Chapter 260

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Negotiation Terms

Deena was provided a room in Ville Zentra where Emperor Kaglai could keep an eye on her . They provided the clothes she wore as well, and while her skin color was conspicuous, she blended in perfectly otherwise .

It was late at night . Deena had opened the window and played around with a hand-mirror, reflecting the light of the moon to the roof .

『So you’re staying here . 』

Hearing a voice from below, Deena almost dropped the mirror . She moved away from the window and Gorja entered . Wrapped in an optical camouflaged cloth, it appeared as though he was just a floating head .

『This place better be safe . 』he said .

『It is . But there’s a guard out on the hallway, so please keep it down . 』

『Okay . 』

Deena was using the mirror to inform Gorja where she was . Since he saw her with the carriage from Quinbland, he could guess where she was staying . All Deena had to do then was send a signal for him .

『I hardly recognized you . You look like someone from this continent . 』

『Please stop joking around . 』

『You can’t really call yourself a man unless you’re able to crack a joke at times like this . 』

『How were things on your end?』

『No problem . I got a Healer . 』

『Already?』

『Yeah . Apparently they call it “healing” here, not “mending . ” Anyway, they’re sending one to the ship . They don’t even suspect a thing . 』

『Are they good? Can they… do it?』Deena hesitated a bit . 『Can they cure our king’s illness?』

『I don’t know . But we just have to make a gamble . We have to save our great king, the descendant of another grand ruler who brought prosperity to us . The secret technology is only handed down to rulers and we, the people of Dream Maker, need it . The people here seem obsessed about Dew Roke . I doubt they’ll send a mediocre Healer . If they piss us off and we barricade ourselves in the island, they’ll be the ones in trouble . 』

『Is that so…』

『What’s wrong?』

『Are the other spies in the city safe? How much information did they gather?』

『Why are you asking?』

『Actually, I found a Healer too . 』

『I’m listening . 』

Their conversation continued on for about ten minutes . None overheard them, or noticed Gorja’s intrusion .

The next morning, Hikaru visited Kaglai . Having just finished eating his breakfast, the emperor was leaning against the sofa with a displeased look on his face . Three of his attendants were in the room as well, and his guard was standing in a corner . They all watched Hikaru with disgust .

「What’s wrong?」

「What do you think? Patricia proceeded with the negotiations without consulting us . 」

Kaglai explained to Hikaru the details of the negotiation yesterday . Patricia demanded Dew Roke back, and Gorja said they would think about it . After that, the messenger asked for a Healer .

「A Healer… I knew it . 」Hikaru said .

「Oh, so you realized it too . 」

「Well, they’re being blatant about it . 」

「But it would seem Patricia is unaware of this . Unfortunately we cannot go back on our word . They will send a Healer as planned . 」

The civil officials present didn’t seem to follow .

「Excuse me, Your Majesty . What do you mean? We didn’t sense anything wrong with the Supreme Leader’s negotiations . 」

「Their objective is to obtain a Healer . 」

「What? Healers are indeed uncommon, but they’re not that rare . 」

「Apparently, that’s not true . 」Hikaru interjected . 「I think the people of Grand Dream can’t use magic . 」

Everyone in the room was surprised, save for Kaglai . The emperor wasn’t sure that they could not use magic in general, but he considered the possibility .

「They need healing magic for reasons unknown to us . That’s why they want to get their hands on a Healer . 」

「But Silver Face . 」one official said . 「They went as far as to invade us just to get a Healer? It’s too risky . 」

「See, you do get it . 」Hikaru said with a sigh . 「The one they want healed is someone worth taking the risk for . 」

「In other words, their king, or someone similar . 」Kaglai added .

They would only brave the danger if it was for someone belonging in their country’s top brass .

