Honestly itās something that interests me a lot because itās linked to Kaedeās past, but I canāt help but wonder what the purpose of such a request was.
Ā«Did you know there are other lands beyond these?Ā»
Ā«I understand there is another continent beyond the sea.Ā»
Ā«For a long time we had believed that there was only one land. Itās hard to reach this conclusion when you live in Lastoria and observe the sea everyday.Ā»
Ā«What do you mean?Ā»
The old man pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket.
The scroll, which he unfolded and showed me, contained topographical features and names I had never seen before.
It must be a map of another continent.
But how did he get it?
Ā«In very strange cases, on the coasts of our land, the sea drags strange objects. Objects that come from several other places. The reason Lastoria is highly developed in terms of society and science is because we research such objects and then mass-produce them.Ā»
Ā«Are you trying to tell me that the other continent is more advanced in knowledge and technologyā¦?Ā»
Ā«Yes, thatās exactly what Iām saying. Thereās no question that better civilizations than this one have been formed, and thatās where Iād like to make my plea.Ā»
The knight placed three bulging leather bags on the table.
You can tell by the sound of the bags that there is gold inside them, but just by looking at them from the outside you canāt tell how much they contain.
The old man took a sip of his tea and put the cup down.
Ā«This is a retainerās fee. There are two main things I want you to do; escort a research team that will be accompanying you, I just need you to be their bodyguard. And the second thing is for you to find out if there are any countries we can make contact with.Ā»
Ā«How do you know Iāll be able to fullfil that last request?Ā»
Ā«Itās very simple. Any species that can be friends with you has the potential to be friends with us. Oh, I also hope for you to become friends with Individuals that possess useful information.Ā»
So you are asking me to go to another continent?
And make friends and interact with them as much as I can?
How strange this old man is.
Who the hell is he?
Ā«Why are you asking me to do this?Ā»
Ā«Because of your skills. I have always had a keen interest in the other continent. Iāve sent teams to investigate. But they never came back.Ā»
The old man seemed to think that if we had defeated the demon king, we could cross the sea.
It is said that the monsters that live in the sea are much stronger than those on land.
I have often heard rumors that the sea is teeming with monsters that can easily overtake a red dragon.
We are going to pass over them by boat. Itās nothing less than a suicide mission.
It is natural that no one has returned. And if we manage to get there, It could also be a journey of no return.
Although, in our case, things could be very different.
I am now level 3000.
Also, I have a shark-type beast that can kill a blue dragon with ease.
I think the odds are high that I will be able to go there and still come back.
However, the problem is the location of the continent.
You canāt get there with just a map like this one.
Ā«Iām going to ask you one thing; how are we going to get there? Do you know the location?Ā»
I point out the terrain on the parchment map.
Ā«I have a rough idea what it is here. The only obstacle is the monster.Ā»
ā ā¦ā¦ā¦..ā
The old man looks at me with an expression as if waiting for my answer; Ā«Will you accept it?Ā»
To tell the truth, it was a real blessing in disguise.
We were planning to go to Kaedeās hometown, so weāre lucky enough to be able to get there by boat.
Besides, my motherās hometown could be there.
I think I should take him up on this offer to get to know more about her as a person.
Ā«Iāll take you up on that offer.Ā»
Ā«Oh, Iāve been waiting to hear that!Ā»
Ā«Iām only doing it because youāre making such a generous offer.Ā»
The old man had a big smile on his face when he heard the answer he wanted.
Itās also good business for us.
In addition, the ship will be prepared for us.
Thank goodness I donāt have to go through the trouble of hiring one.
Although there is still the problem of whether we can actually get to where weāre going.
Once the conversation was settled, the old man changed the subject.
Ā«I heard that you are the nephew of the Marquis of Eiban, but I didnāt know you were originally from my country. Why donāt you make him the next head of the family, Keios?Ā»
Ā«I think youāve already forgotten that my son Bill will be taking that place.Ā»
Ā«Oh yes, Iām sorry you and Bill had to hear those tactless words coming out of my mouth.Ā»
Ā«Noā¦ Never mindā¦Ā»
Billās expression clouded a bit before he bowed to the older man.
