Wolves of Hader

Chapter 100

We returned to Dran's main city.

As soon as we arrived, we were given a grand welcome.

Since we had no time to spare, the matter of rewards went smoothly and without delay.

Even the Dran elder, Renbo, who hadn't been fond of us, was truly overjoyed when his great-grandchild returned safely.

The council of elders convened again, and we lounged around, eating while waiting for the council to finalize our rewards.

Eilin had remained silent the entire time: as we left the underground, all the way until our return to the main city.

Since she wanted to be alone, I hadn't pried.

I was probably right in my guess.

She had clearly seen some vision. I didn't know what exactly she witnessed, but it seemed to involve me as well.

"What scheme did you guys pull?"

As we were eating, Allen suddenly asked.

Donnie, who was sitting next to him, responded.

"What scheme do you mean?"

"What did you do with the treasure? People keep suspecting me. No matter how I think about it, it must be you lot."

"Are you trying to pin this on us now?"

"I'm telling you, I didn't steal it!"

"You got your share, didn't you? You tried to trick us and take it all for yourself, but it disappeared, so now you're mad?"

"Why, you—!"

Allen grabbed Donnie by the collar.

Donnie then stood up slowly.

"Uh?"

When Donnie stood up, Allen ended up dangling from Donnie's neck. The sight made us burst out in laughter.

"Sit down, already!"

"Let go."

"I said sit, you jerk!"

"You should let go while I'm asking nicely."

"You bastard! There are warriors here—don't embarrass me!"

Allen let go.

With a thump, Donnie's small but sturdy frame dropped back into his chair.

Since coming into the council chamber, his spirits had surged.

At that moment, elder Renbo entered.

"Does the food suit your taste?"

"It's delicious."

We all stood to greet Elder Renbo.

Allen instantly reverted to a coddling tone.

"Grandfather, actually, these guys here— about the treasure hidden in that monster nest— Argh! Why are you stepping on my foot!"

Donnie was grinning beside him.

Renbo said,

"The treasure, you mean?"

"Oh, you know about it?"

"I heard you saved our Allen's life twice. Since you already divided it fairly, that's enough."

"Grandfather, it's not just a treasure— it's enormous—"

"You, out. Your father is waiting."

"But Grandfather—"

"I said out!"

Allen pouted resentfully and left the dining hall.

Elder Renbo clicked his tongue at him and turned his gaze on me and the rest of my companions.

"Well done. I didn't really think you would succeed."

"Allen was a big help."

"That's good to hear."

Renbo smiled contentedly.

"The council of elders just decided: We will give you all the information you asked for about the Gate of Magic."

"Thank you."

"I heard you also needed the development technology?"

"That's right."

Eilin, who was sitting beside me, looked brightened.

Renbo nodded.

"We will share with you the same technology we gave to Robe as well. Power generation, electricity, voltage transformation, storage—all electrical technology. The Robe king is already informed."

"I can only thank you."

"You've gathered quite enough of the Weight Reduction material and magic tools, so you won't be disappointed. Now that you can return home, it must be an emotional moment."

Renbo smiled again with satisfaction.

There was one thing I wanted to ask of him.

"I'd like to write a treaty of agreement between Dran and the Robe royal family. Could you help us?"

"A treaty? What kind of agreement?"

I relayed the contents of the treaty to Elder Renbo.

It was an insurance policy— even if this agreement actually came into effect, Dran would lose nothing.

Renbo nodded.

"From now on, we Dran must strive to develop further. Come visit us often. I've learned a lot from you all."

"Then I'll visit just as you say, elder."

"You must. You're guests of Dran."

Renbo got up.

He turned to go with a smile, then looked back.

"Oh, the chief of the council wants to see you and Lady Eilin. Before you leave, pay him a visit."

"We'll do that."

Elder Renbo left the dining room to draft the treaty.

The rest of the crew went to load up the rewards onto carriages, while Eilin and I headed to the chief's residence.

The chief elder's house was halfway up the mountain in the Dran tribal settlement.

It was a modest brick house where only the head and an old servant lived.

