The Neighborhood High School Girl, Miss Isezaki, Is the Great Saintess Returned from Another World~ And I, Suddenly Awakened as Her Exclusive Mana Supply Uncle, Travel Between Earth and Another World with Time-Space Magic~ - 188. Bustling Townscape and the Magic Fortress

188. 188. 188. 188. Bustling Townscape and the Magic Fortress

“Welcome, welcome! Right now, these skewers are 200 G per stick! If you’re heading out hunting, make sure to fill up your belly first!”

“Hey you, how about these clothes? They’re tough, tear-resistant, perfect for working in the mines!”

Lively calls echoed from various food stalls and vendors around. Grandain, the frontline city where I first teleported, had always been bustling. But today the atmosphere was even more charged. This must be due to the boom in demand from the magic stone mines.

While trying not to be swept away by the lively scene, we made our way up to Lady Levia’s castle on top of a small hill. The gate guards already recognized us, so we were escorted straight to the reception room. After a while, Holly, Colin, and Lady Levia herself arrived.

“My lady, Matsunaga-sama! It’s been a while! I’ve missed you so, so much since your last visit!”

As soon as the door opened, Lady Levia leaped onto the sofa with a bright smile. Last time I saw her after setting up the fortress, she seemed quite worn out. But now her complexion looks much healthier than before.

I’m sure her duties are just as demanding. But it seems the news of the Digram army’s retreat has had a positive effect on her mind and body. It could be inferred from the fact that she didn’t immediately run to Isezaki-san to seek healing.

“Hello, it’s been a while.”

“You look well, Levi.”

After exchanging greetings, Lady Levia stared intently at Aihara. Before I could introduce her, Lady Levia clapped her hands.

“I remember now! You’re the former colleague of Matsunaga-sama I met in Japan!”

“Yes, that’s right. I brought her along to help with my business. This is Aihara.”

Encouraging the introduction, Aihara stood up straight.

“Hey there! I remember seeing you at the mall! You looked so cute in that dress! I’m Aihara! Nice to meet ya!”

Despite the language barrier, her intention to greet was clear. Still, I couldn’t help but think her greeting and ‘gal peace’ might be a bit much for a noble.

“Unfortunately, I don’t understand your words, but I can tell you’re very energetic! Your greeting is very cute! Um, like this… Nyoro~☆”

As expected of Lady Levia, she’s quite open-hearted. She promptly responded with a ‘gal peace’ in return. I pretended not to notice the brief tensing of Holly’s face behind us.

“Wow, Lady Levia is really easygoing! We could totally become good friends, right!? Nice to meet you!”

“Nice to meet you too!”

Across the table, Aihara and Lady Levia shook hands firmly. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but at least the introduction seemed to go smoothly.

“Well, she’s quite a character, but please take care of her. …By the way, Lady Levia, I heard you repelled the Digram army…”

Let’s get to some serious talk here. After all, the story about the magic stone mines and fortress concerns me as well.

“Yes. Matsunaga-sama and my lady had just returned from Japan. The Digram army, noticing abnormalities near the magic stone mines, hastily began their invasion.”

Undoubtedly, the shock of the frontline base being occupied and a fortress being built was significant. It seems the Digram army mobilized all its forces from the nearest cities towards the magic stone mines. 

Lady Levia clenched her fist and exclaimed, “But!”

“It was already too late! The wandering undead and the formidable two-tiered structure of the Magic Fortress Maristel were supremely powerful! Foolishly persisting in their attack, the Digram army steadily depleted its forces and finally retreated completely! It’s a great victory for our Carius army! Ohohohoho!”

“Um, Lady Levia… Uh, the fortress? M- Ma… What was that name?”

Interrupting Lady Levia’s excited narrative was regrettable, but I had a feeling I heard a somewhat unsettling name.

“It’s the Magic Fortress Maristel, Matsunaga-sama!”

“Uh… I really wish I misheard that… Lady Levia, why did you choose such a name?”

“Allow me to explain that, sir,” said Isezaki-san, raising her hand. I listened attentively to her words.

“As you know, Maristel is known to be hedonistic. Though she is currently bound by the [Sacred Oath], but it’s not foolproof. And there might also be loopholes in the magic that could lead her to betray or escape.”

“Yeah, well, she’s probably not very loyal. Right now, it’s like we’re making her obey us with magic.”

So I planned to treat Maristel with dignity rather than as a slave, hoping she would work willingly. 

“That’s why I suggested to Lady Levia that we name the fortress after Maristel, to make it widely known among the demons that she had sided with us. With no escape route, she would be motivated to work even harder for the fortress. By the way, ‘Magic’ in Magic Fortress signifies both the magic stone mines and the demon tribes—”

(Note:The word is “魔・要・塞・マ・リ・ス・テ・ル” . In Japanese, the words “magic” (魔法 – mahou) and “demon” (魔物 – mamono) share the kanji 魔 (ma))

As Isezaki-san eloquently explained, I murmured softly.

“…But, really?”

“Of course, it’s just a form of harassment! No, wait, it’s not, sir!”

“Yeah, yeah, I believe you.”

“D-Do you really believe me!? I-I’m truly thinking about Grandain’s future, and for that reason, I’ve had to be ruthless—”

I watched Isezaki-san scramble in a panic with warm eyes. Having been abducted at first, I understood her feelings toward Maristel. Well, I think it’s cuter to name the fortress after Maristel out of spite than for men to intervene in a dispute between women. It’s best to watch without interfering.

“Oh, right, um! Come to think of it! Speaking of the [Sacred Oath]! I forgot about it! Sir, could you please bring out that thing I mentioned!?”

Thus, Isezaki-san blatantly changed the subject and urged me to bring out the aforementioned item that she left me with before the teleportation.