On the final night at the estate before departing, I spent most of my time reviewing the equipment I was bringing along. Calling it "equipment" makes it sound grand, but in reality, my luggage consisted only of a few sets of clothes, money, mana recovery potions, a few daggers, and of course, the indispensable mana core. For a body with a low energy storage capacity limit like mine, this core acted as an essential backup power station to maintain algorithms in emergencies.
Logically speaking, my current practical combat stat with cold weapons was almost zero. I had never been formally trained in swordsmanship or the specialized weaponry of this world. The only melee skill system I possessed was a bit of martial arts and basic dagger usage—things honed during my two years as a conscript in my past life. Naturally, I was clear-headed enough to understand that the gap between training ground exercises and life-or-death battles could very well cost one's life. That was also why I had to ensure my backup mana source was always in the most ready-to-activate state possible.
Kanade was equally busy. She reviewed the maps and prepared the necessary personal items with intense concentration. The lamplight in the room cast our long shadows against the wall, creating an atmosphere that was quiet yet full of determination.
Early the next morning, before the first rays of sunlight could pierce the thin mist of the Shirakawa territory, we set off. Our first destination was Tenkyu City, the most bustling trade center in this region.
"Sir Zero, the carriage journey to Tenkyu will take about half a day. Would you like to rest a bit more in the carriage?" Kanade asked softly once we were seated inside.
I shook my head slightly, offering a polite smile to reassure her. "Thank you, Kanade. I am fine. This is a good opportunity for me to observe the terrain and the layout of the defensive magic barriers along this vital route. Understanding the kingdom's infrastructure is just as important as researching magic arrays."
The rhythmic clatter of rolling wheels carried us away from the tranquility of the estate. Deep down, I clearly understood that the golden crest resting in my pocket was not merely an identification item, but the highest-level security clearance for the master plan I had established.
Throughout the journey, my personal calculations were temporarily set aside to make room for a discussion with Kanade about the target territory. Based on preliminary data, the area we were about to enter was currently under the administration of the Count Aximous family. It was a renowned faction in the kingdom's high-quality mineral supply chain, simultaneously possessing a highly formidable foundation in alchemy.
"Sir Zero, the documents note that the headquarters of the Veteran mercenary guild and the adventurer's guild are also located in that area," Kanade spoke up softly, her feline ears twitching slightly as she skimmed the parchment scroll. "If you feel it necessary, we can hire them for support during our entry into the ruin."
I pondered for a moment, my finger tapping rhythmically on my knee, quickly analyzing the pros and cons. "That is a viable option to consider, but... frankly, I do not place complete trust in those organizations. Rather, I must maintain vigilance."
Kanade nodded slightly, showing she was listening. I continued, explaining my perspective more clearly: "Logically speaking, both mercenaries and adventurers operate based on the principles of profit and money. In a critical mission, recruiting unfamiliar individuals—variables we cannot control—is a rather large risk. Especially since neither you nor I have any experience interacting or working with them, correct?"
"Yes, you are right. Until now, I have only served within the territory and have never interacted with the mercenary circles."
"Then we need to think of another plan that minimizes unpredictable elements; that is the best way to ensure safety," I concluded the matter.
Around noon, the carriage entered the center of Tenkyu City. We quickly moved to the operations building of the teleportation array system. The atmosphere here was quite noisy and stifling. According to the information I had gathered, the procedure to operate this spatial gate was incredibly strict. A regular merchant would have to go through a series of cumbersome, harassing censorship steps and pay a fee of up to one gold coin. Within the economic frame of reference of this kingdom, that was a massive figure, a financial barrier entirely blocking the commoner class's chance to use it.
However, all those complex administrative barriers were immediately nullified when I walked up to the management counter and quietly placed the Shirakawa family crest on the table.
The overbearing attitude of the official in charge instantly shifted to reverence mixed with fear. Without any further investigative questions, all procedures were cleared rapidly and completely free of charge. A squad of guards immediately parted the waiting crowd, clearing a priority path leading straight to the core array area reserved exclusively for the two of us.
Stepping into the luxurious waiting room, Kanade and I chose a velvet-cushioned sofa in the corner to sit and rest while waiting. The quiet atmosphere did not last long before the exquisitely carved wooden door opened again.
