Chapter 68: City of Iron and Ruins, Belcoure

The city of Belcoure was situated atop a low mountain that resembled a small hill.

Even after entering the Kalenberg territory, the forest continued for a while. However, on the second day within the territory, the forest abruptly ended. Beyond that, there was a low mountainous area with sparse shrubs and tall grass that undulated up and down.

As they progressed through gentle slopes, a large city with high walls on top of a hill came into view.

That was Belcoure, the capital of the Kalenberg territory, now known as the city of ruins.

Belcoure was originally developed as a town that produced iron ore. The entire low mountainous region seemed to have become a massive iron ore deposit, and iron ore could be mined in a manner close to open-pit mining.

However, places rich in resources were destined to become contested territories, and Belcoure had endured the ravages of war many times. Each time, the town was reinforced for defense, eventually becoming a fortress city with high walls.

With the conclusion of the Wanderer War and the stabilization of the Staalen Kingdom, the demand for iron as a strategic resource decreased, and Belcoure’s prosperity also settled. Nevertheless, as the demand for iron persisted, although it didn’t experience the same level of glory as before, the town continued to thrive, managing its territory steadily.

A turning point occurred about 300 years ago. A landslide occurred in one of the low mountains, and a ruin was accidentally discovered. Before long, the town prospered once again as a city of ruins boasting the largest underground ruins in the kingdom.

The procession of the Klaufeldt family was advancing through the city, which had undergone such unique development.

“It really feels like a city of iron and ruins.” 

Isamu said, looking outside from the left and right windows of the carriage.

“Nyaa…” 

Orihime, perched on his shoulder, also looked around restlessly.

Since entering the Kalenberg territory, Orihime had finally returned to her usual self, reassuring the knights and everyone else.

“Yes, indeed. The town has prospered with iron from ancient times, so iron is extensively used in the city. I think it’s unique to Belcoure, even in the vast kingdom.” 

Annemarie, who claimed to have visited several times, remarked.

As Annemarie mentioned, iron was used everywhere in the city. Firstly, the outer walls and gates were reinforced with iron plates, giving the appearance of a city of black iron. From building pillars and window frames to bridges over water channels, observation towers in the town, and even church towers, every place where iron could be used seemed to be made entirely of iron.

In the city, there were shops selling magic tools scattered everywhere. Given that the largest number of artifacts had been discovered here in recent years, the development and sale of magic tools based on them were thriving.

The carriage proceeded along the main street, turned right at the large square with a fountain called the Central Square, and headed to an area where large commercial buildings and high-class inns lined up. The group split into three.

The Viscount and his wife, along with Annemarie, Isamu, Rudolf the steward, and ten knights serving as guards, headed to an inn for nobles. Silvio from Zambrotta Trading Company and the researchers Eto and Willem were going to the guest rooms at Zambrotta Trading Company’s branch. The knights who were not on duty for the rotation of the viscount’s escort would stay in the inn nearby, which Silvio had arranged.

Since messengers had already been sent to report their arrival and express the desire for a meeting soon, until they received a reply from the Count, each member would stay in their respective inns as a base. Also, for the sake of information and situational awareness, they had rented a banquet room in the inn where the viscount and his wife would stay.

Although the key members would have breakfast and dinner together here and conduct daily coordination, other than that, they were free to move around.

On this first day of their stay, they decided not to go out due to the long journey and the fact that it was already evening. They also finished dinner early and dedicated the rest of the evening to rest.

Before going to bed, Isamu asked the kitchen to prepare boiled chicken meat for Orihime from the next morning. Without a bath facility in the inn where nobles stayed, they had to leave the carriage bath to the inn where the knights would stay. 

In a situation like this, Nicolette and Annemarie were half-seriously grumbling that it would be better to camp out and take a bath.

The next morning, as they had breakfast in the banquet, a messenger from the Count arrived. Since the messenger was sent last night, it was unusually quick. After reading the letter brought by the messenger, Selfers opened his mouth with a somewhat surprised expression.

“His Excellency the count has made time for tomorrow afternoon.”

“Eh? He’s giving us time quite early.”

Nicolette, upon hearing that, also raised her voice in surprise.

From the lower-ranking noble’s side, it is usually common for the meeting to take place five days later. Even though the approximate schedule had been conveyed in advance, it seemed that the count attached great importance to the meeting with the Klaufeldt family.

