"To think such scenery exists above the sky... I'm amazed."

  Gazing through the Gate at Tenger's meadows—grasslands blooming with wildflowers—Rashion spoke admiringly.

  "So, how large is this Tenger?"

  "Yes, at its longest point 2 kilometers... in Feridelia's units, approximately 2000 ashe, and width also approximately 2000 ashe, making 4 million square ashe total."

  "4 million square ashe.

  For a Regis's independent fief, impossibly small, but when it's flying in the sky...

  That's an entirely different matter."

  The Interior Minister added with admiration.

  Small wonder—4 million square meters... 4 square kilometers alone might not immediately register, but saying 'Odaiba is flying in the sky' makes it instantly clear.

  Celeste and the royal party had now crossed through the Gate onto Tenger's meadows.

  No sooner had they passed through than, seeing Arimecalises there to greet them:

  "Twins?"

  "Did she get ahead through the Gate?"

  "Magic trick!"

  They noisily speculated. After hearing Nairan's explanation (naturally, explanation from a fellow Tusita perspective was her forte), reactions varied—some eyes gleamed as if finding it fascinating, some looked ready to have smoke pour from their heads, some retreated into denial with 'Right, I don't understand at all but somehow I feel like I do!'

  As for King Rashion:

  "Mm, I don't understand at all but no matter!

  That you too are my subject—that's quite sufficient!"

  ...Whether he didn't want to think about it, or demonstrated a monarch's capaciousness—hard to judge.

  "No, at least try thinking a bit? You're a king, aren't you?"

  "Father, a king needn't excel at everything.

  Of course he mustn't be inferior to others, but where he falls short, having the magnanimity to accept counsel from outstanding subjects suffices."

  "Smooth talker."

  While father and son exchanged idle chat, the ministers—having somewhat adjusted to Arimecalises—asked their respective questions.

  "For floating so high in the sky, both wind and temperature seem unchanged from ground level?"

  "Yes. Tenger has climate adjustment fields deployed, allowing independent settings regardless of external climate or atmosphere.

  And please treat me as an ordinary Vicari."

  "Ah, right...

  Understood. We'll do so.

  Ah, pardon—introductions haven't been made yet.

  I serve as Interior Minister—Regis Barne Reihanen Parr.

  Pleased to meet you."

  "The pleasure is entirely mine, Interior Minister."

  "Come to think of it... so much astonishment since morning, I forgot to introduce everyone to you.

  For this nation's newcomer nobles, we'd never introduce ourselves first, but... you're an exception.

  I am this nation's Prime Minister, Regis Melande Orana Parr.

  This is Foreign Affairs Minister Comis Roiber Nadent Parr.

  Justice Minister Comis Randehale Barha Parr.

  Finance Minister Comis Mahassa Gerie Parr.

  Commerce Minister Comis Barinele Itona Mare.

  You've already met Military Affairs Minister Marc Daharat Mengen Parr?"

  "Yes. I'm grateful for the introductions.

  Everyone, though a newcomer to this world, I humbly ask your kind regard."

  'Newcomer to this world.'

  Though decidedly alien phrasing, no one felt inclined to retort.

  Even if they did, nothing would change—but Celeste the otherworlder's very existence may have dulled the ministers' sensibilities.

  "Pleased to meet you.

  Say, Arimecalises? How high is this Tenger floating right now?"

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Following introductions, the Commerce Minister asked what had concerned her.

  "Yes. We are currently navigating at 2000 ashe altitude."

  "2000? That's incredible.

  If you fell from here..."

  "Now now, don't say such inauspicious things!"

  Though scolded by the Prime Minister for inauspicious words, the Commerce Minister had a point requiring caution.

  "It's safe. Invisible fields are deployed—unless you deliberately jump, you're secure."

  "Invisible... what?"

  "Please think of it as an invisible fence."

  "My goodness."

  "But how does something like this float in the sky? Thaumaturgy?"

  The Finance Minister also asked what concerned him.

  "Regarding the power moving Tenger, disclosure is forbidden by the one who gifted it... but I can state it's neither thaumaturgy nor magic."

  "Who is this gifter?"

  "Stop—if she could say, she already would have."

  The Foreign Minister tried probing the sender's identity, but the Prime Minister stopped him.

  The Prime Minister judged avoiding anything that might displease someone who casually sends such supernatural things the wiser course.

  "Still, 4 million square ashe...

  That such vast land flies through the sky—even standing on it, I can't quite grasp it.

  I can't judge whether this is appropriate to ask, but what about movement speed?"

  Military Affairs Minister Daharat, apparently unable to resist curiosity, asked cautiously.

  "Yes. Movement speed during normal navigation reaches maximum 1.5 million ashe per hour—1500 kilometers.

  In emergencies up to 4 million ashe—4000 kilometers—but that generates vibrations disturbing crew and residents' comfortable living, and the resulting sonic boom risks harming those on the ground, so I don't recommend it except in extreme circumstances."

  "A-ah..."

  Incidentally, the speed at which Daharat first felt terror riding Celeste's automobile was 100,000 ashe per hour—100 kilometers.

  Even the navigation speed of 1.5 million ashe per hour was dizzying talk.

  "But 4 million... surely you're not mistaken about units?"

  "No. No mistake."

  Then Celeste interjected.

  "Hey, Arime—I hadn't heard about this.

