The city in the fifth layer of Amamiya Tower already has a population exceeding six hundred thousand.
Its scale is such that it ranks among the top ten in the world.
The number of Teleport Gates connecting the fifth layer to the outside now exceeds twenty, linking not only to the Central Continent but also to the other four continents.
While some Teleport Gates have restricted usage, over two-thirds of them allow for near-unrestricted passage.
Initially, most Teleport Gates connected to other countries had restrictions. However, their usefulness was recognized, and lifting these restrictions became the norm.
Of course, even with the lifting of restrictions, regular “inspections” are naturally in place.
Especially travel to other countries is conducted with extreme strictness on both sides.
Although the Teleport Gates were initially built adjacent to the Crown’s headquarters, they have since been relocated to consolidated areas after their management was transferred to the country.
The locations of the Teleport Gates have been designated as special “districts” and are under the strict management of Razek Amamiya.
However, despite the stringent security, it is almost impossible to misuse the Teleport Gates.
To pass through a Teleport Gate, one must use either a Crown Card or a temporary visitor’s card. This is because the cards themselves require personal magic power to function.
While creating each card is simple, once a user is blacklisted, subsequent use becomes almost impossible.
No matter how one tries to cheat, personal magic power is registered in the core system, making deception futile.
In a sense, this serves as the greatest defense against the entry of criminals.
Kousuke let out a sigh of deep emotion while looking at the row of buildings in a corner of the city on the fifth layer.
The fact that each of these buildings houses a Teleport Gate was unimaginable from its initial scale.
Each building is equipped with a Teleport Gate leading to other countries.
Therefore, the buildings standing before Kousuke’s eyes now also function as embassies for their respective nations.
For each country, it is easier in a way than a general checkpoint, as they only need to monitor those entering and exiting these buildings.
For now, entry and exit to each building are proceeding smoothly.
This does not mean they are empty, however; a certain volume of traffic is being maintained.
At the very least, it is proof that the operation of the Teleport Gates is going well on the surface.
Kousuke, who had been observing the people entering and exiting those buildings, snapped back to attention when Kouhi, who was beside him, called out to him.
“Master? What is it?”
“Hm? Ah, no. …It’s changed so much, that’s all.”
Kousuke said this and smiled at Kouhi and Mitsuki, who were on either side of him.
The last time Kousuke came to this layer, there was only Kouhi and Mitsuki beside him, and nothing else, just like now.
Compared to that time, the development is incredible.
Mitsuki, perhaps sensing Kousuke’s thoughts, smiled at him.
“That’s right.”
“Ah, well, um. For now, shall we go?”
Sensing that he had been seen through, Kousuke showed a somewhat embarrassed expression and left the spot.
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Kousuke and the others are here on the fifth layer because they received a report that the Magic Power Supply Facility has finally been completed.
They are to witness the initial operation of that facility.
Of course, appearing in his true form would cause immense trouble, so they have taken precautions to remain undetected.
This is also why they are moving only as the three of them: Kousuke, Kouhi, and Mitsuki.
The dazzling beauty of the two women has also been altered, so they are not attracting undue attention.
To those around them, they appear as an ordinary group of three.
Observing the developed cityscape, Kousuke and the others arrived at their destination.
“Whoa~”
Kousuke involuntarily exclaimed at the building that appeared before them.
Not only its size but also its shape gave the impression of a “factory.”
Kousuke had not given any specific instructions; this was the result of creating a structure suited to its purpose.
“…Why was that rounded part necessary?”
Kousuke found himself preoccupied with a trivial matter, but Kouhi and Mitsuki merely tilted their heads.
It was only natural, as they had no knowledge of buildings from Kousuke’s original world.
Perhaps it was because of this that a guard standing by the entrance to the facility approached them.
“Hey, you lot! Entry is prohibited for unauthorized personnel!”
The Magic Power Supply Facility is a crucial facility for both Razek Amamiya and Crown, so its security is incomparably more stringent than anything else.
At worst, it is said to be equivalent to the security of the Royal Castle.
This guard was simply doing his job.
Kousuke honestly held up his hand and took out a piece of paper from his pocket.
“Excuse me. It was quite unusual, so I couldn’t help myself. …If you could confirm this.”
“This!”
Looking at the writing on the paper, it was clear that Kousuke was an authorized person, and in fact, a VIP.
The guard, showing a flustered expression, bowed his head.
“I-I apologize!”
“No, no. In this case, it’s my fault for causing a commotion here.”
Saying this, Kousuke waved to the guard and headed toward the entrance.
If they stayed there any longer, the guard seemed likely to remain with them continuously.
Although the facility’s exterior was unlike anything seen in this world, the interior consisted of ordinary walls.
If anything, it had the atmosphere of a research facility often seen in movies, but such places also exist within castles, so it was not entirely unusual.
After proceeding down a straight corridor, they eventually reached a slightly wider area.
There, Towa, who had become the current king, was waiting with several retainers.
It had already been communicated to Towa that Kousuke and the others had altered their appearances.
Upon recognizing Kousuke, Towa was the first to approach.
The people around him hastily moved with Towa.
Then, as Towa knelt before Kousuke, those around him appeared flustered.
“Your Majesty! What are you doing!”
“King Towa!”
To them, their king had knelt before an unknown individual.
It was natural for them to be alarmed.
However, Towa ignored them and spoke.
“Thank you very much for gracing us with your presence on this occasion, Avatar. And to both of your spokespersons.”
The moment Towa spoke, the place fell silent as if a bucket of water had been poured.
The people gathered here were Towa’s direct subordinates.
Naturally, they knew exactly who the “Avatar” Towa referred to was.
After a moment of silence, those who regained their composure began to kneel like Towa, and eventually, everyone was in a similar posture.
Although they had not been informed of Kousuke’s visit today, Towa’s demeanor left them no doubt that the person before them was the ruler of Amamiya Tower.
Their current attitude was only natural.
“Ah. Well, for now, you may relax. You came to see the facility’s operation, didn’t you?”
As Kousuke said this, the group finally relaxed.
Of course, Towa was the first to break his posture.
Even if told directly to do so, they were unsure if they were permitted to relax.
Perhaps they also felt they could not relax before Towa.
In any case, the group, including Kousuke, headed into the facility.
It has finally been completed.
And given the nature of things, Kousuke has appeared as the Avatar without hiding his identity (?). This is perhaps the first time.
Everyone except Towa is surprised by it.
