Volume 8 - Chapter 30 – The Sixth Subdivision (1/2)

08-30 The Sixth Subdivision

The black boat that had run away with Reinhardt and Stearina entered the river Azul.

The large river Azul was a river that flowed from lake Azul. Lake Azul was not only a tourist attraction but also an important location that could ensure the resources of the fishing industry that was important to Celuroa Kingdom.

Here the width of the river was about 300 meters. Midway the river Azul floated four ships around 40 meters in length. They were ships owned by Celuroa Kingdom for the purpose of carrying carriages across the river, in other words they were ferryboats.

The black boat approached one of the ships. It was already four o’clock. There were many barriers for entry to the river Azul, so in order to pass through without notice they employed some trickery and had to use the waterways to enter river Azul. As a result it had taken time.

As the sun was already setting, there was no one who saw the black boat. The sun was already in an angle where the boat couldn’t be seen from the coast.

Earlier the distance had been around 150 meters and it had already begun to get darker, so for the naked eye it was probably impossible to tell that something was going on.

The small black boat came alongside the large ship, then Reinhardt and Stearina were moved on it. By now their arms had been tied behind their backs.

“What? We’re switching to a larger ship?”

Reinhardt said and,

“Take-care-not-to-cause-unnecessary-noise.”

The golem warned Reinhardt.

The large ship the two were made to board went upstream. There was no response from the remaining three ships.

After seeing that Reinhardt thought of a question.

“There’s no way all the three ships are supporting the Unifilers. Even so…?”

Maybe because it noticed that Reinhardt was observing his surroundings,

“If-someone-as-wise-as-you-sees-then-it-will-bring-trouble-in-the-future.”

The golem said and covered Reinhardt’s and Stearina’s eyes with a blindfold.

The large ship continued on at a slow pace. The town of Dali grew further away, and the human settlements on both banks of the river became fewer. The curtain of the night fell and the surroundings were wrapped in the darkness.

After continuing on for two hours, the large ship neared the right bank. There were the ruins of an old fort. It seemed like a lookout fort from the era when Celuroa Kingdom had used its might to expand.

It appeared to no longer be in use and was covered in ivy.

Half of the fairly gigantic fort was built as if it was leaning on the river. Even though it was called a lookout fort, it must’ve been used as an important stronghold during wars.

It had been designed so that boats could sail into it straight from the river, and the large ship disappeared into the passage that was like a dark opened mouth.

Reinhardt who was still blindfolded couldn’t confirm it but he guessed from the atmosphere that the ship had come alongside a quay.

“I wonder if we’ve arrived at our destination?”

He said, and apparently the spokesmanlike golem had stayed next to him as it spoke.

“We-get-off-now.”

It pulled Reinhardt up by the arm like a human.

“Ow! Be more gentle!”

Stearina’s voice was heard. Apparently she had been pulled up too.

While blindfolded, Reinhardt climbed up some stairs, walked through a hallway, turned corners multiple times and once more climbed some stairs.

Before long Reinhardt could feel the sensation of a carpet under the soles of his feet, and he was made to sit on a chair. At the same time his blindfold was taken off.

“Welcome, Reinhardt-dono, Stearina-dono. I’m delighted to meet you.”

A man sat on a chair in front of them and greeted them.

“I am the branch head of the sixth division of the Unifilers, Intact Mazecilia d’Galvani. I’m also a viscount of Celuroa Kingdom.”

Intact who introduced himself was a man in his mid-30s or so, and approximately of the same height as Reinhardt. However, he was slim enough to call nothing but skin and bones. He had dark brown hair and ashen eyes. He had a crooked Roman nose and sunken cheeks. Those eyes of his were filled to brim with cruelty, and one could even feel his madness. He wore a white robe and a cloak.

The room they were in was stone-built and spacious, the floor had a carpet laid out on it and tapestry had been hung on the walls. Countless Magi Lamps were turned on and it was bright as day.

“It is an honour to welcome the superior Magi Craftsmen Reinhardt-dono and Stearina-dono to this subdivision of mine.”

“Hmph, so you’re the same kind of guy as that Purcell or whatever his name was.”

Reinhardt said as if spitting it out. Intact then frowned.

“Purcell? I’d like you to not bunch me together with such an incompetent fellow. You see, I am the only one of the branch heads who have been bestowed with a few of the newest all-purpose golems.

“All-purpose golems?”

“That’s right. Stronger than your Schwarz Ritter, and capable of autonomic action on top of that. You must know their power from experience, right?”

“Well, you might say that.”

Reinhardt tentatively affirmed it.

“And then, I have long been thinking about sounding out Stearina-sama but, regretfully, it turned out to become a heavy-handed operation like this.”

“Hmph, no matter what I won’t cooperate with you.”

Stearina firmly declared, but her voice was a little shaky.

“Ha ha, bluffing is pointless. You see, we have our methods to make you cooperate regardless of your intent.”