Even so, the northern rock zone was too far that it needed at least one month of travel using carriage. Moreover, Ancadi's adventurers, especially those capable of entering «Guryuu-en Great Volcano»'s dungeon, harvesting "Serene Stone," and returning, had already fallen to the disease. Half-assed adventurers could not even able to go through the desert storm wrapping «Guryuu-en Great Volcano». Besides, even if there were people with power to do so, they also did not have any stock of water safe to use, so it was necessary to ask for help from the Kingdom.
The requested help asked for water that could temporarily relieved 270,000 people in the Dukedom of Ancadi, in addition to powerful people capable of going to the dungeon of «Guryuu-en Great Volcano». However, it was not easy to arrange powerful people capable of doing that. Even though the request from the Dukedom could not be disregarded, the Kingdom would rather choose to investigate Ancadi's current condition first. Furthermore, the Kingdom would also deliberately make the procedures as a slow one.
That's why, Zengain, the one in power, thought it was necessary for Viz to be the representative and directly asking for reinforcement.
"Father, mother, and my little sister were infected, too, and although they managed to recover using the stock of Serene Stone in Ancadi, they were in a truly weakened state that they are incapable of going to the nearby city much less to the Kingdom. That's why I am the one to ask for the help and left Ancadi yesterday along with bodyguards. At that time, I didn't have any symptom... but I might have been infected. The appearance of the disease likely differs depending on the individual. I was agitated by this situation... my family falling sick, the duchy fell into disorder, and how we were argued on who was to immediately ask for rescue. It is also necessary to procure Serene Stone. And even right now, the lives of Ancadi's people are perishing... but I am in such a miserable condition!"
Even though he could not put strength into his body, Viz put strength into his fist and hit his thigh. He seemed to have a strong sense of responsibility towards the people as the next Lord of Ancadi. He might also be mortified by how his bodyguards were annihilated when the Sandworms attacked.
However, it was fortunately the Sandworms hesitated to eat him due to sensing the disease. Though he was exhausted due to the disease, it was also what caused the Sandworms not to attack him and resultantly, he met Hajime's party. Life is where one is unable to know what would happen next.
"... I want you, no, I request you as the formal representative of the Lord of Ancadi Dukedom. Please lend me your strength."
Saying so, Viz bowed his head. Silence filled the vehicle for a while. The sound of sand carried by the wind and hitting the windows greatly resounded. Viz himself knew that as the Lord's representative, he should not easily bow his head to someone else, but he was so desperate not to let go of such good fortune.
All gazes moved to Hajime. Though they left the decision to Hajime, everyone's gazes, except Yue and Tio's, were obviously telling him they wanted to help. Especially Kaori; she could not disregard such a situation as a "Healer." Her gaze was petitioning him. However, Myuu was more direct.
"Papa~. Won't Papa help him?"
She said while looking at him with a truly pure gaze. She seemed to believe Hajime could solve whatever the problem was, unconditionally. For Myuu, Hajime was her one and only hero. Towards Myuu, and Kaori's expectant gaze, "It can't be helped," Hajime shrugged his shoulders with wry feeling.
"Fufu," Shia and Tio chuckled at Hajime. Hajime immediately looked over his shoulder towards Yue, and Yue was... just the same as always. No matter what Hajime's decision was, she will lend him all of her might. Even without words, Yue's feelings were clearly transmitted to him. Hajime stroked Yue's cheek, and Viz his agreement to undertake the request.
To begin with, he had planned to go to «Guryuu-en Great Volcano», and he thought of entrusting Myuu to Ancadi at that time. After all, it wasn't right to bring along a four year old child into a Great Dungeon. As such, they didn't have any problem of procuring "Serene Stone" while conquering the dungeon, and there was no danger for Myuu, a child from demi-human race, since the source of the rampaging magic power disease was known. In the end, it was a problem Hajime could solve while completing his own agenda.
"With Hajime-dono's class being "Gold," I wanted you to gather "Serene Stone" from the Great Volcano first, but it is necessary to go to Imperial Capital first to secure our water. Can this movement type artifact be used by someone else other than Hajime-dono?