Chapter 385
Chapter 385. Mutual Distrust
Immediately following that, the holy inspection of all crew members and passengers began, but Leila (who was resting in a private room) managed to get through by saying I had checked her.
Well, there’s no way anyone would doubt Arthur’s companions, right!?
“It seems like they’ve been getting by well with the night elves in this kind of familiar way, huh?”
My ears hurt…
I heard that two night elf spies were unearthed in this town. I thought there was only one based on the information I had, so maybe they merged with someone else again.
Right now, they seem to be undergoing intensive interrogation at the Holy Church. That must be quite a horrific experience for them, caught up in the aftermath of the demon lord’s exile!
“Look at you, so excited!”
Well, it’s karma!
…But it’s also a bit too close to home for me to just laugh about.
Also, if word of this makes it back to the allied territories and the White Dragons suffer reputational damage, that would be a problem—
“However, it’s a strange tale. The demon lord’s prince brings the White Dragons, who should be enemies, along with him… Isn’t this a vile strategy by the demon kingdom to make the White Dragons uncomfortable in the allied territories?”
I aired such a theory to the members of the Holy Church, including Seasar. A few showed signs of agreement, but Seasar himself was oddly unresponsive, muttering, “Hmmm… not sure about that…”
“To begin with, it’s questionable whether those guys are really our allies… Was the assault on the demon lord’s castle really a failure…”
…Huh?
“What are you trying to say?”
Are you suggesting that the White Dragons might have betrayed us, and that we fell into their trap?
Those White Dragons were the ones who held back the attacks from the demon army while we stormed the demon lord’s castle…!!
“…One of my acquaintances was secretly involved. I received a letter after it ended.”
While stroking his bushy beard, Seasar mumbled.
“‘I can’t truly say if the dragons can be trusted, but we’ll do whatever we can’—that’s what was written.”
…….
I know there were voices like that back then. But in the end, His Holiness and the Queen of the Forest Elves decided to trust the White Dragons. So I never had any doubts; thinking about it endlessly would be pointless.
—And ultimately, it was the right choice.
The White Dragons truly fought alongside us with all their might…!
But now, who really knows that…? Maybe only Liliana and I.
Plus, those who were at the demon lord’s castle at the time. It’s ironic; the demon army knows about the White Dragons’ efforts, yet the allies are still suspicious of them…!
It’s utterly hopeless…!!
“That’s quite a thought, Uncle.”
Before I could say anything, Arthur spoke up.
“I personally think that Alex has a point. Those fundamental suspicions you hold might be something the demon race is trying to exploit and stir up.”
Seasar puckered his lips in irritation. Of course, realizing he’s being toyed with by the enemy must be frustrating.
But I don’t think the demon race is that thoughtful. Honestly, they hardly pay attention to us humans at all. That sort of feeble manipulation is the night elves’ job.
“But… if that’s the case, the White Dragons should still be more cooperative with the Holy Church now, right?”
Seasar said with some dissatisfaction.
The topic of the White Dragons in the current allied territories! I couldn’t ask Edgar, but could I grasp something here!?
Does this mean they’ve completely severed ties with the Holy Church!?
“I’ve heard there are dragons working as messengers in the homeland.”
Is that so, Arthur!?
“But it’s just a few. Very, very few…”
“Well… what they’re doing is more like reliable and speedy couriers. Dragons, with their high pride, might have their own thoughts about it. Moreover, if they’re recklessly deployed as combat units, it could provoke a counterattack from the dragon faction of the demon army, making things uncontrollable. So it can’t be helped.”
The demon army not wanting to use dragons to avoid losing credit would likely change their minds if the allied side started deploying the White Dragons…
“And I, of all people, was just recently saved by the White Dragons, you know.”
Arthur swept his hair back dramatically.
“By the White Dragons? You, Arthur? How on earth…?”
Seeing Seasar’s puzzled expression, Arthur wore a somewhat bittersweet smile.
“Actually, this ship was attacked by a Kraken, you know… and it was said to be a particularly big fish, called ‘The Demon Lord of Auritos.’ We somehow managed to hold our own, but we couldn’t fight back, and sinking felt like a matter of time. At that moment, a White Dragon suddenly flew in and chased it away with its breath… It flew off right after, so I didn’t even have time to thank it, but without a doubt, that dragon was our ally and saved our lives!”
He put his hands up in a mock surrender pose.
“No way the White Dragon carrying the demon lord’s prince would show up to help a human ship under attack, right?”
Then, for some reason, he turned to me, as if seeking my agreement. I’d like to believe it’s just because I was next to him.
“Hahaha! The cruel and wicked prince of the demon race wouldn’t do something as humane as that!”
If he were the true demon prince, he’d either be laughing from a high seat or incinerating the ship with his breath, no doubt about it!!
“Hmm… Well, let’s set that aside for now.”
Seasar nevertheless seemed unable to shake his feelings of distrust. It seemed he had some deep thoughts about the White Dragons. Was it because a close acquaintance of his died in that assault, or did he have some personal grudge?
Anyway, while attempting to clear the White Dragons’ name (?), I discreetly got off the ship with Leila.
We booked a lodging near the Holy Church right away.
“S-sorry, my legs and back…”
As we climbed the stairs of the inn, Leila was still walking a bit awkwardly. She felt guilty through [Kizuna], saying, “If I could return to my dragon form, I’d heal instantly…”
No, it’s me who should feel sorry… I caused her this problem… If I used self-enhancement magic in dragon form, I’d heal right away, but in this situation, it’s hard to revert to my original form.
Unlike with Edgar, I can’t use the logic of “I was trying to hide my identity because I didn’t want to be suspected as the demon lord’s prince and his companion.” We’ve been pretending we didn’t know about the demon lord’s exile until now.
If we had known about the Zilbagias exile from the start, why hadn’t we shared that information? It would be too suspicious to simply go with, “Leila’s existence is a secret…”
Well, if things get any more complicated, I might just have to bail out.
Anyway, it was great to have safely moved from the ship, which was filled with prying eyes and ears, to this inn where we could maintain our privacy.
Now I can do what I want, freely.
—Summon the dead.
Since it’s been quite some time since I last used necromancy… If the vampires are still active…
It wouldn’t be surprising if there was another victim of their bloodsucking.
