Arc 24: The King is Busy in Many Ways

Chapter 221: Ferzen and the Bridge

I am sorry for asking the unreasonable(Touya)

No-no, dont worry about it(Reinhardt

The King of the Restia Knight Kingdom waves his hand while smiling. Hes still the same good looking guy. As expected of older brother-in-law Reinhardt. Im not married to Hilda yet though.

Right now, were riding a carriage of the Restia Knight Kingdom, heading towards the royal palace of Ferzen. The Knight King of Restia has arranged a meeting with the King of Ferzen.

Ive transferred the carriage along with the escort knights just before the castle town because I cant suddenly intrude on the royal palace with [Gate], and we arrive with the Knight King Reinhardt under the sounds of clip-clop being raised by the horses.

Ive shown the findings of the theft that happened to the Knight King of Restia and reported about Ferzen being suspicious which had made him cross his arms and whack his brain. When he had asked for a reason,

How should I say this? Im wondering, would that Ferzen King do something like that?(Reinhardt)

Restia and Ferzen are neighbors. There are only the Ferzen and the Lail Kingdoms to the north of Restia and this country doesnt have any borders with anyone else beyond those two. As such, the association of this country with its neighbors is deep as well.

It seems theyve been hostile to each other during their long history, but they are moderately continuing a relationship as good acquaintances at present.

According to the Knight King of Restia, the King of Ferzen is broadminded, flawless, doesnt fuss about minor details, and has a personality thats totally unsuitable for a magician. Hes unusual since they are saying that body training is his hobby.

Its being said that the late king of the Ferzen Kingdom had been absorbing himself in magic research, and that he died in an accident during a particular research. So then, the one who has succeeded him seems to be his younger brother who in turn became the current king.

The present King of Ferzen, Boulange Frost Ferzen has been different from his older brother from the time they were children. If anything is being said about him, its that he liked martial arts more than magic. It seems he didnt change even after he became the king.

This time, the reason for the official visit is regarding the small Einlash Island in between Rodomea, Ferzen, Lail, and Restia, which is floating in the Rondo Sea that leads to the Great River Gau.

This island is tentatively a territory of Restia, and there seem to be many strong magic beasts there, and not even the resources can be mined there. The land has become thin so crops dont grow much either, and there are magic beasts lurking in the nearby big river around that also attack ships. Honestly, its an island beyond anyones control.

However, Ive looked at the location of the island and suggested an idea that hit me to the Knight King of Restia.

Well, long story short, Ive proposed to them to build bridges connecting the four countries with this island as the center.

The bridges will have extremely large distances, but its not impossible to build them. If they will be built, the trade will also become possible and considerably easier for Restia, Rodomea, Lail, and Ferzen. Well, if purchases and business tradings become possible on this island, it may be able to develop as a commercial market.

Naturally, customs or something similar will be established by each country, and they will be able to manage imports and exports.

Ill build the bridges from the island to each country and I expect to get part of the toll for passing through this island in exchange for undertaking the extermination of the magic beasts.

Ive already gotten the permission of Rodomea and Lail and all thats left is getting the permission of Ferzen. I intend to make a trade road only between the three countries if I dont receive their permission but I dont think they will make their own country suffer a loss in this situation.

Ive heard that Ferzen is developing magic technology(Touya)

Thats right. They are also researching sorceries that have already become obsolete like artifacts, ancient magic research, engraving sorcery, enchantng sorcery, talisman arts, ninjutsu, and beast faith sorcery(Reinhardt)

[Magic] basically has only seven attributes, but apart from them, [Arts], which uses magic power and which has accomplished its own peculiar development, exist as well. To understand it easier, its similar to the ninjutsu which Tsubaki-san uses.

These arent being influenced by something like magic attributes like magic does, so its something that anyone can learn. However, an unthinkably intense training will be required. If theres a person whom it takes five years to acquire that knowledge, it seems there is also a person who cannot learn anything but basic arts even after studying for a decade. This could mean its a field in which a talent may be even more necessary than in magic.

