The flying vessel — using wind-element magic to travel the rare aerial path.
Unlike my past life’s airships, it floats and propels continuously via magic, carrying more people per trip.
The cabin attached to the hull has no private rooms but ample space; each person sits at window-side seats enjoying the view.
“Wow~! Amazing! Look, Ouga! The manor is so small!”
Like the magic ship, vibration is suppressed; Mashiro tugged my clothes excitedly.
“Yeah. Lovely view.”
It’s my first time on a flying vessel too. My heart races.
Unlike airplanes that go above clouds, this is different and charming.
“What’s Enkalton like? I’m so excited!”
“Per the literature, it’s welcomed many immigrants, so various cultures developed. Once we arrive, let’s all explore.”
“Sounds good! There’s a shop I want to visit.”
“Enkalton is now famous as a commerce-thriving tourist city; we’ll surely enjoy it. ……Oh — let me explain a bit for Mashiro’s benefit.”
“Thanks, Reina-san! Please!”
“Knowing the history makes sightseeing more fun.”
True — even slight information changes the experience.
Enkalton is hard to reach without a flying vessel, so Mashiro probably hadn’t researched.
Reina cleared her throat lightly and recounted its origins.
The independent machine city Enkalton was originally just wasteland.
Open terrain meant monster attacks from all sides; the soil was nutrient-poor, no crops.
This land no country wanted attracted exiles from various nations fleeing further hells.
What they shared: suffering under taxation.
Languages differed, but shared sentiment let them join hands quickly.
All commoners. To repel monsters without magic, they needed weapons.
A blacksmith among them taught his craft; their technical skill rapidly grew.
Weapons by their hands tied directly to their peace.
No outside help. Only their own hands could carve the future.
Living always near death drastically boosted their technology.
Their walls progressed: wooden fence → iron fence → fortress.
Hearing rumors, more exiles joined; village became city.
And the greatest invention boosting Enkalton’s value — magical implements.
Especially mana-stone-using magical implements; only Enkalton’s machine engineers can craft them. The technique remains within.
“Climbing by their own strength is how the independent machine city Enkalton was born — basic info.”
While in flight, Reina-sensei’s lecture passed time.
Karen and I knew it; Mashiro’s eyes sparkled at new info.
“Question! If it became this great a city, didn’t a country target it?”
“Enkalton refused to accept countries ruled by oppressive nobles. And…… look through that telescope.”
Mashiro looked.
The scene surprised her.
”……Eh, so many monsters!?”
True — monsters wander below.
This has been one head-ache for countries wanting Enkalton.
“Ground routes to Enkalton are full of dangerous monsters. The land was originally uninhabited and monster-dominated.”
“Heh~…… wait! So when the city was being built, there must have been heavy casualties?”
“Undoubtedly. So Enkalton’s people cherish ancestors’ will, refusing to belong to any nation — independent machine city.”
“For the same reason, noble power has no effect in Enkalton. Magical-implement orders are fully reservation-based; you must visit the workshop directly.”
“Adding to that — not subordination, but they do trade. This vessel itself was made by Enkalton with Rondism funding it.”
“Everyone…… is amazing. I must study more……”
“You’re busy with magic study — no helping it.”
“No, it’s already half a year since I started with Ouga. I can’t keep leaning on you…… and as a noble bride, that’s inappropriate……”
”…………!”
Ah, Alice slightly twitched at bride.
”…… Miss Alice?”
“M-me? Apologies. I, too, am unfamiliar; no more knowledge than these three……”
“Same here~!”
Mashiro happily hugged Alice — a comrade.
Alice received her stably.
“That’s both happy and sad……”
For being grouped as knowledge-less, Alice can’t simply rejoice.
“Fufu. Mashiro-san is always bright — wonderful.”
“Yeah, helps avoid an unnecessarily heavy atmosphere — I’m grateful——”
“——Huh? Miss Alice smells like Ouga……”
The cheerful air died instantly.
”…… Ouga?”
“Ouga-kun?”
Both sides gripped my shoulders firmly; escape impossible.
I kept a calm face, but cold sweat down my back.
90% chance — last night’s sleep-beside-me.
But don’t underestimate my genius brain.
I’ll get through this calmly……!
“This morning, Alice helped me dress. She held my clothes while I changed.”
“Yes. Lord Ouga did the trousers himself, so I held the jacket.”
”…………”
Mashiro’s gaze stabbed.
Verdict……!?
”…… I see! Surprised me~”
Acquitted, I fist-pumped inwardly.
Karen and Reina released me.
…… But this is like a husband hiding an affair, hate it……
If it’ll be like this, I should propose to everyone sooner…… ah.
“What is it, Mashiro. Want a hug now?”
“Mn, yeah. I wanted this with you, Ouga.”
She’d somehow moved from Alice to me, burying her face in my chest.
…… Wait. This situation…… really bad?
The moment I realized, Mashiro smiled — eyes not smiling.
”…… Huh? Why is Alice’s smell all over you too, Ouga……?”
Then she moved fast.
Both shoulders gripped harder; free hand grabbed my belt.
Sealed from even standing.
Naturally, Alice — who’d never abandon me — stayed put.
…… Heh heh heh. So this is carnage.
More terrifying than I’d imagined.
“What’s going on. Tell me in detail~?”
”…… Yes, please share.”
“Looking forward to it until Enkalton, ne, Ouga?”
”…… Lord Ouga……”
Until our arrival, the three-person interrogation of Alice and me proceeded as promised.