Chapter 297: Meeting the King

“P-Please, this way!”

Guided by a guard trembling with the intensity of a junior baseball player visited by an alumnus who should have graduated long ago, we moved through the Royal Capital. The main street was old but had an exotic atmosphere, which was interesting. Buildings looking like they had clay or stucco walls lined the street, and many clothing stores and eateries could be seen. However, there were hardly any people. Even if there were, it was just adults or guards. Seeing the clearly abnormal state of the city, Till and Arte, riding in the same carriage, looked anxious.

“…I wonder if they are being wary of us.”

“…As expected, they would be wary, right.”

“You two don’t have to whisper.”

Perhaps because we had come to a land that was formerly an enemy country, the two were conversing in small voices as if frightened. As I said that with a wry smile, Khamsin poked his head out of the carriage window with one hand on the hilt of his sword.

“…If anything happens, I will definitely protect you.”

“Yeah, I’m counting on you.”

I smiled and answered Khamsin’s powerful words. I felt a paternal pride watching Khamsin become more and more knight-like, but thinking about it, I reconsidered that Khamsin has originally been active as a splendid knight.

Then, Dee, who was listening nearby on horseback, puffed out his chest and laughed.

“Wahahaha! You speak well! As the Knight Commander, I cannot lose!”

Dee’s voice echoed well in the quiet city, and among the surprised guards, some let out strained voices. Well, there is no doubt that Dee, riding a horse with a greatsword on his back, is imposing even when not fighting.

“Man, you two are seriously feared here.”

Kusala let slip something I couldn’t ignore, so I raised an objection.

“No, no, it’s Panamera-san who is being feared. No matter how you think about it, there’s no way they’d be afraid of such a cute boy like Van-kun, right?”

I pointed that out, but the adventurers, including Ortho, just looked at each other and smiled wryly.

“Lord Van, that’s a bit of a stretch…”

Surprisingly, even Pluriel said that with a wry smile. While I was quietly shocked, the adventurers were giggling, having conversations like “Well, he has done a lot of things,” and “Like this and that.” Those tax-evading adventurers.

Deciding in my heart to raise the price of Van-special weapons, I looked at Ortho.

“What is this city usually like?”

When I asked, Ortho glanced around and opened his mouth.

“Let’s see… Well, I think it was lively enough to befit the premier city of a major power. Honestly, it should have been the richest city among the ones I’ve been to.”

Ortho answered. It would be cruel to check here if he has ever been to the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Scuderia. I just nodded and said, “Is that so.”

If I look closely, I can feel people’s gazes from the second floors and deep in the alleys. It seems certain that it is a city with a considerable population. It might be better to be wary of various things. Thinking that and tightening my focus again, a large castle approached before long.

It was a rugged castle that looked like a combination of squares, but it had quite a tasteful atmosphere. However, it was a stone castle that seemed to have a long history. Perhaps this castle stood as a fort even before the city was built. If I asked Esparda about this, a history lesson would start immediately, but since I have forgotten most of the history of the Kingdom of Yelenetta I received before, I hesitated to ask.

Arriving in front of the Royal Castle, the guide guard turned back.

“…This is the Royal Castle, Three Points. Many of the royalty and vassals, including His Majesty, are under house arrest within this castle, so I would like you to clear the suspicions as soon as possible, but…”

The guard started speaking in a slightly harsh tone at first, but when Panamera directed her gaze at him, he gradually trailed off. Apparently, he was angry that his country’s royalty was being treated roughly, but he lost to Panamera’s gaze.

It can be said that it can’t be helped since a guard expressing an opinion to a noble requires considerable resolve itself. However, Panamera did not seem to like the weak attitude.

Glancing at the guard who voiced his opinion, she spoke in a low voice.

“Then tell that to the King of Yelenetta. Tell him not to offer futile resistance.”

When Panamera said just that, the guard did not reply and only bowed silently.

After watching his retreating figure, the soldiers guarding the castle gate opened the gate. When the castle entrance was opened, a hall that seemed to be the castle’s main hall immediately came into view.

It seemed quite spacious, with a large staircase in the back, and part of a luxurious chandelier could be seen from the ceiling.

And also, the figures of dozens of people dressed in luxurious clothes.

“…Welcome. Count Panamera. And Viscount Van.”

An elderly man standing in the center spoke with a stiff expression.