The Head was sitting in a sunlit living room armchair, reading when we entered.

As Eilin and I came in, he put his book down and took off his round glasses.

"You called for us?"

"You're leaving right away, aren't you?"

"Yes, elder."

The Head glanced at Eilin.

He seemed to know what had happened in the Guardian's pupils. That was why he told her to come as well.

"You saw it too, young lady?"

Eilin nodded.

The Chief smiled.

"Do you understand now why the three knights kept silent?"

"Yes. It's hard to cope with."

"Of course. It's frightening, so you can't speak lightly of it. Imagine how it is for someone not personally involved, like me."

The Chief looked at Eilin, then turned to me.

"You're not curious, are you?"

"It's not something I particularly want to know."

"When I met your father, he was about your age. You and your father are so much alike—serious, wise, and kind."

The Head looked at us fondly.

"The sword Eilin brought is an ancient divine relic. It contains divinity. It's far nobler than even the holy sword of Holy Knight Hanuk."

"So the vision was inside that sword?"

"That's right. The three knights also saw visions through that sword. You can only see it once. And that sword—"

The Head's gaze returned to Eilin.

"—chooses its owner. The three knights saw that Lady Eilin was the sword's owner. Unless the Divine Blade permits, it won't emit the light of divinity."

That dazzling brilliance that filled the pupil.

It truly was the light of divinity.

The Head also knew about Paladin Hanuk.

This time, Eilin asked,

"Then, did I and the three knights see the same thing?"

"They all saw something different. What they had in common was seeing you, Roger, and Lady Eilin."

"I see."

"Did the vision only frighten you?"

"I don't know what it was. Some parts were scary, but I think I was happy too. I fainted for a moment and had a dream, but I don't remember it well."

"It's better if you don't remember. Fate isn't something rigidly set, so you need not cling to a vision. The road you take will become your destiny."

I now understood why Eilin's father had waited for me. He had seen far further into the future than I.

That she would be the owner of the Divine Blade.

"Then, could Viscount Drian have seen his own son as well?"

"Probably so."

The Chief smiled again.

"Knight Hader, knight Drian, and Prince Elborn. The sons and daughters of these three are said to be the heroes who will open the new age."

When I looked at Eilin, she seemed quite flustered.

Because of the weight of the word "hero".

The Chief continued.

"You'll meet Drian's child someday. That's all I can say. I don't know anything more. And Lady Eilin—"

"Yes?"

"I do not know why the Divine Blade chose you. But there's nothing to be afraid of. Even if there are trials in life, peace will come at last."

Eilin nodded, as if her complicated mind had been cleared.

Perhaps Eilin was born with divinity.

I'd never felt any such power from her until now. Even now, it was the same.

"You should go now."

The Chief beamed and picked up his book. Eilin and I politely took our leave, watching his back as we exited the house.

As we walked to the council, neither of us spoke.

I myself didn't mind, but Eilin seemed burdened. No doubt because she had seen a vision of herself.

"Don't worry too much. Just live your life."

"Yes, that's what I'll do."

Eilin smiled at my words.

After a short walk, she spoke.

"I'm going to live happily."

"Who is? You, Eilin?"

"Yes."

She walked ahead with a warm smile.

Seems she saw a happy future.

If she's happy, that's enough for me.

/ / /

"Damn it all!"

Allen was bellowing at the top of his lungs from behind.

We were on our way to the capital, and he had come along.

There'd been no way to stop him; when we set out, only our group had left.

"May it all go to ruin! Ruin! All of you, just ruin!"

Donnie could no longer take it.

"Is that the only curse word you know?"

"Shut up, you damned bastard!"

"If you hate it so much, why are you coming?"

"I can't show my face in front of the warriors! Because of that damned Roger!"

"Oh, our young master, forced to play ball?"

"Shut it!"

"Hahahaha!"

Urald and Wundbark burst out laughing.

Now, Allen was being forced along by Elder Renbo. Shame was part of it, just as he claimed.

Of the ten Dran who went with us, only three remained in the main city.

But they weren't just going home: each received a unique Dran technique.

