531 Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan, and the Phoenix Emperor.

“Hmm, what should I do...”

I was standing there with my arms crossed, contemplating while looking at the armor placed in front of me.

It was a hideously tasteless, ominous, cursed Darmell’s Armor.

Why this armor, which was auctioned off to King Felzen of Felzen Kingdom, was now in my possession, well... to be blunt, I bought it from King Felzen.

Oh, not that I forced him to sell it to me, okay? He actually came to me and said, "Buy it!"

The reason this happened was that King Felzen had been scolded by his fiancée, Elicia-san, and his Prime Minister. Apparently, the price had gone way over what was originally planned.

Even though he had purchased it at the auction, he was immediately told to "sell it!" so the offer came to me.

Personally, I didn’t need this kind of armor, but because I felt so sorry for King Felzen, I ended up buying it. After all, I was the one who raised the price that high...

The problem now is, what to do with this armor.

In the end, Frey, who didn’t win the auction for this armor, used the money set aside for it to pay for the dagger she had bought instead. So, I didn’t give Frey any money.

Thanks to that, I didn’t get scolded by Hilda, but if I were to give this armor to Frey as a present, I would still end up getting scolded... since Hilda already knows the price of the armor.

I really shouldn’t have bought something that I can’t just give away easily... Maybe I’ll store it in the [Storage] for a while and give it to Frey when she’s older. Once she’s an adult, Hilda probably won’t say anything.

...Wait? Could this be the reason why Darmell’s Armor goes missing in the future... because I stored it in the [Storage]?

"...Well, I guess it’s fine not to think too hard about it."

As I was storing Darmell's Armor in the [Storage], there was a knock on the door, and Yumina came in.

“Touya-san, a letter has come from the Warrior King of the Rāze Military Kingdom.”

“From the Warrior King of Rāze?”

The Rāze Military Kingdom. A nation to the far west of the Western Continent, where warriors who revere strength live. The King of the Kingdom, Gimuret Garu Rāze, is a Dragonkin, a Dragonnewt.

Much like Mismede, this nation is home to many demi-humans, and it has repelled multiple invasions from the former Magitech Kingdom, Aizengard, to the south.

People here tend to prefer fighting for themselves, so the golems stationed in the kingdom are mostly of the combat type.

Though Rāze Military Kingdom is also a member of the World Alliance, so it wouldn’t be strange for me to receive a letter from them, I’m curious why it isn’t an email. I thought I gave them a smartphone.

“When it’s an official communication from a country, written documents are more reliable. Even our family, the Brunhilde, does the same, right? You’re stamping them, Touya-san?”

Ah, that’s right. So, this is not a personal matter, but an official communication from the Rāze Military Kingdom.

Yumina mainly handles negotiations, groundwork, and organizing information for communications with other countries. You could say she’s the Brunhilde family’s diplomat, or even the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Nowadays, most official dealings with other nations are funneled through her.

I took the letter from Yumina and skimmed through it.

“Hmm…”

“Is something wrong?”

“Well, it looks like the Rāze Military Kingdom wants to join the World Alliance through the Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan...”

The Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan, is an island nation located further west of the Rāze Military Kingdom. It’s a nation that mirrors the location of Eashen in the outer world.

Perhaps for this reason, it shares many similarities with Eashen, especially with Japan.

For starters, the people there wear clothes that resemble Japanese garments. Though they’re more of a fusion between Japanese and Western styles compared to Eashen. Many use swords as weapons, and they apparently eat with chopsticks.

While in Eashen, Shirahime-san is at the top as the “Empress Mikado,” in Orfan, the top figures are known as the “Ryūtei” (Dragon Emperor) and “Hōtei” (Phoenix Emperor). In essence, they’re kings.

The titles of “Ryūtei” and “Hōtei” depend on the family of the person who ascends to the throne. A member of the “Ryū” family becomes the “Ryūtei,” and a member of the “Hō” family becomes the “Hōtei.”

