Chapter 54: 54

Encounter and Reunion

 

  「Wow……!」

 

  After we arrived at the royal capital of Horus and passed through the gate. 

 

  Suzume was letting out exclamations of admiration as she timidly looked out from the carriage’s window.

 

  She still looked tense, but she probably couldn’t hold back the amazement she felt as she looked at the scenery of the capital.

 

  To this young girl who had been living alone in a forest, the thriving royal capital is no doubt like a dreamland.

 

  If I were to name all of the things that make Horus special, there would be no end to them.

 

  I mean, just their roads alone were completely different from other cities. Streets that have separate roads for vehicles and pedestrians probably only existed here out of the entire kingdom of Canaria. From what I know, not even the imperial capital of the Ad-Astera Empire has such orderly roads.

 

  They have not one, but two roads for vehicles. Horse carriages strictly followed the left lane. Thus, there won’t be any congestion on the road even if there are hundreds of carriages traveling back and forth at the same time.

 

  Since the pedestrian walkways are also wide enough, people’s shoulders won’t bump into each other even when there’s a lot of people walking around. Roadside trees and fragrant grass were planted between the vehicle roads and the pedestrian sidewalk, pleasing the pedestrians with a nice view and a nice scent.

 

  There are ten streets like that criss-crossing in all directions, giving the city called Horus a grid-like cityscape.

  The capital of the Canaria Kingdom did not expand as its population grew. The city expanded under sophisticated city planning. It was done based on precise calculations.

 

  The first generation king who had created this capital must have been a quite sharp and capable person.

 

  Bluntly speaking from what I can see in this city, I think the capital of the Canaria Kingdom surpasses the Ad-Astera Empire’s.   

 

  Suddenly, I heard sounds of instruments coming from outside of the carriage.

 

  When I took a look, I saw an old man in worn-out clothes playing a type of stringed instrument similar to a lute on the sidewalk.  

 

  A traveling bard…? No, his clothes looked too poor for that.

 

  While I was looking at him, he started playing a rhythm and sang in a high-pitched voice.

 

  「Sora, what does that person do?」

 

  「Mmm, if he’s a bard, he would probably want people to look at him a bit more…so I think he might be a biwa-houshi」

 

  「Bi-wa…?」

 

  「Ah, that’s what we call them from the country I came from. Ummm, they’re like priests who travel with their instrument to spread their god’s teachings. Although depending on the situation, he could just be a refugee…」

 

  Houshi- priests who wander the world to preach the teaching of their god while playing their instrument.

 

  They are usually followers of the god of beauty (the protector of art) or the god of luck (the protector of merchants and travelers), but since the training of going on minimalist journeys around the world to preach the teaching of gods is being practiced by temples everywhere, there are probably houshis who believe in the god of law or the god of love as well.

 

  Such priests are very knowledgeable and many of them could use magic. Aside from preaching about their god, they would sometimes inspire people by telling them stories of their past journeys like traveling bards as well. For that reason, houshis are welcomed in basically every town or village.

 

  Again, the situation could be different in a big city with many people gathered, but at the very least, there aren’t any places out there that actively persecute those kinds of priests. If they are harmed, their forces from their main temple will be dispatched.

 

  …There are also some refugees out there who would pretend to be those priests to get into some cities. That was what I meant when I said he could just be a refugee.

 

  While I was talking about such things, our horse carriage continued to advance and the figure of the priest disappeared from our sight.

 

  However, after that, we continued to see similar people here and there.

 

  Many of them wore shabby clothes like bums. They probably came from rural areas to the capital to look for work. If they dress like a houshi, they wouldn’t have to pay the toll fees to enter the capital.

 

  Of course, they would only be able to get in the capital. They wouldn’t be able to find a place to live or get food…but when it’s a big city like Horus, they can probably earn something just by kind of playing their instrument and singing something.  

 

  It’s a scene unique to the royal capital which is overflowing with people and resources.

