A long time ago, people discriminated against for their skin and hair color went on a long voyage, found this continent, and became this place's very first settlers. With the abundant supply of food, the warm climate, and the docile nature of the animals, it was more than enough for them to survive.

「It is said that back then, this wasn't a terrifying land where monsters pranced about.」Wakamaru said.

「Are you talking about the ancestors of the native people? How did they find this continent? I doubt they went on a voyage, risking it all or nothing.」

「Our ancestors actually lived near Vireocean a long time ago. There they discovered migratory birds bringing seeds no one recognized, the kind not found in Dew Roke. They then concluded that these seeds came from an undiscovered continent.」

「Oh…」

Hikaru was genuinely impressed about their scientific way of thinking.

「Sounds like the first settlers were very skilled.」

「Haha. Indeed. They're our ancestors, you know?」

The old man continued his story. For several hundred years, these people lived in peace. But things changed for the worse little by little. Huge monsters started appearing, destroying forests, devouring animals, and continuing to grow. Eventually they appeared near the settlements, showing just how terrifying they were.

「Were there monsters from the start?」Hikaru asked.

「Yes, but they were confined in a very small area up north and never left.」

「They never left, huh? Is it because of the environment? They eventually adapted and started moving to different areas. Is that it?」

Monsters evolved too. In the end, the only thing that differentiated them from regular animals was whether they brought harm or not.

「No…」Wakamaru said, pointing his skinny finger at Drake.「Drakons happened. They were killing monsters in the north.」

The drakons failed to kill them all, however. Wounded, they could barely heal themselves.

The increasing number of monsters in the north prevented the locals from scouting the place. Ever since then, they have never seen a drakon ever again.

『They probably died.』Drake mumbled.

「The Young White Drakon can speak?!」

Even Duinkler's eyes widened in surprise, not just Wakamaru.

『All drakons can speak, not just me. I think your ancestors talked to them too.』

「Now that you mention it, perhaps. This tale that includes drakons was handed down from one generation to another. It's safe to a.s.sume that the drakons asked our ancestors to do so.」

「But why? I want to know.」Duinkler joined.

「It's not that difficult to guess.」Hikaru could see the answer now.「The monsters' boss lives up there in the north and they want someone to kill it.」

The boss was most likely an evil creature, and the drakons failed to kill it. Over time, the drakons lost all their strength and pa.s.sed away, leaving monsters to run wild all over the place.

「The monsters in this continent are extremely strong.」Wakamaru said. 「Killing their leader sounds unlikely.」

「Let's set that aside for now. Can you tell me more? What did your ancestors do after the monsters ran rampant?」

「I'm sure you already know. A little while later, people from Vireocean and Man Gnomes arrived and built a city. Venturing too close north led to their demise. Our ancestors then helped the survivors—」

「W-Wait a sec. What do you mean they ventured close north?」

「I mean it literally. The monsters noticed the existence of a city because of it.」

「So if they stayed away from the northern side, nothing would've happened.」

「Yes. Even now, monsters mostly just roam the north. This area around here is peaceful. Oh wait, I suppose a Yamamaneki did appear.」

「Silver Face helped take it down.」Duinkler said with pride in his voice for some reason.

「Oh, I see! Thank you! Spirit magic is still as powerful as ever I see.」

「You know about Spirit magic?」

「Why, of course. People here could use it in the past.」

「Wha…?」

「Hmm?」

「Whaaat?!」

「Why are you surprised, Duinkler?」

「I-I didn't know about this.」

「Then again, I can't really use it. My father was able, although only a little.」

As time pa.s.sed, the people gradually lost their ability to use Spirit magic. In order to use magic, one had to have their Magical Power in their Soul Board unlocked. Those who had no points in Mana couldn't use Spirit or Healing magic, no exceptions. As of the moment, Hikaru had not seen one person in this place who had Magical Power unlocked.

「I have a question. Were the first settlers able to use Spirit magic?」Hikaru asked.

「I don't know about the first ones, but by the time my grandfather migrated, no one could use it.」

「So staying in this continent makes you lose your apt.i.tude for magic?」

「Who knows? I have no idea.」

I need to look into this, HIkaru thought. It wouldn't have been a problem if people simply didn't inherit the ability to use magic. But that wasn't the case. Even those who could use magic gradually lost the ability to do so. Lavia and Paula would lose their greatest weapons.

『It must be the doing of evil creatures.』Drake said.

Wakamaru breathed a long sigh in admiration, as though he just listened to the words of an exalted person.

「I see. If the great Young White Drakon says so, that must be it. By evil creatures, you mean the monsters up north, yes?」

『Yup. I didn't know this continent existed, though the elders back home might have. They probably couldn't handle everything.』

「What do you mean?」Hikaru asked.

Drake's expression turned grave.『Evil has spread widely on the other continent. But here, it's even worse. Evil has plagued this land.』

「I-Isn't that bad for us?」Wakamaru asked.

『Humans can't really do much about it. But let's say evil completely takes over this whole place. If a creature that's pure evil is born, even the other continent will be in danger.』Drake growled, displaying his gums.『The elders said that once the balance of truth is disrupted and G.o.d no longer grants his affection to the world, the world will forever be adrift in darkness.』

No one understood the meaning of his words, including Drake, but they knew they meant a horrible future for the world.

「When will this balance be disrupted? Ten years from now? A hundred? Even longer than that?」

『I don't know, but one thing's for sure. Letting evil thrive like this is not good. I wouldn't be surprised if something happened tomorrow.』

「Oh, no…」

Hikaru heaved a sigh. This world was much more dangerous than he expected.

「Are drakons that rare?」Duinkler asked.

「I don't know. Drake here is just a glutton.」Hikaru replied.「He might be a rare creature, but he won't take down the enemy or anything.」

「I see…」the plump man said, looking disappointed.

Perhaps he thought if there were plenty of drakons in Vireocean, they could go and catch some.

「Anyway, let's talk about this continent.」

Hikaru's party were at a café. In a nation with a population of only ten thousand, everything was concentrated in one place, including the restaurants, cafés, and taverns.

Even in the morning, when one wouldn't expect cafes to be full, the place was filled with people. Some were startled as they saw them, some pointed, while others tried to talk to them. Unfortunately, Hikaru couldn't understand the language so he asked for a private room. His Mana Detection didn't show any signs of being eavesdropped.

「What to do… If we believe what Drake said, then the world is steadily heading to its doom.」

There were powerful monsters like the Yamamaneki here. To top it off, a traitor lurked in the central government. Calling for reinforcement was not an option as the seas were dangerous. It was overall a terrible situation.