20 『Grand Tour』 (2/2)

”Well, when we first entered. That was the commercial district and as I said before, this is the residential.” He then pointed off in the distance towards where the production plant was towering over many other smaller buildings. ”That is the industrial area. Once it's been activated, I'll show you its first products.”

Nemu pursed her lips looking towards the building, ”How many people work in there…?”

”Only needs a few people to maintain it, the machinery inside tends to do most of the work.”

”How does the machinery work?” Enri asked curiously, her eyes trailing towards the glow of the water again. This place was a mystery to her. Its architecture was nothing like she had ever seen.

She was beginning to wonder if Nphirea was going to like a place like this. Her head lulled to the side slightly, not really sure why she was suddenly thinking about the awkwardly friendly potion maker from E-Rantel.

”Ambient mana reserves, most likely,” Jack pursed his lips not really sure how it works, as he himself hadn't inspected it. However his people had said it could be operational whenever he desired.

”I see...” Enri creased a brow before looking towards the castle.

”Time for the castle then,” Jack snickered quietly as he lead them towards the bridge leading to the other side of the City across the body of water.

Nemu glanced off the side of the bridge and towards the water, her mouth gaping open at the sight below. There were no fish, but there was plenty of water. It was so clean and clear, she couldn't even see the bottom.

”Why isn't there any fish?”

Jack came to a slow stop before glancing down into the water, ”Hm… There's a mermaid who lives in the castle that occasionally inhabits the lake.”

”Mermaid!?” The girl looked up at him with these starry eyes, ”really?!”

”Yes...” Closed his eyes partially while looking down at her before continuing to walk along the bridge and over to the other side.

”This is the uh.. Noble and Financial District,” Jack gestured towards the larger buildings leading towards the castle. He didn't really take his time, as he lead them up the stairs onto the plaza. ”This would be the plaza, where people could set up markets if they wanted...” He looked around seeing pretty much no one except for Guards in the plaza and no stalls set up for aesthetics.

”This is the front gate,” Jack pointed towards the massive main gate of the castle which began to lift up, revealing the courtyard leading to yet another massive door which was beginning to raise similarly.

Nemu jumped slightly in front of Jack, trying to make him move faster as she wanted to see the inside of the Castle. What she was imagining was a bit more of a normal interior. However the inside was much larger than the exterior.

The fact that there were very few real windows made that rather apparent at first, if one was really paying attention.

Entering through the grand hall which began to fade to dark the further they ventured. Soon they would find themselves in what appeared to look like a massive giant greenhouse with multiple 'floors' of various plants and vegetation that catered to different biomes.

YGGDRASIL Golden Apples were on the first floor in the orchard area, along with various other fruit trees. However on the second level of the first floor, the entire level was used for the synthetic environment of the Platinum++ Asgard Pekoe Tea Leafs.

The five levels were fragrant and almost heavenly.

However if one was to pay attention, one would be able to see another Overlord within the plants. Watching them. It was Teetle, controlling the vines which were subtly moving about the first floor.

”Jack-sama, I see you have guests,” the Skeleton laughed softly as it would the reveal itself.

Jumping lightly, Nemu almost pulled her hand out of Jack's grasp, only to shrink by his side seeing another undead that looked a lot like the other one.

”This is Teetle, one of my trusted Floor Guardians,” his eyes rested on the top of Nemu's head with a curious look. ”Perhaps you'd like to take a tour with him?”

Nemu blinked and looked up at him, not really understanding his intent. ”I thought...”

”Oh don't worry,” the Lich sniggered, ”I won't experiment on you. If anything...” The Lich would reach into his sleeve and pull out what appeared to be candy corn. ”How about trying some candy?”

”Candy?!” Nemu's eyes immediately lit up and she voluntarily released Jack's hand. If he was to be trusted by Jack, she cold trust him. That is what allowed her to have the courage to take the bait.

Teetle then looked over towards Jack, ”We have another guest from the Slane Theocracy in the prison, when you're done with Enri-san.”

Enri immediately looked to the Overlord with wide eyes. A prisoner from the people who had attacked them? Since when did this happen? She thought everyone had been killed off in that attack! Her fingers curled into Jack's hand slightly.

”The person who was watching the battle from the safety of their homeland.”

Enri tensed up even more, considering the fact that they had nabbed someone from a nation infamous for its magical abilities. It was unlikely that they'd be able to avoid getting into a fight…

Was that the reason he wanted to build the wall? Enri looked the side of Jack's face as he was nodding to Teetle who lead her little sister off on a tour of the castle.

”So… Why are you separating us anyway?”

Jack looked to her as the other two vanished heading to the next level to see the other plants. ”We're going to go to the throne room to talk with Silva.”

”The Vampire? Why…?”

”She is the Head Guardian, who will help coordinate the construction of the wall.” He explained as he lightly twirled her with her arm above her head, before pulling her close. ”Then we'll have some fun?”

Suddenly being twirled around by him, her face lit up as she brought her in close. ”Fuh-fun…?”

Jack couldn't help but give a suppressed laugh before using the Guild ring on his finger to teleport directly to the Throne Room. Appearing only a few meters away from the throne.

”Jack-sama!” Silva who was standing beside the throne announced his arrival, with wide eyes. ”Welcome home,” she stood at attention with her hands behind her back.

”Thank you...”