Chapter 200: Nidavellir Dwarf Liberation Front (2)
36DPpeTrinova, a western city.uKxnyFx
h1z7There was a mansion located in the city center, avoiding the desolate sands that wandered the wasteland.E0pNq1Y
V5OxWqdIt was a large and spacious mansion that was clearly visible even from a distance, but it had a dark feeling, likely not just an illusion.3eTJ
ozgaI“That’s why I hate coming to the west. There’s no decent food, nothing to drink.”9FGou8
Ij1es“…”6CKH99
NmArmo“Anyway, there’s no fun in this town.”sS1k8Qo
sySiThe gold merchant, Barbosa, took off his boots and shook out the sand inside, muttering as he did.UMBNT7Z
VhkgrIt didn’t match the luxuriously decorated room and was not courteous to the person sitting in front of him, but he acted comfortably as if nothing was really wrong.TJ4QX
6Xk“By the way, your complexion seems to have worsened a lot since the last time I saw you, Count Gaidar.”GME
fheJN8“…It’s inevitable, I suppose.”jCb
DwwOv34Barbosa, who put his boots back on over the sand he had scattered, looked at Count Gaidar with a malicious smile.6E2Sl
4Fh3wCtDespite the smiling, bright face, the count’s slightly tilted head seemed to convey a strange sense of pressure to anyone who looked at him.kW7pQ
xQzZWW2“After all, it’s not surprising you’re in such bad shape, considering you lost around five thousand men.”rQCD5
q0n1En“…”3ULe
NUIpWeL“On top of that, you also lost Godin. I really felt sorry for that friend.”UwSrau
yHv1vW“Stop it.”5eCj
bmuA robust figure with strong eyebrows.jgKjcKs
LG3qkr9Although he had been beaten down by the shocking defeat, he still retained a spirit of recovery, unwilling to give up.pcpM
cK874“It may have been a painful defeat, but I’m not someone who gives up after a single defeat. I am Sigmund Gaidar!”oDke
79Q“Even if you say it quietly, I understand.”lzE1IYt
yEWkHowever, Barbosa merely covered his ears with his fingers, as if making noise, ignoring the count’s vigor.zed9yoj
ZhqmcQ“What brings a busy person like you all the way down here to the south?”TSm2
1pguGl“I have something to take back.”BcwDyjM
UEbm“What?”88r9Ou
jXA3q3Barbosa’s smiling face began to distort strangely at Count Gaidar’s question.cpq65vx
zqr“What? You should remember me when you see me.”8DoK3V
ZKoL“…That.”IMJB
vKH“You borrowed money. Money. Something shiny.”yLNNe
p1pFor a moment, Barbosa’s head tilted forward and suddenly found itself under the count’s chin.cK2yf
MU2eHe looked like a venomous snake.Pb0Ls
8Vc“It was money you borrowed to feed, clothe, and arm five thousand soldiers. Isn’t that right? Where do you think you could find that money in this miserable town?”XT5ANB
Ig5jWy“I borrowed that money from Dragon Blood…!”ku6oruY
ArS73“To be exact, it’s the money that Dragon Blood borrowed from me.”VlqJ
2MtmPOBarbosa, interrupting the count with a fierce smile, pulled a document from his pocket and tossed it to Count Gaidar.F4azgB
tsWA sheet of eerily bright red paper.p7Cc
zIBgYIt was what was called a “final warning,” the paper most feared by those who had borrowed money from the House of Dragon Blood.i4D5p
FiB“And besides, the debtor is you.”Z9s
cYyC1From Ravnoma to Bayezid.Tvf
4wM5w6oFor an impoverished count’s family to end up as the loser in the west, they would need proper support.o6u4dt
ekQJUHowever, Dragulia’s support, which devoured as much as it starved, finally halted Gaidar.6PYj
Xjee7y“So just leave it at that.”NL8RAQz
Ca0HAeNBarbosa, lifting the red paper with a familiar gesture, held it up in front of Count Gaidar’s eyes.Un5N
7Gb9C“I only need one city. If the calculations are approximate, is that okay?”7Rc
7BzZI0Though it was an absurd pressure, it was true he had borrowed something.LSUUBr
apLECount Gaidar, trembling only with his lips, dared not say anything, because the report he had received before Barbosa entered stated that a fleet had come to take over his city of Torchia.HR6W4
eKTlX7“Isn’t it wonderful to have good neighbors? If you sign here, I can take care of those in the north for you.”RgN
Ez5YoIs this what a sharp smile looks like?6caZ
HgPMDIThe sinister golden teeth gleamed at the corners of Barbosa’s smiling mouth.3EB
aeVCmr***E2RhO
jE7Clang-6RV
W2pYPA harsh sound came from the worn door, as if the owner didn’t care.tQjqYRF
Gv56kBut what irritated Vlad more wasn’t that sound, but the fierce glares from the sailors sitting in the bar.oq5
