novelraw Chapter 82 : Chapter 82
Chapter 82 : Chapter 82
Chapter 82. Hot Spring Construction (4)
Instead of answering Iris' question directly, Number 1 posed another one.
“Why do you think the Durani Empire left the dragons, whom they consider their mortal enemies, alone?”
“Hmm, because it was troublesome to deal with them?”
“Half right, half wrong. It’s true that dragons are strong, but the empire has far more numbers.”
“Then, is there another reason?”
Number 1 slowly nodded and continued.
“The distance between the empire and Botan Island is not that far. But that narrow strait is teeming with all sorts of sea monsters. In a way, they are more fearsome than dragons. You can clearly see dragons attacking, but you never know where or how sea monsters will pop out.”
Only then did Iris nod her head as if she understood.
“I remember reading about it in a book. That sea monsters are as feared by coastal people as the Demon King.”
“That’s true. It's also the reason why no one engages in fishing in the southern seas of the empire, despite them being a treasure trove of marine resources.”
“Why are there so many sea monsters in the coastal waters, not just in the open sea?”
“No one knows. What’s certain is that because of the sea monsters, the dragons were able to attack humans without any harm. They can fly in the sky, but humans cannot.”
Iris asked back with a complicated expression.
“Then how on earth do you plan to get to such a place?”
“There is a way.”
“What is it?”
“The Emperor has a magic device that puts sea monsters to sleep. That was the purpose of meeting him today.”
Iris clapped her hands as if she had realized something.
“So that’s why you said we couldn’t go secretly on our own?”
“That’s right. Without the Emperor's help, no one can enter Botan Island.”
“Then that’s a relief. Now that the dragons' paradise has moved near Rarc Village, if we just cross the sea, there won’t be anyone there, right?”
Number 1 made a worried expression, saying that would absolutely not be the case.
“The ruins there have never allowed anyone to approach in all of history. There are only all sorts of rumors, but what’s inside is still a mystery.”
“But the Emperor was convinced that there was something inside. You were the same.”
“It is an undeniable fact that the item I mentioned is there. I have confirmed it through various routes. However, the item the Emperor wants is likely an exaggerated rumor.”
“What on earth is it that the Emperor is so anxious about?”
“The elixir of immortality.”
“What?”
Iris looked at Number 1 with a dumbfounded face.
There is no record of such a thing existing even in the scriptures.
“Isn’t he crazy?”
“Since he has lived a long life through medicine, it’s probably the result of him selectively choosing only the information he wants to see.”
“Human greed truly has no end. He’s already lived for three hundred years, how much longer does he want to live? Ugh. Disgusting.”
“What’s important to us is obtaining the Lion Heart. You can ignore the Emperor’s words.”
Iris asked back if that would be okay.
“But he’s still the Emperor, isn't he? Will it be alright?”
“Don’t worry. Even he cannot control everything. Why do you think the Unseen Ones have been manipulating the Durani Empire from behind for so long? We have that much power and ability.”
“I understand. If you say so, then so be it. But when are we leaving?”
“The sooner the better. First, let's return to Akaba.”
The two returned to the fortress city of Akaba through the shortest route established by their organization.
But what was this?
A familiar figure was standing there.
“You’re here, sis?”
Noemi was smiling brightly and waving her hand.
“What. How did you get here?”
“I came here last time too. Aren’t you being too indifferent to me?”
When Noemi puffed up her cheeks, Iris gave a bitter smile and opened her mouth.
“Did you come through that spatial transition magic this time too?”
“Yeah. After doing it a few times, I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve even got the hang of how to land in a place that isn't dangerous.”
“Ha, you really are……. So, what’s the matter today?”
Noemi took out a letter from her bosom.
The surface was decorated with luxurious gold leaf, and the name of someone I didn't want to see was written on it.
“Did Frank have you deliver this to me?”
At Iris' question, Noemi lightly shook her head.
“No. Dad was going to have it delivered through Number 3, but I just brought it myself. And what’s with Frank? You should call him Dad.”
“Hmph. I have no memory of having such a person as a father.”
“Again, again, again! You’re really going to get a scolding from me if you keep that up.”
When Noemi placed her hands on her hips and glared with fearsome eyes, Iris smirked and took the letter.
“I’ll read this later, so let's have a meal together. You haven't eaten yet, have you?”
But Noemi insisted that she had to go back right away and urged her to read the letter in her presence.
“I’m absolutely not leaving until you read it, sis.”
“I’d be grateful if you did. I can get my fill of looking at my pretty little sister's face.”
“Chee. Are you really going to be like that? I’m going to get mad. This isn't a joke.”
When Noemi got angry, Iris made a fascinated expression.
“You’ve really changed a lot, haven't you? You barely spoke before, how did you become such a chatterbox?”
“I don't know. Anyway, hurry up and read it. I’m busy. I came without even telling Dad.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll take care of it myself.”
Iris read the letter with a playful face.
“Ha?”
It was absurd.
To abruptly introduce a hot spring resort without even specifying the recipient's name.
“I don't think this was sent to me.”
“No. Look at the back. Your name is written there, sis.”
“Tch. Such a useless thing to do.”
Noemi smiled sweetly and began to draw a magic circle on the floor.
“Now that I’ve seen you read it, I’ll be on my way.”
“What on earth is Frank thinking? This isn't the time to be playing around like this, is it?”
“There’s a deep meaning in everything Dad does.”
“Your words have increased, but your devotion to Frank is the same as before. How can you be so consistent with him?”
“I just like Dad. Well then, take care.”
With those last words, Noemi disappeared from sight in an instant.
Iris, seeing this kind of magic for the first time, clicked her tongue and muttered.
