Zodia

Now, how much should I tell Zodia in response to her question?

I didn't want to get too deeply into the matter of the letter to Lurlia. I might let something slip. Besides, I had to consider Nelfia, too.

If Nelfia deemed it necessary, Nelfia would tell King Zeuracia. I didn't want to say anything too strange—at least, not right now.

So one key point was how much Tsetsi and Lurlia had told Zodia. I should start by feeling that out.

"If you're going to hear my story, that means you're prepared to pay a price, too, right, Zodia?"

"Of course. What would you like? Unfortunately, I don't think I can tell you anything more about 'the strategist I mentioned before.'"

...At least I found out Zodia hadn't yet heard that Sakuri had fled Golber. Zodia had probably only just returned to Rudek. That gave me one bargaining chip.

I glanced at Nelfia. With her legs crossed, she sipped her wine, thoroughly enjoying our exchange as a spectator.

There was no doubt Nelfia was part of the intelligence division, but what was her position as Zodia's point of contact? Zodia was known as a walking repository of secrets, after all.

No, never mind Nelfia for now. Anyway...

"As you probably already know, Lurlia and I, along with Lufa, lived together for a while. Wickhart and Ryuzel here did, too."

"I've heard. When I first met you, Roa-sama, you were on your way to see Lurlia-sama."

"Yes. So, as an initial payment, tell me what Tsetsi and Lurlia talked about. I'll decide what I can tell you based on that."

Surely Zodia had been through countless negotiations this crude. Even so, Zodia's eyes narrowed in amusement as she replied, "I understand."

"What I heard was everything from Lurlia-sama's meeting with Roa-sama to the process of your escorting her to the Empire. I also heard that you first met Prince Tsetsedra when you delivered her there."

...Huh? That's all?

Zodia gave a wry smile at my question.

"...Lurlia-sama is very shrewd. In our conversations, she deliberately avoided anything that might be useful as payment later. I pride myself on being a fairly good listener, but... she was one step ahead of me."

...Lurlia, even the walking repository of secrets says you're one step ahead of her?

Anyway, I understood the situation. As expected of Lurlia. This made things much easier. In that case, I could leave out the details of the letter.

Then I could focus on what happened when we took in the Second Prince the other day. Nelfia knew that part well, too.

Before telling Zodia, I said to Nelfia, "I'm going to tell her about when we welcomed Prince Tsetsedra to Rudek. Let me know if there's anything I shouldn't say on Rudek's behalf."

Nelfia thought for a moment, then replied, "There's no problem with telling her everything."

With Nelfia's permission, I started talking casually.

"We'd heard a little about the Second Prince, too, so I wrote to Lurlia because I was worried about her. The gist of the letter was, 'Are you okay?' Her response was, 'I'll send Prince Tsetsedra to Rudek.' That sort of thing..."

Then I calmly told Zodia what had happened after Tsetsi arrived, and how Franklurt-Drew had come aboard our ship hoping to defect. That led me to tell her about Sakuri's escape, too.

Once I finished, it had turned into quite a story. Before I knew it, the distant din of the people had faded, and the only sound reaching my ears was the soft crackle of melting candle wax.

"...Thank you for that fascinating story."

At Zodia's words, I quietly exhaled, figuring she was satisfied for now.

"Well, this is a predicament. The defection from Golber was quite unexpected."

I bet. It had been unexpected for us, too.

"As for something I can offer in return..."

Zodia rested an index finger against her lips as she pondered. In the candlelight, the pose was so fantastical, Zodia looked like an elf from legend. Even Sazaby and Rosvel couldn't help being captivated.

But this wasn't the time to stare.

"Zodia, would it be all right if you paid me back later?"

Zodia looked a little puzzled by my words.

"What do you mean?"

"Just what I said. There's no particular information I want right now. So, consider it a favor you owe me."

If Zodia was that good at gathering information, now wasn't the time to make use of her.

"...We're wanderers. I'm afraid I can't make that sort of promise..."

"If we don't meet again after this, I'll accept that. I'll simply take it as a sign that Rolef-sama, the God of Wind, didn't guide us together."

At my words, silence fell for a while.

"...No. I expect you and I will meet again. Very well. I'll make an exception this time. I'll remember that I owe you a favor."

"Then I'll take you up on that."

And with that, our conversation came to an end. Lufa begged Zodia, "Tell us about your travels!"

It was already quite late, but I doubt I was the only one who thought we should lighten the mood before ending the evening. After that, we enjoyed some amusing stories about mishaps on the road.

"Shall we call it a night?"

At Nelfia's suggestion, everyone got to their feet, judging that the time was right.

Just before we left the room, Zodia, who had gone ahead, turned to face me.

"Would you tell me just one thing?"

"What is it?"

"Who told you about the Second Prince?"

...This was why Zodia was not to be underestimated. I could feel a gaze from behind me, too. That was definitely Nelfia.

Those two were scary.

Still, I already knew how I would answer.

Just one line: "That information will cost you dearly."