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In the Makanta Marquisate territory lay the capital city of Shimur.

From a distance, the city appeared as a multitude of unevenly sized boxes, tightly arranged like cargo on a trading merchant’s carriage.

Both the surrounding walls and the buildings within the city were the color of sand, constructed by magically solidifying desert sand. Some buildings were coated with waterproof plaster or slime solution, adding touches of color as accents.

While it might seem simple, these structures were resistant to temperature changes and sandstorms. With a skilled mage present, renovations and repairs were easily manageable.

Amidst towering earthen wall buildings, there were faintly sand-covered roads. The main thoroughfare was sufficiently wide, with goods unloaded from Desert Orca sleds at the city entrance being transported by horses and camels. Unlike Setulev’s cities, there were no canals here.

Clothes stretched like tents over the eaves of the buildings, likely designed to shield against sandstorms by allowing them to be brought indoors when needed.

“So the grand cities in the desert look like this.”
“It’s strange not to see water in a city.”
“For those who come from Setulev, I suppose so. Water is precious here, and it mainly flows through underground aqueducts. Fountains are a proof of luxury; they are a symbol of wealth and power.”

Although Efrain himself was not from the desert and the information seemed to be from text, he provided a satisfactory explanation as a tour guide.

The Desert Orcas, swimming through the sand, couldn’t enter the city with hardened roads. At the entrance of the city’s ‘Sand Port,’ the large sand sled, resembling a house and pulled by the Desert Orca, came to a stop. Lucella and her companions set foot in the city of Shimur.

The people in the street began to take notice of Lucella and her group. Whether the rumors had spread or not, even if their true identities were unknown, they stood out enough to attract attention.

“Would you like to stay here tonight?”
“Yes, please arrange accommodation for us.”
“The Marquis of Makanta has offered to host you at the castle…”
“We appreciate the gesture, but we’ll decline. Perhaps another time, whenever the opportunity arises.”

At the center of the city stood sand-colored castle walls, and beyond them rose a whitewashed castle, the Marquess’ residence. While accepting the invitation would spare them the inconvenience of staying at a civilian inn, Lucella couldn’t bring herself to willingly dive into the enemy’s domain without a substantial reason.

The city was bustling. Not only were there many people, but Lucella also observed the variety of goods displayed in shops – from pots and pans to glass rods used in alchemy. Seeing this, Lucella felt the city’s strength. In smaller towns, shops tended to stock only the essentials everyone needed. Here, it was different.

Although it was just a city within a Marquis’ domain, the size, population, and the city’s influence seemed to surpass even Setulev’s royal capital in Lucella’s eyes.

“Look at that, over there. They’re selling desert sand.”

Monica pointed to a shop with a sign that read ‘Souvenirs.’

On the shelves outside the store, along with peculiar objects and carpets, were cute little bottles filled with sand. The content, by all appearances, was the same sand one could easily find outside the city.

“But you know, it seems like a great souvenir. But it feels more like a memory from a trip compared to a trinket,” Monica remarked.

… And it wasn’t just one store. There were several souvenir shops in the vicinity, each with bottles of sand lined up on their storefronts.

“Are all these shops selling souvenirs…?”

Monica mumbled, expressing a mix of surprise and perhaps a hint of disbelief.

“The central part of this city has a long history, and there are buildings from the Human-Dragon War era still standing. They’ve taken measures to preserve the scenery for tourists, and there are many shops selling souvenirs,” Efrain explained, likely drawing knowledge from texts but offering a satisfactory explanation as a tour guide.

Indeed, around Lucella, there were several buildings made of strange materials, not sand or wood, and people were looking at them with interest. While it wasn’t immediately apparent what these buildings originally were, they currently served as an archaeological museum displaying records and research from the Human-Dragon War era. Considering the buildings themselves were artifacts, it seemed fitting.

“There are quite a few tourists around, but most of them seem to be domestic travelers, right?”

Despite being a city away from the front lines, this place was adjacent to the Angus Marquisate territory, which Setulev had occupied. Lucella couldn’t help but wonder why people were fearlessly taking sightseeing trips here.

“Maltgartz has a high standard of living for commoners, and many people here can afford to go on sightseeing trips. There are numerous tourist destinations within the country as well.”