“She’s my sister, but what an absurd child. Spatial transition magic. The whole world is like her front yard, isn't it?”
Of course, that was just Iris' misconception.
To use spatial transition magic, it was only possible to go to a place one had been to at least once before.
But suddenly.
Number 1, who was behind her, said this.
“We can't go to Botan Island right away anyway, so how about visiting your hometown for a bit.”
Iris frowned deeply and turned around, but Number 1's face was not joking.
“Why are you being like this too?”
Iris felt like crying.
***
Meanwhile, having escaped the chaotic country of insects, I returned to the mansion with a dazed face.
“Welcome back, Master.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t look well. Did something happen at the Marquis' castle? No, the Sage’s Castle?”
“A lot happened. A whole lot.”
Elliot tilted his head, saying he didn't understand.
How should I explain this?
Could there be a more fitting case for ‘it was there, but now it’s gone’?
The magnificent Marquis' castle had become the head of a stag beetle, and all the other buildings in the village had been transformed into insect shapes. There was simply no way to describe this major event.
Soon, Anonymous opened the door and approached.
“I sensed you were coming, but you’ve arrived sooner than I thought.”
“Have you been well?”
“Not at aaaaall. I was bored because you were away.”
Anonymous quickly came to my side and acted cute, asking me to stroke her head.
I'm not even sure if this is a dragon or a cat anymore.
Elliot, who was watching from behind, let out a dry cough.
“Ahem, ahem.”
Regardless.
Anonymous had no intention of moving even an inch away from my side.
In the end, I decided to use my last resort.
“I have a gift for you.”
“A gift?”
Anonymous' eyes sparkled with anticipation.
I took out the mealworm set that Rude had given me from my bosom.
Anonymous, who tore open the gift box with a curious face, screamed in terror.
“Kyaaa!! What is this!”
The mealworm set left Anonymous' hand and soared high into the sky.
Thanks to that, mealworms rained down in all directions.
‘As expected, this reaction is normal for the first time.’
If she had readily eaten it, that would have been even stranger.
I caught one of them in mid-air and offered it to Anonymous again.
“Is this any way to receive a gift?”
“B-but!”
“Try it. It’s more delicious than you think.”
Anonymous agonized over whether to accept it or not, then made a tearful face and ran away from me.
“Waah! I hate you, Master!”
Hmph. The plan was a success.
I tried to offer one to Elliot who was behind me, but the quick-witted man had already left the room.
Feeling awkward, I opened my mouth and ate the insect in my hand.
Crunch, crunch.
The taste is quite good.
It might sound like a joke, but this might really become the relief pitcher that solves the food crisis of this world.
‘In the world I originally lived in, insect food was quite popular. It's rich in protein and cheap.’
In that sense, I plan to use it as relief supplies at first, and then as farmed food once people get used to it.
And further, to use it as a trade product.
Even in the Benedict Kingdom where I live, how many people starve to death because they can't even eat one meal, let alone three meals a day?
This will surely be a huge hit.
Thinking so, I picked up a few more mealworms that had fallen on the floor and ate them.
It’s a strangely addictive taste.
***
A few days after that.
Charles VII and Isabel arrived here.
At almost the same time, people from the Lombard Kingdom also came.
The king, Alboin, and the knight commander, Liam, also made their appearance.
They were once at war, but perhaps because the Lombard Kingdom paid a huge amount in war reparations?
Charles VII greeted Alboin with a nonchalant face.
“Ooh, look who it is. Were you also invited by the Marquis?”
“It’s been a long time. Have you been well?”
“Of course. It was an honor to accompany the Saintess, but to see you here. As expected, our Marquis is a person of great influence, haha.”
Alboin turned his gaze to me and stared intently at my face, then suddenly bowed his head.
“Thanks to you, our kingdom and I have been saved. I also heard that you were the one who saved the knight commander.”
“Don’t mention it. Thank you for accepting the invitation, Your Majesty.”
“If it weren't for you, we would have been considered the enemy of the whole world. Even now, just thinking about that time sends a chill down my spine.”
“Weren’t you just deceived by the schemes of the vile Demon Tribe? I hope you will lift your head now. It makes me uncomfortable.”
He held my hand tightly and didn't forget to thank me several times.
“Thank you for not feigning ignorance and inviting me like this. You are not just the hero of the Benedict Kingdom, but the hero of our Lombard Kingdom. And of the entire world.”
Then Liam approached and made a joke.
“Your Majesty, he has been the hero who saved this world since before.”\
“Haha. So that’s how it is.”
Thanks to that, the atmosphere became much softer.
Charles VII is the king of the Benedict Kingdom, and Isabel is the Saintess, so that's understandable, but why did I invite Alboin and Liam, who were once enemies?
There is a reason for everything.
‘That way, people from the Lombard Kingdom will also visit this place and enjoy the hot springs.’
If it becomes known that Alboin and Liam, who are respected by the people of the Lombard Kingdom, visited this place, the residents there will also think, ‘Should I go too?’ and join the open run.
Naturally, the revenue of this place will increase exponentially.
Furthermore, what if it becomes a social venue where the nobles of the Benedict Kingdom and the Lombard Kingdom gather?
What if it could become an important place to check Primus' influence?
‘This is all a divine move to stop Primus.’
But there was someone who rained on this good atmosphere.
Was it because he thought he was close to me because he was once captured as a prisoner?
Or did he want to lighten the mood even more?
Liam glanced at Isabel and made a lame joke.
“By any chance, is the bathing mixed?”
“?!”
Needless to say, I, and Isabel, blushed and glared at him with a frightening face.
Mister…….
Why on earth are you doing this?
What am I going to do with this atmosphere?
It seems I have invited the wrong person.