235 - - 233rd King's Capital.

After a leisurely visit with Belle and her friends, we arrived in King's Landing. I guess we are finally going to have to negotiate with the big guy. We get off at a little distance from the capital and walk toward the gate.

"Come to think of it, this is the first time I've entered the capital like this..."

The last time we were here was when we came to kidnap Gulli and his son, so we were trespassing. This time we're going to the castle, so we'd better go through the gate properly.

"Right. I wonder how they are doing now that you mention it.

Sylphy seems to remember the same thing, thinking about Gulli and his son. I don't even know if they are alive or dead, so I'm a little curious too.

"Shall I look into it?"

"No, I don't want to get too involved, and if he comes back, as long as he doesn't get involved with me, it won't be a problem, so don't bother looking into it."

Sylphy nodded quickly. He didn't really want to find out about Gulli and his son. He just remembered it by chance and was a little curious about it.

When we approached the gate of the capital, there was a long line of people waiting in front of the gate. It will be a while before we can get in.

"It takes quite a while to get into the capital, doesn't it?

"It looks like there's quite a line, so it's going to take quite a while to get in."

Well, it's a pain in the ass, but the only way to get in is to wait in line. We'll wait in line and take it easy. I look over at Bell and the others, who are clearly fidgety.

Their eyes are on the gates of King's Landing. They are very curious... I should let them play inside the city instead of making them wait in line...

Belle and the others can go ahead and play in the city. I'll summon them when I'm done.

"You sure?"

Belle tilts her head cockily and asks. What's that?　Could it be that I'm being taken advantage of?

"No problem. Just go ahead and play and don't bother the others."

Okay, cue, I'm off, cue, I'm off, I'm off, cue, I'm off! ......"

Once again, he gives his permission, and the Belles fly off to King's Landing, overjoyed. Maybe they've been thinking about it a lot since they've been living with us since they signed the contract. Well, I'll just stand in line, talk with Sylphy, and wait for the line to move forward.

After about an hour, we finally arrive at the gate and enter the royal city without any problem. The people in front of and behind me in the line seemed to be a little creeped out by my whispering with Sylphy, but I'll let the shame of the trip go away.

(I didn't know this last time because it was midnight, but it's quite lively as the capital of the kingdom.)

"Yes, it is. Compared to the labyrinth city, this one is much livelier because it's the capital of a country. But Yuta, you'll get into trouble if you keep walking around like that.

(Do you think I'm that scurvy?)

"Yes, it's like being in the city for the first time. You look so gullible."

(Okay, I'll be careful.)

It's a pain in the ass when you get tangled up in unnecessary stuff. We'll all come back when we have time to visit the royal city, and we'd better get on with our business today. We have the letter of introduction that Marie gave us, and if we can get to the castle, we should be able to make it. If not, we'll think about it again. Well, the fruits of the tree seem to be pretty amazing, so it shouldn't be a problem. I fix my gaze on the castle so that no one will think I'm a hick.

Stop. "Stop! No one is allowed in without permission.

Before we reach the castle, we are stopped by the young gatekeeper. I didn't know there was such a gate in the noble district ....... Is this where I hand over the letter of introduction that Marie gave me?

"Well, I'd like to meet someone called Viscount Costa.　I have a letter of introduction."

"A letter of introduction?　Well, here's a letter of introduction. And I'll need to see some identification.

Your attitude has softened a bit. Maybe it's because he might be a guest of a nobleman instead of a commoner. At any rate, I give him my Adventurers' Guild card and letter of introduction.

"So you're a rank-A adventurer. Then you can enter a noble town if you apply. You can either apply to enter the noble town and finish your business, or you can have this letter of introduction delivered to a messenger and ask for Viscount Costa's permission. What would you do?"

If I'm a rank A adventurer, can I just apply and get in? I am at a loss to decide whether the fact that it is not a free pass is great or not. Besides, even if I apply and get in, I have a feeling that I will be stopped at the castle anyway.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but could you please send a letter of introduction to Viscount Costa?"

"Yes, sir. I'll get back to you. Where are you staying?

