraying many adventurers and vanishing inside the Tree of Seas.”
“The explanation would become easy if we assume that they actually were monsters who were sent in as infiltrators by the White Lady,” Lynn answered Azol.
Are those Travelers of Death related to demons? Were they Spirit World Knights in the middle of a sleeper mission? Well, there are plenty of other possibilities too.
“White Lady, huh? That’s the same as our enemy, isn’t it?”
“So she’s also fighting the ancient wolfmen…”
“Going by the similar names, I’d label them to be the same…” 1
“That White Lady has caused some damage to us ancient wolfmen too! Right, Daon?”
Standing behind Higlia and next to Ryokline, Daon agreed, “Yes. All the young soldiers, who went after her, have been missing ever since then. They’re likely dead by now.”
Hearing his grave report, Azol and the other alliance members looked flabbergasted. Apparently it was unexpected for them to hear about the wolfmen having suffered casualties, too.
“What kind of enemy is that White Lady?” I asked to get a first read.
“She’s a woman clad in fog. She’s quite formidable. Even the wolf commanders warn everyone to run away without trying to fight her.”
“Yes. An “Evil Fog that appears alongside a lukewarm Wind,”” Daon-san supplemented.
And Ryokline added, “…If you’re engulfed by her fog, it’s your end.”
Higlia nodded at that and looked my way.
“Neither the <Wolf Claw Extended Stab> nor slashes with our claw swords work on her, so you’ll apparently be changed into something like a white crest with an expression painted by anguish in the end. A young soldier, whom we saved, mentioned that while crying…”
“What an eerie way to die.”
Azol scrutinized Higlia and while letting her eyes wander across each and every wolfman, she said, “…It’s the same monster. I also hear that she will summon fog people.”
Then she politely bowed her head at the wolfmen.
“Humans don’t know the blessings of God Wolf Hurley-sama, but just as Shuuya mentioned, we can understand each other if we talk.”
“…God Wolf Hurley-sama is an old god of Divine Domain Seuros…”
“I remember a priest of the Holy Church preaching that he lost his power together with the Twin Moon Gods.”
Azol and Dogal made comments on Hurley-sama. The alliance members probably don’t know about the blessings of Hurley-sama. I mean, I didn’t know until Higlia told me about it either, but that’s only natural since it’s a religious story shared by a race who has had no real relations with humans.
“What are those blessings of God Wolf Hurley-sama?” Azol asked Higlia.
“A turf. The humans are trying to rudely trespass into our turf, but even though that turf is a blessing for the humans…”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“The ancient wolfmen put their lives on the line in the Sea of Trees! And because we’re continuously killing the masses of monsters overflowing from the forest, including the Light Cross Hill, you can live under your current circumstances.”
“Does that mean the ancient wolfmen are claiming ownership over the Sea of trees?”
“Although you call it turf, we don’t quite understand.”
“Of course, it’s not like our turf is connected to the safety of the Sea of Trees. But, it’s indisputable that we’re contributing quite a bit to that safety with our turf. And our affinity with God Wolf Hurley-sama, the Twin Moon Gods, the God of Life Arotosh-sama, Plant Goddess Sadeyula-sama, and Earth God Gaia-sama is good! It’s one of the reason why there are many crops, fruits on the trees, and special things here.”
“You’re talking about the grain-heavy area on the Heim River’s left side? I knew about there being disputes inside the Sea of Trees too, but…”
“But, even if we’re told about a turf, we really can’t tell where it is. And if we get attacked, we treat the attackers as enemies.”
Azol and Lynn explained with meek expressions.
It’s not just the ancient wolfmen and humans either. All sorts of forces are vying and competing over the Sea of Trees, but Quiche’s Cydale is located in this forest, too. And if my friends, centered around Lucy and Quiche, are active in this area, we should be able to create a much safer place in the forest than now.
The former Spirit World Knights Shuhelia and Delhart as well as the orcs Solobo and Quema will have plenty of opportunities to display their full abilities, so I guess that’s just right for them. In addition, the couple of demigods, Kisara and Rotalz (although they plan to leave with me when I head out to the desert), Red Tiger Storm, Chief Gatekeep Catiza, Moga and Nemus, Eboue who can transform into a black panther, and Muu (she’s still young but since she’s in the middle of training, she’s got a bright future ahead) are all present in Cydale. so the village has grown into a fairly stable powerhouse.
As I had let my thoughts wander for a bit, the mood had taken a slight plunge downwards, so I changed my voice’s tone and modulation and asked Azol’s group about the area west of Alze to change the mood somewhat.
“That area has a castle with parts of Oseberia’s Blue Iron Knight Order and Magic Dragoon Unit,” Dogal explained.
It appears there are rumors about secret research being performed on dragon and griffons in Oseberia’s facilities. But, ultimately those are focused on the castle. The special griffon training facilities in the Great Oseberia Plains are different.
