[Stage 4-3] A Daughter Aiming for the World’s Best
The Wing-Ship airship is a rare mode of transportation that utilizes wind-attribute magic for air travel.
Unlike the airships of the previous world, it constantly floats and propels itself using magic, allowing it to carry more passengers at once.
While there are no private rooms in the passenger compartment connected to the hull, the spacious area allows each person to enjoy the scenery from seats arranged along the windows.
“Wow! Amazing, amazing! Look, Ouga! The houses and fields look so tiny!”
Thanks to the reduced turbulence, similar to the Magic-Ship we rode to Ramdarb, Mashiro was excitedly tugging at my clothes.
“Yeah, you’re right. The view is beautiful.”
I, too, was experiencing my first ride on a Wing-Ship airship. It’s quite thrilling.
Unlike airplanes that fly above the clouds, the Wing-Ship airship doesn’t reach such high altitudes, but it has its own unique charm.
“I wonder what Encartón will be like? I’m so excited!”
“According to the guidebook, it’s known for accepting many immigrants, so various cultures have developed there. Shall we all explore the city when we arrive?”
“That sounds great! I have some shops I’d like to visit too.”
“Encartón is now famous as a thriving commercial and tourist city, so I’m sure we’ll have plenty to enjoy. …Oh, that’s right. Should I give a brief explanation for Mashiro’s sake?”
“Thank you, Reina-san! Please do!”
“It’s my pleasure. I think knowing a bit of history will make the sightseeing more enjoyable.”
Indeed, I’ve heard that having some information about a place can change how you perceive it, compared to knowing nothing at all.
Especially since Encartón is in a location that would be difficult to reach without the Wing-Ship airship, Mashiro probably never had the chance to research it before.
Reina cleared her throat slightly and began to explain its origins.
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The Independent Mechanical City of Encartón was originally just a barren wasteland.
Due to its open terrain, it was highly susceptible to attacks from monsters in all directions, and the nutrient-poor soil made it difficult to grow food.
The people who settled in this land, which no country wanted to claim, were refugees fleeing from even worse conditions in various countries.
What they had in common was their suffering under heavy taxation.
Despite speaking different languages, it didn’t take long for these refugees with shared experiences to come together.
The refugees were all of common birth. Unable to use magic, they needed weapons to drive away monsters.
A blacksmith among them began teaching his skills to the others, and they quickly developed their technical abilities.
The weapons they made with their own hands directly contributed to the peace of their lives.
No help would come from others. Only they could carve out their future.
This environment, where they constantly lived on the edge of death, dramatically improved their technical skills.
The wooden fences surrounding them were replaced with iron ones, and the settlement began to resemble a fortress.
As rumors spread, more refugees joined, and the village grew into a city.
The invention that significantly increased Encartón’s value was magical devices.
In particular, the creation of precise magical weapons using magic stones is said to be possible only by Encartón’s mechanical engineers, and to this day, the technology has not leaked to the outside world.
“This is how the Independent Mechanical City of Encartón rose to prominence, relying on their own skills—that’s the basic information.”
During our Wing-Ship airship journey, we were grateful for Professor Reina’s lecture to pass the time.
Of course, Karen and I had already learned about the history of the kingdom and surrounding countries from our tutors in the past, but Mashiro’s eyes were shining with excitement at this new information.
“I have a question! If it became such an amazing city, didn’t any other countries try to take it over?”
“I’ve heard that Encartón refused to accept any country ruled by the nobles who had oppressed them. Also… here, use this to look out the window.”
Mashiro did as instructed and peered through the telescope installed by the window.
She was surprised by what she saw.
“…Huh? There are so many monsters down there!?”
Just as Mashiro said, below us were grotesque creatures, the enemies of humankind, roaming about.
This has been one of the problems troubling countries that wanted to incorporate Encartón since ancient times.
“There are many dangerous monsters on the land route to Encartón. Originally, it was an uninhabited area where monsters had settled.”
“I see… Wait a minute! Then, before the city was built, there must have been terrible casualties…”
“Without a doubt. That’s why the people of Encartón cherish the will of their ancestors and call themselves the Independent Mechanical City, not belonging to any country.”
“By the way, for the same reason, the power of nobles is completely ineffective in Encartón. It’s also famous for only accepting orders for magical devices through a complete reservation system, requiring direct visits to the workshop.”
“To add to that, while they refuse subjugation, they do engage in trade. Even this Wing-Ship airship we’re on was funded by the Kingdom of Rondism and manufactured by Encartón.”
“Wow~!”
Mashiro’s eyes sparkled at this new information.
Her excitement was so apparent that I could almost visualize her tail wagging left and right as she leaned forward, eager to hear more.
“The fact that they’re willing to spend a fortune to improve transportation shows how attractive Encartón is. Since it’s a city formed by people from various countries, its culture is unique and interesting.”
“The surrounding area is harsh land full of monsters. So, the demand for entertainment is very high, and with their advanced technology, you can find many things there that you won’t see even in the royal capital.”
“Of course, the cuisine that Mashiro is most looking forward to is also overflowing with dishes from all over the world.”
“G-geez! I’m not that much of a glutton!”
Mashiro puffed out her cheeks in protest.
Although she says this, I can already imagine her being tempted by food stalls left and right when we reach Encartón… I should prepare some extra money.
“But… everyone, you’re all amazing.”
“Amazing?”
“Yes. Reina-san, Karen-san, and Ouga-kun can all explain things so fluently… It made me realize how little I know about the world. I need to study more.”
“Mashiro, you’ve got your hands full with magic studies right now, so it can’t be helped.”
“No, I’ve been with Ouga-kun for half a year now. I can’t keep relying on others forever… Besides, it wouldn’t be appropriate for a noble’s wife to be so ignorant…”
“…!”
Ah, Alice reacted to the word “wife.” She’s fidgeting a little bit.
“…What about Alice-san?”
“M-me? I’m sorry, I’m still not very knowledgeable either, certainly not as much as the three of you…”
“We’re the same then~!”
Mashiro happily hugs Alice, having found a kindred spirit.
Alice, with her impressive core strength, received Mashiro without wavering.
“That’s both pleasing and somewhat sad…”
In essence, they’ve been classified as the “lacking knowledge” group, so Alice can’t wholeheartedly rejoice either.
“Hehe. Mashiro-san, your cheerfulness is always wonderful.”
“Yeah, I wanted to avoid the atmosphere getting too heavy, so it’s a real help—”
“—Huh? Alice-san smells like Ouga-kun…”
In an instant, the cheerful atmosphere died.
“…Ouga?”
“Ouga-kun?”
First, my shoulders were firmly grasped from both sides, eliminating any chance of escape.
While maintaining a calm expression, my back was drenched in cold sweat.
In all likelihood, this was due to last night’s co-sleeping incident.
But don’t underestimate my genius intellect.
I’ll get through this situation without a hitch… !
“This morning, Alice helped me change clothes. She might have held my clothes then.”
“Yes. Ouga-sama said he would put on his trousers himself, so I was holding his top during that time.”
“………..”
Mashiro’s gaze pierced through me.
Now… which way would the verdict go!?
“…I see! You really scared me there~”
Having received a not guilty verdict, I mentally did a victory pose.
Hearing Mashiro’s judgment, Karen and Reina also released me.
…However, this feels like a husband trying to hide an affair, which I don’t like…
If I have to go through this, I should propose to everyone sooner… wait, no.
“What’s wrong, Mashiro? Did you want to hug me this time?”
“Yes, that’s right. I wanted to do this to Ouga-kun.”
Before I knew it, she had come over from Alice and buried her face in my chest.
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