Chapter 112

#112 Episode: The Tin Knight and the Land of Sea Breezes

The capital of the Lydia Empire. The Hydrangea Palace.

This palace, located about 30 minutes away by carriage from the imperial palace, was special in many ways.

Its size was not particularly large. In fact, compared to what you’d think of as a “palace,” it was more on the smaller side.

Having been built less than 50 years ago, it wasn’t all that historical either.

And unlike that northern magical tower packed with all sorts of magic, exuding some special power, it didn’t possess anything like that.

True to its name, the hydrangeas blooming abundantly in the garden were beautiful and picturesque, but otherwise, the building itself didn’t have much in terms of distinctive features.

Nonetheless, the Hydrangea Palace was a special place.

Only one person staying here made it special.

“Hey, is there something I’ve done to upset you?”

The owner of the Hydrangea Palace.

The empress of the empire spoke like this while lazily lowering her eyes.

It was just a trivial gesture, yet it radiated a charm that could leave anyone watching breathless.

Considering that the empress had already given birth to six children, her youth and beauty were almost unnatural.

The story of the Ironblood Emperor directly instructing the courtiers that they should wear veils while roaming about the palace because they were too mesmerized by the empress’s face had become legendary among the palace attendants.

However, to a close friend, that stunning beauty was just an annoyance.

Sitting opposite the empress was the South Witch. The empire’s court magician.

Glinda Goodwitch moodily replied, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Are you really so clueless as to what I’m on about?”

“I’m not your lover, Mary. Trying to coax something out of me with that tone won’t work.”

“You’re the only one who scolds me like a child.”

“Well, if you don’t like being treated like a child, show some dignity. You can be dignified in front of others, so why not in front of me?”

“I’ve never said I particularly disliked it.”

After a volley of this decidedly undignified exchange between those wielding powers capable of ending the lives of countless nobles with a single flick of a finger, the empress inquired, “Why did you let them go? You know how hard I worked to get that.”

“Wasn’t it your subordinates who did all the hard work? You weren’t particularly interested until the situation escalated.”

“No, that’s the wrong order. Even if I wasn’t particularly interested, since I was at a disadvantage after being scolded by the duke, I should gain something in return for that loss.”

“If you’d had proper subordinates from the start, you wouldn’t have to deal with scoldings or losses, would you?”

“You need to take that up with Shutenheim, who stuck his incapable offspring in. I can’t personally manage every little position like a guild branch chief. It’s not even a key position in the palace!”

The empress continued her complaint.

“Politics is like a card game. There aren’t many versatile cards that are both easy to use and powerful. There are strong cards that are tricky to play, easy cards that are weak, and difficult cards that are weak yet abundant. You can’t win unless you place them in the right places. Why do you think I’m holding onto Maximilian instead of tossing him aside?”

After saying this much, the empress paused as if her throat had caught.

The South Witch snapped her fingers without a word.

There were no attendants to assist them, nor any escorts to ensure their safety, but as if it were unnecessary, a tea set floated into the air, pouring fragrant tea into cups.

Seeing the empress raise her cup to take a sip, the South Witch said, “The decision to let them go was Alingd’s. If his apprentice believes it’s for the best, then I, as a master, will trust that.”

The empress put down her teacup, looking incredulous.

“…That was the most ridiculous pun I’ve heard all year.”

“Is that so? It seems you’re living a rather joyless life, how unfortunate.”

The South Witch spoke, her face showing not the slightest change in expression.

“Enough. Let’s get straight to the point.”

The empress’s gaze pierced through the South Witch.

“What exactly is this so-called ‘apprentice’s judgment’? What’s the goal?”

In response to the empress’s question, the South Witch answered.

“─Witch hunts.”

***

Originally, there were numerous diverse countries in both the northern and southern parts of the continent.

The reason I say “originally” is because that is no longer the case.

The northern countries were absorbed by the Aeolia Magical Kingdom, while the southern countries fell to the Lydia Empire.

This expansion halted when the two great powers faced each other at the borders, but that did not mean the other countries could relax.

Though the two superpowers had less energy to spare on outside matters due to consolidating their own strengths and keeping each other in check, even a simple jab from these ridiculously powerful nations forced the small nations to face life-and-death crises.

Among the eastern and western parts of the continent, it was the west that felt the greater threat.

There were several detailed reasons for this, but the most significant was that the eastern part of the continent was simply too rural.

There were many monsters, terrible natural environments, and plenty of tiny territories pretending to be a single kingdom.

If they were unified under one massive force, they could just capture or replace the top leaders and utilize the existing administrative structures. However, in the east, if they invaded, they’d end up having to set up and manage those administrative structures themselves.

While the Ionia Kingdom was adequately substantial in stature, it was cramped in the southeastern corner, making it difficult to attack head-on.

In contrast, the western kingdoms were closer together and had originally prospered through trade with other continents, leading to an abundance of wealth.

If the eastern region resembled a treacherous forest filled with caterpillars, rats, hedgehogs, and foxes, the west was a well-organized ranch where chickens and honey pigs roamed freely. It was an obvious choice as to which was more appealing.

The western nations had two options.

One was to quickly bow their heads to the empire and magical kingdom and take subordinate positions, and the other was to unite among themselves to confront the external threats.

Some chose the former, but the majority opted for the latter.

“And thus, what those who chose the latter formed is the Rokria Federation that we are heading towards now.”

On the trade route connecting the empire and the federation, a clear voice rang out from the cargo area of a carriage.

