Cave King – 257

Chapter 257 – A Grand Welcome!?

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Kamyu and the others returned on the ship.

Sheorl was excited for the return of the crew. Everywhere, there were orcs who were overjoyed to be reunited with their family.

On the other hand, the meeting room in the palace, where I currently sat, was rather quiet.

Surrounding the round table was Rienna, Baris, and the other officials of the island. As well as Kamyu.

First, we told the new arrivals about what had happened in Sheorl while they were gone.
However, Baris had already told them most of it on the ship.

But while I knew that Leila was not aboard the ship, I had not been told the reason yet.

And so Kamyu then explained to us what had happened during their voyage.

In brief—the voyage was a great success.

The Amolis people had taken Arder and the other prisoners back to Vader, and handed the documents to the king.
We already knew this, as we had been in Langs.
In some ways, such documents helped with Langs becoming independent.

On the other hand, Kamyu and the others received a warm welcome in Amolis.
Not only that, but when leaving Amolis, they were given barrels of precious metals and stones.
Also, over a hundred Barleon people agreed to come to Sheorl.
However, a cloud still seemed to hang over Kamyu’s face.

“The people of Amolis were stunned by my beauty, and welcomed us warmly… Is what I would have liked to say. But things were not so simple.”

Erevan tilted his head.

“Why is that? Well, you are more humanoid now, so perhaps it doesn’t count. But did they not welcome the other orcs? If they did not reject monsters, then wouldn’t that make them quite friendly?”
“Yes, that is why. Amolis is a human country. It is not normal for such countries to welcome monsters. If you were there, you too would have noticed the strange atmosphere.”

Said Kamyu, and then Baris muttered.

“So it was obvious that they had secret designs to use us.”
“Yes. I suppose one should expect nothing less from a merchant country. They must have seen our ship and realized that we were not to be underestimated.”

The ship that had been newly built at Sheorl.
It was covered in mithril planks in order to withstand attacks from a Leviathan.
The Amolis people may not have known that it was made of mithril, but they would still be able to tell that it was strong.

“They also have good ships, and would have seen ships from all around the world. So they know… They saw the power of Sheorl in the ship. In fact, they could not stop praising it. All of the while, smiling…”
“Hmmm. Amolis does have a hostile relationship with Vader. Perhaps they think it would be to their advantage to ally with us, since we have powerful ships.”

As Baris said, the situation seemed quite obvious.
If they could keep Vader away, they would befriend even orcs…
Vader must have been quite a threat to them.

“Of course, they didn’t immediately mention an alliance. But that must be their true intent. After all, they freely allowed us to trade, and were very hospitable.”

Rienna then said,

“However, the situation has changed greatly…”

Kamyu nodded and raised her voice.

“Exactly! I never would have thought that you would go to Vader and make non-aggression agreements! Going through gates and ending up on a different continent… What about all our struggles on the rough seas! What was that for!?”
“Don’t complain to us. It’s not like we were trying to dig them up!”

Erevan argued back.

“I’m not angry at you! In the end, going to Amolis was still profitable for everyone. But…”

Kamyu looked worried. And so Baris asked,

“It’s about Leila then? She stayed in Amolis?”
“Yes. She realized

“Yes, she noticed that the situation on the continent where Vader is dominating is similar to what’s happening on the Barleon continent, which Sanfaris is trying to unite. And so she concluded that even if she visited other countries, it was unlikely that any of them would offer their support.”

Ashton muttered.

“Both Vader and Sanfaris have changed greatly…”

As Ashton said, the situation was completely different from the time that Kamyu and the others left.

Sanfaris had lost Prince Oren, my younger brother. Also, my father had signed a nonaggression pact with Sheorl.

Vader could not stop Langs from becoming independent, and lost a great part of their fighting force. And so they signed a similar agreement with Sheorl as well.

Ashton tilted his head and said,

“Leaving all that aside for now… If attempts at diplomacy were not going to bring results, then why not just return to Sheorl?”
“That is what I told her. However, she said that there was something she wanted to search for. After that, she said she wanted to return to Barleon once.”

