Chapter 207 The Man Who Peeks into the Empire
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The next day. After finishing deliveries to the relevant locations in the morning, I returned to Dominion¹ for lunch. Once I had checked everyone’s plans, I made my announcement.
”And so, that’s the plan. I’m going to take a look at that Imperial town supposedly located to the north,” I said.
For various reasons, I hadn’t approached the Empire much until now, but I had finally decided it was time to check it out.
That said, I had no intention of going as far as the Imperial Capital. I didn’t even know where it was, and I certainly didn’t intend to start earning Imperial currency.
So, why go? For one, I was scouting for Magical Girl² candidates. The other reason was that I wanted to expand my shopping options.
Even though I can create most things in Dominion now, there are still items you can’t get unless you actually visit the source. In the Republic and the Holy City, there are differences in the clothes and daily necessities available, and the food culture is entirely different.
For example, since the Republic faces the sea, you can buy fresh seafood if you go as far as the capital. On the other hand, the Holy City offers lake fish and, because it’s surrounded by canyons, an abundance of mountain harvests.
In short, there are major differences in what can be purchased in each country. It’s obvious when you think about it, but it makes a difference.
Certainly, in Dominion, we have Japanese rice, various seasonings, and the crops harvested from the plantation. But this world has many delicious things of its own.
If I can come and go freely not just to the Republic and the Holy City, but also to Imperial towns… I can create an environment where I can enjoy the food cultures of three different nations despite being in the depths of the Demon Forest.
No, if I add Japanese ingredients to the mix, the possibilities for collaboration are infinite.
This also matched my goal of living a quiet, self-sufficient life here in Dominion.
Besides, staying here makes it all too easy to become ignorant of international affairs. I wanted to be able to pick up at least a bit of Imperial news.
”Ami-chan is just going to set a Wedge³, and then we’ll head straight back,” I explained.
When I told her that, Liliarette-san nodded understandingly.
”I see… We have confirmed two towns, one to the northeast and one to the northwest. Which one will you be heading to?” Liliarette-san asked.
”About that… the one with fewer beastmen was the northwest one, right?” I asked.
”Yes,” she replied.
Cleonora-san and Liliarette-san had scouted the Imperial towns many times, after all. We had at least the minimum amount of information.
The Empire is a hardcore militaristic state currently pursuing an aggressive expansionist policy. It is a nation centered on beastmen, where their social status is higher than that of humans.
I’d like to meet a beast-eared girl eventually, but I look completely like a foreigner from a human race. For now, I intend to get used to things by starting with the town that has the fewest beastmen.
With that decided, we headed for the town immediately. My companions were Cleonora-san, transformed into the Magical Girl Emerald, and Esrain-san, transformed into Lapis Lazuli.
They carried me in their arms, and with Ami-chan concealing our presence, our journey through the sky began.
”…I can’t believe it’s this easy to cross the Demon Forest,” Lapis Lazuli muttered.
”That’s right. This is the first time Lapis Lazuli-san has left the depths of the forest like this, isn’t it?” I said.
”Mm… I’m glad I became a Magical Girl,” she replied.
Esrain, as Lapis Lazuli, held a strong interest in her new powers. Even now, she was researching what she could do with her abilities as a
Naturally, she hadn’t neglected her mastery of flight magic. Among the Magical Girls, she was a valuable asset who could magically alter her own clothing, much like Emerald-san.
Being able to change clothes is convenient when visiting a town for the first time. It means we can look around the streets in normal clothes while still maintaining the power of a Magical Girl. Though, their hair colors still stood out quite a bit.
”Neither of you has been to the Empire before, right?” I asked.
”Never,” Emerald replied. “In the first place, relations between the Kingdom and the Empire are poor.”
”…Mm. I was born in the Kingdom, too. I have a strong impression of the Empire as an enemy state,” Lapis Lazuli added.
Well, as people from the Kingdom, they probably wouldn’t have very positive feelings about it. Emerald-san was former royalty, after all.
”If we use flight magic, entering the country by crossing the Demon Forest becomes possible. If the Empire learns of this power, they will never leave us alone,” Lapis Lazuli asserted firmly.
Emerald-san nodded in grim agreement. “That’s true…”
Come to think of it, she was right. If you go through the forest, you can safely infiltrate other countries. You could send as many spies as you wanted.
Besides, Emerald-san had managed to kidnap Liliarette-san from the Royal Castle all by herself. No nation had defenses designed to stop someone flying through the sky.
