Chapter 248
“What on earth is this speed? I can hardly believe it.”
“I’m glad you seem to be enjoying it. However, I’m actually holding back quite a bit.”
“Then why don’t you try going a little faster?”
At the Emperor’s request, Franz gently pressed down on the accelerator.
The mana stones responsible for powering the carriage simultaneously increased their output, and the gradually accelerating carriage soon reached an incredible speed, incomparable to before.
Did he like it that much? The Emperor, sitting in the passenger seat, burst into genuine laughter.
“Both you and this carriage are amazing…! Truly amazing…!”
“You flatter me.”
If it were a usual compliment, Franz would have reacted awkwardly, but this time, he accepted it proudly. A magic tool he made himself was practically no different from his own child.
There was no parent anywhere who disliked their child being praised.
Eventually, when Franz returned the carriage’s speed to normal, the Emperor’s excited emotions naturally settled down.
“By the way, Your Majesty, are you really okay with this?”
“With what?”
“You left your servants and escort knights behind, didn’t you?”
In fact, before leaving the Imperial Palace, there had been quite an uproar. It was because the Emperor had said he would go alone.
The Imperial Family had been startled and earnestly pleaded with him to reconsider, but…
─ The Magic Tower Master is enough. Or are you doubting the Magic Tower Master’s skills, that he won’t be able to protect me?
He had no choice but to remain silent at the Emperor’s words. If he said anything more, it would mean disrespecting both the Magic Tower Lord and the Emperor.
Franz was equally flustered, as it was the first time he had heard of this as well.
“My thoughts are no different from back then. If you, who killed the Demon Lord and even the Demon God, cannot protect me, wouldn’t it be right to call it fate? It would mean it’s an absolutely unavoidable death.”
“I will do my best to protect you.”
“And above all, leading so many people to the Magic Tower would only cause chaos. It would be a discourtesy to the mages working hard for the Empire.”
“I am only grateful for your consideration.”
He doubted there was anyone in this Empire aiming for the Emperor’s life, but he couldn’t definitively say the possibility was zero.
Even if the sun shines upon the world, those hidden in the shadows might not be reached by its influence.
It was a few hours later when Franz arrived at the Magic Tower.
“So this is the headquarters of the mages. I’ve heard stories about it, but seeing it in person is a new experience.”
“I will guide you myself.”
“Then let’s cut to the chase and go check the spatial movement device first. The whole reason I came all the way here today is to see it with my own eyes.”
“Yes, understood.”
Franz walked alongside the Emperor.
As they entered the Magic Tower Entrance soon, the people in the lobby bowed their heads in unison. Most were mages, but there were some who were not. They were probably people who came to commission the Magic Tower.
Their expressions were obvious without even looking. They must be beyond flustered and absolutely terrified. It was as if a sudden calamity had befallen them.
Franz, who had caused this commotion, could only feel sorry. But what could he do? This truck didn’t have a steering wheel.
“Everyone, raise your head.”
At the Emperor’s command, everyone raised their heads simultaneously.
He hadn’t known until now because he had only been on the other side, but seeing it from this side was a novel feeling. The way they moved in perfect sync made it look like an army.
“Whatever I do, I hope you all act as you normally would. I have no intention of getting in your way. So, won’t you all stand up?”
They looked at each other, gauging the situation. It was strange to take the words to ignore the Emperor - of all people - at face value.
But that was only for a moment. Soon, as one person hesitantly stood up, everyone else followed suit and rose to their feet.
Franz gestured to them, urging them to get back to what they were doing. Continuing to hesitate like this wouldn’t show the Emperor a good side of them anyway.
“Franz, let’s go then.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This way.”
The Research Lab they eventually arrived at boasted a space so vast it could easily be called a training ground. It was large enough that summoning a few giant golems wouldn’t be an issue. At both ends of that wide space, the Research Lab they eventually arrived at boasted a space so vast it could easily be called a training ground. It was large enough that summoning a few giant golems wouldn’t be an issue.
At both ends of that wide space stood two bizarrely shaped doors, which were none other than the spatial movement devices.
“Is this the spatial movement device you spoke of? It looks a bit different from what I imagined.”
“Given that carriages would need to pass through, the size became larger than planned.”
“Well, the appearance doesn’t matter, does it? If this truly allows for spatial movement as you say, it would be fine even if it looked a bit more hideous.”
The Emperor burst into hearty laughter, “Haha-.”
