Magical Journey: The Other Shore Blooms on the Other Shore

The winter snow came exceptionally early this year, and the mountain paths were already completely covered by snow, leaving no place to step.

At this time of year, neither adventurers who hunt wild beasts nor traveling merchants would choose to venture out.

But walking on this snow-covered path, there was a young man dressed in thin clothes who seemed completely oblivious to the cold.

The worn-out scabbard held a secondhand sword that had been used for who knows how long. Its rusty appearance made it seem as if it would break after only a few strokes of wood-shaving.

His name was Qin, a traveler who drifted with the tide.

His attire also clearly showed that he seemed to have no connection with magic.

In this world, magic, to a certain extent, symbolizes status and position, and many kingdoms revere magic.

If you had even a little bit of magic, you should be treated well anywhere (except in a few countries that hate magicians), and you wouldn't have ended up in such a state as Qin, where even your sword is a defective product discarded from the battlefield.

In fact, Jean knows magic... even though his physical body and magic are extremely incompatible.

Like many of his fellow men in this world, his physical body and magical energy were extremely incompatible, making it impossible for him to cast spells under normal circumstances.

The lack of magical affinity is actually quite common in this world.

Women are generally far more compatible with magic than men. Even so, most women have no affinity for magic, and witches are extremely rare compared to the vast population. Such people are respected almost everywhere they go.

As for men, anyone who can learn magic is considered one of the best among their male compatriots.

Most people are ordinary, and since birth they have envied the opportunities of children with magical talents—flying and escaping, capable of anything.

“Peaceful Country Roberta…” Qin looked at the somewhat hastily drawn map in her hand, pondering the direction of the next stop.

This is the sixth year since he left his hometown and embarked on his journey at the age of ten.

I don't know how many times I've experienced this kind of life, traveling from one country to another.

Generally speaking, he doesn't have the habit of doing research in advance; he just goes wherever he feels like.

For him, the purpose of travel is to reach the other side of his life with peace of mind; as for the destination, he has never thought about it.

Generally speaking, wherever one is finally buried is the end of the journey.

But the snowstorm seemed to have come unusually early this year, and he felt somewhat lost.

While sleeping in the wilderness and snow wasn't entirely unacceptable, as a human being, Qin instinctively wanted to find a populated area. The nearest kingdom was probably the peaceful kingdom of Roberta.

Speaking of the Peaceful Kingdom, even Qin, who never does any research, has heard many rumors about it.

It was a kingdom that, due to its excessive comfort, had taken laxity to the extreme.

The reason for the peace and tranquility is that a certain number of witches live within the kingdom. Even if most of them are ordinary and unremarkable, they are still witches in the end.

That is precisely why there is such peace... After all, any peace is built on the foundation of absolute strength.

It would be a terrible thing if the witches of Roberta were to launch a full-scale invasion of other countries.

But such a situation is impossible.

Firstly, the witches in the kingdom, known for their carefree attitude, are naturally indifferent to worldly affairs. Invasion is too boring for them. Even if some witches have this idea, it is impossible to persuade all the witches in Roberta to have this idea.

Secondly, in a contest between witches, numbers are not always the absolute factor. If pushed to the limit, even against just one witch, she can sacrifice herself to make everyone suffer. She may not die, but who wants to bear the consequences of a witch's dying counterattack?

After about a week of wading through wind and snow, Qin arrived at the gates of Roberta, travel-worn and weary.

He had expected to be questioned upon entry like in other kingdoms, but the gates of the Kingdom of Roberta were deserted, making the open gates appear even more desolate and comical.

It's so cold... that even the guards have gone home for the winter?

Only when you get closer do you see a wooden sign standing quietly by the city wall.

"Roberta welcomes travelers from all corners of the world. The entry fee is three copper coins. You must pay the fee to me upon entry, or you will bear the consequences—Witch Kalma."

Qin looked on with a black line on her face.

I'm really curious what happens if I don't pay the transit fee. Will some witch come knocking to collect the debt?

Roberta is so wealthy, he shouldn't need my three copper coins... If no one is pressuring him for them, I won't give them to him.

Qin entered Roberta's territory without a second thought, leaving the entry fee and such behind.

With the arrival of winter, the streets are covered in a blanket of white, and you can still see some people coming and going.

Everyone was bundled up in down jackets and striding confidently toward their destinations.

The entire atmosphere exuded tranquility and peace. It was so peaceful that it lacked vitality.

How can this atmosphere be described?

It's like the carefree joy of a rich second-generation heir who inherited his father's wealth.

Jean wasn't entirely clear on Roberta's past history, but with such a rich reserve of witches, it was clear that the kingdom's ancient magical foundation must have been exceptional.

The accumulation of generations over many years has created such a peaceful kingdom.

This is my initial impression of the kingdom.

But what does this have to do with Qin? He's just a drifter, stopping here to rest and earn some money for his journey to the next kingdom.

That's it.

If you have magic powers, making money should be a piece of cake for you; but if you don't, you'll generally have to find a proper job.

Of course, travelers like Qin are looking to make quick money. After all, he can't find stable employment.

As for magic, his magic is a bit different. While others consume magical energy, he consumes sanity and lifespan. Therefore, he generally doesn't use it voluntarily, leaving him with very few options.

That is, accepting commissions.

Every kingdom issues commissions of all sizes, earning a living by paying for them. These commissions range from assassinating the leader of another nation to cleaning the streets. Many travelers take on commissions to ensure their travel funds, and Qin is no exception.

However, for Yu Qin, he treated all requests, big or small, equally. In each kingdom, as long as the requests did not cross his bottom line, he would sweep away all the kingdom's requests like leaves falling in the wind.

But when Jean saw Roberta's commission panel with his own eyes, he was still a little dumbfounded.

Qin should have realized this long ago. In the Peaceful Kingdom, which is known for its lax attitude, how could so many people accept quests? Everyone is too lazy to do them, so every household has quests posted on their quest panel; however, since no one wants to do them, the quests pile up, and even passing travelers sometimes hesitate when they see the massive number of quests.

The reason is simple: the tasks are complicated and the rewards are meager. Wouldn't it be a waste of money to take on these assignments?

For example, extracting slime from a jar costs one copper coin. Does the person who posted the request not know that slime is worth five copper coins per jar? Even if someone is willing to collect it, why not sell it to a legitimate magic shop after collecting it?

Hmm... it was actually posted by someone I know... Karma...

I feel like I've seen this name somewhere before. Oh, that witch who collects border fees.

Wow, what a coincidence!

But in order to kill his not-so-valuable time, Qin, as the number one sucker, skillfully took on a large number of commissioned tasks.

While the residents of Roberta huddled indoors enjoying the magical fireplaces during this harsh winter, he alone and forlornly dealt with these complicated matters.