The nobles of Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan, are divided into the “Ryū” and “Hō” families, and the “Ryūtei” and “Hōtei” are alternated each time a predecessor passes away. In other words, after the “Ryūtei,” the next is the “Hōtei,” and then the “Ryūtei” again, changing alternately.

Now, this request from the Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan, to join the World Alliance seems to have another purpose.

Currently, a drug called the “Golden Magic Drug” is circulating in Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan. As you might expect, it’s a magical drug being spread by the “Apostles of the Evil Gods.”

This drug, which is cursed with a strong “curse,” is highly addictive and eventually drives people insane, turning them into helpless wrecks.

I had Flora at the Alchemy Building analyze this drug, which Yakumo brought back, and ordered her to create a healing potion to counteract it.

Since the drug was made from a mutated body, various materials were needed to lift the curse, but thankfully, it was just completed recently.

Although it was only a small batch, I sent it ahead to the three most affected countries: the Rāze Military Kingdom, the Strain Kingdom, and the Trihalan Divine Empire.

The area with the most damage was the former Aizengard region, but it’s in an anarchic state, so distributing the drug there would cause a huge commotion.

Since the supply is limited, I sent it to the allied nations first, but it seems that Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan learned about it and decided to apply to join the alliance.

Well, no matter the reason, it’s great that they want to join, but I wonder how much of the healing potion stock we have left...?

I can heal with my [Recovery] too, but there’s a limited quantity...

“I’ll head to Babylon for a bit.”

I told Yumina and then used [Teleport] to transfer to the Alchemy Building in Babylon.

At the Alchemy Building, I found Flora, the manager, and, surprisingly, Elze and her daughter Elna.

“It’s rare to see you both here. Something happened?”

“I’m just accompanying Elna. She wanted to learn how to make potions from Flora.”

"Um, well, I was wondering if I could make a potion that's cheap in materials but highly effective... If we could get the Adventurers' Guild to carry it, I think it could save a lot more lives. So..."

"Well!? My daughter is the best, right!?"

"Strongly agreed!"

Elze hugged Elna tightly, and I wrapped my arms around Elna as if to pile on top.

"Auuh..."

"Looks like we’ve got two doting parents here."

Flora looked at us with eyes that were either cold or exasperated. Say what you want. Our kid is just so kind and good-natured. It must be because her parents raised her well!

While I was basking in the glory of self-praise, Flora's words—"So, Master, what brings you here?"—reminded me of my original purpose.

"Ah, uh, how much stock do we have of that golden magic potion—the healing one?"

"That one? I believe we have around a hundred bottles."

A hundred, huh. Well, it’s better than nothing...

"If we want to make more, we're short on materials. Especially Moonlight Tree Drops. Even the stock in the ‘Vault’ has run out."

"Moonlight Tree Drops?"

"The morning dew from a tree called Moonlight Tree. But it has to be the dew from the morning after a full moon—ordinary dew isn’t effective."

Elna answered my question. Whoa... she knows her stuff. When I praised her, she bashfully replied that Flora taught her.

"And where can we find that?"

"Five thousand years ago, there were plenty in the south of here... what's now called the Sandra region."

Sandra region? Isn't that nothing but a desert now? There are some oases, sure, but...

The place where the old Sandra Kingdom once stood is now just a desert with a few city-states that inherited the Sandra name.

It's said to be lawless, crawling with bandits, thugs, and slavers. I wish someone would get it under control already.

"Are you saying those trees still exist in that desert...? Well, I guess I’ll try a search just in case."

Using Recall, I peered into Flora’s memories of the Moonlight Tree, and ran a search for the Sandra region. Sure enough—not a single Moonlight Tree remained there. Hmmm... Extinct, huh?

"Isn't there one somewhere else? If we search the whole world, maybe we’ll find at least one?"

Elze had a point. I expanded the search to the entire world. Since the scope was large, it took some time... Oh! Got it! So, it’s not extinct yet!

Looking at the map, there were barely any Moonlight Trees left on the eastern continent where Brunhilde is. But the western continent still had a good number of them.

