Before crossing the mountain, the time had already passed noon, so we decided to take a break on the Zelkis side, using the opportunity to have lunch as well.

That said, the place we chose for our break was 【Hideout】.

After having lunch at 【Hideout】 and taking a short rest, we immediately resumed our journey.

Crossing the mountain was a bit nerve-wracking, but nothing in particular happened.

There were indeed plenty of monsters, and territorial disputes between them could be seen here and there… but there seemed to be no threats in the skies.

Not just in Riana and Zelkis territories, but even in the royal capital region, there are sometimes monsters that are oddly wary of the skies. Some would even threaten or chase after me upon seeing me… But around here, are there no strong bird-type monsters?

“I used 【Amber Shield】 just in case… but is crossing the mountain actually safe?”

Having crossed the mountain and entered Mercenal territory, I couldn’t help but feel a little anticlimactic.

I wasn’t particularly looking for an aerial battle, but when nothing happens, it somehow feels unsettling.

“It seems that way… I’m not too familiar with the southern regions, so I can’t say for sure, but the habits of monsters and beasts might be different here. It could also change in the spring… or maybe it’s just the nature of the land.”

“I see…”

The eastern part of the kingdom is full of mountains and deep forests, with monsters, magical beasts, and wild animals of various strengths and species.

However, Mercenal territory, which we are currently flying over, seems to be different.

Gentle rolling hills stretch across the landscape, dotted with small villages and farmlands.

There even appear to be pastures.

There are fences, but they aren’t particularly strong, suggesting that there might not be many threats to livestock.

Mercenal territory is known for its armed fleets and military strength, but… I don’t feel any of that here. The atmosphere is quite peaceful.

I wonder if my impression will change as we get closer to the sea?

◇

At first, I was surprised by the tranquil atmosphere of Mercenal territory… Initially, it didn’t look much different from Zelkis, but as we traveled further, differences began to emerge.

The mountain range we crossed must have a water source, as multiple rivers flowed from it, converging into a larger one.

At the confluence of these rivers, a large town with a dock had been established.

A sturdy town wall stood tall, with a well-maintained training ground for soldiers beside it.

Although this land is located east of the royal capital, the places we’ve passed through so far share a similar atmosphere with the capital’s surroundings.

Of course, this is said to be a vast territory, and the eastern side, which borders the monster-infested areas, might be completely different.

The destination is the same sea, but unlike the rivers used for water transport in Riana and Zelkis territories, this one follows a different course.

…This land has quite a unique character.

Now, after entering Mercenal territory and traveling south for several hours—

Since we were in a foreign land, we avoided the main roads to keep a low profile, flying at a lower altitude to avoid detection. Because of that, our visibility was somewhat limited.

Even so, we could see a massive man-made structure in the distance.

A long, imposing town wall protecting a city.

“…Is that the place?”

It was significantly larger than any of the towns we had passed so far, so it was likely the territory’s capital.

I had docked here by ship before, but approaching it from the land side made it look quite different.

“It seems so. Princess, shall we stop by 【Hideout】 to prepare? How about that hill over there?”

“Alright, got it.”

With that, Teresa immediately adjusted our course.

◇

“That should do it.”

Inside 【Hideout】, we started preparing to enter the territory’s capital.

That said, it wasn’t anything too elaborate.

Just a simple outfit change.

It was my first time visiting this city with 【Floating Orb】. Though we had sent word ahead, we would likely have to travel to the lord’s manor by carriage.

I was dressed as usual, but Teresa had been wearing riding pants—an outfit suited for using 【Floating Orb】 and 【Wind Garment】.

For me, it wasn’t much of an issue, but Teresa’s attire wasn’t exactly appropriate for a noblewoman visiting another lord’s estate.

Elisha, Edgar, and the yet-unmet lord of this land didn’t seem like particularly strict individuals, so it probably wouldn’t be a problem, but… formalities still mattered.

So, it was time for a quick outfit change.

I, of course, wouldn’t wear a maid outfit, so I opted for a blue dress with a light coat.

Just in case, I left behind most of my enchanted items in 【Hideout】, keeping only 【Shadow Sword】, 【Fairy Eye】, and 【Amber Shield】.

I even wore socks and proper shoes for once, completing my “formal” look.

“Yes, it suits you well.”

Teresa smiled as she nodded in approval.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Garment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】【Monkey’s Arm】・4 cards

Seriana・【Range Identification】・【】・39 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・9 cards