  Sonic boom? With this bulk?

  That's no joke."

  "Which is why I won't use it except in extreme circumstances."

  Representing the ministers who couldn't follow this master-servant exchange, Daharat asked:

  "I asked before, but what exactly is this sonic boom?"

  "Ah? Right... well...

  The speed of sound—when you exceed the speed sound travels, air that can't keep up gets pushed and... think of it as exploding.

  That produces explosive noise and violent winds... small things are still manageable, but imagine doing that with all of Tenger. Beyond no joke—it could cause major disasters, you know?"

  "...Without even using explosion magic?"

  Daharat asked incredulously.

  The other ministers said nothing, eyes fixed solely on Celeste's mouth.

  "There's something called kinetic energy...

  If Tenger did something like that during low-altitude flight, it could pulverize a city district or so.

  Well, precisely because I know that, I absolutely won't."

  Celeste spoke in earnest—but the listening ministers felt anything but at ease.

  Though he said 'absolutely won't,' the world holds possibilities.

  And if some event broke that 'absolutely'...?

  "I've never been so grateful as today that you're an ally."

  "Hey, don't go arbitrarily making me your ally, you nasty old man."

  "Hey! I don't want someone like you as ally either!

  It's for the nation!"

  While their comedy-like exchange somewhat eased the ministers who'd felt paralyzed, one person made a bold statement.

  "Oho... well, well...

  More material to threaten neighboring countries. Heh heh heh..."

  "Foreign Minister! Can't you do something about that aggressive temperament!"

  Watching the Foreign Minister—making one wonder if positions had swapped with Daharat—and the Interior Minister frantically restraining him, Celeste idly thought they too made quite the odd couple.

  "...Hey, weren't you just thinking something rude?"

  "Hm? No, nothing at all?"

  Then the Finance Minister, who'd been waiting for a chance to address Arimecalises, asked her:

  "Vicari Tengeride, I don't know if this is answerable...

  That only plants inhabit here—I can guess why.

  Being isolated land, animal habitation poses various problems.

  However... now that it's Regis Celeste's fief, won't residence become necessary—is the environment suitable?"

  "In other words, can it be taxed?"

  At Celeste's smirking observation, the Finance Minister answered without shame.

  "Yes. Ultimately it's the kingdom's land, so as one who must consider national operations, I cannot ignore it."

  "Well, I understand that feeling.

  I've no intention of leaving this hard-won fief idle either.

  Arime, what's the actual situation? Residential capacity, material circulation and such."

  "Yes. Currently sustainable permanent population is 50,000; including short-term stays, maximum capacity reaches approximately 120,000.

  Regarding material circulation: air circulation exchanges with outside via climate fields; water supply comes from external rainwater plus purifying and circulating groundwater from within the foundation, sufficient for permanent population needs.

  Additionally, pollutant decomposition processing functions are in place."

  "Permanent population 50,000...? That's like an entire city flying!"

  In his astonishment, the Interior Minister involuntarily raised his voice.

  "Really? Ah...

  But I don't want to accept that many.

  Administration and such—feels like nothing but troublesome things."

  "You'd let treasure rot from mere bothersome-ness!"

  "No, well..."

  "Regis Celeste, if you need workers, I could lend Interior bureaucrats?"

  Whether wanting a piece of the dimly visible untapped interests, the Interior Minister proposed (naturally, since administration fell under Interior, he wasn't being unreasonable)—but Celeste had other ideas.

  "Ah, no no... even if population increases too much, it just becomes harder to control. I'd rather minimize permanent population and aim purely for profits."

  "If that were possible, who would struggle!"

  At Celeste's carefree words, the Finance Minister flared up.

  Truly, if that were possible, Finance wouldn't struggle.

  "But you see—

  Doesn't this seem perfect as a 'tourist destination'?"

  "T-tourist destination?"

  "Yes.

  Though water can be supplied, that's purely for domestic use.

  The massive water volume agriculture requires would be impossible.

  Industry would be similar.

  Meaning, even permanently housing large populations—the question becomes feeding them."

  "That's... perhaps true."

  The Finance Minister found himself persuaded by Celeste's realistic concerns.

  Of course, Arimecalises silently observed that if needed, water for industry could be produced infinitely—because her lord Celeste seemed not to desire it.

  "So, I'll make it a high-value-added tourist destination.

  'A journey 2000 ashe above the sky'—

  Doesn't your heart race just hearing it?"

  Hearing that, indeed it did—every minister present thought so.

  Domestic travel offered mostly similar scenery with little particular impression, while foreign travel was nearly impossible except for official business trips—such was Tusita's cultural level.

  Even domestic travel mostly meant nobles traveling between their fiefs and the capital, or visiting hot springs for recuperation.

  ...In such an era, 'sky travel.'

  Nobles starved for entertainment couldn't possibly not pounce.

  "And furthermore...

  We'll invite even foreign nobles—raking in the money!"

  Later, Celeste recalled this day thus:

  'The moment I said that...

  The Finance Minister, well, I expected his reaction...

  But the Foreign Minister came at me with a positively demonic expression.

  Just imagine? Those two, bloodshot eyes, gripping my hands refusing to let go.

  Going 'Let's do it! Absolutely!' while shaking—handshake-style violence—

  I thought they'd devour me alive, seriously!'