We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Young People’s Year
The six-horse luxurious carriage advanced down the main street, parting the flow of people. The surrounding royal knights, clad in equally splendid armor, provided strict security, causing onlookers to turn and wonder what was happening.
Laila and I were too embarrassed to show ourselves, but Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan were having a blast, sticking their faces out the windows and enjoying the passing scenery.
Since it was young, cute little girls peeking out of the carriage with its solemn atmosphere, people who looked back couldn’t help but smile.
They might be thinking, *Is she some noble’s daughter?*
“Hey, hey. There’s a white mountain over there.”
“Where?”
Peeking out from our hiding spot in the direction Priscilla-chan was pointing, I saw a small white mound in the distance.
“That’s the remnant Asher turned into ash,” I said.
“Are they collecting it for some purpose?” Laila asked.
“Or maybe they’re just throwing it all away somewhere?”
I saw it from the sky when we took Sefina to the capital on Revalia. I wonder what they’re collecting it for?
Curiosity piqued, I opened the small window in front of the carriage and asked the soldier serving as the coachman.
“That? That beautiful white ash is being used to rebuild the royal castle. A certain beautiful demon race member said it has high defensive properties. They initially tried to mix it into the bricks, but it seems difficult to process. They’re apparently using it as plaster.”
“Wow, I didn’t know ash had such an effect. Will the castle become pure white if they use it?”
“It probably will. It will become a beautiful white castle. Thanks to you, the threat from the dragon race has been greatly reduced. I hope a white royal castle will grace this land for many years to come.”
“I see.”
The previous royal castle, which was rugged and prioritized practicality, might be reborn as a castle symbolizing the beautiful white Armēdo Kingdom. I want to see it completed soon, but I wonder how many more years it will take. If they need more ash, I’ll ask Asher.
“Nyan is here too, nyan.”
“That’s right. Let’s have Nimia do her best too.”
Once we were alone in the carriage, Nimia, finally able to stretch out, yawned. There was no need to hide Nimia from the royal guards; in fact, they were likely aware of her existence due to their competence. So, Nimia and we were relaxing without restraint. If we were caught, we’d just have to accept it.
“Ah, is that a school I see in the distance?”
Unable to resist my curiosity, I stealthily looked outside and spotted a somewhat grand, single-story building a little distance down a side street. Boys and girls were energetically exercising in front of the building. It must be a rebuilt school, and the ones exercising are likely children just before their departure.
“Is it because of you and the Hero? More people are setting out from the capital this year to become adventurers than last year. Their parents were screaming.”
“Hahaha, that’s quite troublesome.”
At least Laila’s impact is understandable, but my achievements were nothing compared to hers. It’s utterly reckless to switch to aspiring to be an adventurer after that! It’s no wonder their parents are screaming.
“When there are no classes, the school building serves as temporary housing for nearby residents. That’s why it was restored earlier than other places and built properly.”
“So, people are still having trouble with housing.”
“That can’t be helped. However, no one is complaining. Everyone in the capital knows that if the damage from the demon race attack is this much, it’s a blessing. It’s a miracle we’re alive.”
“Still, I feel a little bad about it.”
“Hahaha. You are a hero. Just hold your head high, and no one will complain. If there’s anyone unruly enough to complain, I’ll catch them one by one. Don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“No, no, that’s not right!”
Just as I thought, they’re Loudriado’s subordinates. Their way of thinking is outlandish. While the coachman gave us informal tourist explanations, we headed towards the royal castle ruins.
Normally, heading straight down the main street would lead us to the royal castle walls. However, where the carriage was headed, there was a vast expanse of land that had only had its foundation dug out. It seemed like foundation work for the castle had begun at the back of the grounds, simultaneously with the construction of the walls. However, the castle’s shape was nowhere to be seen, so I probably wouldn’t have known it was the royal castle ruins without the explanation.
The carriage passed the castle gate area and proceeded onto the large grounds. Ahead, a splendid building, albeit temporary, had been constructed.
“No, that’s not temporary. It’s currently the central institution of the capital. His Majesty is also living there. Once the royal castle is completed, it’s planned to be renovated and become the outer palace.”
“Speaking of which, is the King staying here?”
“Yes. Now that the people of the capital are rising up for reconstruction, he said he couldn’t possibly live comfortably in the secondary capital, Ambis, while they are struggling. He left the secondary capital to the Crown Prince and seems to be staying in the capital.”
The King used to move between the capital and the secondary capital for a certain period to conduct administrative affairs. However, he will be staying long-term until the capital and the royal castle are completed. And then, the coachman casually mentioned something I had forgotten. I had intended to pay my respects regarding the Twin Princesses, but I hadn’t realized that the King and Queen would be conveniently staying in the capital.
As we approached the only large completed building, I noticed a long queue of boys and girls, about my age.