“So far as it goes, it’s a castle for the sake of protecting the nobles’ fiefs and the farm fields as many monsters of the wetland areas intrude that region, but…the elites of the 3rd and 4th Blue Iron Knight Order have gathered there to perform special raid training in the wetland belt. I hear that Lord Tanguen, the highest ranking Great Knight, and a part of the griffon unit occasionally come in for surprise visits.”
Griffon unit, huh? I wonder whether Heroine Cecily Fadasso is doing fine.
As far as I can tell from their words, the scale of the castle in the Tonilain Earldom is fairly big. Mt. Lalarbuin lies in the south of the Tonilain Earldom and overlaps with the Derecken Earldom.
Lynn and Azol further told me that the appearance of vampires caused quite a ruckus until a little while ago. I could guess that it was related to the Valmask family, but they didn’t know any details.
“Still, we talked a lot, but umm, is that injury at you neck…really fine?”
“I’m worried. Even if you might possess vampiric powers…”
Azol and Dogal said while looking worried at my neck. Both had received spare clothes from my friends.
“Thanks. As you can see, I’m doing fine.”
“But…”
Dogal seemed like he was about to give me some medicine. But before he could do that, Lynn made her move.
“But, no matter how much you might be a vampire with the power of light, for you to defeat…my skill and the spirit monsters sealed inside the Spirit wand…”
“I’m confident when it comes to battle. But, your skill and that wand are incredible. Making so many spirits obey should come with a corresponding risk, but you’re the granddaughter of that Adventurer Minister after all, huh?”
When I asked so, Lynn smiled, “Hehe, thanks. It’s thanks to gramps’ bloodline and some items of the Arzen Civilization! Having said that, the real reason got to be Orimil-sama’s favor! It’s the power of Holy Seal Buster Six. I have confidence in not only my <Spirit Manipulation>, but also my mana manipulation!”
That’s why she held an item that could control, or rather, contain so many spirits, eh?
“The weapons and armor of the Arzen Civilization seems to be superb.”
I cast a fleeting glance at the rainbow-colored goods hanging at Lynn’s waist. She touched the items with a hand as if to brag about them.
“Hehe. But, leaving my matters aside, that transformed spirit…the one floating over there with the big boobs! Just who are you to be able to contract such a spirit, Shuuya-san?”
Hearing her words, Lisana revealed a questioning look, wondering whether she was meant. Still I can totally understand Lynn’s feelings since Lisana’s birth cam quite unexpected to me as well.
Accordingly I played dumb, and muttered, “…Who, you ask? A cat-loving spearmaster, I’d say?”
Dodging the question, I averted my eyes.
“Bah! That’s not much of an answer!”
“Hehe,” Helme smiled.
At this rate, the whole group, including Dogal, is going to cast healing magic on me. That’s why I deliberately made a gentle, sarcastic joke at Dogal’s cost, “…So, Dogal, you’re not going to categorize me as a monster anymore?”
Doga’s face cramped up.
“…That goes without saying. I know you’re joking, but to be honest, I can’t really laugh at that.”
“Sorry, my bad.”
Dogal flashed a smile at me for an instant, but immediately became serious again and continued, “…No, it’s only natural in your position, Shuuya-dono. We wouldn’t have any right to complain, even if we were killed. In the beginning, you approached us amiably without relying on military might…we didn’t believe those words…and even though your words had some reasonable points to them…we didn’t try to judge things while looking at the big picture.”
Their position and the situation probably forced them to act like that. Besides, their lives were on the line and they didn’t face us for much of a time either. Making a calm judgment during that short period of time would have been extremely difficult.
“…It’s said knowing what is right and not doing it is a want of courage, so I think it was inevitable.”
Yep, Dogal, who had faced me boldly, was quite cool.
Fortune favors the bold.
You could even call him a hero for how he reacted back then, I think.
“…So you’re saying that I’m courageous? Thanks. But please allow me to correct you: It might seem like courage, but we chose the easy way out. With the only reason being that the Sea of trees is a region infested with monsters and villains all over, labeling all races we meet here as hostile and evil is a one-sided, arbitrary method that makes things easy for us…”
I think he has a point in calling it like that. Some monsters like Queen Sardynne will launch surprise attacks, so I think it’s inevitable for them to take an aggressive stance with “Sea of Trees” being the sole reason.
In the first place, it should be a rare occurrence for them to encounter someone like me in here.
Still, Dogal’s feelings of guilt are just getting worse. I intended to make a joke, but it looks like that backfired…
“I think our position as bounty hunters, our individual prowess, and our overestimation of our power because we held the numerical advantage also played a role in this. We acted thoughtlessly. I’m sure even God of Order Orimil-sama should be lamenting after watching us act like this…”
“Dogal, you guys don’t need to chastise yourself so much.”
“…No, you’re a kind man who saved our livers, so…this is something I want to say. Please allow me to apologize!” Dogal exclaimed with tears having collected at the corners of his eyes.
“…Got it.”
“Nya~”
Rollo-san was resting as a cat loaf. She meowed at Dogal while yawning.
“How tolerant of you,” Dogal answered.
Tolerant, huh? He’s misunderstanding.