Most were in the northern Rea Kingdom. Figures—it’s called the Green Kingdom for a reason... Huh? There’s a fair number in the Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan, too. In that case, if we pass the recipe along, maybe they can make the potion self-sufficiently?

"This country doesn’t have all the materials, so we can’t cover everything. But I believe it’s possible if we trade ingredients with other countries."

Hmm. So Orfan supplies the Moonlight Tree Drops, and the other countries supply the rest. If they trade, each can make the potion themselves.

Alright, time to ask King of Rāze to introduce me to Orfan’s king.

Let’s see... the current ruler is Hōtei (the Phoenix Emperor), right? Then I’ll bring Kougyoku along.

The Ootori clan—those phoenixes and phoenix-type beings under Kougyoku. When we made the Sacred Tree, we used some phoenix tails, right?

Maybe I should bring a phoenix tail as a gift? There should still be some left in the Storage from when we made the Sacred Tree. I’m not sure if they’ll be happy about it, though...

The phoenix tail is also used as a material for resurrection potions. If someone just died, it could bring them back to life. Of course, their body needs to be intact, and it doesn’t work for old age or anything like that.

Actually, I’ve already given one resurrection potion to each of our allied nations. Just in case of a true emergency.

They’re nearly impossible to obtain, so I think they’ll appreciate it... But I’m a bit worried they’ll say something like: “You dare pluck the tail of our revered Phoenix-sama!?”

It's not like I plucked it—okay? I properly asked for it and was given permission. If worst comes to worst, I might have to summon the phoenix itself to explain everything...

"What, Touya, you're going to the Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan?"

"Yeah, just for a bit. I'm thinking of delivering some medicine. It seems like that magical drug is starting to spread in that country, so I thought I’d bring the recovery medicine we made here, along with the recipe. I’ve never been there, so I figured I’d take the chance to visit Orfan too..."

As I was talking to Elze, I felt a tug on my coat sleeve from Elna. Hm? What’s up?

"O-Otou-san, is it not okay if I come too? I can use Recovery, and I can also neutralize the effects of the magical drug. If there are people in trouble, I want to help..."

"Oh my! What a good girl you are! Aren’t you just an angel?!"

Elze, overcome with emotion, hugged Elna while crying again.

Yeah, well, Elna is my daughter, so technically she's half-god. Half divine. So basically, the same as an angel! My kid is an angel!

"Your doting parent level is going off the charts-su."

Silence. No objections or counterarguments allowed. The only fact here is that my child is an angel.

"Alright then, Elna, you can come too."

"Yay!"

"Elna, I’m coming too, okay?! Mama will protect you!"

Said Elze while clenching her fist. I mean, it’s not like we’re going to storm the place... It’s more like a relief mission.

Let’s get in touch with the Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan, through the Rāze Military Kingdom. It would be rude to just show up out of nowhere.

I’ll bring a Phoenix Tail as a gift, but if they’re willing to join the alliance, I might need to hand over some mass-produced smartphones too.

Alright, time to get ready.

◇ ◇ ◇

"So, this is the Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan..."

I arrived in the capital city of the Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan, Orpheus, through a Gate opened by Yakumo, who had been here before.

Before me spread a cityscape that looked like a mix between Japanese and Western styles. The first thing that came to mind was the Taisho era. It felt like retro and modern aesthetics were coexisting in tension.

The people walking around also wore outfits that gave off a Taisho vibe—shirts with kimono and hakama over them, boots on their feet. Some were modern, and some rough and traditional.

The population wasn’t just human; there were beastkin as well. It didn’t feel discriminatory. They seemed to be living normal civilian lives.

I also saw a few other foreigners like us, but it didn’t seem like people paid them much mind. As expected from a country that has relations with the Rāze Military Kingdom, it seems to be fairly open. Rāze has a lot of demi-humans, after all.

"Ah, look! That fancy carriage is coming this way. Maybe that’s our welcoming party?"

While I was admiring the townscape of Orpheus, Elze spotted a grand-looking four-horse carriage heading our way.

