GalaxyTL
After that emotional reunion, we sat down on the sofa in the center of the room, to hear the explanation. The last time we reunited, I was covered in mud and blood, after all. I did well to endure it. Thinking back, that was pretty rough.
“Ash, you…”
“It’s fine. You two get to be with her all the time at the guild. Right, Meg?”
I’m currently on the Demon King’s lap. It’s just because he was the last one I hugged, but I didn’t expect it to actually turn into a fight over me. “Don’t fight over me” has become reality… I’m feeling a bit conflicted.
“Geez, can we just start already? Don, Demon King, Gilnandio… it doesn’t matter who’s holding her, she’ll be safe.”
Kei-san finally interjected. That’s right, the conversation’s not going anywhere like this!
“…It’s scary, just imagining what happened when Meg was teleported… the commotion they must have caused.”
“I’ll tell you later, Licht.”
“I kind of want to hear it, but I don’t want to hear it…!?”
Even though he said that, Kei-saaaaaaan!? Don’t get sidetracked! By the way, I’ve decided to not ask about it. I said no means no!
“Okay, then let’s start with what’s probably bothering you the most. The female adventurer, Ravi, whose real name is Seravis, and the other organization members are currently imprisoned in the dungeon of this castle.”
Seravis, huh. That’s what Gordon called her, at the very end. So Ravi was a fake name. But it suits her better…
“Based on what we heard from the guards and interrogators, it seems like none of them have any intention of resisting. Well, they are saying that themselves, but…”
Dad trailed off there, glancing at Gil-san.
“It’s obvious that they were in no state to resist. Most of them had completely white hair. When I tried to ask them about what happened, almost no one could answer. You must have experienced something extremely frightening, Gil?”
“…I apologize. I couldn’t hold back against the enemy.”
“No, it’s great that you didn’t kill anyone. It wouldn’t have been the same for me or Ash.”
“Mmm, you were quite rational, Gil-dono.”
I remembered that scene when they said that. Is it really possible for your hair to turn white from fear? I vaguely remember seeing something about extreme stress, pigment, something like that, when I was in Japan… But I don’t think it ever happened overnight.
And in this case, it was instantaneous. So many people showed the same symptoms, in that short time. I think the most convincing explanation is that some magic was used. Gil-san’s killing intent, channeled into his magic power… it’s terrifying, just imagining it. Though I did see it firsthand!
“So basically, we were finally able to get a grasp of the organization’s overall picture, after hearing bits and pieces from those who are less affected. It seems their goal was what we thought it was.”
It seems my guess about their goal was mostly correct. They were going to use us to kidnap children with magic power from the Demon Continent and make money by selling them. The plan was flawed, but it was half successful because of the country’s negligence. The emperor apparently apologized.
By the way, Dad had already returned the kidnapped children from the Demon Continent to their families. They even asked Special-grade Guild Stella for help and left everything after the Demon Continent to them. Stella is full of skilled adventurers, and they’re allied with Ortus, so they were happy to help, it seems. It’s a guild I’d like to visit someday.
And then Dad said there are still organization members scattered throughout the country. Apparently, the system was set up so that even if the leader was captured, someone would just take their place. They’re working to capture them before a new boss appears.
It seems like this time, Gordon was the leader, and Ravi-san was the second in command. So even though it’s practically been destroyed, if they’re left alone, the organization will grow, and the illegal human trafficking won’t stop.
“We, and those on this continent, need to resolve ourselves. In the first place, it was a bad idea for people to go back and forth between the continents. It’s nothing but a bad habit, stemming from an old tradition of exiling criminals to a different continent as slaves. It’s about time we change the system. I am discussing this matter with the emperor.”
I see. So basically, an old tradition has taken a slightly different form and continues even now. That’s why it’s so complicated, and became a problem. It was also a big problem that they had no way of distinguishing criminals from kidnapped slaves at the mine, but… there wouldn’t be any mistakes if they just refuse entry to everyone.
But that feels a bit… lonely. If that happens, won’t Licht end up having to return to the human continent? Even if mine Dwarves are excluded, if there’s no interaction, there will be a huge difference in how the two continents develop.
Thinking on a global scale, the Demon Continent is just a small existence, only a few percent of the total. I wonder if it’ll be left behind. I think it’ll be fine because they’re long-lived and capable, but… I still worry. And since I have a long lifespan, I’ve seen the changing of the times over and over, which makes me even more concerned.
But it seems I wasn’t the only one thinking about these things. It seems like Dad was too. As expected of Dad! You get it!
“So I agree with stopping the sending of criminals back and forth. But in place of that, how about a system where skilled individuals can study abroad for a set period of time?”
A study abroad program! That’s a great idea! Then we can protect those who were born on the human continent with magic power and, though it’s not ideal, those who were teleported here, like Dad and Licht! They can learn how to use magic and use those skills to work on the human continent.
And those from the Demon Continent can learn about human lifestyles and craftsmanship, but… the biggest thing is probably just experiencing how vast this world is. Visiting various countries, coming into contact with different cultures, it might open up their world. Living a life where you can’t use magic much seems like it would also be a good learning experience!
“Of course, we’ll have to create detailed rules. Like they need to pass an exam to be eligible to study abroad, financial details, and those who’ll be taking care of them while they’re here.”
“Hmm, to go abroad for education. To bring each other’s culture back. How meaningful. Far better than slaves.”
There are a lot of things to decide, like whether mine Dwarves will be able to tell them apart with some kind of identification, and when to implement this program. Father-sama seems to like this idea very much and is listening intently to Dad’s explanation. Oh, he’s properly Demon King-ing!
“Whoa, I got carried away. We’ll discuss the details with the emperor later. So you guys…”
Dad clapped his hands once, changing the topic. Then, resting his arms on his knees and leaning forward, he said this to us with a gentle gaze.
“Should we go… to the dungeon? To meet your benefactor, Licht.”
“Are you ready?”, Dad asked, concerned. Licht, Ronny, and I exchanged glances, and then nodded simultaneously.