Several days had passed since Marlyno's rescue and the exposure of the heinous deeds of a certain baron.

  After a brief respite, Aris and her panio out for the town's teleportation circle.

  turies ago, while spatial magid magical items with spatial attributes—such as ste pouches—were not exceedingly rare, teleportation circles were airely different matter.

  The creation of a teleportation circle demanded both time and resources fraving. Moreover, it required a practitihly skilled in spatial magic. Sudividuals were either extraordinarily powerful—capable of bypassing the usual restris imposed by elemental affio wield advanced spatial magic—or naturally rare in their affinity for space magic. Both faade the widespread use of teleportation circles virtually impossible.

  Even when a teleportation circle was successfully engraved, its use remained limited. The immense energy required for teleportation, bined with straints on travel distand capacity, meant these circles were reserved fent unication or emergencies.

  However, as ages passed, progress transformed the ndscape. The advent of magical engineering—a fusion of alchemy, magid sce—brought forth innovations and devices that made life increasingly ve.

  Today, magical items had rgely been repced by magical devices. These devices were ubiquitous: magietworks, magic crystal boards, water supply systems, and vehicles were all powered by magical engineering.

  “Then, does that mean your ons are eople only call ‘magids’?”

  As they jouroward the teleportation circle, Sisi provided a detailed expnation of magical engineering and devices. She expihat the long staffs she and Mira wielded during practice, along with Marlyno's colossal sword, were all teically “magids”—a type of magical device.

  “Yes. The proper name for a magid is ‘Energy Guidand trol Auxiliary Instrument.’ It aids in spellcasting, preps intations, and focuses magical energy, among other funs. Most children receive their first magid by the age of eight. If they want to upgrade its performanake adjustments ter, they sult a magical engineer for modifications.”

  Despite her frequeh issues, Sisi was remarkably knowledgeable. Though not a prodigy like Mira, her insights were o be uimated.

  “By the way, I imagine you two don’t yet have your own magids, do you? Would you like to have one ade when we reach the Imperial Capital?”

  Sisi recalled that, unlike herself and others, Aris had never wielded a on in battle.

  “I’ve always been curious about magical engineering,” Farkonia remarked, intrigued by how it had reshaped the world.

  “Ah, but Aris...”

  Sisi hesitated, remembering Aris’s past. As a former saintess of the Holy Light Church, Aris had been bound by strict does that forbade the use of magical devices.

  One might wonder how a nation so steeped in outdated principles had mao flourish—perhaps only through divine blessings.

  “I’ve used one before,” Aris admitted softly.

  Before her fall into the abyss, when pursued by inquisitorial knights, she had employed a magical bomb—a device she had secretly obtained in preparation for such a moment.

  “Well then, I would also like to see one,” Aris added.

  “Of course. I know someoh siderable expertise in magical engineering,” Sisi replied with a smile.

  By the time their discussion ehey had arrived at the teleportation pza.

  The pza bustled with civilians and mert caravans queued for teleportation. At the front, individuals paid their fees before stepping onto the circle to be transported.

  “Excuse me, are you here to use the teleportation circle? Please join the end of the line,” a soldier in light armor instructed, gesturing toward the queue.

  “Here, this,” Misako said, presenting a dot marked with a special seal.

  “This... this is... esteemed guests, please e this way!”

  Upnizing the seal, the soldier’s demeanor ged, being far more respectful.

  “It seems the pass the Lave us is quite effective,” Aris noted with a wry smile.

  After exposing the baron’s crimes, the Lord had granted Misako a special pass to bypass the usual lines for teleportation. While the pass was valid only in this city, it sufficed for their purposes.

  “Please stand at the ter of the teleportation circle. firming the destination—are you heading to the Imperial Capital?”

  “That is correct.”

  “Uood. Initiating teleportation.”

  “That was uedly... not unpleasant,” Aris remarked as they arrived, surprised by the smooth experience.

  “stant improvements,” Misako expined. “sidering some people struggle with teleportation, the process has been optimized for fort.”

  Such refis had been well-received, as severe cases of disfort ofteo individuals developing an aversion to teleportation.

  Looking around, the sery had ged dramatically. The architecture here was far more elegant than that of the town they had left, and the streets were bustling with rger crowds. Nearby, teleportation circles buzzed with activity as people arrived from various destinations.

  “We should find a pce to stay first, theo the ‘Alliance of All Things Living,’” Misako said, sulting a map provided by the local branch president. It marked several reended inns.

  “Whie do you prefer?” she asked.

  “Just oh good soundproofing,” Elyssa replied, her motives unclear.

  “Oh? Perhaps oh... couples’ rooms?” Misako teased.

  “That’s not...!” Elyssa protested, realizing her reaight seem suspicious.

  “Don’t worry. The inns here all maintain excellent soundproofing,” Sisi assured her.

  “sidering everything, I suggest this one—”

  “Apologies for the interruptioeemed guests,” a voice said from behind.

  Turning, they saw a rabbit-eared girl dressed in a maid-like uniform bow politely.

  “I belong to the ‘Alliance of All Living Things.’ Please follow me.”

  “How did you know we’d arrive here?” Aris asked, her tone wary.

  “Our members are well-informed, and we are aware of your tributions,” the girl replied calmly.

  While her response was reasohe timi uling.

  “Rest assured, we mean no harm. On the trary, we deeply value your assistance.”

  “Very well. Lead the way.”

  Finding no signs of deception or hostility, and given the Alliance’s solid reputation, Misako and the others decided to trust her—for now.

  “Uood. This lease.”

  With another bow, the maid led Aris and her panions toward the Alliance headquarters at the heart of the Imperial Capital.