Chapter 203
(Kyle Calendar Year 511: Age 18)
The First Foreign Country
Translator : PolterGlast
The journey from
Teigoon to the Principality of Fearalt involved heading straight south from
Est, passing through the former Cornell viscounty, and then turning west at the
highway intersection just before the Royal Capital.
We weren't in a
particular hurry, but since everyone was on horseback, it would be about a
10-day journey to the border.
"We've
deliberately kept the numbers down this time, but it's a long road ahead. We
can't let our guard down for even a moment, including keeping watch along the
way."
"Yeah, for us, even
though it's within our own country, we still have many hostile
territories..."
"Still, am I the
only one who thinks this kingdom relies too much on Lord Takuhir?"
"No, Christoph,
it's understandable that you'd think so. I can't say I don't feel the same. But
His Majesty and the Foreign Minister still have few pieces they can move."
"And Lord Takuhir
is one of those pieces?"
"I admit it was a
poor analogy. But it's also the truth. Anyone would think the same."
"True enough. It
just means there are still few people who can be relied upon and who also have
power."
"Yeah, I only
learned this after being put in charge of intelligence, but due to how this
country was founded, the power of the high-ranking nobles is strong and their
influence is great. And it's become distorted by long years of peace. Now, in
His Majesty's reign, a lot of power has been centralized under him, but it
still needs more time..."
"I understand
what Raphael is saying. I, too, had the opportunity to stay in the Royal
Capital for about half a year, and I learned that firsthand. But this
situation, where Lord Takuhir has to leave his domain so many times... it's
just a bit..."
"He was
personally named by the king of the other country. It can't be helped. I heard
that His Majesty had even tried to arrange for a refusal at one point. It's a
nomination he had to accept out of consideration for His Majesty's
wishes."
"So our master's
name has become great enough to influence diplomacy. That's what it means. It's
a hassle that we have to be careful with our every move."
"Well, yeah. A
guy with a mountain bandit's face like me is part of the 'Honorable Special
Envoy's Party.' No matter how you look at it, it's not my style."
"Hahaha, perhaps
that's exactly why these outfits were prepared, so that people wouldn't focus
on your face?"
"No doubt about
it. But, while I like to stand out, this isn't the way I like to do it."
The group of 250 riders
was clad in light armor, and on top of that, they all wore long, thick,
jet-black happi coats. Furthermore, on the collar, the feathers of a monster
inhabiting the demon territory—a brilliant mix of jet-black and crimson—were
sewn on.
Honestly, the bizarre
procession stood out like a sore thumb.
However, I had heard
from the old fox that the king of the other country was a warrior and fond of
the unconventional, so I had dared to do it. I didn't have the courage to be as
flashy as Date Masamune's mounted parade, but I had tried to make a statement
in my own way.
Along the roads we
passed, the citizens stared with wide eyes, and well... it's true I also
thought it would be good if it served as a form of promotion for the domain, in
a good way.
The kingdom's flag,
which only the special envoy was permitted to carry, allowed us to pass through
any checkpoint or fortress without being stopped. Well, just in case, we had
sent out advance messengers to the lords of the domains we would be passing
through. Especially in enemy territory, I didn't want to cause any unnecessary
trouble.
Eight days into our
ride, on the morning of that day, we entered the territory of the Western
Margrave, Margrave Clantif. And it was here that we encountered our first trouble.
"Begging your
pardon, Your Excellency, Demon Territory Count. By the authority of Margrave
Clantif, who is entrusted with the border, I must humbly request to inspect the
gifts for the Principality of Fearalt."
Just as I thought. Is
this harassment under the grand pretext of not wanting to be disrespectful to
the other country?
"Your duty is
great! However, this is a problem. For this visit, I have been entrusted by His
Majesty with the arrangements for the gifts, on his behalf. What's more, the
gift is not a 'thing' (mono), but an 'experience' (koto). It is not something
with a physical form, but something that resonates with the heart.
Unfortunately, I cannot show it to you here and now."
"An...
'experience'? Your Excellency?"
"That's right.
Can you show an experience to another person? If the Margrave himself wishes to
inspect the experience His Majesty has prepared, please tell him to ask His
Majesty directly in the Royal Capital. Now, we are in a hurry, so we will pass
through the border under the authority of this royal flag."
It felt a bit like a
stretch, but in this way, I bluffed our way through and passed the border.
Well, there were other gifts in the form of "things," but they were
all hidden in Bart's spatial storage.
Bluffing our way past
the Margrave's messenger, we pushed our horses hard for half a day and arrived
at the border checkpoint.
The reason we had
entered the Margrave's territory first thing in the morning was that we had
selected a route that would allow us to avoid staying overnight in his domain.
For that reason, we had avoided the main highway from the Royal Capital and had
traveled, as much as possible, so as not to pass through enemy territory (the
domains of the Restorationist nobles).
And, as we passed
through the Western Margrave's domain at a speed exceeding their expectations,
we went through the Kyle Kingdom's side of the border gate.
They had, of course,
assumed we would be staying at least one night in the Margrave's domain, so
they were in a panic, but that was none of our business.
※
Beyond the gate, which
we passed through with ease, there was another gate, one established by the Principality
of Fearalt. A long line of merchants had formed in front of it.
"According to the
advance messenger, it seems we won't be given any special treatment here. He
was told that if we want to be prioritized, we need to 'make
arrangements'."
