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Half-elves Fall in Love (Web Novel) - Chapter 514: The Unexplored Kingdom 1
Chapter 514: The Unexplored Kingdom 1
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Eventually. As it happened, Neia, myself and Maia were led to the valley of Kalwin. Laila withdrew to the half-broken carriage. For the time being, it seems that the people who came with us will not withdraw as they are, but will wait to hear from me. I was worried about leaving them in the presence of more than a dozen dragons, but if they originally intended to ignore the pact, the outcome would be the same even if Maia and I were with them. I have no choice but to trust that they will follow the pact and handle the situation rationally.
“I’m sorry”
“Why would Neia apologize?”
“I didn’t expect more than a dozen dragons to follow……Rainer”
“We didn’t expect it either. It’s not Neia’s fault that we didn’t anticipate it, since it was a possibility”
Riding on Maia’s hand in her dragon form, she slowly flapped her wings and approached the valley, even though she was surrounded by silver dragons.
“Let’s get you into human form around here. The dragon form is very stimulating for humans”
Rainer Exeliza landed first and instructed in a clear voice. Maia obeyed and after dropping me and Neia off, she too returned to her human form.
“You haven’t informed the people of the dragon’s protection?”
When I say this without anyone else, one of the silver dragon humans that landed nearby dutifully answers.
“Dragons are not protecting the people. It is just following the will of our rider, Rainer-dono”
“I see”
I understand. It is the same logic I had heard from Laila one day. Dragons have no relationship with 「Society」 as a whole. They are obligated to the 「Individual」. But that is fundamentally no excuse for secrecy. Giving the residents, who have only five protectors and are always frightened by the shadow of demons, the reassurance that 「Dragons will also protect them」 should contribute greatly to the society’s margin. I guess without saying it out loud. It’s a building block, I think.
“So, how many of them have a 『Power contract』 with Rainer Exeliza? They’re intimidating us so much, you could at least tell us that much”
“…………”
The first dragon that spoke, a man approaching old age, remained silent as he stared at me. Is he wondering what I’m up to? Well, that’s what I usually think.
“Three heads”
It was Rainer Exeliza who answered, approaching slowly.
“With that many, a country of 30,000 people should be able to defend itself completely, don’t you think?”
“You’re not protecting anything even though you’re holding two of them”
“……You seem to be doing a lot of research”
On the other hand, it is a solemn formal attire that rivals the best knights of any country. On the one hand, it’s the military uniform of an ordinary rear guard unit. Although it’s not a summer military uniform for hot weather, it’s still shabby compared to the shiny full body armor and high-quality liner of the cloak. Even though they are equal in rating as riders, I can’t help but notice that I´m far inferior in appearance, but I act a little arrogant so as not to let them know it.
“But this is a country with 300 years of tradition. There are a lot of things we have to be reserved for”
“Huuh……”
“In any case, it’s none of your business, Andy Smithson. ……Follow me”
“yes”
After a half-second’s glance at Neia, Rainer Exeliza spins on his heel and leads us, cloak fluttering, down the path to the valley. I, Neia and Maia followed silently.
The Kalwin Kingdom. The valley and the riverbed, which is about 100 to 200 meters deep and carved into the rolling hills, are lined with crude houses made of stone and brick with shingles. Each house is a 「Hut」 in size, with a maximum occupancy of a few people. The houses that are commonly found in Polka look like mansions here.
“It’s kind of a bleak place, isn’t it?”
“This is 『Normal』 in this country”
Neia replies to my mutterings in a small voice. The house is a very beautiful place.
“That’s probably how it feels when you look at it from the outside. When I saw the town of Renfangas for the first time, I was also awestruck by how magnificent it was. It wasn’t even Rennesto, it was just a country town”
“Rainer. ……When did you first realize that there was an 『Outside』?”
“At least a lot sooner than you did, flash rider”
“So……how did you know?”
“You mean you were hiding it from me? Because I’m a hero. You know what I mean”
“……”
A hero. The only one in charge of this country’s defense mission, military police, judge and executioner.
“What’s the point of telling people that there’s an 『Outside』? Are we going to let the people living in this poor country make the great migration to their deaths? Are we going to let the people, who even now are living in fear of starving to death at any moment, take the land in Renfangas and the Eastern Mountains where they are going to end up? Or do you ask them to take it with dragons and defend it with dragons?”
“But, Rainer”
“I have not taken on that much. A hero is not someone who goes to such lengths”
Rainer says calmly. I can’t feel any emotion in his words. However, this is precisely why there is a feeling of discomfort. It’s strange because the argument for legitimacy is accurate. It shouldn’t be such a divisive environment. There is no way you can say that this is the duty and nothing more.
“Hero?”
“What, you have a problem with me?”
“……No, I’m an outsider. I’ll refrain from making quick comments”
“……He’s a man I don’t like”
“That’s a strange coincidence”
I think he’s being too arrogant and a bit frivolous, but I can’t help but say that, so that’s all I can say.
We continued walking for three hours. We passed through a number of farming villages and then a dwarven settlement (an 「Artisan village」 according to Neia) in a crevice carved into the belly of a cliff.
“Don’t walk long. Are you heading towards the center?”
“The royal palace. You’re interested, aren’t you?”