The Rāze Military Kingdom had informed them about our arrival at this time. So, just as Elze said, it’s probably for us.

"Excuse me. Might you be His Majesty Mochizuki Touya, Sovereign of the Brunhild Dukedom, along with Her Highness Princess Yumina, and Her Highness Princess Elze?"

One of the people on the coachman's platform got down and asked us. When I confirmed, the carriage door was opened, and we were invited inside.

This diplomatic mission to the Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan, consisted of me, the diplomat Yumina, Elze, and her daughter Elna, a few escort knights, and Kuon, who also tagged along.

As for Kuon—well, Yumina had dragged him along. Apparently, she wanted to enjoy a little travel time with her son.

Kuon, being the way he is, didn’t object and just casually agreed with, "Sure, sounds good." Son, it would've been fine if you had said no...

By the way, Silver had turned into dagger size and was worn by Kuon.

We had already informed Orufan that we’d be bringing along relatives, so there didn’t seem to be any issue with Kuon and Elna. However, the Orufan people’s gazes were all focused on Kougyoku, who had come as Elna’s guard. What gives?

Since Kougyoku was perched on Elna’s shoulder, Elna, who was receiving all the attention, blushed awkwardly.

Perhaps noticing her discomfort, Kougyoku flew over to my shoulder. The eyes of the people shifted along with her, and Elna let out a sigh of relief.

"Um, is there something wrong?"

"Ah, no... It’s just, that bird of yours closely resembles the sacred bird we revere..."

They’re probably talking about a zuichou, which likely refers to a phoenix. I’ve only seen one once myself, but Kougyoku does resemble one in color and form—though not with a tail that long.

The carriage Orfan prepared was spacious enough for the five of us—me, Yumina, Kuon, Elze, and Elna—to ride together comfortably.

"So the Hōtei is still ruling in this era, huh."

As he looked out the window at the passing townscape, Kuon murmured softly.

"What do you mean by that, Kuon?""Well, in our time, it was the Ryūtei who ruled."

I see. So somewhere between now and the future, where Kuon and the others came from, there must have been a change in rulership. Then, the current His Majesty Hōtei must be quite old now? Or maybe not necessarily deceased. It's entirely possible they abdicated while still in good health.

Eventually, the carriage arrived at a lavishly constructed palace. The moment I saw the building, I couldn't help but feel oddly convinced.

The palace of the Kingdom of Dragon, Orfan, bore a strong resemblance to the hall on the ten-yen coin.

Even Eashen’s castle looked like a Japanese-style fortress. There really are these kinds of overlaps, even in another world.

Apparently, there are two palaces—when the Ryūtei reigns, a different palace is used. I’m curious what that one looks like, too. Maybe there's an actual dragon coiling around it or something.

Led by an official acting as our guide, we walked through red pillars and red carpets.

Eventually, we arrived at a room that resembled a council chamber, after passing through a pair of grand doors carved with opposing phoenixes.

"Welcome to Orfan. His Majesty, Duke-King Brunhilde, and Your Highnesses, the royal consorts. It is an honor to meet you."

The person who greeted us wore a small golden crown atop their head. Could this be the Hōtei of Orfan?

It might sound strange to say, but they were much younger than I expected. And what’s more—they were a woman.

She looked to be in her mid-twenties, perhaps? Wearing formal robes adorned with golden and silver phoenix embroidery, she had long, lustrous red hair and sharp red eyes that left a strong impression.

"Thank you for your invitation, Your Majesty Hōtei. On behalf of Brunhilde, I express our heartfelt gratitude."

As I glanced around the room, I noticed that the officials flanking Hōtei were cleanly divided—those on the left wore shades of red, and those on the right wore shades of blue.

Most likely, these are members of the 'Phoenix' clan and the 'Dragon' clan, respectively.

Still, it’s hard to imagine this young Her Majesty Hōtei stepping down in just a decade or so.

…No way. She wasn’t assassinated or anything, right?

I shook my head to chase away the disturbing thought that had flashed through my mind.