"Christoph, I'm
not sending a bribe. We'll wait in line like everyone else."
That was the Principality
of Fearalt's gate, and we couldn't just force our way through. Our two
countries were on friendly terms, so there was a lot of traffic from merchants.
Some of the Kyle Kingdom's spices and high-end soaps came through here.
I guess we have no
choice but to wait... Just as I thought that, some soldiers came running from
the gate toward us.
"You must be His
Excellency, the Demon Territory Count Solis. Thank you truly for accepting our
invitation. I am Count Flame, and I have been ordered by His Grace the Duke to
serve as your host and guide. I shall guide you on your journey from
here."
"Thank you. I am
Solis von Takuhir. We will be in your care on the road ahead."
From there, we
proceeded, following Count Flame's guidance.
Along the way, Count Flame,
upon learning that an official had solicited a bribe, became furious and was
about to cut down the corrupt official on the spot, but I hastily stopped him.
I thought this was probably a bad habit that had formed from his familiarity
with the Western Margrave, and I was reluctant to stain the special envoy's
mission with blood so early on.
Ignoring the abashed
count, we proceeded into the gate.
"On the left and
right of this wall, the demon territory that lies within our country spreads
out, but even the monsters cannot cross this defensive wall. Therefore, we can
pass through safely."
Count Flame explained
as we advanced.
"The terrain
around here resembles that of your eastern border, but the Principality's side
is quite heavily fortified."
Raphael sidled his
horse up to mine and muttered quietly.
It was true. From the
gate onward, a single road, protected by high walls on the left and right,
stretched on endlessly. It was clear that this single road would become a kill
zone, whether one was invading or, conversely, fleeing.
Even if one broke
through the gate, a large army would have to stop before entering this single
road and could only enter little by little. There, they would be densely packed
and in confusion, and would likely be annihilated at once by magic and arrows.
Even if they managed
to advance beyond that, the long, thin column would be attacked from the tops
of the walls on both sides, cut off in various places, and then leisurely
annihilated.
"Even if we block
the arrows coming from above with a wind wall, we'll be defenseless against
magic attacks. Elan, do you think you could break these walls or the
ground?"
"Let's see, the
walls are all made of stacked stone, and the road is completely paved with
stone. It's not something that can be dealt with by earth magic. To escape, the
only way would be to go through the demon territory on the other side of the
wall, advance to the gate, and then climb the gate directly. Though I'm sure
they have some countermeasures on that side as well..."
Christoph and the
others nodded at Elan's reply with serious expressions.
"We have
maintained friendly relations with the Kyle Kingdom for over 200 years.
Therefore, this gate was built with the main objective of preventing monsters
and lawless folk from invading your esteemed country."
Perhaps sensing our
observation of the surroundings, Count Flame added this supplement as we rode.
"It is a
three-day journey from this gate to the ducal capital, Fearl. But first, you
will stay overnight in the trade city of Salaam, which lies ahead, and rest. We
have prepared tokens for you during your stay, so you may pass through the city
gates freely."
"Count Flame,
thank you for your consideration. If possible, I would like to extend my
inspection to the market and the surrounding demon territory. Would that be
permissible?"
"The demon
territory?"
"Yes, we too live
on the edge of the demon territory and coexist with it. In our kingdom as well,
in the demon territories that spread to the south and east, the monsters that
inhabit them and the materials that can be obtained from them differ. I would
like to deepen my knowledge of that... if it is possible?"
"To deliberately
enter the dangerous demon territory... to befriend the demon territory... is
it? As expected! You are just as your name, Demon Territory Count, implies. Our
Duke has strictly ordered us not to disgrace the Demon Territory Count's
martial valor, and not to be discourteous on that point.
That you will not
overdo it. That it will be within a scope that does not interfere with
tomorrow's departure. That my subordinates will also accompany you. That we
cannot take responsibility in the event of an accident.
If you can accept
these premises, I myself am a warrior who was in the Royal Guard under His
Majesty the Duke. I would like to see the Demon Territory Count's way of
fighting."
He agreed to it. I had
thought that this man, being entrusted with the role of host, must be deeply
trusted by the Duke, and also a warrior... and I was right.
We entered the city of
Salaam, split the unit in two, and immediately began our activities within the
permitted scope.
First was the trade
inspection team, led by Yoltia. Aral commanded 50 soldiers, and Walrus and Leia
accompanied them as mages. Originally, I had wanted to assign Bart to this side
as well, but due to various circumstances, he was accompanying me.
They would visit the
shops and the market, purchase local goods, and also sell the products they had
brought. Bart and Yoltia had already, through merchants, gotten a feel for the Principality's
products and, conversely, for the products that could be traded.
It was a good
opportunity to investigate the daily life and products of the common people,
which are often hard to see in the capital's shops, just as in the kingdom.
The remaining 200
soldiers, the other mages, Claire, and I would inspect the demon territory.
Regarding this demon
territory, we had also conducted a preliminary investigation on the types of
monsters through merchants, but just in case, we also held a preliminary
meeting with Count Flame and his subordinates who were knowledgeable about the
demon territory here.
When confronting
monsters, the countermeasure differs greatly depending on whether or not there
is prior information. Knowing or not knowing the monster's characteristics, its
dangerous attacks, and, conversely, its effective countermeasures, makes a
night-and-day difference in safety.
After this exchange, we were to set foot in the demon territory for the first time.
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