Two people had just entered.
Walking in front was a young woman. Based on external observation data, I estimated her age to be perhaps equal to Eldest Lady Aiselin's. She possessed a slender figure, her porcelain-white skin standing out under the soft magic light. Her platinum hair flowed naturally, accentuating her deep amethyst-purple eyes, which were tranquil yet held an indescribable allure. She wore an evening gown with incredibly meticulous cuts and decorations, exuding aristocracy and luxury. Put on a scale, this girl's beauty and aura could absolutely rival the haughtiness and sharpness of the Shirakawa family's eldest daughter.
Closely following behind her was a woman in a standard maid uniform, walking lightly and keeping an extremely precise distance—clear proof of formal training within the great noble families.
When our eyes met, the white-haired girl stopped slightly. Even though we were strangers, she still lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, executing a standard and incredibly elegant noble greeting. Placed in an unexpected social situation, I couldn't ignore minimum etiquette rules either. I stood up, bowing slightly to return the greeting in the most measured and polite manner possible.
After that silent exchange of greetings, the girl and the maid approached the sofa directly opposite ours and sat down unhurriedly. The atmosphere in the waiting room now shifted to a highly subtle state of equilibrium, where two groups of complete strangers shared a quiet space, waiting for the moment to pass through the spatial gate.
The atmosphere in the VIP waiting room was maintained in a state of absolute silence. I leaned back against the chair, maintaining a steady breathing rhythm, but the information processing system in my brain had already begun collecting and analyzing data about the two people opposite us.
Just then, the platinum-haired lady gently set her cup of black tea down on the table. Her amethyst-purple eyes swept toward me, carrying a discreet yet suffocatingly sharp evaluation.
"Please excuse me if my curiosity is somewhat abrupt," her voice rang out, clear but carrying an unconcealable resonance of authority. "However, encountering a guest carrying the golden crest of the Shirakawa family at a transit station heading North like this is truly a rare data point. May I know your honorable name?"
The moment that question was posed, I immediately sensed a disturbance from the position beside me. Kanade's breathing skipped a beat. Her coral-orange feline ears perked up slightly then quickly drooped, while her fingers interlaced on the hem of her dress tightened so much her knuckles turned white.
Having to face the pressure from a high-ranking noble, resonating with the fact that we were preparing to enter the territory harboring the fall of the Suzumiya family, was clearly creating a psychological pressure exceeding Kanade's safe threshold.
To re-establish the system's stability, I decided to proactively create an information barrier, drawing all attention toward myself. I leaned forward slightly, partially obscuring the opposite person's line of sight toward Kanade, while simultaneously smiling politely.
"My Lady flatters me. I am Zero, currently in charge of a few field projects to collect academic data under the sponsorship of Eldest Lady Aiselin. It is also a great honor for us to meet My Lady here."
I deliberately emphasized Aiselin's name. The absolute authority from the eldest lady possessing the sharp sapphire blue eyes of the Shirakawa family was the most perfect defensive shield to block any deeper probing.
"Zero, is it..." The girl repeated my name softly, the corners of her lips curling into a meaningful smile. "A truly interesting title, completely empty yet encompassing infinite possibilities. I am Aximous Arghena. I hope your field trip in our family's territory will yield satisfactory results."
The name "Aximous" just uttered was like an electric pulse striking the weakest point in Kanade's mind. I could hear her sharply inhale a cold breath. Without hesitation, I reached out my hand, lightly tapping my index finger twice on the table right next to Kanade's position. A simple physical signal, covertly transmitting a single message: All variables are still under control, stay calm.
Kanade's body trembled slightly, but thanks to the timely intervention, she successfully suppressed the emotions that were on the verge of exploding.
Returning to Arghena, I nodded slightly in return, maintaining a composed, flawless demeanor. "So it is the lady of the prestigious Aximous family. Truly, hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once. I believe the abundant land and the eminent alchemical foundation of My Lady's family will provide me with invaluable materials."
The invisible duel of words temporarily concluded as the signaling bell from the array system rang out. The spatial gate heading North was fully charged.
End of Chapter 24.