CH 15

«We are almost at the Imperial City. Are you ready?"

"Yes, this is a rare opportunity. I will do what I can do as a merchant."

On the way to the capital, Chris, Rainer and the crew took a short break.

The horses need to rest from time to time since they will be traveling by carriage.

The passengers and servants were also taking a break.

Incidentally, Chris and Rainer are traveling in their own carriages.

Chris and Rainer were having a discussion at every short break.

After all, they are dealing with the queen and the princess , but they are also surrounded by cunning aristocrats.

"The imperial capital is a hide-and-seek place. There are times when you cannot take sides because of position. You must be careful what you say and how you respond."

"Yes, I am well aware of that. It is just as well to be too cautious. I am like a baby in the trap of the imperial capital. I am happy as a frontier count.”

.”..... haha."

In fact, he truly believe that it is just fine to be overly cautious.

Magnolia Empire, probably boasts the longest history as a country in this world and on this continent.

It is not only strong in war.

It is only possible when accompanied by solid political and military power.

In fact, the neighboring countries are very concerned about the Magnolia Empire.

It is said, "It is sometimes better to establish a blood relationship with the nobility of an empire than with the royalty of a neighboring country."

That is how much political and military power the Magnolia Empire has.

Chris was skeptical when she heard the rumors, but when she came to Bardia, she felt that the rumors were very close to the truth.

Rid was out of the ordinary, but the Count of Riner was really excellent.

He does not judge people by their race or status.

He makes sure to assess a person's abilities.

“Of course, she do not think that all Imperial nobles are like that.”

But Chris thought it showed the strength of the country that one of the top nobles, the Count of the Frontier, had such a flexible mind.

"Chris, they are going to leave soon."

'Okay, Emma."

Chris called Emma, the beastman who was her retinue.

Emma is a cat beastman, so she has cat ears and a tail.

Her hair is black and her distinctive feature is her "cat eyes," but her eyes are patchy and black in color.

As Chris' escort, Emma has been with Chris as they crew sinces he was in the Saffron Trading Company.

"Chris , please do your best in, and I will do the same "

“Yes, let's show the Magnolia Empire what we made of .”

In the moving carriage, the girls looked at each other, their eyes shining with fkames .

The imperial capital is in sight.

Magnolia is a fortified city.

The castle is at the center of the city, surrounded by a noble district and residences for royal people.

The nobles' district is surrounded by a 5-meter-high wall, and a water moat surrounds the outer perimeter of the wall.

Therefore, the aristocratic area could only be entered through a bridge.

The outer perimeter of the water moat is a normal town, where various people come and go, and stores such as food stalls are lined up.

Incidentally, there is also a 4-meter-high wall around the perimeter of the cite , making it a very solid structure as a whole.

The entire cite is quite solidly built. This fortress city.

" Even the royal capital of the elven territory is not this big."

The only problem is that it takes a long time to get inside because of the city walls.

Then the attendant of the Reiner's carriage went first, and when he said something to the gatekeeper, he said, "We have received confirmation, please go ahead," and they easily let them in, following the frontier count's carriage.

"It's nice to be an aristocrat."

I know."

Normally, it is not this easy to get in. There are many confirmation requirements such as a pass, load inspection, and confirmation of the number of people, so it is a challenge to even get in.

It is indeed a frontier town.

Looking out from inside the carriage, the town was filled with life.

Travelers, merchants, adventurers, and many other types of people.

The carriage then entered the noble area.

There was a checkpoint at the entrance and exit of the noble area, but they were able to pass right through thanks to the Count Rainer.

Chris already felt a shiver of excitement.

Without connections to the nobility, even major merchant companies would not normally be able to enter this aristocratic area.

The streets of the noble area, which she had never entered before, were luxurious and gorgeous.

The streets were lined with stones, and every corner of the buildings was carefully crafted.

There were no stalls, and people were coming and going, but the clothes they were wearing were all very expensive.

"....It is truly a nobleman's area."

After arriving at the noble area, it did not take long to get to the castle.

The count first processed the entry procedures, and then began the process of checking the carriages of Chris and her group.

However, the checkpoints were very strict.

