Chapter 54

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there, while the cherry blossoms danced in the wind.

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As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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The limousine moved smoothly to the imperial city, with Miu pressing her face against the window, looking at the crowds with delight. She pressed her cheeks against the window, and the adorable sight made those around her chuckle.

The main street was lined with stalls, and a large park was filled with crowds, with the sound of drums echoing. Everyone walked with joyful smiles, buying takoyaki from stalls, and enjoying street performances. The street performances in this world included magic, making them spectacular. I wanted to get out of the car and see them too.

"I always thought this day was the Spring Festival."

In this world, there are several large-scale festivals. These are national festivals that involve the entire country, much like a novel setting. Almost all companies take a day off, except for convenience stores, restaurants, and infrastructure-related businesses.

Such a festival would be impossible in the world of my previous life. The government doesn't have that much authority, and festivals are usually held locally.

But in this world, it exists. It's easier to handle such grand events in a novel, of course.

March 30th. Every year, there is a large festival. Stalls line the streets, and many people enjoy the festival. Most of the time, the cherry blossoms are delayed from falling by magic, making it a cherry blossom viewing festival.

Miu used to hold hands with her parents every year, looking at the cherry blossoms, eating okonomiyaki and crepes from stalls, and enjoying herself. Going out with the family and enjoying the festival is the best. She would run around with a smile, fully enjoying the festival every year.

I always looked forward to the festival, but I thought it was just a spring festival or a cherry blossom festival.

"Indeed, only families with 10-year-old children care about it."

"Tamamo got a new game console. Let's play together when we get home!"

Yami looked at her with a protective gaze, and Tamamo happily announced that she got a new game console. It must be the latest model, right? Of course, I'll play with her. Whether online or offline, I'm ready.

At 10 years old, it's a celebration. It's like Shichi-Go-San. I wonder if I'll get a celebration too?

"Don't worry, I've prepared a feast for Mii-chan. I've also made a cake."

"Yay! Thank you, Mom. I love it!"

This body is that of a girl. So, my mind is influenced by it. It can't be helped, right? A homemade cake from my mother is rarer than a Philosopher's Stone. Great!

The city is in a festive mood. When the whole nation celebrates a festival, it's like this. It's one of the good things about the world of a novel. Such grand events can't be seen in my previous life. The restaurant staff must be busy, though.

If you think the city will be congested, there are regulations. A special road for nobles is prepared for the festival, allowing a smooth journey to the imperial city. It's a society with a significant gap.

Overall, it's fun. Festivals are a symbol of peace, as the ancients said, or didn't say. The special road for nobles is a bit concerning, but only a little. It feels the same as when parades are regulated.

"The 10-year-old debut ceremony started in the Kamakura period with the coming-of-age ceremony. Oda Nobunaga unified Japan and changed it to a festival during the Azuchi period. Let's make it a festival. Festival!"

Tamamo, with her side ponytails swinging, explained proudly, waving her hands. A coming-of-age ceremony at 10 years old. It seems early, but probably because of the existence of magic.

Magicians, as seen with Yami, can have the power to defeat adults even at 10 years old. They might be able to suppress an army. So, the coming-of-age ceremony, which was just a formality in my previous life, is the age when one can start working as a magician in this world.

Magic is not just a simple phenomenon; it's connected to many things. There are some differences from the common sense of my previous life. I need to be careful.

"Tamamo, you're so knowledgeable!"

I mustn't forget to clap and praise Tamamo. Smooth relationships require a bit of exaggeration, I think.

"Hehe, thank you!"

Tamamo, swaying her body and blushing, was met with a cough from Yami, who seemed to be competing.

"Today is a festival to celebrate 10 years old. At the imperial city, children from noble families and influential commoners gather. The number of children is a testament to the future strength of the country."

"I see! That's why so many people are heading to the castle! Thank you, Yami."

"You're welcome. Many visitors also come to the castle. There are many stalls in the park around the castle."

Yami smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed. The castle is open, it seems. After the event, I'll visit the stalls. A demanding Mii-chan is born.

On the way to the imperial city, other noble cars joined, and with the addition of guard cars, it became a large group. The imperial city, where the emperor resides, came into view. It was my first time seeing it...

"The castle is floating in the sky!"

I opened my mouth in amazement, stunned. I had seen the description of the imperial city in "Magical Night" and visited it in the game, but the reality was overwhelming.

