Chapter 310: The Other Side of the Mountain

"Did it just... die again?"

Delaford reached out and poked the Heron Sculpture. His fingers only met a hard, cold bronze surface. "What was it squawking about just now?"

"'The other side of the mountain?'" Seymour was leaning against the window, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. From here, he could only see the relatively closer Dogman Canyon, but further away, a continuous mountain range lay like a hazy, discolored backdrop against the sky.

Zor Elves typically didn't have excellent vision in daylight. Even the most legendary among them had to endure the scorching sun when they first faced the dawn. But Seymour had lived on the surface for many years and was long accustomed to the light.

"I think it must be referring to that mountain range over there. But isn't that demon territory? I remember that Pollution Worm Demon and the survivors of Farama are still there." Klade's gaze fell on the map. An earth goblin had emphatically marked that mountain range: Do Not Approach.

Neither he nor Ron could guarantee that goblins could coexist peacefully with demons. If a conflict were to arise, it would be a situation no one wanted to see.

"To be precise, that Pollution Worm Demon only controls a small area." Because of his contributions during the defense of New Green Swamp Town, Gelan and his companions had successfully cleared their names of the former Cultist stigma, earning a place at Ron's meeting. "The villagers hunt and live within the area she designates. If we don't want to make contact with her, we can simply go around it."

"However..." Gelan hesitated, then continued, "I don't recommend the Lord explore over there. After all, it's far from our territory. Even if the sky falls, there are taller powers to hold it up. The Hells can bear the brunt. There's really no need to take the risk."

"After all, the other side of the mountain is even more remote than our area. Many travelers who haven't come to Delusional Land, or even approached that direction, don't consider that place a part of it at all! My Lord, you've already cleared the threats from your territory. Even if you were to officially swear your oath as the Lord of Delusional Land right now, no one would question the borders of your domain!"

"There's really no need to take that risk!" Lavinia said, arms crossed, straddling the back of a chair. A thick stack of books was piled on the seat so that the Half-Elf Priest sitting there could have her upper body visible above the tabletop.

"I see it differently," Buni said, gently shaking her head. "Mr. Ron, the mysteries of Delusional Land haven't been fully unraveled. None of us can be certain that danger won't resurge from the other side of that mountain."

"'Fortune favors the bold.' If we halt our steps due to complacency or fear of the unknown, I'm not sure if the Goddess's smile will continue to grace us."

"Moreover," Buni added, voicing Ron's greatest worry, "that former demon, now a devil—we can't be sure which side she and her master are on. If the other side of the mountain truly offers a higher price than we can, the Hells might turn around and destroy us. By then, the situation will likely be irreversible."

"If that 'Banker' is on the other side, that scenario is highly likely," Victoria agreed. "Although I'm reluctant to say it, even if it's not for the sake of justice and righteousness, we should still conduct some reconnaissance over there, purely for self-preservation. At the very least, we need to figure out what this 'Count's manor' the sculpture mentioned is."

"Sounds like the territory of some noble lord," Quest said, his feet casually propped on the edge of the table. He leaned back with his arms behind his head. "But a Count is nothing like a so-called Baron Green Swamp. I mean, if such a Count really exists—whether officially enfeoffed or self-proclaimed—and they can hold territory on the other side of the mountain, they definitely wouldn't be a nobody."

"Unfortunately, it seems that 'Count' is indeed unknown," Constance said after exchanging a look with Carlos. "There's no such figure in the City-State Alliance, nor have we ever heard any rumors about recruiting him."

"He might not be a present-day Count," Ron reminded them. "Don't forget, this sculpture was a spoil of war from the Green Dragon's Nest. That means the Count and his manor existed at least one or two hundred years ago. Considering the complex situation in Delusional Land, I don't think an ordinary Count's family could have lasted this long."

"That's also a possibility!" Ron's suggestion opened up new lines of thought for many. Everyone began to discuss it amongst themselves, and some had already started looking for potential solutions.

For instance, Annie of the "Innate Earth and Wood Saint Body" left the conference room and returned, dragging a bronze Dragon Descendant into the room.

Sulina, a traveling merchant, had been doing good business with Delusional Land lately. Upon hearing that the repairs on New Green Swamp Town were complete, she was the first merchant to catch wind of it and rush over, planning to open her first proper shop here. However, Constance and she hadn't yet finalized the contract, so the Dragon Descendant lady had been staying here temporarily.

"Sulina has been traveling routes through Delusional Land for many years," Annie said as she entered, bowing to Ron. The girl who had been somewhat reserved when she first arrived was now poised and confident, though her skin had inevitably been tanned a bit dark by the sun. "I'm sure she can help you."

"Oh, Annie, I told you I couldn't..." Sulina sighed repeatedly. It was clear she had tried to break free from Annie before being dragged into the meeting room. Now that she was here, she could only give an awkward smile and bow to Ron. "Your Excellency, surely you understand. A small business like ours is terrified of losses. After finally finding a safe route, how could we just change it on a whim?"

"I've been traveling this side for many, many years. I really don't know anything about the situation on the other side of the mountain."

"Of course, I understand," Ron said with a friendly smile, gesturing for Sulina to sit. "But before that, before you found your current route, did you ever try to cross the mountains over there?"

"Don't worry. We know very little about the situation there and genuinely want to learn more. We have no intention of criticizing you for it."

"Ohhh—" Sulina drew out the sound, taking the opportunity to let out a sigh of relief. "I thought you were going to investigate me for tax eva— I mean, test the sincerity of my cooperation."

"Let me put it this way. Although I've never traveled that way myself, a close friend of mine, a Forest Dwarf merchant more successful than I am, once gave it a try. The reason wasn't complicated. About seventy or eighty years ago, she heard that a new Count's domain had been established over there, within that mountain range."

"To make a profit, she stocked up on a lot of supplies that might be scarce in the mountains, preparing to sell them. But after encountering monsters, Harpies, and even a Demon Ghost Witch, she endured countless hardships only to find a stretch of gloomy, terrifying ruins." As the bronze Dragon Descendant spoke of this, her sturdy frame couldn't help but tremble. It seemed that 'pillow talk' with her best friend had left quite a traumatic impression on her.

"More Undead Creatures?" Sera cried out in disappointment. "Ron, can I sit this one out? I've been fighting those skulls to the death lately, and now they're even showing up in my dreams! I'm going to be sick!"

"Not the kind of Undead Creatures you've been encountering recently," Sulina said, glancing at the barbarian with awe. Even as a non-resident of Delusional Land, she had heard tales of Sera's valor. "Forgive me, I can't recall the specific descriptions, but all in all, my friend's story was filled with blood, curses, and all sorts of indescribable things."

"After that, she would rather choose the less profitable water routes than continue her trade through here."