Chapter 29

Since it has become quite long, I will post it in parts.

I will post the [later] part in the evening.

"Everyone, we have just entered the coastal waters of the continent of Ishtar."

This is the first shipment of sea crystals departing from Euru.

On board the ship are Graf and the members of the August family, heading for Ishtalika.

The ship, loaded with more sea crystals than planned for Ishtalika, sails smoothly across the sea.

"I've heard that this ship is really fast, despite being a ship."

"I, too, rode on it only for the outbound journey in the past. However, it seems to have become much faster since then."

"Yes, the ship Graf-sama rode on was from three generations ago. Compared to the ships of that time, the stability, speed, and basic performance have all improved."

The person guiding Graf and the others is an Ishtalikan civil servant, a direct subordinate of Chancellor Warren.

In the salon of the noble accommodation room, they gathered to drink tea while receiving an explanation.

"No wonder I felt a difference. But to have evolved over three generations in just a few decades, I am truly impressed by your technological capabilities."

"Many engineers work day and night on research. It is thanks to them that we have achieved these results."

"That's right. Will the ship that Aine... no, Aine-sama and the others from Ishtalika rode be a different one?"

Considering that calling Aine by her name in front of the Ishtalikans would give a bad impression, Kurone quickly added the honorific "sama" to avoid it.

"When the Second Princess returned, a different ship came to Haim. It's called the Princess Olivia, a ship dedicated to the princess. It's a bit larger than this one, but in terms of facilities and performance, it's in a different league."

"I'd like to see it. Right, Grandfather?"

"Hearing that it surpasses this ship, I'm indeed curious."

"There are regular demonstrations of its operation, so I hope you can enjoy it on that occasion."

"Indeed, that's good to hear."

At these demonstrations, the White King, the personal ship of King Silvado of Ishtalika, also appears.

Its size, equipment, and performance are so impressive that even the Ishtalikans are amazed.

"Is the Princess Olivia also faster?"

Kurone asked.

"Of course. While this ship has a larger cargo capacity, even accounting for that, it is about 30% faster."

"Truly a royal ship. No wonder the Second Princess and the others returned so quickly."

The civil servant smiled gently at this and then cleared his throat before continuing.

"——Now, let me explain the procedures from here. Is that alright?"

"Please do."

"Yes, please."

The civil servant had come to guide them and also to explain the procedures after arriving in Ishtalika.

There are several detailed checks to be done, so they will need to stay on the ship for a while after reaching the port.

"First, we will confirm Graf-sama and Kurone-sama's status cards to verify your identities. After that, we will have you check and sign some documents. The content will be about prohibited actions and agreements."

Ishtalika needed to confirm several things with them, as they are welcoming the great nobles of Haim, including responsibilities in case of any incidents and their actions in Ishtalika.

"Next, we will conduct tests for pathogens and other health checks. This is to prevent any accidents."

"Of course, we will comply."

Not complying would give a bad impression, which would be meaningless and disadvantageous for Kurone in the future.

"Thank you. Lastly, you will have a brief conversation with my superior."

"I understand. Who will it be?"

"Chancellor Warren will come. He will likely ask some final questions verbally, which we hope you can answer."

Graf was surprised to hear that Warren would come. He had thought that the August family was just a minor noble to Ishtalika.

"Chancellor Warren will come?"

"If you had entered Ishtalika by another means, the situation might have been different... but in this case, it's because of the names of the princess and Aine-sama. Therefore, the chancellor will come."

"Is Aine-sama doing well?"

Kurone asked about Aine, whom she hadn't contacted in a while and whose situation she didn't know.

"Aine-sama is energetically training in martial arts and diligently studying as a royal. She gets along well with the princess and seems to be enjoying her time."

"Is that so? Thank you. I'm relieved to hear that."

Kurone smiled and bowed in gratitude.

"Actually, I never had the chance to speak directly with Aine-sama. So it's very helpful to hear about her character."

"Let me tell you a bit more about Aine-sama. She is well-liked within the castle. As I mentioned, she is very hardworking, polite, and intelligent."

"——That's good. You haven't changed, have you?"

Kurone's whispered words were inaudible to everyone else. She was delighted that Aine hadn't changed.

"However... how should I put it? She has a bit of a mischievous side. She gets along very well with the First Princess, and they often plan various things together or conduct mysterious experiments that cause small disturbances."

Kurone nodded, understanding that Aine had such a side as well.

"Since Aine-sama arrived, the castle has become more lively, which is a good thing. The Second Princess has also returned, and the king and queen are very pleased."

"——I can only apologize."

