Episode 194: On the Road
A bizarre group was proceeding along the highway of the Forest Country (Lebresta).
At the head was a sophisticated four-horse carriage, along with its escort.
This was a carriage used by Lebresta officials, and while uncommon, it wasn’t particularly strange.
Only the number of accompanying guards was somewhat higher than usual.
The problem was the something that followed the carriage.
A giant Golem moving on six Legs.
Its total length was far greater than the carriage at the front.
Two of these somewhat biological-looking entities advanced side by side, blocking the highway.
The smooth movement of each Leg and the stable motion of the torso, which never swayed, evoked a primal fear in those who saw it.
If one didn’t notice the relief of someone’s profile carved into its pure white exterior, it wouldn’t be surprising if it were reported as a new type of Monster.
However, behind the two Golems, an even larger structure followed.
Its width completely blocked the highway.
Its total length was very long, even larger than four four-horse carriages lined up.
It had numerous wheels, so one could guess that it was some kind of artificial vehicle.
But no animals were hitched to pull it.
The giant vehicle moved on its own.
Further behind, though only half the size, was another sufficiently large, self-propelled freight car, presumably a Golem as well.
And then came a six-Legged giant Golem, followed by a small six-Legged Golem walking at the very end, as if attending it.
But that was an optical illusion.
The small Golem at the rear was the same size as the six-Legged Golem at the front.
In other words, there were three six-Legged Golems and a giant Golem twice their size.
The difference in size was so great that the carriage at the front looked like a toy.
The Lebresta citizens who saw the group could only stare up with blank expressions.
They were currently traveling on the trade route between the Forest Country (Lebresta) and the Afrasia United Kingdom.
Various Trade Goods were brought from the East Gate City of the Afrasia United Kingdom. Especially during its heyday, a large highway was developed to transport massive amounts of wheat, trained horses, and, above all, the precious Burnstone (Tone Mug), a Magical strategic resource.
However, with the decline of the Afrasia United Kingdom, the highway became desolate, and many post towns collapsed.
It had recently begun to revive because the number and quantity of Trade Goods had increased considerably.
Rumor had it that the Afrasia United Kingdom had been reunified.
Therefore, domestic affairs had improved, and trade had resumed.
However, the people who did business in the post towns were, after all, just laborers.
They naturally didn’t know the details, nor did they have any way of finding out.
They were simply told not to be surprised when a new power that had unified the Afrasia United Kingdom sent a Delegation with a giant vehicle.
Considering carriage travel, they were moving twice as fast as usual.
The ambassadors and their party were accustomed to changing horses every day and traveling at a considerable speed.
They usually arrived around noon at the post towns prepared every other day at roughly the speed of a person walking.
The ambassadors and their guards were familiar faces, as they used this post town every time they traveled back and forth.
Even though an outrageous group had arrived, it was their job. Water and fodder were quickly prepared for the horses.
Of course, meals had to be provided for the ambassadors and their guards as well.
It wasn’t extravagant, but it was a meal of considerably good quality by general standards.
And this time, they also needed to prepare for the Delegation from the Afrasia United Kingdom.
They had been repeatedly told that no provisions for horses were needed, and although they were dubious, they hadn’t prepared any. They understood why when they saw the group.
In the first place, there were no horses accompanying them.
Furthermore, they were told not to bother preparing a special dining area, but only to secure a large space, because the Delegation from the Afrasia United Kingdom would set up the area themselves.
People began to descend from the pure white giant Golem.
They looked delicate, and at first glance, they seemed like just a group of girls.
They briskly unloaded luggage from the giant Golem and quickly set up a dining space in the designated area that looked as well-arranged as the open terrace of a high-end café restaurant in the capital.
“Guards, please go over there. Ambassador, is this acceptable?”
“Ah… …What wonderful skill. I’m impressed.”
The ambassador’s attendants hurriedly began preparations.
They spread out the food and drinks that the post town had prepared, gave instructions, and set up the lunch venue.
They seemed quite bewildered, but they were professionals.
The prepared meals were brought one after another to those who took their seats.
“I said that we would prepare the meals along the way, but I didn’t expect you to provide such tables and chairs in such a short time. Quite interesting.”
“Everything was made from wood produced in the Afrasia United Kingdom. Perhaps because the environment is harsh, there are many hard and dense varieties. They can withstand harsh outdoor use. If you’re interested, I can add them to the Trade Goods list.”
“I would certainly appreciate that. But… I still can’t believe that Golem of that size can keep moving. The speed seems to be adjusted to match ours, though.”
If they took their time too much, the sun would set before they reached the next post town.
The head diplomat, Teariada Elemes, continued the conversation while immediately starting to eat.
“I still can’t believe it. I suppose you’re also flying those things in the sky. I heard that you also use them to transport goods, but you’re still using these ground-based vehicles as well.”
“The sky is vast, but it takes great power to fly around. Besides, there’s also the threat of Monsters. The sky isn’t as free as you might imagine. Therefore, we also operate transport vehicles that can carry goods on the ground.”
What was prepared was Sandwich Bread, cut into small pieces for quick eating. Ingredients were sandwiched between bread, making it easy to eat with one hand and in one bite.
Depending on the ingredients, a sense of luxury could also be created.
The fact that it wasn’t considered impolite to eat with one’s hands was also appreciated in such situations.
Teariada ate it in one bite, but the Communicator Dolls, Arborea Heath and Alisterta-Heath, nibbled at it, bringing it to their small mouths little by little.
If they stood side by side, their heads would be below her shoulders, so that was to be expected.
However, Teariada was by no means looking down on them.
She had underestimated them when she first encountered ＜Paraiso＞, but she had come to highly regard them because they were businesslike despite their appearance, and they demonstrated deep intelligence with every exchange.
If anything, they were far more capable than herself.
They also paid attention to their appearance and liked to dress in girlish clothes.
However, they didn’t use their weapons as girls, or rather, as women. They didn’t want to be treated as women and always wanted equal negotiations.
They didn’t show the childishness typical of girls, didn’t reveal their emotions, and preferred to handle matters calmly.
Drei, who was in charge of the East Gate City, had hinted that they were related to the royal family of their country, so they had probably received such education.
However, Teariada had only learned that all of their clan members were like that after she started interacting with the two who were currently with her.
The two of them wore large cat ears on their heads.
They looked like ordinary differently colored foxes, but since they said they were cats, that was probably the case. Certainly, the tails that were occasionally wagged were thinner, longer, and more supple than those of foxes.
Well, appearance aside.
Teariada was completely impressed by their stoic attitude.
She found their attitude of not emphasizing their femininity and proceeding with matters in a businesslike manner to be very appealing.
In his many years of experience as a diplomat, they were the easiest to get along with, yet the most formidable opponents.