Chapter 162 (1/2)

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The Orb and the Wakizas.h.i.+

Half-asleep, Hikaru dug into his breakfast—a sandwich. The bread was tough, mixed with dried fruits, although the part grilled over b.u.t.ter was soft. The fat flowing from the meaty bacon coupled with the saltiness and the tomato made for a heavy meal overall.

「I can't take it. I'm too sleepy.」

Still, Hikaru finished everything, downing the last piece with a sweet and sour fruit juice.

「My, what were you up to last night?」the portly innkeeper asked.「Anyway, you're skinny, so you should eat more. Want another sandwich?」

「N-No, thank you.」Hikaru declined politely.「Is there a trip to Eingunstadt today?」

「Yes, there are two trips today. One at nine in the morning, and another at three in the afternoon. Are you leaving?」

「I just have a little business to take care of. I'll be back. Can you reserve my room?」

「Sure thing.」

Hikaru thanked the lady and left the inn.

The carriages station was quite packed. Eingunstadt was a town in Einbeast, and the closest one to Ponsonia.

Hikaru planned to enter Einbeast once to check the Drakon Ball Staff, which would mean taking it out of the Dimension Dragon Box. If Hikaru stayed in the Kingdom and Ryver looked at the compa.s.s at the same time, he would know that the staff was still in Ponsonia. If he was in Einbeast instead, no doubt that Rising Falls would go back to the country first.

「All right. Time for some shut-eye.」

A morning nap, to be precise. Hikaru had managed to slip into a carriage and was on his way to Einbeast.

Upon leaving Leather Elka, the guards performed thorough luggage checks. One Mage's staff, in particular, was carefully examined. They must be looking for the Drakon Ball Staff. He made it through without a problem, of course.

「Those beasts stole the staff! I'm sure of it!」

「I keep on telling you. That's not true. I even chased after the thief with Sir Ryver.」

「You were probably just pretending to help!」

In the conference room, Caddie lashed out at the members of Polar Tiger. But their leader, Gotthold, just brushed her off, sighing.

Igloo of the party Rising Falls, on the other hand, had recovered from his hangover, and wore a frown. Not a trace of his confidence from yesterday could be seen from him. Batros didn't seem to particularly care, while Ryver was silent as always.

Rank A adventurers, huh…

Gotthold eyed his party members. They were starting to get p.i.s.sed, having been on the receiving end of Caddie's accusations since this morning. They would've gone berserk by now if Gotthold didn't deal with matters calmly.

「This uhh, staff, was it? I believe we can offer you a first-cla.s.s item from Ponsonia's treasure house once the capital falls. Right, Your Majesty?」the grand chamberlain mediated, and Austrin nodded.

Caddie turned her gaze on them.

「There's no way Ponsonia has a better staff than that! Are you stupid?!」

「What?!」

She might be a rank A adventurer, but insulting royalty was outrageous. Faces red from anger, both the chamberlain and Austrin didn't say anything in return. They desperately needed Rising Falls' power in the upcoming battle.

「There's nothing but idiots here!」

Caddie was at wits' end. A compa.s.s with no graduations sat in front of her, its needle constantly spinning, not pointing at any specific direction.

Is that a tool used to find the staff? Gotthold guessed, but he didn't feel like asking.

「Let's talk about the theft some other time.」Gotthold said.「I think we should discuss our advance to the royal capital, Lord Austrin.」

「Y-Yes. You're right.」the Prince answered.

「Sorry, but we can't go.」Igloo said.

「What?」Gotthold was surprised.

「The thief could be nearby. We can't go into battle with a guy like that around.」

「Yes! Ah, Big Brother's the only one who gets me!」Caddie muttered, her words falling on deaf ears.

「Igloo, do you even understand what you're saying? This battle is a direct request from the His Majesty.」

「Which is why we can't go. Wait a sec. Did His Majesty gave the order to steal the staff?」

「You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!」

「Stop!」

A member of Polar Tiger snapped, but Gotthold kept him in check. He himself was fuming after Igloo insulted the man he loved and respected. But if he gave in to blind rage now, everything would be ruined. His sense of responsibility, to carry out the King's orders, was the only thing keeping him composed.

「This must be the enemy's plan. Steal the staff to make us fight each other.」

「I-I see.」Austrin said.

「So Kudyastoria, fearing the rank A adventurers, resorted to such clever schemes.」

「How dirty.」

「Clever? More like awful.」

「How the Princess has fallen.」

The n.o.bles commented, trying to suck up to the Prince as much as possible. Igloo alone wore a grim… no, a pale look.