The events in Haim had indeed caused unpleasantness in Ishtalika. As a member of the great noble August family of Haim, she could not avoid apologizing.

"Many things have happened, with various circumstances and situations that we couldn't accept but had to. We can't just wash everything away, but making efforts to move forward is not a bad thing. That's all I can say now."

The civil servant spoke calmly, without showing any attitude.

"Once we arrive in Ishtalika, please enjoy the scenery of the port town. It is one of the largest port towns in Ishtalika and a huge city. You will see many fresh fish, and I'm sure everyone will enjoy it."

"I look forward to seeing how much the town has changed in these few decades."

"I'm seeing it for the first time. I will make sure to take in the scenery of the port town."

"——Well, I will take my leave now. I will hand over some documents summarizing a few points to Alfred-sama. Alfred-sama, can you check them?"

"Understood."

Alfred responded, and the civil servant handed over several documents.

They likely contained information about Ishtalika and some important matters. He was to review them before arrival.

After handing over the documents, the civil servant quietly left the room.

"Kurone, I want you to be prepared. Aine-sama is now a royal of the great nation of Ishtalika, not someone you can easily meet."

"I understand. But it's okay to hope to meet her, right?"

* * *

A few hours later, the ship carrying the sea crystals arrived safely at the port town of Magna.

The scene that Kurone and the others saw from their room was truly breathtaking.

The scale of the port town was incomparable to Roundheart in Haim, with the beauty of the lined-up houses and the clear cobalt blue sea where fish could be seen swimming. There were many piers and various ships docked.

Graf had visited the port town of Magna in the past, but the prosperity of Magna after several decades left him in awe.

"Grandfather, they say that one's mouth drops open in such situations. I never imagined such a town existed in the world."

"The scene I saw in the past has changed significantly. I feel the same way, Kurone."

"——When I visited Magna with Graf-sama in the past, I had similar thoughts, but now they are even stronger. The strength of the nation of Ishtalika exceeds Haim's imagination."

Alfred's words were indeed true. The town's culture, scale, and technology were so advanced that it was evident just by looking at it.

"It looks like it would be fun to walk around the town."

"Indeed. I would like to shop here someday."

The ship's engines had stopped, and the ship was secured to the port.

Near the large pier where the ship stopped, there were many personnel waiting to unload the cargo and perform detailed checks.

On a small hill visible from the ship, a water train was parked.

"Grandfather? What is that thing parked up there?"

Kurone, who had no knowledge of trains, asked Graf what it was.

"That is a water train, the main means of transportation in Ishtalika. You can travel to many places on the continent with it."

"That sounds convenient. Is the water train also fast?"

"Even a swift horse cannot compete with it. It maintains such a high speed continuously."

"Such a vehicle exists in Ishtalika...?"

In Haim, the main mode of transportation was by carriage. Therefore, seeing the water train, which was an over-technology from Haim's perspective, left her unable to comprehend it.

"But wouldn't such a vehicle be expensive to ride?"

"Not at all. Depending on the distance, it costs about the same as a commoner's meal."

"——Even commoners can use it. Ishtalika is truly impressive."

Even before disembarking, Kurone was filled with excitement at the many new discoveries.

"Excuse me, Graf-sama, Kurone-sama. We have arrived, so please prepare to disembark."

"Understood."

"There are a few things we need to do, as I explained earlier. Once those are completed, you can disembark and meet with the chancellor."

"Chancellor Warren?"

Even Graf, who was far away in Haim, felt nervous thinking about what kind of person Warren was.

As the head of the civil servants of the great nation of Ishtalika and one of King Silvado's close aides, if he objected, it could mean that they would not be accepted into Ishtalika.

Thinking about this, he couldn't stop the sweat from forming on his forehead.

"Yes. The unloading of the cargo will also be noisy. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I hope you can understand."

"Of course. We are grateful for the hospitality."

"I am as well. Thank you."

The civil servant smiled and said, "Not at all," in response to their gratitude.

"Regarding the items you brought, we will unload them for you and hand them over at a place where you can relax later."

The items Graf and the others brought were all necessities for daily life.

With the belongings of a few guards and servants added to Graf's and the others' belongings, it was a considerable amount, so Ishtalika had kindly packed and stored them in a place for cargo.

"Thank you again. Since they were packed, we didn't bring much here. We are ready to disembark, so please guide us."

"Understood. I will lead you."

Since there was nothing else to prepare, they left the room they had been staying in, following the guide.

As they moved forward, the noise gradually increased, as described.

While expressing gratitude for the ship that had hosted them, Graf headed to the procedures.