Chapter 66

In this world, there exist several nations besides the Kingdom of Eustia.

Located at the center of the continent, the Kingdom of Eustia serves as a crucial hub for logistics, welcoming humans, dwarves, elves, beastkin, and even other humanoid species like orcs and ogres without discrimination.

This nation, often referred to as the melting pot of humanoid species, divides the continent into east and west, showcasing stark differences.

To the west of the Kingdom of Eustia, the human population decreases, with orcs living in large tribes, troll kingdoms, and goblin republics—species rarely seen in the east.

In contrast, the eastern part of the Kingdom of Eustia is primarily inhabited by elves, dwarves, and humans.

Elves live around the World Trees scattered across the continent, while dwarf city-states and fairy kingdoms fend off the relentless invasions of A-Dragons from the endless Great Sea to the southeast. Human-centric nations like the Kingdom of Eustia, the Magic Kingdom, and the Spine Empire also thrive.

The cultural differences among these nations are extreme, with the Spine Empire being one of the most extreme examples.

The Spine Empire, symbolized by a pure white eagle adorned with blue lightning, is the pinnacle of human nations.

With vast territory and a large population, the empire boasts formidable economic and military power, making it the most desirable place to live in the eastern continent.

The nobility and royalty, who form the social elite, remain uncorrupted, valuing integrity and practicing noblesse oblige.

The people respect and honor the nobility, who in turn know how to sacrifice for the people. This is the essence of the empire.

The empire does not exploit its citizens, so the common folk live without hardship, their faces filled with smiles, and their standard of living surpasses that of other nations.

However, where there is light, there is also darkness.

While the Spine Empire is an ideal nation for humans, it is far from ideal for other humanoid species.

The empire, predominantly human, denies the very concept of “humanoid species,” believing only humans deserve to be treated as such.

The Spine Empire classifies all non-human humanoids as “sub-species,” refusing to treat them equally. Even elves and dwarves, common in the east, are classified as second-class species, while beastkin are labeled third-class.

This treatment is relatively lenient compared to other species like orcs, ogres, and goblins, who are not recognized for their intelligence and culture but are instead treated as highly intelligent monsters.

The Spine Empire is a thoroughly human-centric nation.

Fortunately, the nations bordering the Spine Empire are also predominantly human, preventing the continent from descending into chaos due to conflicts between the empire and other humanoid species.

The empire’s ability to maintain its human-centric ideology is supported by its overwhelmingly superior military power.

In addition to its vast number of regular soldiers, the empire boasts elite knight orders.

The empire’s three major knight orders—the Silver Hawk Knight Order, the Lion’s Honor Knight Order, and the Wolf Fang Knight Order—along with a total of eleven knight orders, form an invincible military force. However, the empire’s true strength lies elsewhere.

Other nations struggle to possess even one Master, a transcendent being beyond the limits of humanoid species, but the Spine Empire has seven.

This is the secret to the empire’s ability to maintain its status as a superpower while advocating its extreme human-centric ideology.

Among the eleven knight orders of the Spine Empire, the Holy Sword Knight Order’s leader and deputy leader, with their impressive backgrounds, disguised themselves as ordinary adventurers and entered the building.

Drawn by the delicious aroma, they entered the building, only to find something unusual.

The clientele, seemingly more physically trained than typical restaurant patrons, and the various posters, including wanted notices, on the walls made it clear this was no ordinary restaurant.

After observing, the two finally realized they had entered an Adventurer Guild.

“This place… doesn’t seem like a restaurant.”

“Indeed. Judging by the appearance, it seems to be an Adventurer Guild.”

“Ha! A force not under state control, boldly forming its own power.”

“It’s unavoidable. This kingdom is far behind compared to the empire.”

The two, speaking words that others might find insulting but without malice, slowly surveyed the inside of the Adventurer Guild.

“Hmm. If it’s an Adventurer Guild, perhaps we should leave?”

“Ugh… I thought it was an amazing restaurant because of the incredible smell…”

Albert, the blond leader of the Holy Sword Knight Order, spoke with a relieved expression, while Louis, the red-haired deputy leader, scratched his head in disappointment.

Just as they were about to leave, a sizzling sound filled the air, followed by the tantalizing aroma of frying.

The smell, far more intense indoors, was the source of the delicious scent they had noticed outside.

The aroma wasn’t from crude frying but from fresh oil and carefully selected spices that enhanced the meat’s flavor.

The irresistible smell was something even the high-end restaurants of the Spine Empire’s capital couldn’t match.

Having survived on preserved food while exploring ruins, the two couldn’t resist the temptation.

“Captain, wouldn’t it be rude to the other knights if we went looking for another restaurant now?”

“Ahem! You have a point. While dining in an Adventurer Guild is unthinkable, we have no choice this time.”

Convincing themselves, they turned back and took a seat.

However, they didn’t order the alluring dish.

Louis, the red-haired man, angrily confronted Wendy, the receptionist.

“What do you mean we can’t order the food?!”

“It’s… not for sale.”

“Do we look like we can’t afford it?”

“No, we’d sell it if we could, but we can’t!”

“…What do you mean?”

Realizing there was another reason, Louis asked Wendy.

“That dish isn’t provided by the guild. It was made by an adventurer affiliated with the guild.”

Wendy pointed to a table where three familiar-looking women were seated.