Chapter 732
Since I went on a trip under the pretext of an official event, there were quite a few restrictions on my actions, but it wasn’t all that bothersome and cumbersome.
Rather, it was a chance for me to realize that I had been wandering around Itisel quite a bit, so the feeling was even more new. Still, since there was a level of princess, I had to pass by small towns, and among the cities I stopped by was Englem, which could be called Laika’s hometown.
Thanks to that, as soon as I crossed the walls of Englem, the trash guild leader Gronzel, who I had no reason to recall, and the Baron impersonator Naburang, who was either a bingsin or a bingsin, came to mind like a military number stuck in the back of my memory, making me immerse myself in memories.
Of course, most of them were not good memories, but as is always the case with memories, when I told others about them, I felt like I would just say, “That was back then,” so it wasn’t bad.
Rather, as I passed through cities big and small, recalling the memories that had faded away, and telling them to Esmu and Cheryl who were not with me at the time, the long trip of about two weeks ended in an instant, and I was looking at the capital city walls in the distance.
It was a boring trip, but it was a more healing trip than I thought. I had been calling for a vacation so many times, but when I really wanted to have fun, I got caught up in an incident, and at the moment when I was doing the most official thing in my life, I felt this kind of feeling. At that moment, I heard Esmue’s muttering along with a small sigh in my ear.
“Time flies so fast.”
At those words, my mind, which was busy organizing the things I had to do when I returned to the mansion since I would arrive in the capital today, began to fill with tension.
Esmie, who now sits on my lap as if it were a given, seems to have become much more comfortable with the two of us, and is completely relaxed. She leans her back against me and just stares out the window in a slumped position, feeling empty.
As it was a reaction that had already started to show three days ago, Ashlie and Cheryl were just laughing it off, but I knew where her regret came from, so I couldn’t do that.
“When you arrive in the capital, will you return straight to the gate?”
“That’s right. If I go this time, when will I have the chance to see you again···”
Even though the servants were very careful and prepared, it must have been an extremely uncomfortable journey for the princess, but Esmue was always happy.
We all know that the joy doesn’t just come from the vacation we got after leaving behind a lot of work. Ashlie and Cheryl were considerate of Esmue and tried to spend as much time with her as possible.
“Wouldn’t I get more help if I interact with Radan?”
“As I said last time, the Empire does not have a very friendly relationship with Radan. From a religious or national standpoint. Even if we try to provide direct help, starting with Yeo, it will only have the opposite effect.”
“Even with the vast ocean between us, we still don’t get along well...?”
In a world where the only means of mass transportation are ships, the physical distance between the two continents is almost two months one way. Even if the demons come that far, they cannot pass through the gate in one go, so unless they build an artificial island that can serve as a stepping stone later, it will take a long time for the gap to narrow down.
“······??”
The gloomy mood from a moment ago disappeared, and before I could react to the sight of Esmue and the others looking up with expressions as if to ask what on earth I just heard, cheers began to be heard from beyond the carriage that was rolling along.
Then, Esmie, who had been opening his mouth as if he had something to say, shook his head slightly and, as if nothing had happened, finished controlling his facial expressions and got up from his seat with a familiar gesture and sat down next to me.
It became so noisy that you could tell that they had reached the gate just by hearing the sound, but the carriage did not stop. Only the sound of the feet being struck in time with the ceremony and the clash of weapons echoed loudly for a moment.
What followed was an embarrassing shout that no matter how many times I heard it, the only thing that came to mind was, “The division commander is entering.”
“The savior of Levien and the warrior of the machine! Eldmia Ega has entered!”
There was no word like the troops standing at attention, but music like a fanfare burst out. Esmie and I paused for a moment, and then, using the music as a signal, we pulled up the shade and opened the carriage window as naturally as possible.
At the same time, bright lights and all sorts of noises began to hit the carriage.
“Long live the warrior! Long live Itisel!”
“May glory be with the Empire, the Royal Family, and the Church of the Demon God!”
“You are a warrior!!”
No matter how much I think about it, the clear shouts and cheers that were clearly written grew louder and the sight of people falling into a crucible of joy to the sound of a military band playing wind instruments with all its might, even though it was located somewhere, was spectacular in many ways.
Looking at the streets and surrounding scenery, it seems like the procession did not start today, but rather we were greeted in the middle of a festival that was already in full swing.
People welcomed us with open arms, holding pints of beer of unknown number, food they were eating, or various commemorative items prepared specifically for this moment.
It was honestly shocking to see so many people flocking to the capital, a sight I had never seen even at the Geonjeok Festival, which was a fairly large festival. It seemed that Cheryl, who was born and raised in the capital, was no different, as she too was staring at the crowds through her small window with wide eyes.
Meanwhile, Ashili, who was smiling and looking only at me as if she had no interest in the scenery outside, spoke quietly.
“Now, at least in the capital, there won’t be anyone who will harm Eldi?”
I almost nodded my head without realizing it at the reaction as if I had achieved a goal, but then suddenly stopped and burst into laughter.
“No, there will definitely be people who will start a fight because my name is the same as that of the warrior Eldmia.”
I could boast about this because it wasn’t the first or second time I’d experienced it, but I didn’t feel bad about it anyway, so my laughter was genuine.