We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Imperial Honored Mansion in Yondo City.
It is said that Yondo City is located five days east of a village attacked by wyverns, beyond six mountains.
It was also a city located towards the north, in the buffer zone sandwiched between the Demon Race’s territory and the Divine Race’s Country.
In other words, the Imperial Honored Mansion and Guen were operating very close to the Demon Race’s territory.
It’s no wonder Kusharilla and the demons are sensitive to the Divine Race’s movements.
Then, knowing that they would provoke the demons, why was the Imperial Honored Mansion so conspicuously active north of the buffer zone?
According to Guen’s story, the Winged Tribe apparently has several secret passages for crossing the Heavenly Mountain Range.
It seemed like the Imperial Honored Mansion was investigating in various places to see if they could use those secret passages.
These were secret routes for the Winged Tribe to bring slaves hunted on the west side of the Heavenly Mountain Range without being discovered by the Eastern Magician.
Momo-chan, the Eastern Magician, didn’t pay much attention to movements across the Heavenly Mountain Range, thinking the Winged Tribe was weak. That’s probably why Momo-chan didn’t notice when the Winged Tribe moved with slaves.
However, if those attempting to cross the Heavenly Mountain Range were of the Divine Race, it wouldn’t go so smoothly.
The moment the Divine Race entered the Heavenly Mountain Range, they would be caught in Momo-chan’s magical surveillance net.
The Winged Tribe should also be aware from their long history of how deep the Eastern Magician’s surveillance is. Therefore, if they were to let the Divine Race use a secret passage and attract the Eastern Magician’s attention, they would no longer be able to use it in the future. From that perspective, it seems like the Winged Tribe is not very keen on the Divine Race’s demands.
However, due to the Council Chairman Seol’s favoritism towards the Divine Race, it seems they have come to investigate as far north as the buffer zone.
Furthermore, Slustal, who is said to be a candidate for a neutral faction council member, did not seem pleased with Seol’s favoritism and the Divine Race’s movements.
Even on the way to Yondo City, Slustal apparently repeatedly gave Seol sincere advice, but it seemed it was not heeded.
Why does Seol show such favoritism towards the Divine Race?
If they are a neutral faction, and moreover, hold a crucial position as the chairman of the council, shouldn’t they act more cautiously considering the future of the Winged Tribe?
The incomprehensibility of Seol’s actions, and why the Imperial Honored Mansion is searching for a way to cross the Heavenly Mountain Range while ignoring the Emperor’s majesty, there is still much we do not know.
As we proceeded through the mountainous region with the Winged Tribe, we continued to observe the people accompanying us.
By the way, the number of days it takes to reach Yondo City is calculated based on walking on the ground.
In other words, the Winged Tribe, who have wings, should arrive in less than half the time.
However, the Winged Tribe people exert themselves walking on the mountain paths instead of using their large wings on their backs. The reason for this, it seems, is largely due to Revalia’s existence.
The Winged Tribe were completely terrified of the possibility of being spotted by Revalia if they flew carelessly.
“It seems like the Winged Tribe people aren’t very good at walking, are they?”
“If they’re not going to fly, their large wings on their backs seem like nothing but a hindrance.”
After acting with the Winged Tribe for several days, I learned a few things.
As I am talking with Mistral now, the Winged Tribe are not good at walking on the ground, or rather, their legs and lower bodies don’t seem very strong. Therefore, they struggle so much that they have to take frequent breaks even on non-steep mountain paths.
And I’ve also started to understand their abilities.
The Winged Tribe do not possess the ability to discern races like us humans. And it’s not just that, I’ve realized this over the past few days.
Their physical abilities, such as strength and agility, don’t seem to differ much from us humans, do they?
Their arts are also very subtle compared to magic, divine arts, and dragon arts, and in a sense, they only produce effects similar to curse magic.
After all, even when sending out scouts using birds and insects, the range of their arts doesn’t seem to be that wide, and they can’t see beyond the mountains.
Their offensive arts are also limited to having controlled birds attack a target; they can’t even generate explosions or whirlwinds with their arts.
Their swordsmanship and agility, which we saw when encountering monsters along the way, were also nothing particularly noteworthy compared to humans.
Even so, the reason the Winged Tribe unilaterally treats humans as slaves is likely due to the existence of wings on their backs.
Being able to attack unilaterally from a height inaccessible from the ground using their wings is a strength.
However, that “strength” is currently being suppressed by Revalia.
As we observed the people laboring along the mountain path, we began to understand the characteristics of the Winged Tribe.
“Their physical abilities are the same as humans, but their living space is between the threats of the Demon Race and the Divine Race. Therefore, they must actively engage in slave trading to show their own significance to other races in order to survive.”
“For those who are enslaved, it’s unbearable. Nevertheless, it seems to be necessary for the Winged Tribe people to survive in this land.”
Ruiseine and Madrine, as Miko, seemed to have more complex feelings than we did.
As those who serve a Goddess, they wish to save those who have fallen into misfortune. However, if they extend a hand to the enslaved people, the Winged Tribe would become victims of the demons and the Divine Race.
They seemed to be deeply troubled, witnessing the reality of having to sacrifice something to save something else.
Perhaps the strict adherence to the rule that clergy do not interfere in politics or customs is to prevent Miko and Shinkan from bearing such anguish.
“Well, there’s no point in worrying. More importantly, let’s brace ourselves for our own future.”
