Chapter 359: Speculation

　From that day on, Tauro and his party decided to spend the three days until the final day going out to the forests and mountains near the capital during the day.

　This was in order to get a body of material for the quest.

“Even though I haven’t done anything wrong, as an adventurer I can’t help but feel guilty…”

　It seems that Ragune felt guilty about the fact that she kept walking through forests and mountains during the day, wasting her time collecting things and defeating monsters that were not part of the quest.

“Hey, hey. You heard the explanation from the leader. This is fine for now so we can avoid suspicion.”

　Ankh calls out to her.

“Yes, that’s right. If it weren’t for Tauro-dono’s quick thinking, I’m horrified to think that someone else would have taken over this task and created a drug that could have killed us.”

　The blonde Zumei murmured with his hands folded over his head.

“But we can’t rest easy. There is a possibility that the assassination guilds is also using their resources to look for it. We can’t deny the possibility that even a little bit is being made, so we must remain vigilant.”

　Tauro alerted the blonde Zumei.

“…That’s true. ─ ─ But thanks to Tauro-dono’s awareness, we can be alerted in advance, so we can avoid them. Also, the Dragon People have been saved, thank you very much.”

　The red-haired Malak expressed his gratitude to Tauro, who was going to be the savior of the Dragon People again.

“No, we haven’t destroyed the assassination guild yet, so we can’t rest easy. Let’s just brace ourselves and get ready for the day ahead.”

　Tauro nodded humbly.

“…… And yet, this suburb of Viscount Bomen’s territory is a fairground of poisonous herbs. Even I know many of them.”

　I’m not sure if Reeva was trying to change the subject or if it was just her honest opinion, but she let out an exasperated sigh.

“I see. For them, this must be a treasure trove.”

　Ankh nodded in agreement with Reeva.

“But then again, Viscount Bomen’s family is a noble family that defected from the northern empire, right? Is that true?”

　Blonde Zumei asked a strange question.

“The …… empire, huh? We, the dragon people, have a history with that country, so I can understand Zumei’s question.”

　The red-haired Malak agreed with Zumei’s question.

““?””

　Tauro and Ankh were full of question marks because they had never heard of a connection between the Dragon People and the Empire.

“Ah, sorry. The northern empire has often invaded the south to destroy this country, but there have been times when we, the dragon people, have been able to prevent this  from happening. There is a family there that has dragonborn blood running through their veins, so in order to keep the balance, the dragon people here would often fight back against them.”

　The red-haired Malak answered the question.

“Such a history you have there.”

　Tauro knew about the northern empire’s policy of invading the south from books and other sources, but this was the first time he was hearing of the dragon race preventing it from happening.

“A nobleman who defected from that empire became the lord of this land and has a close relationship with the Assassination Guild, or is a family that may have founded it,  I think there may be some kind of connection.”

“Well, that’s a grand story. … It’s true that the Empire has tried to invade the south in various ways in the past, so Viscount Bomen’s presence is also suspicious. He might be a pawn for the invasion of the south.”

　Ankh also recalled his mercenary days and talked about the empire.

“Hmm. The Viscount Bomen family, eh? My personal opinion is that it’s true that the first generation defected, but they couldn’t gain trust, and as a result of their efforts to be needed in this country, they formed the organization called the Assassination Guild. I think it may have been the founding.”

“…… why is that again?”

　The red-haired malak was interested in Tauro’s opinion.

“Actually, Viscount Bomen has a history of contributing to this country by providing information about the northern empire, right? I think he was genuinely trying to be helpful when he first defected. Maybe after a few generations, that situation has changed. Maybe they continued to be treated coldly in this country and turned to the empire. And so, they brought in those with the blood of the Dragon People of the North, and that’s how the assassination guild took its current form.”

“…… certainly has a point. As for Viscount Bomen, we were unaware of it, but if that is the reason why they brought in the Dragon People from the north and became the assassination guild they are today, we can see why they have been operating in the dark without us knowing. If they had brought in the Dragon People from the beginning, I think we would have realized It much sooner.”

If that were true, it would mean that the Dragon People of the North joined the assassination guild in recent years. In other words, there’s a possibility that the Empire is aiming to invade the south again.”

　Ankh, a former mercenary who was sensitive to the scent of war, pointed out something important.

“If the Dragon People of the North are involved, it looks like we’re going to have to get back into the fray.”

　The red-haired Malak replies to Ankh’s words.

“…… I was just thinking. Was that disease that suddenly swept through the village of the Dragon People really just an epidemic?”

　Tauro mentioned something that seemed significant.

“No, no way!!”

　Reeva was the first to realize what Tauro was trying to say and was shocked.

“If the disease that spread among the dragon People was part of the north’s plan to invade the south, wouldn’t the timing be perfect?”

　Tauro pointed out something scary.

“…… If that were true, the disease would have hit us hard and the South would have been invaded by now……. In other words, Tauro-dono had saved not only us, the Dragon People, but this country before it even happened. ……”

　The red-haired Malak pointed out that Tauro’s accomplishments might not have been limited to the Dragon People.

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