They set out at seven-thirty the next morning. After a simple lunch of hardbread and soup along the way, they arrived at Nobera Village in the evening without any trouble.
This was Kachea’s first time traveling this far.
“This place... it isn’t much different from Taji Village, is it?”
“You’re right. I suppose villages don't vary that much,” Jin agreed.
The atmosphere of the buildings was nearly identical. Even the crops in the fields offered no surprises: wheat, barley, Devil’s Potatoes, beans, and leafy vegetables, with only the fruit trees providing any variety.
I’d expect a bit more regional flavor, but... well, I’ll stop prying for now.
Feeling that many of his questions would be answered once they reached Rofon, Jin decided to let the matter rest. Instead, he took the opportunity to enjoy the hot spring in Nobera Village.
“Ah, there’s nothing like a hot spring.”
According to Jin’s Analyze, it was a simple spring, but the experience felt entirely different from a standard bath. Above all, it was free-flowing and the tub was spacious; Jin relished the chance to finally stretch out his arms and legs.
As it turned out, the locals didn't actually call it a “hot spring.” To them, it was simply “hot water coming out of a well.” This explained why the term hadn't made sense to Lasnikov, the village chief of Fan Village.
Since there were no repair requests in Nobera Village, Jin spent his time in leisure. With more time to think, it was perhaps inevitable that he found himself overcome by a touch of nostalgia.
“...Rofon at last tomorrow. I hope I can find some clues or something to move things along.”
He lamented that if he could get his hands on even a single magi-crystal, he could craft a Protect Ring. Even a poor-quality crystal could be improved through Purification.
“Anyway, tomorrow is the day...”
＊ ＊ ＊
On July 23rd, Jin and the others departed for Rofon.
“Finally... Rofon. I wonder what kind of place it is.”
“I’m looking forward to it myself.”
Inside the carriage, Jin and Kachea passed the time with what could only be described as a mathematics seminar. Today’s lecture focused on the concept of doubling an area.
“We aren't just talking about attaching another object of the same size. This is the calculation method for doubling the size of a square or a circle.”
“...So this uses square roots and squares as well!”
“Exactly.”
As they spoke, a thought suddenly crossed Jin’s mind.
“By the way, Kachea, do you remember the dimensions of that paper you bought for me?”
“Yes, it was twenty-nine point seven centimeters by twenty-one centimeters.”
“I knew it. A4...”
It was a standard established by Shuuki Tsetse based on knowledge from modern Japan. Here was another point of similarity with Ars, the world Jin had come from.
In this system, A5, A4, A3, and so on were all similar figures—their aspect ratio remained constant while the area doubled with each step up. For instance, cutting a sheet of A4 in half produced two sheets of A5.
“Yes. It really is a clever design,” she noted.
In this fashion, the two of them successfully killed time as the carriage rolled onward.
＊ ＊ ＊
By two in the afternoon, Rofon was close at hand.
“You know, we haven't run into any magical beasts or dangerous animals at all.”
“Eh? What are ‘magical beasts’?”
“Huh?”
Upon inquiring, Jin learned that there were no dangerous creatures known as magical beasts on this continent.
So that’s why golem muscles aren't made of biological material.
It was another unexpected discovery.
Soon, the town of Rofon came into view.
“I see...”
The surrounding landscape was dotted with wheat fields and farmhouse clusters—a scene that perfectly defined the word “pastoral.” What caught Jin’s eye even more was the faint horizon visible in the distance. Rofon was close to the sea.
Jin found himself hoping for grilled fish for dinner.
The town felt peaceful and open rather than fortified. While there were fences, they looked like they were only meant to keep out stray animals.
I wonder if there are any thieves or bandits?
Jin considered asking, but he felt a strange hesitation and kept the thought to himself.
The carriage entered the town proper. Since Jed Alamold was leading them on horseback, they seemed to be granted entry on sight.
“Heh...”
Jin watched with interest through the window. Rofon was an orderly, well-arranged town. Just like Taji Village, the Regional Administrator’s mansion sat at the center with radial roads extending in all directions, intersected by concentric ring roads.
They were approaching the center via the northern radial road. The streets weren't paved with cobblestones but with Macadam Hardening—compacted gravel.
“Even here...”
Finding commonalities at every turn filled Jin with a quiet sense of nostalgia.
Ahead of the carriage stood a three-story stone building: the Regional Administrator’s mansion. The carriage came to a stop in the plaza out front.
“Jin-dono, Kachea, please step down.”
At Jed Alamold’s prompt, the two hurried out of the vehicle. The plaza was paved with stone, and a large gate serving as the main entrance stood before them. Jed motioned for Jin and Kachea to follow him toward the gate.
A middle-aged man stood before the entrance, flanked by guards. He was nearly two meters tall, yet his thin frame softened any sense of intimidation. He had brown hair, and his eyes—the same shade—were narrow and slightly upturned, giving him a somewhat fox-like appearance.
“Your Excellency, I have brought the magi, Jin-dono. This young woman is Kachea; she has a great talent for calculation.”
“Good work, Jed. Welcome, Jin-dono. I am Paerova Sondvik, the Regional Administrator governing the lands from Rofon to the north. Kachea, I always welcome those with talent.”
Jin was slightly surprised by the man’s polite demeanor. Drawing on his experience as an adult in a professional world, Jin offered a polite greeting of his own.
“My name is Jin Nidou. I am a magi craftsman. My memories are currently a bit disorganized, so I hope you will forgive any lapses in etiquette.”
“I-I am Kachea. I’m quite inexperienced, b-but I look forward to being of service.”
Kachea stuttered through her own introduction. Paerova Sondvik gave a magnanimous nod.
“Well, there is no need to talk on our feet. Please, come inside.”
“Thank you very much.”
Jin and Kachea were invited into the mansion. Feeling a slight knot of tension, Jin followed behind Paerova Sondvik.