Magi Craft Meister

Chapter 712

21-23: The Various Movements Begin

The story goes back in time—mid-November of 3457. The Shouro Empire had exported ten tons of desiccant to the Klein Kingdom, transported by five giant golems known as *Goliath*.

The five *Goliath* marched along the highways, and after various twists and turns, finally reached the Klein Kingdom at the end of December.

It goes without saying that the ten tons of desiccant were immediately stored away in their warehouses.

—

Another purpose of deploying the *Goliath* was to level the roads. Five giants, each weighing five tons, compacted the ground as they walked, smoothing out bumps and depressions.

As a result, travel by wagon became much easier.

The officer in charge of leading these five *Goliath* was Major Fritz Landl von Grosch—Elsa’s older brother.

He was about to face a turning point in his life.

—

**January 1, 3458.**

The New Year’s court ceremony was held at the Klein Kingdom’s royal castle.

“My subjects, with the dawn of this new year, our Klein Kingdom shall move forward as though reborn.”

After the customary greetings, King Alois III of Klein began his address. His complexion was healthy now; though still thin, there was no longer a trace of sickness in his appearance.

“First, we shall begin the survey of the former Leonard Kingdom, long under consideration. From reliable sources we know that realm has perished. As their neighbor, it is our duty to manage and maintain that land.”

Bluntly put, it was an excuse to see if anything useful could be found there.

“It is said their lands yielded honey and fruit, and that mineral wealth abounds—among it, Elradrite. We will begin with investigation and then secure these resources.”

In truth, the Klein Kingdom was on the brink.

But the Shouro Empire, the Egelea Kingdom, and the Elias Kingdom had already agreed to this. Even the Franz Kingdom and Cellroa Kingdom had been informed.

“We have also arranged the cooperation of the five great golems from the Shouro Empire.”

Those *Goliath* would be able to handle rough terrain, underbrush, or even beasts. If possible, they were to continue all the way to the Egelea Kingdom, cutting a new road from Klein to Egelea without passing through Cellroa.

—

“Form ranks!”

On the morning of the 2nd, a sharp voice rang out in the castle square.

This was the *Expeditionary Survey Corps of the Former Leonard Kingdom*.

The commander: Viscount Bernardo Nefra Foster, captain of Klein’s 2nd Knight Order. A man of dark-brown hair, light-brown eyes, 180 cm tall, 72 kilos, 39 years old—regarded as competent. He was accompanied by five carefully selected knights.

The vice commander: Gloria Allstat, vice-captain of the Female Guard, a master swordswoman. She brought three of her subordinates.

As guide, Roland of the Lagran Trading Company, a merchant chosen for his experience in the former Leonard lands—and his moderate skill at self-defense.

“Roland, we first aim for Zeo Village, yes?”

“Yes, Commander.”

Finally, from the Shouro Empire, Major Fritz Landl and two subordinates. They would not return to Klein but continue onward to the Egelea Kingdom after the expedition.

It had been arranged between the three nations that Egelea would dispatch its own survey team at nearly the same time.

“Major Landl, I look forward to working together.”

“Likewise, Viscount Foster.”

The five *Goliath* bore the expedition’s provisions and equipment, leaving the soldiers relatively unburdened.

On the return, they would carry their own loads—but by then, with half the supplies consumed and a road already stamped flat by the *Goliath*, the journey would be far easier.

“Commander, preparations complete!”

“Good. We march!”

“*Goliath*—forward!”

Thus, on the morning of January 2, the joint Shouro–Klein expedition set out from the capital, Alban.

—

Meanwhile, Jin, Reiko, Elsa, and Edgar used a warp gate to travel first to Kaltz Village.

“Happy New Year, Reinhardt.”

“A Happy New Year, Jin. …That’s your country’s greeting, right?”

In the small confederations and the Shouro Empire, it was customary to say, “May this year also be favorable.”

“Happy New Year, Jin-sama, Elsa.”

Belche greeted them warmly.

“Thanks to this, I’ve enjoyed a few days alone with my husband.”

“That’s wonderful.”

Seeing her happy smile warmed Jin’s heart as well.

The group moved into the living room of Reinhardt’s *House of Vines*.

—

“I’d really like to reach the point where we don’t have to conceal how we travel anymore…” Jin muttered as he sipped his tea.

“Jin-nii, that would mean making the warp gates public.”

“Yeah, I know.”

If such technology were made public, ships, balloons, even airships might become obsolete—a terribly unbalanced culture.

Even Jin could foresee that, so he refrained from revealing them.

“But weren’t they more widely used before the Magi War?” Belche asked.

“Yes, but even then, they were under state control. Private use was forbidden.”

Knowledge gleaned from Ann.

A thousand years ago, they had been more common under the predecessors. What happened since remained unclear.

“Could it be an energy issue?” Reinhardt wondered.

“After the Ether Stampede, free ether was reduced… but no, even before that, they were controlled.”

“More likely military reasons,” Elsa suggested.

Everyone agreed—warp gates were too valuable for warfare to be left in private hands.

The topic was then dropped.

—

“I plan for us to arrive in Potlock tomorrow morning. From where should we say we departed?”

“Wait a moment, Jin. Arriving first thing in the morning would be suspicious.”

“Oh—right.”

Flying through the night was unheard of here.

“Better to arrive this evening.”

“But…”

It was noon in Kaltz Village, about 3 p.m. in Potlock.

“Shall we?”

Jin agreed to Reinhardt’s plan.

“Yes, that seems best, doesn’t it, Belche?”

“Yes, dear. After all, we shouldn’t even have been able to return here.”

“Understood. Reiko, notify Lao-kun.”

“Yes, Father.”

The airship had been returned to Horai Island by Steward, so it would be transferred near Potlock, where they would board via warp gate.

Complicated—but necessary, for the sake of concealing technology and preserving peace.

—

“Preparations complete.”

Ten minutes later, Reiko relayed the message.

“All right, let’s go.”

“Have a safe journey, dear. I’ll await your return.”

“Thanks, Belche. Take care while I’m gone.”

After exchanging a brief embrace and kiss, Jin, Reiko, Elsa, and Edgar stepped through the warp gate and onto the airship.

“From Kaina Village, it’s plausible we could have made it in eight hours.”

Since no one truly knew the distances, they would say they left Kaina Village in the morning.

“Now then—to Potlock.”

At 4 p.m. on January 2, Jin and his party once again set foot in Potlock.