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Inglis’ group once again returned to Vilma’s flying battleship and docked in the aerial territory known as Highland. The dock for the flying battleship, located underground, dwarfed the Flygear dock owned by the Knight Academy on the shores of Lake Vault in both scale and technological prowess.

Around them, several other battleships were moored, creating a spectacular sight. There were likely dozens of them. Charalia had only two battleships: one lent by Special Envoy Theodore for the Holy Knight Order and the other, the flagship of the Arcane Warden Order, captured from the Venefique army. Even though these ships seemed to be operated with relatively small crews, the sheer difference in military strength compared to Charalia, a major power in the Midland, was stark.

In addition, several unfamiliar devices were seen flying through the air, transporting materials and other items. Unmanned mechanical hands received these items, engaging in tasks like repairing the battleships or assembling new ones — something unheard of in Midland.

“W-, whoa… are those trolleys flying on their own…?”
“And those iron hands…they seem to be assembling battleships on their own…?”
“Th-, this is all so advanced, I can’t make heads or tails of it…everything is so different from Midland…”

Rafinha, Leone, and Liselotte were in awe, looking around, stupefied.

“What a sight…”

Mused Inglis. She could feel the complex and bizarre movement of mana from the equipment and parts all over the place. At the root, these facilities were probably controlled by magical phenomena, yet they were impossible to analyze. These devices were automatically controlled and powered by a source of mana, essentially acting as terribly advanced and precise Artifacts.

“…it’s overwhelming.”

Eris, who perhaps hadn’t paid much attention to this place before, also looked stunned.

“It’s no wonder you’re surprised. Our Illuminas main island’s grand workshop is unparalleled in all of Highland. There’s nothing else that can compare. Now, this way.”

Vilma urged Inglis and the others to descend from the bridge onto the pier where the flying battleship was moored.

“That’s the Duke of Art’s stronghold, alright…”

Walking behind Vilma, Inglis inquired.

“We also deliver the weapons manufactured here to the Duke of War and Duke of Law. The three major factions support each other.”
“There don’t seem to be many people…? Is it mostly unmanned here?”
“We’re in a state of emergency right now. The main island has fallen into the sea, so everyone is probably out trying to restore order. If there’s damage in the city, we also need to carry out rescue operations.”
“I see…”
“Then, rather than just us descending, wouldn’t it be better for the other soldiers to come along…?”
“What other soldiers?”

At Rafinha’s words, Vilma turned around. There were supposed to be Vilma’s subordinates on the deck until a moment ago, but their figures had disappeared.

“Huh…?”
“They have already returned.”
“Returned? Where…?”
“To the pseudo-lifeform body pool… They were created solely for the purpose of operating that battleship; they can’t do anything else.”
“What…?! Th-, those people weren’t human…?!”
“No, they weren’t.”
“Th-, they didn’t seem that way at all… I thought they were just quiet individuals…”
“Wh-, what unbelievable technological prowess…”
“R-, right, everything about this land is…”

Once again, Rafinha and the others were taken aback.

“Are they incredibly advanced golems that understand human speech…?”
“If you want to think of it that way, it’s fine.”
“I see…”

In the memories of Inglis’ past life, golems were greatly influenced by the materials they were based on. If the golems were indistinguishable from humans at first glance, that meant the material they were made from was— it might be better not to think about it further.

“I don’t understand the technical details. I’m just a knight.”

Perhaps Vilma’s status was comparable to that of Rahal and Faris, the parent-child duo who became Highlanders. However, being entrusted with the battleship and serving as an envoy for Special Envoy Theodore’s mission might have positioned her in a more prominent role among other knights. Vilma served under the Duke of Art, part of the Duke’s Party, while Rahal and Faris were affiliated with the Church’s Union. This distinction might create differences among them.

“Alright… halt.”

Vilma stopped at one of the passages leading from the vast space of the grand workshop to another area.

“A shimmering wall… a barrier?”

Inglis sensed a powerful flow of mana. Although there were no signs of people, it was almost equivalent to the activation of magic.

“Yes. Don’t touch these things carelessly. Unauthorized individuals are met with countermeasures.”

Saying so, Vilma stood before the barrier wall.

“…Authority regulation. Permit temporary passage for four unauthorized individuals.”

A beam of light extended from the wall toward the stigmata on Vilma’s forehead, causing the wall to vanish, allowing passage.

“Let’s go. Don’t stray too far from me. If you do, the barrier will activate.”
“…what incredible technology.”

Gifts, Artifacts, and sorceries typically activate only when a user triggers them. Yet, this regulation was capable of complex commands, like detecting the presence of stigmata and temporarily disabling the barrier, all while being completely unmanned. Intricate functions that would typically require human intervention were automated.

“Suppose this section of the wall was some kind of Artifact, then where does the mana, the source of magical phenomena, originate from…? And how does it determine Miss Vilma’s stigmata and allow exceptions…?”

It was all very intriguing. Just studying this shimmering wall seemed enough to occupy an entire day.