Currents Beneath the Surface / A Warning from Suika

Enciodes glanced at Weiss, who looked somewhat uneasy not far away, and began to assign the next task.

Hearing that he also had to accompany Suika, Weiss was in a real bind.

Unfortunately, he had no right to refuse and could only nod in agreement.

The next day, when Suika got up and went downstairs, she saw Weiss chatting with the shopkeeper with a smile on his face.

He was startled when he saw Suika come down, then apologized and walked over.

Good morning, Ms. Suika!

"Good morning, Weiss... You're here to pick me up to meet Enciodes, right?"

It's still early, how about we grab something to eat first?

Suika glanced around and noticed several strangers in the room. Their breathing became noticeably heavier after they saw her.

They're probably spies from another family.

So she deliberately said she wanted to have breakfast first, just to give them plenty of time.

As she expected, after seeing Suika sit down to eat, some of the spies left the room, seemingly to call for help or to report.

Suika noticed that after those people left Weiss looked at the doorway and then at the people inside the house, clearly indicating that he had also discovered these spies.

But why doesn't he do anything?

Suika was a little curious.

But Weiss also had his own unspoken difficulties.

He was merely a messenger, appointed by Lord Enciodes to keep an eye on Suika.

However, he had no manpower and his status was not high enough to summon warriors. Fortunately, Enciodes knew that he could not control Suika, so he only let him follow Suika and record her itinerary.

"Let's go, we should go see your master!" After eating and drinking her fill, Suika stood up and walked towards the door.

Chapter 303 The Surge of the Undercurrent

Led by Weiss, the two headed toward the location of the Kjerag Trade headquarters.

However, after taking only two steps, he saw a familiar face blocking the middle of the road.

"Miss Messenger, how have you been?"

Ratatos smiled and nodded at Suika.

"Isn't this the head of the Browntail family? What brings you here today?"

Suika waved to the other person in a very open and generous manner.

"I came looking for Enciodes, and it just so happens that I've run into you."

Oh, by the way, let me introduce you to this person.

Atatos, the patriarch of the Pelloch family.

Ratatos pointed to a tall, muscular bear-man who walked out from behind Suika and the other two.

Turning to look at the muscular and powerful head of the Paleroche family, who seemed to have his brain filled with muscles, Suika calmly tilted her head.

"Ursus?"

"That's right, we are Ursus people, but that's all. We have nothing to do with the country of Ursus!" The man's voice was very loud, making Suika's ears hurt.

"Are you sure you really have absolutely no connection to Ursus?"

Suika thought of someone, and her tone sounded somewhat strange.

Hearing Suika's question, Atatos seemed to recall something, but he quickly and decisively replied...

"The Paleroche family has lived in Kjerag for countless years. Even if their ancestors may have come from Ursus, they have long since lost all connection with Ursus."

"Pelloch is now just Kjerag."

His tone sounded very resolute, but Suika detected a hint of hesitation in it.

"That's good. I went to Ursus once when I first stepped out of my home and onto this land, but there were some unpleasant things that happened."

So seeing Ursus people might be a little... well, don't mind it, don't mind it..."

Suika said with a grin.

"I see. I've heard that Ursus is a terrible country. It's fortunate that we have other countries to the north to protect us, so we don't have to border them."

Ratatos covered her mouth and continued to melt with a smile.

"Terrible, that word does describe Ursus quite well."

After all, the kingdoms of Terra have become more stable.

Ursus, however, still retains the basic system of military merit.

Therefore, those below need war to climb the ranks, and those above need war even more to consolidate their positions. It's a country filled with a warlike mentality from bottom to top, which naturally gives people a very scary feeling.

Suika's words surprised the two of them.

Atatos had also learned about Ursus because of someone else, and knew that Suika said was not wrong. Ursus was quite powerful both externally and internally, and the root of this power lay in the warlike sentiment of its entire population.

"It seems Miss Messenger knows quite a bit about Ursus?"

So, what about Victoria? How does Miss Messenger see Victoria, and how does she see us, Kjerag?

Weiss, standing to the side, listened to the group's lighthearted conversation with a pale face. Although the two family heads were not targeting him, the current situation was clearly beyond his ability to handle.

Thankfully, Suika was drawing everyone's attention, otherwise he would have been completely lost, unsure which foot to step with.

"Victoria?"

If I had to give a proper evaluation, I'd say "even a centipede dies but doesn't fall down" is the most fitting analogy.

After all, the emperor had been gone for so many years, and there had been no news of the Steam Knight for a long time. The grand dukes were wary of each other, each wanting to sit on that throne above all others.

Even so, Victoria remains an undeniable military superpower. Even the warlike Ursus could not gain the slightest advantage from Victoria under these circumstances, which shows how profound its foundation is.

As for Kjerag, I've only been here a few days, haven't been to many places, and haven't met many people, so it's too early to give my opinion.

Suika first gave her evaluation of Victoria, but when she arrived at the Kjerag Lama Gate.

Firstly, as she herself said, she hadn't been in Kjerag for long and didn't know much about the place.

Secondly, it would be somewhat impolite to comment on someone in front of them, and if she were to actually give an evaluation of Kjerag, it wouldn't be very flattering under the current circumstances. She also didn't want to lie about such things, so keeping quiet was the best option.

"Then hopefully the messenger will travel around Kjerag more."

Ratatos smiled noncommittally, then chatted with Suika about the various specialties of Kjerag.

