Chapter 174
Even if there were no changes in the city, that day would still arrive.
A different pier from the one everyone normally used; another dock where only state guests and important ships were permitted to berth.
That day, as Shuris-san’s partner, I laid eyes for the first time on this world’s ocean-going vessels: massive powered ships capable of crossing the vast seas and sailing to other nations.
Nobles disembarked one after another from the large gangway that had been lowered, clad in splendid attire that seemed to press down on those watching. They weren’t garish, nouveau-riche outfits, but high-quality garments whose refinement was obvious at a glance, and they descended as if deliberately displaying the beauty of their every movement.
Two great powers ruled the largest continent in this world, the Rise Ark Continent.
On this day, the delegation from one of them, the Consold Empire, arrived on Yasha Island.
—————–
“Welcome, and thank you for coming such a long way, Duke Asimov. The voyage must have been quite exhausting.”
The one addressing him was Marquis Veil, our representative, who spoke with courtesy and clear respect to the burly man with a magnificent beard who appeared to be the head of the delegation.
From that alone, I could tell this man was of higher rank than a marquis, and I grew wary. The word I just heard -koushaku- might not mean marquis at all, but duke…
If Lendia were to newly join the ranks of the great powers, then selecting a duke as the head of its delegation would certainly make sense.
“What a polite greeting. I’m grateful for it. I must admit, I’m a bit surprised. I never expected the climate to have grown this mild already at this time of year, even for an island close to the open sea. Lendia will surely see fine development.” (Asimov)
“Your words encourage our nation greatly. We have carriages prepared, so if the rest of the delegation would join us, we will escort you directly to the guest mansion.” (Veil)
Asimov’s words showed none of the arrogance or condescension one might expect from a great power. I felt relieved watching the exchange…only for a man to suddenly step forward from among the delegation.
“Ah…sorry, but can I pass on that-ssu ka? I kinda wanna go clear that backwater dungeon over there first-ssu.”
The flippant tone, utterly devoid of respect for his own country’s high noble. From his attire alone, it was obvious he is an explorer.
“…Angares. Tomorrow night is the banquet. You may challenge the dungeon, but return within a day. I hear the dungeon here is vast…make sure you turn back.” (Asimov)
“Kay-ssu. I’ll just take a look and wreck it a bit.” (Angares)
That was when it became clear this man was Angares…the very person Shuris-san and I needed to be wary of.
With that, Angares wandered off along the shoreline and disappeared.
He is much younger than I imagined. They said he was in his thirties, but to me he looked about the same age as Seimu.
Maybe he isn’t purely human… Perhaps he has the blood of a race that aged slowly or appeared young.
“…I apologize for the disturbance. That man is one of our nation’s dungeon explorers. As you can see, he lacks proper manners.” (Asimov)
“Please don’t concern yourself. Explorers and adventurers -those engaged in rough work- are often better that way. To be honest… I myself was once a knight, so I can think of a few things.” (Veil)
“Hahaha, is that so? I would very much like to hear those stories in detail. Well then, shall we be on our way?” (Asimov)
“My apologies. This way, please.” (Veil)
Shuris-san and I observed the entire exchange without saying a word.
Just as Duke Asimov was about to board his carriage, he turned back toward us.
“Excuse me, but could you have the injured parties transported to an appropriate facility?” (Asimov)
“Oh? Were there injuries? Understood…we will make arrangements.” (Veil)
Leaving those words behind, Duke Asimov and Marquis Veil departed for the guest mansion ahead of the others, followed by the rest of the delegation boarding their own carriages one after another.
—————–
“…Seimu-san, it looks like they’re the injured ones.”
By then, not a single member of the imperial delegation remained, nor did it seem anyone had stayed behind to tend to the wounded.
The injured were simply carried out by sailors.
There were no signs of proper treatment…only crude bandages barely stopping the bleeding. One after another, people in miserable condition were brought down from the ship.
“Transport them to the infirmary immediately. You may use the name of Glory Knights.” (Shuris)
“Bring the critical patients here. I have potions.” (Shizuma)
It was awful. Critical patients? Every single one of them was critical.
Limbs bent at unnatural angles. Some had breaks in places that weren’t even joints.
Some even gave off a stench of decay… Had they been left untreated for that long?
I used somewhat stronger potions on the injured.
Among them, one man recovered relatively quickly and regained consciousness, so I decided to speak with him.
“This is… so we made it after all…”
“You’re an explorer from the Consold Empire, correct? There are so many severely injured… What happened?” (Shizuma)
“Ah… my leg… it’s healed… h-hey!? What about the others…”
He looked down at his body in shock, then began worrying about the others.
I pointed out the people beside him, whom I was still administering potions to.
But…
“So this is all…that’s left?”
“Are there more injured?” (Shizuma)
“No… If they’re not here, then…they were killed and thrown into the sea…”
“…Please tell us what happened.” (Shizuma)
It seemed this was no mere brawl…something far more horrific had occurred aboard that ship.
I called Shuris-san over, believing we needed to hear this properly.
And then…
—————–
“…I thought he was a gentleman.” (Shizuma)
“It doesn’t seem like something a national dignitary should do, but we can’t comment on another country’s policies. We can’t lodge a protest. That’s how it is, right?” (Shuris)
“Y-Yeah. We…boarded the ship knowing there were risks. But… never did we imagine that because there was no hope of saving us…we’d be thrown into the sea…! We weren’t even granted an honorable death!”
What we heard was horrifying beyond words.
Within the Consold Empire, there existed guilds for explorers, mercenaries, and adventurers, much like in Lendia.
