Book 4: Volume 8 Chapter 1, Touring the City

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

The city on the fifth Floor of Amamiya Tower had already grown to exceed 600,000 inhabitants. This was a population ranking among the top ten in the world.

 

More than twenty transfer gates now connected the fifth Floor to the outside world, linking not only the Central Continent but all four continents. While some gates had restricted access, more than two-thirds allowed almost free movement. Initially, most international gates were restricted, but their usefulness soon made lifting those restrictions the norm.

 

Of course, even unrestricted gates maintained regular checkpoints, with movement to other countries strictly monitored on both sides.

 

The transfer gates, originally built alongside Crown’s headquarters, had since been relocated to a centralized location under government management. This entire district fell under the strict control of Razequa Amamiya, with security so tight that misusing the gates proved nearly impossible.

 

Each gate required either a Crown card or temporary user card, both of which functioned only when activated by an individual’s unique magical signature. While creating these cards was simple enough, blacklisting made further use virtually impossible—no amount of deception could fool the system once someone’s magical signature was registered.

 

In a sense, this represented the country’s greatest defense against criminal entry.

 

Looking at the rows of buildings lining one corner of the fifth Floor city, Kousuke let out a quiet sigh.

 

The scale was unbelievable compared to the city’s humble beginnings. Each building housed a transfer gate connecting to a foreign country, effectively serving as that nation’s embassy. For each country, monitoring entry and exit through these single points proved easier than managing typical checkpoints.

 

Currently, a steady stream of people flowed through the buildings. It was not crowded, evidence that the transfer gate system was functioning smoothly.

 

Kousuke was watching this traffic when Kouhi’s voice startled him from his thoughts.

 

“Master? Is something wrong?”

 

“Hmm? Oh, no…” Kousuke smiled at Kouhi and Mitsuki standing beside him. “I was just thinking how much things have changed.”

 

The first time he had come to this Floor, it had been just the three of them, surrounded by nothing but empty space. The current level of development seemed almost miraculous by comparison.

 

As if sensing his thoughts, Mitsuki smiled warmly.

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Ah, well… let’s go, then.”

 

Sensing he’d been seen through, Kousuke showed a slightly embarrassed expression before leading them onward.

 

♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦

 

They had come to the fifth Floor because the Magic Power supply facility was finally complete and ready for its first operation.

 

Appearing in their true forms would cause a commotion, so they’d taken precautions to avoid being recognised. The three of them moved together: Kousuke, Kouhi, and Mitsuki. Naturally, with the latter two’s striking beauty, they had to carefully obscure it. To those around them, they currently appeared as three unremarkable people.

 

While observing the developed city, they arrived at their destination.

 

“Wow,” Kousuke involuntarily exclaimed.

 

The building before him was enormous, its shape somehow resembling a factory. He hadn’t given any specific design instructions. This was simply the result of constructing a building suited to its purpose.

 

“Why were those rounded parts even necessary?” He wondered aloud, though both Kouhi and Mitsuki simply tilted their heads, not understanding his complaint.

 

Of course they wouldn’t recognize architecture from his previous world.

 

Perhaps because he’d been standing there staring, a guard stationed at the entrance approached them.

 

“Hey, you! This area is off-limits to anyone but authorized personnel!”

 

The Magic Power supply facility was crucial to both Razequa Amamiya and Crown, its security on par with the royal castle itself. This guard was simply doing his job.

 

Kousuke raised his head politely and retrieved a paper from his pocket.

 

“I’m sorry. It was just so unusual, I couldn’t help myself… Could you please check this?”

 

“This is—!”

 

The paper identified Kousuke as an authorized personnel. A VIP even. The guard’s face went pale as he deeply bowed .

 

“I-I’m so sorry!”

 

“No, no. I’m the one at fault for making a fuss in a place like this.”

 

Kousuke waved his hand and headed toward the entrance, knowing that if he lingered, the guard would likely hover anxiously.

 

The facility’s unusual exterior gave way to ordinary walls inside. The atmosphere of a research facility, not unlike similar places within the castle. After walking along a straight corridor, they reached a more open area where Towa, the current King, waited with several close advisors.

 

Though Kousuke and the others had changed their appearances, this had already been communicated to Towa. Upon recognizing him, Towa immediately approached, his attendants hurrying to follow.

 

When Towa knelt before Kousuke, panic rippled through the others.

 

“Your Majesty! What are you doing!”

 

“King Towa!”

 

To them, the King had just knelt before a stranger. Their alarm was understandable.

 

But Towa ignored them entirely.

 

“Thank you very much for coming to this place, my Lord, the living god, and both of your messengers.”

 

Silence fell.

 

Those gathered were Towa’s direct subordinates. They knew exactly who Towa meant by ‘living god’.

 

After a moment’s shocked stillness, those who’d recovered their composure knelt like Towa, and eventually everyone assumed the same posture. They hadn’t been informed of Kousuke’s visit, but Towa’s attitude left no doubt about the identity of the man before them.

 

Their response was only natural.

 

“Ah, well… you can relax for now. You’ve also come to see the facility in operation, right?”

 

At Kousuke’s words, everyone finally relaxed. Though naturally, Towa moved first. The others couldn’t decide whether to relax without his lead, nor would they presume to do so before him.

 

The group, including Kousuke and the others, headed deeper into the facility.