Well, the Empire probably doesn’t realize I have several Magical Girls under my command. Even if they found out, they couldn’t reach the depths of the Demon Forest very easily. There was no need to overthink it.
”Ah… I can see it,” I said.
While we were talking, the town finally came into view. It was a decent size, and I could see several large mansions.
”That’s the town of Kaibel Manorial Capital⁵. In the Empire, it’s considered a backwater frontier town. But a long time ago, it supposedly flourished as a hub for adventurers challenging the Demon Forest,” Emerald explained.
Apparently, in ancient times, every country had people called adventurers. They had only one goal: the exploration of the Demon Forest.
Even though it was untrodden land, there were rumors that the Holy Sword was hidden somewhere in the forest, and adventurers challenged the Demon Forest dreaming of hitting the jackpot.
Hunted monsters also traded for high prices, and some people actually made a fortune.
However, most who entered the depths never returned. Eventually, because the rewards for risking their lives were so small and because of shifts in continental politics, adventurers faded from history.
The town spreading out below once bustled with adventurers, but now it just felt like a quiet frontier town. Still, it seemed to have a fair population.
We landed in the town, and Ami-chan set the Wedge. With this, we could travel between Dominion and this town whenever we wanted.
”Alright. Objective complete. Let’s head back for today,” I said.
”……Right,” Emerald replied, though she was knitting her brows slightly.
”What’s wrong, Emerald-san? Is something on your mind?” I asked.
”…When I looked down from the sky, I felt like there were more beastmen than the last time I was here. And several of them looked armed,” she said.
”Wait, really?” I asked.
I glanced toward the street, but I could only see humans. There wasn’t a single figure that looked like a beastman.
Well, we aren’t starting our shopping in earnest until tomorrow. I’m sure things will become clearer then. Besides, if there’s a problem here, we can just go to the other town.
With that in mind, we returned straight to Dominion for the day.
* * *
”Wait, wait, wait! What the hell is that supposed to mean!? Hah!?”
Lista and the people from the Intelligence Department had returned from the Imperial Capital. They had gone to report the results of the Demon Forest survey.
I figured that once they were back, the Purple Dragon Knights⁶ and I would be ordered back to the Capital as well… but the order Lista brought back contained something completely unexpected.
”You’re telling me Lista is going into the Labyrinth King’s residence as the Empire’s goodwill ambassador!?” I shouted.
”Ufufu… Big Sister-sama, it makes me so happy that you’re worried about me-desuwa,” Lista said with a smile.
”That’s not it! I’m asking why Clary-san is the one going with you as your companion!?”
The order was the real thing. It didn’t just have the Military Chief’s signature; it was signed by the Emperor himself. A direct Imperial Mandate.
The order stated that Lista would act as the Imperial Ambassador to make contact with the King of the Magic Labyrinth. The goals were laid out in detail, so I had no objection to the logic. It was exactly what I had imagined.
His Majesty will definitely move to seize the land governed by the Labyrinth King. This was something Lista and I had already discussed.
Whether to use diplomacy or force depends on the opponent’s reaction, but the ultimate goal is undoubtedly to take that land-the Promised Land.
His Majesty decided to send Lista as the ambassador as the first step to gauge the opponent’s intentions.
There is a risk to Lista herself. She is royalty, and one of the rare talents capable of riding a Skygoon⁷; putting her in danger is a serious matter.
That’s why I assumed I would be the one chosen to go with her. And yet, they were taking Clary instead of me.
Lista pressed a finger to her cheek and gave me a look.
”Because… if you came along, Big Sister-sama, I’m afraid you’d get so worried about me that you’d start ‘negotiating’ with your sword immediately-desuwa,” Lista said.
”…What!?”
”Besides, Clary-san is a member of the Purple Dragon Knights. Her skill is certain. Right, Clary-san?-desuwa” Lista asked.
Clary, who was standing behind me, finally spoke.
”…Yes. Or rather, as long as the opponent is human, there’s a chance they’re the type that even Listarte-sama could handle on her own, but…”
Well, Listarte might look dainty, but she has the high physical abilities of the Imperial bloodline.
Beastmen generally have superior physical abilities compared to humans, but the Royals and those from related houses are in a league of their own.
Also, Clary is a sorceress, which is rare for a beastman. She can move better than an average human and still cast spells. She’s certainly suited for guard duty, but…
”Tch… it would be faster if I just went from the start!” I growled.
”Even if that’s the case, Father wants to make this ‘Labyrinth King’ a subordinate if possible-desuwa,” Lista said.
