NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 102.1
Stage 4-9. The Great Detective Mashiro
The Wing Ship is a rare mode of transportation in the world that utilizes wind attribute magic to travel through the skies.
Unlike the airships of my previous life, this one is constantly levitated and propelled by magic, allowing it to carry a large number of people at once.
There are no private rooms in the passenger cabins connected to the main body, but the spacious area ensures that everyone can sit by the windows and enjoy the view.
“Wow~! Amazing, amazing! Look, Ouga-kun! The mansions look so tiny!”
Thanks to the reduced shaking, similar to the Magic Ship, Mashiro was happily tugging at my clothes and exclaiming.
“Yeah, you’re right. The view is beautiful.”
This is my first time riding an airship too, so it’s quite exciting.
Unlike airplanes that fly above the clouds, this has its own unique charm.
“I wonder what Encarton is like? I’m really looking forward to it!”
“According to literature, it has accepted many immigrants, leading to the development of various cultures. Let’s explore the city together when we arrive.”
“That sounds great! There are some shops I want to visit too.”
“Encarton is now famous as a bustling commercial and tourist city, so I’m sure there will be plenty to enjoy. …Oh, right. Let me explain a bit more for Mashiro’s sake.”
“Thank you, Reina-san! Please do!”
“Not at all. Knowing the history will surely make the sightseeing more enjoyable.”
It’s true that knowing a little about a place can change how you see it, compared to going in completely blind.
Especially since Encarton is a place that would be difficult to reach without an airship, Mashiro probably never had the chance to research it before.
Reina cleared her throat softly and began to explain its origins.
The independent mechanical city of Encarton was originally just a wasteland.
Being an open land, it was constantly at risk of attacks from monsters from all directions, and the lack of nutrients in the soil made it difficult to grow food.
The people who ended up in this land, which no country wanted, were refugees from various nations who had fled from even worse hells.
What they had in common was their suffering under heavy taxation.
Though they spoke different languages, it didn’t take long for these refugees, who shared the same plight, to join hands.
The refugees were all commoners. Since they couldn’t use magic, they needed weapons to fend off the monsters.
A blacksmith among them taught his skills to the refugees, and they quickly became proficient.
The weapons they made with their own hands were directly tied to their peace and survival.
No one else would come to their aid. They alone could carve out their future.
This constant proximity to death greatly advanced their technological skills.
The wooden fences around them turned to iron, then to fortresses.
More refugees, hearing rumors, joined them, turning the village into a city.
And the greatest invention that significantly increased Encarton’s value was the creation of magical tools.
In particular, the creation of magical tools using magic stones is said to be a skill unique to Encarton’s mechanical engineers, and the technology has not leaked to the outside world to this day.
Thus, the independent mechanical city of Encarton rose to prominence through their own skills—that’s the basic information.”
While on the airship, with nothing else to do during the travel time, we gratefully received a lecture from Professor Reina.
Karen and I had of course learned this before, but Mashiro’s eyes sparkled with the new information.
“Question! If the city became so amazing, didn’t any country try to take it over?”
“I heard that Encarton refused to accept any country ruled by the nobles who had oppressed them. And… look, use that to look down below from the window.”
Mashiro did as told and peered through the telescope by the window.
And she was surely surprised by the sight that greeted her.
“…Huh? There are so many monsters!?”
Just as Mashiro said, below us were grotesque monsters, enemies of humanity, roaming about.
This had always been one of the headaches for countries that wanted to take over Encarton.
“The land route to Encarton is dangerous, with many monsters. Originally, it was a land uninhabited by humans, where monsters settled.”
“Huh~… Wait a minute! Then, before the city was established, there must have been a lot of damage…”
“Undoubtedly. That’s why the people of Encarton cherish their ancestors’ will and proudly call themselves an independent mechanical city, not belonging to any country.”
“By the way, for the same reason, noble authority holds no power in Encarton. The creation of magical tools is also famous for being strictly by appointment, and they won’t accept orders unless you visit their workshops directly.”
“To add, while they don’t submit to anyone, they do engage in exchanges. This airship, for example, was made possible by Encarton’s creation and funding from the Londism Kingdom.”
“Everyone is so amazing… I need to study more…”
“Mashiro, you’re already busy with your magic studies, so it can’t be helped.”
“No, it’s been half a year since I started living with Ouga-kun. I can’t keep being spoiled forever… and it wouldn’t be appropriate for a noble’s wife…”
“……..”