The morning after the inspection visit to the Martial Nation of Godba, Luna and Zel were paying a visit to the Magic Nation of Kasorla.
“So this is the Magic Nation……. It has quite a different feel to the Martial Nation. This one seems more developed, maybe.”
“Yes. When I looked through a few documents the other day, there was a passage saying that ‘the Magic Nation of Kasorla espouses modernization and, taking the Albas Empire as its model, is pressing forward on the path toward a progressive city-state.’ Looking at these streets, that would appear to be accurate.”
The visible buildings are all of modern design, and everything looks new. This reflects the wishes of the progressive Sovereign Natasha, who has made growth and innovation the founding principles of the nation.
But……there is a scarcity of ‘green.’
The trees scattered here and there throughout the city carry a somewhat artificial air, and it would take some hesitation to call them proper ‘nature.’
An entirely opposite cityscape from the Martial Nation, which had achieved a harmony with nature.
“Oh wow, so many shops. And so many people……”
“Quite lively indeed. Incidentally, the Magic Nation is known as a famous producer of magestones, and exports processed goods made from them, earning a considerable amount of foreign revenue.”
“Oh, is that right.”
The two look around casually and walk along the Magic Nation’s main thoroughfare.
Luna is of course still in full plate armor——no corner cut on Saint identity security.
“——Oh, there’s a nice-looking magical instrument shop over there.”
“Since we’re here, shall we take a quick look?”
“Yes.”
Just as they move to enter the magical instrument shop that had caught their eye, an imposing group comes walking toward them from ahead.
“——We have been awaiting you. Silver-dono, Zel-dono.”
The woman at the head of the group bows elegantly at the waist and offers a respectful greeting.
“Umm……and you are?”
The mysterious woman smiles softly at Luna’s question.
“I am Natasha Lindria, Sovereign of the Magic Nation of Kasorla. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Natasha Lindria, with the apparent age of around twenty-five——but an actual age exceeding two hundred and forty.
175 centimeters, a slender frame.
Her light beige hair, long as a nine-tailed fox’s tails, is gathered into nine separate bundles.
Narrow, sharp eyes, snow-white and flawless skin, a perfect figure——dressed in a magnificent kimono, she radiated a beauty somehow removed from the everyday world.
“I expect my sudden greeting has surprised you. In fact, I received word yesterday that you were visiting the Martial Nation of Godba. Thinking ‘perhaps they will come here next,’ I prepared accordingly.”
“I see, that explains it.”
Natasha gives a small nod, and silently and smoothly draws her right foot back, turning to stand at a slight angle.
“Standing about talking won’t do——please, come to my castle. I have prepared a modest welcome.”
And so Luna and Zel were guided to Kasorla Castle, which rises at the center of the Magic Nation.
The moment they pass through the massive castle gate that stands with imposing dignity——a graceful performance by a chamber orchestra rings out, and government officials lined up in the entrance hall bow as one.
“Silver-sama, Zel-sama, welcome.”
“Ah, th-thank you……”
Receiving a state-guest level of hospitality, the Saint is somewhat overwhelmed by the extravagance of it all, and returns the greeting with a modest bow.
“Now, the reception room is this way.”
Natasha says this and steps onto a large square platform in the depths of the first-floor hall, which emits a pale blue light.
“Please, step on.”
Luna and Zel, faces saying they don’t quite know what to make of it, nonetheless step onto the platform as instructed.
“It will sway slightly, so please take care.”
The moment Natasha circles her index finger and releases a faint pulse of magical energy——the platform beneath their feet begins to rise without a sound.
“Oh, oh!?”
A strange floating sensation coming up from below, and sounds of surprise slip from Luna’s and Zel’s lips.
“This is an elevator using ‘impulse magestones.’ If you channel just a small amount of magical energy like so, it rises gently in the vertical direction and stops at a specific floor. It may be startling at first, but once you are used to it, it is quite convenient.”
“An el-elevator……”
“Well, what a handy device.”
“Heh. I am honored by the praise.”
While they are talking, they arrive at the top floor and are shown to a special reception room for receiving honored guests.
(This is……)
Crimson carpet covering the floor, beautiful landscape paintings hung along the walls, a lavish chandelier suspended from the ceiling——the exact opposite of the throne room seen at the Martial Nation. A room that spares absolutely no expense.
“Please, be seated.”
“Ah, ex-excuse me……”
The moment a tense Luna settles into the plush sofa, the butler standing behind Natasha moves swiftly.
With graceful movements he brews tea, bows deeply, and returns to his designated position without a sound.
