Teto, Selene, and I were now facing Prince Gyunton and Rollwalker after sending back the adventurers, guards, and members of Princess Seleneril's search party that had gathered in the guild's reception room.
"Any lie is meaningless in front of me. So you can go in and out of the «Empty Wilderness», don't you, Adventurer Chise?"
"You're right."
"The meaning of contract changes drastically by adding this fact."
Prince Gyunton then told us the story passed down to each nation about the «Empty Wilderness».
It was nothing but a mere plain without anything but once upon a time, a magic civilization prospered in that land, and the result of that civilization's recklessness was the birth of now ruined wilderness.
The goddess thus declared their deed taboo and erected a barrier on that land so as to keep the magic knowledge and magic tools, which a part of mankind used to bring forth catastrophe, away from the rest of the world.
And that's why, inside the barrier was the remains of that ancient magic civilization 一一 was what the story was about.
"Well, it's such a big land that there must be ore veins in it even if we remove ancient magic civilization from the picture."
"Hmm, that possibility isn't low."
After hearing Prince Gyunton's side of the story, while there wasn't anything left on the surface, the magic tools of that era might have been left behind underground, or so I thought.
The mana density was still low but it has been slowly recovering inside the barrier so there might be a need to search for those magic tools before they run rampant.
Though I guess that's the story for 100 years later in the future, let's put it aside for now.
"So, you're not going to tie a contract, is it?"
"No, I will sign. In the end, even if there are people who can go in, it's not like we're capable of doing the same thing. However, I do hope that you give our country preference first when you think about selling the things you got from the «Empty Wilderness». And of course, we will buy them at their right price."
Hmm, this is quite a difficult matter.
Who knows there might not be any magic tool left behind or maybe the ore veins were already emptied out by the civilization 2000 years ago.
But speaking conversely, I could also sell the magic tools I would make with «Creation Magic» to the beastkin royalty since they wouldn't know anything without knowing what's inside the «Empty Wilderness».
While I was wondering mentally, Prince Gyunton looked at me with his vertical slit eyes characteristic of tigers.
"To be honest, not concluding this contract might also be a good option. I don't know the method but if there's someone who can enter the «Empty Wilderness», we might be able to get new territory under our command by controlling that person."
"Your Majesty..."
"No, it's fine. However, you guys are the saviors of Princess Seleneril. Should I cause you harm, our relationship with the Iska Kingdom would be in peril. Besides, there are very few people in the Gard Beastkin Nation who can use magic so we might also lose in the race of magic technology with the other countries."
If there are an nth number of magicians, it also means there are equally nth numbers of magic researchers too which is connected to the difference in basic research of magic.
They require the dungeon core 一 a huge and useful magic stone 一 as a magic catalyst in order to not lose against the other countries in the competition too.
There were also other benefits as by chipping off the part of a big magic stone of a dungeon core, they can produce tens of magic weapons like magic swords and if you combine the beastkin with their top-notch physical abilities with magic weapons, it can become a strong military power to protect their nation.
"In that case, prioritizing the dungeon core while also forming a harmonious relationship with excellent magicians who can move in and out of that barrier would be more beneficial."
They have looked at themselves and the other race objectively and understand where their strong and weak points lie.
Even I felt a bit moved by his calculative yet sincere opinion.
"I appreciate your sincere response. Is the contract with its initial terms alright with you?"
"Yes, I have already checked it. Then, let's begin the process again."
This way, we obtained the ownership of the part of the «Empty Wilderness» facing Gard Beastkin Nation in exchange for the dungeon core.
Teto looked at the dungeon core handed to Prince Gyunton with melancholic eyes though I got her in a good mood when I presented her with a large size magic stone I had made with 100,000 units of my mana through «Magic Creation» once we returned home.
Now, what we ought to do is to prepare for our travel to the Iska Kingdom where Selene's father, the King, was in two weeks.
The first part to prepare for this journey was to solidify Selene's defense.
"There must be a lot of people aiming for the Princess."
Even if we remove the already destroyed Evil Cult from the equation, there should be many who would want to abduct her for quick money or to make up a lie and turn it into an established fact like forcing her into a marriage.
Besides them, there could be aristocrats who might use methods like poisoning, assassination, or premeditated murder to kill her.
"First is to strengthen Selene herself. Skills that can be helpful even for her debut in the aristocratic society......"
I searched for the necessary skills while looking at the collection of skills I had bought in the town.
First of all, she would be able to keep herself dignified if she has the «Etiquette» skill.
Similarly, it would be fine as long as Teto and I also have the minimum necessary level of the «Etiquette» skill so I created some skill orbs and used them to grant us the skill.
"Next is a magic tool to defend."
For protection, I prepared magic tools that would be effective for gas proofing or ones that would erect a strong barrier in case of emergency.
"The last is to prepare something she can use to escape at any moment."
There's no telling if the King of the Iska kingdom would be a good father even if he's Selene's father.
There must be something she can use to promptly distance herself in case he forces her to do something against her will.
"Using the 50 pieces of magic crystals that could store 10000 units of mana eachー一«Creation: Transfer gate». Ah, this is just for one side."
I tried making a «Transfer Gate» magic tool with creation magic that needed 500,000 units of mana.
It's a tool that had multiple useful applications so I unhesitatingly used the 1 million unit mana stored in the magic crystals immediately.
I personally was unable to learn teleportation magic like «Space Magic» so I couldn't return to the «Empty Wilderness» instantly anytime I wanted.
So I pondered about it and then came up with the idea to install one side of the «Transfer Gate» in our base inside the «Empty Wilderness» while I can carry the other side of the «Transfer Gate» with me in my magic bag so I can use it to return when necessary.
What's more, it's possible to adjust the transfer gate such that only those whose mana signature is registered can pass through it.
I also upgraded various other items like the one item that manages and controls the situation in the «Empty Wilderness» in addition to the tools I prepared to give to Selene.
Just as I was preparing for the journey, Selene asked meー一
"Hey, Okaa-san."
"What is it, Selene?"
"I want to go to the neighboring kingdom's royal capital with Okaa-san and Teto onee-chan."
"Hmm, I think it would be one month's journey if everything proceed as planned."
"It's so bothersome. Such a long trip......"
I also agree with this.
Well, it would be a problem for us to head to the royal capital of Iska kingdom with just us alone using the magic carpet while leaving behind the people who had come here in search of Selene and it was unnecessary and troublesome to create another transportation magic tool to carry them with us.
"Well, it's bothersome but it's also fun, no? And it's the royal capital, Okaa-san! You can take your adventurer rank-up test too!"
"Ahー, so perceptive of you."
If Adventurers, who move from one country to another on a whim, want to be promoted to A-rank, they must take a rank-up test in the royal capital city of any nation.
"You can use this chance to take on the test! And then, Okaa-san and Teto onee-chan will become A-rank Adventurers! Isn't it amazing?!"
"Hmm, you're not wrong."
To protect Selene, a backer was also necessary.
A-rank adventurers are treated as quasi-aristocrat by each country and, depending on the situation, I heard they are appointed as Knights or Court Mages and they can even be conferred peerage.
Selene's foster mother should be someone better than just a simple adventurer.
"Hmm, you're right. For Selene, your mother will work hard."
"I am also aiming for A-rank for the sake of Majou-sama and Selene!"
"A-aree? The reactions are different from what I thought, but good luck, Okaa-san, Teto onee-chan!"
Since it has come to this, I guess I must confirm when will be the rank-up test in the Iska kingdom.
The days passed in this way and soon, the appointed day arrived.