The three guilds shared a common ranking system, and just like here, ranks rose based on achievements…but likewise, there were ranks unattainable without special accomplishments.
That was the [Platinum Phoenix Wing Insignia] carried by Angares. Simply possessing it was proof of status equal to a viscount within the empire.
A dreamlike system: commoners elevated to nobility.
…And it became bait.
The one chosen for this Lendia expedition was Angares, a top-class explorer who had solo-cleared two dungeons.
And chosen as his assistants was White Label, a high-ranking explorer clan within the empire.
The man testifying before us now was that clan’s leader.
White Label was selected. But within the contract required for boarding the ship, there was a single clause:
[White Label’s role is to serve as Angares’s training partners aboard the ship. Those who return safely to the homeland will uniformly be awarded the Platinum Phoenix Wing Insignia. Note that we bear no responsibility for injuries or matters of life and death. All is at one’s own risk.]
To accompany and train with the top individual…and in return gain noble-equivalent status.
Carried away by that promise, they failed to think deeply about the meaning of “we bear no responsibility for life or death.” The result was…this.
“…Angares isn’t human. We were just feed…meant to ease his withdrawal symptoms during the long voyage…! From the very beginning…the duke never believed a single one of us would return home alive! Even if we survive now…we’ll be disposed of on the return voyage…!”
“If those ‘withdrawal symptoms’ are violent homicidal urges, then he’s far too dangerous to be treated as a state guest. We may have let our guard down around the delegation.” (Shizuma)
“No…at the very least, my father was wary. And Duke Asimov…from start to finish, he never looked anyone in the eye. He acted as if none of us even existed.” (Shuris)
So that was it… It seems I am still too inexperienced to read the intentions of nobles.
After seeing the members of White Label sent to the infirmary, I decided to take the day off from Glory Knights duties to prepare for tomorrow’s banquet.
—————–
…It was later that night that I realized what a grave mistake that was.
When I greeted Melt, who returned to the hotel in tears.
—————–
That evening, numerous reports flooded into Glory Knights’ temporary base.
All of them said the same thing: “There’s fighting in the encampment…there are many victims.”
With Seimu absent, and Shuris likewise occupied at the guest mansion with final preparations for the banquet, it was only natural that Melt, counted among their top combatants, was dispatched.
Over the past few days, Melt had been fulfilled.
Recognized by many. Thanked by many. Knowing her honed strength was helping others.
…And so, she had forgotten.
That she was not invincible.
That she was not all-powerful.
And that the world was far larger than she imagined…
—————–
Glory Knights rushed to the encampment, Melt among them.
What they saw was devastation…tents wrecked, and countless people scattered across the ground like leaves blown by the wind.
“What is this… This isn’t just a brawl!?”
“Hurry and transport the seriously injured! Split up and check everyone’s condition!”
Commands flew from Glory Knights.
Melt, too, gathered information from those still able to speak.
“A red-haired…strange man. He was the only one causing the rampage…!”
“I see… So it wasn’t a brawl? Where did he go?” (Melt)
“T-That way. Past the hill…there’s an area with lots of food stalls…”
“Hmm… That way! There’s a shrimp stall I like over there, so I’ve got to stop him properly! Leave it to me. I’ll catch that guy!” (Melt)
Trying to sound encouraging, and with a hint of optimism, she pursued the man.
…That man, Angares.
—————–
The moment she went over the hill, the scene leapt into view.
He wasn’t looting or attacking stalls.
He was simply punching aside anything that obstructed his desires.
Rust-colored gauntlets encased his arms.
Whether that color came from the metal itself or blood soaked into it was impossible to tell.
The man swept aside the crowd heading toward the stalls, laughing.
He struck down ignorant foreigners who knew nothing and dared oppose him…without a thought for what kind of international incident this might become.
Yes…here it was. Everything was embodied in this man.
The arrogance and insolence of a great power.
The conceit of looking down on weaker nations and acting as one pleases.
By bringing this man here alone, they meant to demonstrate “the difference in status between our country and yours.”
Hence the brutality. Hence the lawlessness.
And into that stepped an innocent girl, burning with a simple sense of justice…
—————–
“That’s enough! Stop causing trouble for others! I’m arresting you… Come with me!” (Melt)
Angares, happily beating aside people who resisted him, heard the new voice challenging him from behind and turned around in good spirits.
There was no anger or contempt on his face…only a flat, placid expression.
No guilt. No impatience. Not even joy.
Though he was delighted inside, his face remained calm, like he was about to say, “Huh?”
“What’s this? You gonna play with me too, missy? Lemme just finish this first.” (Angares)
“Stop it!” (Melt)
Angares drove his fist once more into the man he was choking and holding aloft, then threw him aside.
That blow might well have taken the man’s life.
The shockwave was that intense.
“I’ve had it! Prepare yourself!” (Melt)
Melt poured strength into her legs and simultaneously flooded her body with mana as she charged.
Her unconscious physical enhancement was one of the pillars of her strength.
Enhanced agility reinforced by abundant mana, sharp senses to read her opponent, keen dynamic vision to see through movements, and decisive strikes to finish the enemy.
She possessed everything one could want in combat.
Thus, she would not lose unless facing someone vastly superior.
Once, in a fleeting exchange, she had been outmatched by Livana.
The difference between Livana and Melt had only been awareness…living as if always on the battlefield.
Meaning now, charging in with fighting spirit bared, she truly wielded power rivaling the Thirteen Knights.
But…
A fight is something between people.
Angares was…
Not something that fit within that category.
——–
(´；ω(#｀) “Why…?”
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