“Excuse me? You’re planning to create a portal?”
“Yep.”
“Where do you intend to install it?”
“I’m thinking of the West.”
“Do you have a mage to maintain the portal?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
Looks like he’s asking a lot of unnecessary questions. Long-distance portals are indeed crucial for tactics and strategy, but…
After giving the mages watching us a curious glance, I decisively loomed over the counter staff, who looked flustered.
“I plan to set up a long-distance portal for emergency situations, so please assist swiftly.”
“Ah, but a long-distance portal can’t just be deployed haphazardly! We need approval from the heads of the local Mage Guild and the royal advisor…”
“Then it’ll be too late.”
“But…”
The staff trailed off, avoiding my gaze. Is he stalling for time, or does he not want to take responsibility? Either way, we weren’t here to engage in a verbal sparring match.
I pulled out the tokens of Principal Merlin and Duke Ryan from my pocket and slammed them on the counter.
“I’ll take responsibility, so call the guildmaster quickly.”
“Yes, right away!”
Seeing the clueless receptionist spring into action, I let out a sigh. What a hassle.
Still, the guildmaster seemed to have some sense, appearing not long after the staff went to fetch him. The guildmaster, recognizing Principal Merlin, rushed in, panting.
“Merlin! Long time no see!”
“Indeed.”
“But, are you really here to get approval for the portal installation…?”
“Correct.”
The guildmaster glanced at Principal Merlin with a perplexed expression. Is gathering the heads of the Mage Guild branches no easy feat? It probably isn’t…
“Quickly gather the guildmasters. This is a very serious matter and needs to be expedited.”
“Understood. If you’ll follow me.”
The guildmaster led us toward a certain room. It seemed to be the guildmaster’s office. As soon as we entered, he rushed to a communication device and started dialing.
“Principal Merlin wishes to convene the guildmasters regarding the portal matter. Since you have invoked the Great Mage’s token, we are obliged to respond to this request. Please gather quickly.”
The guildmaster calmly explained the situation over the communicator, then turned back to us.
“Please wait for a moment, they will assemble.”
True to his word, after about 5 minutes, the communicator began to glow.
“Principal Merlin, could you come and explain the situation?”
“Understood.”
Principal Merlin approached the communicator and began detailing the reasons for the long-distance portal installation and the gravity of the situation.
As about 10 minutes passed, his expression brightened.
“Good thinking. Your determination might just mitigate the continent’s crisis in advance.”
“Where do you intend to build the portal?”
“There’s a suitable space in the academy’s underground.”
“You mean the academy’s underground?”
“The specifics will be explained by this young man. Please gather the mages.”
“This young… man, you say?”
Why does he stretch out the word “young”? Is it some local accent? Feeling oddly about it, I approached the guildmaster and pulled out the pouch of gems.
“I would like to request the materials needed for the portal device. This is worth about 30,000 gold coins… is that sufficient?”
“That’s plenty. For about 15,000 gold coins, we can make one. We’ll handle exchanging the gems, so please wait for a moment.”
That was easier than I expected.
So this is the importance of networking? Throwing a sharp glance at the guildmaster, who was glaring at Principal Merlin, I plopped down on the sofa.
———————–
“Such a space beneath the academy…”
“Please don’t disclose this to anyone.”
“Understood.”
We installed the portal in the underground of the academy, a place no one could enter without permission from me or Principal Merlin.
It’s unfortunate that I had to reveal the existence of the emergency passage, but I could periodically change the structure of that passage as a workaround.
I’d have to put in some effort, but the benefit of having access to a portal I could freely use outweighed that inconvenience. I could freely take the kids to dungeons far away.
It felt like unlocking fast travel in an open-world game.
I watched the device being created with keen interest.
“Hm.”
“Do you understand?”
“Is it based on quality mana stones with runes inscribed on the magic circle?”
“That’s right. It’s quite complex. Plus, it’s a kind of secret, so the structure of the magic circle is confidential. They even apply fake magic circles over the real ones to prevent leaks.”
