"Mr. Mond, how is the performance of this aerial fortress? Is it ready for deployment?"
"Not quite yet. While it's capable of crossing distances, Lord Arls, you must remember—this is only a prototype. Once the size increases, the data and stability will change drastically…"
High above the wasteland, inside the fortress' wind-shielded command deck, two figures stood.
As citizens of the Spade Kingdom, they were driven by ambition and necessity.
The Grand Magic Zone—a natural barrier of violent mana storms—had long been the greatest obstacle to their conquest. To overcome it, they had poured countless resources into building this fortress.
The goal was simple: once perfected, it would allow their armies to cross the Grand Magic Zone en masse and launch devastating invasions into enemy nations.
"Even if the lower-tier grunts are worthless, the mana consumption here is far too high. If this were scaled up to a full-sized fortress, it might not even sustain flight for long…"
Mond's voice was calm as he manipulated his magic, recording data. His ability was peculiar—utterly useless in combat or defense, but invaluable in creation. He could construct objects from raw mana: chairs, tables, even palaces.
This floating fortress was his masterpiece. But the larger the construct, the greater the mana drain. On his own, he could only create a hollow shell. To keep it functional, other power sources were required.
"Bah, peasants are ants. We'll always have more. Just keep updating your data, Mr. Mond. Hm? What's that down below?"
Through the glass, Arls frowned. At the very edge of the Grand Magic Zone, a lone wagon stood still—and beside it, a man was waving up at them.
"…Take us down. Let's see who dares wander here."
The fortress descended slowly into Ethan's view. Already prepared with his cover story, Ethan stepped forward with measured calm.
"Greetings, noble lords of the Spade Kingdom. I am a free-trade merchant, Uchiha Madara. I've just concluded business in the Heart Kingdom and now wish to enter your great nation. Might I trouble you for a ride?"
Arls eyed him silently. The title free-trade merchant was familiar enough—but Uchiha Madara? That name… it stirred something strange in his heart, like an urge to fight.
"This is my merchant's license. Please, inspect it."
Ethan smoothly produced forged documents from his satchel. His disguise was complete, down to the smallest detail—proof borrowed from real free-trade merchants that operated across borders.
Arls examined it briefly. "Yes… it seems authentic. But—"
"Forgive me for troubling you to come down in person, my lord. And seeing this fortress in motion… surely it must cost tremendous resources to operate. Allow me a small token of respect."
Before Arls could finish, Ethan slipped a gleaming mana crystal into his hand.
Arls' expression brightened instantly. "Excellent. Very good. Come aboard!"
Ethan chuckled inwardly. So, greed transcended worlds—bribes worked just as well in this realm of swords and sorcery.
Inside, he followed Arls deeper into the fortress. It was vast, intricately designed, and manned by no fewer than five hundred soldiers by his estimate.
And then—
"Lord Arls, those cries…?"
Throughout the corridors, faint but chilling screams of despair echoed. Ethan tilted his head in feigned confusion.
"Nothing more than worthless lower-dwellers, offering the only value they ever had." Arls' tone was dismissive.
Ethan let it drop. His disguise was that of a merchant, not a spy. To pry too much would ruin his cover.
"Tell me," Arls continued with a glint of interest, "you free-trade merchants are known for rare goods. What have you brought this time?"
"A large shipment of mana crystals—enough to equip an entire magic brigade."
"Hhss—!"
Arls sucked in a sharp breath. A brigade… normally numbering one to two thousand soldiers. Supplying enough crystals for even one was staggering. Most kingdoms possessed fewer than ten such brigades. For a lone merchant to hold that much stock was nearly unbelievable.
"And your source…?"
"Forgive me, Lord Arls. That's a trade secret. All I can say is, I've come to sell the entire shipment to your kingdom. What say you?"
Arls was silent for a moment, then nodded. "That decision is beyond me. I must report to the Captain. Guards—escort our guest to his quarters."
Ethan bowed slightly. "Of course. I await your word."
As Ethan disappeared from sight, Mond turned to Arls, voice low. "Lord Arls… is that man truly a free-trade merchant?"
Arls smirked. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. Either way, it hardly matters."
He had sensed the man's mana level—barely Fifth Domain. Hardly a threat. If he was genuine, their kingdom would gain a trove of crystals. If not…
"Spread the order. Monitor him around the clock. If he makes even one suspicious move… report to me immediately."
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