Chapter 396 – The Desert City of Masmadol

With Lionel and I dividing the work, we used earth magic to solidify groups of several people at a time. Once we had subdued Kahar himself, his aides, and his private soldiers, King Farid’s officers, the Demon-Slaying Knight Order, and the golems worked together to carry and line them up, completing the preparations for teleportation.

The packaged prisoners would be sent via teleportation magic to the capital Mernpios, where they would be handed over to the soldiers waiting there.

To smoothly explain the situation to the troops waiting in Mernpios, incarcerate these transported individuals, and handle various tasks, it would be better for King Farid and the others to move to Mernpios and take direct command… So it was decided they would also teleport along with the prisoners.

“Well then, Elham. We’re returning to Mernpios… Make sure to properly support them and serve as their guide.”

“Leave it to me, Father. I will carry out my duties thoroughly so as not to disgrace the names of Baharzard and Nahalbia.”

“Right.”

King Farid nodded, exchanged words with Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana, then turned his gaze toward us.

“All warriors of Baharzard pray for your martial fortune and success from the capital. And for rushing to our nation’s crisis and lending your assistance. That debt of gratitude, along with Sir Theodore’s bravery and wisdom – neither I nor my officers will ever forget it.”

As King Farid spoke, the lined-up officers straightened their posture and, at a single command, assumed a salute.

“Thank you.”

“When the matter in the forest is settled, please visit the palace in Mernpios once more. Next time it won’t be a pre-departure banquet, but then we can truly make merry all night without any concerns.”

Saying this, he grinned again.

“Well then—I’ll use teleportation magic.”

With Claudia’s words, a huge magic circle spread across the ruined town. A pillar of light rose up, and when it subsided… King Farid and the officers who had been saluting, along with the prisoners, were no longer there.

As for this ruin… the water source hasn’t completely dried up yet. There’s a possibility travelers might rely on this water. We left the outer wall gate open before everyone boarded the Sirius.

If the situation in Baharzard becomes more stable, this fortress might have garrison troops stationed to prevent misuse, or regular patrols might be established. In any case, King Farid said he would take some measures to prevent future misuse.

“All members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order and all riding dragons confirmed aboard,” said Elliot, having finished roll call for the knight order.

“Then, shall we get moving?”

First, we would head to the largest stronghold in the nearby southwestern area—the city called Masmadol.

Considering the possibility that exploring the forest around the sacred land might take a long time, or that we might need to retreat for some reason, it would be best to enable teleportation to Masmadol’s Moon Temple before taking action. After all, it’s quite a distance from Mernpios to here.

“We might be able to gather information about the forest at Masmadol’s Adventurer Guild. Once we arrive in town, I think I’ll stop by the guild.”

As the Sirius began to move and we settled into the bridge, Auria spoke.

“Auria-san, you were using spirits to monitor outside the barrier… Aren’t you tired?”

By releasing the spirits she’s contracted with, Auria can apparently gather information from a wide area. It’s different from familiars so it’s not a five senses link, but by communicating with the spirits she can obtain information from multiple distant locations. It’s like having invisible lookouts, so as an adventurer it’s quite a useful ability.

So we had Auria keep watch outside Claudia and the others’ barrier to see if anyone might try to escape from the ruined town, evading the Demon-Slaying Knight Order’s surveillance.

“Indeed, I was using quite a number of spirits to communicate, but that much doesn’t tire me out. You were engaged in fierce battles, so I must work properly too.”

“That’s right. Theodore-kun did his best, so it’s fine for him to take it easy.”

Auria and Valentina laughed like that.

“Is that so? Then, I’ll rest a bit in the cabin. Please call me if anything happens.”

Thanks to Ashley’s healing magic, the pain and such has subsided… but I don’t want to make everyone worry. I decided to rest in my room until we reach the city.

“Theo… We’ll be arriving soon.”

While napping in the cabin, Grace’s voice woke me. Her voice was somewhat subdued, probably out of consideration—if I was too tired to wake from a light call, she would let me sleep.

“…Mm, morning.”

“Yes.”

The first thing that met my eyes when I opened them was Grace’s gentle smiling face.

“How are you feeling?”

