The day to enter Alvenheim, the country of the elves and the first country chosen by the gods, has dawned. Albnheim departed early in the morning to boast of strict immigration procedures as mentioned before.
After that, Marie, Lina, and the two of them rode a carriage and moved to the Imperial Palace, the symbol of the Empire. Cecily was not present because he said that he was leaving from Helium, not from the Minerva Empire.
And if you ask me why I go to the Imperial Palace, it is because there is a teleport facility in the Imperial Palace to move between countries, not between regions. Teleport in the Rekilis mansion can only be moved to areas in the Minerva Empire.
"Are you going to enter Albenheim right here?"
"It's not like that. You arrive in Albenheim, but there you have to reveal your identity and purpose of entry. You can think of this as an intermediate point."
After a while, we were able to reach the teleport facility. It was installed outside the palace because it was a safety hazard if it was installed inside the imperial palace.
When I visited Helium, Cecily did not have time to appreciate it using her personal teleport, but it was strange to see her in person.
The scale of the building is not as big as expected, and it looks just like a prison from the outside.
I glanced at the teleportation machine I had never seen before, then looked at Lina standing next to me. She was presently giving instructions to her escort driver, who had followed her.
It is presumed that they are having a conversation about the immigration procedure.
"Is this the first time Isaac is going to another country?"
Marie, who was standing next to me as I was looking at Lina, asked. She turned her head to see Marie's smiling face in her eyes.
'By the way, Marie doesn't know.'
I visited Helium for a short time because of the super high theft case. But it was dismissed as a secret between me and Cecily and Arwen, and Marie didn't even know it had happened.
So she will have no choice but to think that it's my first time going to another country. I scratched my head and let out an awkward laugh in a strange feeling.
"Yeah. Besides, I'm a little nervous because it's Albenheim. Marie, have you been there?"
"Actually, it's my first time in Albenheim. I've been to places like Ters Kingdom or the Duchy of Velua, but this is the first time for a different race."
"Then you don't know at all?"
"As much as the immigration process is extremely difficult?
"It's racism…"
I listened to her story and pondered it. There was racism in previous lives, but this place seemed to be called racial discrimination because of different races.
And I heard from Cindy that the older generation often engage in discriminatory words and actions. Not only that, but even the poorly educated new generation sometimes does.
Seriously, the more I look at it, the more I think it might be the most suitable race for 'pride'. Light and shadow are not compared to humans, but they are comparable.
"Then Cecily? Cecily is a demon. I think it's much worse than us."
"I'm worried about that, too. I got permission to enter, but I don't know after that. They said that there has never been a case where demons set foot in Albenheim."
Marie expressed her concern in a voice full of concern. In fact, it was almost impossible for Asmodians to enter any country 'official'. Most of them were smuggled into the country, which is why Helium implemented an anti-compulsory lockdown policy.
After Zeno's biography appeared, the situation improved several times, but he was still squeamish with Albenheim. On the surface, they allow entry, but inside, no one knows.
I was worried that Cecily would receive discriminatory remarks at Albnheim because of this, but if it does, it will develop into serious diplomatic disrespect. Being approved for entry is the same as saying that you are going to visit officially.
It has been a long time since the news has spread widely, not only in Albenheim but also in the Minerva Empire. Me and Marie, including Lina, are going to visit Albenheim to watch Arwen's public address.
For reference, while Lina and Marie were introduced as the princess and the duke, respectively, I was introduced as Marie's fiancée. It's only natural for Marie to laugh with a happy expression on her face when she hears it.
"But don't worry too much. If that happens, Alvenheim's evaluation will only deteriorate. Besides, we're going to stay at a nearby inn, aren't we?"
"Are you going to stay in the inn all the time? Don't you want to go around?"
"I don't care if you want to. But I don't know if that's possible. You and I will share the same room."
"… …"
As soon as they say they share the same room, Marie's face turns red in an instant. Even so, holding her hand tightly represented her own desire in a fragmentary way.
I smiled at her inner heart, who seemed to understand her even without saying a word, and gave strength to her hands. Marie rejoices as she sheds her characteristic roaring laughter.
Although it is a joke, I think I will take a day off at an inn to soothe my tired body along with the infamous arrival procedure of Albenheim. In case you didn't know, I brought a book and a notebook with me.
"Now let's go. They said they've already cleaned up inside. We'll just have to stand on top of the magic circle."
"If you move, will you start the immigration process there?"
"Yeah. It won't be as tight as notoriety, so don't be nervous. If no one else knows, we're nobles. Our identities are already guaranteed."
