Chapter 651 – Hidden Village and Magical Tools

After reporting and coordinating various matters via the Communication Device, discussing magic tool artisans and concealment techniques to establish a foundation… another night passed.

First thing in the morning, I expanded the chief’s house by adding another room further back on the cliff side.

I installed the stone monument, cast a Barrier around the room, and used Contract Magic to make it unusable without the chief’s permission.

Claudia’s deployed Magic Circle glowed, enveloping the stone monument in phosphorescence.

“This should do it… If the chief living in this land wishes to Seal the stone monument, it will cease to function.”

“Thank you, Goddess Shuath.”

“Just Claudia is fine. I don’t particularly like being called that.”

“Understood, Claudia-sama.”

As Claudia responded with a wry smile, Vera answered quietly.

“But still, between teleportation and that flying ship, then Magic Construction using Earth Magic, Barrier Magic, and Contract Magic – seeing such advanced Spell Formulas one after another right before my eyes is making my senses go numb.”

“From my experience learning in human villages, these would all be considered legends or secret arts.”

At Lamona’s comment, Vera gave a faint smile and shook her head.

“The numerous Magic Tools we Traded for as well.”

“I believe it was a good Trade for us.”

I had brought various items intended as friendship gifts – decorative Magic Tools, playing cards, chess, Billiards, Darts, carbonated water makers, Clear Blood, Amulets of Evil Repulsion, and so on… But when I explained these were brought for friendship purposes, they firmly declined, saying since they’d already received the Magic Keyboard, they couldn’t just keep receiving valuable items.

So I proposed a Trade using the Hidden Village’s specialty products instead.

As a result, we also received specialty products like feather quilts, Rock Fungus, mirror moss, Ornaments, and so on in exchange.

Since Rock Fungus holds an important position, this included conditions like installing concealment sorcery Barriers and surveillance equipment. But since we’d also planned to proceed along established lines to ensure the Harpy Hidden Village wouldn’t be left vulnerable, this wasn’t a problem.

For the Harpies too, it seemed to be an attractive offer in various ways, including that their village artisans could learn advanced techniques as Magic Engineers.

The various items obtained through exchange would be placed in open public spaces so anyone from the settlement could use them freely. Apparently the chief’s house also served as a public building, with some areas freely accessible to settlement members.

After completing the stone monument room as planned, we all left the chief’s house together.

“Morning!”

“Yeah, good morning”

The one who cheerfully greeted us when we reached the outer square was Dominique, looking quite pleased. Seems she was able to spend some relaxed time with her family.

Other settlement residents had also gathered in the square. Vera had called them – these were the residents scheduled to move to Termwills using the stone monument today.

As we exchanged morning greetings, one of the bird people, who was to be invited as a Magic Engineer artisan, said somewhat uncertainly:

“Will someone with our appearance be accepted in human villages…?”

“About that point… both Steph and I will be with you, and you’re being invited as state guests, so please rest assured. Besides, various races live in Termwills normally.”

“Our Familiars also operate in the city regularly.”

Princess Stephania smiled. Hearing this, the bird people glanced toward a slightly distant spot, where Corulis sat flat on the square waving at them.

“…I see”

Their reaction seemed both convinced and somewhat bewildered.

“The master speaks true. The people of Termwills must be broad-minded. I too was warmly welcomed. There should be no need for concern.”

Maxwell also said while floating. The bird people nodded at these words – well, I hope their anxiety was reduced.

“Now then. Is this everyone who will be going to Termwills first?”

“That’s right. Everyone is here.”

The first group going to Termwills includes Dominique and her family, Lily and others, Dominique’s relatives, plus volunteer Harpies and bird person artisans.

Having Dominique’s family and relatives come also served the purpose of letting them actually see Termwills to build trust and reassurance among the settlement members… but well, we’re handling things in order of importance. We plan to go back and forth – first teleporting to Termwills via the stone monument, then returning to the Hidden Village again. The idea is to first establish the situation where necessary personnel can travel back and forth.

“Then… though it’s rather sudden, shall we move to Termwills? Alpha, I’ll be back soon, but could you watch the ship for a bit?”

I called out to Alpha who had come to the square, and it grinned in response to my words. Confirming this, we all headed together to the stone monument room. Then enveloped in light – when it subsided, we found ourselves at the entrance to Termwills’ Labyrinth.

