Chapter 81 16.2 Loading Screen?

This was just a bombshell waiting to explode, wasn't it...

Letting out a sigh, I shook my head as I sprinted out of that awkward conversation as quickly as possible. I wasn't gonna ask how old she was, and I wasn't gonna ask either of them about what happened.

"Moving on, let's move to the harbor, shall we?" I suggested with fake cheer. "Guidance?"

"W-What?- Oh, right!" Thankfully, the dev took the hint as she grabbed onto Shizu's arm. "We have a long journey ahead of us, Shizu. We have to defeat the enemy, right?"

Shizu looked at us with wide eyes, her confusion clear for both of us to see before she seemingly just smiled in acceptance. "Sure thing, Guidance!"

I could only watch as the dev dragged the princess out with her, leaving me on my lonesome as I shook my head in mirth. Somehow, I have a feeling that last night's Imperial Dinner had put the two closer together. I was included in that, of course, but there was a bond there. Although...

"Guidance... just be grateful that Shizu doesn't notice that lecherous smile of yours..."

Not gonna touch it... Really. I'm not gonna go there...

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For some reason, it felt like we've been walking in circles ever since we got on the road. Well, it was expected, but somehow, it still all felt fake to me even as we made our way to the nearest Imperial dock available.

And by nearest, I actually meant going to the nearest port, which was surprisingly far from [Kotosa] proper. I mean, I expected one to be accessible enough for the city to properly function, but for an Empire without a functioning railway, this was a massive logistical nightmare.

"How in the world is the capital city still as wealthy if the nearest port is almost a few kilometers away?" I sarcastically asked as I dragged my feet through the roads. It's been hours since we set off, and for some reason, we don't even get the benefit of having actual transportation. "And don't answer, Shizu. I wanna hear Guidance's reasons."

The princess quickly closed her already open mouth. Shizu settled into a childish pout as I then turned my attention to the actual person that designed this world.

"Well, what else am I supposed to say?" Guidance shrugged. "I just thought it looked great. I'm an artist, not a city planner."

I blinked at her blunt answer. I... I didn't know what I expected, really. "But why are we walking on foot? There aren't even any enemies around."

"I wanted my players to appreciate the environment," Guidance reasoned out. "Giving them something like a mount would just help them speed through the area."

Ookay? Kind of logical, at least. Still, "We're not exactly players anymore though. Why not just code us up some mounts?"

I heard Shizu take in a breath beside me as she held her own thoughts in. Meanwhile, the dev sighed as she snapped, "Look, I don't care. Just keep walking, okay? Just.... Just take it all in."

I raised an eyebrow at her annoyed tone. I was just asking her a reasonable question. Why the hell did she have to snap at me like that?

"Sorry, then..."

An awkward silence settled between the three of us. With our feet colliding against the stone road below us, the forests around us made for a cool backdrop as we walked under that light of the purple ceiling above. I would've said sky, but knowing that we were still in a massive cave, it wasn't appropriate to use the term, I feel.

"Uhm... I have an actual answer..."

Hmm? "Shizu?"

The princess had another one of her proud smiles on her face as she raised a finger in thought. "Actually, the road we're walking on is an important part of the Kattleynan economy. The [Trans-Kotosa Road] connects the capital to the [Shallow Deep], and it's always well maintained to keep valuable goods flowing in and out of the Empire."

I raised an eyebrow at her explanation. True enough, the road was actually kind of busy. Caravans of all shapes and sizes were coming and going across the road, carrying mountains upon mountains of materials and goods that I could only assume they'd sell in the capital. Of course, the same could be said for the outgoing stuff; wagons full of raw materials almost walked alongside us as we all made our way to the port.

"I see," I hummed in agreement. "Though, I didn't expect you to explain that much."

Shizu almost flashed a smug smirk as she puffed up her chest. "Of course! As much as I hate it, I still have to study how the Kattleynan Economy works. I'm not just some spoiled princess, you know."

I shrugged in agreement. "Fair."

Another bout of silence settled between us. Between the sound of hooves and wheels rolling over the road, it actually felt kind of soothing as we simply walked our way to our destination. Then again, that's what I've been telling myself after the first hour of walking. Just how far was this port? Even the outpost we went to didn't take this long to get to. And as I look at the wagons passing us, I could almost swear that I've seen the same driver go past us over and over.

"Shizu, how far do you-"

"Just be patient, Moriya," Guidance cut me off, her voice strained as she walked ahead. "We'll get there when we get there."

Harsh much? "Come now, isn't it reasonable to ask someone how long it'll take for them to get somewhere?"

"W-Well, yes, but... just don't ask, okay?" Guidance replied in exasperation. She then whipped out her keyboard, running her fingers through the keys as if she was using it to contain her jitters. "We'll get there. It'll work..."

Shizu and I spared each other a passing glance. Already, we both knew that the same thing was running through our heads.

"It'll work?" I curiously asked.

Guidance flinched midstep, her fingers freezing in their place as she shakily answered, "Y-Yes... It'll work. We'll get there. This road will definitely not bug out on us."

...

...What?

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