NOVPUBEvery core city-state within the Cerryti Empire was surrounded by a unique dispersal Magic Barrier zone established by the Imperial Department of Magic Engineering. To ensure foolproof passage, apart from the standard Disguise Magic "Transformation Magic: Human" that could be used daily, Lanci also had to prepare a physical disguise to take on a new identity. Double disguises were necessary to guarantee that, even if Magic was dissipated, the physical disguise would remain intact.
Fortunately, once he had passed through the dispersal barrier zone and entered the heart of the capital, Brilda, he could continue to use his unique Transformation Magic "Transformation Magic: Human" most of the time without worrying about this super-ancient magic being easily detected.
Now that this identity was handed over to Lanci, Old Mr. Lovia could finally retire back to the Poseen Kingdom.
"You’re pretty good at playing Old Man," Talia observed Lanci for a while and spoke to him in his mind. She felt Lanci was getting better and better at it.
"..."
Lanci was at a loss for words.
Old Man’s meaning was to compliment "the air of an old sage about to ascend to immortality," which he had explained to Talia last time; unexpectedly, Talia had really remembered it.
"Come to think of it, if your appearance were to age, it would not feel out of place at all. Even Hyperion always said you acted like an old principal in school, but with a young man’s face, which actually made you seem a bit demonic."
Talia made no attempt to filter her words when evaluating Lanci.
"..."
Lanci still didn’t know what to say.
He just felt that Talia was somewhat infuriating.
The Mana Pressure Engine roared as the train gradually left the station. The speed increased, and the scenery outside the window flew by in reverse—vast mountains and golden leaves reflected off each other, creating a moving tapestry of splendor.
The train compartment was very quiet, with only the regular sound of the wheels being heard.
He hadn’t expected this day would come when he would head into the heart of the South Continent, the most powerful region of the Cerryti Empire. Not only was it dangerous as the birthplace of Imperial Magic Engineering, but it was also where the major power holders of the Cerryti Empire gathered.
Moreover, he might encounter the Twelve Military Gods who had returned to Brilda for rest and recuperation.
According to intelligence provided by the Allied Forces and Nigel, aside from the ten Military Gods who would be returning from war, two were permanently based there.
They were: Hesintos, who held the Diamond Throne as the First Army God, and Violet, who held the Seat of Aqua Jade as the Sixth Army God.
Owning the Primordial Slate - Strike and the Primordial Slate - Ice.
Lanci took out the map book from his pocket and began to carefully check the transfer stations and connecting routes.
This transportation hub surrounding the Imperial Capital, Brilda, in Botswana Province, was located in the northeast of the Cerryti Empire.
With an area of 129,654 square kilometers, it was the fifth largest province of Keruti by area, with an approximate population of 12.4 million and a relatively low population density.
From the edge of Botswana Province to the Imperial Capital, Brilda, it was not too long of a train ride.
This was also Lanci’s last transfer. Once he crossed the capital’s Magic Barrier dispersal zone and the checkpoint, he would reach his destination.
As his thoughts wandered, the train suddenly shook violently, pulling Lanci back to reality.
With a long whistle, the train began to enter a tunnel surrounded by mountains.
Lanci found himself alone in the compartment, which seemed like good luck; perhaps the ticket for the seat opposite him had gone unsold.
But the good times didn’t last long—the door to the compartment creaked open.
A well-dressed young man stepped in.
He appeared to be in his early twenties, tall, wearing a meticulously tailored dark blue coat and formal attire.
It seemed he had caught this train at the last minute before departure and had been searching for a compartment and seat shortly after.
"It seems there’s no chance of having the special box lunch from the Bulida..." Talia mumbled to Lanci in his mind, slightly disappointed.
She had thought Lanci might have the compartment to himself, and maybe she could have snuck out to eat the box lunch. Now, it seemed like a pipe dream.
"...Wait, I’ll give you my body, and you can have it," Lanci said, feeling a bit guilty.
After all, this lunch was only to fill his stomach, so it didn’t matter who ate it.
"Really?" Talia asked.
"Yes," Lanci confirmed to her again, sensing that Talia brightened up entirely.
After a brief exchange of thoughts with Talia, Lanci put away his thoughts, straightened up, and courteously acknowledged his fellow passenger.
After taking his seat, the young man with black hair and blue eyes flashed a friendly smile at Lanci.
Their irises were both blue, only slightly different in shade.
This was, after all, the most common eye color in the Cerryti Empire.
"Hello," the young man started the conversation.
His hearty yet stable temperament made him seem somewhat older than his looks, maybe about twenty-five to thirty years old.
"Good morning," Lanci replied, preferring not to talk much, but since the other person had initiated the conversation, he nodded slightly in response.
Different from his real personality, Lanci Welfort, the character he was currently playing, Old Mr. Lovia, had been alone for a long time, without a wife or children, and tended to be more reticent, except for business matters.
The young man opposite, who took his seat with black hair and blue eyes, didn’t seem to mind Lanci’s coolness and smiled again. He settled himself, took care of his luggage, and sat across from him.
Meanwhile, the train blew its whistle again, officially leaving the border city of Botswana.
The train traveled through the tunnel, and glimpses of lush green tree shadows speeding by were faintly visible through the train windows.
