Chapter 68 (1/2)

Abolition of n.o.bility

Silvester could not believe that Rumania, essentially an enemy of Zubura, would help the academy's princ.i.p.al. He had made quite the gamble in forming the search party for the Drakon Kidney Flower.

It was extremely important for Zubura, a small nation, to acquire the position of princ.i.p.al of the academy - a place with cutting edge research facilities and a next-generation educational inst.i.tution. All the other nations had occupied the other important positions in Forestia.

So when news arrived that the princ.i.p.al's nephew had suffered serious injuries, having been caught in the crossfire between Ponsonia and Quinbland, they knew they had to do something.

Unfortunately, competent adventurers had a tendency to move to Forestzard. Once they arrived at the capital, they didn't return, like they caught some sort of disease that made them completely forget about their hometown.

Zubura's population was steadily declining, the complete opposite of Rumania which accepted immigrants, and a nation that was still expanding even now.

Silvester announced that he would lead the search party, having knowledge of martial arts. To no surprise, Zubura's ruler and leaders were strongly against it, most of them the elderly. They had already accepted the slow and steady decline of Zubura. After all, they'd be gone before the nation completely fell.

But the young Silvester was different. Fortunately he had a younger brother, so if something were to happen to him, he could leave Zubura in capable hands. He wanted to win in this gamble with his life on the line. Everyone in Forestia knew about the condition of the princ.i.p.al's nephew. If Silvester, a member of Zubura royalty, heroically solved the problem, it could give a big boost to his own nation.

He didn't mind dying if his death meant the others would change their mind. Silvester was that much aware of the danger looming upon his country.

Bringing many people would only draw attention, and he didn't want more to fall just because he himself was willing to sacrifice his own life. He told them they might have to fight a dragon and made them stay behind at the foot of the mountain - the opposite side from where Hikaru came from.

While searching, they spotted a Lesser Wyvern flying about that seemed to be landing soon. They were in luck. There was a high chance they'd find Drakon Kidney Flower nearby from where it landed.

Dragons fell asleep fast. Silvester's party could fire the first shot without any risk. Sneaking close to pick leaves was not possible as dragons were sensitive; it would sense anyone coming close right away. They didn't even consider waiting for it to wake up and leave. They thought luck was on their side, that they could win. Combine that with the report that the patient's condition was worsening, they became impatient.

As a result, Silvester ended up being saved by a mysterious boy.

「Your Highness, perhaps Rumania is after the position of academy princ.i.p.al.」Zamui D. Buck said as he made Gallios drink a potion. He was a Count and Silvester's teacher in the ways of the sword.

「Ah, I knew you'd think that. For the record, this is a favor from League… from the Green Ogre clan.」

「I find that hard to believe.」

「That's understandable. But if I didn't mention that and instead say “I only did it out of goodwill”, you wouldn't believe me even more. You'd a.s.sume I was demanding grat.i.tude because things just happened to work out fine.」

「That's… true, I suppose. But there's no reason for Rumania to do this.」

「Count Buck.」Silvester admonished him, but the Count didn't stop.

「They're just as nasty as Ludancia when it comes to politics. They'd employ various means to apply pressure on people and secure positions for their clans.」

「I see.」the boy mumbled.

He appeared to be unfamiliar with politics. This time Silvester spoke.

「May I know your name? Where are you from?」

「My name is Hikaru. I came from somewhere far, far away.」

Silvester could tell there was something more in those words.

「What would you say if we wanted you to lend your strength to Zubura? How much would we have to pay?」

「I don't intend to work for anyone at the moment. I have some business to take care of as well. I'll be leaving now. The Lesser Wyvern is too heavy for me so I'll just take its eyes. Your party can take the rest. It would be a 1:9 split.」

「I suppose.」

The eyes were used for making medicine so it could fetch for absurd prices. But compared to the rest of its body, their value was nothing. Its meat was delicious and its skin could be used to make accessories and excellent armor.

「I'll take some leaves from the Drakon Kidney Flower as well. That was the request I got from the Green Ogre clan.」

「Are they serious?」

Hikaru gave a shrug. He approached the corpse of the wyvern, took out a different dagger, and gouged the eyes out. He was getting used to dissecting. In a few minutes, he managed to take out the monsters' two eyes, bigger than a fist, then wrapped them in a cloth before stuffing them in his bag.

「Farewell.」

「O-Oh…」

The boy left. Michael, the Mage, approached Silvester.

「He's gone.」

「Yes. I didn't even get to ask how he killed the Lesser Wyvern.」Silvester said.

「With his dagger, right?」

「I haven't heard of anyone one-shotting a dragon with a dagger.」

「That's true. Maybe he's an a.s.sa.s.sin hired by the Green Ogre clan.」

「I don't think so. He had no reason to help the princ.i.p.al. His objective is unknown.」

「You're right. If you took the leaves home right away and made antidote out of it, that kid won't get his reward.」

「Do you think I'd do something that cheap?」Silvester said, glaring at him.

「M-My apologies.」he said as he backed away.

「Wait a minutes… What if that was his goal all along? He didn't have to tell us that he received a request from the Green Ogre clan. So why did he? To see how we'd react? What for?」

「Your Highness! Gallios is awake!」Count Buck called.

「That's great!」