Published: January 17, 2026
Fifteen carriages. Then, combining the elites from the Panamera knight order and the Seato Village knight order, there were five hundred people. Since it was a town none of us had been to before, ten adventurers including Ort came along as guides and escorts. It was quite a large group. Talga and Dee were also accompanying us, so I was worried about leaving things behind, but the Espada's disciples had grown enough that it was said it would be fine as long as it wasn't for too long a period.
Since we were going all the way to the sea, I wanted an elegant journey and had prepared a super-luxurious carriage just for Van-kun. It was the high-class carriage I had made before, called Carinan.
“Lord Van, is the ship going to be big?”
“Hmm, yes. If we're crossing a large sea, it has to be big enough to withstand the tide and strong waves, so I guess it will be really big, right?”
“That sounds exciting!”
“Yeah, it does.”
Enjoying pleasant conversation with Arte and Til inside the spacious carriage, I felt like I was on a trip. I had been excited since the preparations began, but things inside the carriage took an unexpected turn.
“Hmm... then, Espada-dono, do you suggest that our city should provide education to the residents as they do in Seato Village?”
“Indeed. Since Fortress City Cayenne was once part of the Yelinetta Kingdom's territory, its residents are mostly former subjects of the Yelinetta Kingdom. Therefore, I humbly think it would be better to give them basic education to instill the awareness that they are now citizens of the Kingdom of Scuderia.”
“I see. Yes, that would be important in the long term. It will require effort, but the effect will be worth it. Espada-dono, you truly are wise. Do you have any other good advice?”
“Let me see... besides that...”
The elegant and spacious carriage journey turned into a study trip, thanks to Panamera and Espada who invited themselves along. The two were having a very serious discussion nonstop, occasionally even asking for my opinion.
No, Van-kun has a lot to think about—sea, ships, seafood, and so on. I wish they'd leave me alone. Besides, Panamera has his own carriage, doesn’t he?
“How about you, Lord Van?”
“Huh?”
Suddenly addressed by Espada, I gave a half-hearted reply. Then Panamera gave me a mischievous smile and shook my shoulder.
“Young man. You must have been dozing off, right? We're talking about ships, something you like.”
“Huh? Ships?”
I asked again, and Panamera nodded with a smile.
“Yes. If a ship really crosses the sea, what kind of ship do you think it is?”
“I think it’s probably made of iron or mithril. A wooden ship wouldn't withstand attacks from demonic beasts.”
“What?”
After expressing my simple opinion, Panamera and Espada exchanged glances.
“...An iron ship. Is that possible?”
Panamera asked, and Espada held his chin, pondering.
“Iron sinks in water. But if, for example, it were thinly spread and attached over large wooden planks... no, it might not withstand the large demonic beast attacks that Lord Van mentioned earlier. Hmm...”
As I watched the troubled Espada with interest, Panamera shifted his gaze to me.
“Interesting... The boy always has unexpected ways of thinking.”
“Huh? Ah, haha... by the way, aren’t we about to arrive soon?”
I looked away from Panamera's probing gaze and turned my face toward outside the carriage. I thought I caught a faint scent of the sea.
Leaning out from the carriage window, I saw we were about to cross over a small hill. The carriage was climbing a long slope. Around us, the knights were energetically marching. Since we had just taken a lunch break, everyone was full of spirit.
Maintaining that momentum, we climbed the slope and soon reached the hilltop.
At that moment, before the carriage’s direction of travel, a gradient line stretched left and right, formed by layers of blue and green. The sea mirrored the deep blue of the sky, beautifully blending blue and translucent green.