I decided to head to the Imperial Capital alone… I instructed Richard to create the monster and follow later. Even if I rescue Romilda, I can’t use Movement Magic while carrying her. Therefore, we’ll supplement our travel with Richard’s monster.

Naturally, traveling to the Capital City takes a fair amount of time, but by making full use of magic, I was able to arrive in about a day. It’s currently early afternoon, and the highway is bustling with people.

According to observations I made with my familiar beforehand, the remaining two of the Four Dragon Marquises are currently inactive. Furthermore, there’s no sign of the Emperor’s forces preparing to dispatch troops towards Exon. However, this is only what’s visible, and it’s possible they’re preparing somewhere else, so I can’t let my guard down.

Exon and the others are fine for now. Additionally, nothing has happened to Shuon, who returned to his territory… So, I arrived at the Capital City without any obstacles.

The Imperial Capital, being built on plains, means you can’t view its entire exterior by, say, climbing a mountain. Yet, its scale is so immense that even seeing just a part of it reveals it to be the largest on this continent, with imposing city walls greeting us.

“It’s quite heavily fortified,”

Garuku remarked. I conversed while watching the merchants and travelers attempting to enter through the castle gate leading into the town.

“The city walls are not only tall, but they also encompass the entire Imperial Capital… and that’s not all.”

“Oh?”

“If you go further into the town, there’s another set of city walls. And in the center, the palace… The palace with its vast grounds and the town are separated by even more city walls. If you were to lay siege to the castle, you’d have to break through three sets of city walls.”

The Imperial Capital is said to be impregnable. However, since there’s only one nation on this continent, these city walls fundamentally wouldn’t see action… normally.

“In the story, does the Rebel Organization attack this Imperial Capital?”

Garuku’s question. I shook my head from side to side.

“Once the Rebel Organization gains the upper hand, Nefmeiza arranges a meeting. That’s a lie; it’s actually a move to capture the protagonists in one swoop… While the Imperial Capital is robust, the city walls never actually see action.”

“I see.”

“I’d certainly prefer to avoid a castle siege, though.”

I said this, glancing at the castle gate. To enter, I had to pass through there. I could fly over the city walls, but it’s probably best not to do that in broad daylight when there are many people around.

“Lord Ruon, shall we use Presence Concealing Magic to infiltrate?”

“Yes, I don’t think my face is known, but… if possible, I’d rather not encounter any soldiers.”

So, I used Stealth Magic in a secluded spot and headed to the castle gate.

I slipped past a merchant driving a carriage while he was talking to a soldier and entered the town.

“Once past the gate, the checks aren’t as strict. I can move freely.”

I said this, looking around while maintaining my magic.

It’s truly the Imperial Capital, as expected. I can see a thriving atmosphere. It wouldn’t be surprising if it were under strict alert due to the war with the Rebel Organization, but for now, there’s nothing concerning besides the Soldiers keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

I moved into an alley and dispelled the Magic. Then, I started walking down the street.

“What should we do first?”

“First, let’s rent a room at an inn. From there, I’ll use a Familiar to observe the Town.”

“To find the girl?”

“I understand that even if a Familiar searches through the Darkness clouds, she won’t be found… but it would be different if we could find a member of the ‘Jet Black Sword’.”

However, it’s unclear if I’d recognize them at first glance. I’m worried about Romilda, but from here on, I’ll have to proceed by trial and error.

“Luck will also play a part… For now, let’s move—”

“Lord Ruon, I’ve noticed something. May I speak?”

Garuku’s words. I urged him to “Please do,” and he began to speak.

“This Imperial Capital… the Magic Power is dense.”

“Magic Power? I don’t feel anything.”

“Lord Ruon, you’re probably feeling the Magic Power in the atmosphere, aren’t you? I’m talking about the Underground.”

“The Underground?”

“Once you get a room, you should use Resveil to perform Magic Detection.”

Garuku told me that… I entered a nearby inn and rented a room. Once I was alone in the private room, I created Resveil as he instructed.

“Magic Power analysis, then.”

I hadn’t really thought about the range, but… the moment I performed Magic Detection via Resveil, I let out a small groan.

“This is…”

“Lord Ruon, was this situation normal in the Story?”

He asked, and I didn’t answer. Or rather,

“No… I didn’t know the details to this extent.”

—There is a flow of Magic Power centered around the palace. A large amount of Magic Power exists in the Underground of the palace, radiating outwards towards the City Walls. Furthermore, a circular flow of Magic Power exists along the City Walls, and there are additional flows of Magic Power towards the second and third City Walls.

…I wouldn’t have known this without using Resveil for Magic Detection. But once I detected it, I could clearly perceive the large Magic Power existing in the Underground.

“So there’s Magic Power throughout the entire Imperial Capital, not just the palace… but it doesn’t seem to have a detection function.”

“That’s probably because if it did, the Humans in the Town would notice it.”

“Right. But what does this mean…?”

In the game… hmm, Nefmeiza definitely used Dragon Magic Stone Power, but there was no depiction of Magic Power spread throughout the Wind like this.

“My guess is that the reason Magic Power is circulated throughout the entire Town like this is to utilize the Magic Power sleeping in the ground.”

Garuku offered further insight.

“For example, what if a critical situation arises in this battle? In such a case, they might draw Magic Power from the Underground to strengthen themselves… However, when Lord Abel similarly used the power of the earth, he couldn’t inflict damage on the Marquis as he wished, could he? Considering that fact, even if they use the power sleeping in the earth, some ingenuity must be required.”

“So, Nefmeiza is conducting such research.”

“Perhaps.”

…If this is a situation different from the game, then it’s safe to assume that Nefmeiza is using Time-Space Magic and preparing for us. I’m concerned about the scale of this…

“Maybe it’s to counter Lord Ruon.”

“Even if it’s to counter me alone, the scale is too grand, isn’t it?”

Whatever the reason, if they’ve prepared this much, it means Nefmeiza must have been thoroughly defeated by us if he’s gone back in time to try again… Well then,

“Whatever the reason, if this is preparation against us, we must take appropriate action.”

“That’s right. The drawback of this kind of Magic is that if you destroy the starting point, it stops functioning.”

“Destroy?”

“For example, if you cut off the Magic Power between the outer perimeter and the second City Walls, the Magic Power that existed there will disappear, and the Magic will cease to function. Or, if you destroy the control point of the Magic Power, which is likely within the palace… the Magic itself will stop functioning.”

I see.

Nefmeiza must have taken these things into consideration when performing this treatment… Hmm, there’s something more in the Underground.

I remember there was a Research Facility in the palace Underground.

Oh, research?

Originally, it was supposed to be a research facility for Dragon Demon Stone, but…

If there’s this much Magic Power in the Underground, then is that aspect different too? Including Romilda, I’d like to investigate that as well if possible, but…

Well, never mind. For now, I’ll use Familiars to search for Romilda.

Will you find her?

I don’t know about that… but I’ll do everything I can.

He imagines what would happen if Nefmeiza found her and his expression turns grim.

There are two main things to do in this Imperial Capital. One is, of course, to find Romilda, and the other is to investigate Nefmeiza—though the latter depends on Romilda’s movements.

I guess I just have to do as much as I can.

I decided to go with Human Wave Tactics, using my Familiars to their fullest—and began my Magic Incantation.