Chapter 256 (2/2)

「I'm guessing that fat guy is Grucel's enemy. Right now, they're divided over how to deal with us. Fatty is hard-liner and the commander is trying to suppress him.」

「Y-You understand our language?」

「Nope. But it's an easy enough guess to make.」

She'd find out right away if he was lying about knowing the language, so he told the truth. Hikaru didn't want to say just how much he knew, of course.

「We're done here. Please take me back to the s.h.i.+p.」

「No can do.」

「Why not?! There will be trouble if I don't get back!」

「The rift between fatty and Grucel will become critical?」

Deena nodded.

「Hmm, the commander seems to like you a lot.」

「I'm not special or anything. The commander values his subordinates dearly.」

「All the more reason not to take you back.」

「What?!」

「If you become our “guest,” Grucel will think twice before attacking us. Am I right? He just sent a messenger for one spy.」

「B-But—」

「Think about it carefully. What's the disadvantage in you leaving the s.h.i.+p? The interior conflict will grow more serious. All because they thought one of the fatty's men pushed you off the s.h.i.+p.」

Hikaru made it look that way. Deena started panicking, worried that she would become the trigger of a conflict.

「But I will tell the messenger in Ville Zentra this: “Deena fell off the s.h.i.+p, but she's safe under our custody. She's fine, with no injuries. She's worried about the discord between the fat guy and Commander Grucel.” Grucel should hear about it the next day, preventing any internal strife.」

「W-Will that really happen?」

Deena seemed to doubt what Hikaru said. Cool. This girl's easily pressured, Hikaru thought, chuckling inside.

「Going to Ville Zentra will be a huge benefit to you. We don't speak Grand Dream's language, so I'd like to ask for your help, since you're fluent in both. Absolutely no harm will come to you. Your safety will be guaranteed.」

Deena looked relieved. She might've thought she'd be interrogated for answers.

「Oh, and for the record, the people of Ville Zentra are seething with rage for having Dew Roke stolen.」

It was a bluff, but not completely a lie either. Vireocean raised an army once to try and take back the island, after all.

「There's no way the negotiation for the release of the spy will go well in these conditions. What's more, Commander Grucel's real objective won't get fulfilled.」

Deena's body stiffened. Hikaru hit the mark.

「H-Have you been to Grand Dream?」

「Nope.」

「Then how do you know about our purpose for coming here?!」

「Just a guess. You're not here to invade us.」

Deena nodded. Now for the crucial part.

「Yes, not invasion… You need something that can only be found here in this continent.」

Deena nodded once more.

「But there are those that wish to invade us, which explains the inconsistent approach.」

「Exactly.」

「Think about it. Do you really think we'll help you with the way things are right now? What you're after is not something that you can get just by landing on our sh.o.r.es. Serious cooperation is necessary.」

It was just a hunch, but Hikaru seemed to have hit the mark again.

「That's right.」Deena nodded, with more force this time.

「Talk to me and I'll convince the higher-ups to help you guys out. If a war can be avoided, that would be best.」

Deena went silent, pondering it over. She was probably wondering if she should believe Hikaru—this man wearing a mask.

What will you do? Hikaru believed the odds to be fifty-fifty. If she didn't agree, no matter. He would just take her back to land as a “guest.” The more cause they had for negotiation, the better. But if she agreed…

If it's something interesting, I want in too.

Of course, his number one priority was to prevent war from breaking out, but Hikaru's motive was gradually s.h.i.+fting to that of satisfying his curiosity.

Grand Dream, a continent with a civilization that evolved differently than this side of the world, even developing a powerful military. Hikaru thought someone from another world might be involved, but still the progress was rapid.

I wonder how they got here. What level of civilization do they have? I wanna know so bad!

He felt sorry for Deena who was seriously considering her options.

「I, uhh…」Deena made her decision.

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