Empire.
There was only one nation referred to as such on this continent.
It was none other than the Holy Germania Empire, located in the northern part of the continent.
In ancient times, built on overwhelming military power and resources, it ruthlessly trampled neighboring countries, having many nations, including kingdoms, under its heel.
At that time, the Empire was on the verge of unifying the continent; however, as is often the case with empires, that glory didn’t last long.
Due to internal strife over the throne, the Empire was shattered and had become a nation that no longer resembled its former splendor.
Of course, the fact that it still retained enough national strength to be called an empire indicates just how powerful the Empire used to be.
“Empire…”
Rudell murmured as he gazed at the changing scenery outside the window.
By the time the Empire appeared in the original story, it was already in ruins.
The church hidden within the Empire was stirring up chaos, destroying cities, and sacrificing one city after another.
The so-called ‘City Swallowing’ had also happened in the capital of the Empire.
In an instant, most of the high-ranking officials, including the royal family, vanished due to it, and refugees escaping the completely crumbled Empire flooded into the kingdom.
That was the conclusion of the Empire as depicted in the original story.
“I never thought I’d actually end up in the Empire.”
“Yeah, funny how the world works.”
Leje chimed in while also looking out the window, and Rudell nodded.
This time, the mission given to Rudell and the party was to find Kentric.
According to Jade, a man suspected to be Kentric had been spotted in the Empire’s capital, Pensburg, by the Kingdom’s spies who had infiltrated the Empire.
“W-well… I’m a bit excited… since the Empire is famous for magic engineering…!”
Unlike the somewhat tense duo, Silphier had an expression of strange anticipation.
This was understandable since the Empire, unlike the Kingdom where magic was advanced, had developed mechanical engineering further.
For someone like her with the temperament of a worker, the Empire could be considered a paradise.
“Silph… we’re not going for fun, you know?”
“Oh! Y-yes! I-I’m sorry…!!”
“Don’t be too stiff. If you get too tense, you’re more likely to make mistakes.”
Leje snapped at Silphier, who hurriedly bowed her head, but Rudell intervened.
With an unhappy expression, Leje turned her head and squinted.
“You’re way too soft.”
“Isn’t that why you like me?”
“Seriously annoying.”
With a grumbling voice, Leje turned away.
Watching her, Rudell gave a faint smile and lightly patted her head.
It seemed she didn’t actually dislike that action, as Leje silently accepted his touch.
Meanwhile…
“You two seem to get along well.”
“Y-yeah… it seems so…”
“Hmmm…”
The three watching the scene looked on with interest.
Then, suddenly jolted and stopping her movements, Leje swatted Rudell’s hand away and turned her head away.
“Right, we decided to go out together.”
“Hey!!”
Once again, the playful side of Rudell kicked in as he said that, and Leje gasped, shouting at him.
But…
“Hmm… I suppose it’s quite late, huh?”
“I thought it’d be faster…”
“Hmmm…”
The remaining three reacted as if it wasn’t surprising at all.
While they hadn’t officially started dating, anyone could see that Rudell and Leje’s relationship was anything but ordinary friendship.
Unless you were an idiot, it was impossible not to notice.
Perhaps, as they said, it might actually have been too late.
“Is that so…?”
“I can’t believe this!”
“Ah!? I’m sorry! I messed up! I messed up!!”
Rudell’s awkward voice rang out in response to their unexpected reactions, and Leje mercilessly pounded his back.
As Rudell exclaimed his scream vroom within the carriage…
“Dear customers, we are nearing the border.”
The voice of the coachman could be heard from outside the carriage.
At that, everyone inside the carriage turned their heads toward the window…
“Indeed, the Empire’s terrain is definitely different.”
“Is that… all mountains?”
“G-goodness…”
“It certainly is a landscape different from the Kingdom.”
Unlike the Kingdom, which is mostly flat, the Empire was filled with rugged mountains.
The sight was reminiscent of a homeland where it was said that 70% of the territory was mountainous.
“To cross all of that would surely take more than a few days.”
Just looking at it made one feel dizzy.
But…
“There’s no need for that.”
“What do you mean by that?”
In response to Rudell’s words, Leje tilted her head in confusion.
Then, Rudell, wearing a faint smile, looked out the window.
“Look over there.”
“…?”
After a moment, Rudell pointed outside, and the others followed the direction of his finger.
What they saw was the sight of a massive ship-sized airship soaring through the sky.
“W-what!?”
“Is that a ship flying!?”
“Whoa…”
“…”
Everyone was left speechless, gazing at the grandeur of the scene.
That thing was none other than a magic airship.
In a nation where 70% of the territory was mountainous, it could be said to be the driving force behind managing such a vast land.
Magic and engineering.
It represented the culmination of what is commonly referred to as magic engineering.
“We’ll be taking that to the capital, probably taking about two days.”
Since all expenses were covered by the Kingdom, there was no need for them to choose a time-consuming method.
Above all, it would be too unfair to return without experiencing a ride on a magic airship after finally reaching the Empire.
“It’ll definitely be an unforgettable sight.”
As everyone sparkled with anticipation while watching the scene.
Rudell said that with a smile.
*
The procedures at the border control went smoothly.
“What’s the purpose of your visit to the Empire?”
“We came for a trip with friends during our vacation. I heard the capital of the Empire is very splendid.”
“Indeed, the capital of the Empire is the best on the continent. Have a pleasant trip.”
With the staff’s final farewell, Rudell finished the procedures and exited the border control office.
“Looks like everyone got through without any issues?”
Spotting his party waiting outside, Rudell commented.
To be honest, he had half a mind that someone might run into trouble, but surprisingly, no one seemed to have had issues.
“This is nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Y-yeah. Great job, everyone.”
Rudell chuckled softly at Leje, who puffed out her chest with a triumphant ehhem.
“W-where do we go now…?”
“We need to go to the dock. We might need to hurry since it’s about to depart…”
With about ten minutes to go, it was time to rush to not miss the ship.
Crossing the busy dock filled with countless people, Rudell and his party boarded the magic airship…
“Are you telling me this giant thing can fly in the sky?”
“Can’t believe it even after seeing it for myself?”
“Still, it doesn’t make sense. How can such a massive ship soar…?”
“I think you shouldn’t be saying that.”
If we’re talking about things that don’t make sense, then Leje’s very ability should have already counted as out.
“What’s wrong with me!?”
“Nothing at all.”
“Ugh! You come here!”
“Ah! That hurts! It hurts!!”
As Leje lunged at Rudell, pulling his cheek, Rudell squirmed in pain when suddenly…
“Our airship is now heading towards the Empire’s capital, Pensburg. Passengers who haven’t boarded yet should do so swiftly…”
An announcement echoed through the magical tool in the airship, and shortly after, the four massive propellers on either side of the airship began to spin, creating a gust of wind.
“Wah!?”
“I’ll catch you.”
As the wind began to whip through Leje’s long hair,
Rudell reached out to hold her hair down to keep it from flying about.
“T-thank you.”
“Thank you for what?”
As Rudell replied, the airship had completed its takeoff.
“Whoa…”
Leje gasped in wonder as she looked down at everything below becoming tiny.
At the same moment, the airship’s pilot slowly turned.
“Our airship is now heading towards the Empire’s capital, Pensburg. The estimated time is about two days, and it may vary depending on the weather. We hope you have a good trip.”
A strangely familiar announcement followed…
And so, they began their journey towards the Empire’s capital, Pensburg.