Franz, however, couldn’t laugh. It was because he was incredibly nervous as he introduced the item he had made to the Emperor.
Phew-.
Letting out a long sigh, Franz took out a small ball from the bag at his waist. It was an ordinary ball woven from straw.
“Your Majesty, would you like to try throwing this inside the door?”
“Sounds good.”
Taking the ball Franz handed him, the Emperor immediately threw it toward the spatial movement device.
The moment the ball left the Emperor’s hand and passed through the faintly shimmering door, it vanished without a trace. More accurately, it moved to the device on the opposite side of the Research Lab.
Heading straight to the other side of the Research Lab, Franz and the Emperor were able to find the straw ball lying on the floor.
“It’s hard to believe even while seeing it with my own eyes… How on earth is this possible…?”
“Well, you see. By setting Spatial Movement Magic and fixed coordinates on a mana stone, and designating those coordinates to another mana stone…”
“I’m sorry to interrupt while you’re explaining so earnestly, but I wouldn’t understand even if you told me.”
“…I apologize.”
Realizing his behavior belatedly, Franz bowed his head and apologized.
Afterward, the Emperor checked a few more things regarding the spatial movement device. Whether a person could pass through it was, of course, among them…
“It’s truly fascinating. To think one can travel such a long distance just by taking a single step… Perhaps it is my good fortune to be able to live in the same era as you.”
The Emperor marveled again. The praise that he had initially gladly accepted was starting to feel a bit burdensome.
Still, the fact that the item he had worked so hard to develop would be placed all over the continent was incredibly pleasing.
“Then I should get going now.”
“Won’t you at least have a cup of tea?”
“I’d like to stay and relax if I could, but it’s time for me to spend time with my daughter.”
In truth, it was just a polite remark. Franz, too, was hoping the Emperor would leave quickly.
Thus, Franz exited the Magic Tower with the Emperor.
Just as he was about to use Spatial Movement Magic, the Emperor tilted his head.
“Franz, what is that?”
At the end of the Emperor’s gaze was a bizarre object. Its shape resembled a bird, but it was made entirely of metal.
“It’s a Magic Airship developed by the Magic Tower not long ago.”
“Flight… Don’t tell me that thing can actually fly?”
“Yes, it was designed to carry up to 10 people.”
“Oh, oho… That’s quite…”
The Emperor’s eyes sparkled like a pure child’s. It was a similar reaction to the one he had when he saw the special carriage.
Franz could tell what that meant without even having to ask, so he withdrew the magic he was about to use.
“If you don’t mind, I would like to show off the Magic Tower’s pride and joy.”
“I would very much welcome that.”
“Are you sure it’s okay regarding your time with Princess Elizabeth?”
“Checking the achievements of the mages who will be responsible for the Empire’s future should take priority, shouldn’t it?”
He said that, but in reality, he probably just wanted to ride the Magic Airship.
As a man, Franz couldn’t help but understand that feeling, so he took the Emperor on board and took off in the Magic Airship.
“Meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life, even more so than meeting my wife.”
Anyway, the problem was that his praise was too excessive.
* * *
About a month after the Emperor visited the Magic Tower.
Franz had to spend an incredibly busy time, incomparable to anything before.
He had to hold meetings at the Imperial Palace regarding the installation of the spatial movement devices, and upon returning to the Magic Tower, he had to process materials and ponder over improvements.
He also had to deal with the Gates appearing all over the place and even conduct practical training, so it was truly a situation where even with ten pairs of hands, it wouldn’t be enough.
Thus, at present, with a flash of light, Franz arrived before Duke Esteban. Several mages were with him; they were members of the Magic Tool Development Department.
“Franz…!”
Turning his head at the sudden voice, he saw someone with red hair running eagerly toward him.
However, her movements were quite extraordinary. With every step she took, she seemed to advance several meters.
“It’s been a while, Franz.”
Arriving right in front of him, Yuna smiled brightly and greeted him. Her tone was so calm it was hard to believe she had been running just a moment ago, and there wasn’t a single drop of sweat on her forehead.
“Sorry, I’ve been really busy lately.”
“It’s okay. More importantly, is it the spatial movement device for today? You said you were installing it, right?”
“Yeah, this is the first one in the Empire.”
More accurately, it should be called the first on the continent.
Today was the day Franz’s masterpiece, the spatial movement device, finally revealed itself to the world.