“Yeah. My body feels much lighter than before my nap.”

When I answered Ashley, she smiled and nodded.

“That’s good.”

“What about everyone else? Were you able to rest?”

“We were sewing together and reading books,” said Claudia. It seemed they were also spending time as they pleased in the cabin.

As for Grace… well, to relieve the backlash of her bloodsucking impulse, she seemed to be watching me sleep by my side. I think I felt my hair being gently stroked during my nap…

I changed from my room clothes, threw on my Chimera Coat, and headed to the bridge.

“Ah, Professor. You can see it now.”

Charlotte, sitting at the helm controlling the ship, noticed me and pointed forward as she spoke.

Looking outside through the crystal panel, it was already dusk.

The desert scenery dyed by the setting sun… feels more atmospheric compared to daytime.

Right in the middle of the empty desert stood the city. There were outer walls, with buildings inside. The city center was, as usual, an oasis, but its scale was incomparable to what was in the ruined town.

“From an aerial view, it looks like a beautiful city.”

“Thank you. River water flows in, and water also springs from underground, which creates a water source of that scale.”

At Rosemary’s words, Princess Elham nodded, looking pleased.

It would be more accurate to say a lake spreads out rather than calling it a spring. The lakeshore water was glittering as it reflected the sunset—truly beautiful. Abundant water is channeled throughout the city via waterways.

Palm trees grow thickly along the lakeshore in the center, giving it a very fitting atmosphere for a desert stronghold.

I heard this became the largest stronghold in the southwest after Nahalbia’s capital was abandoned. Probably because the oasis is so large, I suppose.

“Then, does the place that was Nahalbia’s capital have a water source comparable to this one?”

“No. There are rivers and springs, but not as much as Masmadol. Since that forest is nearby, apparently the resources obtained from there supported Nahalbia’s capital.”

…I see. Certainly, it would have been things that couldn’t be secured elsewhere in the desert region. Although, regarding Nahalbia, given their relationship with the condemned, building the capital there was pretty much decided from the start.

And… precisely because there’s a large stronghold like Masmadol, they were able to abandon the capital.

“Before entering the city, we need to speak with the soldiers.”

“Then, I’ll accompany you as escort.”

“Thank you. The person governing this city is someone named Fatima Masmadol… She has Nahalbian parents, and I’m acquainted with her too. I think we won’t need to arrange today’s lodging ourselves.”

“That’s helpful.”

The personnel decision to place someone connected to Nahalbia as Masmadol’s lord… well, that must be King Farid’s arrangement. Or rather, having the Masmadol surname probably means she was originally a Nahalbian noble.

As Princess Elham stood up, Mercedes and Elmer accompanied her as escorts and went out to the deck. Similar to when we arrived in Mernpios, Princess Elham called out to the outer wall watch from the deck, the soldiers saluted and exchanged words with Princess Elham, then waved flags to signal entry into the city.

Princess Elham nodded with satisfaction and returned to the bridge. Then she pointed to a building on a small hill-like area and said:

“That building on the hill is the lord’s mansion. If we dock the ship at the lakeshore below, it shouldn’t be in the way.”

Following Princess Elham’s instructions, we moved the Sirius to the foot of the hill.

As we prepared to disembark after docking at the lakeshore, a camel-drawn cart came down the road. A camel cart rather than a horse cart.

From within that cart, along with what appeared to be guards, one well-proportioned figure appeared.

“Your Highness Elham…! We received a flag signal that someone from Baharzard’s royal family had arrived, so I came directly to welcome you at the landing site of the flying ship… Is it truly Your Highness Elham? How wonderful that you’ve come!”

The person beamed upon recognizing Princess Elham standing on the deck.

She was a beautiful brown-skinned woman with flowing black hair tied up. Probably in her mid-twenties to thirties… I’d guess.

“It’s been too long, Fatima. I’m glad to see you’re well.”

The moment Princess Elham saw the person, she showed a happy expression. Without any sign of caution, she disembarked and approached Fatima, taking her hands.

“Yes. You haven’t changed either, Princess.”

Thus Princess Elham and Masmadol’s lord, Fatima, rejoiced at their reunion.