Chapter 170
Chapter 170
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Kergo Autonomous Zone (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-What in the world happened?
-The Galliante government, having made a fortune from tourism, grew even greedier. So they devised a new venture. Human tourism.
A silence fell over the mental channel.
From the words "human tourism," everyone knew what was coming.
Tess, in particular, did more than just anticipate. Having studied political science, she understood exactly what had transpired between the Galliante government and the Kergo people.
-They made the worst possible choice a human could make.
-That's right. The Galliante government went beyond the Kergo ruins and culture and began treating the Kergo people themselves as a tourist commodity. Of course, this didn't become public knowledge until much later. At first, they apparently had the natives stand by the roads so tourists could view them from their carriages. Then, a desire for possession took hold. It led to human hunting. Mercenaries captured boys and girls and sold them to nobles for a high price.
-It's a wonder a war didn't break out.
-The fate of those left behind by civilization. Of course, the Kergo aren't weak militarily. At least, not weaker than the Galliante government. But they were no match politically. Their children were being taken, and while the Galliante government was the clear culprit, there was no proof. They must have spent a fortune erasing the evidence, but the human hunts were so profitable that it was still worth it. They were helpless. To start a fight based on suspicion alone would have meant the natives, who relied on tourism capital, would have been instantly thrown out onto the streets. In the end, they had no choice but to make a pact. They opened the ruins in exchange for sealing off access to their autonomous zone. And so, they closed their doors, which brings us to the present.
Amy felt a profound sense of sorrow for the Kergo, who had no choice but to open their ruins even while knowing their sons and daughters were being sold to nobles.
But regardless of their circumstances, the situation had turned dangerous. That was the only thing that mattered.
That was also why Canis had brought it up.
-But that's not the important part. There are bound to be villains among the natives, and it's because of them that Rupe is being smuggled. In any case, the natives in the autonomous zone won't look kindly on us. I don't think there will be a physical confrontation, but we can't let our guard down.
-Doesn't that mean Shirone is in danger, too?
-No, that won't happen. The first reason the Kergo opened the ruins was for money, but that wasn't the only reason. The Room of Achievement and Sacrifice has a special meaning to them. The Kergo have been waiting for someone for a long time.
-Who are they waiting for?
-Well. An angel... perhaps?
-An angel?
Amy asked again, but Canis didn't answer.
Arin checked the time and announced to the mental channel.
-Sorry. I'm closing the channel to conserve mental energy. You won't be surprised if we connect again in the future, right?
Telepathy, being a form of magic, consumed mental energy. In particular, exchanging information in real-time through a channel continuously ate away at one's mind, much like a Fire Wall.
When the mental channel closed, Amy looked straight ahead. Her hearing returned, and the cry of the railroad tracks filled her eardrums.
The minecart disappeared into the darkness of the cave.
@
They arrived in an underground city.
It lacked schematic elegance, but the tunnels, branching out like an anthill, and the plazas that expanded at every junction were a remarkable achievement born from coexisting with nature.
Amy reverted to being a tourist and looked around. Her excitement was short-lived; her eyes wavered with bewilderment.
The lives of the Kergo were completely detached from the scenery. Everyone was starving and emaciated. It was more shocking than hearing that the Kergo were hostile to outsiders.
Old people, looking like war refugees, shuffled along the tunnels. Those unable to walk leaned against the earthen walls, closing their eyes as they held the children their own children had left in their care.
It was as if she could hear the screams emanating from the bleak scene. This was an anthill. And these people were the ants.
Elderly people carrying heavy loads disappeared into the distance, taking one impossible step after another, while in a corner, grandmothers with stooped backs wove baskets from tree bark.
“Is this really the Kergo Autonomous Zone?”
No one could answer Amy's question. Her assumption that this was a tribe owning the valuable real estate of the ruins was completely off the mark.
Canis felt an unknown rage and gripped Arin's shoulder. Her shoulder was trembling, too. She was remembering her life in Radum, known as the city's hell.
The two of them knew that starvation was the most terrible suffering in the world. Therefore... these people were the most tormented souls in the world.
“Hey, this way.”
The native who had driven the minecart gestured for them to come. His expression clearly showed he didn't want outsiders to see the current spectacle.
After passing through a path that curved like a torrent, they arrived at a blocked-off tunnel. A single torch hanging on the wall was the only source of light.
Amy looked back the way they came. They had taken a long detour, so it seemed no one outside would know if a commotion broke out here.
The native led Amy's group to a man.
The man, with his arms crossed and lips pressed firmly together, had an appearance that matched her imagination, as if proclaiming that this was a true Kergo.
His upper body was more muscular than Rian's, and his face was covered in dark tattoos. In both ears, he wore earrings made from the fangs of a beast.
When Jis spoke to him, the man introduced himself as Mahatu.
Amy recalled hearing that "Mahatu" was a term for a descendant of a warrior.
Mahatu, whose name meant warrior, was indeed a warrior.
“Uh, so, this man's name is Mahatu. He's the one who cultivates Rupe and supplies it to the temple.”
Amy guessed that the black tattoos were the color of those who managed the Rupe. If white was for those who performed the rituals, she wondered if black was for those who prepared for them.
Since Arin didn't attempt to use telepathy, Amy and the others had no choice but to wait for Jis to translate.