I don't plan to stay at an inn. What am I supposed to do, take that long?　Come to think of it, I don't have my phone, and I don't know if I'll see Viscount Costa anytime soon. I heard that he works at the castle, so I think I can make it if he's at work. .......

"Do you mind if I wait here for a while?　If the letter of introduction is of value to the people at the castle, they will make arrangements for you right away. If not, I will come back to let you know after I get a place to stay."

Then please wait for me in this corner.

Thank you very much.

They even offered me tea. They treated us better than I expected. I wonder if they give us preferential treatment because we are A-rank adventurers.　It's a far cry from the interrogation of Gulli and his son. While we were relaxing in the gate, the gatekeeper from earlier spoke to us.

He said that he had found out from my name and rank that I was the spiritist who had defeated the fire dragon. He is very happy and praises me. I guess I've made my name known in King's Landing too.

It's not supposed to be good to be so prominent because it attracts trouble, but why does it make me feel a bit proud to be known?

...... I might want to be cackled at. I've stood out a lot in a bad way in Labyrinth City, so it makes me a little happy when I get a positive reaction. I'm simple. If it had been a woman, I'd have been all smitten.

Over a leisurely cup of tea, we talk about the labyrinth. I don't mean to praise ...... too much, but he's so good with his hands that I can't help talking to him. I'm talking all the time, and he's totally gathering information from me. I'm afraid that he sometimes interrupts me to talk about Gulli and his son. Let's hear what this insulting gatekeeper has to say.

He seems to be from an aristocratic family and is the highest-ranking person in this stuffy place. He is the third son of a baron and his parents got him a job. I envy him.

He wants to get a knighthood by taking credit, but it is difficult to get a knighthood as a gatekeeper, so he asked me straight out if I had any information that could help him.

I'm sure he was trying to get information on Gulli and his son and take credit somehow. Well, that's no reason to give credit to a man you've never met before. While we were having a conversation that I don't really understand, one of the soldiers comes running into the guard room and hands a letter to the gate keeper, who is actually a surprisingly great guy.

Yuta-dono, they are going to pick you up soon. I'm surprised that things are moving so quickly. Is it something important?

The gatekeeper is quite surprised. I think I've been waiting for almost two hours for a quick response ......, but it's still quick. I'm glad I asked Marie to make it same-day. If I had taken my time, I might have had to wait quite a while.

But I'm sure she'll think I'm completely ungrateful. She's probably going to think, as I did with Betty, "Don't show up out of the blue!

"It's nothing serious, but I brought some valuables I got in the labyrinth. It's a pretty good one, so I'm sure they made quick work of it in the castle."

"Oh, really?"

He seems to be asking what I brought, but I guess it would be a problem to tell him that much. The government may want to decide whether to disclose or keep it a secret. We chat again until the carriages arrive.

...... Some kind of gorgeous carriage has arrived. The frame of the carriage is gilded,...... and the ornamentation is detailed and unusual. According to the gatekeeper, it's a carriage used by the government to pick up some important person or something. I'm a little nervous to come here.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Yuta. Amedeo Costa!"

A smiling, well-dressed man got out of the carriage and greeted me. This man is a viscount, right?　Is it really possible for a great man to come and greet adventurers in person?　And he's friendly.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Yuta, and I'm an adventurer. I apologize for the sudden visit today.

No, no, no, no, you are always welcome here, Mr. Yuta. Now, the king is waiting for you. Let's get going.

What?　The king?　No, I had thought about the possibility of meeting royalty since we would be negotiating with the royal family, but a king out of the blue?　We get into the carriage with some reluctance at Viscount Costa's urging.

The interior is gorgeous, and the seats are soft and fluffy, as if made of some kind of magical material. As soon as the carriage starts to move, it vibrates less than expected, probably due to the cobblestone pavement. I'm afraid to be treated so kindly. I was taking it easy, but I wonder if I should have asked Sylphy to follow up the letter.

"No, no, no, no, Yuta, the finances of the Kingdom of Chrysoprase are rising steadily thanks to your success. Our relations with friendly countries are good. The king was also interested in Yuta, but he was warned by Master Barotta that any unnecessary interference would lead to the death of the kingdom. I am glad that you have come to see me.

