The next day. 

I am in the underground storeroom of Jiiteias Castle. 

“[Wall of Iron]!”

As a result of my spell, a box taller than myself and made purely of iron appears. 

I then transfer a portion of my treasures from the sling bag to this this perfect cube that does not even have joints, and as such is completely impossible to ‘open.’

“...... This, how do you take out its contents?”

“When needed, I can just use [Destruction] on the whole box.”

Claura shrugs her shoulders resignedly at my response. I doubt that resignation is due to my speech being too casual. 

(T/N: Gio is now using casual speech.)

The change is not particularly due to any erotic developments that occurred last night. Rather, it is because the way I see her has merely changed along the lines of [stranger → colleague in the same team onground → nakama]. She does not seem to mind. 

After lifting the castle with [Renovation] again just like last time, we set off for Lelis (in this state of affairs, even I did not want to stay one more night). 

♥♦♣♠

The road that connects Shulendal in the far north with Lelis, reaching even Yuule, is apparently called the ‘Royal Highway.’

(T/N: Anyone got a better suggestion for how to translate 法の街道? Legal Highway sounds really weird.) 

According to what I’ve previously heard from Sedam, at the height of Shulendal’s power 200~300 years ago, it used to control the entirety of this continent. However, the chaos from a large anki outbreak caused the country to decline, eventually leading to fragmentation, which is how this area came to be under the rule of the Liuus Union. When I heard the story, I thought “I see, the fantasy trope of an ancient super civilization,” but this is all actually within the realm of common sense. 

However, despite losing the actual ruling authority, being the oldest civilized country means it still possesses enormous influence. As examples, the Carbanera Knight Order still swears allegiance to the Shulendal royal family up to today (although they don’t have to pay tax), and Claura also proudly told me that “the Andel family’s lineage traces back to Shulendal!” I think it is like how the Muromachi shogunate was like for the people living in the Sengoku era. 

♥♦♣♠

Claura didn’t want to ride the phantom horse together down the Royal Highway, so we are leisurely making progress on foot. 

Though there are gentle ups and downs, the highway is generally flat, making the going both easy and peaceful. At times, we pa.s.s by shepherds chasing herds of livestock, caravans, and other travellers. Everyone has relaxed expressions on their faces. Wasn’t this part of the road p.r.o.ne to bandit attacks only up till recently? When I posed the question to a merchant who we happened to camp out with, he kindly explained to me that “a Great Wizard-sama has taken up residence around these parts, so all the evildoers have long fled the area.”

Isn’t the spread of information way too fast?! is what I thought, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk. Don’t tell me, the Grand Cross has been purposely spreading it as a rumor? 

Fortunately, it seems that the rumor going around does not go so far as to include a precise description of said ‘Great Wizard.’

What with this and that, I wonder how many decades it has been since I last took such a laidback walk free of all distractions. Watching the scenery evocative of pastoral songs from Central Europe inch by while travelling in the company of a lady who, though noisy, is a stunning beauty. I somehow find myself deeply feeling that it was a good thing that I was transferred over. Sorry, my colleagues and friends at my workplace. 

♥♦♣♠

Three days after setting off from Jiiteias Castle. 

No matter how peaceful and enjoyable the journey, the monotonous scenery stretching far as the eye can see does get boring. Seriously, this is why us modern people are no good. 

Abruptly. 

“Once we clear that hill, Liuus Lake and Lelis should come into view.”

“Ohhhh!”

At Claura’s words, I break into a mad dash, taking giant leaps up the slope. I do indeed feel the wind carrying traces of humidity. When I reach the top, my line of sight widens up all at once. 

“Wooowww……”

It’s the sea! is literally the first thought that jumped into my mind. 

The blueness of the almost frightening amount of water fills my vision. So this is Liuus Lake. The opposite sh.o.r.e is not visible due to the fog. I’ve previously seen Lake Biwa from a viewing platform, but I can say for sure that this definitely beats it. 

“Awesome! A fortress city!”

At the end of the highway is the city of Lelis, spread out as if it is trying to embrace the lake. The entire place is encircled by two layers of solid stone walls. The part where the city touches the lake is clearly a port, with large s.h.i.+p-like silhouettes visible even from here. The city’s buildings are all made of stone, and the rooftops are colorful and a delight for the eyes. 

It is a true fortress city. I was excited when I first laid eyes on White Sword Castle, but this…… This is on a whole different level altogether. 

“...... Wait a-, you’re too fast!”

I hear a sweat-drenched Claura having a bit of trouble behind me, but I pay her no mind. I would pay her no mind, but well, yea it was my bad. 

