Chapter 328 - To Berliza!
On the day I had the discussion at the Anastasia Union, we held a meeting with the Kikyo Society’s top officials.
Through this, I laid out various plans for the future and boosted everyone’s morale.
Having a goal allows us to charge forward without hesitation. Troubles will inevitably come, but with the increasing number of members, our busy days will continue indefinitely.
People get into trouble when they have too much free time. It’s just right to be busy.
Moreover, looking to the future, there are many positive aspects. With the end of the war and the post-war development, our current operations will run much more smoothly. Our system in Exembra will become even more solid.
There are no dark clouds on the horizon. Everyone’s faces are bright, and the headquarters is filled with a lively atmosphere.
While it’s good that everyone will earn more, the impact of having a territory in Berliza is significant.
Berliza is the leading nation on the continent, and its capital is a bustling metropolis that even the thriving Exembra can’t rival. Establishing a presence there has many potential benefits.
Looking at the map in my room, I can’t help but think how well-positioned Berliza is.
The capital is located on a large bay in the central northern part of the continent, where the northern part of the continent juts out to the east and west like a large peninsula.
To the east are resource-rich countries with deep forests, and to the west are several countries and vast unexplored territories beyond the magical sea. Berliza serves as a key hub for trade and transportation due to its strategic location.
To the south, the great grain-producing region stretches to the Romariel Mountains, and to the north, there are seas and hundreds of islands. It’s impossible not to be prosperous.
Additionally, it’s a land where information and goods from outside the continent frequently enter, likely generating substantial profits through trade.
Setting aside the matters of the continent’s external affairs, the presence of the Magic Item Guild headquarters is significant. Just as my relationship with Lord Andar, the branch chief, improved our equipment, having a presence in a land with the guild headquarters would surely bring many benefits.
Initially, I only wanted to secure a small base for recruiting new members and gathering information. But now that we can get a territory, I might as well be a bit more ambitious.
The possibilities are truly expanding, and the idea of Berliza brings to mind a certain person.
The Fourth Princess of the Berliza Royal Family is known as the 'Evil Princess,' a famous figure.
She’s a unique individual who acts as a righteous avenger, eliminating evil in the shadows. However, she’s also a troublesome troublemaker who prioritizes flashy combat over collateral damage. Despite the 'Evil Princess' moniker, she’s a super star with many fans, both domestically and internationally, due to her impressive track record and beauty.
I’ve been following her closely and consider myself a fan. Going to Berliza might give me a chance to catch a glimpse of her from afar. The thought of it is quite exciting.
"But wait, if we keep doing shady things, she might come to eliminate us."
I am the head of an evil organization, so it’s in my nature to do bad things. Maybe it’s fate?
"What are you grinning about?"
"How can I not grin? After all, it’s the Evil Princess, the Evil Princess!"
I was lost in thought when Frederica entered the room.
"The protection will focus on the school and the dormitory, right? I don’t think we’ll meet the Evil Princess..."
"That’s right! She’s already graduated, which is quite disappointing."
The school her sister will attend is a prestigious academy for high-born women. It’s a school where royal daughters also study. If it had been a few years earlier, we could have had the Evil Princess as a student, which is a bit of a regret.
"Is it really necessary for you, Yukari, to go? You just returned from Rigaheim."
"Who else but me? It’s a direct request from the Leader of the Anastasia Union. It’s only right for me to respond."
Many members, including half of the top officials, volunteered to be teachers. But I used my president’s authority to take the position for myself.
Besides my interest in the Evil Princess, I’ve always wanted to visit Berliza and look forward to the challenges of a new environment. The time I spent in Rigaheim’s marine environment was difficult but enjoyable and helped improve my adaptability.
As president, I’m relatively free, and I have considerable teaching experience. In that sense, I’m the right person for the job.
Beyond that, there’s also the strategic benefit of forming a strong bond with the Leader.
Many members are eager to go to Berliza, so if we secure a territory, I plan to let them go in shifts. It might even inspire someone to come up with new business ideas.
"I see. I wish I could have gone with you."
"There will be opportunities for you to go. If we start new operations there, we’ll need a reliable person to manage the office, which could be you."
I would have liked to bring a few more members for additional protection, but the Leader explicitly forbade it. We need to do some groundwork for the territory transfer, so it’s best not to cause any unnecessary commotion for now.
There’s no rush. Let’s focus on the protection mission first.
"Still, this will be the first time you’ll be away for an entire season."
"True. It will be longer than my trip to the Medek-Legisamo Empire, but I’m not worried."
The major events to anticipate include the end of the war and the subsequent changes in the governance of the Kingdom of Brenark. There will be many unforeseen challenges, and I expect some troublesome requests from Rosmerta. Still, I’m confident that the organization can handle it, as I’ve been training everyone for such situations.
The second autumn Grand Arena, which will be held for the second time, is another important event. Given the timing, it should be a successful and lively event, and I’m confident the Security Bureau can manage it well.
"We’ll be more disciplined in your absence. No worries."
"Why?"
"Hehe, I suppose everyone wants to prove they’re reliable."
That’s a good thing. Even in my absence, it’s good to maintain a strong presence.
"Alright, it’s a relief not to worry about Exembra."
