Chapter 4: You Seductive... Huh?
“Well then, see you in the Imperial Capital next time!”
With a farewell, Nostradamus, after Joshua and his knights had left the range of the formation, began the teleportation once more, taking his students away from the Northern Lands.
“Continuous large-scale teleportation of multiple people—this is the power of an Ultimate-rank mage. If, while the enemy is unprepared, one leads a squad of Gold-rank elites to raid the major cities of an enemy nation, they could completely cripple the enemy's lifeline in a single day.”
Standing at the city gate, watching the group of mages vanish along with the azure ripples, Joshua couldn't help but remark: “It's precisely because of this that so many techniques targeting spatial gates and teleportation were developed in my past life. Otherwise, war without limits would only destroy an entire civilization.”
After this reflection, he turned his head and noticed that the large group of knights he had led were now unsteady on their feet, dizzy from the disorienting sensation of the teleportation. These armored men, if not for being able to support themselves against their warhorses, would likely have collapsed in droves.
Letting out a sigh, the warrior could only announce an immediate dismissal, allowing these men, who were probably experiencing spatial teleportation for the first time in their lives, to recover on their own. He, meanwhile, took the Rune Core and prepared to return to the mansion with Rin.
Winter had passed, and early spring was approaching. The wind had changed direction; a warm breeze rising from the southern forests swept across the snowfields, melting the ice. But how could the cold that the earth had accumulated over an entire winter be so easily dispelled? Meltwater overflowed and refroze into ice, covering the streets of the main city with layers of smooth, slippery ice. Many pedestrians walked cautiously along the bluestone avenues.
The number of pedestrians in the city was gradually increasing. Due to the rising temperatures, both merchant caravans and adventurers were traveling much more frequently than in winter. Dragon-cart caravans brought large quantities of sea salt and various fruits and vegetables—preserved by magic and not produced in the Northern Lands—for trade, while most adventurers had accepted commissions in other cities, preparing to venture into the Great Aias Mountains to search for specific magical beasts or ores.
This was what a northern city should look like. Joshua looked with satisfaction at his thriving territory, a hint of delight rising within him.
“Once spring officially arrives, I can probably start the next phase of construction.”
Roughly estimating the time, he nodded and made up his mind: “No matter what, I have to get the Rune Dwarves to build a Rune Factory in this city. Even the smallest one will do. My city cannot afford to fall behind the times.”
Beside him, Rin was holding the Rune Core, which was almost as large as he was, and let out a lifeless sigh.
Soon after, the two passed through the city center.
Many craftsmen and workers were toiling diligently under the good weather, free of snow and bathed in sunlight. The Lord's Manor, which Joshua had destroyed in early winter, was now nearly rebuilt after a winter of sporadic construction.
Following Joshua's suggestion, the Lord's Manor, originally resembling an estate, had been completely rebuilt into a war fortress. The craftsmen had used the hardest granite bricks to construct a small castle, even using ground magical beast bones as a binding material. This would allow for magical formations to be drawn on the walls in the future, making it even more impregnable.
This wasn't because Joshua lacked a sense of security, but because such a dwelling suited his aesthetic. If he were truly forced to live in an extravagant mansion built of marble and white stone, he would feel uncomfortable.
Under the fearful yet reverent gazes of the passersby, Joshua and Rin returned to the mansion.
Several maids were cleaning the hall. Upon sensing their lord's return, these working women immediately set down their tasks and bowed respectfully.
Joshua didn't like others being so deferential to him, but now wasn't the time to go against the times or try to correct their reactions in the face of his Aura of Fear. He asked, “How is Hotaru?”
An older maid, who seemed to be the head, stepped forward and replied softly, “Miss Hotaru is as usual, still sleeping in her room… But, my lord, is it really alright for the young lady to keep not eating anything?”
What does a Divine Mechanism eat… Sword oil and whetstones?
Shaking his head, he couldn't very well explain the nature of a Divine Mechanism to these ordinary people. Joshua took off his overcoat and walked up to the second floor with Rin.
Rin, carrying the Rune Core that was as tall as he was, climbed the stairs step by step, his face utterly devoid of interest.
Entering the room, the arrangement hadn't changed. The only difference was a Glowstone Lamp emitting a faint light on the nightstand. On the bed, Hotaru was still asleep.
The silver-haired Divine Mechanism girl looked peaceful, her sleeping posture perfectly proper, completely still. If you covered her with a blanket, it seemed as if she wouldn't change for years.
But Joshua keenly noticed that Hotaru's condition this time was vastly different from before!
Previously, Hotaru was more unconscious than asleep. But now… this little one was genuinely sleeping!
“Wake up, now!”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Joshua was blunt and showed no tenderness. He slapped Hotaru's small face, even giving it a pinch. “You've been asleep for almost two months! At this rate, even a Divine Mechanism will rust!”
“That hurts!”
Awakening just as abruptly, Hotaru cried out in pain, her face full of confusion. Her large green eyes shimmered with a dazed, watery light. “Who am I… where is this…”
Before she could ask a third question, she sensed an extremely familiar aura. The Divine Mechanism girl immediately turned her head to look at the bedside.
And then, she saw Joshua, Rin, and the projection of Unit 3 emerging from the Rune Core.
The silver-haired Divine Mechanism girl's core processor instantly crashed.
“Huh, this…” Completely at a loss for words, Hotaru raised her slender arm and pointed tremblingly at where Rin and Unit 3 were. Her voice quivered as she asked, “What is this? Why is my little brother here too…”
“Sister, you've been asleep for too long.”
Beside her, Rin, still holding the Rune Core, poked his face out from behind it. He sighed first, then said with a smile, “Because we were lacking a suitable weapon, Master awakened me… I have to say, Master is incredibly strong. To be able to bear the load of two Divine Mechanisms and fight without any pressure, we are truly fortunate.”
Of course I know Master is incredibly strong! Hotaru shouted in her heart. Her little brother appearing was fine; after all, she alone couldn't handle such terrifying combat and killing frequency. But that…
Her thoughts churning, she turned her head to look at the projection of Unit 3, who was watching her calmly.
Cyan-blue hair, black wings—that was fine… Her main body was the Rune Core in Rin's hands? Hmm, that purple-blue crystalline metal is quite beautiful… Wait, who the hell is this seductive thing?!
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