Volume 5 - Chapter 19 – Kunlun Island’s Situation Report and Departure (2/2)
“Please leave it to me, father. I won’t let father fall ill a second time.”,
She was operating as usual.
Slowly the line of carriages continued towards the border.
＊ ＊ ＊
The capital Bolgia was located on top of a plateau 300 meters above the sea level. After crossing the Delft mountain pass the rest of the way continued with a gentle slope.
After the mountain pass, the group stopped to stay a night in a town called Metroff.
Nothing particularly worthy of note happened during the night, and the next day the path was easy and mostly downhill.
Even though they headed north, the climate didn’t change that much because of the change in elevation.
“We’ll arrive at the border soon.”,
Elsa said while looking out of a window.
Just as she said, in half a day the group had arrived at the border.
The border fortifications that were still standing since the Great Magic War still triumphantly towered over the surroundings with a majestic appearance.
…Not.
After the passing of 300 or so years, the stones were weathered, wind and rain caused moss to grow over it, and vines had spread rampant thanks to the sunlight.
“What a ruin.”
Jin’s short description of the fortification as a ‘ruin’ was appropriate for the appearance.
“But inside they’re the same as they used to be.”
Elsa added.
The commanding officer of the garrison came out to confirm the paperwork for passage.
“My apologies, but this is part of the job.”,
While saying so, the officer opened the carriage doors and checked the passengers’ identities.
This was to make sure people like Valentino who were on the wanted list couldn’t escape the country.
After checking even the luggage and finding no problems with the group, the commanding officer ordered a subordinate to open the gate.
The gates made a hefty sound as they opened.
The iron gates were 50 centimeters thick. A Magi Formula to make them resistant to magic was drawn on the surface.
“Their age sure is made clear just by the appearance.”
Jin bore such thoughts.
The carriages passed through the gates into a tunnel inside the fortification. The tunnel’s walls also had Magi Formulas carved on them.
“Hmm, the style is rather old but it looks efficient.”
Jin murmured while gazing out of the carriage’s window.
“Jin-kun, you can read the characters written on the walls?”,
Elsa asked with a surprised look on her face.
Jin said he could surprising Elsa even more,
“Not even Rai-nii can read more than half of the characters on these walls”
“Ah, is that so? It’s because they’re rather old. Judging from their form, they age at least 1000 years back.”
“Eh…?”
Elsa was speechless, and Jin carried on,
“There’s some old Artifacts that have been found where I come from, so I know a lot about things like this, see?”
Somehow satisfied with that explanation, Elsa said,
“Jin-kun is indeed mysterious. It makes me want to know more and more things about you.”,
And stared at Jin.
Jin didn’t realize it, but next to him Reiko pouted and glared at Elsa.