23. Toward Je-do (3)

Inside the warm and cozy carriage.

Outside, the scenery of the slowly passing streets unfolds.

“We’ve… finally departed.”

“Mhm.”

The sound of pouring rain.

Well-maintained roads that don’t get flooded.

Dark and cloudy skies, but people busily going about their business.

What caught my attention as I absentmindedly watched the streets was people’s clothing.

Compared to before, thicker and more active wear.

“Mmm.”

Though it hasn’t been long since its inception, the Maylily Trading Company has already accomplished so much.

First, preparing for winter with new industries.

They’ve started ready-to-wear clothing businesses in collaboration with capital tailors and increasingly displaced textile workers.

I didn’t really contribute much to this process.

I was just surprised to hear it was a joint project between Marie and Madame Rosefield.

Moreover, we left right after taking the first steps toward establishing the steelworks.

Not that we’re building the facilities immediately.

First, under the King’s initiative, artisans from various regions are being gathered.

Once they arrive, they’ll probably build a huge forge, like the dwarves in the northern continent.

And that forge will gradually expand to become the foundation of the steelworks.

Jane’s arm subtly wraps around my waist.

But I didn’t resist at all.

“What are you thinking about, Lily?”

“Nothing much? Not really thinking about anything.”

Maylily’s expansion feels overwhelmingly fast to me.

In my past life, could I have established a company, built factories, and produced goods this quickly?

Probably not.

That place I can’t return to had social infrastructure far more developed than this world.

But with that came many restrictions, making it hard to rush business ventures.

Here, it’s different.

There exists the will of those in power who hold status, martial prowess, and wealth.

That’s why my trading company, Jane’s trading company, is growing at such an astonishing rate.

“That means there’s a lot more work now.”

“Huh?”

But we’ve already set off on our journey.

Only those left behind are the ones getting busier.

We just get to have fun and return happily.

I closed my eyes for a moment.

A silent tribute to those who have already been worked to death and those who will be in the future.

“Hehehe.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the imaginary sound of money flowing in.

“Having fun by yourself, I see.”

I ignored Jane’s muttered sigh.

-Whoosh whoosh

-Pitter-patter

The carriage passed through the grand castle gates, cutting through the rain.

***

“This place is called Dover. An important port connecting the continent and Albion Island.”

I got off the carriage while listening to Jane’s explanation.

It’s still raining, but less than in the capital.

-Whoom

“Oh.”

A transparent barrier enveloped us as Jane lightly waved her hand.

It felt like stepping into a greenhouse, so I looked around curiously.

“There are so many people.”

It’s winter, and the sea breeze makes it feel even colder.

But the port is bustling with people going about their lives.

“Is this your first time seeing the ocean, Lily?”

“No? I was born by the seaside. Though that was in my past life.”

The fishy smell tickling my nose is very familiar.

It’s a bit surprising how similar it smells despite being in a different world.

“But Jane, why did we come here?”

A bit late, but I asked why we stopped at Dover Port.

Instead of answering, Jane extended her hand.

“You’re small.”

“…Should I wear high heels or something?”

I pouted without realizing it.

But the warmth from her always-warm palm made me break into a silly smile.

The giddy happiness didn’t last long.

Jane silently took my hand and started walking.

Following her hurried steps, I kept flinching in surprise.

It felt like passersby were glaring at me.

Their piercing gazes seemed fixed on my neck.

“Ugh.”

An unfamiliar place, not the capital I know.

Unfamiliar people, not the neighbors I’m used to.

Without thinking, I pulled my coat tighter to cover my neck.

Then Jane, who had been walking slowly to match my pace, stopped.

And pointed with her finger at something.

“Lily, see over there?”

I followed her finger and turned my head.

Wooden crates being continuously loaded from a seaside warehouse onto a large ship.

Jane said:

“All of that is what we made.”

“Huh?”

Looking closely, the patterns on the warehouse and crates looked familiar.

Side-by-side engravings of bell-shaped flowers.

“You’re amazing, Lily. In a world you barely know, in less than a year, you’ve already made this much impact.”

Jane took a step closer and rubbed my back.

I couldn’t say anything in response to the sudden praise.

“So I hope you don’t feel too intimidated. That’s why I brought you here.”

I looked up at Jane.

Jane looked down at me.

Her still-warm hand caressed my slightly chilled cheek.

“And one more thing.”

Deep concern seeped into Jane’s voice.

“Always be careful. I know you’re not powerless anymore. But there are many more people with ill intentions.”