Said Kamryu, and then Baris asked,

“And she did not say what it was she was searching for?”
“Some place called the Roval mountains. It’s north of Amolis. According to the Amolis people, even trees do not grow there. There is nothing. Even monsters stay away.”
“What could she wish to find in such a place?”
“Leila did not tell me the details, so I don’t know.”

Erevan said, ‘Eh?’ but I had an idea of what it could be.

“Leila’s crest is ‘Prophet.’ She must have had a vision that told her to go to the mountain.”
“Heal is right. She said that up until now, if she went to places she saw in her dreams, she would always receive something. Usually a valuable artifact. She must think she will find something that can help Sheorl.”

A long time ago, leila had shown me some of the artifacts.
Some were weapons adorned with precious stones. Others were tablets with ancient runes.

“Of course, we don’t know what kind of dangers there could be. And so I offered to go with her, but refused. She said we need to take the Barleon people to Sheorl as soon as possible. Besides, Berfalt hired some skilled mercenaries. The Amolis government also offered to send soldiers, since she is the daughter of a duke.”
“So there is no need to worry then.”

I said, and Kamyu nodded.

“Yes. And the Amolis navy will take her to Barleon.”

And then Baris asked,

“But the coast of the Barleon continent is under Sanfaris rule. Couldn’t it lead to trouble if she is caught?”
“There is some danger, yes. But the Amolis sailors are more skilled than those from Sanfaris. Besides, Leila says she knows a secret route.”
“Hmm. So there really is no need to worry.”
“Yes. Though, it still feels a little strange.”

She was far away where no one could see.
But Leila was very cautious. Surely she would return safely.
Baris seemed to detect that I was anxious, and so he said,

“Perhaps we should try to contact her? If we use the teleportation gate in Langs, then Amolis will not be too far away. If we send someone who can fly, they may be able to meet Leila at the mountain.”

But Kamyu shook her head.

“I don’t know about that. She said she could reach the Roval mountain in one week. By now, she might have finished there and set out to sea again.”
“Still, just in case… If we talked to the soldiers near there, we might be able to confirm her safety.”
“Well. I’m not against it.”

I nodded.

“We will do that then.”
“Please leave it to me. In fact, I can go myself.”

Baris said, and then Erevan stretched out his arms.

“In that case, we just have to continue as we always do, and wait.”
“Yes. But if it’s necessary we can go out by ship.”

Kamyu suggested, but I shook my head.

“No, the crew must be tired after a long voyage. You should all rest here for some time. However… I may need your help after that.”
“We are not that tired…”
“No, it’s really not urgent… I just want…to visit the Barleon continent eventually.”

The others looked surprised by my words.

“Lo-Lord Heal. Could it be that…you are tired of us?”

Fule asked.

“Not at all… It’s just that…I realized it when Leila said that she would go there. We do not have much of a foothold in Barleon.”

Baris seemed to understand.

“Hmmm. Hmm. Unlike Arancia and Langs, all of the information we have of Barleon is quite old.”
“Aye. And so if possible I want a base there, as well as allies.”

And then Kamyu opened her mouth.

“We can head to Barleon as early as tomorrow. Barleon is like our backyard.”
“No, I thought that the remaining teleportation gates might be connected to Barleon.”
“I see… Indeed, that is possible.”
“And so I want you to wait until we dig them up. If it turns out that the gates are not connected, then I will rely on you.”
“Very well. Then I will rest here, just as you say. I would not mind relaxing in the hot spring again!”

Baris nodded.

“Please take your time and rest. However, Lord Heal. Perhaps it’s too early to say this, but if it is connected to Barleon. The powers there…”
“They may be enemies of my home country, Sanfaris? If that is the case, then I will have to talk to my father. And make them stop fighting.”
“I’m sure that your father and Sanfaris have their reason, but at least he knows about the prophecy. If we tell him about what we know…about the miasma that will cover the world, he will surely listen.”
“Aye. It was my father who first told me about the prophecy. I don’t know if he will believe everything, but he will listen to me.”

To be honest, I did not want to return to Sanfaris.
However, we needed to have as many allies as possible.

Fule looked at me and grinned.

“Well, in any case…”
“Aye, we will dig out the teleportation gate. Mining begins again tomorrow!”

And like that it was decided that I would continue to dig in the Sheorl underground.

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