“This is… astonishing.”

“This is the entrance to Termwills’ Labyrinth. From here, you can teleport to the stone monument installed in the Hidden Village.”

Though we’d already explained the stone monument’s usage to Vera and the others, perhaps there’s a big difference between hearing about it and actually experiencing teleportation, as Vera and the others were wide-eyed looking around.

“We’ve been awaiting you. His Majesty Melvin is waiting at the Royal Castle.”

Knights in formal attire and messengers from the Royal Castle had come to greet us.

After exchanging greetings and introductions with Vera, they also greeted Steph and me, so we returned the greetings.

“Then, Lady Vera, we will take responsibility for escorting you to the Royal Castle.”

“Thank you, Your Highness Stephania.”

Princess Stephania and the others would introduce Vera to King Melvin and discuss various matters. Several of Lamona’s subordinates would accompany Vera, while the rest of the group would return to the Hidden Village using the stone monument for now. It would be unsafe to leave the Hidden Village empty of capable members.

“Good morning, Theo-kun”

“Good morning”

The ones who greeted us were Alfred, Forset, Sion and the others.

They’ve made various preparations to go install surveillance Magic Tools in the Harpy settlement.

Well then. Leaving King Melvin and Vera’s meeting to Princess Stephania and the others, we returned to the Harpy Hidden Village with Alfred’s group and immediately began installing various Magic Tools and placing Magical Creatures.

Lamona and the artisans observed the installation process.

We proceeded to install surveillance eyes around the four directions near the settlement entrance, concealment sorcery Barriers, and Golem doors that could disguise and block the entrance as rock, one after another.

Looking at the map, we all consulted together and considered placement locations for the surveillance eyes.

“If we place surveillance eyes at this spot on the mountain peak – we should be able to get an overview of the southern human villages.”

“We’ll be using Life Detection in combination here, right?”

“Yeah”

“And what might that mean?”

Lamona tilted her head at Rosemary’s and my words. Apparently Lamona doesn’t know the Life Detection Magic.

“It’s a Magic that lets you see life reactions as light. It won’t be problematic even in bad weather.”

“Ah, the mountain weather changes easily, after all.”

Claudia answered that question, and Grace nodded as if convinced. That’s right. High mountains quickly get foggy or snowy.

“That’s… very helpful. If we can monitor human village movements from within the settlement, it will be easier to let children play outside, and Gathering and hunting will also be easier.”

Additionally, the concealment sorcery would make people less interested in the rocky mountain, and the entrance itself would be more cleverly disguised and harder to detect than before.

We created an external surveillance security room next to the chief’s house, installing Crystal Panels inside and running Mithril Silver wires throughout.

“As for how to use the Crystal Panel, touch this part…”

Ashley explained how to use the equipment to the Harpies. Beside Ashley’s explanation, Marlene was actually operating it to demonstrate.

As we all proceeded with various tasks like this, it seemed Princess Stephania’s group and Vera’s group had also returned from Termwills.

“This is quite… something impressive you’ve accomplished here.”

Vera, peering into the security room, widened her eyes.

“Lady Vera! Welcome back!”

“Ah. I had quite a meaningful discussion with His Majesty Melvin. I hear I’ll be able to meet Queen Eldorene tomorrow as well.”

Vera smiled happily. Apparently her meeting with King Melvin was amicable. Regarding the content, it was mainly confirming the discussions and promises exchanged with Steph and me, but we’ve also received Communication Device updates that talks are progressing regarding mixed units with the Sirens.

“My, my. Verdgar’s technology is truly remarkable.”

“With this, it seems we won’t need to post lookouts outside anymore.”

After brief greetings to Vera, the artisans who had observed the installation were somewhat excitedly explaining about the equipment.

Vera also watched the Crystal Panel monitors installed on the rocky mountain with great interest.

“Once this work is finished and there are no operational issues, we plan to return to Termwills on the Sirius. If you’d like, would you care to join us to Termwills on the Sirius rather than by teleportation?”

“I can ride that ship too? That sounds interesting.”

I warned that we’d be moving at high speed so there wouldn’t be much scenery, but the Harpies scheduled to accompany us seemed quite excited. Lily was also giving Dominique a happy smile.

Well, if they can enjoy the journey, that would make me happy too.