I can't tell you how many times I've spent the night in the shade of a rock since we left Razhuisen.

'I heard it wasn't far, but when are we going to get to Heilkwaite?'
'Hail Kuwait? .........No, this carriage is headed for Artemias.
What?
Of course that is the right destination. But if you are leaving from the capital, you have to go through Artemias once in order to get to Heilkwaite, otherwise you would be in the country illegally. Otherwise, you would be in the country illegally.
Illegal aliens? How would they know?
'You mustn't, Masamune. You need to make sure those things are done right and not misrepresented, or it will be horrible later.
Horrible things?
If they find out later, they will be expelled from school. We can't allow illegal aliens to attend school.
What a pain in the ass.

　Apparently, it is common sense.
　But Reinhardt would never have guessed it.
　I'm an otherworlder, and from the point of view of the locals, I'm an insane person.

"What kind of country is Artemias? They don't know the Toa either.
It's a nation that thrives on its own technology called the Trifal. It is known as a fortress city, and although it is a great nation, there are many rumors about it.
"Tryfarr? Toa asks again.
'I'm referring to the technology used to create magical tools. The huge defensive wall that surrounds the city of Artemias is also built using this technology. It is said that the magic tools created in Tri-Far are advanced and far superior to anything else out there.
Then I'll have to buy some things. I've got the money.
That would be impossible.
Impossible?
'Not so. Artemias doesn't allow any technology, knowledge, or magical equipment related to the Trifaal to leave the country. It is forbidden to take anything out of the country.
You mean it's not for sale?
They're sold, yes, but only in authorized stores in the country. But you can't take them out of the country, so they're all confiscated at the checkpoint when you leave.
I'd be able to get by with the different space storage.
'In case you're wondering, what would happen if you took it out?
'That would be a death penalty, of course. Artemias is a country where the law is very strict.
Tough?
'Yes. When I say "yes," that means that you are protected that much. By paying taxes, the people are guaranteed a certain standard of living, including treatment for sickness and injuries. The same is true for foreigners, including adventurers and merchants, who come to this country. In exchange for the cost of your stay, any problems that occur during your stay. In the event of theft, for example, the entire cost of entry is covered.
It's a nice country.
Yes, but on the other hand, those who break the law will be killed without mercy.
Kill?　Is that a metaphor for something?
No, I meant it.
Hmmm........what an extreme country. The point is, we have a monopoly on advanced technology.
That's one way to look at it, but it doesn't seem to be a monopoly either, since it means that tryfals are only traded between nations for a high price.
Hey, isn't that the one?

　He turned at the sound of Toa's voice and looked out of the carriage. A pleasant breeze passed by.

''Yes. That's the fortress city - Artemias.
It's bigger than I thought it would be. No, it's too big!

　I couldn't contain my excitement.
　It was nothing compared to Rathhausen.
　A barrier so big that it overlapped with the clouds, its presence was terrific and terrifying.

'It's big! Nemu is excited. Apparently it's the first time I've seen it, except for Sierra.
"You can build a wall that big. You'll want to protect it, right?

　Apparently my other world was only just beginning.
　And that's when I was impressed.
　The light wind from earlier suddenly increased, and I heard an unpleasant sound from somewhere in the distance that was grating on my ears.

''Hey, don't you hear something?'' The two wondered after Toa. 'That's a squeal, isn't it?'
'There's a smell I don't know about,' said Nem, flicking his nose dexterously.
'Look, there's a carriage coming from over there.

　In the midst of the liberating wilderness, I could see a single carriage approaching at breakneck speed from the left of my direction of travel.
　Behind it, something extraordinary was approaching from above.

''Hmm?　Is something flying? I looked at it with my eyes.
'It's a dragon!
'No!　If we go on like this, we'll be hit by a carriage!
Sir!　Please get me!

　The tense voice of the driver's uncle.
　Immediately afterwards, a sudden brake was applied and the carriage shook loudly.

''Masamune!''
Hang on!

　We froze in one place and stepped down.
　After a while, the carriage stopped.

Aurigaoka, with a cold sweat on his face, said, "I'm sorry.
''No, it was a wise decision.

　But it's not unreasonable.
　Because what I saw above me was a dragon, as Nem was right.

'Masamune!　I see a dragon in the sky!
I'm sure you'll be able to recognize it when you see it.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on one, but also a lot of other things.
　I've seen it out of an airport window one day, this is a living airplane.
　It's not even a metaphor for a giant body.
　It moves along, its wings hiding the sky, with a sandstorm looming behind it.

'That luxury carriage looks like it's being chased,' whatever happened to the red dragon was tracking the carriage closely.
'Luxury carriage? .....

　Sierra leans out the window and stares at the carriage in the distance.

'That one! --
Hmm, what's going on?
There is no doubt about it. It's the coat of arms of House Artemias.
'Does that mean that that carriage has a heavyweight Artemias in it?
'From the exterior, it must have a reasonable status. It's similar to the one Her Majesty used to use.

　Does Mr. Arnold ride something that fancy, too?
　No, Alford said. He said he would be licked for being mediocre.

'Masamune, at this rate, that carriage....
I have no doubt that the guy inside will die. It's a dragon. It's like a dream.
Can I help you?
Help?
Sierra, are you serious?
'I can't!　The master is going to be flattened too!

　Nem is worried about me for the first time in a long time.

'Toa, can you see the status?'
'Yeah. Sierra, me and Masamune can see the status of the creature, but that dragon, that dragon, has a level of over 300.
Nah! Sierra's expression twitched.

　Auriga stopped the carriage, suggesting that it would be better to wait here for a while.

"In addition, it even has a cute name like 'Hardy de Stein Van Gogh'. No monster I've ever met had a name like that...
That's because dragons are not monsters. Dragons have a certain level of intelligence and understand human language. Is this the first time Masamune has seen a dragon?
Of course.
'I see. Dragons are a race that stands at the top of all races. I read in a book sometime ago that they have the magical power of the demon race and the physical abilities of the beast race.

　As she spoke, Sierra's eyes were sparkling like never before.
　It was probably the first time Sierra herself had seen it.

'You're glad you went on the trip, aren't you?
....

　Sierra's cheeks flushed and she almost turned over in embarrassment.

'Yes!' I replied with a big smile, not faking it.
''For example, if there were royalty riding in that carriage, would they give me that carriage if I helped them?
'You're into that sort of thing,' wondered Toa.
No, I don't. I don't care what you do, but if you're going to help, you'll want something in return.　We're adventurers.
Well, yeah.
Like, say, Trifurcation.
'I don't know. Masamune must be a bad person to put his life on the balance.
I can be a bad person. But doesn't Sierra want you to come to her aid?
Eh....
Didn't you say so earlier?
'....Yes. I said it," he said, embarrassed as if he'd been blindsided.
'The reason doesn't matter to the other side. It doesn't matter to the other side, as long as you help us. Right?
I think so.
Well, I'm going to go out for a bit.
'Master, but he's that big!
I'm twice his level. I'm twice as good as him, and he's not short of enemies. And I'm probably faster than you when I can't even keep up with the carriage.
Masamune, of course that's an Artemias carriage.
...Oh, the try-foul.
'Yes, sir. 'It's probably loaded with something to enhance its speed. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gotten away with it.

　It's easy to overlook these areas. I'm glad Sierra is here.

'Even so, it's still the same. Then I'm off to slay the dragons!