Episode 50 — Blood Crave Illness
～ Part 1 ～
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When that gigantic ship showed itself off the coast, Delf – the westernmost island of Albadanba – went into a little uproar.
The wooden sailing ship which was crossing the sea and approaching raised the flag of the merchant fleet coming from the continent in the North. But the ships of the merchant fleet that the islanders knew well was all but one, and not a single islander knew of the black ship made of steel running behind it. First of all, the men who went out fishing noticed that, the children going out to play noticed that, they went to call the chieftain of Delf and Tokihara the accountant.
The chieftain was delighted that the merchant ships had arrived at Albadanba although they were considerably later than scheduled, next, he was doubtful that there was only one merchant ship and that there was a black ship running behind it. Tokihara said that that too was probably one of the merchant ships and he was going to convey this matter to chieftains of other islands in order to start trading with the merchant fleet, then he left the beach.
As always, a small boat descended from the merchant ship anchored offshore, Welkano – leader of the merchant fleet – came along to this beach. He was together with the half elf Remy whom he loved like his grandchild, but the fact that an unfamiliar dragonewt was further mixed in solidified the islanders where they stood.
Dragonewt was a kind of half-dragon half-human monster that was confirmed to be living on the continent. Said to be descendants of the Dragon King who once dominated the continent, they wielded terrifying power and owned high intelligence, therefore interaction with humans wasn’t impossible, but such oddballs were few and far between.
The chieftain too was once a warrior who set sail on the sea in his youth, he had heard about the dragonewts from the humans of the continent several times. Although mostly refusing to interact with humans, dragonewt was an intellectual tribe. Indeed he thought it was unusual, but if speaking of whether there was no such thing at all, then it wasn’t an impossible story.
“Greetings, long time no see. Chieftain Bergel.”
Welkano touched both arms on his left and right shoulders, then slowly bowed according to the tribal ceremony and greeted the chieftain.
“It’s best of all that you’re in good health. Welkano. But this time has become quite strange.”
Children of the island, brimming with curiosity, at once started to swarm around the dragonewt they saw for the first time. Some children, ignorant of fear, pulled his tail or poke his scales, then was beaten up big time by their parents whose face was turning blue.
The dragon man scrunched up his face and lightly waved his hand. Perhaps that was his broad smile. After that, the dragonewt started discussing something with Remy.
“First, about the fact that the ships of the merchant fleet was less than usual…”
While his mind was still worrying about the dragon man, the chieftain enquired. Welkano made a grim face.
“That was a very regretful thing. As a matter of fact, the merchant fleet has encountered a storm.”
He said it with the same tone as usual, but the chieftain wouldn’t be the chieftain if he wasn’t able to comprehend words past that.
“Really…. That’s very serious.”
Nevertheless, even just one ship managed to reach this place was still something to be grateful for. The chieftain also performed a tribal style bow.
Next, the chieftain turned his gaze toward the giant black ship anchored offshore.
Even the chieftain had never seen that kind of ship before. He had heard story of magic ship that relied on neither wind nor human power in the Empire, so it was probably that kind of thing? It was big enough to make his perspective went amiss even just by looking from this beach. The size had to be close to several time the merchant ship.
Welkano also understood what was beyond the chieftain’s line of sight. He immediately nodded and gave an explanation.
“That is Ryuzaki, this person here and his group’s ship.”
Following Welkano’s introduction, the dragonewt similarly put both hands on his shoulders and bowed, directing a tribal style greeting at the chieftain.
“Nice to meet you, chieftain Bergel. I have heard that you are serving as the chairman of Albadanba Chieftain Parliament this time.”
“Ah, ahh, no. The chairman of the Chieftain Parliament follows a rotation system. It doesn’t mean I have any special power within this allied nations.”
The chieftain flinched a little due to the dragonewt’s greetings with words much more fluent than he expected.
The dragonewt gave his name as Ryuzaki. Apparently, he was leading many monsters living on that ship, they guarded Welkano group on the way and came along to this Albadanba. He had especially said that there was no ill will, but the words that many monsters were living on that ship didn’t quite strike home for the chieftain.
