The Book Of Flowers
Misi
-- The next day ---
"Ugh..."
Veskal was drunk all night yesterday. He did not remember some of the things that happened that night other than when he accidentally woke up in the middle of the night alone in the room
'I should probably not touch the beer again for a while', Veskal said
He did not know that his alcohol tolerance was very low. One glass immediately made him drunk, but Erin said that she drank 3 nights
He wondered why he was still alive
"But where are the people...? They should have picked me up, right?"
It should have been, but Veskal even just walked to the army camp because no one went to pick up
He had been almost until now, but none of his friends were visible in plain sight
Then, when he got there, he realized that all the Black Hunt members were there
One of them also approached him when he realized the presence of Veskal
"Why are you gathered here?" Veskal asked
"The Captain's meeting with King Julius has already begun. They sound like they're making plans, Erin's coming too. We asked the Captain to stand guard in front of us with the Orion warriors"
"Oh, so"
Does he have to come? Erin and Cyth are already in there, so there's no need to worry anymore right? They must have made the perfect plan
But, Veskal wanted to hear it. He immediately stepped towards the door of his tent. The crew members tried to stop Veskal, but his efforts were in vain
Veskal managed to enter, and found the two camps sitting opposite to each other at a table
"Sorry, late. Veskal Grandier of the Fort of Miralius has arrived"
"I told you the captain forbids it, didn't I?!" The crew member exclaimed, with himself hugging Veskal's right leg but was dragged into the tent
"Ah, it's okay. Our discussion was also about to be finished, so I'll be out soon" Erin said
"But, Mr. Erin. Are you sure of your plan? Isn't it too risky for your side?"
"I'm sure. There's no one better to get close to Walter than us. Anyways..."
Erin, Cyth and Julius glanced at Veskal
"We've got members who are perfectly suited to the plan we discussed"
Veskal who was glimpsed by the three people just smiled confusedly
......................
"Ah... So the meeting has been held since..."
Veskal stood limp because he knew he was late waking up. He's not usually like that...
"I've had a hard time waking you up, so don't blame us if you're late for waking up" Erin said
"Yes, yeah. Just get to the point Erin" Cyth interrupted
"All right, Captain"
In the center of the circle where they were standing, there was a fairly large table. Erin also used the table to show her a map of the world that had been marked
"Back to the initial discussion, as we know, Walter has a big name when it comes to trading. His name was even recognizable to all the kings of the world, not least King Julius" Erin said
He then circled the taper section in the North of the Xiang royal area
"That guy was last seen there. He was doing business with the Xiang kingdom, but King Xiang who followed the plan of the joint forces at that time could not serve him. My and the Captain's guess is that he's still there, still not knowing what's going on right now"
"Then we can hit him right away, right!?" A crew member said
"No. Making a fuss in Xiang kingdom was simply not the right move. Moreover, we will go along with the Orion kingdom army, so all the residents of Xiang will definitely not accept us well. Plus, we're trespassing, aren't we?"
Only the Orion Kingdom participated in this hunt. That is because, the other kingdom... Quietly still supporting Walter
How not? That person is the largest supplier of resources worldwide, both basic needs and labor
He sold all the things a kingdom needed to thrive. They don't care if Walter is captured by the Orion kingdom, but at least they want to stabilize their relationship with Walter if this arrest backfires for Orion. That way, they can still get something they want out of it
The Xiang Kingdom was no exception either. They are the third most powerful country in the world, just below Orion and Hortensia. Their king was very thirsty for power, not much different from other kings at this time
However, what distinguishes the king from other kings is that he is willing to destroy all his trusted allies, if it can trigger his country to become the highest power in the world
Everyone from the Miralius Fortress knew that. It was indeed very difficult and could have triggered unnecessary aggression when they made a fuss in Xiang kingdom
These kingdoms do have alliances, but that does not mean they intend to be close to each other. Every king in their respective kingdom would still compete no matter how strong their relationship was
The relationship between the kingdoms is also very fragile like glass. One mistake, the relationship will soon crack or even break
"That's why me and the captain got a solution" Erin said
He then began to cross off the map again...
