Chapter 265

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Hikaru’s Terms

「That’s all?」Gorja asked, his expression a mix of disappointment and relief, as Hikaru finished stating his terms .

「Yeah . Simple, right? I just need you to allow an observation team, me included, to enter Dream Maker . Once your beloved ruler recovers, it’s best if both continents build friendly relations and forget grudges from five hundred years ago . 」

「We don’t mind an observation . Of course, you won’t have full access to the place, but you can go anywhere that doesn’t contain classified material or information . Also, five hundred years might be a long time ago for you, but our grudge still remains . We can’t let bygones be bygones . 」

Hikaru wanted the two continents to start over with a clean slate and forget everything that happened in the past, but Gorja wasn’t going to fall for it .

「Okay, whatever . So the observation team is approved . When can we depart?」

「The sooner the better . Can you arrange for a Healer right away?」

「Just take my friend . 」

「What?」

Gorja frowned . He must’ve recalled how Silver Face retaliated when they kidnapped Paula .

「I told you . We could’ve done this peacefully if you just asked nicely from the start . 」Hikaru said with a hint of sarcasm .

Gorja’s frown deepened . Deena whispered something to him, and he nodded .

「Very well . That’ll do . 」he said .

「Hey, wait a minute . I’ll send a Healer too with Luke Landon as their escort . 」Patricia cut in . 「So when are you going to deliver the warship?」

「Just send your men along with us to Dew Roke and let them choose one . 」

「Sounds good . 」

I was worried they’d hand over a ship with a damaged magic item, but if we can go with them and choose one right away, they shouldn’t be able to trick us, Patricia thought .

「What about the observation team?」Gorja asked . 「We can’t really wait that long . 」

「We can go at a later time . 」Hikaru replied . 「You have a method to cross the sea, right?」

「We’ll send a ship to Dew Roke to pick you up thirty days from now . I trust that’s fine with you . 」

Hikaru was suggesting they didn’t kill the monsters, but instead found a way to repel them . Gorja, however, didn’t take the bait . Apparently they wanted to keep it secret .

Once trade started between the two continents, having the technology to cross the sea would be an enormous advantage and Gorja wanted their side to take the initiative . Whether this would establish a friendly relationship was doubtful at this point .

「Works for me . 」Hikaru answered .

As Gorja left with Luke Landon to go choose a Healer, Patricia asked Hikaru to stay .

「So, what are you after? You may be Kaglai’s right-hand man, but depending on your answer, you might pay for this . 」

Patricia’s gaze was cold, her voice a dagger . Her anger was understandable . After all, Hikaru was observing an important discussion between two nations without permission .

An ordinary citizen would’ve been shaking in her presence right now, but Hikaru had survived many predicaments before . I don’t want to be regarded as Kaglai’s right-hand man, Hikaru thought .

「You met with Gorja as the Supreme Leader of Vireocean, right?」

「Of course . What of it?」

「You also represent Quinbland, Forestia, and Ponsonia . 」

「Yes… Tsk, I see what you’re getting at . 」

「Yup . 」

Patricia quickly realized that she was also the representative of the other three leaders who already left . This was so she could ask for their help in case a war broke out . That also meant she wouldn’t have much freedom in the agreement between her and Gorja . However, as her navy already lost once, she had no other choice .

In short, Hikaru was implying he was a representative of Quinbland and therefore had a right to be here in this meeting . Although, not giving prior notice was extremely senseless .

「You owe me one . 」she said .

「Sounds like a costly debt . Scary . 」

Though in reality, Hikaru’s agreement with Kaglai already expired . He kept quiet about it as he didn’t want Patricia turning one debt to two .

「So what are you up to? Why an observation team?」

「I figured it would be convenient for you guys . I simply helped you out . 」

「Convenient, how?」

「First of all, Grand Dream has advanced scientific technology that this continent doesn’t have . 」

「Scientific technology…?」

Patricia frowned at the unfamiliar word .

「It’s technology based not on magic, but the laws of physics . You’re probably thinking Vireocean’s navy lost because of some magic item, but I don’t think that thing was one . 」

「What?!」

「It was a cannon that used gunpowder . I don’t have to explain, I guess . You can find out for yourselves if you examine their ship . 」

Hikaru didn’t plan to explain the details . When he boarded their ship, he didn’t sense any mana from their heavy weaponry . As such, he guessed those were cannons, weapons that used gunpowder to fire shells .

「Let’s say Luke goes to Grand Dream with the Healer . 」Hikaru continued . 「There’s no guarantee they’ll get in touch with us after that . After all, we don’t have the means to repel those huge sea monsters . 」

「………」

「The question is, how much information can Luke gather in just a few days? Assuming he can’t slack off with his guard duties, he can only get very limited intel . Of course, that limited intel is still valuable . 」

「So that’s where the observation team comes in . 」

「Exactly . 」

「We don’t know if they’ll guarantee the safety of the observation team . We don’t even know if Luke and his men will make it back—」

「That’s why I’ll go . 」Hikaru pointed at his chest with his forefinger and middle finger . 「They can’t catch me . Once I’m in the city, I basically win . I can slip past them easily . 」

「You’re bringing your friend Healer with you too, though, right?」

「They have the same abilities as me . 」

Patricia looked shocked . Although, Paula’s Stealth was not on the same level as Hikaru’s .

「How did you even get that tech — no, the magic item—」

「No prying please . In short, my going there will ensure Luke and the Healer’s return, and the safety of the observation team . I don’t think they want to get on my bad side . 」

「Then why did Gorja allow you to come that easily?」

「Well…」

Deena whispered something to Gorja . She probably said it was better to have Paula as well . Since their goal was to bring back a Healer, having one more would be better .

Hikaru explained it to Patricia, and she groaned .

「We have more important matters to deal with right now, Supreme Leader . 」Hikaru said . 「Like the observation team . Since there’s a chance to get info about new technology, every nation would want in . They have to be in Dew Roke in thirty days . 」

「You’re right, but…」

「You better not be thinking about monopolizing it . 」

「What?!」

「Let’s say Vireocean hogged the observation team to itself . If some accident were to occur, the other nations won’t help you, saying you deserved it . 」

「I-I know that!」

She then summoned a subordinate and ordered to contact the other nations quick .

「Now we’re even . 」Hikaru said .

「You’re a cunning one, you know that? Ever considered being a merchant?」

That’s the first time someone’s said that to me, Hikaru thought .

The reason Patricia didn’t even ask why Silver Face was so desperate to go to Grand Dream was probably simply because she had too much in her mind; organizing the observation team, handing over of the warship and the study on it, and the return of Dew Roke .

Of course, Hikaru would’ve just made something up on the spot . He couldn’t tell her the truth .

Optical camouflage and cannons . There’s gotta be someone from Earth there .

He wasn’t expecting anything by meeting the person, but after getting this far, not seeing them was not an option .

Selyse of the Four Stars of the East returned to Ponsonia with Kudyastoria . Once Selica learned about the camouflage from Selyse, she would definitely reach the same conclusion—that someone from Earth was transported to the Ruined Continent .

He was well aware of the danger, but danger was a part of life in this world . In that case, he might as well take the opportunity to cross the continent . He wanted to go to the place where he might find a fellow brethren .

Hikaru returned to the hotel to find Drake awake, lying on the table with his stomach inflated . By his side was an empty plate .

『Hey there, Hikaru . Let’s go to this Ruined Continent too . 』

Drake seemed to have grasped something .

Later that evening, Hikaru, Lavia, Paula, and Drake boarded Luke Landon’s ship .