Its also difficult to grasp all of those arts because certain arts are only being succeeded by some families of in some places. If I am not mistaken, talisman arts are being said to be the skills used by the guys called Daoshi, in Yuuron.

Although Touya-dono has it too, but approximately 60% of weapons and armors enchanted with magic are made in Ferzen. Their success rate isnt 100% unlike Touya-donos [Enchant], so they probably cant do a stable mass production(Reinhardt)

Do you mean they have a lot of failures? But how much is the probability?(Touya)

It seems its good if theyve succeeded in one out of ten times(Reinhardt)

So its under 10% Well, its no wonder it will become expensive as well.

A method to increase the success rate of the enchant magic or anything similar seems to be in [Library]. No, there may be none in case of a system which has developed individually. In reality, ninjutsu was born in Ishen, but it seems no one lived there 5000 years ago

Our carriage passes through the castle town while Im thinking about such a thing, and enters the royal castle of Ferzen.

The Ferzen Castle somehow differs from a French Mansion-looking castle and appears to be more to be like a British Fortress. It looks dignified, or perhaps I should say that I can feel its history. Standing on a hill, it feels like a retro-looking castle of a magician.

We arrive at the castle doorsteps, and I get down following the knight king. We then see a single man standing at the entrance door to the hall.

He has passed 40 years. Hes also pretty tall and hes wearing a glistening and crackling muscle armor. He looks like an american football player or a pro wrestler.

His beard hides a lot of his face from the bottom side, and his swept-back hair that has a little gray hair mixed in has been combed in a disorderly manner. A golden embroidery is sewn into his white short mantle, a platinum silver scepter is held in his hand.

Even more than that, what caught my eyes are the big scratch marks on his cheek. Whats that? Did he even fight against a tiger?

Welcome to Ferzen, Knight King of Restia and the young Sovereign King of Brunhild(Boulange)

Saying that, the giantKing of the Ferzen Kingdom, Boulange Frost Ferzen, broadly grins.

/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\Scene Change/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\

I see. Bridges to Einlash, eh? Certainly, the profits that each of the respective countries will be receiving should be considerable if those bridges are built. However(Boulange)

The King of Ferzen strokes his beard while hearing our story.

Is there any problem?(Toya)

Even if the bridges are built, Einlash is a territory of Restia. Having said that, wouldnt it be possible for Restia to stop the trade of the other countries depending on their motive?(Boulnage)

You dont have to worry about that. That island will be divided into four parts and will be transferred to their respective countries upon the completion of the bridges. We will instead have each country pay 10% of the tolls to Brunhild as fee for constructing the bridges to their own countries(Reinhardt)

The Knight King of Restia flatly answers the concerns of the King of Ferzen.

Honestly, its fine to build the bridge for free too, but I should properly take it or troubles may arise in the future as what the statewide governor of Rodomea has said. Therefore, Ive decided to take it.

The fee is quite cheap, but its still a good amount of money since I will build a considerably long distance bridge. That money is going to be returned by having 10% of the toll be given to me as payment. Ive also decided not to take any more money after getting the full reimbursement. They will be able to pay it back in ten years at most if it goes favorably. Of course, I dont mind them paying in one go if they can do it.

Ive actually intended to install transfer gates, but I would then be the only one who can repair them in case they break. A bridge is better if the future is being considered.

However Brunhild Sovereign King, there will be a total of four bridges with one for each country. Can you really build them?(Amond)

The one who has opened his mouth is a man past his middle age who is sitting at the round table same as us. Hes the prime minister of Ferzen having a chestnut hair and blue eyes with an expression of a hawk on his face. Is his name Amond?

I can do it in three days if the materials are available. Its not like Im building a complex bridge(Touya)

No matter how much you look at it, arent you exaggerating by saying that it would take only three days? Even if the Sovereign King used those giants called frame gears, you probably wouldnt be able to complete four bridges in three days, right?(Amond)

Amond isnt frank but he directs doubtful eyes at me. Well, it cant be helped if he cant believe it, right? Besides, Im not going to use frame gears to construct those bridges.

