The Medina continent and the Ifriqiya continent both practice the same faith of Madbahhism.

    However, just as Islamic practices can differ based on whether they are in Islamic fundamentalist states or liberal Islamic ones, the territories governed by the Alchini family exhibit a completely different appearance.

    The duke beside me looked around with an expression of astonishment.

    "I thought that under Madbahhism, women weren’t allowed outside, but it seems a bit different here. They cover their noses and mouths with veils, yet everyone is wandering about freely."

    "Even among those who believe in Deus, interpretations of doctrine and lifestyles vary, don’t they? Naturally, there will be differences based on the continent."

    In Cairo, the stronghold of the Alchini family, women could never go outside alone.@@@@

    They could only go out in the company of men such as their husbands, brothers, or fathers, completely wrapped in cloth covering their faces and bodies.

    Yet here, as long as the nose and mouth are covered, they enjoy complete freedom to go out.

    "Very interesting."

    "Thank you for your kind words."

    "But it’s a bit strange. I heard that people from the Ifriqiya continent have black skin, large eyes, and lots of curly hair..."

    The duke looked around with a puzzled expression.

    "Here, I only see people with brown skin and sharp features. They look just like the pagan slaves we have in our family."

    "The pagans who migrated here because of religious issues do not mix with the native Ifriqiya people. While there are many pagan sex slaves in the Albanian continent, it’s rare to see any mixed-blood children of pagan sex slaves."

    It’s not that mixed-blood children aren’t born, nor are they all killed as soon as they are born.

    However, such individuals are generally handled quietly so as not to attract attention.

    "They’re not killed but instead forced to live in the backwoods, thus making them invisible."

    They likely employ similar methods here.

    "Oh, I see. Very interesting. So where is the person we are looking for?"

    "The person we are going to see is the governor of this region."

    "The governor, what position does that hold in our Toscana Empire?"

    "It’s similar to a duke in this region. Since the guide has stopped to talk to the guards, it seems we are at the governor''s palace."

    In China, a governor might feel like the head of a local municipality, but in the Medina Sultanate, it’s like a warlord who controls extensive military, administrative, and judicial powers over a large area.

    Moreover, this place is quite far from the capital.

    "It’s practically a monarch of an independent state, isn’t it?"

    "Your Grace, Baron. The guards are asking for a gift. How much do you intend to give?"

    Upon hearing the guide''s words, the duke took out gold coins instead of silver and handed them over.

    Not just one, but five coins.

    Giving such a large bribe to a mere guard seemed like madness, but bribes generally work their way up from the bottom.

    "Perhaps only half a gold coin will actually reach the guard?"

    I have lived in a world far more advanced technologically, culturally, and socially than this one.

    Even if I can’t use my abilities to replicate something like a "steam engine" as commonly seen in reincarnation novels with a few taps of a hammer.

    I can see what they cannot and utilize common knowledge they are unable to accept.

    "Seeing a little further than others is power."

    Those who are called chaebols have all succeeded through a broader perspective.

    "I like it. So, Duke, what brings you all the way to this distant Nador?"

    "I have come to observe what this baron from Toscana is planning."

    The governor’s gaze shifted toward me.

    "I want to buy gold from Nador."

    "Our Nador, or rather, this area I govern has no gold mines. So what do you mean by gold from Nador?"

    I already knew this much.

    The Nador region, which is practically the governor''s territory, has neither gold mines nor even a hint of placer gold.

    However, it’s not that Nador itself lacks gold; the areas where he trades with others are filled with gold mines.

    "Gold is not found in Nador, but the Alchini family has said this."

    In fact, I hadn’t heard it from the Alchini family, but that doesn’t matter.

    If pressed, I could simply slip away.

    "No, then some fellow might be pretending to be from the Alchini family to me."

    "One-third of the Sultanate’s gold comes from Nador, they say. Furthermore, many merchants here constantly purchase black slaves and gold from the Ifriqiya continent."

    The nations that first ventured into the Age of Exploration were Spain and Portugal.

    These two nations made a fortune from the gold and slave trade in West Africa.

    It’s reasonable to say this led to the American Civil War.

    However, I have no intention of diving into the slave trade.

    "Slavery is inhumane and inefficient in production."

    While I can’t stop others from jumping into it.

    Well, the governor of Nador and other merchants are likely quite engaged in it.

    Though slavery may be inefficient, selling slaves can be lucrative.

    The governor looked at me without saying anything, simply tapping his fingers on the table in front of him.

    "Your Grace, and I am aware of everything."

    "What do you mean?"

    "You need weapons and armor, don’t you? Furthermore, you could use more guns, gunpowder, and ammunition, right?"