Chapter 113

The journey to the Kingdom of Ordalis is quite a trek.

I leave the travel to the magic carriage and pass the time in the cargo area.

Having grown bored of cards, I play with another toy.

This is a good exercise for the mind, after all.

Though Noel and Arnella are too strong.

The carriage only stops for meals or when we find a water source.

I was surprised when Sepia used earth magic to create a bath.

Since there was cleaning up to do afterward, we all took a dip. It’s part of the adventurer’s way.

Sepia wrapped herself in a towel, embarrassed.

The hot water soothes my fatigue.

I had Arnella wash my back.

Bathing while gazing outside is quite nice.

Of course, I can’t do this in a residential area.

I take my time soaking.

It’s not a hurried journey, and since everyone can use fire magic, the water doesn’t cool down.

When Mastema tried to heat the water with hellfire, I hurriedly stopped her.

We’d all ascend to the afterlife together.

After getting out of the bath and finishing our meal, we went to sleep for the day.

I’d like to stop somewhere before the variety of our meals runs out.

Preferably not a village, but a proper city.

The free-spirited journey of an adventurer is truly wonderful.

However, I also feel that I can’t keep doing this forever.

Thanks to the magic carriage, the journey that would normally take months is greatly shortened.

If it were a magic train, it would be even faster.

If that magic train were used for military purposes, it would become a tremendous threat.

While the train itself is impressive, its astounding transport capacity directly translates to the strength of a war.

Someday, the Noureisu Magic Nation may claim dominion over the world.

I recall the face of that woman, Hain.

Her face is beautiful, but her inner self is very unhuman.

I can’t believe she’s Sepia’s sister.

“What? Is something on me?”

When I look at Sepia, it seems she misunderstood and thought there was trash on her.

She’s shaking her body while glancing around.

I really can’t believe they’re sisters.

I hope she grows up properly.

On the way, we deliberately defeated monsters and took breaks to exercise, finally crossing the border into the kingdom.

There was a fortress along the way, but it remains uninhabited as before.

They probably don’t have the resources to station troops in this area yet.

The presence of monsters here is likely a result of that.

While it’s fine to crush monsters with the magic carriage, I learned it gets surprisingly bloodied, so I decided to handle them properly.

I won’t collect anything except for magic stones.

I’d have a problem if the cargo area fills up.

I can gather some edible parts of the meat and eat them that day.

After passing through a few more cities, we finally arrived at the royal capital.

We passed through the castle walls and spoke to the gatekeeper before entering.

The traffic of people was quite heavy.

While it’s still hard to call it a complete picture, the lively atmosphere was immediately apparent.

The market seemed to be bustling as well.

“So this is the royal capital?”
“Yeah, it’s become quite beautiful.”
“Ah, that’s where I destroyed.”

When Mastema pointed, I could see a section under repair.

“Wow, it’s like that now. What did you do, Mastema?”
“I sent Ahavain flying.”

Mastema proudly puffs out her chest in response to Sepia’s question.
I thought I was going to die back then. No, really.
Even now, with Victor’s enhancements, I don’t want to go through that again.

“Ahavain had a tough time too, huh?”

Sepia said to me with a wry smile.
You’re not exactly innocent either…
I didn’t say that, as it would be too cruel.

We headed straight for the royal castle.
As expected, the area around the royal castle was well-maintained.

I entrusted the magic carriage to the gatekeeper of the castle.
It seems it will be kept in the stable.

It’s not a living creature, but it is technically a horse.

The five of us entered the royal castle.
Noel and Arnella were understandably a bit hesitant.

Mastema seemed to imply that there was no need to be reverent before a human king.
I’m used to it, at least.

What surprised me was Sepia.
Her demeanor wasn’t much different from usual.

“I’m not a subject or anything…”

She was oddly dry in that regard.

Leading the group, we moved forward.
The interior of the royal castle was somewhat bustling.

The kingdom is truly in the midst of reconstruction.

They probably need all the help they can get.

They might even want the help of the person who broke it.

We were led to the king’s chamber.

Inside, several knights stood on either side, and Princess Rafa sat on the throne.
Or rather, if she has been crowned, then she’s the queen.

She must have been crowned while we were in the magic nation.
That country didn’t receive much information from the outside…

Even with her enthusiasm for research, being closed off is problematic.

I moved forward.

I wanted to say that the knights standing on either side were completely still, but that wasn’t the case.

Many experienced knights died during the summoning of Mastema.
The knights present now were probably younger knights promoted to fill that gap.

Usually, the rule for knights in such settings is to stand completely still, yet they sway slightly.
That’s a sign of inexperience.

Currently, Mastema isn’t taking on her demon form, so they’re probably not shaken by that.

I’ve told Mastema firmly not to take on her demon form while she’s in this country.
That demon form has been seen enough that it would likely trigger trauma for many people.

Mastema seems to understand my reasoning and nods.

Her priorities are driven by curiosity and a desire for knowledge and good food.
Her vanity seems to adapt to the situation.

When she wants to assert herself, she seems to want to take on her demon form properly.
In situations like this, it seems there’s no need for her to flaunt it.

I don’t understand the criteria for demons.
In some ways, the Demogorgon might have been more comprehensible.

And then I was granted audience with the queen.
Following the proper etiquette, I knelt on my right knee and raised my left knee.
I lowered my gaze and waited for a voice from her side.

It seems Arnella and Noel have learned the etiquette around here as well.
Mastema is imitating me.
Sepia hurriedly followed Mastema. It seems she knew the etiquette from memory but wasn’t sure when to perform it.

Queen Rafa stood up. The red hair visible in my peripheral vision stood out.

“Thank you for coming, Lord Ahavain.”

Her beautiful voice echoed in the king’s chamber.
…Lord, huh?