Absolutely Do Not Touch Eldmia Egga – Chapter 63

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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Gates.

While demons were said to do crazy things like moving entire armies through gates in one go, for humans, it was still a distant dream.

Although they couldn’t move hundreds of people at once, gates still properly fulfilled their role as a means of transportation.

Thanks to this, in this half-baked fantasy world, gates reigned as the absolute means of transportation and shipping, sneering at airplanes and trains.

As it allowed spatial leaps, it was, quite naturally, incredibly expensive.

They claimed it was due to maintenance costs and the expenses of creating and maintaining a kind of battery that allowed even low-level magicians to open gates without any problems… but I had my doubts.

Personally, I thought that aside from the initial investment costs, it would probably be much cheaper than dragons, which had considerable food expenses.

Anyway.

There were two ways to use gates: either connecting and fixing them to the opposite gate, or connecting the passages each time like tuning a radio frequency.

Ordinary gates were, of course, the latter.

It wasn’t like dividing subway lines; considering management and maintenance, it was only natural.

Gates like the former were a kind of hotline, a privilege reserved for royalty or those of equivalent status.

Even most nobles had no occasion to use them.

It was said that using them without the king’s permission could result in immediate execution for treason, which was truly terrifying.

“This is also the gate we’ll be using today.”

Unlike when we left home, Lagnis, who was strangely tense, spoke while trying to maintain a calm attitude.

Even though the title of Margrave wasn’t an inferior position, even as she was rebuilding her power, she was unusually tense.

I couldn’t ask why she was so nervous after having even been kidnapped, because this visit to the Empire apparently held a lot of meaning for her.

After all, she was the Margrave of the kingdom’s frontline.

This wasn’t limited to just the kingdom, but also the frontline of the war between demons and humanity.

If the kingdom could hold out like this, she had the duty to someday take to the battlefield with the help of the hero to reclaim the territory.

For her to visit the Empire and showcase her skills while her magical talent was compared to the hero’s would likely have great significance in many ways.

Besides, it’s the hero, right? If things go well, wouldn’t they be of great help?

“If you’re too tense, even things that should work out won’t. Take a deep breath.”

“Is, is it that noticeable?”

“You’re like a wooden doll. You’re prettier, and more dignified than ever, so relax a little.”

“…R-Really?”

Since the first impression is always based on appearance and behavior, I thought I’d compliment her on that, even if it seemed materialistic.

But the response was better than I expected.

“Yes. Unless the hero is surrounded by only beautiful women, even the hero would be tempted, so don’t worry…”

“What are you saying, you madman!”

-Slap!

Lagnis, who had been blushing and smiling, suddenly turned serious and exploded with anger, slapping my ear with lightning speed.

It hurt so badly that tears almost came to my eyes, but she looked so genuinely angry that I couldn’t get mad or argue back.

I could only apologize blindly and cower.

No, why…?

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After a bright red handprint was left on my cheek, the carriage, which had become a very uncomfortable bed of thorns, quickly arrived at the gate, carrying an angry Lagnis and a cowering me.

I thought it might be hidden somewhere secretly, but there was nothing like that; it was just more heavily guarded in the central gate hall of the capital.

It was a new experience to actually set foot in a place I had only glimpsed in passing while living in the capital… but I couldn’t even show my excitement, as I was too busy watching out for the angry Lagnis.

As we got out of the carriage upon arrival, Radnelbandes, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, greeted us.

Despite it being a year, the giant warrior-like magician, with his unchanging physique was in more luxurious armor than I was used to seeing.

“It’s been a while! But why does your face look like that?”

The throbbing pain wasn’t my imagination, it seemed.

I wondered if it would swell up later.

“It’s been a long time, Lord Radnelbandes. This is… well, it just happened.”

“…Tsk tsk. Whatever it was, you should have been more careful.”

Was the accomplished battle mage a possessor of superior insight, able to guess unseen situations with just a few pieces of evidence?

Radnelbandes rolled his eyes between me and Lagnis just twice before clicking his tongue and patting my shoulder.

I was about to be moved by his touch, which seemed to comfort me as if I had been swept up in unjust violence.