NPcM0HNRejecting a strange being seemed to be a common practice everywhere.mxLW
xguYCe“Here you go. Some brandy.”4vy
y0K36TI“Looks like you’ve come to the wrong place. We don’t serve kids.”WrI
f6gZOTR“Don’t be like that. Shake it up a bit. I can pay with this.”rAM
JHASVlad pulled a coin from his pocket and placed it in front of the owner with a loud clink.xeYYMr
6e5GThe rusty, unsightly coin looked like something you wouldn’t want to keep even if it was given to you for free, but when the owner saw the coin, a strange look appeared in his eyes.2gTSo
PZoToia“…Where are you from?”ELe
x0gS5z“The North.”Uzb
ZBUaErx“North? Which part of the North?”VK9
I7p4pVlad chuckled and responded to the owner’s superficial attempts to probe him.KUSD
2xj7Vuq“I’ve got nothing to say to a Nasau farmer.”74fw
eO62e8“…The customer’s arrived.”jfvYxxo
EhSREquals recognize each other.OIpMSU
eNQdPThough Vlad seemed young, the bar owner accepted the coin on the table.xDFxd
zSECHs“It might take some time.”oNJBh
FGzDg0h“It better be quick.”1Y8
yfLVB41When Vlad saw the owner take off his apron and try to leave, he pointed behind him with his thumb and said,oX0TOdi
QoGLT“I hate people staring at my back.”TNN
0v9GB“Be careful then.”m1AfR
hPjp2QVlad took the drink offered by the owner and looked back.Od4QH8
x37Men with their hands in their pockets, hidden under their clothes.0JPlk
Fo6Though they looked ready to draw a knife at any moment, Vlad smiled at them and offered the glass.kcKa
NIap“Strangely, I feel at home.”k6kIu5l
yxd9Though he had ordered brandy, what he got was a cheap mix of rum and some unknown liquid.LkeJu6b
cnqHowever, Vlad, used to the harshness of the drink, didn’t seem to mind, took a sip, and frowned.rW6Z
KQOJkwI“This time, it’s the sea.”CYeTa
EmIeouIVlad, who had all the time to himself in the quiet bar with no owner or customers, pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and looked at it.QNPD
qJW36The image was crudely drawn, as if by a child, and on it was a single striking golden light.yk6t
na0qUQ***g8K
9ACZ“What’s this?”lNN
duoWog“A revelation.”dbX80Ze
7NrOne night after leaving Sturma, Baradis approached the campfire they had set up for the night.acikWc
dNRyJum“The priestess gave this to me. In fact, I came all this way mainly to deliver it to you.”pW0Q
llgewyfBaradis, who had ventured into the outside world in search of traces of the World Mother Tree, joined the group heading to the island of the dwarves.QaB
nfW9hThe west, where the group was headed, was once home to the World Mother Tree, and Joseph, in his search for opportunities, had no reason to turn down the elves.G2mYe
bhCp“I see. Thank you.”nW3w
uoNeThough he said thanks, Vlad’s hand showed some hesitation as he reached for the drawing.IwG89
6o5Q“…It seems her drawing skills haven’t improved.”ZtihS
lIRHJ“Consistency is part of her charm.”4VLN
TQdhTA revelation given to the knight who saved the World Tree by the priestess of the elves.h73t
b65fktzHowever, despite the grand reason, the drawing in his hand looked like a child’s work, with crooked and rough lines.XEmvKw
TIKZS8“What is this? Why is everything around it so dark?”mhwVnsU
Nfc“It’s the sea.”BduYO7Z
59GKjKP“Then what’s this floating here? A log?”FxM
FP3i“It’s a ship.”uM8c43R
Vf5“…”CzJ
8RUcIt was so terrible that even asking about it was embarrassing, but there was a light in the drawing that seemed vaguely recognizable.8WCM
wglreA point of light shone on the brown mass the priestess called a ship. Although it didn’t have a human shape, the light was unmistakably familiar to Vlad.bcoZSvX
6b6“Could this be me?”yzVuES
tcbR“As expected, you recognize it at a glance.”z2mLdEv
bHyOytuBaradis, a bit excited that Vlad recognized the drawing made by his younger sister, smiled and nodded.VNA3xa
GLof6q“A knight lighting a beacon on a drifting ship in the sea…”c7hsa
yC2kBd9Nibelun, who had silently approached, murmured as he looked at the drawing.uca
9icxIxJudging by his bright eyes, it seemed the revelation delivered by the priestess had sparked great interest in him.Adr7
dDv“I’ve never seen such a clear revelation before. Whoever the prophet is, their level is extremely high.”Ecg
I4G3mc“Clear? This?”MnZ
qPmWithout permission, Nibelun had already taken a magnifying glass from his backpack and was examining the drawing with admiration. The careful way he handled the drawing, as if it were a masterpiece, made Vlad click his tongue.1mO