“I understand. We will visit tomorrow afternoon. Please convey our sincere thanks to His Excellency for taking the time amidst his busy schedule.”

“Yes! I have received your reply clearly!”

The messenger, who had been waiting to take back the response, saluted sharply and left the banquet.

“Well, it seems that they are quite concerned about us over there. It would be great if this became a tailwind for the negotiations…”

Selfers said with his arms crossed.

“Well, in any case, our actions won’t change, right? In the first place, even if the negotiations fail, we can still receive compensation. There’s no loss from the beginning. Let’s go casually.”

Nicolette said with a dry laugh.

“Well, that’s true. So, is it okay for everyone to have free time until dinner today? To avoid any problems, be sure to have a knight as an escort when going out. Okay?”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

Everyone nodded in response to Selfers’s question.

“What about Isamu-san? What are your plans?”

Annemarie asked Isamu, sitting next to her.

“If possible, I’d like to visit magic tool shops. I’d also like to see the shop run by Silvio-san.”

“Oh, in that case, would you like me to guide you? Let me show you Zambrotta Trading Company’s branch first, and then we can take a carriage to visit other shops.”

Silvio, who had been listening to the conversation, made a proposal.

“Eh? Would you really take out the carriage for me? That’s very much appreciated. Annemarie, would you like to come too?”

While taking advantage of the unexpected offer, Isamu invited Annamarie. Nicolette nodded silently, which caught Isamu’s peripheral vision.

Isamu, having been married on Earth, was not insensitive to emotional nuances. He was aware that Annemarie had feelings for him and that he, too, harbored a non-antagonistic sentiment toward Annemarie. However, whether Annemarie’s feelings were romantic, admiration for a character from a story, or something else entirely was unclear to him. So, he was going with the flow.

However, Nicolette, being Annemarie’s mother, clearly considered Isamu as a potential son-in-law. Otherwise, she wouldn’t let her daughter, who was of marriageable age, attend the research workshop alone.

There’s that silent pressure, and after tomorrow’s negotiations and the unveiling of magic tools, the day is approaching when he will inevitably have to take the stage himself.

Regardless of the outcome, he was thinking that it’s about time he made a move from his side.

However,

“Eh!? Can I join too?”

Seeing Annemarie happily accepting his invitation, he internally scratched his head, thinking that it’s too dazzling to have a teenage beauty from an anime happily accompanying a guy in his 30s.

After breakfast, guided by Silvio, Isamu and Annemarie first visited the Zambrotta Trading Company’s Belcoure branch.

The store was temporarily reserved as the company president with an exclusive contract and the daughter of a noble were visiting.

However, Isamu self-deprecatingly thought that inviting someone to a magic tool shop for the first time was not the most sensible decision. Given the circumstances, it was almost equivalent to having the first date at an electronics retail store. Nicolette might be sighing softly at the thought.

Casting a brief glance at the side with mixed feelings, Annemarie, seemingly oblivious to such concerns, appeared delighted.

(Really, your daughter is too good a girl…) 

He tried complaining in his mind to Nicolette, but the response that played in his mind was, (Of course she is. She’s my daughter.), spoken in Nicolette’s voice.

“Welcome, Matsumoto-san, and Klaufeldt-sama.”

“””Welcome!”””

Upon entering the store, the store manager and all the employees welcomed them.

“Hey, Silvio-san! Isn’t this a bit too much?!”

In response to the overly dramatic welcome, Isamu hurriedly approached Silvio.

“Hahaha, what are you saying? To us, Matsumoto-sama is a top-notch company chairman among top-notch company chairmans. This is only natural.”

Silvio casually brushed off Isamu’s concern.

Annemarie, being a daughter of a noble, was naturally surprised but remained composed.

“…I understand.”

Looking at Isamu, who felt somewhat defeated and responded in a slightly sulky manner, Annemarie giggled.

“Now, let me give you a brief introduction to the magic tools we handle at our company.”

Ignoring Isamu’s demeanor, Silvio walked around the store and began introducing magic tools.

“First, we have the most commonly used light magic tool. This magic illumination is probably the most widespread magic tool in the country. Nowadays, almost every household should have magic illumination or, as I’ll explain later, magic lanterns.”

Saying that, Silvio started the tour from a corner where various shapes and sizes of magic illuminations were displayed.

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