Chapter 82

After leaving Baltora, Da-eun’s mood soared for several days.

“Hehe.”

Whether she was riding a horse, eating, or getting ready for bed, she couldn’t help but smile as she looked at the ring on her finger.

It was impossible not to notice, even if one tried to ignore it.

“Kana, did you know? The meaning of a ring changes depending on which finger you wear it on. For example, wearing it on the left hand’s ring finger means ‘a token of love,’ which is why wedding rings are always worn on the left hand’s ring finger.”

“Hmm….”

Now that I think about it, I guess there was such a meaning on Earth.

Was it customs? Or should I call it superstition?

Anyway, I didn’t know if there was anything like that in Silia.

I wasn’t interested in such things, to begin with, so how could I know?

“What does it mean then?”

“Huh? This one?”

Da-eun smiled widely.

The ring on her left index finger sparkled, reflecting her smile.

“It’s a secret!”

“…?”

What’s this?

I wasn’t particularly curious about it, so I didn’t mind, but I felt somewhat defeated by Da-eun.

Even though it was just a conversation that had no actual winning or losing.

“You really must like it.”

“Of course! It’s the first gift you’ve ever given me, Kana!”

“Hehe, you’ve already said that more than five times.”

“Ah….”

I didn’t know what Celine said, but Da-eun, hearing her words, shyly smiled and quickly hid her hand.

There weren’t any people around, and even if someone saw, there would be few who could tell that Da-eun’s ring was made from a Dragon Orb at first glance.

Most would probably just think, ‘Wow, what an elegant and beautiful ring!’

If they were bad people, they might think afterward, ‘I should steal that!’ or ‘I should kill her and take it!’

…But is it really possible to steal something from players?

Back in the days when I lived on the mountain, I had cut down a considerable number of players, but I never saw anyone drop their items.

I couldn’t just ask Da-eun such a question either.

I decided I would ask Edel about it later, swallowing my curiosity.

***

The continent of Laxia is across the Western Sea.

So, it was a given that to reach Laxia, we had to return to the place where we set out from, a land that was once part of Grasis.

Of course, it was revealed by smart people that the land I was standing on was not flat but round.

Therefore, if we took a ship from the eastern edge of the Ardina continent and continued sailing eastward, we might eventually reach Laxia.

However, I had never heard of anyone arriving in Laxia that way.

After all, how many people have even seen Laxia firsthand?

I couldn’t just embark on a journey without knowing how long it would take or what route to take. Sёarᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Our goal was to go to the Great Continent, not to explore new routes.

Moreover, talking endlessly about finding a ship to Laxia in the Eastern Sea wouldn’t yield any responses.

To the Ardinians, the continent of Laxia is akin to a land of death.

“Hmm? Isn’t that the same for the west? In terms of perception, I think the west, where you encounter monsters more often, would be worse?”

“Yeah. That’s true.”

Da-eun’s sharp observation.

Indeed, as she said, the evaluation of the Demonic Race worsens the further one goes west.

“So, if we go to the western edge, we won’t be able to find a ship to Laxia either? No one would want to head into a death trap. Hmm, it’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped, right?”

With a beaming smile on her face, Da-eun said.

“Here it is.”

“…Huh?”

“A person who wants to go into a death trap.”

Knock, knock, knock.

Me, Celine, and Da-eun.

As I pointed to each of us in succession, the flowers of laughter that bloomed on her face withered in an instant.

Well, it’s not entirely wrong, I suppose.

Just getting close to the Demonic Race’s village would be suicidal for the Ardinians affected by magic. No sane person would want to go to Laxia.

Even if someone managed to get a ship and go, wouldn’t a normal person die during the voyage?

They probably wouldn’t even know the route to Laxia.

“…Just as I thought, right?”

Da-eun’s face lit up again.

“Still, we’re going.”

“…Just as I thought, right?”

It was the same phrase as before, but the emotion felt in her voice was like night and day.

Anyone who saw this would think she was being dragged to a slaughterhouse.

“If there’s no ship, we can just run.”

“…Where to? Into the sea?”

“Yeah.”

“What does that mean…?”

At that moment, Da-eun suddenly stopped as if she remembered something.

“No, if it’s you, Kana….”

She mumbled softly before raising her head suddenly.

“It might be possible! But I completely oppose it! I don’t want to experience that ever again…! Just once was enough to make my stomach turn!”

“Isn’t it the same with seasickness on a ship?”

“It’s different! It’s different!”

Da-eun, who was shouting as if she would collapse on the floor, finally quieted down after I told her I was joking.

It wasn’t because of her strong opposition that I changed my mind.

It was just that if we really crossed like that, I might face some hardships on the way back…

Yeah. That’s why.

“…”

“…Kana? What’s with the sudden expression?”

“Huh?”

“Oh, nothing. You just looked serious, so I wondered if something was wrong.”

A serious expression?