Urald and Wundbark, too, received high-grade equipment suited to their skills, and quite a bit of special material.

This was their reward for saving ten of their kin.

"Aah! What about my treasure! My treasure~!"

Allen's wails echoed over the mountains, joined by our group's laughter.

/ / /

We spent no less time busy after reaching the capital.

First, I went to bid farewell to King Robe. We discussed a new agreement with Dran and various requests and advice.

For the king, it was an excellent offer.

Since this was a Dran–Robe royal family pact, the council of elders wasn't directly involved.

There would be fierce opposition, but—

Next, I met with Nell, vice-guildmaster of the information guild, promising to meet again.

Afterwards, I returned to the inn where we had stayed before. There, two awaited messages greeted me.

One was a letter from Guildmaster Raja, who wanted to meet me. I deliberately did not meet him.

If it came to harsh words, it would only breed more hostility.

The treaty alone was enough.

The thing merchants fear the most isn't threats or warnings, but the loss of business.

For Guildmaster Raja, there was nothing to gain by antagonizing us.

The other was a letter left by Duke Mart.

After reading this letter, I had no reason to meet Guildmaster Raja. It gave me insight into Mart's situation, too.

Guildmaster Raja was a classic merchant and unlikely to rush into reckless acts.

Still, if the Grand Duke pushed hard, he would have to make a choice.

Would he escape from Grand Duke Syren's grip?

Or continue to be his puppet?

Thus I wrapped up my affairs in Robe and set out for the port city of Vera.

Some of the party had left a day ahead, so as soon as I arrived, we could depart.

/ / /

『First, let me offer my apologies. To survive, we had no choice but to become Grand Duke Syren's dogs. We were told to watch the Raja Guild and to kill you if necessary.

In the midst of that, guildmaster Raja approached me first, asking for help— for protection from the Grand Duke's assassination. Now, my situation is caught in a tangled web.

I explained the Hader family situation thoroughly to the guildmaster. Also that you have the ability to defeat the Grand Duke. He, too, is deeply resentful of the Grand Duke—just so you know.

Getting this off my chest is a relief. After losing three of my brothers-in-arms, I looked at my life and wondered what I'd been doing all this time.

We'll have to live like this for a while. So please don't misunderstand. And to hear your harsh rebuke when my spirits were already heavy— it woke me up.

Thank you.

For understanding me.

—Mart Privy.』

I put the letter back in its envelope.

This was Duke Mart's letter, which I re-read after arriving at the port. I had never imagined he had lost three of his subordinates.

My judgment was correct.

People don't change easily.

Especially those who have once lived freely.

Our ship was ready to set sail. Urald and Wundbark had arrived a day earlier, so preparations were complete. Our plan to establish a branch in this port was also wrapped up.

"Are you leaving now?"

"Yes. There are people waiting for us."

"I think Father avoided you on purpose."

"I think so too."

When we returned, her father had gone traveling to meet an old friend. Certainly, he was avoiding me. I understood. There might be other reasons, as well.

"Here—take this treaty."

"Will this treaty work with Guildmaster Raja?"

"Guildmaster Raja won't try to antagonize us. He'll look for ways to buy time. Still, if he interferes with our business, show him this treaty."

"Alright."

It was the agreement between Dran and the Robe royal family.

The source of Dran's electrical technology belonged in Dran, and the agreement stated there would be a new treaty on technology use. Twenty-eight years earlier, a similar pact had been signed.

If this accord was enacted, the Raja merchant guild would face serious trouble in the electrical business.

If the Robe kingdom's politics intervened, Dran would be able to break all treaties.

So even the elders could hardly interfere.

"When will you return?"

"No later than next spring, I think."

Eilin nodded.

I could sense her desire to come along.

What kind of happiness did she see?

Did she also see my future, as I lived my life?

Bwoo-ooh—

Our ship's great horn sounded.

"We're about to depart!"

On the way back, we planned to stop by the volcanic archipelago.

Wiping out the pirates there was just a bonus.

There was a hidden jackpot in those islands.

At any rate.

Finally, going home.