“That’s very kind of you”
“I’ll have to bring in the flash knight, too”
I feel Neia stiffen slightly. ……Really. Neia was missing, so it is likely that she has already been stripped of her seat……as a hero called「Flash Knight」?
“The residents are very quiet. I thought they would make more noise since they wouldn’t recognize my outfit”
“I guess they are afraid of Rainer. He has the right to execute you if you behave in an anti-social manner. Besides……originally, the unauthorized movement of residents is forbidden in every village, so not a few of the same Kalwin people spend their entire lives without ever seeing each other again in their lives”
“……I see, so they think that Maia and I are one of the locals who are pulled out of some village”
If that’s the case, it makes sense. ……And I also sense that all eyes are on Neia. Surprise, suspicion, etc. that Neia is alive. Since Rainer was there, they probably couldn’t openly rush towards her, but their questioning gazes were constantly directed at Neia. Neia was walking around with her hat pulled down deeply without returning a glance, which was painful to see.
“That’s the destination”
And then. The castle in the middle of the precipitous valley, connected to the artisan village by a suspension bridge. That is the destination.
“The castle of Kalwin. That is the center of the country. Let’s arrange for you to pass through
“……You’re very kind, once again”
“You carry that much authority”
……Yes, I do. I’d forgotten because of Rainer’s not-so-polite tone, but this guy is also one of those rare people who understands what 「Dragon rider」 really means. I’m seldom aware of that, because I usually act without revealing it. I’ve always wondered why he was so openly guiding me, even though I was an intruder.
“……Flash Knight as well. The next flash knight has been tentatively selected, but as far as combat ability is concerned, you are a rare talent. I may be able to grant you some kind of special exception”
“Is that so……?”
“At least that’s what I think”
He thinks so. Surprisingly……this guy doesn’t have any bad feelings towards Neia? Come to think of it, we were suspicious from the beginning, but……could it be that this guy is just a serious guy who is cynical and has a disgusting way of laughing……? I’ve been gathering information and reading everything behind the scenes, but there is little direct evidence that this guy is a disturbing person. Taken only at face value, is it possible that he is not……?
“Let’s go”
We hurriedly follow Rainer, somewhat confused, as he again zips along mechanically and methodically. The suspension bridge was unstable and if we cut the rope, we would have fallen headlong into the rapids below with one swift motion, but we weren’t too concerned about that. Well, Maia was there, so even if I fell, I wouldn’t have to worry. The castle was not built with combat in mind. It is only natural, because it is almost impossible that demons or some kind of enemy army will attack this strategic point.
“Rainer-sama. Welcome back”
“Thank you. Have you told His Majesty?”
“I told him”
A silver-haired woman who was just inside knelt down reverently to Rainer. She must be one of Raner’s dragons, because she was wearing the same atmosphere as the silver dragons that had just entered. She was a sharp-eyed woman.
“So you sent a messenger first?”
“Even His Majesty is not so busy that he can fly out on a moment’s notice. Well, a walk was not so bad, was it?”
He smiled sarcastically. Or maybe he just has a natural way of smiling like this?
“Let’s go. The rag is a little out of place in the royal palace, but it’s the first foreign visitor in 300 years. I’m sure His Majesty won’t mind”
“……That this military uniform is a one-of-a-kind piece of clothing”
Well, I thought that Dianne-san would conduct diplomatic negotiations with thorough preparation, so I can’t deny that I hadn’t expected to have an audience with the King in this fashion.
We went up some stairs and proceeded to the inner room. The room was a far cry from the shabbiness of the previous villages, with well-maintained carpets and luxurious candles. The servants saluted when they saw Neia and Neia did not receive any glances from them. It was as if this was a different world. It would be natural for a king to be treated like this, but it is hard not to have mixed feelings about this in an extremely poor country that has been on the brink for 300 years. He opened the massive door and proceeded to what appeared to be an audience chamber.
“Your Majesty. I have brought with me Andy Smithson, a dragon rider from another country, his mount, a blue dragon, and the previous Flash Knight Neia”
“I’m sorry for your trouble, Rainer. ……Welcome to the Kalwin Kingdom from afar. I am Jedha, the king”
Standing in front of the throne was a young man who was not quite powerful enough to be a king. He was an elf, so it was natural for him to be young even after 300 years since the founding of his kingdom. He wears fine clothes made of gold and silver threads, but he does not wear a crown or carry a scepter and he simply smiles softly.
“And Neia. I’m glad you’re okay. I was about to give up on you when you suddenly disappeared. You’ve seen the 『Outside』, haven’t you?”
“Haa……. With the help of many people from 『Outside』, I have returned home in shame”
“Shame? Well, it was certainly a blow to have a hero like you gone for a year”
The words he spoke did not give us the impression that he was a 「Miniature Tyrant」 that we had imagined from our previous information. Maybe we misunderstood……something?
“Andy-sama”
“……Hmm?”
“Don’t let your guard down”
Maia alerts me to the fact that I’m about to let my guard down. ……I was so uncomfortable that I didn’t know how to take a position, even though I was trying to tighten up my guard, but I still had doubts about my doubts.
“Well, guest. I guess you need something from me?”
“A……e, emm”
I’m flustered when I’m told.
“Ask me anything you want, and I’ll tell you what I know”
With that, the friendly young elf sat down on his throne and laced his fingers together in front of his stomach.
