Chapter 68

Sylvester couldn't believe it. Romania, which could almost be called an "enemy country," was taking action to help the academy's dean, who was from Tsubra.

This "Dragon Kidney Flower Search Party" was a huge gamble for Tsubra. Tsubra, a clearly smaller country compared to others, had managed to secure the position of the National Academic Research Institute's dean, which was extremely important, especially since the major posts in the Allied Nations were dominated by other countries.

That's why, when he heard that the dean's relative had been severely injured due to the war between the Kingdom of Ponsonia and the Empire of Quinbrand, a sense of urgency arose to do something about it.

However, capable adventurers all went to the capital, Forestyard. Once they arrived in the capital, it was as if they had a disease that made them forget their homeland, and almost none of them returned. Tsubra was experiencing a significant population outflow. In contrast to Romania, which valued clans and accepted people from other countries, continuing to expand.

Sylvester, who had some martial arts training, declared that he would lead the search party. Of course, he faced strong opposition from the King of Tsubra and other dignitaries.

However, most of them were elderly. They had already resigned themselves to the idea that Tsubra should accept a gradual decline. They didn't think Tsubra would collapse during their lifetimes.

Young Sylvester was different. Fortunately, he had a younger brother who could take over Tsubra if he died. He wanted to win this gamble, even if it meant risking his life. The dean's nephew's severe injury was known within the Allied Nations. If he, a member of Tsubra's royal family, bravely solved this problem, it could be a turning point for Tsubra. He was even prepared to die, thinking that if his death could make people reconsider, it would be worth it. He felt a strong sense of crisis about Tsubra.

Traveling with many attendants would be too conspicuous, and he didn't want to increase the number of casualties, given his mindset that he was willing to die. Using the excuse that "there might be a battle with a dragon," he left the attendants in a town at the foot of the mountain—on the opposite side from where Hikaru had stayed. Even then, there were only a few of them.

During the search, they discovered a Lesser Wyvern flying. It seemed to be landing. Lucky. There was a high probability that Dragon Kidney Flowers would be near the Lesser Wyvern's landing site. Dragon species fall asleep quickly, so the first strike could be made with no risk. Stealthily approaching and harvesting the flowers was impossible, as dragon species are sensitive to anyone approaching. He didn't even consider waiting for it to wake up and leave. He thought he could win, and the patient's condition was reported to be poor, which made him anxious.

As a result, he was saved by a mysterious young boy.

"…Your Highness, isn't Romania aiming for the dean's position?"

Sylvester's sword master and baron, Zamui di Bock, said this while giving Garios a potion, to which the boy replied with a troubled expression.

"Yes, I guess you would think that. Just to clarify, this is a favor from the League... the Green Demon Clan."

"I can't believe it."

"You might not believe it, but if I didn't say it and then later said, 'Actually, it was a favor,' you would believe it even less, right? You might think I was just trying to take credit for a lucky success."

"That's... true, but generally, Romania has no reason to do such a thing."

"Baron Bock—"

Sylvester tried to stop him, but Baron Bock continued.

"Their political ruthlessness rivals that of Ludansha. They use every trick in the book to pressure and send their clans to key positions."

"…Is that so?"

The boy groaned. It seemed he was not familiar with politics. Sylvester stopped Baron Bock and spoke.

"Forgive me, but what is your name? Which country are you from?"

"My name is Hikaru. I come from a place very, very far away."

Sylvester thought there was something more to his words.

"Your strength, would Tsubra be interested in you? How much would it take to bring you here?"

"Unfortunately, I have no intention of serving anyone right now. I also have some business to attend to. —Well, I'm off. The Lesser Wyvern is too heavy, so I'll just take the eyes. The rest can be yours. In terms of value, it would be about 1:9, wouldn't it?"

"…That's true, but—"

The eyes of a Lesser Wyvern are incredibly valuable as they can be processed into medicine. However, compared to the rest of the body, they are insignificant. The meat is delicious, and the skin is excellent for clothing and armor.

"…I'll also take the Dragon Kidney Flower leaves. That's the Green Demon's request."

"Are they serious?"

Hikaru just shrugged. He approached the Lesser Wyvern, took out another dagger, and plunged it into the eye socket. He seemed experienced in dissection. In a few minutes, he had extracted two eyeballs larger than a fist, wrapped them in cloth, and put them in his pocket.

