159: Leaving always feels exciting, right?

The day of departure was bright and clear.

The sky stretched endlessly, no clouds in sight. Perfect for setting out.

Most of the local people had gathered at the harbor, surrounding the steamship.

A steel ship powered by a steam engine, a fusion of Leifan’s technology and Professor Javir’s knowledge—using a water evaporation potion.

Its massive size and sturdiness kept aquatic monsters at bay. Rigging and test runs were done. Today was the official departure.

Kyle and I were waiting in the prep room, ready for the ceremony. But Maina wasn’t here.

A large tent had been set up as the waiting area.

"Actually, we had another argument last night. She’s staying in her room today."

"Ah… I get it. She’s not happy about it."

"Yes. But she’s not going out to play, you know."

"Yeah," I say, slapping Kyle on the shoulder. He’s gotta feel lonely, not getting a farewell from his twin sister.

I change the subject, seeing the gloom on Kyle’s face.

"Hey, check this out."

I point at the carriage on display—showing it off, just like that.

"Made it in time."

"Yeah. Kyle wanted to ride a horse, but Zaid gave him a hard time—said it wasn’t proper, not even in war, to ride a horse like some commoner. So we rushed this carriage together."

A sleek, two-horse carriage, white with black and gold trim, stood on display where the townsfolk could see it—eye-catching, bold.

After the ceremony, Kyle’ll climb aboard that carriage and head straight to the ship.

The horses pulling it? My Black Dragon and Kyle’s White Fang.

The carriage was built using Leifan’s finest engineering, which means it’s damn heavy. Still, with the Black Dragon pulling it, it’d be a walk in the park.

It’s just that Kyle’s beloved horse had to come along too.

“Sturdy enough for rough terrain, and the wheels barely sink in.”

“Amazing. You’ve improved on the carriages already used on the main roads.”

“That one’s for cargo, but this one’s built for comfort—minimal sway, too.”

“If this trip proves useful, we’ll present it to the Emperor.”

“Yeah, sounds good. By then, we’ll probably have more improvements figured out.”

“Yes.”

Seems like I managed to steer the conversation just right. Well, Kyle’s probably aware of it, but he’s playing along anyway.

Just as the conversation wrapped up, Zaid and Professor Javil stepped into the tent.

"Kyle. Your turn’s coming up soon."

"Yes. Brother."

Kyle answers, somehow sounding happy.

"Kyle-sama, and you too—be careful out there."

"Yes."

"I’ll protect you. Even if things go south, I’ll make sure Kyle’s safe."

I say it with my chest puffed out. The professor lets out a long, exasperated breath.

"Hmph. Of course, Kyle-sama— but you too, remember to treat yourself with care."

"Uh... yes. Got it."

Man, he’s really kind, huh!

Kyle quickly climbs onto the platform set up at the harbor.

Grasping the voice-amplifying magic device, he starts speaking slowly.

"Everyone, our lives are stable now, growing steadily richer. So we must move forward. We must connect the divided human territories and reach out to one another! I’m proud to have been entrusted personally by His Majesty the King with this honorable mission. I’ll be away from the territory for a while, but I expect you all to keep working hard in my absence."

As Kyle set down the magical amplifier, a wave of cheers erupted across the harbor.

I climbed into the carriage beside him, waiting behind. The driver was the maid Ryuuko.

And so we set sail, carried away by the roaring applause.

◆

Right now, this ship carried not only the members of the diplomatic delegation but also a large number of soldiers.

Simple reason—Raidock and the others aren’t on board. They should already be waiting on the far shore, setting up their base camp.

Massive paddle wheels churn the water. The iron ship pushes forward with brute force.

Occasionally, monsters rise from the depths. But they’re felled in seconds by the large bows mounted on the ship and the soldiers’ javelins. Some even manage to snag them with nets, then haul them up and extract the magical stones. Tough bunch.

This wide river, so vast it seems to stretch to the horizon, would’ve been suicide to cross with any ordinary boat. Still, a few merchants and adventurers took the risk, gambling their lives.

But once this bridge—spanning the entire horizon—is finished, the great river that’s divided civilization for so long will finally be safe to cross.

The fact that this iron steamship was completed first? Pure luck.

We’re about to reach the far shore… oh! Kyle! I see it!

Yes!

I’d been killing time on the deck when I waved, and Kyle came sprinting over.

We’re past the kingdom’s territory now, aren’t we?

Yeah. Gotta keep our guard up.

Yes.

On the far side, a dock made of flat-bottomed boats was already in place. The steamship’s flaw—running aground in shallow water—had clearly been anticipated. The advance team had extended the dock all the way into deep water.

With space storage, we could’ve landed by boat just fine.

Only if Craft were here, though. For trade, we’ll need that kind of setup.

True enough.

We’ll have to start by getting permission to build a trading port.

Kyle’s expression tightened.

This place is beyond the territory the kingdom claims. More political decisions like this one will keep coming.

After we disembarked, several tents had already been set up.

"Hey, you made it."

It was Raidock and his crew, of course, welcoming us.

Some adventurers were around the tents too, but they stayed put where they were.

"Damn, you've built quite the dock."

"The steamship captain came by for test runs, hauling supplies each time. Even brought the tugboat along."

"Ah, I see."

"Lord Kyle, please, follow me to the tent. We'll handle the unloading while you're inside."

"Yes, sir."

"Though you call it 'cargo,' it's only a cart's worth, really."

All the other gear's already stashed in spatial storage.

"Looks like it's double-duty—testing the dock too. Leave it to the crew."

"Right, got it."

I turned back—already, they were pulling horses and a carriage out of the cargo hold. Staying here would just be in the way. We moved to the tent.

"Reporting as requested. We've scouted a reasonable radius around this base camp."

"Ah. Did you make contact with any nation?"

"No. Not even a village. Just as the intel we gathered beforehand suggested."

"Is that so."

Kyle paused, thinking.

"Then building a makeshift port here shouldn't be a problem."

"Better not go full-on with alchemical-hardened stone. If anyone complains, we just tear it down."

"Agreed. I'll pass the word to the captain to move forward with construction."

Lyuuko quietly slid a sheet of paper and a pen in front of Kyle. He scribbled out the order in a flash.

"Then, we'll leave the protection to you adventurers. We're setting off right away."

"Won't you rest?"

"Yes. We've already drunk stamina potions."

"Ah. Then let's be off. Everything's ready here."

Outside, Leifan and Jitarou had already stepped down, helping unload the horses from the ship.

Spatial storage doesn’t work on living things. Try to put one in, and it just won’t activate at all.

So horses, two-legged birds—no choice but to transport them like this, by ship. I really hope the great bridge is finished soon.

The delegation lined up, horse carts stretching out in a row.

Kyle, me, Leifan, Lyuuko, Raidock, Solal, Eva, Camille, Marilyn, Jitarou.

All gathered before me, Kyle raised his voice.

"Then, I declare this assembly—the delegation of the small nations—officially formed!"

"“““Yesss!!”””"

And so, our adventure began!

...I never thought I’d regret not using spatial storage to lower the carriage from the ship at that moment.

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