“No, that’s…”
He’s mistaken. I’ll mercilessly steal lives if I fight. Just like I had pierced Dogal and Lynn’s chests at the beginning. I won’t deny feelings of revenge either. If there’s a reason, I won’t show any hesitation and slaughter people while wielding my power. That’s because I’m a Lucival who embraces light and darkness at the same time.
“Haha, good grief, you seem to not understand your own conduct.”
“Really? I think that’s a willful interpretation, though…”
“Yes, but it won’t change the fact that you initially faced us with kindness, gratitude and a will to talk it over. And after fighting with you, I was able to perceive your martial spirit and aptitude…,” Dogal placed a hand on his chest and then looked at both palms.
The hilt of his magic sword didn’t possess its blue, mana-made blade anymore.
“It was a battle where you contracted a new spirit. I watched the battle against those flying sword spirits, but…to be honest, the darkness was insane. However, your thoughts that are deeply connected with the light are the same as ours…no, they are deeper and warmer that ours. And I want to deem it as “tolerance” because I saw, experienced and felt your overwhelming might with my own body.”
Azol, Lynn, and the other alliance members all nodded at that.
“It’s not like I have reached…a state where I’d be able to arrive at your level, and for someone with my low level of swordsmanship…it’s presumptuous, but I have clearly seen…that you exist in a sphere of martial art one cannot reach…unless they pass through unimaginable, rigorous training and real combat.”
“Now you’re making fun of me by exaggerating your praise!”
I laughed, but Dogal didn’t. It was clear that his words were filled with respect. It made my body tighten up.
I looked at Helme, seeking help from her. Helme glanced at me for an instant, smiling, but then continued her hushed conversation with Lisana and Jody.
“That part of you getting bashful is yet another…” Azol commented while blushing, which caused Higlia to growl.
Higlia apparently disliked Azol’s womanly gaze.
“…Based on you having such martial prowess, you can sympathize with your opponents… We selfishly decided that you’re a monster, a vampire like that noble youth, and ridiculed you as enemy of humans…we’re a foolish group who attacked you one-sidedly. And if you hadn’t stopped the battle out of deep mercifulness…all of us would have likely died then and there. All members of the holy guild alliance would have pointlessly passed away here…without being able to chase down the bounties.”
Dogal was on the verge of crying.
“Well, we have a former Death Butterfly person adn ancient wolfmen on our side, and no matter the circumstances, it’s a fact that I tried to kill you, Dogal. If not for the healing potions, you’d have actually died, you know? That’s why I don’t think your and Atol’s call were necessarily wrong…”
Yep, no one can simply tell who is one’s ally or foe by their outward appearance or race. Of course, if you have an ability like Eva’s and can determine the disposition of another person in advance, it’s another story, but I think it’d be asking a bit too much to expect that.
“…But, they are the people led by you, Shuuya-dono. Besides, if you consider it very closely, she might look like a Death Butterfly woman, but she didn’t attack us.”
Dogal stood up, and looked at Azol and Lynn, nodding.
“…For this reason, we, as proud holy seal busters of the holy guild alliance wish to apologize for having made a mistake in our judgment based on arbitrary prejudices. It’s disgraceful…this feeling is share by Azol, no, all alliance members present here…please forgive us――”
He bowed deeply. Following his example, the other alliance members also stood up and bowed.
“…I got it, I got it, so raise your heads, okay?”
“Okay.”
Afterwards I asked them whether they knew the Unexplored Skill Search Church and about the rules among holy seal busters, continuing with inoffensive topics…
We decided to hurry to Higlia’s hometown. At our parting, Azol gave me an item.
“This is?”
“It’s a Certification Tokens of Order as it’s owned by the Holy Guild Alliance members. And here you also have a simple map of Alze and its surroundings.
“Only the left part, huh? Does that mean I can enter the holy guild alliance’s building with this?”
“Yes. We have the right half at our facilities. When you match your left half with the right half, you’ll be able to enter the alliance’s buildings which are regarded as mystery of the adventurer guild.”
I accepted map and token. Let’s put them to use at the time when I head to Alze.
“Thanks.”
“No, it’s our natural obligation. Our country, the place with our alliance’s headquarter, is far from here, but if it’s you, Shuuya-san…I can trust you. Shuuya-san――” Azol hugged me.
Her black hair smelled nicely, causing me to smile unconsciously. Lynn smiled as she watched from a distance.
“For that Azol…to return to a simple woman who forgot all about her nobility…,” murmured Dogal.
The other alliance members were just as surprised by her action.
And thus we bid farewell to the folks of the holy guild alliance. Helme, Lisana, and Jody scouted the vicinity from the air.
“It’s this way, stupid, cheating Shuuya!”
“Higlia, don’t be so antsy about it. Anyway, Rollo, let’s go.”
“Nn, nyaa.”
Rollo got on my shoulder.
I looked at Higlia who was walking ahead. Her tail movements made it hard to tell whether she was angry or happy. We continued along a trackless path while I watched her cute back.
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