"Then—"

"Ah, yes—"

He left. The mage Michael came to Sylvester's side.

"He's gone."

"Yes… I never got to ask how he defeated the Lesser Wyvern…"

"? A dagger, of course."

"I've never heard of a dragon species being defeated with a single dagger strike."

"That's true, but—could that boy be an assassin hired by the Green Demon?"

"That's unlikely. There's no reason for him to help the dean, and his purpose is unclear."

"That's true. If Your Highness quickly returns with the Dragon Kidney Flower leaves and makes the antidote, the boy won't get his reward—"

"Did you think I would be that petty?"

"S-Sorry."

Michael, intimidated, backed off.

"…Wait a moment."

Sylvester had a sudden thought.

"If that was his goal…? He didn't need to say he was working for the Green Demon. He must have had a reason to say it—why? …Is he trying to gauge our response? For what purpose?"

"Your Highness! Garios has woken up!"

Called by Baron Bock, Sylvester ran, wondering if he was overthinking it.

* * *

Hikaru and Ravia were in the Romania clan's exclusive restaurant in Scalarzard. On the table were the Dragon Kidney Flower leaves, and the green-haired Romanian youth, League, was staring wide-eyed.

"Th-This is—"

"Exactly what you wanted. What about your end?"

"Yes. I've become a disciple of Mr. Kotobi."

"Really?"

For the first time, Hikaru looked at League differently. He was serious. He was determined to break the deadlock among the seven countries.

"Is it okay? The Green Demon is a powerful clan in Romania, right?"

"Did you know? I thought you didn't."

"I heard it on the way to get the Dragon Kidney Flower leaves. —There were some incidents, but I made sure to be polite to League."

"That's… thank you. Anyway, Hikaru—"

"Hm?"

"You seem to have acknowledged me a bit?"

"…"

He noticed the change in how he was addressed.

"What do you mean? And about the reward—"

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect you to come today, so I'm not prepared. I can transfer the money through the guild, though."

"No, that's fine. You have your 'response' to deal with, right?"

"Response…?"

"I said there were incidents, right?"

"Yes."

"I met the prince of Tsubra."

"…What?"

"I told him I was here to get the Dragon Kidney Flower leaves for League. He also has the leaves and is probably making the antidote by now."

"…"

"Anyway, you need to talk to him. Use this as leverage. Good luck."

Hikaru left the room with Ravia, leaving League in shock.

"…What will happen?"

Ravia asked Hikaru as they left the mansion.

"I think it will be difficult for them to succeed."

"…I see."

"Are you sympathetic to them?"

"No, but I admire their effort to change the status quo. Why do you think it will be difficult? They are close to the top in both Tsubra and Romania. If they work together, they could have a significant impact, right?"

"True… Of course, I considered that, and I did guide Sylvester to contact League. But I don't know how much influence League has within the Green Demon clan. I remember the Yellow Tiger clan member was exiled, right?"

"Yes, there was such a person."

"Also, changing a deeply ingrained culture is incredibly difficult. For example, if the king of Ponsonia said, 'We will abolish the aristocracy,' would it be possible?"

"…That would be an enormous challenge. Too many people benefit from the aristocracy."

"League is trying to do something similar. He will proceed more cautiously, but the core issue is the same as abolishing the aristocracy. Resistance will arise, and the more he acts, the more—"

But League is taking action.

"Start with yourself."

"What?"

"A saying from the world I was born in. It means that no matter how big the plan, you should start with what's close at hand. League, when he asked the Kotobi people to be his teacher, actually did it."

As Ravia said—Hikaru also found his actions admirable.

"Hikaru."

"Hm?"

"I think you will help League again."

"If that happens, I'll ask for a hefty reward."

Hikaru and Ravia returned to their new home. The next day, they received a million Gilan from League, and two days later, they started attending the academy.

Remaining: 897,360 Gilan (+11,550,000 Gilan)

The people of Tsubra, who are not used to fighting. Sylvester is not familiar with combat but is sharp in understanding others' thoughts, which is a trait of royalty.

Thanks to Ravia, Hikaru has become kinder to others. Starting from the next chapter, the long-awaited lecture on small swords… (not confirmed yet)