Chapter 111: Mail Delivery
After taking off from the Duke’s estate, I flew west along the Blange Highway.
It’s been over two months since then, but the cold is still harsh—my face felt like it was freezing off.
Since I’d departed late, I landed on the plains past Adèle, slipped into the tall grass, and set up my tent.
I burrowed into the still-warm bedding straight from my magic bag, took a sip of nightcap, and conked out instantly.
When I woke and peeked outside through a gap in the tent, the moonlight told me it was still too early, so I went back to sleep.
When it finally brightened, I had breakfast, rose into the air, and continued west. Flying endlessly gets boring fast.
After a few breaks, I passed twelve towns and landed just before Elvira.
Duke Berlant should be in Emilia, and from here it was six towns ahead—if I flew from this point, I’d reach it well before sunset.
If word got out that I was headed to the Holtrand Kingdom’s capital, Frangré, they’d definitely ask for reconnaissance.
Flying over the highway would give me a good view anyway, but since I’m in a hurry, I can just report back on my return.
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Keeping my altitude at around 50 meters, I slipped into the city of Emilia, heading toward the lord’s manor.
Someone burst out of the front entrance waving frantically.
Approaching carefully, I recognized him as the duke’s adjutant.
Seeing that they hadn’t been pushed back by Holtrand forces, I was relieved and landed.
“Letter for the Duke of Berlant, sent from Steward Hoylart in the capital!”
He took the letter, so I quickly said, “And with that, I’ll be off,” and ascended again.
There was some commotion below, but I ignored it and continued west.
Tomorrow would no doubt be busy, so I wanted to get as close to Frangré as possible.
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While flying over the Madras Highway, I noticed that the towns grew steadily larger past Narsie, and once I saw Frangré, it made sense.
A chain of densely populated settlements stretched toward the Sazaland Kingdom.
With five days’ travel by carriage from the border to their capital, they were probably uneasy.
Regardless of ally or enemy, any neighboring nation is a potential threat—countries often say that.
Still, forcibly expanding the border only invites trouble.
Going from five days to six doesn’t make a big difference…
Taking advantage of a monster crisis to push for more territory? That’s just greed.
Judging from above, the Holtrand Kingdom looked more prosperous anyway. Why were they so anxious?
At about 100 meters altitude, I slowly surveyed the city with the map in hand, searching for the Sazaland Kingdom’s embassy.
Since we’re technically still at war—no armistice yet—my “trespassing” shouldn’t count.
I found the embassy heavily barricaded with soldiers both outside and within the grounds.
They hadn’t noticed me yet, so I dropped altitude and conducted a little forceful reconnaissance along the streets.
After circling twice to confirm, the troops all wore the same armor, and landing inside the grounds looked dangerous.
People below started making a fuss, so I ignored them and headed toward the royal castle.
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As shown on the map, the royal avenue stretched straight from the castle.
When I came out above it, I could see the guards at the main gate pointing up at me in alarm.
I had no intention of using the front entrance.
I climbed higher and hovered directly above the spacious courtyard, watching the commotion below.
Reports should have already reached them that Sazaland had a mage capable of flight.
They were bound to react somehow.
After a while, people gathered in the courtyard, but there was no sign of an attack.
I pulled out the message cylinder, attached a long strip of cloth with my note, and dropped it.
It wasn’t heavy, and the cloth slowed the fall, but the soldiers still scattered like frightened insects.
I didn’t know what was inside the official message cylinder itself, but my attached note said I’d return in three days for their reply.
I’d designated the Sazaland ambassador as the recipient—assuming he was still alive.
Depending on how they responded, things could get messy.
So I left Frangré immediately, in case they tried something.
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(Holtrand Kingdom – Castle)
“Advisor, this was dropped by the man floating above the castle!”
The aide rushed in and handed over the cylinder.
The deputy minister carefully withdrew the letter and passed it to Chancellor Colbens—
but noticed the attached cloth note and opened that first.
The hand-tied note wasn’t official, but it stated the man would return in three days for their reply and gave conditions for the exchange.
The frontier commander had reported a flying mage, but the court dismissed it as an excuse.
Yet one had just openly appeared above the capital and dropped a message.
The chancellor read the official letter, anger trembling through him.
He headed to report to the king, and the advisor handed him the attached note, adding,
“This was tied to the cloth on the cylinder.”
The chancellor read it with a grim expression.
As he left, the deputy minister recalled the uncomfortable feeling he’d had when reading the defeat reports.
A flying mage could observe all troop movements from above—no wonder the frontier army was beaten back.
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(Audience Chamber)
“To His Majesty, the wise King Lagranju of Holtrand, I humbly report: moments ago, a man brazenly appeared above the royal castle and delivered a letter from the Sazaland Kingdom.”
“What? Above the castle?”
“It appears to be the same man reported by the frontier army, Your Majesty.”
“So the cowards’ report was true?”
“Here, sire.”
The king read the letter and then the attached note.
“The man flew off after dropping it, but he boldly writes that he will return in three days for our reply.”
“Hmph. A man sent by those cowards who couldn’t cross the Linjueil River. So he can fly—shoot him down. Prepare to meet him.”
“What of the response to Sazaland, sire?”
“If they stopped at the river, they lack the strength to invade further. We’ll drive them back soon—no need for a reply. Gather our best magic corps and bolt-thrower units.”
The chancellor bowed and withdrew, deeply uneasy.
The man had come boldly, declared he’d return, and surely wouldn’t come unprepared.
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Early dawn.
“Man, camping out here so boldly…”
“Doesn’t look like an earth-magic dome… not a barrier either…”
“Size looks like one or two people.”
“Someone’s inside, but hiding in grass like this is rookie behavior. It probably breaks if we kick it.”
Their noisy voices woke me.
Peeking through a small hole, I saw a group of rough-looking men grinning smugly.
Different kingdom, same idiots.
I spun a small whirlwind inside the dome, knocked out their magic, and stepped out.
They staggered but were still conscious.
“You’re loud. Ever consider being quiet?”
“A brat?”
“What was that magic?”
“Never seen him before… doesn’t sound like someone from around here.”
“Hey kid, acting cocky’ll get you hurt.”
“At best he’s Bronze rank… maybe Silver One. He’ll be the one getting hurt. Idiots.”
I’d hoped to find someone who could guide me around the capital—maybe show me some good food or rare items.
Oh well. No point dealing with these clowns.
I turned toward the highway, but they followed.
“Hey, wait!”
“Kid, that weird magic—you’re not getting off free!”
“Nice clothes… you’ve got money, don’t you?”
“We’re not letting you pull any tricks this time.”
Their stereotypical threats were so cliché I almost laughed.
“Get him!”
A puff sounded behind me.
“Huh!?”
Guess they tried something on my enchanted clothing.
I took it as the signal to begin.
“Whirlwind!”
I spun them around for three minutes.
By the time my “timer” started blinking, they were groaning and helpless on the ground.
I hoped no wild beasts wandered by before they recovered.