Chapter 76 – Capital Ridron
The time spent on the airship was peaceful.
Ever since the mage named Cayne, who had cast occasional suspicious glances, guided him through the interior, it was not much different from the days he had spent at the Rodenmeyer mansion.
Meals were prepared by chefs on their own, and inside the airship there was even a space where training could be carried out.
Perhaps because of the enormous amount of money poured into it, even if part of the wall was damaged during intensive training, with time it automatically repaired itself.
It was no exaggeration to say that the airship itself was a magic item.
"Phew."
Verden, who had just loosened up, turned his gaze to the side.
The two knight orders were holding training weapons and taking turns having simple sparring matches with each other. Physically as well as technically, the Bastio Knight Order was, on average, at least a level above the Rodron Knight Order.
'Not only skill but their swordsmanship focuses heavily on defense. With my weapon skills, I wouldn't be able to graze even a hair.'
Of course, if he used magic, things would be different.
Verden observed the sparring closely.
Just by watching, there were one or two things he could learn. He could not afford to waste such an opportunity.
In the midst of that, his eyes met with a Bastio knight.
Hostility… no, more like suspicion, an expression of disapproval.
'Sharp as a blade.'
It was not something he couldn't understand.
Verden was a mage whose origins were unclear, neither an adventurer nor a mercenary. Even if the reports from Lorian were true, people would not believe unless they saw with their own eyes.
'Perhaps it is because they believe it might be the truth.'
Above all, they were knights.
Since they could not be fully certain that Verden would not bring harm to the duchy, they were bound to raise their guard even higher.
Well, he had no intention of causing harm in the first place, so it was an unnecessary worry.
Verden ignored the gaze and focused on self-development.
On top of his usual training, he also, with direct permission from Captain Lake, leisurely took time to observe the interior of the airship.
"This is about how it's structured."
The airship's magic circle, drawn out with magic power.
Dozens of magic circles connected and interlinked, forming a single system. The one in the most important engine room was not visible, but he was able to grasp the general structure.
It was the result of several days of investment.
Since he did not know when he would ever again board such a strategic airship, as a researcher he could not simply pass it by. Just this alone was valuable enough to justify Count Rodenmeyer's proposal, a very beneficial time indeed.
'Though I can't apply it anywhere right away, there's no harm in knowing.'
Knowledge and experience are the continuity of life.
If one piles them up ceaselessly, one day they will reach the heavens. Verden had long since realized such a principle.
Soon the day grew dark, and Verden lay down on the bed, deciding to sleep.
A few hours later, a crewman knocked on the door.
"Sir Asher, we will soon be arriving at the capital, Ridron."
Already arriving, it seemed.
Certainly worthy of being called the fastest airship in the duchy.
Verden went up to the deck.
As the altitude gradually lowered and the ship broke through the clouds, in the distance a city of considerable scale shone, and at its center stood a royal castle surrounded by walls.
Lake asked,
"How is it, the duchy's capital? Beautiful, isn't it?"
"It is distinctly different from other cities."
Verden had never once visited the capital of a nation. Therefore, he could feel all the more clearly the difference between it and ordinary towns or territories.
"When we had just gained independence long ago, it wasn't even half of that. After the war, there was no such thing as vitality to be found. Every time I see it like this, the emotions are renewed."
Lake's gaze turned toward the lofty royal castle.
His eyes were filled to the brim with respect and reverence.
"We will arrive at the landing dock soon. Just before docking, the protective magic circles are turned off, so be ready for the shock and don't fall."
"Understood."
***
Security at the landing dock was strict.
Neither the Bastio Knight Order, the Rodron Knight Order, nor even the crew were exempt from thorough identity checks before they could disembark the airship.
Even the supplies and warhorses loaded aboard were inspected without omission.
"You may pass, Captain Lake."
"Well done."
"No special issues. Welcome to the capital, Your Excellency Count Rodenmeyer."
"Hm."
After each underwent inspection, they exited through the gate.
There, a luxurious carriage drawn by black horses awaited.
"We shall ride this carriage. We are heading to the Count's villa in the capital. Since the distance from the landing dock to the capital is somewhat far, if you need to relieve yourself, it's best to do so now."
"I am fine."
"And you, Count?"
"Do not bother to ask such trivial things."
"Then it's settled. We can depart right away."
As Lake and Verden boarded the carriage, the coachman cracked the reins.
The black horses' hooves struck the ground, and the scenery outside rapidly shifted. The Bastio Knight Order easily escorted the carriage as it sped along.
Verden tapped the wall of the carriage.
'Despite such speed, there is no shaking at all. Just like the airship, the carriage itself must be a magic item.'
Each component must have cost a fortune.
All added together, the carriage's price must easily be in the billions.
As Verden examined the carriage with serious eyes, Lake spoke.
"As expected of a mage, you seem quite interested in magic items. This carriage was custom-made at the Artison Magic Tower. Even within the duchy, there are almost no nobles who possess one. It doesn't cost just a pittance, and even if you have the money, there are plenty of cases where they refuse to accept the order."
What makes a product more expensive is rarity.
By producing only a limited number of items and selling them through auctions, raising their value further, this was one of the ways the Artison Magic Tower conducted its marketing.