The country is making a lot of money from the materials brought down from the labyrinth. The herbs I distribute are quite expensive even by themselves. The processed medicines sell for quite a high price, and I guess I could make a loan to a friendly country or something. Viscount Costa said he was in finance, so maybe that's why he favors me.

Also, Barotta was very careful to report me to the government. He even told me that the country is going to die, so I'm sure that he has reduced the number of troublesome solicitations.

"Well, Viscount Costa. I don't mean to speak out of turn, but are you sure you want to let a dangerous person who even said that your country is about to die into your castle so easily?"

"Yuta's contribution to the country is extraordinary. And I beg your pardon, but Yuta's character has been investigated by the government. Of course, this is not to antagonize you. We have learned that he has little ambition, and that he rebels fiercely when you press him from above, but that he will return the courtesy when treated with friendliness. There are certainly forces that want to take advantage of Yuta-dono, but the king has given them a warning, so you can rest assured.

...... You've been checked out. No, well, it's what a country is supposed to do. The Adventurer's Guild doesn't get rid of the national investigators, does it?　And Viscount Costa, I wonder if you're not talking too much about the inside of things.

Well, some of them are a bit naughty, but the king is on my side, isn't he?　Well, I guess they are wary of us, but I'm sure they will act friendly on the surface. Then the problem is that I'm going to meet the king. I don't know anything about etiquette.　Do I have to get down on one knee and bow my head or something?

"I see. I'm relieved. So, Viscount Costa. I don't know how to be polite when I meet the king.　I don't mean to be rude, but I might be rude without knowing it ......"

"Oh, that's all right. There was no time, and I will not use the audience chamber. You will have a private audience, so as long as you observe common courtesy, there will be no need for you to make a fuss.

General is a common courtesy in this world. I'm getting even more nervous. I wonder if normal Japanese courtesy will work?　Well, let's be as polite as we can, and if they still get mad at us, let's run away.

I looked outside to escape from reality for a moment, and saw the castle approaching. Should I have asked Marie to negotiate with the Pollius Chamber of Commerce, even if it would take a long time?

Oh, I'll summon Nomos. I'll need him to appraise the light wand. Sylphy explains the current situation to Nomos, who is puzzled when he is suddenly summoned into the carriage. I'm sorry about that.

I'm sorry... **

We get off the carriage through the gate and walk around the castle with Viscount Costa leading the way. I have been in Japanese castles before, but this is my first time in a Western-style castle. It's kind of cool. And I feel so out of place. I came here in normal clothes because I thought I'd go to the castle for a while. I should have come in more decent clothes. ...... I only have normal clothes. I should have worn some equipment or jewelry from the treasure.

The king is waiting for you. Come in."

What?　Wait a minute. Normally, you'd be sent to a separate room to drink some tea, right?　No physical examination?　What are you going to do if I get out of line?　Isn't it a basic rule that I enter the room first and the king appears later?

Oh, I knocked. Maybe it's because I wrote in the letter that it's the same day, so it's been shortened in some way?　I'm glad to have less trouble, but it's a bit scary how fast things are moving.

When I entered the room with Viscount Costa, I found a large room with luxurious furnishings, a king-like person sitting in the center, and two knights on each side.

"Well, they are of a very high level for human beings, aren't they?

Yes, and there are about four more lurking in the blind spots, though they are well hidden.

"Well, the room itself is also a trick. The warding is to protect the king, and the pit and spear are for Yuta, right?

"I doubt it.　If he's going to kill him, there's no reason for the king to be there, so it could be a precautionary measure."

...... Sylphy and Nomos are having a good time talking about some disturbing things. What's that? It might be natural for a king to have high-level knights guarding the perimeter. Since I'm a necromancer, they'll probably slash at me if I start chanting. In my case, Sylphy will fight them off automatically.

But I think it's terrible that there's even a trap. I'm tempted to leave if they're that cautious after talking like they're on my side. What if the king is a shadow of his former self? I don't want to get into trouble with the country...so I hope you'll take precautions like Sylphy said...

Oh, there's Ms. Barotta by the wall. Is the person next to her a magician?　They look normal, but they are surprisingly on high alert, which makes me sick to my stomach.