Probably not because he said there was no ill will. Besides, it looked like Welkano had also put a certain amount of trust in them. That meant the other party was monsters, but was worthy of confidence. The chieftain was probably thinking so. The tribe living on Delf Island had quite an open mindset even within Albadanba. They could accept well things from outside world.
“We were saved by them when being attacked by a kraken at sea as well.”
When Welkano said so, Ryuzaki looked at him, seemingly a little surprised. The chieftain didn’t know till the meaning of that expression though.
“If you protected Welkano group, you’re our brothers. We shall welcome you, Ryuzaki.”
“Ah, right…. Yes. My thanks, chieftain Bergel.”
Ryuzaki, making a somehow anticlimactic expression, once again bowed. Courtesy was also well-understood.
When Welkano continued to discuss about future schedule with the chieftain, chieftains of other tribes that was living relatively nearby came along. Since Albadanba wasn’t narrow at all, it should take an entire day to call the chieftain of distant islands.
The trade fair with the maritime caravan would be tomorrow at the soonest, taking into account the preparation period, it should be held from the day after tomorrow. Chieftains of other tribes as well, were coming along perfectly bored even now. Magic stones or marine products which were going to become trade goods were probably being prepared and carried by youngsters of the tribes.
“Chieftain Bergel, there are goods we’ve prepared as well so if you don’t mind.”
“Ahh, I appreciate it. Although Welkano-dono has met some misfortune, it’s still quite desolate if the trade goods become too few.”
The trade with the merchant fleet of the continent was an important event even in Albadanba which was held only twice a year. Since the merchandise would become considerably less when it became only one ship worth, he had imagined that the trade fair was going to become quite modest. At that time, because the monsters said that they were going to prepare something, he was quite grateful for it even if they could just prepare the appearance alone.
After that, he was informed by Ryuzaki of their wish to stay in Albadanba for a little while. Although it was impossible to give Albadanba’s consensus as a chieftain, for now, he could still give out permission as Delf Island.
“However, you said monsters, but what kind of things there are?”
The chieftain inclined his head. Ryuzaki was at a loss for words for a bit.
If speaking of monsters in this Albadanba, many of those inhabited the sea, that is to say, the majority of those were fishmen, kraken, sea serpent, etc. On Albadanba’s islands, there was only a large type carnivorous beasts called Yaguara, creatures that could be called monsters didn’t live there.
Sometime ago, the bunch called the Continent Rare Organism Scrivener Team had come to visit Albadanba together with the merchant fleet. According to those guys, the Yaguara could also be classified as magic beasts in a broad sense, but the chieftain at least, had never recognized the Yaguara as that kind of existence.
The one who spoke up there was Remy who had remained silent so far.
“Demi-human type monsters such as gillman, goblin and orc. Undead monsters such as skeleton and dullahan. Sacred beast, magic beast type monsters like unicorn and cait sith. It’s an alliance by various monsters.”
“Hoou.”
A composition much more varied than he thought, the chieftain leaked a voice of admiration.
“I will ask it just in case, but there’s no monsters that will eat humans?”
“Ahh, that’s oka———“
The moment he started speaking, Ryuzaki words got stuck. But he immediately shook his head.
“It’s okay, chieftain Bergel. There’s no monster among our friends who want to kill and eat human.”
“That’s fine then. Just recently, one child had gone missing…”
“I, I see…. That is worrisome.”
Ryuzaki’s expression turned complicated for a moment. Both Welkano and Remy looked at him with their respective expressions, but what kind of implications those had were unknown to the chieftain.
The dragonewt, Ryuzaki Kunihiro had a vampire friend called Akai Asuka and that vampire was looking for human’s blood. That was precisely why Ryuzaki hesitated in choosing his words earlier, and it was the same reason why Welkano and Remy were looking at him.
Within Ryuzaki’s expression was something like «At this rate, it’s going to be difficult to give some kind of reason to ask for blood», but naturally, the chieftain didn’t have the kind of power to let him understand all that.
To be continued…
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