Tess thought it was the right decision. Judging by Mahatu's disposition, he was no ordinary strongman. A Schema's sensory system might be able to detect the telepathy.
Just as everyone was thinking this, they suddenly began to understand Mahatu's words.
When Amy turned to look, Arin smiled.
-You ended up trying it after all? That guy looks pretty strong. You've got more guts than you look.
-No. I didn't cast telepathy on Mahatu.
-Huh? Then how is it being translated?
Arin discreetly pointed at Jis.
Amy finally realized. She had cast telepathy on Jis, who was conversing with Mahatu.
If one only intended to eavesdrop on the language in the surface consciousness, there was no need to contact the speaker directly. It was another advantage of Arin's ability.
“Falcoa is dead?”
“Yes. The Freeman organization won't be buying any Rupe. We plan to leave the island soon.”
Jis confessed honestly. Now that he was meeting the person in charge, there was no way to hide the truth.
As expected, Mahatu's expression soured. He glared at Amy's group with a displeased look and asked with wide eyes.
“Then who are they?”
“Ah, they're not here to buy Rupe. They came here on other business.”
“Business? Don't you know that outsiders are forbidden from entering this place for any reason other than Rupe trade?”
“I know that, but we had to inform you about the canceled deal. And here's the pass...! Oof!”
Mahatu pushed Jis aside and walked over. His clenched jaw twitched, and his eyes looked ready to shoot fire.
After surveying the group, he singled out Amy as his conversational partner. It wasn't because he thought she was the leader. She was the only one staring back with defiant eyes.
“You said the Freeman organization sent you? Are you a member then?”
Jis rushed over to translate. His dedication to his duty even in this situation showed an extraordinary sense of responsibility.
Of course, Amy had already understood through Arin, but since she couldn't reveal that, she answered a beat later.
“No. But I know the Freemans well.”
“How well? Well enough to risk your life for them?”
“Of course. I've done it before.”
The lies flowed smoothly. In fact, since she had fought with her life on the line against them, it wasn't entirely untrue.
“Then I suppose you can pay the remaining balance.”
“Remaining balance? What balance?”
“Falcoa took eight kilograms of Rupe a while ago after paying only a deposit. He never paid the rest.”
Amy pictured Falcoa's face and snorted. For all his blustering, he'd been buying on credit.
In any case, since he claimed there was money owed, she had to ask.
“We're not close enough to lend them money, even if we'd risk our lives for them, but anyway, how much is overdue?”
“Ten thousand gold.”
“What? Ten thousand?”
Amy's eyes went wide. Even Jis, who was translating, looked confused, as if he'd mistaken the unit.
But Amy knew with certainty through Arin's telepathy that it was ten thousand gold.
She had thought it was just eight kilograms of tree roots. But ten thousand gold. No, he said a deposit was paid, which meant the total was even more than ten thousand gold.
A question suddenly occurred to her.
Falcoa had likely been buying Rupe for a hefty sum for five years. If so, how could one explain the living conditions of the Kergo people?
Selling just eight kilograms of Rupe could feed everyone in the plaza until they burst for a whole year. It didn't make any sense.
Jis tried to persuade Mahatu.
“I'll report back to the organization about the remaining balance. They'll take care of it, whether by returning the Rupe or paying what's owed.”
Lacking confidence, Jis looked back at his friends for their agreement.
Tess nodded. Marsha and Freeman, who valued honor, would surely pay the balance.
Encouraged by her support, Jis spoke confidently.
“So, are we good? We'll pay the balance later, so for now, let us stay here.”
“I don't understand. Then for what purpose did you come here?”
Amy said.
“We're waiting for a friend. He entered the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice. He'll probably come here soon.”
Her tone was more abrasive than before. Seeing him earn a fortune while failing to solve his people's starvation made her think Mahatu was no different from Falcoa.
“The Room of Achievement and Sacrifice, you say?”
Mahatu scrutinized the group. Assessing their disposition rather than their appearance, he said with a scornful smile.
“Dream big. Give up and go back. Your friend is probably waiting for you outside.”
“Hmph! How would you know?”
“It's obvious. That altar wasn't built to summon brats like you. Countless amateurs come to the Kergo ruins. To buy Rupe, to get gold. Did you think you could send a friend to the altar and then come here and demand entry? You'll never pass with such petty tricks.”
“And what makes you so great? Have you ever thought about how many people out there have become addicted to the Rupe smuggled from this place?”
“Rupe is a sacred item. You're the ones who abuse it as a drug. And I have no need to know the circumstances of foolish outsiders. You've always been like this. Arbitrarily judging our things and trying to take them. But it won't be so easy here.”
“We're not going back. Not until we know if our friend passed through the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice.”
“With your skills, you could never pass. State your true purpose for coming here.”
The native who had driven the minecart said.
“Maybe they're thieves. Trying to steal gold.”
The feigned smile was gone from the native's face. If they weren't here for a Rupe deal, then Amy's group were simply the outsiders he hated most—nobles, at that.
“That could be. All the more reason not to let them in.”
“How about we search them? If they've smuggled in weapons, our people could get hurt.”
Mahatu didn't want to touch a woman's body, even if she was an enemy. It was a shameful thing for a warrior.
Nevertheless, he remained silent because he knew what his companion meant.