Staring into her unwavering black eyes, I slowly nodded.

That was the only answer I could give.

But Jane seemed to find it sufficient, smiling faintly.

Then she extended her pinky finger in front of my nose.

“Don’t stray from my side.”

“Ah.”

Very slowly, I intertwined my finger with my Master’s.

For some reason, the touch felt indecent, making my cheeks burn.

“Hehe.”

Was it just my imagination that the collar felt a bit tighter?

***

We moved to a less crowded area.

Just imagining what might happen if we flew with our attention-grabbing looks made my vision darken.

-Tap tap

As I shook my slightly wet shoes, Jane, who had been looking up at the sky, lowered her stance.

And just like that, my shoes looked brand new again.

“This should do, right?”

“Whoa!”

Master immediately scooped me up by the backs of my knees.

Holding me firmly, Jane asked:

“Any discomfort?”

“None.”

No sooner had I answered than we rose into the air.

With her hands occupied holding me, Master recited some hard-to-understand words.

“Ooh.”

Come to think of it, this is only my second time flying.

I was also carried by Jane when rescued from the slave traders.

“It’s been a while.”

“Sure has.”

Seems I wasn’t the only one reminiscing-Jane looked very pleased too.

“That was the first time. Holding someone soaked in urine while flying.”

“Hmph, I wasn’t soaked!”

It’s true I wet myself, but exaggerating the past is just too much.

While bickering with Jane, we kept ascending higher.

The sound of howling wind and falling rain grew louder.

Yet the air around us felt not cold but comfortably warm.

Like the coziness of an airliner.

I fiddled with Jane’s perfectly undisturbed hair.

“Lily, look down.”

“Ooh.”

The port buildings grew smaller.

The people in the streets were no longer visible.

“They look like toys.”

“They do. Want me to buy you some?”

“Huh? What?”

While imprinting the aerial view-something you’d only see from a plane-we remained suspended without moving forward.

Endlessly ascending, going nowhere but up.

“Master, how far up are we going?”

“Your speech is weird, Lily.”

We eventually reached the clouds.

The protective barrier shielding us from the rain parted the hazy clouds.

“Wow.”

The increasingly strong wind tore through the air.

Tiny hailstones began pounding violently against the barrier.

But we didn’t stop, continuing our ascent.

Then-

At some point, the noise of rain and wind surrounding us vanished.

Simultaneously, Jane’s hand covered my eyes.

“Master?”

“It’ll be too bright.”

“Can’t I peek just a little?”

“Hmm.”

Instantly, the light seeping through her fingers diminished.

The barrier had been tinted like car window tinting.

Only then did Master remove her hand from my eyes.

“Ah.”

A sky so blue it made my eyes water.

Vast white clouds stretching beneath our feet.

And the radiant sun shining in the distance.

It felt like only Jane and I remained in the world.

The overwhelming serenity of nature untouched by humans made my chest tighten.

“Lily, are you crying?”

“N-no, I’m not.”

But I wasn’t afraid.

Actually, I was scared, but I quickly regained my composure.

The tears I’d shed out of nowhere felt embarrassingly unnecessary.

But I couldn’t stop the corners of my mouth from curling up.

“What’s with you, Lily.”

“It’s nothing.”

I subtly leaned my face against Master’s chest.

The soft texture pressed against my cheek.

-Thump thump

My heart began to beat in sync with Jane’s steady pulse.

“L-let’s go.”

***

The mood was perfect just now.

“M-M-Master? Jane?”

“What’s wrong, Lily?”

So why did things suddenly turn out like this?

“R-really? Here, of all places?”

“Yes, really, right here.”

Weren’t we just supposed to fly through the sky and arrive at the imperial city of Pesht?

“No, really, this can’t be happening.”

“It’s fine. There’s no one around. Only you and I are here, just the two of us.”

A snow-white landscape stretching endlessly.

No sign of people-just forests and plains as far as the eye could see.

“Lily.”

Jane’s beautifully curved eyes gleamed dangerously.

She gently cupped my cheek.

“N-no! I don’t want to!”

Out of habit, I tried to shake my head, but Master’s hand stopped me.

Still, I desperately protested with words.

At that moment-

“Eek!”

The warm air around us instantly turned cold.

A chilling sensation crept up my spine, making my hair stand on end.

“Now, Maylily.”

“No! I refuse! Help!”

Despite my pleading refusal, Master asked one final time:

“Will you take them off willingly, or shall I do it for you?”

Ah, life is truly-

Why did things suddenly turn out like this?