3 bar menu

122. With the Spring Breeze

The second report came from Shizuku.

「I dove back into the Farthest Ends of the Blue to take another look. And yeah, I don’t think that place is the Womb of the Star that birthed the werewolf tribe after all.」

「So it wasn’t, huh.」

I’d entrusted Shizuku with investigating the Farthest Ends of the Blue. If the dwarves were born from the Golden Land of Crimson Luxury, then it wouldn’t be strange if a comparable massive dungeon—a Womb of the Star—still existed for the werewolves.

I’d considered the possibility that it might be the dungeon adjacent to their village and sent Shizuku to look into it.

「The monsters living there were all snakes and bugs and stuff.」

「Yeah. I fought a ‘king’ monster when I conquered that place, but if I remember right, it was some kind of giant toad. Doesn’t really match up with the wolfish power of the werewolves.」

「Right. I didn’t feel any kind of resonance with my Endemic Skill [Garou] either. I think our origin lies elsewhere.」

「And not too far away, most likely.」

The Emesmes family had researched the Womb of the Star, but even Angelina—who inherited the knowledge of the past heads—didn’t know where any such dungeon might be beyond the Golden Land of Crimson Luxury. That’s how rare and elusive it is.

But there is a clue.

「If Shizuku-sama can use an endemic skill, doesn’t that suggest it’s somewhere nearby?」

Azula had said the power of her endemic skill weakened the farther she got from the Golden Land of Crimson Luxury. If that’s the case, then the very fact that Shizuku still has her strength could be proof that such a dungeon exists close by.

「If we can discover it early, it might become a powerful asset.」

It could mark a turning point for Shizuku and the other werewolves. It might even explain why none of the others have been able to use Endemic Skill [Garou] yet.

After I—a provisional king—am gone, they’ll need to stand on their own as a true independent race. And to do that, this is surely something important.

「So I talked to Father and searched through the village’s lore. There wasn’t much solid information, but there was one thing that seemed credible.」

「And that is?」

Shizuku pointed westward, toward the distant Western Grand Mountain Range. The peaks there, majestic and imposing, were snow-covered year-round. Even now in early spring, the snow reached halfway down the mountainsides.

「All signs point to us having come from the west—where those mountains are. That’s what various documents suggest.」

「The west, huh.」

「According to human-drawn borders, there’s another country on the other side, right?」

「Yeah. That’s why if we tried to cross the mountains openly, we could be attacked. If the capital is in turmoil and the throne’s unstable, it’s not out of the question they’d come after us instead.」

「You mean they’d cross those massive mountains to invade?」

「It’s possible.」

Relations between the two countries weren’t exactly warm, but the Abik domain along the border had been at peace for years—mainly thanks to the impassable mountain range separating them.

But rumor has it the western nation has advanced rapidly, inventing new tools and techniques at an impressive pace.

「Word is they’ve developed unique technology centered around their academic city. Some of it might make mountain crossing easier.」

For example, medicines that can cure a wide range of illnesses.

Or fertilizers that produce more crops.

Or containers that can safely preserve food for long periods.

The knowledge and disciplines behind those inventions are apparently all part of what they call science.

Since the western lands are poor in natural resources, it’s said they’ve developed all kinds of wisdom and technology to generate wealth—and may now be eyeing our fertile lands.

「…Is that true?」

「Something bothering you?」

「The elves are supposed to have fled westward, aren’t they?」

「Elves!?」

I nearly leapt out of my seat in surprise. Shizuku flinched too, but seriously—elves?

「Why’s that such a shockー」

「To humans, it is. They’re said to be a beautiful and wise race, but their existence has always been in question. So they lived here?」

Come to think of it, I vaguely remember the previous Lord Emesmes mentioning something like that. I never imagined they’d been so close.

「Yeah. Since they don’t have much fighting strength, they didn’t join the war against humans. They just ran away. That’s probably why humans never saw them.」

「A peaceful people, then.」

Koe-san nodded along, but Shizuku made a conflicted face.

「They say the elves don’t like conflict. But apparently… they just don’t like the sight of blood.」

「…Come again?」

「Marge, do you know what kind of race elves really are?」

I thought back through what I’d read and heard. Most sources painted a similar picture.

「They live in the forest, eat herbs and berries, and know how to speak with beasts. They’re guardians of the trees, and deadly archers who use poison arrows. Dangerous foes if provoked… Wait. That is strange.」

「Master? Something wrong?」

「If they only eat plants and fruit, why are they such expert archers?」

Using deadly weapons makes sense for survival against predators. So does using poison to ensure a kill. It’s logical. But it clashes with the image of a peaceful, non-violent race.

Shizuku nodded in agreement.

「They don’t eat meat, but they’re master archers. They don’t like conflict, yet they unleash volleys of poison arrows. It’s contradictory—but that’s who the elves are.」

「And now they’ve gone to the west where things like medicine and science have suddenly developed…」

「And might be waiting for the right time to invade.」

A threat—or an opportunity.

If the western country launches an attack, the Abik domain could be consumed by war. But at the same time, it could be a perfect chance for Duke Abik to rise in standing.

「Either way, looks like we won’t be getting any peaceful downtime for a while. Not that the werewolf tribe ever needed peace.」

「We know what we have to do. For now, we need to shore up our foundations. One step at a time. Koe-san, what’s the biggest issue the village is facing right now?」

It was a vague question, but Koe-san didn’t hesitate.

「Securing enough alcohol for the dwarves to keep drinking.」

「…I have no idea what you’re talking aboutー」

「Starting with the small stuff, huh. This one’s real small, though.」

「That’s how it goes.」

Just then, a voice called out from behind us. We turned to see Angelina, waving from atop her golem’s shoulder.

「Ah, there you are, there you are!」

「Angelina? What’s going on?」

「Big trouble! It’s Asagi-san!」

「My father!?」

Something had happened to Asagi—Shizuku’s father. Angelina brought the golem close and grabbed my hand.

「Skill Lender-san, come quick!」

「What happened to Asagi?」

「He’s swamped with administrative work and foaming at the mouth! He’s about to collapse!」

Yeah, that’s definitely serious.

「Let’s go help him.」

「Right, Master.」

「Azula, you too.」

「Comingー」

With the spring breeze at our backs, we set off at a brisk pace toward the village.

A new year had begun.