Chapter 197 – The Journey to Claless
There were three carriages that headed to Claless each day.
And during the fourteen hour trip, the carriages would stop for a break in three different towns.
You could use the bathroom and acquire food during such breaks. And so I made sure to post the letters I had written during the ride.
After quitting my job, I had nothing to fall back on.
And so there was very little I could do on my own.
In such times, it was important to rely on others.
That being said, the reality was that there were a very limited number of people that could help me.
Since working at the Magic Artificers Guild, I was so busy, and so my friendships and relationships had become quite poor in comparison to when I was a student.
But even before all of that, I would sometimes become so absorbed in magic, that I would forget promises with friends.
The only people I could contact now was my old roommate, as well as a certain high-handed, rich girl who used to give me a lot of sweets.
Of course, I was also dealing with people so dangerous that they were able to capture Luke. So I had to be careful who I got involved with.
(Besides, they all have their own lives as well.)
Among them, the person who was the easiest to talk to was the old friend I had reunited with when I fought against the dragon…Nina.
In fact, she had moved to Claless, and was working as an Adventurer. So she would know how to defend herself.
Of course, I still did not want her to get involved with the enemy.
(And there is one other person. Though, the chances are slim.)
The letter would be sent to a certain forest within the empire.
Ms. Evangeline, the elf queen who I fought during the tournament.
She was the strongest person I had ever faced. So it would be very comforting to have her help.
(That being said, there was that time when they used a relic that sealed off magic. It was a dangerous situation, so I will still have to be careful.)
In a real battle, you did not know what could happen.
No matter how strong a warrior was, they could die from a spoonful of poison. There were many ways to defeat strong opponents, as long as you did not hold back.
Still, Ms. Evangeline’s magic arts really were amazing. And so if there was a possibility, I wanted her help.
Of course, she was a queen, so it was unlikely.
(Also, there is the dragon who lives in the mountains.)
The dragon had been controlled by a special relic, and so he felt indebted to be me after I helped him.
He had given me a whistle that would summon him, and said I could ask for help whenever I wanted to.
During the tournament, I had asked for his help, and he said he would come again if I needed it.
(Though, it would cause quite a chaotic scene. This must be a last resort then.)
I thought as I clutched the whistle that was hidden under my clothes.
The carriage continued along throughout the night.
Unfamiliar terrain passed me beyond the window.
There were six other passengers with me.
A couple and their child, as well as a pair of men.
And then one other man who smelled of drink.
The seats were hard, and your muscles grew sore from sitting in the same position for a long time.
It was not an environment fit for sleeping. Thankfully, I had a lot of experience with sleeping in uncomfortable places.
(Compared to the Magic Artificer Guild, this is nothing.)
Back then I would practically faint when the sun came out. And then wake up in three hours and go back to work.
It was hard chairs back then as well, and so I learned how to use the pain to prevent myself from sleeping for too long.
There had been coworkers who snored loudly as well. But I was not struggling to fulfill an order, so I might as well be in heaven.
And so I felt thankful towards my situation as I leaned my head against the window and went to sleep.
The window was nice and chilly, which helped to cool off my cheek and forehead.
My breath fogged up the glass.
Before I knew it, I was fast asleep. When I woke up, the sun was already rising.
“The immigration inspection will be conducted now. Please fill out this form with your occupation and the purpose of your visit.”
It was the border checkpoint.
Following the immigration officer’s instructions, I proceed with the procedure.
“Noelle Springfield…unemployed.”
The officer looked at the form. Though I had done nothing wrong, it felt strange now that I was unemployed.
“So you are here as a tourist…let me see… Are you not a Royal Magician?”
“I used to be. But I quit, so I am unemployed now.”
The man who sat on the opposite side of me looked surprised.
Apparently, it was rather unusual to be a former Royal Magician.
“Didn’t you also fight in that tournament?”
“Yes, I did.”
“I had the impression that Ardenfeld had high expectations for you. Why did you quit?”
“For personal reasons.”
“Ever since the terrorist incident two years ago, Claless has not authorized any foreign organization to conduct investigations in its territories. Lying on these forms will result in severe punishment. And so I will confirm this with you one last time. Is it possible that you are lying in order to enter the country and work as a Royal Magician?”