“Tié-au-Rulla——made with the finest tea leaves our nation produces.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Luna leaves the teacup untouched and offers only a small bow.
Using the ‘Saint method of eating and drinking’ via <Otherworld Gate> would allow her to drink tea even in full armor——but.
(……Straight……)
The Saint does not handle bitter things well.
When drinking tea, milk and sugar are non-negotiable.
On top of that, the teacup placed on the saucer is intricately crafted, and its beautiful jewels announce their presence.
(If this were accidentally broken……)
Having just destroyed the outer wall of Godba Castle into smithereens yesterday, Luna wants to avoid contact with anything expensive as much as possible.
In any case, once both parties have settled in, Natasha smiles softly.
“Once more formally——I am Natasha Lindria, first Sovereign of the Magic Nation of Kasorla. Silver-sama, Zel-sama, welcome to our nation.”
“How do you do, I am Silver Glorious=El=Bloodfallenheart.”
“Zel Zezed.”
After brief introductions and a settling of the mood, Natasha gives a small cough.
“Now, we are both busy individuals, so let us get straight to the ‘main point.'”
“The main point, you say?”
“Heh, please don’t be coy. I am a ruler of a nation myself——I can read the world situation. ——How is the ‘search for allied nations’ coming along?”
“……! (Th-this person……is sharp!?)”
Luna, having had her intentions seen through, visibly choked on her words.
The sudden declaration of the Holy Kingdom’s founding, and the arrival of the Saint’s party at both the Martial Nation and the Magic Nation in quick succession——matching these pieces of information together and arriving at ‘search for allied nations’ is entirely natural reasoning——but.
A Saint who is utterly unable to read the world situation despite being a ruler of a nation herself, raised her assessment of and wariness toward Natasha considerably.
“I am beyond grateful that you have considered the Magic Nation as a partner worthy of the honored Holy Kingdom. However……if I am to speak my honest feelings, I confess to a measure of unease about the fact that you visited the Martial Nation first.”
“Oh, was there some inconvenience?”
“As the perceptive Silver-dono, I trust your judgment will not go astray. ……However, that ‘witch’ is a terrifyingly cunning and wicked being. I have been worried that she may have said something unwholesome to you.”
“That witch……?”
“Yes. Leticia Lindria, seventh Sovereign of the Martial Nation of Godba——my distant niece.”
Natasha moved her gaze to outside the window, her eyes carrying a tinge of sorrow.
“As I’m sure you’re already aware, the war between the Magic Nation and the Martial Nation is almost upon us.”
“Yes. Just as a question——is there any way the war can be avoided?”
Luna puts to Natasha the same question she had put to Leticia——but she shakes her head slowly.
“It is impossible. We have sent special envoys many times over and explored the possibility of peace. However, the Martial Nation will not soften its hard-line stance, and negotiations continue going nowhere……. As long as that witch reigns as sovereign, a full-scale war is inevitable.”
“I-I see……(Hmm? If I recall, Leticia-san said something very similar……?)”
As the vaunted Saint brain begins to malfunction already, Natasha proceeds to tell the history of the Martial Nation and the Magic Nation——the story of two hundred and fifty years ago when they were still the Nation of Lindria.
The Nation of Lindria, which had once prospered greatly, was left with a succession problem when its first king fell to an epidemic.
A bitter struggle over the throne unfolded between the king’s own children, Godba Lindria and Kasorla Lindria, and eventually the painful incident known as the ‘Madness of Godba’ occurred——the elder sister Godba stabbed her younger sister Kasorla to death, then took her own life at the top of the royal castle.
As a result, the Nation of Lindria split into the Martial Nation of Godba and the Magic Nation of Kasorla, and so it has remained to the present day.
“My mother Kasorla loved her people and was loved by them. Her popularity was extraordinary——according to the census of the time, ninety percent of the populace supported her as the next ruler. Godba-dono was likely unsettled by my mother’s virtue……and was driven to that terrible act.”
In Natasha’s eyes as she spoke, a complex expression floated——a mingling of pride, sorrow, and hatred.
“My long-cherished wish is to unite the Martial Nation and the Magic Nation and achieve the revival of the Nation of Lindria. Now that years of peace negotiations have ended in failure, there is only one means left……. We must, at any cost, win the coming war.”
“……Hmm……”
Luna, who has been listening quietly until now, secretly connects a <Transmission> to Zel and conducts a thought-to-thought conversation.
(Hey Zel, this is……)
(Yes, it would appear their accounts differ significantly.)
(Meaning——either Leticia-san or Natasha-san ‘is lying,’ right? ……Which one is telling the truth?)