Although there wasn’t much difference in size, Radnelbandes, who was still taller than me, leaned slightly to my ear and whispered something I hadn’t expected at all.

“If a person lacks tact, their body suffers. When dealing with women, one must be cautious. And cautious again.”

“No, didn’t you notice my innocence and encourage me?”

The tears of gratitude disappeared, and instead, indignation surged up.

When I reflexively objected, Radnelbandes shook his head without a moment’s hesitation.

“I can assure you, you have nothing to be innocent about. Remember my words. Whatever it was, make sure you take time later to think about the situation again.”

He answered with such firm and resolute eyes that I couldn’t argue any further.

Huh! Come on!

This body with a mental age exceeding 30 lacks tact?

Huh!

I’ll think about it, but there’s no way that’s possible.

…Is there?

“The Crown Prince said to have a good trip. He wanted to see you off personally, but since this invitation didn’t come through the kingdom, he said it would be difficult to do so due to appearances.”

Radnelbandes, who naturally conveyed the message to Lagnis, leaving me behind, seemed to say a few more things afterward.

Of course, I didn’t need to know that much, so I listened with one ear and let it out the other.

From what I could gather, it seemed to be about how the invitation method and the Empire’s intentions were obvious, but we should do our best, which told me that Lagnis had a lot to worry about.

“I was so flustered earlier that I couldn’t greet you properly, Lord Egga.”

While the two were talking, Renisa, the actual head of security, approached and greeted me.

She probably felt bad about just exchanging eye contact earlier.

“It’s only natural when preparing to guard the Margrave. I look forward to working with you for this short period.”

“I received a brief explanation. I heard you’ll be serving as secretary and guard, so I look forward to working with you as well.”

She was said to have originally served the Levien family, and indeed, she possessed extraordinary manners and loyalty.

It might have seemed awkward for someone like me, who was almost like a rolling stone, to take on the role of secretary, but I could feel that she completely trusted Lagnis’s judgment.

“Haha. Don’t worry. I’ve learned from the Ogatorf family, so I won’t do anything to tarnish the Margrave’s name.”

“Hohoho. That’s very reassuring.”

Despite everything, we would be colleagues wearing the same uniform for a week, so it was a good sign that we could start on friendly terms.

“Then, we’ll open the gate.”

While we were building a brief camaraderie with laughter, Radnelbandes and Lagnis, having finished their conversation, had the group wait according to the manager’s instructions.

As I approached her side as she gestured with a displeased expression, Lagnis looked at me with drowsy eyes and asked.

“You won’t be flustered by taking the gate like some country bumpkin, will you?”

For a moment, I almost mentioned that I had taken a gate to the demon realm just a few days ago.

It was supposed to be a confidential mission, but I almost blurted it out in an instant.

“I’m more curious about what the Empire’s territory will look like than taking the gate.”

I shrugged nonchalantly, barely suppressing the tickle in my throat.

“Well, we’ll be riding at least twice, so you’ll be able to look around for a bit.”

“Huh? Twice? Aren’t we going in one go?”

“Such long-distance travel is still impossible with human magical science.”

Ho-oh.

I thought it was omnipotent, but there were unexpected limitations.

While I was marveling at the fact that even demons couldn’t make such long-distance moves, the manager who had fixed the gate coordinates gave a hand signal, and the movement began.

Well, it wasn’t a big deal since I had already ridden one once.

It was just a matter of walking through.

It just took a little time for all the people who had been riding in carriages to get out and move, just in case.

“Ugh, shit.”

But personally, I wasn’t feeling well as my senses were confused once again.

Considering that other people don’t have many occasions to ride gates in their lives, it probably wasn’t because I wasn’t used to it, but maybe I was hypersensitive to magical power.

“It feels like all my senses are twisted.”

“Are you not feeling well?”

“No. I’m just a little dizzy.”

While waiting for the next gate to be prepared as the procession behind us followed, I tried to fidget a bit, hoping to find some clue about mana manipulation, but there was no particular gain.

Unlike the kingdom’s gate, the Empire’s gate seemed to have been prepared in advance and opened faster.

Before everyone behind us had arrived, we were already crossing through the next gate.

And so, the land of the Empire that I had stepped on for the first time in my life was far more incredible than I had imagined.

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