TN: Please read my translations only on my website nyx-translation.com since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi and Patreon to read several chapters ahead!
Sponsored chapter by Patreon. Enjoy~
TL: ALT
Chapter 84 – Day 29 of Exploration
When we returned to the inn last night, we found it surrounded by the bird people’s guards. We don’t know what happened, but all the other guests have disappeared from the inn.
The innkeeper only served us food, and we couldn’t have a conversation with him.
“It seems that the guards came and took over the inn. However, we’re fine… It seems that the identities of Makyo-san and the others have been revealed.”
Lipa explained apologetically.
“They didn’t take you with them, did they?”
“Yes. Apparently, I’m a kanshouzai.”
“What is a kanshouzai?”
“It’s someone who acts as an intermediary. “
Chel explained carefully.
“So, did they say anything?”
“No, they said to tell them when you get back.”
“Since we met the guards outside, they must already know we’re back. “
“If they weren’t going to do anything, what’s the point of doing anything?”
“If they were planning to attack, I don’t think they would have let us stay at the inn. I’m tired, so I’m going to sleep. I’m exhausted after going to the Great Hole today.”
“That’s right.”
Chel and I both lay down on the bed.
“Oh, the Great Hole! You both went to the Great Hole and came back?”
“Lipa, you’re a bit loud. Let me sleep.”
“Yes!”
This morning, I was having breakfast, and the innkeeper was serving me some tea when Xuenie came to visit me with someone dressed in noble-looking clothes.
“I’m terribly sorry, Makyo-sama. The royal family of the Cliff Garuda has discovered your true identity.”
Xuenie bowed deeply.
“Ah, there’s nothing we can do about it since Xuenie lives in this country.”
“It’s easy to tell by the condition of the inn.”
Chel decided not to pursue the matter further, but Xuenie still bowed her head in apology.
“So, who is this nobleman?”
“My name is Schnabel. I am a lowly member of the Cliff Garuda royal family.”
Pushing Xuenie aside, Schnabel introduced himself, touching his magnificent mustache.
“I am Makyo, Margrave of the Kingdom of Estinia. I am the landlord of the demonic land.”
“I see. So it is true that you come from the Kingdom of Estinia and live in the demonic land?”
“Yes. Why don’t you both sit down?”
Lipa moved to a seat by the wall and made Xuenie and Schnabel sit in front of us.
“So, will you buy our goods?”
“Yes, of course, we will buy them. We have prepared as much money as possible in our store. However, I thought that you, Makyo-san, would prefer documents about the history of the demonic land, so I brought Schnabel-sama along.”
Xuenie placed a large leather bag full of gold coins on the table.
“Actually, we don’t need that much gold. Is Schnabel-sama an expert in history?”
“Indeed. I am a history enthusiast.”
“So you’re not a scholar but an enthusiast?”
“Yes. The authority of the royal family is enough. Besides, if you become a scholar, you’ll just get caught up in factional disputes, and it will be difficult to get to the truth of history.”
“However, everyone in Cliff Garuda thinks that Schnabel-sama is the most knowledgeable about history.”
Xuenie explained.
“I am not knowledgeable. I just say what I want because I’m from the royal family. No, excuse me. It doesn’t matter here.”
Schnabel stroked his mustache and straightened his back.
“I’m going to ask you a question that may be a little out of place, but are you sure the Margrave doesn’t want Cliff Garuda?”
“Oh, you mean the story about the Cliff Garuda being part of the demonic land? That was a long time ago. I think things are fine the way they are. In fact, I’d be worried if you asked me to add it to my territory. Until recently, I was just a country bumpkin with an adventurer’s background.”
“So you’re not a noble? Is that okay with the demon on your side?”
Schnabel asked Chel. Is that a respectful way to talk to Chel?
“I don’t know what Xuenie is telling you, but you’re using the wrong language with the wrong person! All the decision-making power lies with Makyo! Even if I say something, if Makyo shakes his head, it’s as if it never happened, so you’d better think about reducing the topography of this city and the royal family to ashes.”
“Hey, hey, Chel, I wouldn’t do that.”
“Don’t let them get the better of you, Makyo. They may try to get a good deal on the trade goods. That is diplomacy.”
“But Xuenie has the gold ready for us!”
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, but Makyo, you don’t seem to understand your own position! Those bird people forgot their role and left a huge hole in the ground! Didn’t you see it with your own eyes yesterday?”
Chel is unusually angry. She must have something else in mind. The two people sitting in front of us seem to be wide-eyed and surprised, saying things like, “Yesterday…?”
“Don’t be so angry. I’m sure the bird people have their own reasons, right? Isn’t that right?”
I turned to Schnabel.
“No, I’m sorry. I apologize for my rudeness. I spend most of my time locked away in the Institute for Ancient Documents, so I’ve forgotten how to interact with people. Makyo-dono had a friendly atmosphere, so I forgot to use polite language. Please forgive me.”
Schnabel apologized so much that his head almost touched the table. Chel looked triumphant, but for me, it was fine as long as I could learn about the history of the demonic land that the Cliff Garuda possessed.
“Well, instead of how I’m being treated, please teach me about the history of the demonic land. We only learned about ‘that stake’ and the relationship between the dragonfolk and the bird people when we went to the Great Hole for the first time yesterday.”
“You really went to the Great Hole?”
Schnabel asked cautiously.
“Yes. I understand why people don’t go there. But I think someone should fix the cracks in the ground.”
