Chapter 265 (1/2)

811'>

Chapter 265 – 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 cla.s.sified 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 wars.h.i.+p?」

「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 s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p 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 relations.h.i.+p 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…?」