A huge crystal castle floated in the sky. On the ground, palaces were built in layers, with vast gardens, dome-shaped research facilities, and several towers. Modern glass buildings also lined up, and there were many practical structures. There were concrete barracks and missile pods in the shape of fish.

The ground facilities were also designed as a fortress. This is a world where monsters that attack humans are common.

"We can't enter the sky castle. The 10-year-old commemorative ceremony is held in the ground facilities."

"Dad! The emperor lives up there!"

It's a scene unique to the magical architecture of the novel world. It would be impossible to build in my previous life. I think Oda Nobunaga moved the capital to Edo and built it. The entire building is endowed with 'Eternal Levitation' and 'Absolute Barrier,' and the only way to enter is through the ground transfer device.

Yeah, it's a typical setting in a novel. I get it. This is the novel world, after all. Such template facilities exist. The emperor sits on a throne in the audience hall of the sky castle, looking important.

When I asked my father if it was a template, Yami's mother chuckled.

"No, it's too inconvenient to use. You need to use the transfer device, which is troublesome. It's only used for important ceremonies and top-secret meetings. The royal family usually lives in the ground palace. The sky castle is mostly occupied by cleaning staff."

"Wow!"

Yes, the reality and the original work have differences. It's harsh... It's indeed inconvenient.

What? So, in the original work, the scene where the emperor sits on a crystal throne in the audience hall of the sky castle, resting his elbow on the armrest and receiving reports, involved a special trip. And someone probably complained about the meeting room, saying, "Can't we stop having meetings in this castle?"

After the scene, everyone, including the emperor, would return to the ground, complaining about being unnecessarily tired. Knowing the backstage of the novel was not a good thing.

Seeing the disappointed and dejected Mii-chan, her mother patted her head to comfort her. Yami and the others also tried to cheer her up, so I decided to recover. I understood that reality brings various issues.

The stage of the original work was built with much effort. I didn't want to know.

Sighing, I watched the approaching castle. The castle gates came into view, with floating magic arrays rotating and glowing, a fantasy security system.

At the gate, there were several soldiers and mobile weapons with tank guns and spider-like metal legs, equipped with missile pods. They were multi-legged tanks, romantic weapons that only exist in novels and anime. This is the world of a novel.

"Magic weapon! It's the 'Iron Spider 17!'"

It's a magic weapon. I saw it for the first time in reality, a multi-legged tank with a gray urban camouflage pattern. I leaned out of the window, pressing my face against it. It's a romantic weapon. It's cool. I want to ride it.

In the game, they were just metal blocks for material collection, but in reality, their heavy armor and tank guns were impressive, capturing my heart.

"The 'Iron Spider 17'... I think it costs 5 billion yen to manufacture, Mii-sama. A maximum of 500 million yen is spent per hour of combat. In magical battles, it lasts only 10 minutes. Thirty units have been manufactured, and 10 are deployed at the imperial city."

"Wow, Yami is so knowledgeable!"

Yami, knowing what I wanted to know, smiled and told me. I might look into that tank.

'Investigate'

'Iron Spider 17: Level 35'

I understood it's a romantic weapon. It probably has conventional weapons too. However, it can't match the 'Magic Armor,' which can run faster than a cheetah and fly.

If it were used daily for monster hunting, the country would go bankrupt. It exists as a deterrent. It looks strong, so it has value. It's impressive that 30 units were manufactured.

In the pay-to-play dungeon, there were many levels with these tanks. I wonder how the pay-to-play dungeon is handled. I'll check it next time.

The pay-to-play dungeon can only be accessed from 'My Room.' It was unlocked after meeting certain level and job requirements. In the game, the conditions were already met when I downloaded it, so I forgot them.

As a romantic weapon, I felt disappointed but reached the gate. A samurai with a tablet in hand was checking visitors. The inspection for commoners and nobles was different. The noble inspection was quick, while the commoner inspection caused a traffic jam.

It felt like having a VIP pass to enter a theme park.

"Dad, will there be lots of delicious food?"

"When I was a kid, there were many dishes I hadn't tried before. There are some really delicious ones."

"You can only come here once in a lifetime."

"I'll wave to the emperor if I see him!"

Opening the window, I heard many people chatting happily. Festivals make everyone happy. The commoner's garden has many luxurious and free dishes. The emperor is good at politics, understanding how to gain popularity.

"I'll wave to the emperor too!"

Seeing everyone getting along, Miu felt like getting along with her family and declared to her father. She would wave her hands vigorously.