In response to this light history lecture, Adelheid and Sophia clapped enthusiastically.

The Tin Knight was at the driver’s seat, so it was naturally Dorothea who had been talkative… or was it?

Upon seeing the two girls’ applause, the dual-braided girl wore an expression that seemed to say, “This much is just exaggerated. But if you want to praise it, I wouldn’t mind!”

Dorothea couldn’t help but exclaim incredulously at the twin sisters for their performance.

“What are you doing?”

“Is it so surprising that I’m spreading knowledge to the ignorant? Feeling any discontent? Digging into the roots of thought is the basic stance of an alchemist. Sharing and improving knowledge is a magician’s duty. But hey, the necromancer, who tends to greet others with wariness instead of a simple hello, probably wouldn’t know that.”

“Anyone hearing this would think you’re a passionate educator. And what’s with you, the one who right away attempted murder on someone?”

“Let’s not dwell on past events, shall we? It’s not like I’m looking to become friends. It’s only that sharing even a little information increases the chances of saving my children, so we are cooperating. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Aha, so I can disregard the matter of your dead children as simply a past affair. Sounds like the name ‘Witch’ lacks weight, huh?”

With that treacherous exchange cloaked in cutting words like ice blades, the temperature in the cargo area dropped by the second.

With the Tin Knight absent to break the mood, and Sophia lost in the book she had brought from Trakus to compare notes with what Franka had told her, the only one who could mediate the two was Adelheid.

“Um, um, ladies. How about we stop there? Yes, it’s true that there’s bad blood between you, but I think bickering while facing a formidable foe isn’t a good idea.”

At Adelheid’s interjection, the two witches glaring at each other simultaneously turned their gazes towards her.

Looking into the icy eyes of the two, Adel could almost empathize with a frog facing a snake; thankfully, neither of them hurled more insults at each other.

Dorothea mumbled under her breath.

“Honestly, can you just abandon your shop like this? Isn’t your master punishing you for it? If you leave it empty, won’t it be discovered soon enough?”

“I’ve already planned for that. It should last about a week, and by then I’ll have already entered my master’s domain, so it won’t matter whether I get caught or not. Besides, what would I do without a guide?”

“Just use a compass.”

“Ha.”

Franka laughed.

With such a blatant mockery, Dorothea’s forehead throbbed again, but upon seeing Adel floundering at her own words, she forcibly suppressed her anger.

“A compass is not infallible. If there’s a danger underground that the guiding animal can’t physically reach, it’s pretty much useless. The ‘Hyden’s Gloves’ are meant to pair with a dark blue mole. If you handed the navigation over to him, you’d never find where your master is.”

Adel tilted her head, but it seemed Dorothea understood the implications of Franka’s words.

“I see, so that’s why we’re heading to a port city?”

“Um… Can I ask what you mean by that?”

“It means the West Witch’s base is on an island. The mole might swim, but keeping an eye on that little guy while on a boat wouldn’t exactly be easy. Unlike on land, you can’t just take a break whenever you want.”

“Ah, that does make sense.”

Adelheid imagined the scene of the mole trying to paddle through the water while they rowed along.

It might be somewhat cute, but objectively speaking, it was a very challenging mission in many ways.

As she pondered for a moment,

“Uh, so are we actually going out to sea!?”

Adelheid exclaimed in surprise.

Perhaps due to the volume of her voice, the Tin Knight reacted from the driver’s seat.

This was the moment that proved the utility of the hole connecting the driver’s seat to the cargo area, forged from her experiences in the flower garden.

[The “Tin Knight” shows excitement, wondering if this is going to be a naval battle!]

[The “Tin Knight” states he wants to challenge a giant octopus or sea dragon!]

[The “Tin Knight” claims they need to rescue a ship with a giant harpoon on it!]

“Shut up and just hold the reins properly.”

[The “Tin Knight” argues it’s unfair that he’s always stuck playing the driver!]

“The magical power you use to play around with Sword Mastery—if you don’t need it, I could trade it for something else.”

[The “Tin Knight” ponders and finally asserts that the driver’s seat is indeed more favorable than the cargo area!]

Dorothea shook her head in disbelief.

Adel asked anxiously, “Um, is it really okay? I’ve never been on a boat or out to sea before.”

Franka replied, “It doesn’t matter. I already sent someone ahead, and the ship is prepared. Besides, the journey won’t take more than three days.”

“What about monsters of the sea?”

In response to Adel’s question, Franka chuckled softly.

“It seems people from the eastern side have been hearing strange tales and getting scared for no good reason. Those so-called giant monsters that people chatter about are not common at all. If they appeared that easily, trading wouldn’t work out well using ships, would it? The only real threat is rough weather, so our plans shouldn’t face any issues.”

Seeing how confidently Franka spoke, Dorothea wore a peculiar expression.

While it seemed like everything was well-prepared, what was this strange sense of déjà vu I’m feeling?

***

“Franka, there’s a problem. Our sailors have been captured by pirates! They’re demanding a ransom right now!”

“Lady! It’s the Sea Serpent! It has appeared after decades! All fishermen are too scared to set sail!”

“The weather is acting strange lately. We need to perform a ritual to calm it in the God of the Sea’s Cave, but there are rumors that a giant monster has made its nest in that cave…”

[The “Tin Knight” expresses satisfaction at how the main quest and side quests are coming together perfectly!]

“Why! Why now of all times!!”

Franka wailed as the Tin Knight was overflowing with excitement, and Dorothea sighed deeply.