240: You’d be flustered if someone suddenly pulled out a legendary item, right?

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We told the hermits of the hidden village of mages about everything that happened.

How we were deceived by the demon tribe. How the Empire attacked. That our lord, Kyle, was in a fake death state.

That to revive him, we needed a leaf from the World Tree—specifically one for health.

While the hermits stayed silent, pervert… I mean, Lililily shouted out.

"Then let’s find the hidden village of alchemists!"

"Wait—what?"

The two things I’ve taken interest in are these. One’s the legendary alchemist Jabir Halyan! The academy that proposed shattering the walls of the Three Great Kingdoms! Agricultural techniques! Miraculous healing elixirs! I’ve heard the kingdom recently unveiled new tech, but it’s been damned hard to get ahold of…

Paradio cut in with a cough. Yeah. Real smooth with the timing.

Anyway, we’d all turned toward Master Jabir like we were in a group photo.

Ah. He’s not totally unimpressed.

I’d written off Lililily as just a pervert. But maybe she’s not so bad after all.

“Gehungehun. Another thing I’ve taken an interest in? Naturally, the World Tree. Sneaked into forbidden texts only hidden ones could read, pushed the few agents we had in the kingdom to their absolute limits—just to find out!”

Hey, you’re really spouting off some wild stuff.

From the look of Paradio clutching his forehead, it’s already common knowledge. Might even be a source of shame for them.

Yeah. Probably best to just tune out the details.

“The World Tree exists, y’know.”

“Really!?!”

“Seems so. This village had contact with the Alchemists’ Village long ago. Back when humanity was on the brink of extinction, mind you.”

Then, Jabir suddenly leaned forward, elbows on the desk.

“What’s this now!? So the Alchemists’ Village really did exist after all!?”

Dunno if it’s still there. But if this mage village survived, ain’t no surprise the alchemist one did too.

That’s right. But how does that connect to the World Tree?

"Somethin' about a text from the alchemist village, researchin' the World Tree, I think. Can't make much of it—just cryptic symbols and old script."

I wanna see it!

Hahahaha, even if you’re Eva’s guest, or some hermit—no way am I showing the village’s treasure to a regular human. Not even if it’s Jabir himself.

Then the teacher started scratching his head, making a face like he’d done something wrong.

Introductions were late. I’m Javil Harian. Master to that idiot apprentice, Craft.

I’ll bring the documents right away!

Paradio barked at Lilirily, who'd sprung up like a popped cork.

"Can you calm down a bit?!"

…….

Well, at least I’ll get to see the documents. Yeah. Results are what matter, right?

◆

In the corner of the room they’d been discussing in, Lilirily had piled up a mountain of资料.

Javil leaping at them and immediately digging into the pages—definitely a scholar through and through.

And Lilirily hovering by his side like a loyal assistant.

Eva sighed, glancing at Paradio.

"Should we just leave him be?"

"Let him have his fun for now. I’ve got a good handle on Lilirily’s research."

Makes sense.

Guess he’s like a reclusive advisor or something—some weirdo, that one.

Eva nodded.

"So, the alchemist village really does have the World Tree, huh?"

"Lilirily insisted it was possible. The truth is, alchemists and mages likely operated in the same area—or nearby, at least."

"So the alchemist village is close, then?"

"No. Seems something pulled them apart. That weirdo... Lilirily claims the alchemists found the World Tree and moved there. But she’s got a mind full of stubborn fantasies."

Ah, yeah. Even if we’ve only just met, I get it.

Eva turned her face back to Paradio from the pervert.

"Have you searched on your side, master?"

"Sent out exploration teams a few times. Nothing came of it."

"No clues about the location?"

"None. If we can crack the old documents’ codes..."

Paradio glanced briefly at the pile of scrolls. Javir, eyes glued to the pages, devoured them like a starving man. Lilirily handed books back and forth in perfect sync, like breath in and out.

I get that you're talented—able to read ahead what the teacher wants—but still... something's off. Feels fuzzy.

I’d just started feeling a little jealous when the teacher shot up, all energy.

"North! No, northwest! It says here they headed toward an uncharted mountain range to the northwest!"

Lilirily beamed, clasping her hands together in worship toward Professor Jabir.

"Already cracked it, huh!?"

"Reminded me of the cipher used in an old text I found before—about farming techniques."

An uncharted mountain range to the northwest?

"Wait—aren't those the mountains splitting the kingdom and the empire? No way anyone’s getting through them, not even a wyvern."

