kscans

Chapter 226 - It Seems Every Country Has Unique Skill Holders

When I followed the witch through the gate, I found myself in a wide, open space devoid of vegetation. A few hundred meters ahead, a tall mountain range was visible.

"So that is the Emeraldas Mountains..."

I murmured as I gazed at the high peaks.

"That's right. That is this time's product. You can do as you please with that mountain and the surrounding two kilometers. As always, any further is forbidden. Trespassers will have their gate closed without question."

Well, that rule is the same for every area. That is why the militaries of each country stand guard to prevent adventurers from trespassing.

"It is quite vast..."

I do not know its exact size, but among the areas I know, it must be one of the largest.

"You might think its size is a good thing, but on the contrary, managing it will be difficult. You'll need a considerable number of guards."

Well, that is likely true. But the returns would surely cover any budget allocated for that.

"Can I consider this a safe area?"

I turned around and looked up at the gate. It is said that monsters are extremely rare in the areas where gates are placed. For that reason, the area in front of a gate is called a safe zone.

"I asked the King, and apparently the gates have a sort of monster-repelling effect. It's not absolute, though."

I see. It is not that gates are placed in safe locations, but rather that the location where a gate is placed becomes safe.

"Then, will no monsters appear..."

Part of me wishes to see one, but my own safety is more important.

"It's not absolute, so they might appear, but with this group, it won't be a problem. We have escorts from each country as well."

"What kind of monsters appear?"

"I'll explain that along with everyone else when they arrive. It's a hassle to repeat myself."

"Understood. May I record this with a voice recorder? I need it to create the minutes and informational materials later..."

Honestly, I am getting on in years as well...

"Please do. I don't want to argue later about who said what, so I formally request it."

"Yes, I will send you the minutes and informational materials for today's briefing at a later date for your confirmation."

"Yes, yes... Well, it's about time."

The witch checked the time on her smartphone and looked at the gate. Just then, two men emerged from within.

"Stop."

The witch stopped the two men.

"W-what is it?"

Of the two men, the portly one asked the witch, slightly flustered.

"Which country are you from?"

"Germany, but?"

"Hmm..."

The witch looked at the disciple named Lydia.

"There are no issues. It seems this is his first time in Frontier. A status card has appeared."

When Lydia said that, everyone looked at the portly man. The man then looked behind himself.

"Oh! So this is a status card! Let's see, let's see."

The portly man looked at his status card in high spirits.

"Hoh hoh! I have three skills!"

Apparently, he had skills.

"Minister, having three from the start is amazing."

It seems he was a minister.

"Is that so! Well now, it was worth coming here for this alone!"

The minister looked truly happy.

"No concealed weapons either... Minister-san, excuse me, but could you please wait over there?"

The witch pointed to the right side of the gate.

"Hm? Is that so?"

The German minister and his escort obediently complied and walked off to the right in high spirits.

"Germany is clear."

As the witch said that, two more men emerged from the gate.

"Hmm? I feel like I've seen him before, but I'm not sure..."

The witch tilted her head.

"Eleanor, that's Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs. Watch the news."

Sakurai informed the witch.

"Oh... the one who makes gaffes."

"That's the one."

These two are harsh toward their own country's foreign minister. Then again, the citizens of every country are harsh toward their own politicians...

"I did not say anything that serious."

The foreign minister, having overheard the witch and Sakurai's conversation, complained.

"Nope, no good. No sign of remorse."

"He's not likely to become Prime Minister."

"So true... Lydia-chan."

The witch looked at her disciple again.

"No issues."

"Very well. Minister-san, please go over there quietly."

This time, the witch pointed to the left. The Japanese foreign minister, though looking displeased, walked off obediently.

After that, representatives from various countries arrived with their escorts, but so far, no country had broken the rules.

"Are people surprisingly good at following the rules?"

After representatives from more than ten countries had arrived, the witch looked at Sakurai.

"I wonder."

As Sakurai tilted her head in response, the next country's representative emerged from the gate. It was a pair consisting of an elderly man and a young man.

"Eleanor-sama, the younger man possesses the unique skill Trust Enhancement."

The disciple Lydia reported to the witch.

"Trust Enhancement? Arc, do you know it?"

"I do. It's pretty much what it sounds like. Having it makes you more trusted, and makes people more likely to believe your words. It's subtle, but a very dangerous and powerful skill."

The short-haired disciple, who had not spoken a word until now, explained.

"W-what are you people talking about!?"

The elderly man, who had been listening to the witch and her disciples' conversation, became angry. But even to my eyes, his agitation was visible.

"...Eleanor-san, he also has a weapon hidden in his shoe. I think that's an out..."

The disciple who seemed to be Yokokawa hid behind the witch's back and spoke in a small voice.

"Hmm..."

So it is true, these people can see what cannot be seen... The disciple named Lydia likely has an ability to appraise people, and Yokokawa's is probably clairvoyance.

"That's enough. This is a hassle, let's just make them disappear."

"W-what are you say--"

As the elderly man took a step forward to protest, he and the man presumed to be his escort vanished in an instant.

"They vanished... Did you kill them?"

It would not be surprising.

"Of course I wouldn't do something so barbaric. I simply had them return home. They're back at their original gate."

Even if she says so, a mysterious witch like her could very well kill someone.

"If so, then fine... The next one has arrived."

I saw the next country's representative arrive at the gate and informed her, and the witch and her disciples turned to look.

"Eleanor-sama, another one..."

"Hah... Ejected."

It seemed another unique skill holder had arrived.