“Sorry, I wanted to see Lelis as soon as I can.”

“That’s fine and all, but…… You sure are a good walker for your age, aren’t you?”

“‘For your age’ was unnecessary.”

I didn’t tell her, but my boots are a pair of magic items called Travelling Boots. If I felt like it, I could keep pace with a racehorse without feeling any fatigue. They are the reason why a journey on foot isn’t painful for me, considering my age. Hmm, could it be that these boots are actually bad for my health?

♥♦♣♠

Taking full advantage of the abundant amount of water nearby, Lelis is surrounded by a great moat.

There is a large drawbridge about two traffic lanes wide over which caravans, peddlers, and farmers pulling carts are going back and forth in huge crowds.

The Royal Road does not only reach Yuule in the east, but also stretches north and south, so the number of people here are on a whole different level.

The great castle gates at the other end of the drawbridge is currently wide open, but of course, there are guards serving as security and city entrance inspectors. The guards are wearing the cliched matching chain mail, helmets, short swords, and spears, but their movements are brisk and lively, so morale must be high.

After lining up for about 20 minutes, Claura and I finally reach the front of the line. On the other side of the large doors, I see a beautiful stone-paved square with a fountain and men and women who appear to be minstrels playing tunes on their instruments.

“...... Come on, write down your name and ident.i.ty and place of stay.”

Seeing my attention drawn towards the other side of the great doors, Claura jabs me with her elbow. The city guard smiles wryly while offering me the ledger for travellers (it’s just a wooden board though).

Incidentally, Claura presented something like a pa.s.s.

“Ahh, apologies. Name…… Gio Margils. Ident.i.ty? Commoner, I guess. Place of stay……”

“Ma. Gi. Cian. Guild. is fine with you, yes?”

“Oh, alright, I guess. Next is……”

“Wait a-!?”

The city guard who offered the ledger raises his voice hysterically.

“Gio Margils?! Are you sure about that?!”

“...... Yeeeess, why?”

Un, speaking of which, the rumor about me has spread pretty far, hasn’t it. For some reason, I’m getting a sense of foreboding about this.

“In other words, you are the Great Wizard-sama, are you not?! The one who aided the Carbanera Knight Order and destroyed the anki nest?!”

“What did you say?!”

“Great Wizard-sama?!”

“It’s Gio Margils-sama! Our hero!”

“Great Wizard-sama who defeated the anki!”

Not only the city guards, the people in line behind us and the people on the other side of the door also begin raising a clamor. Ugu. I feel my face growing red from the embarra.s.sment.

…… In a second, I prepared myself to be crushed by the crowd, but the people respond unexpectedly. 

With myself and Claura (and the poor city guard) in the center, the pa.s.serbys form a ring, directing heated glances our way. 

“...... His appearance looks pretty normal though……”

“But black hair is rare……”

“I did hear that he came from a country across the sea……”

“Is that the staff that can shoot out a meteor?”

While I can hear the commotion, not a single person moves from their place.

“...... I think these people will not move until they hear at least a word from you.”

Though sighing, Claura is unexpectedly calm about this. How much will my words be exaggerated…… But well, there’s no helping it. I suppose I am going to have to give up aiming to live peacefully as an ordinary person in this world for the next little while.

“...... Apologies for the commotion, citizens of Lelis.”

I prop up my Wizardry Staff and slowly look around me. They might not hear me if I speak too softly, so I clench my gut and……

“It is an honor to visit the beautiful city of Lelis. Speaking of which, may we pa.s.s through?”

“Ah! Ex-, excuse me! Please, by all means! Um, welcome to Lelis!”

My delivery aside, words that lift up the other side coming so naturally to me means that I really am still a j.a.panese middle-aged salaryman on the inside. The second half of what I said was directed to the nearby city guard, at which all of the city guards, in unison, strike the ground with the b.u.t.t of their spears and bow respectfully. So cool.

“Well then, good citizens, please excuse us.”

After I acknowledged my ident.i.ty and gave them a word, I see the people visibly relieved. People begin offering me words of welcome and bowing to me while opening up the way towards the great doors.

“Come on, let’s get going.”

Claura immediately starts walking. Which reminds me, she’s accompanied me this whole while for the sole purpose of bringing me to the Magician Guild. I suppose I should also hurry a bit.

However.

“AAAAAH! GIO-SAN! GIO-SAN!!”

“Gufu.”

A small-bodied person weaves through the crowd and stops me from walking. To be more specific, it was done through a hug with enough force to almost qualify as a tackle.

“Gio-saaaan!”

With both arms locked around my torso, a brown-haired girl is looking up at me with teary eyes. Oh hey, it’s Mora.