Pushed by Mistral, Ruiseine and Madrine, whose feet had become heavy, climbed the mountain path.
Mountains, mountains, mountains as far as the eye can see.
The lush green summer scenery continues endlessly.
Is the buffer zone where the Winged Tribe lives basically just mountains?
They might be building villages, towns, and settlements in the gaps between these mountains and living modestly.
In that respect, they are also similar to humans.
However, Yondo City, where we are heading now, appears to be on a slightly larger scale.
Guen deliberately spoke loud enough for us to hear that it is the most bustling place in the northern part of the buffer zone.
And at Yondo City, the main force of the Imperial Honored Mansion is staying.
Also, Yondo City is apparently Seol’s base of operations.
Seol has invited the Imperial Honored Mansion into his territory and is complying with the Divine Race’s requests.
This can no longer be called neutrality, can it?
I don’t know what Seol is thinking to be lending a hand to the Divine Race.
I suspect Slustal also finds it incomprehensible.
Slustal appeared to be a highly capable person even to us.
He always calmly analyzes his surroundings and his situation, and chooses the best course of action.
Even when he encountered us, although he couldn’t discern Mistral’s or Nimia’s race, he made the decision to exclude us from the slave hunt targets based solely on our clothing and demeanor.
If such a person were to enter the Winged Tribe’s council, the Winged Tribe might be able to develop. He looks at Seol, the chairman of the council, the representative of the Winged Tribe.
Seol, on the other hand, seems like a person who prioritizes self-preservation and has no air of greatness about him.
If that’s the case, will building a relationship with Slustal lead to smoother progress in the future?
But Slustal is an aspiring council member.
While he certainly holds some position, he doesn’t seem to have enough power to move the country. Considering that, should we try to persuade Chairman Seol, who possesses both influence and power?
No, no. Seol is breaking his neutral stance to favor the Divine Race, so he can’t be trusted.
Guen, the troublesome Divine Race member. And Slustal and Seol, the influential Winged Tribe figures. Who we make allies with and how we act will likely have a significant impact on the future.
As Mistral said, if we don’t face this with resolve, we might be used and the situation won’t improve.
To rescue Ruilala and Toris, who are held captive by Kusharilla, we absolutely must drive the Imperial Honored Mansion and the Divine Race out of the buffer zone.
As we pondered what actions to take to achieve this, a new obstacle arose when we arrived at Yondo City.
“Guen, good work.”
The one who greeted Guen, the Winged Tribe people, and us, saying so, was a towering great man.
“General Esnid, I have returned.”
Guen gives a military salute, and we feel a sense of urgency internally.
This person… Is he perhaps a Divine General of the Empire!?
His broad shoulders. His thick chest. His arms and legs are brawny, and he has the physique of a seasoned warrior.
The small Winged Tribe people around him looked like mere children in comparison.
Esnid, looking down at Guen with his deeply set features, then looked down at the Winged Tribe people who had evacuated to the city and at us. Then, his gaze stopped at Mistral.
“Guen, explain. Who is this Dragon Race girl?”
“Yes, that is precisely the situation.”
Guen briefly recounted the wyvern incident in the border village and our arrival brought by Slustal. Esnid listened without batting an eye.
“Hmph. A wyvern, you say. If I had subordinates of the Heavenly Race, I wouldn’t have minded going to subdue it. Well, it’s fine. Guen, well done. Don’t forget the favor I did for you, picking you up when you were struggling after the God of War retired, and continue to strive for our Imperial Honored Mansion.”
“All for the glory of the Emperor!”
As Guen responded loudly, the people gathered around Esnid who did not have wings also chorused, “For the glory of the Emperor!”
We felt a sense of unease at the unusual fervor of the Imperial Honored Mansion.
These people are undoubtedly the Imperial Honored Mansion.
Moreover, they have gone far beyond the framework of sharing a common ideology and have become a group that abnormally worships the Emperor of the Empire.
And this great man, called General Esnid, is the one who unites the mad Imperial Honored Mansion.
But why is such a person in the buffer zone!?
The presence and intimidating aura that Esnid exudes are truly powerful enough to be called a “General.”
He looks like he could handle himself in a fight, and the thick longsword he wears at his waist looks like a powerful Divine Sword.
Furthermore, he knew that Guen had served the God of War Wender in the past.
Of course, Guen’s history after leaving Wender’s service must have been a fabrication. Nevertheless, only a true Divine General or another God of War could place a former subordinate of a God of War as their subordinate.
In that case, does this mean Esnid is a real Divine General?
But there’s still a sense of incongruity.
If he were a Divine General, he should be active leading an army in the Berisalia Empire. Yet, isn’t it strange that he is acting as the head of the Imperial Honored Mansion so far from the mainland?
Is there some circumstance at play?
Or has he become reckless due to excessive worship of the Emperor!?
That’s it!
Could the reason Guen is acting this way be Esnid?
Guen said he would know immediately who he is targeting upon meeting them.
I see. Indeed, I knew immediately!
“Kid.”
Before I knew it, Esnid, who had been looking at Mistral, turned his gaze to me.
“Your name?”
“Uh. My name is Elnea, General.”
I tried to be polite, considering he is a member of the Divine Race, but Esnid looked down at me without the slightest change in his expression.
However, his right hand had already moved to the sword at his waist.
“Elnea, is it? You are human, but you are quite capable, aren’t you?”
“Eh!?”
Esnid, with his expressionless face, drew his thick longsword and pointed its tip at me.