The conversation veered off a bit.

Even though it was a conquered territory, Lucella, being from Maltgartz, was aware of this to some extent. However, for children in the orphanage, things like vacations were distant dreams.

“Traveling these days isn’t really that uncommon, you know.”

Monica’s tone turned chilly, as if she sensed a hint of national pride in Efrain’s words. There was a slightly awkward silence.

“Do you, as a guide, go on trips during your days off?” Lucella changed the subject.

Traveling. Needless to say, it was a luxury. While life at the orphanage wasn’t lacking, there was no room for extravagance. Lucella wondered if her friend who once shared the same loaf of bread had gained a title, now dining on a lord’s stipend, and if he could afford to go on trips during his free time.

In response to Lucella’s question, Efrain replied with a wry smile.

“I do think about wanting to go… On my days off, I usually spend time studying or visit my hometown.”
“So you don’t have any friends to invite you.”
“Monica.”

It was both impolite to say if off the mark and unnecessary to say if accurate. Lucella had to rebuke Monica.

Six months ago.

On his way home, Efrain was invited by his colleague, Hal, to go camping over the weekend.

“Sorry, but I really want to bury myself in the library. I’ll be involved in Rodomia Kingdom’s matters starting next month, so I want to study about Rodomia before then.”
“Again with that?”

Efrain declined.

Hal seemed to have expected that response from the beginning.

Bureaucrats, even without personal territories, held titles and received salaries from the country. Young bureaucrats like Efrain were far wealthier compared to the average worker. Many of them enjoyed leisure activities that required money during their free time.

While Efrain had some interest in enjoying good food or going somewhere for leisure, it often took a back seat to his other responsibilities.

“Efrain, let me give you some advice. We aren’t just playing around either; building connections is also a bureaucrat’s job.”

Hal’s words had a point.

Politics and administration, as trivial as it might seem, weren’t just about what was right. Efrain had come to understand that it was about the interplay of relationships between people, like gears turning. In that sense, being ‘difficult to get along with’ was a disadvantage. Going out and socializing might seem like a waste of time, but it could provide a kind of power that couldn’t be gained otherwise.

“I get it. But this is a matter of priorities. I want to complete the tasks given to me perfectly first. That wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Empire, right?”
“For the Empire, huh…”

Hal wore a bitter expression.

It was awkward. Frustrating. That kind of expression.

“Come on, relax a bit more. Just because you go on a trip over the weekend doesn’t mean Martgaltz will fall apart.”
“No, that’s not it. I want to dedicate everything I have to the Empire. Because the Empire… is my family…”

“That’s true… Maybe I should invite some friends from university next time. We’ve become distant due to our busy schedules, and that’s not good.”

Efrain seemed to consider Monica’s words. There was no apparent displeasure on the surface, and he nodded.

“Excuse me, if you don’t mind, I’ll step out for a moment while you do some shopping. I’ll contact the local authorities.”
“That’s fine, please go ahead.”

With that, he left in a hurry, holding a Caller.

“He seems like someone who might die soon.”
“Huh?”

Watching Efrain’s back, Monica murmured. Though she spoke casually, there was an almost mathematical persuasiveness to her words, making Lucella feel uneasy.

“What do you mean by that…”
“Hmm? Just a random observation.”

Monica said it nonchalantly.

Was it really just that?

Lucella thought otherwise. Monica always observed people around her carefully, but she rarely voiced her thoughts. If she mentioned something, there must be a reason that gave her that feeling.

However, Lucella was aware that asking about something Monica didn’t want to talk about would lead to her being unresponsive.

“Anyway, want some of this?”

Monica held two cups of tea in magical earthenware, offering one to Lucella. It seemed like something she bought around.

“Uh, thanks.”

Puzzled by the sudden consideration, Lucella accepted the cup. The tea inside was an amber-colored liquid with a peculiar combination of bitterness and sweetness.

“What an unusual taste… What is this?”
“Who knows.”
“Who knows?”
“Thanks. At least, I can tell it’s not disgustingly bad.”

Monica, who hadn’t taken a sip until then, began drinking the tea after observing Lucella’s reaction.