「I must say, that kinda king is incredible for gathering such loyal subjects… Anyway, for a civilization where science is so advanced, they decided to rely on magic . I’m actually curious how they view magic . 」

「Perhaps something like a mysterious force that could make anything possible . 」Kaglai said . 「Of course, what magic can do is limited . 」

「We have their spy Gigy and Deena the secretary . 」another official interjected . 「Yet they intend to grab the Healer and make a run for it?」

「Most likely . 」

Hikaru could tell that Deena was in the mansion with his Mana Detection . They were desperate to get a Healer, even if it cost them their lives . That much was apparent from Deena’s actions yesterday .

「They would be willing to make some sacrifices to save their king . The negotiation to release the spy was nothing but an excuse to obtain a Healer . If you think about it that way, everything makes sense . 」

「Your Majesty! If what Silver Face says is true, we should stop them right away! We can still make it!」

Kaglai heaved a deep sigh, leaning back on the sofa as he closed his eyes .

「Weren’t you listening?」Hikaru said . 「If that was possible, we would’ve done that a long time ago . But since the Supreme Leader already agreed to the terms, there’s nothing we can do . How do you propose we stop them anyway? I didn’t expect them to make a move this fast too . 」

「Lady Patricia was too hasty . 」

Kaglai, who’d known Patricia for a long time, shook his head .

「Deena, are you here?」

Hikaru visited Deena in her room after receiving permission from Kaglai . She was surprised to see him . Hikaru thought her reaction was a bit strange .

「I have to give you credit . 」Hikaru said .

「F-For what?」

「You’re thinking you don’t mind dying . 」

She was silent .

「So your king is that precious to you, huh?」

「I’m not sure what you mean . It is only natural to hold the king you serve in high regard . 」

「Gorja successfully obtained a Healer . If he goes straight back to Grand Dream, your safety will no longer be guaranteed . 」

Deena seemed to panic . 「I, uhh…」

「Sure, Luke went with them, but once they’re on the ship, it doesn’t matter how many men he brought with him . They don’t stand a chance . In fact, your people is probably thinking they can kill everyone except the Healer . Am I right?」

Deena cast a furtive glance at the clock hanging on the wall . It was ten minutes to ten . Gorja should’ve departed for the warship at nine-thirty along with Luke .

They already got their Healer . There’s no point in checking the time… Hikaru thought . What, does she think Patricia will go back on her word? Or perhaps it’s something else…

Hikaru decided to bait her .

「I know you got in touch with Gorja last night . 」

「What?! I-I don’t know what you’re—」

「I’m sure you discussed a few things . Gorja told you he got a Healer . And…」

「………」

「You told him about the city I showed you, and the Spirit magic and healing… magic…」

Deena wasn’t looking at Hikaru . Her face turned pale, her lips trembled . She squeezed her hands tight in front of her .

We showed her healing magic . She was deeply impressed . She experienced it first-hand . There’s no way she wouldn’t tell Gorja about it .

Hikaru realized it at that moment . He activated his Mana Detection . Grand Hotel Zentra was within the one-kilometer range of his Skill .

I can’t find her .

A chill ran down his spine . Lavia and Paula were both gone . They should be taking it slow around this time, reading books . It didn’t take long for Hikaru to find Lavia . She was in the Adventurers Guild .

What’s she doing in the guild this early? Where’s Paula?

Lavia would almost never visit the Adventurers Guild . But she was there right now . The only reason Hikaru could think of was she went there so he would find her easily . Or to protect herself .

「Deena . 」

The secretary yelped, feeling Hikaru’s rage as he took a step towards her .

「H-Hey! Silver Face?」

The knight standing watch in the corner of the room called out to him, but Hikaru ignored him . He drew closer and closer to Deena .

「Deena!」

She shrieked .

「Stop it, Silver Face!」the knight said . 「Hey! I need help over here!」

Hikaru, having lost control of himself, grabbed Deena’s shoulders . She grimaced at his strong grip, wailed in agony, but he didn’t even notice her cries . There was no need to .

「You took her!」