Meanwhile, during that time…
“Could I make a long-distance call, please?”
In a corner of the communication station in the Khenis Empire, a glamorous girl appeared suddenly before David, who was on night duty at the station.
The lights on the floor were dimmed by half, and the bluish-white glow of the magic circle leaking from a semi-basement room partitioned at the back was reflecting on the windows of the night communication station.
The girl who arrived in such an atmosphere was dressed in a short dress resembling white flowers, a wide-brimmed hat, and a bright sky-blue scarf with mysterious patterns.
Even those who were not knowledgeable about fashion could tell that she was wearing expensive clothes. The necklace adorned with large jewels would probably cost as much as a house. She wore it completely casually, as if it were her everyday attire.
Her bare feet were dazzling against the sandals that resembled laced-up shoes.
“Ah, yes. It’s possible, but as for the charges…”
“Oh, it’s fine. Even if it’s expensive, with ten imperial gold coins, it should be enough, right?”
“T-ten…!? Yes, of course!”
Although the communication station also accepted conversations with distant locations as a service, it was generally expensive.
Remote communication magic utilized the magical power stored in the city’s veins, and distant calls that consumed a lot of magical power required payment as a tax.
Therefore, although it was cheaper and more common to entrust the communication station staff to deliver messages as mail, the girl seemed unconcerned about the money.
She gave the impression of being a traveler… and perhaps a wealthy and extravagant girl from somewhere.
“Here’s the number. Just tell them ‘Call for Amarie’ and they’ll understand.”
The eight-digit number the girl provided seemed to belong to a communication station somewhere in the eastern coastal country of Alugi.
It was distant, but as long as you could pay, civilians could make unauthorized calls to some extent.
David rearranged the mithril number panels connected to part of the communication room’s magic circle to rewrite the spell.
When he pulled the lever and connected the magical power lines for transmission, the light from the magic circle increased, and distant sounds began to be heard from the magic circle.
“This is the Phil Communication Station in the Men Province of Alugi.”
“I’m from the Mattis Communication Station in the Gimur City of the Rinmin Province of the Khenis Empire. It’s a civilian call, with the message ‘Call for Amarie’.”
“Understood, please wait a moment.”
The communication was interrupted once. It was because maintaining the connection consumed magical power.
While waiting for the return communication, David gave the girl a standard explanation.
“Um, regarding civilian calls, a communication station staff member will be present to verify the content. Also, the call will be forcibly disconnected after a maximum of ten minutes. This is to preserve the magical power stored in the city’s veins, as stipulated by the provincial ordinance…”
“I already know.”
Seemingly aware of everything, the girl interrupted the explanation irritably. Her cheeky attitude was even charming.
Soon, the glow returned to the dimmed magic circle.
A return communication came from the other station. Surprisingly quick.
“Oh, Mom. Can you hear me? Yeah, yeah. I’m fine, don’t worry.”
The girl who had burst into the communication room was speaking into the void.
David watched her back from the entrance of the room.
“I made two new friends. …Yeah. Jerry is rich, he buys whatever he wants! But I think he’s too frivolous. He seems like a bigmouth. Canon is a struggling student, he said he’s training his body now… Yeah. That’s right, isn’t it? I think instead of just studying, I should make more friends.”
The girl seemed cheerful.
The content was really just an update on her recent activities to her mother.
To spend a large sum of money on a long-distance call for such trivial matters… David couldn’t help but think as a low-level civil servant.
Well, as a father of one child, he could understand a parent’s concern for the safety of their daughter who is far away.
…No, even if his daughter grew up, He wouldn’t let her travel alone to a foreign country. It’s outrageous.
Wealthy people apparently encourage their children to travel as an opportunity to expand their network and knowledge, but would I have thought the same if I couldn’t afford to hire escorts for them?
If commoners who couldn’t afford escorts wanted to travel, they would have to rely solely on their instincts to avoid danger in unfamiliar lands.
Monsters, bandits, criminal organizations, rascals… Just the thought of my beautifully grown daughter falling into the hands of such people is terrifying.
“When I invite them to the party, both of them said they would come. But I have to prepare a proper welcome… Jerry seems fine, though… Yes, that’s right… I’m fine, I don’t lack anything. I still have some pocket money left…. Yes… Oh, right, since I’m going that way anyway, please send it there. It should hold until then… Yes.”
David couldn’t help but feel exasperated by her carefree attitude.
Despite wars happening not far away and rumors of a spreading cursed disease, this carefree girl probably lived as if such tragic conflicts were events in a distant world.
“Got it. I’ll make sure not to catch a cold. Thanks. Well then, see you.”
The girl left the communication room with bouncy steps.
As soon as David saw that the call was over, he reduced the supply of magical power to the magic circle by manipulating the lever on the wall.
“…The communication fee comes to 16,300 Yun.”
“Okay.”
The girl took out her wallet from the small bag hanging on her shoulder and lightly paid David an amount that could sustain his family for a month, in imperial currency with a dragon’s profile engraved on it.
Then she took out an extra silver coin and handed it to David.
“Here. Eat something delicious with this.”
“Uh, th-thank you very much…”
It seemed a bit excessive, but it seemed like a tip.
Smiling and narrowing her crimson eyes, the girl looked after David.
She had a charming demeanor that made one feel dizzy. Though she still retained a youthful and fresh aura, she might eventually become a seductive woman who could manipulate any man.
“Well then, see you.”
With a light wave of her hand, the girl left the communication station like the wind.
“Money does seem to exist where it’s needed…”
David bid farewell to the girl with a feeling of being teased by an Illusion Fox.
Fortunately, the silver coin in his hand didn’t turn into a leaf.