I didn’t think I had made one.

As I blinked blankly, Da-eun scratched her cheek in response.

“Is it just my imagination?”

“Just nonsense. Anyway, it’s difficult for me to go that way too, so I don’t want to.”

“Gasp…!”

“…Why?”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard you say it’s difficult.”

“Difficult is difficult.”

If I were to slip and drop her, I would have to fish her out again.

If I held on too tightly to avoid dropping her, her hand might get crushed.

I had a lot to worry about too.

I tilted my head for a moment.

Now that I said it, it seems more like a hassle than actually difficult.

“Oh, so that’s what you meant by difficult. Then that makes sense.”

I didn’t know what she understood, but seeing her nod meant she found her own answer.

“But what should we do then? We can buy a ship with money, but we can’t just buy someone who can steer the ship with money…. Kana, do you know how to steer a ship?”

“Of course not.”

“I figured as much. Does Celine know how to steer a ship?”

“Hmm, no. I’m sorry I can’t be of help.”

“Oh, no. I’m the same, anyway.”

Da-eun was startled and bowed her head to Celine.

Seeing her like that suddenly made me feel mischievous.

“Joanie, that was mean.”

“…Kana doesn’t even know what Celine said! If you want to understand, you should study hard!”

“Ugh….”

Da-eun mercilessly ruffled my hair.

The pink threads swaying in front of my eyes were uncomfortable, making me unintentionally whine.

After completely turning my head into a bird’s nest, Da-eun began to gently smooth it down again.

“So… Celine doesn’t know how to steer a ship either, do you have any good ideas?”

Though her words took the form of a question, her voice seemed to imply she was sure I had a way.

I decided to meet Da-eun’s expectations.

“I told you earlier. ‘For Ardinians to go to the Demonic Race’s homeland, Laxia, is tantamount to suicide.’

So, if we aren’t Ardinians, that solves the problem.

Da-eun’s eyes widened in surprise at my words.

“Are you thinking of hiring a Demonic Race?”

“Yeah.”

That’s why it’s great to be with quick-witted people.

Just a single word, and they immediately grasp the intent behind it.

“The Demonic Race must know the route to Laxia. They might be able to withstand the magic.”

Even if they came to the Ardina continent because they couldn’t withstand Laxia’s magic, being a race that lives alongside magic, they should be able to endure the time it takes to land and disembark when the ship reaches land.

Isn’t this what we mean by a suitable selection?

“Uh, um… The plan sounds plausible, but…”

“But?”

“Will the Demonic Race actually listen to us? I don’t think they’d have a good opinion of Ardinians… Don’t you think they might mistake us for plotting something in Laxia?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

According to what Edel told me, they wouldn’t be able to refuse our proposal.

Just like Da-eun was worried, they might not trust my and Da-eun’s words.

However, they would certainly trust Celine’s words.

Celine is a nun serving Edel.

And not just any nun, but a nun with the status of an apprentice saint.

“…What does it matter that Celine is a follower of Edel? Oh, is it because the Holy Kingdom mediated during the race war?”

“Wrong. It’s not that they trust us because the Holy Kingdom mediated, but they accept mediation because they trust the Holy Kingdom.”

“Hmm?”

Everything that exists in Silia was created by Edel’s hand.

In a world where gods exist, that is accepted as doctrine.

Even if hundreds of years pass and Edel’s descent disappears from everyone’s memory and records, it would be different then, but at least that time is not now.

Moreover, the Demonic Race also knew that they were created by Edel’s hand.

“If we only consider piety, the Demonic Race might be more devout than the Holy Kingdom.”

If that were not the case, they wouldn’t have lived in Laxia for such a long time.

“Hmm??”

Da-eun still looked confused.

“I don’t know what you mean, but is it okay to say that?”

Da-eun glanced at Celine.

Even though she knew she wouldn’t understand, it seemed she was still concerned about what she said.

Well, it’s natural to think that since I said something like that in front of the apprentice saint of the Holy Kingdom, she would be upset if she heard it.

However, if it was Celine, she wouldn’t be upset even if she heard what I said.

“It’ll be fine.”

She would also know the story about the Demonic Race.

Starting to feel a bit annoyed, I decided to stop talking there.

After all, when we go to Laxia, she’ll understand what I meant, so there’s no need to explain everything in detail right now.

What do you call this?

“S…”

Hmm, I’m sure it started with an S, but I can’t quite remember.

I twirled my hair in thought, but when I ultimately couldn’t recall it, I cleanly gave up.

“…What the heck is it? Huh? What does it mean?”

But unlike me, Da-eun couldn’t cleanly give up and clung to me.

When I wouldn’t open my mouth, she puffed up her cheeks in a clear show of sulking.

It seemed she was trying not to meet my gaze, but I could clearly feel her eyes on me.

Who on earth is treating whom like a child?

I sighed and shook my head.