Tuscosia is a town close to the Shoro Kingdom and is commonly known as in the Kingdom of Celuloa.

Tuscosia is commonly known as in the Kingdom of Celuloa, because although the Shoro Kingdom and the Kingdom of Celuloa have a long border line, there is only one road leading to the Shoro Kingdom, and Tuscosia is the only entrance to the Shoro Kingdom.

From Tuscosia, a mountain range to the north and a large river to the south separate the two countries.

Both countries share a vast area and a small population, and their different cultures have not been very enthusiastic about exchanges between the two countries.

"Well, the previous emperor said that was not good enough, so there have been some changes.

Reinhard explained to Jin in the carriage to Tuscosia.

"As a diplomat, I'm afraid I can't give you too many details of the situation in the country."

"Hey, you two, Tuscosia is in sight."

Matheus called from outside the carriage.

"Oh, I see. You've never been to Zin before, have you?　You should take a look."

Reinhardt told Jin to look out the front window.

"Oh, it's amazing."

Tuscosia is a border town, and there is a fort adjacent to it for security. However, it looks more like a fort than a fort, if I may say so.

Where the mountain to the north lowers toward the south, there is a small rocky hill. Tuscosia was carved out of the rock and hollowed out.

The fort about a kilometer away from it was built of ordinary stone, so it has a square appearance and is a common fort that can be found anywhere.

Tuscosia, however, is a bit unique. It looks like a smaller version of Australia's Uluru (Ayers Rock), with the surrounding area left hollowed out.

"I see, no wonder it is so famous.

Jin was impressed by this.

Eventually, the group slowed down and parked the carriage at the designated parking lot.

As they disembarked from the carriage, the majesty of Tuscosia became even more apparent.

Jin picked up a piece of rock lying at his feet and saw that it was of the same quality as the rocks that make up the city.

Sandstone, huh? This used to be the bottom of the sea.

Reinhardt overheard the muttering that escaped from my mouth.

"What?　Jin, what did you just say?

"What?　What did you just say?" "I said that this place used to be at the bottom of the sea.

"How can you tell that at a glance?"

Reinhard was very excited.

"Because this is sandstone. This is a rock formed by a thick layer of sand on the ocean floor. That's why I'm so impressed that it's here on land."

Jin pointed to the city of Tuscosia.

"Look, those horizontal stripes. Isn't that the best proof?"

Jin explained briefly.

Sand is brought in from rivers.

The way gravel, sand, and mud are transported depends on their weight, so the gravel accumulates near the shore and at the bottom, followed by layers of sand and mud.

The land is not eternal, but can rise (uplift) and fall (subsidence).

However, this is a high school-level knowledge of geology, and since it is based on the Earth, I am not sure if it is 100 percent applicable to this world or not.

"I see. Is that part of the <?"

"Yes, it's a branch of science called geology.

At that moment, Matheus, who had been listening to Jin's explanation in silence, opened his mouth.

"Jin-dono!"

His voice was so loud that it startled not only Jin himself but also Reinhardt.

"That's wonderful!　Your explanation has given me the answer to a question I've had for years!　?　It's a wonderful science!"

"...... Matheus?"

Reinhard had never seen Matheus so excited.

"...... No, I'm sorry. Reinhard, I'm sorry I'm so excited."

Matheus, who had regained his composure, apologized.

"But you don't know this Matheus, when I was a little boy I wanted to be a scholar. You know, there was the time we found a shell turned to stone on the shore of Lake Tosmo. From that moment on I wanted to know how it came to be or why it was here. But no one around me could tell me."

Lake Tosmo is a huge lake near the family home of Reinhard and Matth?us.

"Some say it was a shell turned to stone by magic, others say it was a stony shell. But neither of them seemed right to me."

"A fossil shell?"

Jin interrupted from the side.

"A fossil shell?　Does it mean that it turned into a ...... stone?　So is it a shell that was turned to stone by magic?

"No, it is not. Then it would be strange if the contents of the shell were not left behind, wouldn't it?　The stone shell had no contents, did it?

"Yes, that's right. I saw that the inside of the shell was still a stone.

Jin nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps the soft contents have been replaced over the years.

"A long time...a thousand years or so?"

"No, tens of millions, maybe hundreds of millions of years."

When Jin said this, not only Matheus but also Reinhardt was surprised.

"Oh, really?

Matheus was shocked by his own words. Seemingly remembering his position, he straightens his back and clears his throat.

"Well, I'd like to hear more of what you have to say, but first let's go to the inn. I am sure my men have already applied for it, so we should be able to enter the city soon.

With that, he led the way to the entrance of the town.

Jin and Reinhardt (and Reiko, Reinhardt's butler and attendants) followed.

It was at that moment.

"Nobleman!　I have a favor to ask you!

and one of them got down on his knees.

(Kneeling on the ground is a thing after all...).

Jin was thinking such a misguided thing, but Reinhardt was astonished when he was called "Nobleman".

"Are you residents of the Shoro Kingdom?"

The custom of "getting down on one's knees" does not exist in the Kingdom of Cerroa, Egelea, Klein, Franz, Elias, or any other small group of countries. It is the unique etiquette of the Kingdom of Shoro.

"Yes, yes!　My name is Barrow, and this is Behré.

A boy who looked about 14 or 15 years old introduced himself as Barrow. Behle, standing next to him with her head bowed, was also a girl of about the same age.

Bele and I used to work for a nobleman in Bororon, but the other day he was purged and we lost our jobs.

Jin was shocked when he heard this. It was probably one of the reforms that the leadership of the Kingdom of Celuloa made in relation to the Unification Party (Unifiler).

But as a result, some of them lost their jobs. This is something that needs to be dealt with by the Nostalgia through the old man.

But for now, it is the two in front of you.

I was an apprentice butler and Behrle was an apprentice chambermaid. So I can do most of the work!　Please, take me with you to your homeland!"

"Hmmm... ......"

Reinhardt looks at her with difficulty.

"Do you have a passport?　You don't have one?

That's not so much a question as a confirmation.

"...... yes ......"

Barrow, who had been looking up all that time, sagged.

"Of course. So that's why you wanted to pass through the barrier as a squire of a nobleman.

"But, but!　But! I'm sure that Behré and I are from the Shoro Kingdom!　We even have a proper home!"

With a look of desperation on his face, Burroughs tried to argue. But Reinhardt remained calm.

Where do you live?

"In Maggiroots."

"Hmm, in the town next to Kraimhilde?"

No, no!　No!　It's a town north of Montt!

Then Reinhardt smiled. The question was a trick. Reinhardt then continued to tell Burroughs,

"I see. <.

Jin did not understand what he was talking about for a moment. For a moment Jin did not know what he was talking about,

"Yes, home is best," he heard Barrow say.

He heard Barrow's reply, "Yes, home is the best," and he guessed that it was something that people from the Shoro Kingdom would understand. (In fact, it was something like the saying, "My house is the best.)

"Well, it seems certain that you are from the Shoro Kingdom. But we are also in a hurry to return home.

Reinhard replied, "We can't be stranded here until we get permission for them to clear customs.

"Oh, no!　Please, I'll do anything!　I'll do anything!

As soon as Burroughs said this, Behrle, who had been standing next to him with his head bowed, collapsed without a sound.