The Maise Plain stretched out across the horizon.
The terrain on the side belonging to the Norha Principality sloped gently eastward, offering an unobstructed view of their destination.
"There’s really nothing out here, is there?" Jin remarked.
"The history of the nations in this region is quite short, after all," Lordtoss replied.
The establishment of these countries had begun roughly 340 years ago and continued through to the present day.
Jin idly considered from atop his golem horse that the development of the American continent back on Earth, for example, had likely progressed much faster. He wondered if it was a matter of population density or the availability of proper tools.
"It’s likely because the underground resources weren't as abundant as they’d hoped," Lordtoss offered his own assessment.
Jin recalled the history of the American continent—the Gold Rush, where the discovery of gold mines drove settlers deep into the lands of the Native Americans.
"In reality, the resources in this area are simply buried so deep that common mining techniques can't reach them."
So it's similar to the Pandor Continent in that regard, Jin thought.
While they conversed, the golem horses maintained a steady pace of twenty kilometers per hour. Because they galloped with less vertical oscillation than biological horses, both Jin and Lordtoss remained relatively fresh, capable of carrying on a conversation without difficulty.
They stopped for lunch in the shade of some large rocks before continuing their journey east. As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, a massive body of water came into view.
"That's Lake Kotsushi. It serves as the national border, so once we're on the far side, we'll be completely clear of the Principality."
It seemed they would reach the border before nightfall.
...Or so they thought.
"We've been waiting for you, Lordtoss-dono."
Twenty combat golems from the Norha Principality stepped forward to block their path.
"I am Madaim Luha, Vice Commander of the 2nd Corps of the Norha Principality. I must insist that you accompany us back to our country."
"I refuse," Lordtoss replied firmly. "Besides, that’s hardly the way to extend an invitation—at the head of a golem squad."
"Is there truly no room for negotiation?"
"None whatsoever."
"Then it is unfortunate, but we shall secure you by force....Go!!"
At Madaim's command, the twenty combat golems lunged forward.
This time, the golems were not a uniform model; they appeared to be a mix of various types. Eighteen were unarmed, while the remaining two carried rods.
However, Hanako, having deactivated her Stealth to manifest behind the enemy line, targeted the two armed units first. She delivered a swift kick from the rear, and as they stumbled, she snatched the rods from their hands.
The rods, measuring about two meters, were a bit unwieldy for Hanako, who stood roughly 130 centimeters tall. She immediately used magi-craft to reshape one into a meter-long mace.
"Oh, impressive," Jin murmured. He couldn't just stand by and watch. "Hope!"
"Yes, Jin-sama."
Responding to Jin's command, Hope moved in and snatched the remaining rod from its wielder. Unlike Hanako, he brandished it at its original length.
"Wh-What...?" Madaim stammered.
Hanako and Hope—the automata and the golem—ran rampant through the enemy ranks. Hanako’s mace shattered the golems' legs with surgical precision. Hope’s rod crumpled their heads with brute force.
Hanako blurred through the field like a gust of wind, leaving two collapsed golems in her wake. Hope hoisted another golem into the air and tossed it aside like a toy. In a matter of moments, the two of them had neutralized all twenty units.
"I-Impossible..."
"Madaim Luha, was it? Broaden your perspective and look at the world for what it is," Lordtoss said in a quiet, steady voice to the dumbfounded commander. "Cease these petty conflicts and devote your efforts to progress. What is the point of fighting over supremacy in such a small world? Wake up."
However, Madaim refused to listen.
"Sh-Shut up! Don't think you've escaped us yet!"
Spitting out those final words, he scrambled onto a golem horse and fled at full speed.
"Jin-sama, Lordtoss-sama, is it alright to let him go?" Hope asked.
"I wonder..." Jin turned to Lordtoss for confirmation.
"I cannot say for certain that he'll be harmless. The far side of Lake Kotsushi belongs to no one; it’s effectively a lawless zone."
I don't think "lawless zone" is quite what "extraterritoriality" means, Jin thought, but I get the gist.
"In other words, anything goes out there."
"Exactly."
Deciding that crossing the border was their top priority, Jin and Lordtoss urged their golem horses to pick up the pace. Jin felt a pang of regret at leaving behind the materials from the disabled golems, but they were short on time. He allowed Hanako and Hope to keep the rods they had scavenged.
Increasing their speed to thirty kilometers per hour, they crossed two main roads before the lake finally spread out before them.
"That town visible in the distance to the right should be Adais. It'll be a hassle if we're spotted, so let's hurry."
The sun was nearing the horizon. Jin and Lordtoss skirted the lake's edge and broke through to the eastern side.
"We have now crossed the border. From here on, we are in stateless territory."
In the deepening twilight, they looked out over a wasteland that transitioned into a dense forest belt. Further beyond that, a mountain range stood in dark silhouette against the fading sky.
"Are we crossing those mountains?" Jin asked, noting the formidable distance.
"No, only until we reach the foothills. I have a Magi Machine hidden there."
"A Magi Machine?"
"Yes. We will use it to travel further east."
"Why did you hide it so far away?...Ah, never mind. Stupid question."
Jin realized immediately that it had to be hidden somewhere it wouldn't be discovered, confiscated, or tampered with by the locals.
As night fell and the world turned pitch black, the group found a suitable spot to make camp.
"Even so, Hanako-san's abilities are truly something," Jin remarked admiringly.
"The same could be said for Hope-dono," Lordtoss replied, returning the praise. "I was told he was constructed from very meager materials."
Jin felt a bit embarrassed by the compliment and forcefully changed the subject.
"Setting that aside... since they were just in combat, I should probably perform a maintenance check."
If they didn't do it while they had the chance, a breakdown during a future crisis would be disastrous. The golem horses needed a checkup as well.
"A wise suggestion. Shall we take turns?" Lordtoss suggested. Checking both units simultaneously would leave them vulnerable if something unexpected happened, so he insisted Jin go first.
"Hmm... As I thought, the joints are showing some wear."
Because they lacked an adamantite coating, combat inevitably took a toll on the metal. Of course, wear occurred even with adamantite; it was simply the nature of two surfaces of equal hardness rubbing against one another. It was much like using diamond powder to polish actual diamonds.
However, the resistance to wear differed greatly between adamantite and alloy steel treated with Hardening and Toughening. Adamantite was naturally far more durable.
Jin worked efficiently, performing emergency repairs and fine-tuning the mechanics as they prepared for the next leg of their journey.