In fact, if anything happened to her sister, the Kikyo Society and the Anastasia Union might become irreconcilable enemies, and the peace in Exembra would be shattered.
This mission is critically important. Given that the Leader is asking an outsider like me, there must be significant risks involved.
I also plan to bring along some protective magic items, which I’ll inquire about from various sources.
"Alright, I’ll head to Torietta’s place."
"Are you going to say goodbye before your long absence? If you’re going to Brillonvest, bring the additional metal threads."
"Sure, I’ll also stock up the special storage before we leave."
"Thank you."
We have many personal connections beyond our organizational ties. I also take on personal jobs and provide financial support to some people. Before leaving for Berliza, I visited these people to fulfill my obligations.
As the organization grows, the number of people we interact with increases, which contributes to our strong presence in Exembra.
Time flew by, and the day of departure for Berliza arrived.
Early in the morning, I, as the teacher, and five students, were heading to the Anastasia Union’s headquarters. The six of us would be responsible for protecting her sister.
The five students were chosen based on their ability to blend in with her sister’s age group, their combat skills, and the need to be with her constantly. Her sister’s opinion was also considered in the selection.
The three chosen for personal reasons, at her sister’s request, were Security Chief Valeria, First Combat Unit Gochou Roberta, and Second Combat Unit Gochou Violante. Information Bureau Deputy Raira and Security Bureau Deputy Harriet were also included. All five are formidable fighters, comparable to Anastasia Union’s top officials.
Valeria has sharp senses and excellent tracking skills. Roberta has versatile illusion magic, and Violante’s adaptable wind magic is very useful.
Raira will help gather information on people coming and going from the school, and Harriet, recommended by Security Chief Zenobia, specializes in VIP protection.
With the five, myself, and our magic items, I believe we can handle the protection mission effectively.
The main challenge is the length of the mission, which could lead to complacency. We must avoid thinking “just today” or “just a little bit” and stay vigilant.
Another challenge is that we can’t be too obvious about our protection role.
It would be strange for a well-secured school for noble girls to have several personal guards from the Anastasia Union, especially for a student expected to become a future guard herself. Given that this stems from the Anastasia Union’s internal issues, they wouldn’t want to publicize it.
The school administration might be informed by the Leader, but the students, unaware of the situation, might find it suspicious. Complaints from disgruntled students could escalate to their influential parents, causing complications.
While it’s not absolutely necessary to keep it a secret, we plan to avoid drawing attention to our protective role. The same goes for my role as a teacher.
Given the circumstances, we can’t make a flashy entrance. We can’t use the Bloomstar Galaxy, so we’ll use armored vehicles for the journey. While they might be noticeable, they’re common in a school for noble girls, so they shouldn’t cause issues.
As we arrived in two armored vehicles, her sister was surrounded by the Leader and others who seemed to be seeing her off.
Her sister, despite being a young lady, is well-liked, probably due to her good nature. I parked the vehicle and approached slowly.
"Quite a lively scene this early in the morning."
"Good morning. I’ll be under your care for a while."
"It’s fine. I have my own reasons. Leader, I’ll take it from here."
"Please take care of her."
The Leader briefly acknowledged me and looked at his sister as she got into the vehicle.
"Sigurdnaught, make the most of this opportunity. Enjoy your time in Berliza."
"Brother, I was looking forward to studying in Berliza. I can’t dwell on foolish people."
"That’s the right attitude. Farewell."
The Leader turned away, and the others followed.
The Anastasia Union members are not accompanying us, as we are capable of handling the mission and have earned the trust of both the Leader and his sister.
"If we don’t have any stops, we’ll head straight to Berliza."
"Are you going to drive the whole way?"
"I’ll drive until I’m tired."
Travel is always enjoyable. Even before we leave the city, I feel a sense of excitement.
Once we’re on the open road, the journey truly begins.
"Alright, let’s hit the road!"
"Hit the road..."
We chose armored vehicles not just for her sister’s safety during the journey but also because they can handle the speed when the limiter is removed.
We reinforced the vehicle structure before departure and studied how to handle any issues that might arise. Perfect!
Navigating unpaved roads at high speed is one of my magical skills.
Our destination is quite far, and taking a sea route from Rigaheim would take longer. Traveling by land is faster, and I have no intention of taking it slow.
Considering the straight-line distance, it’s at least 6,000 kilometers to the capital of Berliza. If we travel at a normal pace, it would take over ten days, no matter how hard we try. I aim to make the trip in about three days.
"Hehe, I’ll set a new record."
"Wait, what are you planning to do?"
"You’ll see my true potential!"
We slowly left the city and entered the wilderness. I’ll give Roberta, who’s driving the second vehicle, a pep talk.
"This is Shinogami. Roberta, keep up!"
"I’m ready!"
"Great!"
"Wait, you—"
The armored vehicle accelerated smoothly.
With capable people back in Exembra, I can focus solely on the road ahead. There’s nothing more exhilarating than this.
A new adventure begins!
We’ve been mentioning Berliza by name for a long time, but now we’re finally heading to the most prosperous country on the continent.
In this new country, city, and school, many things are sure to happen.
This new chapter will be a long journey. Please look forward to it!