Chapter 260 (1/2)

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Chapter 260 – Negotiation Terms

Deena was provided a room in Ville Zentra where Emperor Kaglai could keep an eye on her. They provided the clothes she wore as well, and while her skin color was conspicuous, she blended in perfectly otherwise.

It was late at night. Deena had opened the window and played around with a hand-mirror, reflecting the light of the moon to the roof.

『So you're staying here.』

Hearing a voice from below, Deena almost dropped the mirror. She moved away from the window and Gorja entered. Wrapped in an optical camouflaged cloth, it appeared as though he was just a floating head.

『This place better be safe.』he said.

『It is. But there's a guard out on the hallway, so please keep it down.』

『Okay.』

Deena was using the mirror to inform Gorja where she was. Since he saw her with the carriage from Quinbland, he could guess where she was staying. All Deena had to do then was send a signal for him.

『I hardly recognized you. You look like someone from this continent.』

『Please stop joking around.』

『You can't really call yourself a man unless you're able to crack a joke at times like this.』

『How were things on your end?』

『No problem. I got a Healer.』

『Already?』

『Yeah. Apparently they call it “healing” here, not “mending.” Anyway, they're sending one to the s.h.i.+p. They don't even suspect a thing.』

『Are they good? Can they… do it?』Deena hesitated a bit.『Can they cure our king's illness?』

『I don't know. But we just have to make a gamble. We have to save our great king, the descendant of another grand ruler who brought prosperity to us. The secret technology is only handed down to rulers and we, the people of Dream Maker, need it. The people here seem obsessed about Dew Roke. I doubt they'll send a mediocre Healer. If they p.i.s.s us off and we barricade ourselves in the island, they'll be the ones in trouble.』

『Is that so…』

『What's wrong?』

『Are the other spies in the city safe? How much information did they gather?』

『Why are you asking?』

『Actually, I found a Healer too.』

『I'm listening.』

Their conversation continued on for about ten minutes. None overheard them, or noticed Gorja's intrusion.

The next morning, Hikaru visited Kaglai. Having just finished eating his breakfast, the emperor was leaning against the sofa with a displeased look on his face. Three of his attendants were in the room as well, and his guard was standing in a corner. They all watched Hikaru with disgust.

「What's wrong?」

「What do you think? Patricia proceeded with the negotiations without consulting us.」

Kaglai explained to Hikaru the details of the negotiation yesterday. Patricia demanded Dew Roke back, and Gorja said they would think about it. After that, the messenger asked for a Healer.

「A Healer… I knew it.」Hikaru said.

「Oh, so you realized it too.」

「Well, they're being blatant about it.」

「But it would seem Patricia is unaware of this. Unfortunately we cannot go back on our word. They will send a Healer as planned.」

The civil officials present didn't seem to follow.

「Excuse me, Your Majesty. What do you mean? We didn't sense anything wrong with the Supreme Leader's negotiations.」

「Their objective is to obtain a Healer.」

「What? Healers are indeed uncommon, but they're not that rare.」

「Apparently, that's not true.」Hikaru interjected.「I think the people of Grand Dream can't use magic.」

Everyone in the room was surprised, save for Kaglai. The emperor wasn't sure that they could not use magic in general, but he considered the possibility.

「They need healing magic for reasons unknown to us. That's why they want to get their hands on a Healer.」

「But Silver Face.」one official said.「They went as far as to invade us just to get a Healer? It's too risky.」

「See, you do get it.」Hikaru said with a sigh.「The one they want healed is someone worth taking the risk for.」

「In other words, their king, or someone similar.」Kaglai added.

They would only brave the danger if it was for someone belonging in their country's top bra.s.s.

「I must say, that kinda king is incredible for gathering such loyal subjects… Anyway, for a civilization where science is so advanced, they decided to rely on magic. I'm actually curious how they view magic.」