“Is that so? There’s no record of anyone going there in the last 50 years, so we didn’t know what had happened to the ‘seal’s wedge.'”
“Is it the role of the bird people to protect this ‘seal’s wedge’?”
Chel interrupted again.
“Is it true that the dragonfolk used that stake to prevent the continent from being cut off?”
“That’s exactly right. Um, where should I start…”
Schnabel wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. His proud mustache was hanging down.
“According to the documents, a long time ago, about a thousand years ago, a race called the dragonfolk ruled most of this continent.”
“I know that.”
With that, Chel asked the innkeeper for another cup of tea. Her attitude was so different than usual. I stared at Chel, but she looked as if she didn’t notice. What was she hiding?
“I was hoping we could come to a mutual understanding of the story…”
“Oh, please continue without worrying about Chel.”
“I understand. It is said that the magic technology of those dragonfolk was so advanced that it could lift the earth into the air.”
“So you’re saying that the dragonfolk created Sky Island?”
“That’s right. It is said that the dragonfolk predicted that the earth would split open, and they drove the ‘seal wedge’ into the great hole from the Sky Island. At that time, the bird people, who were skilled in flying and space magic, were ordered to protect the ‘seal wedge.’ So I think our ancestors were more like servants and slaves than descendants of the dragonfolk.”
“Wait, the bird people are good at space magic?”
“No, the bird people lived on the ground around the Great Hole to protect the ‘seal wedge,’ and the knowledge of it was completely lost 100 years ago. The only thing that remains is the use of flying brooms and carpets that Pharrell-sama brought back from the demonic land…”
“So the magic circle of the flying broom is related to space magic.”
“Who were you protecting the ‘seal wedge’ from?”
Chel asked Schnabel. She seemed to have finally calmed down after drinking some tea.
“It seems that the dragonfolk had an enemy who could control huge magical beasts. It is said that many of the flying islands were eaten by these huge magical beasts.”
“That’s what the history books say. Did the enemy of the dragonfolk destroy the country in the demonic land?”
“No, it’s not certain. There are various theories, such as the royal capital being swallowed by a dungeon, the holy knights of the dragonfolk selling their country to the demon tribe, or the monsters breeding so much that the people were driven out.”
“Do you have any documents?”
I could listen to Schnabel’s story all day, but it would be better if I read the documents first and then ask him questions. I need some time for that.
“Yes, this is a copy I made…”
Schnabel had his subordinate bring a scroll wrapped around a wooden stick and place it on the table.
“Please take it. There are also other books about the demonic land, so please take them as well.”
I also received a leather-bound history book.
“Thank you. This is very helpful.”
I also took the leather bag full of gold coins that Xuenie had prepared for me.
“I think this is good too. If possible, I would like to trade with you in the future and continue our mutually beneficial relationship.”
“Of course! We would like to ask you to do business with us!”
Xuenie’s face was covered with sweat, and she stood up and nodded repeatedly.
“Does Schnabel-sama have any other stores in mind?”
“No, the royal family also thinks that Miss Xuenie is the right person for the job.”
Schnabel also stood up and answered.
“Then, even though it will be irregular, I will bring the items from the demonic land to Xuenie-san’s trading store. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
I shook hands with Xuenie.
“I look forward to working with you as well. Can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“What is your relationship?”
Xuenie asked, pointing at me and Chel. For a moment, I saw Chel channeling magic power.
“We are the landlord and tenant. Now we’re probably lords and retainers. Either way, we’re definitely not a couple or a married couple.”
“I-I see…”
Come to think of it, Xuenie had seen my and Chel’s titles with her powers.
“It’s better for you not to ask anymore. And don’t tell anyone else.”
Chel looked at her, a blue flame hovering in her palm. It must be hot.
Both Xuenie and Schnabel left the inn looking pale.
For now, it looks like we’ll be able to trade with the Cliff Garuda, so we’ve achieved our goal for this trip. It was the eighth day since we left the base of the demonic land.
“So, Chel, what are you hiding?”
I asked Chel as we returned to our room.
“What?”
“You’re acting strange. You get angry for no reason, you calm down suddenly, and your emotions are unstable.”
“That’s not true.”
Chel said, but she wouldn’t look me in the eye.
“Chel. You were quite an important person in the Meiju Kingdom, weren’t you? At first, Schnabel-sama used polite language with you, but not with me.”
“That is not true. I was a daughter of a family that was about to be exiled, just like Lipa…”
Chel’s eyes dart around.
“Since you’re cursed by the Demon King, you’re prepared to a certain extent. Why don’t you just tell the truth?”
“If Makyo finds out who I really am, you’ll banish me. So I won’t tell you.”
“Chel, you can’t stop people from talking, and the rumor will spread through the Cliff Garuda. Wouldn’t it be better to confess yourself than for me to find out through someone else?”
“No, it will take a while for the rumor to spread.”
If she’s heard this far and still hasn’t said anything, she must be someone very important in the Meiju Kingdom. If the rumor spreads in Cliff Garuda, it will also reach the ears of the demon tribe from the Meiju Kingdom that they trade with.
“Eeerr, Chel, do you think the demon tribe will attack the demonic land?”
“…..”
Chel’s face clearly showed that she was shaken.
“Is there any possibility of that happening?! Hey!”
“No, I don’t think that will happen! I don’t think it’s going to happen!”
If the demon tribe really attacked, would I hand over Chel right away?
Chel prepared to go home, looking pale.
If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read several chapters ahead!