That Time a Shut-in for 300 Years Continued to Make Antiques , but All of It Turned out to Be Cheat-Level Magic Tools - Chapter 7

“Wow, it’s so fast! The scenery is zooming past!”

Ultimately, it was decided that Alice and her sister, Saris, would ride in the backseat of the magic-driven car.

However, apparently, it wasn’t feasible for just the two of them, as a beautiful knight named Angelique was also accompanying them.

“Really, it’s amazing. And to think that being inside a magical beast feels totally fine—it’s such a strange sensation…”

No matter how much I explained, they wouldn’t understand, so I gave up.

Among them, they think of this magic-driven car as a magical beast, with the inside being like its belly. It sounds ridiculous, but if they all start saying that, there’s nothing to be done.

In fact, because of this, the butler Louis was quite reluctant to let the sisters ride.

Well, Mei and I were in it, and since Alice threw a tantrum, Angelique decided to accompany them as well.

“By the way, Edson-dono, this magical beast seems a bit too fast. Could you slow it down a bit…?”

Ah, right. Indeed, at this speed, neither carriages nor horses could keep up. It’s really inconvenient. Why can’t they just mass-produce magic-driven cars faster?

Still, speeding things up too much might suddenly diminish the demand for carriages, affecting the merchants who deal with them, so it’s a difficult balance.

Even so, 300 years have passed since then; things should be a bit better by now.

“Mei, please slow down a bit.”

“As you wish, master.”

“Eeh~ No! It’s fine as it is! Faster is more fun!”

“Now, now, you can’t be so selfish. We have to consider everyone.”

Compared to Alice, her sister Saris is somehow more laid-back, and notably, she has a large bust. The vibrations of the car make it, oh, such a rambunctious sight…

“Master, you’re drooling too much.”

“I am not! Absolutely not!”

Though the rearview mirror did indeed show a significant bust, that’s certainly not the case!

Nevertheless, we’ve slowed down considerably to match the pace of the carriages and horses behind us. We’re probably going at about 15 km/h now. Even that is fast for a horse or carriage.

After about an hour of driving, the plains change a bit. Wheat fields begin to spread around us. They seem quite extensive.

The car continues along the road flanked by fields on both sides. I can see farmers diligently working in the fields, but there are also distinctly different figures in armor with swords and bows, as well as others in robes with staves.

“Other than farmers in the fields?”

“Yes, they are adventurers. There are many magical creatures that ravage the fields, so they are often hired to be on guard.”

“Hmm, but that must be costly. Wouldn’t relying on barriers be more efficient?”

“That’s a possibility, but barriers don’t last very long, and there aren’t many mages who can create them.”

“Well, why not use magical devices instead of relying on mages?”

I struggled to grasp what Angelique meant. Before I secluded myself, barriers were indeed primarily made by mages, but 300 years have passed, and it seems illogical to rely on such inefficient methods when devices could handle it.

“Haha, that’s an interesting thought. A magical device to protect the fields would certainly make life easier for the farmers.”

“Is there no such device that can create barriers?”

“There are such devices, but they aren’t powerful enough to protect fields. They can protect about as much as four adventurers could. Additionally, you would need four devices to create a complete barrier, and they aren’t durable or reusable. It’s more cost-effective to hire adventurers.”

This was surprising. Even after 300 years, there’s no device capable of protecting even a simple field?

“Is it like this in every city? Perhaps it’s different in larger cities…”

“I can only speak for my hometown.”

“But, but I’ve heard something! In the capital, magical devices are highly advanced!”

Alice gestured animatedly as she spoke. It seems that more advanced magical devices haven’t reached this area yet.

It might be due to slow distribution, and given our distance from the imperial capital, it might be unavoidable.

“Then perhaps purchasing such devices from a larger city might solve the problem.”

“That would be ideal, but we’re far from the capital, and such convenient devices are likely to be expensive. Oh, look, we can see the city now.”

Indeed, the city was approaching, but its appearance surprised me. It was surrounded by a stone wall.

Relying on such old methods! Once a city is walled in, it’s difficult to change its size. The only solution would be to build another wall outside the existing one, which would be costly and laborious.

Using a magical device for barriers or magical shields would be preferable, but given the current state where not even a field can be effectively shielded, it seems we’re far from that possibility.

However, despite its thickness, a stone wall has limitations in durability. No matter how thick, it can’t withstand powerful magic or creatures that can easily destroy such barriers.

Yet, the continued reliance on stone walls might indicate that the world is peaceful enough to make them sufficient.

“What is this exactly?”

To enter the city, we needed to go through the gate, guarded by gatekeepers checking those who enter—an antiquated method.

“Nothing has changed since 300 years ago. The gatekeepers, in chainmail and hemispherical helmets, wielding spears—it’s as if time has stopped.”

Automated magical surveillance cameras and sliding gates that operate on camera authentication could save a lot of effort.

This might render gatekeepers’ jobs obsolete, but historically, cities have not been without crime within their walls. Allocating more personnel to internal security could enhance overall safety.

It seems better to move away from outdated defenses and gatekeepers and shift to a magic-managed system.

But saying that now doesn’t help, though I can’t help seeing it that way.

“This beast here is called a ‘Magi-loader’ and has saved us as well,” explained the butler, Louis, to the soldiers guarding the gate.

“What? This boy subdued a Black Wolf…? Oh, pardon me.”

One gatekeeper looked skeptical but quickly adjusted his expression and apologized. I suppose to them, I appear just a child, especially since I’m hiding my High Elf identity.

“Is this a magical beast? I see. But may I still check? I must not neglect to verify, even though you’ve helped the countess’s daughter.”

“Is that okay, Edson-dono?”

“I don’t mind.”

After I gave my permission, the Harrison sisters and Mei got out of the car. The gatekeepers began their inspection, eyeing the magic-driven car with suspicion, their spears at the ready.

“I can’t help but laugh. This is not a beast that would start biting or rampaging.”

“It’s very well-behaved, isn’t it?”

The sisters’ admiration during the check was endearing. I felt my cheeks loosen.

“It seems there’s no issue. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

“Such a tame magical beast. It’s well-trained. It doesn’t seem like it would rampage or bite anyone unfamiliar.”

“Pfft!”

“What seems to be the issue?”

“Nothing, just… heh, never mind.”

I couldn’t help but find the situation amusing.

“Master, that’s rude.”

“I know, I know.”

May scolded me, and rightly so.

“The check is complete. Sorry for the trouble. Welcome to the city of Sid!”

Finally, we were allowed into the city. Although the interactions at the gate seemed outdated, such thoroughness likely keeps suspicious individuals out.

Now, it’s time to enjoy a human city for the first time in 300 years.