 

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  After that, we were guided to a magnificent building located in the center of the capital.

 

  The location is good, and the view is nice. This is clearly a noble’s mansion. Moreover, I’m sure it belonged to an upper noble with a rank that’s higher than an earl. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the home of some royalty.

 

  Apparently, a messenger had gone in ahead of time, so there were already people waiting for our arrival outside of the mansion.

 

  Knights and soldiers, butlers and maids; despite their duties being different, they all had the same serious attitude receiving us like they were welcoming the king.

 

  Then, in front of the main gate stood a gentleman with silver hair who I think is their master.

 

  That person clearly had an appearance and the presence of no ordinary man. He looked like he could make even a wild tiger submit with one look. 

 

  I think he’s probably over 50 years old, but he doesn’t feel old at all. 

 

  This person…he’s probably stronger than Elgart, the guild master of Ishka’s adventurers’ guild.

 

  Just who is he?

 

  …Well, I kind of already have an idea about who he might be…

 

  It immediately became clear whether or not my prediction was correct after we got off the horse carriage.

 

  「I am King Tollvald’s vassal, Pascal Jem Dragunaut. Heroes who saved Ishka, welcome to the royal capital Horus. The house of Duke Dragunaut sincerely welcomes you」

 

  The moment Duke Pascal Dragunaut finished his announcement, everyone behind the duke saluted us.

  The knights and soldiers on the Duke’s right put their right hand on their chest.

  The butlers and maids on the Duke’s left made a deep bow.

  Their perfectly coordinated action was like a trained army’s. Suzume and Ciel were both more than surprised. 

 

  As for me, I wasn’t surprised, but a little frightened inside.

  Yeah…Don’t tell me…we’re going to live in the duke’s mansion during our time in the royal capital?

  In the mansion of Canaria Kingdom’s mighty『Thunder』?

  I’ll pay out of my own pocket okay? I wonder if they’ll let us live in an inn in the city instead. I think the other three will probably all raise their hands and agree with me on this.

 

  It was a genuine wish of mine, but thinking about it with common sense, there’s no way I can tell the duke who’s welcoming us “No thank you”.

  That would be beyond the level of being rude.

  It can’t be helped. Let’s just hope that the people in Duke Dragunaut’s house are not people who would make a fuss about etiquette.  

  It’s too late now, but I should have taught Suzume and Ciel the most basic etiquette on our way here. What I know is what they do in the empire, but it would probably be better than knowing nothing at all. 

 

  …No, before that…

  Lunamaria should be well educated on this since she is a graduate of the sage academy. I should be asking her to teach us how to behave in the kingdom.

  Well, either way, it’s too late now anyway.

 

  While I was having such thoughts in my mind, the gate was opened and we followed the Duke’s lead into his mansion after going through a long garden.

  Then, his family was waiting there.

  The girl that I met in Clau Soras’ stable was among those people. When I saw her, my eyes opened wide instinctively.

  She seems to have noticed me on the other side…or rather, she probably knew that I was coming. She gently smiled at me without minding the people around.

  It was a moment later that I found out that the girl was the eldest daughter of Duke Dragunaut, Astrid Dragunaut.

 

  And there was another person who caught my attention there other than Astrid.

  It was a thin girl who was standing with Astrid’s support.

  She was gently smiling at us with a clearly exhausted look on her face.

 

  She’s probably the Duke’s daughter who has been suffering from an illness that Fedor told me about, Claudia Dragunaut.

  I could not take my eyes off her. Not in a good sense though.

  I could tell just by the brightness of Astrid’s soul as Claudia stood beside her that there was something abnormal about Claudia’s soul.

 

  Claudia’s soul was too thin, and it was too small.

  It was so thin and small that I wouldn’t even be able to eat it. Her soul would definitely be gone after one lick.

  She probably isn’t going to die anytime soon…

  …But it wouldn’t be strange at all if she was dead a month later.

  Claudia’s condition was definitely at that stage…or at the very least, that’s how it looked to me.

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