Chapter 325: A Medicine Good for the Body
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 325: A Medicine Good for the Body
People are usually wary of strangers in unfamiliar lands. But in the Fallen Dominion, where everyone is a wanderer, everything is unfamiliar, and everyone but yourself is a stranger. When faced with strangeness so often, it becomes the norm.
They weren't overly cautious, not until we drew near. They simply watched us from atop their vehicles, ready to flee at a moment's notice.
"Hey, there. We just want to ask—"
But the moment our Cataphract came fully into the firelight, they turned and fled without a second glance.
A dozen or so vehicles scattered in every direction. Their movements were surprisingly coordinated, each one using the others as bait. Watching them flee like a pack of rats, the Regressor clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Tch. All I wanted was to ask for directions. Did the Cataphract make them suspicious?"
"The Cataphract has nothing to do with it. Bizarre vehicles are a common sight in the Fallen Dominion."
In other words, unless it's the size of a Juggernaut, nothing stands out. All I wanted was to take my elixir and get some rest, so I gave my orders through a groan of muscle pain.
"Shei, forget that. Pull out some junk from your Pocket. The least valuable stuff you have—it doesn't matter what it is, as long as it's bulky. Tyr, cover it with your darkness to make the pile look bigger. Azzy, you… right. Just climb up and sit on the very top."
"Huh? Why?"
"They ran because our vehicle looked empty. We need to make ourselves look as rich as possible right now."
"Won't that just make them try to rob us?"
"At least they won't think we're here to rob them. A well-fed beast is a generous one, after all."
Following my instructions, the Regressor pulled alchemic steel from her Pocket and stacked it into a pile. Tyr shrouded it in darkness, and Azzy leaped onto the very top.
With Azzy perched atop the mountain of junk, bathed in the glow of the campfire, our Cataphract looked for all the world like a treasure hoard on wheels. The Regressor was not pleased with the sight.
"We look like a pack of Dholes returning from a successful raid."
"That's the point. In the Fallen Dominion, the thing people fear most is a hungry neighbor, and the thing they like most is a well-fed one. The more stuffed that neighbor is, the better."
"I can see fearing a hungry neighbor—you never know what they might do. But why would they like a well-fed one?"
"Because if their stomachs are full, they won't be thinking about slitting anyone else's open. They'd be the ones getting gutted, not the other way around."
It was just as I'd said. The Dholes who had fled circled us from a distance, but when they saw that our Cataphract, though shrouded in darkness, appeared to be laden with goods, they began to creep back.
"They're actually coming back?"
"We look like we don't have an inch of space left for more cargo, right? They'll reason that we have no cause to be greedy for their things. They have nothing, and we have no room to carry it."
Just as I predicted. A man who had drawn noticeably closer leaned out and called to us.
"Hey there! On your way back from a haul in the Military State?"
Best if I handle this instead of the Regressor. I stepped forward in her place and waved.
"That's right! Are you folks just heading out?"
"Of course we are! The plunder guarantee was issued just the other day!"
"Plunder guarantee?"
At my question, the man eyed me suspiciously.
"You don't know about the plunder guarantee?"
A right that promises to purchase all plundered goods in a lump sum. A raid guaranteed by the Golden Palace. It’s a chance to make a killing without worrying about being robbed yourself, and it’s safer since so many people go at once. But they crossed the border and made a haul without one?
So, it's a right that exists because people are worried their loot will get stolen from them. What a bizarre concept. It's even more surprising that it's enough to actually motivate people.
Well, I've read his mind, so I might as well answer.
"Of course I know. It's basically insurance for your loot, right?"
"If you knew, then why..."
"But why would we need one? How little confidence do you have to be, to worry about something like that when you go raiding?"
I gave Hilde a look, and she, understanding my intent, gave a threatening smile and unleashed her killing intent. The basics of the Geon Qi Art—a wave of Qi that traveled through the air, pricking the skin like needles. Cowering before Hilde's aura, the man trembled as he thought.
What an incredible aura…! These aren't just Dholes! They're predators! I'd better forget any ideas about robbing them!
The man, who had been secretly wondering if he could swindle us, quickly changed his tune and began to fawn over us.
"You are brave indeed! Truly incredible!"
"Good, as long as you understand. I'm just making sure we avoid any unnecessary trouble."
He's telling me not to even dream of stealing their cargo. Well, we're heading to the Military State anyway. As long as they don't bother us, there's no reason to poke a hornet's nest…
The man gestured that all was well, and the Dholes who had fled began to trickle back toward the camp. Soon, their many vehicles had once again formed a circle around the campfire.
The wood in the Fallen Dominion burned hot, so even a small campfire was enough to warm everyone. Circling up to block the wind and using their vehicles as posts for their tents was the wanderers' way of making camp.
The sun was still setting, but there was no need to press on. In the ever-shifting Fallen Dominion, you could only trust your own two eyes. The moment darkness fell, the risk of an accident skyrocketed. Even for a Qi practitioner, a broken-down vehicle was as good as a death sentence.
The sun was clocking out for the day, commanding all below to prepare for sleep. We had no choice but to obey. With night falling, it was time to take the elixir and rest.
"We're done here. Go on about your business."
I turned to head back, but the man who had been hesitating finally worked up the courage to speak to me.
"E-excuse me. I know it's presumptuous, but may I ask just one question?"
"What is it?"
"Is it true that in the Military State, steel just lies around on the ground? Steel refined with mana?"
That's what you worked up the nerve to ask? I looked into the man's eyes and read his thoughts.
I'm heading to the Military State because of the rumors, but it'll be a disaster if there's nothing to plunder. I can always run, but to go all that way and come back empty-handed… that's as good as death!
