Chapter 490 – Reunion in the Maritime City

After transferring ample magical power to Caduceus through Circulating Ki and assigning him to Queen Eldorene’s escort, I made various preparations to handle any unforeseen circumstances.

Since Caduceus also has a Communication Device, if any matters requiring consultation with the queen arise, we should be able to proceed efficiently.

“Well then—I’ll be going for a bit. I don’t think it will take too long.”

Given the current situation, the fact that we’re still at the reconnaissance stage means the Sea King hasn’t yet pinpointed the queen’s location. From what I saw through the monocle and Circulating Ki, that subordinate doesn’t seem to have a magical connection like a Familiar, so there shouldn’t be any risk of our location being leaked through it.

Even if it escaped, it would take time for it to return to the Sea King’s base, prepare military forces, and come back. So, I plan to take Marion and temporarily return to Termwills via Teleportation Magic, gather necessary items there, and then come back to Duke Driscoll’s territory.

“Indeed. Rovisa, Weltes. You two be careful as well.”

“Yes. We’ll be going now, Your Majesty.”

As the queen’s envoys, Rovisa and Weltes will also board the Sirius along with Marion. While Weltes is originally humanoid, both Rovisa and Marion can use the Humanization Spell, so they’ve changed clothes and brought boots to make movement on land easier.

After thoroughly taking roll and confirming that everyone, including the Grand Duke’s and Duke’s families, is present, it’s time to depart.

We waved to Aianos’ residents gathered in the square as we slowly ascended. Once we gained some altitude, we disappeared from view and emerged above the sea surface.

“We’ll be increasing speed slightly to rush to Duke Driscoll’s territory, so please remain firmly seated with your belts fastened until the ship’s movements stabilize.”

“Hmm…”

At my words, everyone assumed serious expressions and took their seats on the bridge, checking the belts attached to their chairs. Responses confirming they were seated also came from the servants in the cabins via speaking tubes. Well then… let’s depart.

I turned the ship around. Checking the sea chart and compass, I adjusted our angle toward the destination and advanced the ship forward. Once we reached a speed where we could fully catch the headwind, I supplied magical power from the pilot’s seat.

—Then Alpha twisted the corner of its mouth cheerfully.

“Here we go.”

It warned the entire ship through the speaking tubes. The propulsion system took in the headwind, and Fire Magic ignited the massive amount of captured air—accelerating us with literally explosive speed.

The G-forces during acceleration created pressure that pinned our bodies to the chairs. The scenery visible through the monitors began flowing past at high speed.

“Th-this is—”

“Whoa…?”

The Grand Duke and Duke widened their eyes.

“This is fun,”

said Sheila’s voice.

“It’s been a while since we accelerated with Fire Magic,”

said Rosemary, hiding her mouth with her feather fan while closing her eyes and trembling her shoulders slightly.

Princess Stephania, Princess Adriana, along with Sion and the others, Marl, Oscar, and Vanessa all seemed to be enjoying the rapidly passing scenery outside.

Well, though Princess Elham, Leslie, and Rovisa’s expressions were somewhat strained.

How to put it… it’s because we accelerated with Fire Magic just when the ship’s speed was gradually increasing and it didn’t seem like much.

“It gives a different impression than when viewed from outside, doesn’t it?”

“During experiments, we would turn or dive in this state,”

said Ashley admiringly, making Grace chuckle slightly.

“Well, better prepare yourself while you can,”

said Claudia, closing her eyes and smiling. Marlene nodded solemnly with a serious expression.

“No, those were combat maneuvers…”

If we can avoid using them, that would be for the best.

Anyway, while the ship’s speed is fast, we’ve entered stable flight, so I should announce it through the speaking tubes.

“It’s alright now. The main force is only felt during acceleration. However, please do not go out onto the deck under any circumstances.”

At my words, people began standing up one by one, unfastening their seat belts. Some looked around cautiously with hesitant expressions. Seraphina seemed to have enjoyed the earlier acceleration, spreading her arms and flying around happily.

Irmhild promptly took out her Lute, and Marion, seemingly inspired, also took out her harp and began matching notes improvisationally.

…Well then. Let’s continue advancing while using Life Detection on the ship’s lower monitors to avoid missing any of the Sea King’s Subordinates.

To proceed smoothly with preparations, I should also contact Termwills via the Communication Device.

“Oh… I can see it now,”

said the Duke with a somewhat moved expression, his eyes shining. Though it’s still just visible in the distance, it’s about time to slow down the Sirius’s speed.