(As we are outsiders, we are not well-versed in the history of this region. I believe it would be extremely difficult to make an appropriate judgment here and now.)
Change the standpoint, and the view changes entirely.
The Martial Nation camp, with Leticia as sovereign, accuses the Magic Nation side of being at fault. The Magic Nation camp, with Natasha as sovereign, accuses the Martial Nation side of being at fault.
Just which side’s claim is genuinely correct is extraordinarily difficult to determine here and now.
As Luna and Zel sit in silence, Natasha opens her mouth with a forlorn expression.
“……Judging from Silver-dono’s reaction, it seems there are differences of opinion between myself and Leticia-dono.”
“Umm, well……yes, that would be about right.”
There is nothing to be gained by hiding it, so she gives an honest nod.
“As I thought……. In that case, no matter how many words I add, I would only be sowing needless confusion.”
Natasha’s shoulders drop with a lack of energy——but after a small shake of her head, she looks directly at Luna’s helm.
“However, please, remember at least this much. This Natasha Lindria swears on the Saint that there is not a single lie or falsehood in anything she has said. I can only pray that you, the members of the Saint’s party, will use your deep wisdom to judge which side is truly in the right.”
Her eyes were clear and transparent all the way through, and she appeared anything but someone telling lies.
“——Oh, I have let the conversation run on so long——forgive me.”
“Thank you for sharing such a valuable account.”
They exchange small bows, and Natasha lightly claps her hands together as if remembering something.
“Silver-dono, have you already completed your inspection of our nation?”
“No, we only arrived here a little while ago, so we were planning to look around after this.”
“In that case, please allow me to show you around. I would very much like to convey the appeal of the Magic Nation of Kasorla to the fullest.”
“Oh, thank you.”
And so the moment Luna, Zel, and Natasha step outside the special reception room and out of the castle——a tremendous roar of voices goes up.
“Oh! So that’s the Saint’s representative everyone’s been talking about!”
“The hidden hero, Silver-sama!”
“Look, the Great Swordsman Zel-sama is there too!”
“Amazing, it’s really them!”
“Long live the Saint! Long live the Saint’s party!”
“Silver-sama, Zel-sama! This way, please!”
Crowded around the castle gate was a throng of more than ten thousand people.
“Wh-what is……”
“Quite something……”
As Luna and Zel take this in wide-eyed——
“Honestly, after I told them to restrain themselves so clearly……”
Natasha murmurs with something like exasperation and dips her head apologetically.
“I am terribly sorry. Our nation has a particularly strong devotion to the Saint, and I did tell everyone to hold themselves back——but. I could not be more embarrassed.”
“Oh, is that so. (Wow, that’s……a little uncomfortable actually……)”
“I see, how wonderful. (What a marvelous and understanding people.)”
Luna’s cheek twitches behind her helm; Zel nods with satisfaction——and Natasha claps her hands sharply.
“Everyone, I understand your feelings, but please calm down. We must not impose on the Saint’s party.”
A gentle warning goes out——but the crowd’s excitement shows no signs of dying down whatsoever.
“Goodness, really……now then, would you please open a path.”
The moment a visibly troubled Natasha takes one step forward, the crowd splits cleanly in two, opening a neat path.
“……Hmm?”
Just as the Saint notices a certain oddness——a loud, angry voice rings out.
“Hah, hah……out of the way! Move, move, move!“
Looking——a giant of a man, two meters tall if anything, is forcing his way through the crowd toward them.
“Hm, someone worked up about something……?”
“Please step back.”
Zel takes a step forward to restrain his unhurried mistress who is craning her neck to look.
A few seconds later, the giant man who has burst through in front of them drops to his knees then and there, puts both hands to the ground, and pleads.
“Silver-sama, I know this is the height of rudeness, but please help us……!”
He has barely gotten the words out when——just like a winged insect caught in a spider’s web——he freezes, not so much as twitching.
In the ensuing silence, Natasha’s cold voice rings out.
“——Seize him.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The palace guards who receive the order move quickly, apprehend the intruding giant, and escort him away somewhere without delay.
Unnervingly, the restrained giant stayed hard as stone throughout, without offering the slightest resistance.
“If I may ask, that person just now——”
Before Luna can finish her question, Natasha bows deeply.
“——I sincerely apologize. Due to the shortcomings of my own governance, I permitted this ruffian’s outrage. I am truly mortified.”
“……Please, think nothing of it.”
Amid a strangely unsettled air that hangs over the scene——
“Long live the Saint!”
“Silver-sama, look this way!”
“Zel-samaaa!”