"Okay. But Lina, have you been to Alvenheim?"
"I've only been there once with my brother. That's when I met the queen."
"Really?"
Apart from Albenheim's visit, it was the first time he had heard of Arwen and Gumyeon. Lina how did she meet Arwen?
Lina looked at my expression with such a question, smiled, and replied with a tone that it wasn't a big deal.
"I only had the opportunity to tour the academy in Albenheim once. The academy was located inside a huge tree called the World Tree. It was really amazing. I met the queen once."
"How does it compare to Halo?"
"It's much better there. It's probably because it's an academy built by the elves themselves. We have a lot of money for even simple magic."
When will the day come when humans can freely use magic? Not to use it as if it were breathing like an elf or a demon, but so that anyone can use it if they put in effort.
If not, it wouldn't hurt to borrow the power of science. To be honest, seeing the existence of air conditioners and refrigerators seems to give me the ability to make machines enough.
I made my way into the teleportation facility with a useless thought to myself. As I passed the security guards guarding the entrance in front of the facility and entered the building, I felt the air getting heavier.
"Five…"
And as soon as I looked around, I spit out an exclamation with multiple meanings. There was a magic circle on the floor that seemed to contain complex magic tricks, and around it were wizards wearing robes.
It seems to summon a demon rather than a teleport. What's more, the wizards murmured, subtly echoing, and the atmosphere was gloomy.
"All preparations are complete, Princess. All you have to do is stand on the magic circle."
While watching the preparation process silently, an old wagon voice intervened. He seemed to be in charge of managing the teleport facility.
At this, Lina nodded and moved towards the magic circle. As she moved her steps, she moved with me and Marie. while she was still holding her hand.
Eventually, as soon as everyone who was heading to Albenheim climbed up the magic circle, the former manager spoke up.
"Teleport in 10 seconds. 10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 1."
Wait, a minute. Why is it suddenly skipping from 6 seconds to 1 second?
Whether I was embarrassed or not, the person in charge activated the magic circle with his characteristic old-fashioned voice.
"I'm leaving for Albenheim."
Paah!
Simultaneously with those words, a dazzlingly bright light erupted from the magic circle. I closed my eyes tightly and waited for the light to disappear.
Just in case she gave strength to Marie and her holding hands, I could feel her quietly giving her strength, as if not to worry.
Thanks to this, the moment my heart was about to be reassured, the light from the magic circle gradually diminished. I opened my eyes quietly, thinking that I could slowly open them.
Is it because a bright light bursts out in an instant? A black haze flashed across my vision, obstructing my vision. Still, it wasn't to the point where I couldn't see at all, so it was possible to tell them apart.
The wizards who had just surrounded the magic circle had disappeared, and a man stood proudly in front of him. If you look closely at his face, you can see that he is a man with a splendid beauty and ears that are much longer than humans.
The man was none other than an elf. He smiled elegantly as I looked at him with a puzzled expression and then opened his mouth with a gentle tone.
"Welcome to Albenheim, everyone. You can go through the immigration process over there."
"Uh… hello?"
"Yes. Hello. The red-haired man."
When I suddenly greeted, the elf man greeted me softly and accepted me. Her face lit up as if she had just done something stupid.
In the meantime, Lina opened her mouth to greet the elves according to the etiquette.
"Hello. I am Lina Urmi Christine, the first princess of the Minerva Empire. Did you hear that we are coming?"
"Of course. The detailed immigration procedure is just past that road."
"Thank you. Guys, let's go."
"yes."
I followed Lina and looked around. Unlike the teleport facility we saw earlier, this place is filled with dense trees.
The unique scent of the forest that stimulates the sense of smell penetrated my nose, and the surrounding area is green. Besides, there seemed to be only one elf guarding this place.
As I passed the elf man who was supposed to be in charge, I met his face.
I don't know what he was thinking, but he was looking at us with an elegant smile.
'Are you just sending it off like this?'
Albenheim's immigration process is notorious for being terribly demanding. So he came prepared mentally, but it was a little futile to let him go so easily.
Or is it like a checkpoint of some sort when passing this road all the time? A question came up slowly and I asked Lina a question. There was an escort driver next to me, but they didn't have to worry about it, so I used half-words.
"Are you going all the way to Alvenheim now?"
"It's not like that. If you walk a little in front of this place, there will be an institution for immigration procedures. You can do the full-scale immigration procedures there."
"Who was that person?"
"A wizard who manages teleport facilities. Unlike humans, elves need only one wizard to use teleport."
"Can you take care of yourself?"
