Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [290]
“Why?” Mitsuru shot back.
“If the Northern Empire gets its hands on those, all of the south will be in grave danger.”
Mitsuru’s smile widened. “You sure are funny sometimes.”
“I don’t see what’s funny about it.”
“What’s so dangerous about plans for a powered boat?”
Wataru was getting impatient. “What? You don’t know? You don’t understand? I have trouble believing that.”
“Sorry, I’m not really up on my current events.” Mitsuru yawned. “I hardly know anything about the south. I know even less about the north, save that’s where I have to go.” Mitsuru turned his eyes back toward the town of Sono—or what was left of it after his sorcery had reduced half the houses to rubble. “I didn’t come here to sightsee, Wataru. And I don’t have time to care what happens to the place. I’ve got my hands full trying to finish my journey.” He smiled. “But you—you sure have been taking a few detours. What’s with that wristband of yours? I noticed it the last time we met. That’s the mark of a Highlander, or something, isn’t it? Defenders of safety and peace in Vision? You sure have a lot of time on your hands.”
Mitsuru’s words stung far more than he had intended, and far more than Wataru had expected they might. He thought he knew why he was here, what he was doing. And yet the words still hurt.
“What do I care about the north or the south? Nothing. Think about it, Wataru. Take Arikita, for instance…” Mitsuru spread his arms on the stern of the boat like an orator giving a speech. “A town of mines and industry. Everything is done by manpower, quite primitive, if you ask me. But eventually, someone will discover mechanical power, I’m sure. It’s just a matter of time. Vision must advance, as our own world did. Why are you so scared of something that would help it along its way?”
“Because those blueprints aren’t from here. They aren’t of this world,” Wataru replied without hesitation. “I’m sure you’re right, Mitsuru. I’m sure they’ll invent those things in time, but that time hasn’t come yet. Those blueprints are from the real world. It’s not right.”
“What’s not right about it? Wait, on second thought, I don’t really care. Let’s just say I need these blueprints. So, I can’t give them to you.”
“What could you possibly need them for?” Wataru said, his voice sounding whiny in his own ears.
“I’m going to offer a trade to the emperor, Gama Agrilius VII,” Mitsuru replied coolly. “You see, the last gemstone that I need just happens to be set in the Imperial Crown of the Northern Empire.”
Wataru felt the blood drain from his body. If he looked down, he fully expected to see his blood leaking through the rotting boards of the quay to mingle with the sea water below.
“An Imperial Crown! He won’t just give it to me if I ask nicely. That’s why I need something he’ll want so much that he’s willing to deal. To tell the truth, I had no idea what I’d do until the Precept-King in Dela Rubesi gave me a call. Too bad I won’t be able to return the favor.”
The friendship Wataru felt toward Mitsuru evaporated in a flash. In its place now burned a fierce anger. “Something he’ll want so much?”
“That’s right. The North is trying to invade the South. I know that much at least.”
“So to get your fifth gemstone, you’ll just sell the entire southern continent to the Empire? Do you even realize what you’re doing?!”
The chiding look melted from Mitsuru’s face, replaced by concern. “Mitani, are you okay?”
He’s really worried. Wataru had no idea why. What is he saying?
“You’re babbling, Wataru. Hallucinating.”
“I’m not.”
“You are. Have you forgotten why you came through the Porta Nectere? Was it to become a Highlander? Was it to make lots of friends and live here in Vision forever? I don’t think so.”
Wataru fell silent. His head swirled with things he wanted to say, but he couldn’t find the words for any of them.
“You came here to change your fate in the real world, Wataru. Vision isn’t for us. If we can’t change our fate and go home, then we’ve come all this