Iām surprised Bill is so calm.
This old man appears to be a very powerful man.
Who the hell is he?
Ā«Hey, Kaede. Maybe our Lord doesnāt realize the situation yet.Ā»
Ā«Itās not unlike what happened in Armand. Itās something that canāt be helped.Ā»
Heyā¦ What are you talking about? What havenāt I noticed?!
Ā«Thank you for coming to see me off. Iāll see you later.Ā»
Ā«Have a safe trip home.Ā»
Once the conversation ended, the old man walked towards the carriage parked out in front.
The old man said goodbye to Keios, Bill and us.
Ā«Ah, I forgot to tell you, Keios.Ā»
Ā«Ehā¦?Ā»
Before getting into the carriage, the old man called Keios and said something to him.
Then his face turned toward me.
His eyes were full of hope, and he quickly sketched a smile of amazement.
Ā«This mission is aimed at the Manyu Brigade, not the fake Little Hounds, call them accordingly, I donāt want any confusion.Ā»
Ā«But you still wonāt tell me that story.Ā»
Ā«I just told you. See you soon.Ā»
He got into the carriage and left the mansion.
Hey hey, that party is dissolved, you canāt do something like that.
I think this old man just fooled usā¦ I will have no choice but to revive the Manyu Brigade after accepting this mission.
I will send a message later to King Armand apologizing.
Ā«I donāt like it.Ā»
As soon as the old man disappeared, Bill burst out in frustration.
Of course, most of his frustration was directed at me.
Ā«Even if it was a secret visit, such behavior towards the King is unacceptable. What kind of person is this guy? Just because heās an Eiban he thinks he can act in such an entitled manner? The King deserves respect, I canāt allow that idiot to have such rude manners.Ā»
Ā«Bill, calm down.Ā»
Ā«Father, Iām sure youāre also asking yourself the same question ā how can that commoner be treated like a nobleman?Ā»
Ā«He has the title of hero.Ā»
Bill froze at Keiosā words.
I think he was having trouble digesting his fatherās words.
He stood with his mouth open for a few moments.
Ā«Toru is Armandās hero, he was the one who defeated the demon king. And he is not a commoner, he is a member of the Eiban family, he has the highest rank of the most powerful family in Lastoria.Ā»
Ā«But, fatherā¦Ā»
Ā«I know itās sudden, but thatās the way it is, heās in the position to take over as head of the family. If you donāt get ready to take up the mantle, Toru will be the one to do it.Ā»
Ā«Toru is the hero? So I came second?Ā»
Bill falls onto his legs on the floor.
I have no idea how nobility works, but I was shocked to learn that I am in a position to be the next head of the Eiban family.
Of course, thatās if something were to happen to Bill and he couldnāt claim the title himself.
Ā«ā¦Hey, wait a minuteā¦did he just call that man āKingā?Ā»
Ā«I told you, he hadnāt noticed.Ā»
Ā«Iām sorry master, I couldnāt tell you, that part of you is so wonderful, the way you donāt realize things. Itās so sweet.Ā»
Ā«Kaede, what other things are you hiding from me?Ā»
So that old man is the King of Lastoria.
I guess that settles the question of how he knew about us.
I have heard that the King of Armand and the King of Lastoria get along well.
At some point King Armand must have told him about us.
Now that I know who I am, I feel more at ease.
So we decided to go back to our room and entered the mansion.
As we were about to climb the stairs to the entrance, Bill came after us.
Ā«Iāll never accept it! Youāre not a hero!Ā»
Ā«Youāre right. I have relinquished that title.Ā»
Ā«What, you gave up the title?!Ā»
Ā«Yes, itās a title that brings a lot of responsibilities. Itās not something Iām happy about.Ā»
Bill between mutterings said; Ā«youāre a big idiot.Ā»
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