"I have to transport several people, so they must be experts in that area. And they'll be on the lookout from places I can't see. The forest is like a home for elves."
It seems that he was also on guard duty in an invisible place. I was amazed when I learned new facts one after another.
When Lina saw my expression like that, she smiled and told me about her future plans. It's all about how she can safely go through her immigration procedures.
"If you use the teleport facility, you are usually considered VIP, and the immigration process is very docile. So, if you don't answer strangely, you can pass."
"For example?"
"When asked about the purpose of your visit, you can't simply say it's a trip. You have to tell in detail where you're going, where you're going to stay, and when you're going to leave. It's caught. As you know, elves are particularly strict with other races."
"Why are elves being so strict?"
This is Marie's question, not mine. Her blue eyes were full of her doubts.
However, Lina handed the baton to me as she didn't know much about it.
"Well, I'm not sure about that either. Maybe Isaac is familiar with it?"
"Isaac, do you know?"
"It's just an analogy… but it's probably because of the racial war."
"A race war?"
"Yes."
Marie made a face asking for a detailed explanation. So was Lina, who was next to her. She really didn't know either.
As I looked at the two women with curious eyes, I slowly organized my thoughts and brought out explanations one by one. It was easy to say because it was a story I heard from Cindy as well.
"As you all know, humans and elves waged a tribal war 300 years ago. It was a war that caused considerable damage to elves as well as humans. But 300 years for elves is about 30 years ago for humans. A century has passed. Humans are wars recorded in history, but elves are still remembered. That's probably why entry procedures are complicated. For the elves, the aftermath of the war continues."
"Is this to prevent an unknown terrorism?"
"In a way, it is? But keep in mind that elves have recently implemented an open policy. Of course, you have to be careful. Because one loach usually muddies the water."
"Oh…"
After hearing my explanation, Marie was amazed. Not only her but also Lina has a similar face.
After that, Marie smiled bashfully and clung to my arm. Then he rubbed her face and mumbled in a voice aimed at her happiness.
"It's my boyfriend who's so smart and handsome… I think I'm such a happy woman."
"Marie. Is Lina looking at you?"
"Tell me to look. How about it? Are you envious?"
Marie crossed her arms with me and glared at Lina. It's a shame that the two recently reconciled, otherwise the picture would never have come out.
Lina was also fed up with Marie's innocence and spoke as if she couldn't stop her.
"I envy you. I wish I had a man like Isaac. Handsome, smart, and…"
Lina paused for a moment, then slowly lowered her gaze. Until then, her eyes stopped halfway and she bit her mouth tightly. At the same time, a slight flush of red caught her eye.
About the time when she was tilting her head not knowing what she was thinking, Lina slowly turned her eyes away and coughed in vain.
"Large. It's nothing. I'm just envious."
"Are you thinking about that again?"
When Lina was about to turn her back on, Marie asked at first. She stuttered her words, greatly puzzled by Lina, as to whether the question worked out quite well.
"Oh, no! Absolutely not! I'm not a pervert…!"
"Your face is bright red for something like that? You must be…"
"Joe, be quiet! Isaac misunderstood!"
Why is my name being mentioned all of a sudden? While I wondered, Lina turned red and faced me with her blushing face.
The eyes of the same color as Marie were fixed on my face for a while, and the gaze kept going down and up and down repeatedly.
And…
gulp-
Whether she was on the defensive or nervous, Lina gulped her saliva. Considering her usually gentle personality, this is a surprising reaction.
"Ugh."
In the meantime, Marie, thinking that she had caught the gunsu, relaxed her arms with me and slowly approached Lina. Judging from the subtle snoring and the expression on his face, it seems that playfulness has been activated.
After that, Marie approached Lina and whispered in her ear.
"…!"
I don't know what he said, but Lina's body trembled violently with just a few words from Mari. Her pure white skin was all red, and her lips trembled in her eyes.
What the hell was Marie talking about? She grinned while I was wondering, and then she came back and clasped her arms around me.
"What did you say?"
"It's nothing. I was just joking around."
"Hah…"
For a joke, the reaction was quite intense. She buried her face in her hands and couldn't even raise her head.
"lol."
"… …"
Either way, Marie was busy fussing around, clinging to me. After that, we were able to step to the checkpoint that looked far away.
"No. No matter how approved, demons cannot set foot in Albenheim unless the Queen or the Senate directly grants permission."
"Do you have to tell me how many times?
"For what reason would our Queen allow the Asmodians to enter? Please provide proper evidence."
"Whoa…!"
I ran into Cecily who was arguing over the immigration process.