During the journey, we didn’t encounter any of the Sea King’s Subordinates, and everything went smoothly.

The port town located on the northeast side of the island that serves as Duke Driscoll’s main base—a city that forms the center of trade in western Verdgar.

If Aianos is an undersea city, then Duke Driscoll’s main base could be called a sea city.

The white-walled houses are similar to those in Wisneaire, the coastal port town, but waterways extend throughout the city interior, allowing travel by boat to various parts of town.

And… in the city center, a large castle is visible. It has a symmetrical, orthodox shape but shines as if floating on the ocean under the bright sunlight. The Duke’s castle, made of white building materials… with its slender, pointed spires, gives a smart and magnificent impression.

Being the face of the central marine trade hub, I heard it was designed not to appear too rugged.

And… from around Aianos onward, the sea is truly beautiful. With high transparency allowing clear views to the seabed, coral reefs beneath the surface are also visible.

“What a beautiful city… and the sea too… it looks like it’s sparkling in the sunlight.”

“The children who visited for trade all said it was a beautiful city… but it’s truly wonderful, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. It’s a magnificent city,”

murmured Marion as she looked at the Duke’s territory through the monitor, with Rovisa and Weltes nodding in agreement.

Just as we felt Aianos was like another world, it seems the sea dwellers also have various thoughts when seeing land cities.

“You can ride sightseeing boats to tour the city… but let’s save that for later enjoyment. Can we enter from the western port? There’s a waterway that connects directly to the castle’s water gate. Near the castle—that would be the Moon Temple.”

Duke Driscoll gave us a tour of the city from above. Well then… shall we follow the guidance? Since there’s a dock directly connected to the castle, let’s have the Sirius dock there.

We circled around from the west and entered the city interior from there.

When the Duke appeared on deck and raised his hand, the watch soldiers greeted us with salutes. Proceeding along the large waterway connected to the castle… a massive water gate opened, allowing the Sirius to advance directly to the dock at Duke Driscoll’s castle.

Since there were small side channels along the waterway here, you can probably access the city from over there.

The dock… has a large square immediately nearby, with watchtowers and soldiers’ guard posts. This area definitely feels like a dock directly connected to a castle.

Several sailing ships are docked here too—they might be the Duke’s ships.

“Hmm… that ship…”

murmured Rosemary, her eyes fixed on one particular vessel.

“Something wrong?”

“…No. It’s just that I recognized that ship.”

Saying this, Rosemary closed her eyes. Hmm. That ship… Ah, I see.

“Ambassador. It’s been a while. I’m relieved to see you and your sister looking well.”

“Yes. It’s good to see you looking well too, Your Highness. Were you on your way back to Termwills?”

I returned a smile to the person who had come to greet us at the dock.

“Yes. I was thinking of greeting the Duke upon his return before heading back to Termwills, but…”

I see. After greeting us, he went to greet the Grand Duke and Duke’s family, who were preparing to disembark.

“Grand Duke Debonnis, Duke Driscoll. It’s been a while.”

“Indeed. Long time no see, Your Highness.”

“Oscar. It’s been a while.”

“Yes. Your Highness hasn’t changed either,”

they exchanged words.

“So it was—a ship from Growfonica after all.”

Witnessing this scene, Rosemary shrugged her shoulders slightly.

The person who greeted us and then went around greeting the Grand Duke and Duke’s family was… Prince Helfried, who is studying abroad in the Kingdom of Growfonica.

He said he plans to return to Termwills by sea, so he probably stopped at Duke Driscoll’s territory along the way.

He was likely staying at Duke Driscoll’s castle until the ship departed, but when he learned of our arrival, he came to the dock to greet us.

“…Even though he knows the decisive battle with the Demon is approaching, there’s no need for him to deliberately return to Termwills,”

murmured Rosemary, looking at her younger brother.

Although Rosemary says that… if you asked Prince Helfried, he might say that’s precisely why he can’t stay safely in a secure area as a member of the royal family. This is probably due to Prince Helfried’s personality or something like that.

Even if he won’t be on the front lines, it would certainly boost the soldiers’ morale.

Still, it feels like an unexpected reunion… though if he was staying to coincide with the Duke’s return, it’s not particularly strange either.

Anyway, since it’s not troublesome, there’s no need to change our plans. Prince Helfried’s destination is Termwills, and if he wishes, we could have him accompany us via Teleportation Magic.