It was the first time I'd ever heard someone sound so resolute about going on a raid.
Alright, let's see. He's from the Fallen Dominion. They like steel that's easy to convert, or materials that are easy to alchemize. They'd probably like Alchemic Gold, too, though they wouldn't value it as highly as the Military State does. For them, heavy and useful is best.
So, what would be the right answer?
"It's a little different. It doesn't just lie around. It grows all over the Military State, like plants."
"P-plants? You mean, like trees?"
"It sprouts up out of nowhere as streetlamps and fences. I hear they even use alchemic steel for the pillars in their buildings. So, go with the mindset of a lumberjack, not a warrior. You'll make a much better living that way."
"Oh, ooh! Thank you! I'll take that valuable information to heart!"
"Well, I didn't give you that information for free. We have a few questions of our own."
"Ask anything!"
I'd given him the answer he wanted and set the stage. I crooked a finger at the Regressor.
"Shei. Go get what we need. I'll set up the tent."
"Got it."
…Hmph. He certainly is useful. He didn't even use force, yet he can draw information so naturally from a complete stranger. And from one of the Fallen Dominion's Dholes, no less, who are always looking for a chance to stab you in the back.
Just do the opposite of what you'd do.
And honestly, I'm jealous of you. It's much easier to just threaten people with force than to go through the trouble of reading their minds and crafting the perfect response.
Leaving the Regressor to her task, I returned to the Cataphract to find Hilde had already finished setting up the tent. She wasn't just skilled; she was fast. They say generals are useless at manual labor, but I guess a Six General is different.
The moment I pushed aside the tent flap and stepped inside, Hilde greeted me, her hands clasped demurely.
"You did well, Father! Welcome back!"
"I'm back. Phew. What a pain."
Tyr's coffin was parked on one side, and in another corner, Azzy was stretching her back. I collapsed onto a spot where two blankets had been laid out. Hilde placed a cup of water and a lantern before me with a sigh.
"I can't believe an order came down from the Golden Palace. Things are going to get chaotic near the border~. Those poor people of the Military State."
A curious Tyr asked.
"What is this 'plunder guarantee'?"
I answered as I washed my hands and feet with the water Hilde had poured for me.
"Hmm, it's a bit complicated. To put it simply, it's an order to 'go rob these people.' When the word gets out, all the Dholes scattered across the Fallen Dominion swarm in for a piece."
"Why do something so convoluted? Why not just gather an army and invade?"
"Unlike the Military State or other nations, the Fallen Dominion has no clear chain of command. Everything here drifts, centered around the Golden Palace. News travels fast that way, but military might doesn't. You can't compel the Dholes to do anything when they're scattered to the four winds."
In other words, they have no central point around which to rally. A strange nation indeed, to have no attachment to the land.
I like that Tyr understands so quickly. Or maybe it's that she's quick to accept things.
She doesn't question why the people of the Fallen Dominion wander or why they have no attachment to the land; she simply accepts what I say as fact, which makes explaining things much easier. I can fill her in on the details later.
"So the Golden Palace uses self-interest to move the wanderers. They encourage raids on the Military State and guarantee they'll buy all the loot. Then, like animals drawn to a tasty scent, the wanderers all flock in that direction—whether it's to do the raiding, to raid the raiders, or to offer protection from the raids."
"I see. It's not quite mustering an army, but it achieves a similar effect."
"Exactly. You catch on fast."
Hilde, who had been magically creating and pouring water, grumbled in discontent.
"The only ones who die from it are the signallers and the citizens of the Military State, though~. Ugh, it's so annoying. Maybe I should just assassinate them all tonight."
What a terrifying thing to say… But then, the person before me was the Camarilla of the Six Generals, the terror of the Military State. Assassination was something she could do at any time, and indeed, had done before.
I tried to dissuade her, albeit half-heartedly.
"That's hardly appropriate behavior for an envoy on her way to propose a truce."
"What does it matter! If no one knows, it never happened!"
"But we already know, don't we?"
At my remark, Hilde pouted playfully and pressed a finger to her lips. A cheerful voice emerged from her terrifying smile.
"Hehe, you'll keep your mouths shut, won't you?"
"I get the feeling if I don't, you'll make sure I can never open it again…"
Well, as long as she doesn't kill me, she can do what she wants.
I wiped my hands and feet with a damp cloth and, feeling relatively clean, took a deep breath. My limbs were sore, but my body was otherwise fine. This would have to do.
My preparations complete, I took the elixir from its wooden box. An elixir, huh. I wasn't expecting much… I'd treat it like taking a health supplement.
"Alright, I'm taking it now."
"Drumroll, please! I can't wait to see the new and improved Father after you take the elixir!"
"If I regain my strength, I won't forget the hard work of everyone who has believed in and followed me. You all know the drill for when I take an elixir, right? Don't touch me or talk to me unless it's an emergency."
It probably wouldn't matter, but you never know. This elixir might actually work well on me.
Tyr asked curiously.
"So I must not touch you or speak to you?"
"It's not that strict. If there's an emergency—say, the tent catches fire—you should obviously run. But it's best to be left alone so I don't waste any Qi."
"Hm. How curious. I understand."
Tyr moved her coffin, setting it down beside me. She sat atop it and began to watch me in silence, apparently intending to stay there until I had fully absorbed the elixir.
It was a little unnerving, but if all she was going to do was watch, I could live with it.
"Alright. Here I go."
I raised the elixir. It had a sharp, spicy aroma. It didn't look appetizing, but I squeezed my eyes shut and tipped the contents into my mouth.