At the conference room of the “Resting Traveler Inn,” after hearing Eringye’s background and personal story, Ly told her to call herself “Eringye Lumie Dela Einback.”
Ly’s demeanor seemed to be in “Princess Mode.”
“I… I am not permitted to use the Einback surname,” Eringye said, offering a faint, wry smile and looking down.
“It’s not a problem to use a family name that has been extinguished now, is it? Does it hold some special meaning? Or is it just a woman’s shallow trickery?” Prince Hamilton interjected, showing concern for Eringye and discarding Ly’s words, or rather, her decree.
“You are being incredibly rude! The fact that Ly Lumie said that means she has acknowledged you, Eringye, as the rightful heir to the Count Einback Family!” Tirna intervened. Tirna seemed unable to forgive Prince Hamilton for questioning the decision of the Ly Lumie she admired, and her voice was lower than usual, filled with suppressed anger.
“How dare a mere adventurer like you speak such nonsense! Furthermore, it’s disrespectful to me, a Prince of the Counts!” Prince Hamilton retorted, revealing his anger.
“Now, now, both Hamilton and Tirna, calm down. I also agree with Ly Lumie’s decision. Hamilton, please think about it again. If Eringye is the heir to the Count Einback Family, then their family status will be on par with the Count Elgerblard Family. This means she would also be suitable as a formal spouse,” Liliana explained Ly Lumie’s intentions.
“Th-that’s right! But, such an important matter shouldn’t be decided by a mere adventurer. If it’s discovered, you’ll be arrested for disrespect!” Prince Hamilton seemed to rejoice for a moment at Liliana’s explanation but quickly faced reality. It was true that it wasn’t a matter for a simple adventurer to meddle in…
“Well, well, we won’t do anything bad. We are just humble adventurers, but there are some things only adventurers can do,” Elise, who had been silent until now, pressed Prince Hamilton, also in “Princess Mode.” Eringye, with her sharp intuition, seemed to sense something, but Prince Hamilton merely grumbled.
“I also agree with Ly Lumie’s idea.”
“I concur as well.”
“I think that’s a good idea too.”
One after another, the Party Members of “Princess Harem” expressed their approval of Ly Lumie’s decision, drowning out Prince Hamilton’s doubts. It would be easier to persuade him if they revealed their true identities, but Ly Lumie and the others had no intention of doing so. They intended to maintain their facade as mere adventurers.
“By the way, Prince Hamilton, could you tell us about the specialties of the city of Imman?” However, as soon as the important matters of the meeting seemed concluded, Elise asked Prince Hamilton with expectant eyes. It seemed Elise intended to gorge herself on the local delicacies of Imman. Her stomach was actually quite taut at the moment. In fact, Freya and Shera seemed to have tightened her waist nippers for the meeting. It was said that Elise screamed and writhed in agony as they cruelly tightened them to settle old scores.
“This city is located at a strategic point connecting the former Wahl Imperial Kingdom and the former Yangas Kingdom, so various goods pass through here. As for local specialties, exquisite wood carvings and leather products made from Magical Beast furs are famous,” Prince Hamilton replied.
“…” Elise intended to ask about famous dishes, but the answer she received was about wood carvings and leather products.
“Eri, you might eat that.”
“Eri… eats wood and leather…? Amazing, Eri!” Freya immediately chimed in, and Shera also tilted her head in admiration.
“Honestly! That’s not what I meant! I want to know about the *famous dishes*!”
“My apologies. The famous dishes of this city are meat dishes made from Magical Beast meat.” With the information about local cuisine from Prince Hamilton, Elise’s mood immediately improved. Elise’s trivial question relaxed the atmosphere, and it became boisterous.
“This is starting to look interesting. I’m glad I came,” Miralka exclaimed cheerfully. Meanwhile, Sharon, sitting next to her, seemed to have skillfully fallen asleep while seated.
“Then be grateful to me for bringing you out of the Demon King’s Castle.”
“I am grateful to you, Princess Ederea.”
“She’s such a mouthy girl.” Miralka and Swan Hilda began a verbal sparring match, and Ederea sighed, but those around them watched with lukewarm gazes. Eringye looked bewildered at the scene.
“It seems we’ve exhausted our opinions, so let’s head to Elgerblard Castle,” Ly Lumie declared, standing up abruptly and looking around.
“Yes, I agree,” Liliana said, also standing up.
“I’m all ready too.”
“Alicia, you’re quite demanding.” Alicia followed Ly Lumie and Liliana, exchanging meaningful glances with Swan Hilda.