Thats because Im going to use [Workshop] to construct them the same way as weve done with the castle of Brunhild. The work this time is more difficult, but [Workshop] is now being powered by [Tower]. As such, it can now be used to accomplish about this much.

I wont use frame gears for the construction. Theres something that can take the materials and transfer them to the designed place. In other words, it can remake a mass of stones in the form of a bridge(Touya)

Is that an artifact?(Rudou)

I guess, its something like that. Though only I can use it(Touya)

The one butting from the side is a skinny and gloomy man whom I dont understand what hes thinking about. His eyes are shining in dazzle right now even though he had eyes like a dead fish until a while ago. Hes a court magician of the Ferzen Kingdom. Was his name Rudou?

Why is it that only the sovereign king can use it?(Rudou)

The only answer I can give is that its that kind of an artifact. This matter is of the utmost confidentiality even in our country, so please forgive me(Touya)

Is that so? Its regrettable(Rudou)

Slightly sighing, Rudous eyes once again return back to looking like a dead fish. It seems hes absolutely indifferent towards things that dont interest him.

The King of Ferzen looks at me with a bitter smile.

I am sorry. The guys research is wearing him down and hes tired(Rudou)

Ahh, it is okay. I dont mind it(Touya)

Im used to such reaction towards an unknown magic which is similar Charlotte-san of Belfast or her master Rin.

In this place are me, the Knight King of Restia, the King of Ferzen, Prime Minister Amondo, the Court Magician Rudou, and one more person.

The sovereign king does not only have the giant soldiers but also possesses wonderful artifacts and tools. As expected, have you discovered them in some ruins?(Lizes)

Most, but not all of them. There are things which Ive personally made too(Touya)

Ah, I see. The sovereign king also has all the attributes on top of being the possessor of [Enchant]. Truly enviable(Lizes)

Lizes, the guild master of the [Mystic Chamber of Commerce and Industry] which manages all of the resident Ferzen magicians, artisans, and merchants, says that and laughs. He has grizzled hair and hes wearing sunglasses. I didnt know that sunglasses existed in this world too Moreover, they carry some kind of magic power. Its certain that some sort of enchantment has been applied on them.

Suspicious. Oh well, I cant conclude that he really is suspicious just because hes wearing sunglasses though.

Frankly, after meeting the Ferzen king, I dont think this person is the mastermind behind the stolen frame gear, just as the Knight King of Restia has said. Its only my intuition, but he may be hiding his true nature very well.

Prime Minister Amond, the Court Magician Rudou, and the company president Lizes.

One person among the three of them may be the mastermind. He may perhaps be working independently without the permission of the King of Ferzen. All three of them probably have that much power.

Not good- not good. Its discourteous to start doubting everyone here.

I accept the matter regarding the bridge. Well pay a part of the toll to Brunhild same as the other three countries, which will be taken as the repayment for the construction costs, once the construction is over(Boulange)

Your majesty. Is this alright?(Amond)

Prime Minister Amond asks a question as confirmation.

It may be a heavy loss if its only our country who doesnt participate. Its too complicated to consider that the other three countries will conspire and invade our kingdom. The Sovereign King of Brunhild is the one doing the mediation, so the dukedom will probably help if something happens, right?(Boulange)

If it ends up that way, we will(Touya)

You may say that those four countries have a friendly relationship at the moment. However, I dont know when the situation will develop to the point of even having a war after something serves as a motive. Theres even the possibility that the bridges will be used as an invasion route. Therefore, I intend to make defensive barriers and walls as countermeasures against that just in case.

Now then, theres something I want to show to the Sovereign King of Brunhild assuming the matter of the bridge is good with this, but do you mind?(Boulange)

The Ferzen King expresses a fearlessly broad grin while looking at me. Why?