Soon the group arrived at the gate of the Kjerag Trade.

Enciodes stood at the entrance like a statue.

"Isn't this the head of the Silverash family? It's an honor that you've come to greet us personally!" Ratatos said to Enciodes with a hint of teasing in her voice.

"It would be impolite of me to sit in my office and wait for the two of them to arrive when the heads of the Browntail and Pelloch families come to my little town together."

It's been a long time, Messenger!

Enciodes seemed oblivious to Ratatos's teasing, and instead spoke with a serious expression. Only after finishing did he look at Suika, his words carrying a businesslike tone.

"It's only been a day or two since we last met, it can't be that long."

But you must have called me here for something. Did my application get approved?

Suika couldn't stand Silverash's pretentious manner, so she spoke rudely.

I understand, but I just don't like it.

Hearing the conversation between the two, a strange light flashed in Ratatos's eyes behind her.

She had assumed that Suika and Silverash would get along well, especially since the scout had said that he saw her and Silverash's second daughter returning together yesterday.

But the feeling she got from their conversation wasn't quite like that.

She could clearly sense that Suika wasn't entirely satisfied with Enciodes, which gave her a new idea.

For example, invite this messenger to your place.

From our previous conversations, it's clear that Suika has quite a good understanding and perspective.

Although she was skeptical about Kjerag's openness, she didn't object to making money from outside by utilizing Kjerag's specialties; otherwise, she wouldn't have engaged in business cooperation with the Silverash family.

Now that she has the opportunity to learn about the outside world through other channels and open up new business avenues, she naturally won't choose to miss it.

"That's right, Miss Messenger."

Yesterday afternoon, news came from Manjushri Monastery that the Grand Elder had approved your request to climb the mountain.

However, Kjerag Holy Mountain is the abode of the gods of our Kjerag, so if you want to climb the mountain, you must abide by the rules of the Holy Mountain. You cannot use any external force during the climb, and you can only climb the mountain via the designated routes.

I asked you to come here to tell you about this. If you are willing to follow the arrangements and continue climbing, I will give you the climbing route so you can study it in advance...

Chapter 304 A Warning from Suika

"Is this too much trouble? But the Kjerag Snow Mountain is so vast, how will you know if I've followed the prescribed route?"

Suika snatched the route map from Enciodes's hand with a look of disgust. Before he could even react, his pupils contracted.

"Of course, for your safety, the Holy Maiden will be waiting for you at the foot of the mountain and will be your guide for this tour. Once you set foot on the snow-capped mountain, she will lead the way for you the entire way."

Enciodes remained silent; instead, Ratatos behind him, spoke.

Suika turned to look at the two people behind her, then at Enciodes. Their expressions were calm, suggesting they had already communicated beforehand.

"Wait, Saintess, could it be the Saintess I'm thinking of?"

As an ordinary tourist, wouldn't it be too much of an honor for him to personally greet me?

And aren't you worried about what would happen if I wanted to harm her?

Although Suika said no, she chuckled to herself, never expecting that the last cat she had come to the snow mountain to see would actually show up on her own.

She had initially thought it would take some effort, but it turned out to be so easy.

"The Holy Maiden was personally selected by the gods, and she enjoys divine protection on the Holy Mountain. Moreover, she personally planned the route up the mountain this time."

Without her guidance, no one could safely climb the mountain in this weather.

As for you, little girl, you probably don't have the ability to harm the Holy Maiden on the Holy Mountain."

Atatos's words dispelled some of Suika's doubts.

It seems this wasn't Enciodes's decision after all. However, considering that the other two companies don't seem to mind the plan, the rivalry between Enciodes and Enya is certainly quite convincing.

At least neither of them believed that Enya would favor Silverash in this matter.

"Alright then, but what about the time? Which day should we set it for?" Suika thought that since all three families had agreed, it must have been with Manjushri Monastery's consent.

"Tomorrow, the Saintess will be waiting for you at the foot of the snow mountain," Enciodes finally answered Suika's question.

Suika nodded

"So that means I'm free to move around today?"

Enciodes didn't speak but looked at the other two houses.

Ratatos didn't speak, but Atatos, who was beside her, spoke up.

"I've heard that Miss Messenger has already spoken privately with both families. I wonder if my Paleroche family would have the honor of speaking with them alone?"

Suika nodded, glanced at Enciodes, and saw that he was expressionless, looking like an NPC, which annoyed her.

"Of course, no problem. I've heard that the Paleroche family has a lot of good wine, and you're from Ursus. The only regret I have about coming to Kjerag is that I didn't get to drink my fill. I hope Brother Atatos can grant me this small wish."

"Hahaha, of course. The Paleroche family never easily admits defeat in anything, not even drinking!"

Atatos looked triumphant.

As for Suika, all I can say is, "Seriously? You and your grandpa together can't even outdrink your daughter, and you never admit defeat easily. It's laughable!"

After leaving the Kjerag Trade, Suika boarded a carriage bound for Pelloch.

On the bus, she could sense that, compared to Enciodes's hidden prejudice and Browntail's self-interest, the man in front of her gave her a stranger feeling.

That was a deep-seated respect mixed with an undisguised rejection.

Suika didn't know the reason for his respect, but the reason for his rejection was clear: as a core member of the conservative faction, it would be truly strange if he showed curiosity and longing for the outside world.

As for Suika, being from out of town, her reason for coming was to take the locals with her and let them learn advanced knowledge from the outside world.