It has been a while since I came to the capital and as expected, I’m still impressed by its liveliness. Just like the last time I came here, the number of people, as well as the number of races, is much more different from the town. In the town, there are dwarves, marito, and beastmen at best but here, there were also lizardmen and this time, there’s even a person who is twice as tall as a normal human. When I asked Camilo about him, he told me that he was from a giant race. It’s rare to see them in the Capital but it’s not something strange.
Elves can’t be often seen in towns or in the Capital, this is because, as Liddy-san had said, they need to take in some magical power so they don’t go to places where magic power is not that abundant.
Such people are coming and going on the streets. I don’t know how it is in other big cities, but in this city, the citizens don’t mind your race. But for something like an inn, there may be some consideration because of the availability of chairs and beds, putting it in the other way around, at least it’s not a situation where there is a ridiculous traffic.
Aside from the technical aspect, in my opinion, it appears that there has been a lot of progress in this world already.
We pass through the main street of the city and then we head towards the gate on the inner wall, which was one size smaller than the gate on the outer wall. This wall appears to be a reinforcement of the outer wall when this city was first built. It is similar to the wall on the town. If the fences at the town were turned into a wall, its appearance will then be close to the Capital.
When Camilo showed the gatekeeper the token, which is the proof of entry and exit to Eimurl’s residence, he was easily let through. Then our wagon drove through the cobblestoned streets in the inner city. It’s hard to believe, but the hustle and bustle a while ago is gone just like that. Still, that doesn’t mean there is no vivacity here. I can say there is a kind of serene feel in here. Slowly, the wagon made its way through the city and eventually, we arrived at a square lined with tents.
So this is the garrison huh. The soldiers gathered here won’t stay here forever I guess.
“Well then, I can only go until here. You should bring this one with you.”
Camilo, who dropped me off, says that while he’s taking out a piece of paper. Having a quick look, I saw that it is a proof that I’m the blacksmith who will be doing military service in this subjugation and that I was personally invited by the Eimurl House. Hmm, I only need to show this to the reception desk huh.
“Thank you, you really helped me there.”
“Don’t mind it.”
Camilo and I waved each other goodbye and then we part ways from here. Although Marius is also here, I’m not a strategist so it’s not like I’ll always be staying with him. I think I’m with the transportation corps so I want to get along with them.
I showed the document I received from Camilo to the garrison guard. The guard looked at the documents he received and summoned a nearby soldier.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
The soldier he called told me that. He is extremely respectful to me, I think it’s probably the effect of the invite which was directly from the Eimurl House. Well, no matter how they look at my appearance, I suppose I’m like those middle-aged man in this city. And just like that, the soldier who told me to wait, run off. Me and the guard were left behind.
“Are you also participating in this subjugation team?”
“Y-Yes. I’m supposed to follow as an escort for the supply unit.”
The young guard answers my question with a slightly tense look. I asked him casually, but I guess he wasn’t supposed to answer to this kind of question. He must be a new recruit. Well, now that I already started chatting with him, I’ll just keep on with the conversation.
“I see. I think it was also written in the document but, I’m Eizou. I’m in the supply unit and I’m supposed to repair your weapons and armors.”
If he is one of the escorts, we will have many opportunities to meet each other. Thus I introduced myself.
“My name is Delmot. I’m pleased to be your acquaintance.”
Delmot-san bowed with a graceful movement. He may be a second or third son of a noble family. It’s good that he can give his name like that.
After that, we talked about a lot of unimportant matters. Though I look like those middle-aged man in this city, he thinks that I am a decent person. It seems that even craftsmen who are employed by a noble family have a good social status even though they don’t have a title.
Well, instead of saying I’m employed, I’m just someone who caters to a client’s request. Or rather, I’m a supplier so I don’t have a connection to that. Besides, I don’t need such status titles even if they give it to me. Getting involved in various ties of obligation is troublesome. I’d rather spend my time making new weapons instead.
Marius seems to be eating and sleeping here together with the soldiers. “I used to be the same soldier as you”, he said that it was Marius’ favourite phrase when he was drunk. Delmot-san can’t help but smile when he told me that. With him looking like this, it seems that Marius has skilfully grasp their sentiments.
After a while, the soldier who said for me to “wait”, came back.
“The captain of the subjugation team wants to meet you.”
“Oh, then I’ll go to him then.”
I decided to head there myself. Well, it’s like, what kind of blacksmith I am for the Count himself to welcome me at the entrance of the garrison. However, since I don’t know the location, I asked for the soldier’s guidance and then I followed him. We arrived at a tent that has a fancier decorative curtain than the others.
“Captain, I’ve brought him here.”
“Let him in.”
“Understood. Please enter.”
I heard a voice that made me feel nostalgic and then the soldier urged me to enter the tent.