... And encircling the royal regions of Bestia and Gong
"... You're kidding..." Veskal who understood immediately said
But, he smiled because the crazy plan might have worked when thought back in his head
"We're going to make Kingdom Gong and Bestia help us"
All members of the Black Hunt crew instantly gasped at Erin and Cyth's plans
"But, seeing from their current strength, are they willing to help us? They're also working with Walter, you know?" Veskal interrupted
"Indeed right. But, looking at the pattern of Walter's trading place, we can tell that he is only interested in trading with big kingdoms"
Erin showed me a paper containing records of Walter's trade during this time. Most of the places he visited were Hortensia and Xiang. He visited Crux and Borneus several times, but many times he visited each of Cassiopeia, Bestia, Gong and Sahra could be counted by the fingers. He never visited Orion publicly because Julius was unwilling to accept his trade offer
"He may have been trading in Orion, which is why Elves were enslaved here" Cyth muttered
"This document can indeed confirm its authenticity?" Veskal asked
"could. That's because I spent all night checking every reconnaissance data I could find from the Orion royal archives"
"Maybe you should rest later" He said later
Erin nodded, then turned back to the previous topic of conversation
"Cooperation with Gong and Bestia is the best option. That way, he will be flanked by the 2 kingdoms that hunt him in the Lao continent. That way, our hunt will be made easier"
"Then, what about the kingdom of Sahra?"
"The kingdom doesn't really help us or Walter. They just wanted to be neutral and seemed like they would only attack anyone who disturbed their territory
In other words, Walter himself could not enter there without the clear permission of the king of the Sahra kingdom"
"Ah, so"
But... There's still one thing that's stuck
"How are you going to make Gong and Bestia volunteer to help us?"
"Offer" Cyth replied
He takes Erin's position as the originator of his plan
"We will bargain with the kingdom. Miralius and Orion will bear it"
"You mean...?"
"Like that. We will help their country get ahead with trade. Then, all the trade routes of the western and eastern hemispheres were separated by Goeitias, right? Miralius and the Elves were the strongest kingdoms in controlling the continent
If we bargain with them, Vainzel must require the protection of merchant ships when passing through Goeitias. So that no monsters would dare to plunder the ships"
"Oh!!"
Veskal nodded in understanding. But it turns out, it was true what Julius said earlier. The most depressed in the offer was Miralius. They must ensure the safety of the trading ships for 24 hours later
But, that's the best solution for now. I did tell them to get rid of Walter before Yael gets back to work. I also did not give any conditions and asked them to use everything they could use
"So how? Do we have to execute this plan?"
...
"I... Not sure Erin" Veskal said
"They are still recovering in their present kingdom. If we add to their burden, fear it..."
...
"Tests! The test! I sensed the existence of a confused person!!"
The sound of screaming made everyone there shocked. Especially when I realized that the sound was coming from the Veskal pocket
"That voice..."
Veskal immediately pulled out the object in the pocket of his pants. And as he expected, a small seed was located within it
"Vainzel's? Since when did you slip this seed in my pants pocket?"
"Before we part. I actually gave it to Cyth and Erin. He told me the details of this plan, and I don't have a problem"
Veskal turned his head towards Cyth and Erin. They just smiled, then Erin showed me a small seed tied to her right earlobe
"Practice to talk to him" Erin said
"... So, you've agreed to this plan? Butwhy? It's burdensome for the Elves later isn't it?"
"You think I didn't think about it any further? It was only the first step of establishing good relations with other kingdoms"
"So-!?"
"Yes. With the successful approval and Walter's arrest, I'm going to take part in the inter-royal trade as well"
"So you mean, you're going to barter with them?"
"so. Elves do not use currency, but we still need the needs of others. Trading with other governments also seems to be profitable
I also want the Elves to feel the seaweed from the Gong kingdom. They'll love it"
Veskal laughed at my voice
"So Veskal, just accept the plan. I'll bear it for now, so make sure you succeed" I said again
...
"Alright Vain. I'll make sure me and Black Hunt make it"
Erin's plan was approved. The crew members began to cheer with excitement. Many chanted 'Prepare Walter!'
"It seems, we've reached agreement" Cyth said with a wide smile on his face
He then spread his right hand forward, and began to give a hint of encouragement
"We're leaving tomorrow! In a week's time, we'll be at Xiang! Prepare yourself because this will be the biggest fight of our crew! The battle to avenge us for so many years! Drop Walter!"
"YES!! DROP WALTER!!"
They then perform cheers repeatedly until they get bored. Veskal only enjoyed the atmosphere even though they were glimpsed by all the soldiers there
...
"Vainzel"
"Yes?"
"Jaga Verdea as best as possible"
Veskal smiled slightly after delivering the message to me
Huh... Even if you don't tell me, I will do it anyway
Don't be careless, Veskal. This mission will be very dangerous, and you should always open your eyes to all possibilities
Hmphc... Wish I could be in 2 places at once to help these two kids...