——the crowd continues raising its cheers, as if nothing had happened at all.
After walking through the city for some time, Natasha’s feet come to a stop before a large white building.
“This is the National Magestone Research Institute——the most important facility where the wisdom of the Magic Nation is concentrated. We have never invited anyone from another country before, but given that this is the Saint’s party, I thought I would make a special exception.”
“We are honored.”
“There is one thing, however——inside this facility, there is classified national data here and there. What you see and hear within these walls——please, under no circumstances share it with anyone outside.”
Luna and Zel give a nod, and Natasha opens the facility’s massive doors.
Proceeding along a special administrator’s corridor, they observe the inside of the facility through glass.
“This is the collection area. All magestones brought to the research institute are gathered here first, and sorted by type using <Appraisal> magic.”
In the direction of Natasha’s gaze is a room as large as a sports ground, and piled inside it like mountains are vast numbers of magestones emitting faint light——red, blue, yellow, green, white, black.
“Oh, oh……”
“What a quantity……”
Pressed by the sheer overwhelming volume, sounds of astonishment escape from Luna’s and Zel’s lips.
“Our nation is one of the world’s leading producers of magestones, after all. It is all thanks to the massive mineral vein in the south. ——Now, let us move on to the next section.”
Continuing straight along the corridor, a narrow, dim room comes into view.
“This is the synthesis area. Magestone synthesis experiments are conducted here.”
“Magestone synthesis experiments……?”
“You mean you are artificially creating magestones?”
Natasha gives a nod at Luna’s and Zel’s questions.
“It has been confirmed that by applying a special magic to an ordinary, unremarkable stone and continuously channeling faint magical energy into it for approximately one month, the stone undergoes magestone conversion.”
In the depths of the synthesis area, five mages were concentrating their minds and channeling magical energy into the stones around them.
“Creating artificial magestones requires time and cost, so harvesting natural magestones is far more economical. However, magestones are the bounty of the earth. Their number is finite, and one day they will run out. When that happens, our economy, which is dependent on the magestone industry, will sustain serious damage.”
Natasha clenches her fist tightly and speaks with a firm voice.
“Research into artificial magestones is still very much a work in progress, and for now they cannot be called commercially competitive products by any stretch. However, it is my hope that at the end of this long and difficult pursuit, we will find an optimization of production costs and build a ‘sustainable magestone industry.'”
“I-I see……”
“You have given this a great deal of thought.”
“I am honored by the praise.”
Continuing to walk along and turning right at the end of the corridor, a room covered in white-painted walls comes into view.
“This is the development area. Special sections where advanced research is conducted——magestone growth, synthesis, and more. I would very much like to show you inside, but the research pertaining to magestone development is ‘the most secret of secrets,’ so I must ask your understanding in this one matter.”
“The most secret of secrets.”
“Fascinating as it is, we cannot press the issue.”
For roughly another thirty minutes they walked through the facility.
Luna and Zel are not well-versed in academic fields——but the Magic Nation’s advanced magestone research leaves them genuinely impressed.
(Hmm……I don’t really understand most of it, but it’s something else……)
(……I’ll be honest, I’m astonished. I never imagined the Magic Nation had reached this level of scientific capability……. The Holy Kingdom cannot fall behind! We must get started on foundational research immediately!)
After finishing the visit to the magestone research institute, they are guided to a five-story magical instrument shop.
“This is Lazoldi, our nation’s largest magical instrument shop. It would not be an overstatement to say that ‘practically any magical instrument you could want can be found here.'”
“Indeed, quite an extraordinary selection.”
“One would be hard-pressed to find a shop this well-stocked anywhere else.”
From familiar items like heaters using fire magestones, cleaners utilizing water magestones, and fridges packed with ice magestones, to mysterious objects whose purpose could not be guessed——magical instruments of every variety lined the vast floors.
“Most of the products handled here at Lazoldi were developed at the magestone research institute. If there are any magical instruments that catch your interest, please feel free to ask. I’ll give you a brief explanation.”
When Natasha says this, the ever-curious Luna points to a certain product.
“Excuse me——what kind of magical instrument is this black feather quill?”
“This is……ah, an infinite pen using a ‘charcoal magestone.’ If you channel magical energy into the grip like so, ink fills the nib, and you can write indefinitely.”
“Oh, how incredibly useful……! (Amazing! If I had this, creative work would really take off——wait, hold on, what am I thinking, why would I want to write more dark history!?)”
As Luna writhes in a mix of excitement and conflict, Zel picks up a certain magical instrument.
“Hmm, what on earth is this peculiarly shaped pot……?”