”Hah…?”
”He recognizes the talent it took to cultivate the depths of the Demon Forest. Besides, it’ll be much less of a headache if the man willingly offers up the plantation and flight sorcery techniques-desuwa,” Lista explained.
According to Lista, the Intelligence Department is operating under the assumption that only the Labyrinth King possesses the know-how to grow those crops.
In short, they’re worried that if they use force, he’ll get stubborn and we’ll lose access to the food and the flight magic. That doesn’t mean the Empire is being humble, though.
They’ll try to bring him under control as peacefully as possible, but if he doesn’t listen, they won’t hesitate to use force. That judgment was left to Lista.
”It means your turn will come a bit later, Big Sister-sama-assuming there even is a turn for you-desuwa,” Lista said.
”Hmph… so I’m supposed to just rot here in the countryside until then?” I muttered.
I don’t have permission to enter the Demon Forest, and at this rate, I’m going to get soft. This is irritating.
”Fine… when are you leaving?” I asked.
”I intend to leave tomorrow-desuwa,” Lista replied.
”I see.”
Tch… either way, there’s nothing I can do. But I understand the plan: get to the Labyrinth King before the Kingdom and snatch away the wealth the Republic is getting.
If the relationship between the King and the Republic deepens and those flight techniques get out, it’ll be a disaster for the Empire. One way or another, the Empire had to make contact.
But I heard the Kingdom’s Skygoon riders were shot down. With Clary there, I doubt anything too bad will happen… but first, let’s see how Lista handles this.
—
Summary:
The protagonist decides to scout a frontier Imperial town called Kaibel to expand his food resources and gather intelligence. He travels via flight magic with his Magical Girl escorts and successfully sets a travel Wedge. Meanwhile, Imperial Princess Listarte is appointed as an ambassador to contact the Labyrinth King, much to the frustration of her combat-oriented sister.
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Character Insight:
The protagonist demonstrates a calculated approach to expansion, prioritizing comfort and risk management by choosing a town with fewer beastmen. Listarte shows a more diplomatic and manipulative side, understanding that the Empire prizes the protagonist’s technical expertise (agriculture and flight) over his simple subjugation, while her sister represents the traditional Imperial reliance on brute force.
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Behind the Scene:
The chapter highlights the world-building transition from a ‘slow life’ focus to geopolitical tension, introducing the Empire’s internal power dynamics and their strategic interest in the protagonist’s unique innovations.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Ami – A palm-sized fairy-like being from a world separate from both Earth and the isekai realm. She has light blue hair tied in a ponytail, mischievous blue eyes, and tiny wings that flutter behind her. Her outfit consists of a provocative high-cut leotard and a short jacket that looks like a miniskirt from the back, leaving her legs bare. Despite her playful appearance, she is actively searching for a contractor who can protect her from dangerous pursuers in exchange for the powers she offers.
• Liliarette – The other Princess, who sacrificed her ability to walk and her sorcery talent to save her sister, Cleonora. She is imprisoned in the East Tower and is being used as a political and monetary pawn by Viorga. C-cup, true golden hair, waist-length hair, the fringe was a slightly blunt, hair on her left side was braided to the chest.
• Cleonora – The second princess. Have a yellow blonde hair. Usually styled as hairbun. D-cup.
• Emerald – Magical Girl version of Cleonora. Smaller, side-tailed, green-and-white mini-skirted girl.
• Esrain – One of the four Great Gurus of the Emmeld Kingdom. She is the youngest among them and is considered to be at the peak of her magical power. She has beautiful white hair in a short cut and sleepy-looking eyes. Her height is 150cm with a D-cup bust size. She has a youthful, petite facial appearance.
• Lapis – Height 152cm. Bust size D-cup. Hair is indigo with white mesh, styled in a ponytail with long side bangs. Known for a blank, deadpan expression. Transformed into the Magical Girl ‘Strangle-Death Lapis Lazuli’ with a frilly indigo miniskirt outfit. Wields the ring weapon ‘Golden Circle Akeskore’. Class: Blitz Master.
• Clary – A rare beastman sorceress and follower of Judiette. Older than Judiette, she speaks bluntly despite the princess’s status. She has light purple hair split in the middle and reaching down to her waist. She is described as having a large bust and wears dresses with loose necklines.
• Listarte – Judiette’s younger half-sister. A beastman sorceress and the only Imperial citizen capable of riding the Skygoon. Have long dark hair.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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