The Skrull Empire. That's the name of the empire that controls the entire land that spreads further north of the Canovaria Kingdom. The power of the Skrull Empire is tremendous, winning a series of wars hundreds of years ago and expanding its territory to the present.

　The Canovaria Kingdom was not swallowed up, but most of the other kingdoms came under the control of the Skrull Empire. But now, however, there's no severe oppression, and we're functioning as a normal, large country. It's a good thing that we have a normal trade with our kingdom. I'm sure you'll find that people come and go to the empire and to the kingdom.

　I've heard that Leif Allan is in the imperial capital of the Empire.

　Leif Allan. Its name is world famous. Even I, who's not very well versed in the world, know him. He has achieved many great feats in spite of his unfortunate position as an adventurer. In the beginning, he didn't work in the labyrinth, but hunted demons for a living, but in the past few years, he began to capture the labyrinth. A few months ago, he conquered the third maze. This is truly an unprecedented achievement. I am in awe of him.

　And we were on our way to the Skrull Empire to meet this person.

''Haha, I'm used to traveling by carriage.
I don't like the shake ups, though.
It's about half a day's travel time, right?　Then.....
Yeah. We should be there soon.

　Fee, me, and Monica got into the carriage to get around. It's tiring to move around so much these days, but it can't be helped. It's okay if you think this is all connected to the crops. Besides, now is the time to put the research aside. It will be a few months before we get the results, which is just fine. I've left the care of Proto, No. 1 and the others to Rita and Alice. ''Leave it to me!　I'll turn it into a fine vegetable! Rita had been talking about it boldly, but I guess Rita has that kind of talent. It might be a good idea for her to become a teacher in the future, just like me.

Checkpoint. You'll need a badge and a permit, both of you.
Okay.
I understand.


　We reach the gates of the imperial city, and we proceed to the checkpoint. We get out of the carriage, pay the money, and then line up one by one. Since we are alchemists belonging to the association, our badges and the permission slip from the association are our identification.

What do you want?
Can you just shut up and let me through with this?

　Fee bribes the person doing the checkpointing. It's quite a bit of money. It must be a mind-blowing thing.

"You're an alchemist. Do you have a permit?
Yes, for three.
'Check. Alfira Medis, Elwydd Willis, Monica Dunn ... hmm?　Elweed?　You don't mean a jasper-class Blue Star alchemist?　No, silly. Such a celebrity....
It's a badge. It's real.

　I show them my blue-glowing badge. And the other guy sees it and starts to tremble.

'Seriously?'
Yes, sir. It's just a couple of things. I'd appreciate it if you didn't pry.
Okay, all right. All three of you, please.

　Even though Monica was a subhuman, she didn't say anything in particular. The fact that she is my companion must have worked.

''Oooohhhh........it's big.......''

　Monica exclaims in admiration. I've never been to the Empire before either, but it's much bigger than the Kingdom. This imperial capital is the center of the empire. It's the center on which many kingdoms are built. I knew it was bigger than the Kingdom of Canovaria, but I didn't expect it to be this big....

　First of all, the number of structures is different, and the number of roads running through it is also very different. The extreme is the number of people. The population is several times larger than that of the Kingdom of Canovaria. The population density is overwhelming.

This isn't a festival either, is it?
Yes. It's partly because it's a holiday and partly because it's so many.
'You're used to it, Mr. Fee, aren't you?
Hmm?　Oh I come here a lot because of my job. And as a nobleman, I have parties and stuff.
'You've never been here before, Elle?'
'Come to think of it, Fee asked me once, but I didn't come because I was in the thick of my research at the time. It's a complete first. So, Fee. Where are we going first?
The Society. I have to say hello to Clarice, the president of this place.

　And so we managed to make our way through the crowd to the Skrull Empire's Alchemy Society.

''This is........the society here? It's huge.

　My impression can be summed up in one word: huge. Yes, it's huge. The Kingdom of Canovaria feels long and narrow. Rather than big, it's long. But the Skrull Empire's is wide and wide, and my only impression is that it's huge.

　It's wide and deep horizontally. But it's not big vertically, and at a cursory glance, it's probably about five floors.

''Well, let's go,''

　When we walked in, the place was crowded with all kinds of people. This is the most populated country in the world. There are more alchemists than any other country in the world. There is a reception beyond the entrance, and on either side of it is a bar, or something like a cafe is attached to it. They are probably exchanging information there.

I'm not sure.　Is it Lady Arsufilla?

　The woman at the reception desk says this, and Fee replies with a smirk.

'Yes. 'Is Clarice here now?'
I'm sorry. The chairman isn't home at the moment...
What's going on?
'Everything seems to have gone wrong in the west of the Empire, so I've got to deal with the aftermath. But we'll be back tomorrow.
Yeah. All right.
Oh, um ... who are you two?　In case you're an alchemist, I'd like to see your badge...

　We had taken our badges off at the checkpoint earlier, so they weren't on the collars of our clothes now. No matter how well we know each other, no matter how much we know Fee's companion, it would be important to check.

　Me and Monica quickly put the badge on the collar.

　Monica wears a platinum class badge and I wear a blue star class badge. Then the receptionist made a blank look.

Is it possible that you are........a Blue Star class alchemist, Elweed Willis?
'Yeah, you're right. That's going to work, right?
'Yeah!　Are you sure it's that azure-class "Bluesteller"?
Yeah. Here's for proof.

　I smelt a rose from my right hand without a smelting formation and give it to the woman at the reception desk. Send flowers to the woman. By the way, these are Fee's words.

I'm not going to be able to get it right.　That's the real thing!　Now, sign me up!

　He hands me an autograph paper and pen that he pulls out of nowhere, and I'm confused, but I'm used to it in the kingdom, so I make it quick.

'Here you go,'
''Ohhhhh.......I'm going to make this an heirloom!　Thank you!

　Later, a large number of women came from behind the reception desk and begged me for an autograph. Fee and Monica said, "I'm having tea over there," and disappeared.

　

　I finished signing dozens of autographs and there was another crowd of people behind me.

''Are you really a blue star class [Bluesteller]?''
A kid like this?
'No, but Elweed Willis is sixteen years old. That's about right.
Well it certainly has an air about it.
This is the world's greatest alchemist...

　The alchemists who had been buzzing around earlier, from a strong man to a woman, look at me slyly.

''Hahaha it's nice to meet you, I'm Elwyd Willis haha.

Hey, he's talking.
Will someone ask me something?
You go ahead.
No, I'll take care of this.
No, it was me.

　The pressure of the people coming at me pushes me, but it's a hassle, so I use alchemy to wind them all back a step on the spot.

''Really....''
Did you just see the formation?
'No but it could be carved into your body...'
'No, there was no sign of that now. Because what's carved into my body is faintly luminous.
Does that mean it's real?
It's real!
Here comes Bluesteller.
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　It looks like this is going to be another dispute.....Hohoho.

　And I was greeted by the alchemists of the empire, for better or worse.

　God of crops, help me.........