So it’s a strategic asset, huh?
As I listened to Principal Merlin’s explanation, I slowly surveyed the nearly completed portal.
“Registration complete. You should be able to move to your desired location now.”
“Where is the nearest portal in the west?”
“If you’re talking about the west, then Ravencha at the far west of the central continent should be the closest.”
“Let’s move quickly.”
The mages who’d set up the portal nodded in unison. One of them summoned a magic circle in the air and conveyed that we could proceed.
“Well then, I’m off.”
I began walking. This was my first time using a portal, so I felt a little anxious.
I hope I won’t just half-move like in some old novels!
With that tiny anxiety tucked away, I stepped into the portal.
How much time passed?
[Ugh, this feels strange…]
I woke up to Rue’s voice, sounding a bit nauseous.
Is this Ravencha?
I opened my eyes and cautiously looked around. In front of the portal, mages clad in various robes had gathered, waiting for us.
“Is that the Grand Mage Merlin?”
“Check out his figure, he totally looks like a mage!”
“Wow… do you feel that mana?”
“Hmhm.”
They say compliments can even make whales dance. I casually glanced at Principal Merlin, who looked pleased, then turned back. Mages that had joined us were coming through the portal, looking drained.
Seeing it with my own eyes was indeed fascinating.
“I’ll rest for a day and then proceed to the first defensive line.”
It’s a bit risky, but since we won’t be using it constantly, it’s quicker to have supplies transported to the first defensive line.
“I’ll do my best to gather as many supplies as possible from here.”
I aim to scrape together whatever food I can from this city. Though the people here might not have enough to eat, I’m sure it’s fine since this city is adjacent to a bountiful farmland.
Even if there’s no immediate food, it’s a city located in a corridor connecting the north to the west and the west to the south, so acquiring supplies shouldn’t be hard.
“Do you need my help?”
“Just take it easy. You’ll have to work like a dog once we get to the defensive line.”
“Ugh…”
Principal Merlin moaned as he rubbed his back. I guess after such a long walk, his back is hurting. I turned my gaze away from him and quickly headed outside.
Ravencha felt so peaceful, it was hard to believe a war had just erupted at the very end of the west.
It feels annoying.
Here I was, struggling, while everything is calm and fine. I need to clean out all the food supplies.
I immediately started moving around the city, purchasing every food item I could find.
—————-
“It’s quiet.”
“Boring. That demon is just a coward! Hahahahahaha!”
Was he always this loud, or is it just his habit to shout, rattling my eardrums? Kalintz frowned at Geren’s deafening voice.
‘I should have just tagged along.’
How long has it been? Almost a fortnight since I’ve been subjected to his noisy rants. My hands twitched. But Kalintz, who once served the emperor, could endure this much.
‘I hope they arrive soon…’
Ever since we first met long ago, he had always found Geren quite bothersome. The man treated nobles and royals alike with the same indifference was hard to get used to.
“Really, it’s so dull!”
“Can’t go for a stroll.”
“I know that! So I’m practicing here while enjoying the view!”
I’m not sure how standing on one finger and doing handstands counts as practice, but since it’s not the first time Geren has engaged in one of his ridiculous training routines, Kalintz just ignored him and gazed outside the defensive line.
‘I hope they don’t attack before they arrive.’
Besides, the soldiers were lacking in strength due to the harsh environment and food shortages in the west. They wouldn’t hold out for long in this state. I just hope the enemies don’t attack…
“Sir Kalintz! There’s a carriage convoy approaching from the rear!”
“Is that true?”
“Yes, it is!”
At the sergeant’s shout, Kalintz kicked the ground and leapt atop the building. Crossing rooftops like a bridge, he landed on the other side of the wall and peered down.
“Hey! How have you been?”
“Of course!”
The two old men looked at each other and smiled broadly.
Mages and supplies,
The first defensive line has arrived.
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