“This is a pressure cooker using a ‘gravity magestone.’ I’m embarrassed to say I’m not well-versed in cooking——but apparently sealing and pressurizing the interior reduces cooking time considerably.”
“Is that so……. It seems the world of cooking has advanced considerably while I was away from society. (Most interesting. As soon as the Holy Kingdom’s foundations are in place, I must go on a buying spree for cookbooks and culinary magical instruments!)”
Discovering unknown things is enormously enjoyable, and time passes in the blink of an eye——and before they know it, the time has come to move on to the next part of the visit.
“What a fulfilling time this has been.”
“Yes, extremely interesting.”
“Heh, that is wonderful to hear.”
And so when they exit Lazoldi the magical instrument shop, Natasha, having been handed a large bag by the shop’s owner, holds it out directly to Luna.
“Silver-dono, please take this.”
“This is……?”
“I took the liberty of selecting a few of the latest magical instruments. A small gift from the heart.”
“Oh, is that all right?”
“Yes. If there is anything that meets your satisfaction, please inquire with our nation. We will arrange it for you at a favorable price.”
“I see, that’s how it is. Then I gratefully accept.”
Luna offers words of thanks and stows the gifted magical instruments into <Dimensional Storage>.
After looking around Lazoldi the magical instrument shop, they move to the training ground where the Magic Nation’s regular army congregates.
“This is the Magic Nation’s Central Training Ground. At this hour, it looks like they’re just about to……yes, it seems to be starting.”
In the direction of Natasha’s gaze——on the vast training ground, an eastern force and a western force were glaring at each other.
Each force numbers 500 soldiers apiece, one thousand soldiers in total, waiting quietly for their moment.
“Begin the group combat exercise! Magic unit——fire!”
The moment a man who appears to be a commander gives a thundering shout——
“<Hellfire>!“
Scorching flames flew from both camps, colliding with each other and canceling out.
“Next! Magic caster unit, deploy enhancement magic! Infantry unit, advance!”
Consecutive orders fly, and the mages activate basic enhancement magic.
Infantry with enhanced physical ability put on a fierce display of close combat with swords that have had their edges dulled.
Watching the regular army’s training, Natasha nods at regular intervals with satisfaction.
“This is a group combat exercise assuming battle against the Martial Nation. As the enemy uses a traditional martial art called the ‘Flow Technique,’ fighting them blade-to-blade is a poor matchup. For that reason, we have incorporated tactics that integrate magic——such as magical attacks from range and close-quarters combat by infantry enhanced with magic.”
“I see……”
Luna holds her chin in her hand and lets out a breath of quiet admiration.
The Saint is not one for using her head in combat.
Demons, magical beasts, and demi-humans alike——they basically all die in one hit if you punch them.
Tactics, strategy, battle plans——she has never had need of them.
As they are watching the regular army’s exercise, Zel sharpens his eyes.
“……Natasha-dono, might I ask something?”
“Yes, anything I can answer.”
“The swords and shields the regular army are equipped with——their quality is apparent even from this distance. In my estimation, they are on a level to match and possibly exceed even the fine iron weapons that the Martial Nation takes pride in. How did you come by them?”
The Magic Nation’s magestone industry is world-famous——but in the production and processing of iron weapons, it lags far behind the Martial Nation.
And the relationship between the two nations has been in an extremely poor state for many years.
Surely the Martial Nation would not export anything in the way of weapons to the Magic Nation, a presumed enemy. But then how were those excellent weapons procured?
That was what caught Zel’s attention.
“As expected of the ‘Great Swordsman’ Zel-dono——what a keen eye.”
Natasha narrows her eyes slightly.
“While our nation has a fine magestone industry, we do not have the smelting and forging techniques the Martial Nation possesses. And so we import weapons such as swords, shields, and armor from the Albas Empire.”
“I see, Empire-made weapons. That explains the quality. (Come to think of it……Leticia-dono mentioned it. The Magic Nation and the Empire have built an intimate relationship.)”
After that, they look around several more facilities——and by the time all the visits are complete, the sun is beginning to sink in the western sky.
“Natasha-dono, thank you so very much for showing us around today.”
“Thanks to you, this has been an extremely fruitful visit.”
“Please think nothing of it. I hope we can continue to enjoy a good relationship with the Holy Kingdom going forward——and I look forward to your continued kindness.”
Natasha says this and wears a soft smile.
After Luna and Zel have left the Magic Nation, a single <Transmission> reaches Natasha.
“——Yes, Silver has gone home already. ……Oh, is that so, well done. Then abduct her as planned, would you.”