The Kingdom of Imperial Vascht

Winds blew violently towards our directionーship swaying from side to side, the sound of the boat creaking trying to hold itself from the weight of the waves as Marieka wobbled back and forth.

Reeling to maintain her balance at the same time while holding her staff tightly… Perhaps she wasn’t used to being on a boat, which could be her first time in this unstable form of transportation.

She held her temple, the pupil in her eyes circling similar to those of the wheels from a carriage. “I’m so dizzy… The world is moving…”

“Marieka, you have motion sickness…? Stay still for a second.” I held her on one arm before using my free hand to cast a magic circle.

“Erl.” I muttered quietly, hiding from the people onboard.

Her body lit up and in an instant, she had fully regained full control. “....I don’t feel dizzy anymore!? This magic is AWESOME!! Thank you Eiliー, Varieka!”

“It’s convenient to have a spell for motion sickness. Thank Nixie for that. But most importantly the ten warlocks.”

Marieka’s expression lit up. “OH! Yes! The ten warlocks! I’ve heard of them!! They research black magic to create spells used for curing sickness right?”

“Yeah, but us pointed hats are not really in good relations with them. It's more work related business than buddies… But regardless, we don't hold a grudge against each other, it’s only history.”

She gasped. “I didn’t know that…? What's the history behind it?”

“I’ll tell you when we get to Imperial Vascht. I’m not comfortable talking with some people on board.”

I turned to the horizon while the sun glared atop. There lies the shore of the Imperial Vascht, which are the borders of the kingdom. Far back, was the desert that covered half of the landーwhich is no man’s land.

And beyond that, a massive translucent barrier behind the tall mountains at the edge of the horizon. Indicating the location of the capital.

Marieka pointed at the mountains. “Varieka. That thing over the distance…? I’ve never seen anything like this before.

“It’s a barrier that blocks any type of monster and only lets in humans. It was created two years ago and it's been the kingdom’s lifeline, destroy that and you’re declaring war.”

“Uah…. That’s terrifying to think about. It’s indestructible right?”

Turning to her, I smirked mischievously. “Want me to test it out….?”

Raising my finger and pointing to the horizon. A flash of light illuminated atop the barrier before a gigantic magic circle appeared in the skyーit's radius engulfing the entire continent, reaching past what we can see.

Marieka squinted her eyes before stepping back and falling down the wooden flooringーHer staff tumbled down as she stuttered.

“V… VARIEKA! NO, NO, NO! D… DON’T! DON’T START A WAR!!!” She turned to me, waving her hands.

I chuckled, covering my mouth. “I was joking, I’m playing with you. I will never do that.” I snapped, removing the magic circleーimmediately disappearing from the sky.

Offering a hand and helping Marieka up, her legs were like jelly as she tried to balance herself. “D… did anyone see it…? I’m scared if mistress Nixie saw it…”

“ーDon’t worry. That was an illusion, so it’s only you and me that saw it. It wouldn’t affect anything, illusion magic doesn’t emit mana. Though If I wanted to, I can turn it offensively.”

“Varieka… Please no… That’s going too far…”

I cleared my throat. “Ahem, so how do you like that? Do you think I could beat Mister. Ewald in a fair fight? Even myself I don’t know…? It could be a fair fight…?”

She sulked before slouching. “Okay, okay… Mistress Eilise beats Mister. Ewald…”

I smiled, crossing my arms with my chin up.

I'm quite petty when it comes to subjects like these, okay Marieka…?

⇔ ⇔ ⇔ ⇔

The ship began to dock, the people aboard yelled for communication to those on the ground as the waves eased, halting to a full stop, those aboard threw the rope attached to the ship and the workers on the ground pulledーwrapping it on a support.

We’re finally here after a day of traveling by sea. Port Schtark.

Then the ramp was brought down connecting to the ground, and we disembarked the ship, stepping foot into the stone flooring.

I yawned, looking over the buildings. Imperial Vascht. It's been a year since my last visit. And just as I remembered, it was the same as beforeーCompletely different architecture and urban structure from the Kingdom of Ryven. The buildings in the area were mixed with stone layered with green colored pigment, more extravagant and fancier than ours.

Looking up at the sky, the translucent barrier was still visible around Port Schtark, which is to be expected considering how much field it covers.

Marieka stretched her arms while hugging her staff. “WAAHHHH!!! We’re finally here… It took us a week, but here we are!!”

“Keep in mind Marieka, the kingdom of Ryven is the smallest geographically. And the Imperial Vascht expands way more. Expect the journey to the capital to take a month.”

Annaliese raised a brow, turning to me. “So… Mistress Varieka. What you’re saying is, it’s the smallest. Yet most powerful…?”

Clearing my throat, I took a deep breath. “Let’s skip that topic… For now, we’ll find an inn, buy food supplies and I’ll carry all of them using pocket magic.”

Marieka placed a hand underneath her chin.

“One question, does the Imperial Vascht have some sort of currency that’s different to ours? Or I could be wrong, Varieka…?” She tilted her head.

I covered my mouth. Yeah that could be a problem…

“....I’m positive that the currency is the same as for every kingdom. But I swear… If… And IF, Nixie did change the currency for the Imperial Vasht. I’m scolding her.” My brows wrinkled, sulking.

I cleared my throat and smiled, quickly removing my expression that contained some form of malice. “But first… We buy grimoires…”

Annaliese tilted her head. “Mistress Varieka… Considering your position… Why would youー”

“ーI’m not trying to learn any offensive magic, or any magic that I create… But stuff like; never spill a drink when pouring, or ones like; never trip when you walk in a zig zag… I WANT THOSE!”

The two exchange eye contact. Marieka crossed her arms. “...Varieka, you’re saying… Useless magic…?”

“ーIt’s NOT useless! In fact, it's useful for my everyday life. It’s the peak of humanities magic… A milestone that even I can’t achieve… It’s a gift from the heavens…” I turned to Marieka, glaring at her with a smirk.

“This is quite a different side of Mistress Varieka…” Annaliese exhaled.

Marieka replied. “This is my first time seeing her like this… ”

They both stared bluntly at me without a single light in their eyes….

I cleared my throat. “Sorry… We’re getting off track, let’s find some place to stay… But where do we find one…?”

Marieka scratched her cheek before raising a finger.

“How about we ask some of the locals here? Like heading inside a shop? I’m sure we can find some things to buy too along the way.”

“ーVarieka, you don’t have enough money remember…? It’s only been me who’s handled the expenses, but Annaliese helps out as well.”

Marieka’s expression shot up.

“Wuehh…. I forgot…” She slouched, frowning.

I turned my attention to Annaliese and asked her a question. “Do you know someone from here? I could send a message to them.”

She bowed her head slightly. “I apologize, Mistress varieka… I have no one in this kingdom that I know off… However… Yeah she’s in the capital… But…”

“She’s in the capital…? Is that the same person you’ve mentioned?” I tilted my head.

Annaliese's expression hardened, shaking her head before her face returned to normal.

“Let’s try to find one ourselves, Mistress Varieka. I’m sure there’s at least a decent one in these parts.” She stepped forward, leaving us behind.

I glanced at her back and my mind started filling with curiosity. Is this the same person she mentioned to us before…? Is she a terrible person? To the point where Annaliese avoids talking about it…?