(I see. So I look rather suspicious already.)
“I wanted to quit my job and spend some time thinking about my life. You see, life isn’t all about work, is it? I have started to really ponder on this recently. As for why I chose this country, it is in order to visit an old friend of mine. I think she can give me some good advice.”
“And you understand the severe punishment for lying?”
“I am not lying. It is all very true.”
I bluffed.
I hated lying, but still, I stared straight back at the officer.
There was a reason that I had to get through here at all cost.
“…”
After looking at me for a moment, the officer spoke.
“I hope you have a pleasant journey. May you be blessed.”
“Thank you.”
He bowed and in my heart, I sighed with relief.
After that, I listened as the other passengers went through the same process, and I thought about the last thing the officer had said to me.
‘May you be blessed.’
I did not know much about anything other than magic. So perhaps it was a common phrase that was used here.
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
And then it was done.
The carriage moved slowly.
What time was it? I searched and then realized it.
I did not have the pocket watch with me anymore.
I had quit the Royal Magicians Order.
And so I better buy a new watch.
Judging by the position of the sun, it was probably around seven in the morning.
I leaned my head against the window in order to sleep again.
I didn’t know how much time had passed. But I was awakened to the sounds of a bustling town.
(Are we in a market place?)
There were rows of stores, and they sold fruits, fish, and various things from foreign countries.
(So this is Claless.)
In general, it did not seem very different from my own country.
Though, the buildings and architecture had a lot of imagery from the holy book. And I could see that the history and culture was definitely its own, and not like Ardenfeld.
The carriage stopped in front of a plaza with a water fountain.
While it was a different fountain, I suddenly felt a pain in my chest.
“Thank you for traveling with us. Please watch your feet as you get out.”
The family got out carefully with their child, and I followed after them.
While smiling at the morning light, I descended into the country of Claless.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Noelle Springfeld has quit the Royal Magicians Order. And she has headed straight for Claless.”
The first prince, Michael Ardenfeld’s office.
The prince listened to this report from the kingsguard, without changing his facial expression.
“I see.”
He said plainly. His attendants found this reaction surprising.
The prince had a strong interest in Noelle Springfield.
Ever since she went through the 60 seconds of blood.
It had been a rare thing, seeing his eyes lit up like that. As he rarely showed interest in anything.
“Is nothing to be done?”
“About what?”
“I was under the impression that you were interested in Ms. Springfield’s career, Your Highness.”
The golden eyes turned towards his attendant.
There was something chilling and emotionless about them.
“Of, of-course, it is only natural to lose interest as well… There are others who are talented. And she was just a commoner, after all…”
“No one will replace her. If there ever was a person who had the potential to surpass me…it was her.”
“What do you…”
“What do I mean? Indeed…”
Michael smiled. There was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes now.
“But if you think so highly of her, should she not be brought back?”
“And why should we do that?”
“Claless is highly suspicious of others. And the Order of the Dragon are also moving cautiously. Surely there is nothing she could do alone. The obvious conclusion…is that she will be erased from existence.”
Michael looked out of the window.
“Yes, that is the normal way to think of it. Because you people cannot see her true worth.”
“Your Highness has a different view?”
“The more difficult her situation is, the more power she shows. Of course, there are limits to what a single human can do, but her limit is a lot farther than you think.”
“How far?”
“There is something sleeping in her that even I cannot predict. But, I want to drag it out of her. Things are starting to move, but I cannot see what will happen. How deep it goes. Thinking about it keeps me up at night.”
He said jokingly.
“Your Highness truly believes that Noelle Springfield can take on the order all by herself?”
“I do. Otherise, I would not be doing this.”
“Doing what?”
The attendant narrowed his eyes and then gasped.
“Then the reason that the prime minister put pressure on the Royal Magicians Order to give up the investigation…”
“We are old friends, after all. I know what to say to make him act.”
“So Your Highness deliberately created a situation where she would have to go alone.”
“I did think she would take a few more days to make the decision. She really does exceed my expectations.”
He touched the side of his head as if to hide the smile that threatened to appear.
“Well, let us wait with anticipation then. To see the monster within her.”
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