“Are you all sane?! My father, the lord of this city, will not meet mere adventurers! And even if he did, the Royal Knights will not allow suspicious individuals wearing masks inside!” Prince Hamilton, sensing something ominous in the air, blocked the exit of the conference room and warned them.
“With Prince Hamilton and Eringye, the Count’s mistress, here, it should be fine.” I also decided to support Ly Lumie and the others’ actions. I intended to leave the consequences to them. Besides, the topic of Prince Hamilton’s mother, Alma Bartley Dela Elgerblard, the Former Countess, was not mentioned at all during the meeting. This meant that Alma’s demonization and fall to the New Ancestor Vampire, as well as her subjugation into a servant, were to be overlooked. Perhaps the plan was to directly meet with Count Christopher Bartley Dela Elgerblard and decide something.
Afterward, we all tidied ourselves up and left the “Resting Traveler Inn” on foot, heading towards Elgerblard Castle, which stood majestically in the center of Imman. In the inn district, travelers and itinerant merchants bustled back and forth, a constant reminder that Imman was a hub of trade. Passing through the inn district, we entered the city proper where the proportion of local residents increased, and a unique lifestyle and vitality were palpable. It was hard to believe that Alma had abducted so many girls. Most of the abducted girls were likely travelers, making them difficult to trace. In our world, where fierce Demonkin and dangerous Magical Beasts also dwelled, if companions or family couldn’t find them on their own, they had no choice but to give up. The residences gradually became more splendid, and Elgerblard Castle came into view. However, as expected, Elgerblard Castle was surrounded by walls, and knights and soldiers stood guard at the castle gate. We approached the castle gate, with Prince Hamilton and Eringye at the front of our group.
“Pr-Prince Hamilton, we were worried. Hey, girl, you’re going to get a severe punishment from the Count for acting on your own, so be prepared!” One of the knights approached and bowed to Prince Hamilton. Eringye, however, was treated dismissively.
“By the way, Prince, who are these suspicious individuals you’ve brought with you? We cannot allow any suspicious persons into the castle…” As Prince Hamilton had feared, they would not allow them to pass in their “Princess Harem” uniforms. Now, what method would Ly Lumie and the others use to gain entry into Elgerblard Castle? I felt like watching from the sidelines.
“Eh?! M-me??” Suddenly, the other party members split to the sides, leaving me alone. They then looked at me with what seemed like expectant eyes. It appeared they intended to use me to break through the castle gate. With a deep sigh, I removed the mask shaped like a Valkyrie and took off my hooded robe, tucking it under my arm. Beneath the robe, I wore simple adventurer’s attire with reinforced plating sewn at key points. Then, from a hidden pocket in my jacket, I took out a certain crest and attached it to my left chest, displaying it to the knights.
“My name is Hal Harem Von Raymond. I wish to have an audience with Count Elgerblard. Could you please relay my request?”
“Who do you think you are?!” I showed them the crest of “First-Class Quasi-Noble” that I had personally received from King Henry of the Espana Imperial Kingdom, but strangely, the reaction was weak. The knight looked at me with suspicion, and both Prince Hamilton and Eringye also looked puzzled.
“What is this? Don’t you know of it?”
“I don’t! What meaning could such a petty crest possibly have?” The knight did not seem to know the value of this crest. “First-Class Quasi-Noble” is an honorable title that grants one the rank of Count when attending the White Castle of the Espana Imperial Kingdom, and the rank of Viscount when outside the castle. However, did the knights before me and Prince Hamilton truly not know of this crest? Moreover, since Imman is a strategic point for transportation, it would not be strange for influential merchants bearing such crests to be walking around, would it…? Or perhaps not?!
“Hal, these rural knights are direct subordinates of Count Elgerblard. That is to say, they serve the Count. Furthermore, individuals wearing such crests would not be on the front lines; their subordinates would handle them, which is why they haven’t seen it. Soldier, go and bring someone knowledgeable in the ‘Heraldry’ of the Espana Imperial Kingdom,” Ly Lumie intervened, offering a helping hand. However, even with the mask of a Valkyrie on, Ly Lumie’s speech was in her “Princess Mode,” leaving no room for argument. The knight her statement had somewhat insulted looked indignant but seemed to be holding back, as he didn’t know the other party’s background. The soldier who was designated also hurried into the castle, intimidated by Ly Lumie.
Thank you for reading.
Episode 43-3, Deep Foresight and Checkmate ②, has been reserved and is scheduled to be posted on May 17th at 0:00.