There’s supposedly a road connecting the kingdom and the empire, but it’s said to be an absolute nightmare to traverse. Given how wide those mountains are, probably nobody’s even set foot in most of them. Even if there is a village or town somewhere in that range, no one’d ever find it.

Huh? Wyvern?

I lean in and whisper to the teacher.

"Hey, could it be that Kyle’s dad, Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier, knows something about this?"

"Hmm. Hope is slim, but not impossible."

Alright.

"Uh, is it okay if we, uh, the hermits take this one? I’ve got an idea."

Paradio raises one eyebrow and waits for me to continue.

"What if we link the Hermit’s Garden and Golden Dune with a teleport gate?!"

Chaos erupted.

◆

"Craft. Kneel."

"Yes…."

Back at the assigned lodging, Leifan had me drop to my knees the second we got in.

Maina settling naturally onto her knees.

Yeah. My legs are killing me...

"Why’d you just drop that bomb without so much as a word?"

"Ahh... Van said we could set up the teleport gate on our own judgment. It’s an isolated island, so figured it’d be handy, y’know?"

"Mmm-hmm. I get that. But you know what I mean, right?"

Leifan’s quiet. But you can feel the anger simmering.

"We were told it was okay to install it on our own judgment, right? Craft’s the leader, so I can’t really complain about him deciding solo. But still... a heads-up would’ve been nice."

"Sorry."

Yeah, I messed up by blurting that out without thinking. Lesson learned.

"Anyway, does everyone else hate the idea?"

Leifan crosses his arms and hums thoughtfully.

I’m worried about how the hermit’s garden will react. Seems too much of a shock to propose it to the hidden village, don’t you think?

Nobuna, clad in samurai armor, flopped onto the sofa with a bored sigh.

“Living openly beats sneaking around. That’s obvious.”

Typical of Mizuho’s samurai. Chiyome’s thoughts run similar lines.

Would’ve liked to check with Javir, but she’s buried in paperwork. Lililily’s been left far behind, by the way.

I glance at Jitarou.

“Me? I’m for it. Southland fruits? Delicious.”

The reason’s ridiculous!

Whatever.

“What about you, Persia?”

Persia leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"Politically, we might need to debate this a bit more, but His Majesty has entrusted it to us. I don’t see a problem with our judgment. Honestly, wasn’t the hidden mage village always in the running from the start?"

Right. Now that you mention it, that makes sense. Van’s not the type to miss something this obvious.

Sharp one, Persia! Usually a total goof, but not today!

"What’s that look on your face? Thinking something rude?"

"Not at all! Very helpful indeed!"

Please, for the love of the gods, don’t clatter your blade like that!

Gotta change the subject fast.

"How about Camille and Marilyn?"

The two turn toward us, mid-sip.

"I’m for it."

"Me too~. It’s not bad having a place to go back to whenever we want~."

"Did Marilyn like the village?"

"Men’s eyes take some getting used to~. But I’ve got friends there~."

Hmm. Both in favor.

Majority’s already past half, but—

I check with the most important person.

“What do you think, Eva?”

Eva, who’d been silent until now, straightened in her seat.

“I agree with Leifan’s take—depends on how the village responds. But I think they’ll probably ask us first.”

“Why’s that?”

“Seems like a lot’s been shared since we’ve been gone. More outside info means we can guess what the townsfolk’ll say. Besides, if we can safely get out, the vote’ll tilt toward the teleport gate. And….”

“Anything else?”

“A researcher-type mage? They’d never say no to a teleport gate. They’re probably having a fit over there right now. But the outcome’s clear.”

“Curiosity wins.”

"Yeah. Personally, I think it'd be better if we did joint research with the kingdom—or with Goldendown."

That about wraps it up, then. Ryuuko'll follow my lead, and just to be safe, I'll ask Maina too.

"What do you think, Maina?"

"Fish tastes good."

Looks like she's on board.

...Did Jitarou mess with her head or something?

Eh, whatever.

I turned back to Leifan.

"Turned out to be a post-hoc confirmation, but everyone seems to agree."

"Yeah, I get that... I just would've liked to talk to Paradio or someone individually, you know?"

"Sorry about that. But the conversation’s moving fast, isn’t it?"

"…You’re not exactly in a position to say that after causing a full-blown mess in the village, are you?"

"Uhh..."

With everyone's consent confirmed, and another day passed.

Paradio came by the bungalow.

"The discussion here is done. I’d like everyone to gather again, properly."