gEV“…Being able to pinpoint gaps in time so clearly. Someday, I really want to visit the forest of the elves.”ZI4mOLJ
mjm72zI“With Lord Vlad.”8XZGE
2Qq6it“I really want to go. Let’s go together. Please.”QRc5
Cxqy0When Baradis said Vlad had to come along, Nibelun clasped his hands as if begging.T2jOhBP
5LOThe pupils, characteristic of the beast people, gradually became wider and rounder, but Vlad wasn’t really looking at Nibelun.6JAJ
FUga“This time, I’m lucky.”x0e2x
kVvF1“What?”P9C8
me3Jky6A light flickering precariously over the dark sea.2ylR
ODJGN8Vlad rummaged through the crackling fire, looking at the color that clearly depicted him.QitX
UFJEb“Because the revelation points to me.”Z29mBMp
1ZeIn the city of Moshiam, there was a canary that sacrificed itself for me.jmwHeg
qZJw2She was the bird that illuminated the darkness, guiding me on the right path.e0ytEE
htCHaving buried the pain of Justia’s death in his heart, Vlad felt relieved that this time, the curse was directed only at him.mr9
u4hMtY***wOeczn
AQNvJMR“Here is the map.”lqJeRS
g6yB“…”Hp9ED
FTf“And this too.”INQdV
kGQrit2The port of Nassau at sunset.aNNXa
XFHThe western sea, much warmer than when we left Sturma a month ago, was starting to spread out.dmAsPM
NfkY“What is this?”uS6
9hv7The secret contact the bar owner had provided looked like a common dockworker.kujZGKv
g9EvHe, who had been carrying loads as long as his weathered face suggested, now stood in front of Vlad, patting his hunched back.LkkFy
WTx8“It’s a seashell. Isn’t it big?”Hg0av3N
4XH“What is a seashell?”Qx3YGXA
NCDsY“…Ah, that’s right, you said you came from the north.”82BgtoW
HIbEdeIt was a strangely curved object.Jib7Uon
kp0Vlad’s expression wrinkled at the sight of the shell, hard to believe it was once a living thing.zJU
3MsW6“In any case, use it as a horn. You know what a horn is, right?”hVj
RJbCzcn“Then will they come?”m9jP3
7xkIn response to Vlad’s question, the old dockworker only shrugged.83w
y6Zcp“I don’t know.”OKdT5k
q3HKa“…”Vi6O7
OiqC“The only sure thing is that the place marked on the map is shrouded in fog, a place even experienced captains avoid. So I can’t guarantee you a ship.”1wR7BtY
LRaWhat he had in his hands was a rudimentary map and the remains of an ancient shell.6PtvJNE
IYIPrRTBut these were the only clues to reach the island of the dwarves, so Vlad had no choice but to nod.CyheU
vsqV“The ship is fine. We’ve already secured one.”sTje
pjGUTI“That’s a relief.”yOUYJ
rvaPRealizing the meeting was over, the old man lifted the flag staff he carried with great difficulty and bowed his head.uWSw
JMCSUntil a moment ago, he had been the secret contact, but now he looked like a simple dockworker.gd71z
ccGPHNassau, a land of Bayezid, but still with western customs.57Y
hQRdCHelping the dwarves here was something that had to be kept secret.vPLi
1nN“Then, let’s not meet again.”fB2Yh
mvZeZis“Here you go.”jdvgvk
jIzIt was Vlad who tossed a gold coin to the old man for his hard work, but he simply shook his head and quietly handed it back.OkA
vOnv“I’ve already been paid by the dwarves.”Dv2u
auUW“…”YGX635
f7nbSuVlad scratched his cheek as he watched the old man leave with difficulty, carrying his sack.PYAf5S
6hathThough he seemed an insignificant old man, he appeared to have something that couldn’t be replaced by gold coins.oyrtZTa
yaXlc“So the other ships don’t want to go…”It2r
QtvD5nMAfter the old man left, Vlad walked toward the dock, alone in the port.j4So
mQk3Now, the western sea where you could even feel the scent of spring.Y4tReM6
nO8ZIn the deepening twilight, Vlad took out the drawing the priestess had given him upon seeing a familiar shadow.ageCk
PIF“Seeing it like this, it looks similar.”fvqxHb
UUPpeflAt first glance, it only seemed like a brown mass, but upon comparison, there was a certain resemblance.3E7NAXH
XMcA small body with a tall mast.73n
Q8XiAnd a white triangular sail fluttering at the top.ytng
zjOnA small ship entering Nassau’s port with the sunset.8DXr
om5cFBRecognizing the familiar ship that had set off from Soara, Vlad raised his hand and waved it high.7MvGl
9f500wI“I’m here, Harven!”VoBYlYr
Zq8Liberation Front of Dwarves Nidavellir.e7IVW
0iwMEThe ship that would take the group there was the red-haired Zemina, captained by Harven.uLF2U
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