“That’s like you. These are children returning after a year-long journey to report their return. This year, there are only the Great Shrine and this place to report to, so it’s been very crowded every day.”
“Ah. I have to report too.”
“In that case, would you like to report first? I think we can make arrangements for you. Or, you could report your return after you’ve settled down.”
“No, it seems like I’ll be busy for a long time from now on, so I’ll report first. Also, I don’t need special treatment. I’ll line up properly like everyone else.”
“But the Twin Princesses are waiting. And Prince Loudriado is waiting too.”
“No, no, let’s have them wait!”
The Twin Princesses who set me up, and Loudriado who abetted them, can wait. No need to mention that I was the one who trapped the Twin Princesses first.
“Nyaa.”
The coachman relayed instructions to the surrounding cavalry to change course. Then, he had us join the end of the long queue.
“Well then, I’m off.”
“Laila and the girls will be kept here.”
“Eh?”
“We want to go too.”
“We want to go!”
“Let’s go, let’s go!”
“Hahaha. There are already too many people. Let’s go to the Twin Princesses’ place and relax. There will be delicious sweets and drinks too?”
Damn! The coachman was trying to sway Laila and the others with a smile, but his true intentions were obvious. They’re holding them hostage! To prevent me from escaping!
With the sweet words of “there are treats too,” Priscilla-chan and Nimia were easily won over. Laila wanted to stay with me until the end, but drawing the attention of the boys and girls in line with the arrival of the luxurious carriage, she reluctantly backed down due to shame. Ares-chan, the only traitor, simply disappeared. It’s no use glaring at me, blaming me for taking away Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan. You succumbed to the temptation of sweets yourself. The coachman showed no reaction even when Ares-chan vanished before his eyes. Is he accustomed to such supernatural phenomena, or does he think everything that happens around me is commonplace… I hope it’s the former! I bid farewell to everyone for a moment and opened the carriage door to disembark. Ugh. Being stared at even more, I felt uncomfortable. Laila made the right decision not to come. While the royal guards surrounded the area, I, dressed in ordinary clothes, stepped down from the opulent royal carriage. The strange gazes of the boys and girls lining up to report their return made me feel so embarrassed that I wanted to run away.
“What’s that guy?”
“Is he royalty?”
“No, that can’t be right. I’ve never heard of a prince my age.”
“Perhaps a noble?”
“Then why are his clothes so plain?”
“Who is he?”
“Look closely, he’s cute!”
“Uwah, he really is.”
“She doesn’t look like she’s the same age.”
I pretended not to hear their conversations and, feigning composure, joined the end of the line. Even after joining the queue, I continued to attract attention, but as the cavalry and carriage moved on, the situation gradually calmed down. The carriage carrying Laila, Priscilla-chan, and the others went to a different part of the building. I guess I’ll have to go there after I finish my report. Phew, I let out a sigh. Still, it’s a relief that the strange commotion didn’t continue. However, it’s a little sad that despite all this attention, nobody recognized me. It seems that my name and the commotion have spread, but my face hasn’t. What about those woodblock prints? I hope I don’t look like a celestial maiden, like during the Yorttenitos incident. Well, if that happens, I can just complain to Loudriado! Or rather, are any of my classmates from school here? I looked around, searching for friends I went to school with, but I couldn’t find any familiar faces. So many people, yet all strangers.
“Yo! That small, cute figure from behind must be Elnea!”
“Wah!”
Suddenly, someone hugged me from behind. I thought it could only be Slaton, but the voice was different? Wondering who it was, I turned my head and broke into a smile at a familiar face.
“Hey, Kijirum. Welcome back.”
“Whoa, whoa! There’s no need to say ‘welcome back.’ You just got back too, right?”
“That’s right.”
Kijirum, who was quite skilled among our classmates, was hugging me from behind.
“It’s been a while. Kijirum, you wanted to be an adventurer, right? Did you have many adventures?”
“Hahaha, you’ll be surprised when you hear this. I’m already a first-class adventurer!”
“What, amazing! That’s quite a success!”
“…Even so, I’m actually not quite there yet.”
“What do you mean by that?”
He claims to be first-class, then denies it. Kijirum’s proud expression suddenly turned into a bitter smile, and I tilted my head, not understanding what he meant.
“Do you know a famous adventurer family called the Styler Family?”
“…Yeah, I think so?”
What is this? I’m getting a bad feeling. I don’t want to hear the rest of what Kijirum has to say.
“Well, the truth is, believe it or not, I’m going to have a child.”
“…”
“In the secondary capital. I had a fated encounter with the youngest sister of the Styler Family…”
“Ahhh! You! You’re the one who seduced the sister of those brothers, aren’t you!”
Instinctively, I grabbed Kijirum by the neck with a furious expression.
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