Astronomically expensive, yet with performance exceeding even that, and just by possessing it one's reputation rose, the satisfaction of the buyers was extremely high.
Every product released by Artison fit precisely with the tastes of wealthy powers.
Count Rodenmeyer spoke.
"It would be best to enjoy it while you can. Even among the nobles of the duchy, there are not many who have ridden this carriage. If not for His Majesty the Grand Duke's temperament, you would not even have had the chance to see it."
"Temperament…?"
"Haha, that's right. I say this in secret, but His Majesty the Grand Duke is rather impatient… ahem. He lacks a bit of patience, and is quite curious as well. There is no noble who doesn't know this, but do not go spreading it around, just keep it to yourself."
Lacks patience, huh.
Verden kept that piece of advice in a corner of his mind.
And some time later, they arrived at Ridron's city gates.
From afar, the soldiers who saw the carriage and the Bastio Knight Order's emblem opened the gates immediately. Upon entering the capital, the carriage lowered its speed as much as possible.
Verden looked out the window at the scenery of the capital.
Perhaps because the duchy's great agency was drawing near, the streets bustled with people busy moving goods, and travelers who had come for sightseeing.
All over the streets, street stalls were open, citizens each carrying food in their hands.
'So this is the capital.'
The complete opposite of Cohen, full of liveliness.
The atmosphere was similar to the resort city, Briente, but here the population was overwhelmingly greater.
As he was looking around the streets, the carriage entered a shopping district.
Shops of every kind filled the streets, from weapons and armor, to magic items, alchemy, accessories. For Verden, it was quite an interesting area.
Then, Count Rodenmeyer said.
"If you wish to look around, you may."
"Would that be alright?"
"As long as it is before dinner, it does not matter. Lake, it should be fine to stop the carriage for a while, yes?"
"There is more than enough time before this carriage must be returned… if he wishes it, let it be so."
Soon the carriage came to a halt.
Stepping down onto the street, Verden cast a glance at the Count.
'He is being unusually generous today.'
It was completely different from the indifferent personality he had seen over the past few days.
It must have something to do with the agency's competition. To the Count, Verden was a precious talent who could bring him gains. From the standpoint of profit and loss, showing some favor would only yield more benefits.
'Well, it works out for me.'
With light steps, Verden began browsing the shops one after another.
***
Among the weapons, there was nothing Verden desired.
To begin with, he had no use for swords, and though there were some good staffs, the cost-performance ratio was abysmal.
Compared to the Blue Mithril Staff he was currently using, the price was nearly triple, while the performance was barely a speck higher.
Buying such a thing would be no different from being taken for a fool. Accessories were the same.
But among the armor, he found a harvest.
Boots made from the hide of a Forest Wyvern. Their weight was hardly noticeable, they fit his feet perfectly, and the elasticity was excellent. Respectable physical resistance and attribute resistance came as a bonus.
Though not a magic item, and so lacking magical effects, he felt as if his movements had become much lighter.
The price was 67 million Elk.
Neither too expensive nor too cheap, it was a reasonable amount. He immediately paid with his card.
Thus finishing his business, he returned to the carriage and headed for their destination.
A neat mansion situated in the eastern part of the capital.
The scenery was similar to Count Rodenmeyer's residence.
After a simple dinner, he entered the room assigned to him.
Then he thought about the duchy's great agency.
'They said the agency opens in nine days, so the banquet must be in twelve.'
For three days, nobles would report to the Grand Duke, and the very next day, the banquet would be held.
Verden's participation would begin from the third day of the banquet. On the day the agency's competition began, they seemed to plan on making the dramatic entrance of himself, the man of the hour.
He had learned the basics of etiquette at the magic tower, so he roughly knew them, but still, a bit of tension was unavoidable.
It would be the first time meeting the king of a nation, and the first time attending a banquet at all.
'Lately, I've been experiencing many new things.'
That must mean he had lived quite a closed-off life within the magic tower.
As he was passing the time in such thoughts, someone knocked on the door.
With Telekinesis, he opened it, and there stood a servant of the Count's house, his face stiff.
"C, C, Count, His Excellency the Count summons you."
"What is it about?"
"I, I do not really know…"
His voice trembled excessively.
Verden sensed something strange, but no matter what he asked, the servant only shook his head, saying he did not know.
'What on earth is going on?'
It did not feel like anything dangerous.
With no other choice, Verden followed the servant, and stood before a room in the corner of the third floor.
"He is waiting inside. Then I will take my leave."
The servant quickly disappeared down the stairs.
Verden watched him for a moment, then opened the door.
"You are finally here? I thought I would die waiting."
The man rising from the bed, and the guard at his side with a sword at his waist. Both were old men with heads of white hair.
There was no sign of Count Rodenmeyer, who was said to have summoned him.
Immediately, Verden drew upon his magic power.
But from them, he felt no hostility whatsoever.
In this sudden situation, Verden cautiously asked,
"…Who are you?"
"Who else, but the master of this country."
Master?
In that instant, Lake's advice flashed in Verden's mind.
The Grand Duke of Riviant, trait peculiar (特), impatient.