Then, a liner arrived from the carriage ahead of them and said, "These are the trustworthy people I brought with me, you understand? When he said a few words to them, the soldiers at the checkpoint gave hi,m a slightly bitter look before bowing and saying inorganically, "Please, come through."

After getting off the carriage in the castle, the soldiers told them to go to the parlor with the count, and they with Rainer.

Emma was also with them .

After a short walk, Rainer stopped and looked around. When he was sure that no one was nearby, he muttered a little in her ear.

......The soldiers who were guarding the castle b earlier people of Count Laurent. Perhaps they were trying to get information on the goods to be presented to the queen and the Princess. The goods to be presented to the royal family will be confirmedfor the wole time staying here . Be on your guard."

"....... I will be careful henceforth."

"No, I didn't explain myself well enough. I didn't think that they would set up a direct trap."

She felt tense.

"I heard that you are going to present goods today. Show us everything, including them , for confirmation."

"Perhaps they had chosen me as their target because it was difficult to extract information from lord . Rainer."

"Wouldn't it be disrespectful to examine the goods of nobles family without permission?"

Emma seemed to be concerned about the earlier checkpoint.

'They will probably say that we showed it to them without their approval, or they will make it difficult for us and escape. Besides, if it comes to it, they will probably cut off the soldiers guarding the gate.'

.”.....They have the worst way of doing things."

Emma mutters with a look of disgust on her face.

It is not a good thing to hear that the lower-ranking soldiers can be so easily cut down.

“But His Majesty's people will not be so disrespectful. Perhaps, in their hearts, they may see the problem as being on their side that couldn't get through."

Reiner is used to dealing with the nobles, but he's sick with it.

"...... phew, I'm going to get fired up."

He muttered a few words to inspire himself and proceeded down the castle corridor.

Please wait here. As soon as the emperor is available, I will summon you." As they proceeded down the corridor, a maid stood in front of the door.

This was apparently to be the gues room.

"Oh, isn't this t Count Rainer from the frontier? What a coincidence that we meet in such a place."

When Rainer suddenly heard the voice, his brow wicked a little as he recognized the owner of the voice.

" Count Laurent It's been a while."

"The Count of the Frontier lives far away. I'm very happy to see you in good shape. ......By the way, who is the beautiful women over there?"

Count Laurent is medium build and medium height. He has brown hair and dark eyes.

He is looking at Chris and the others with eyes that are clearly pricing them .

And he doesn't even try to hide it.

It was something that made the girls very uncomfortable.

'This is the first time I'm meeting you . My name is Christy Safron."

"Oh, you are the Christy Saffron I heard about you ,who ran away from the Saffron company after a falling out to your brother and being disowned by parents."

That was rude of him, even though they had never met before.

But She  can't afford to take advantage of cheap provocations.

“There are rumors of that case in the capital. It is a very interesting story as to why such rumors have been spread, although they have no basis for it ."

She respond firmly, with a smile on her face.

She trying her best to suppress anger as I feel like she was about to explode.

But Count Laurent did not stop provoking her and continued.

"Hm?　Is the girl behind you also a beastman, as rumored? The combination of a human and a beast it is true what they say about beasts getting along well with each other, isn't it?"

"What the ......?"

Chris did not expect him to insult Emma.

Therefore, it took a moment for her to understand the meaning of what was being said, and she made a bit of a noise,

To refer to beastmen as "beasts" is the worst insult.

Count Laurent knows this, and done it .

With a vile smile on his face.

But she could not allow him to just insult Emma.

Emma is trembling and angry and sorrowful.

She must have felt that even she had been insulted because of her.

When she saw Emma shaking, the blood rushed to her head.

Just as she was about to voice her anger, she was stopped by Rainer.

"Count ...... Laurent, you are pulling too many pranks. I am not aware of any such rumors. Besides, they are guests of the Bardia family. And they came here to have an audience with the queen and her imperial highness. Isn't it too thoughtless of the Count to insult a guest of the royal family?"

Reiner and Laurent glanced at each other a little, and Count Laurent looked away and snickered, "Hmm."

"I'm very sorry about that. The rumors I have been hearing about these girls are all those I have just told you about. It was thoughtless of me to believe the rumor, as the Count of the Frontier said. I am very sorry, Christy and Emma. I apologize."

Count Laurent lightly wave them farewell as he said his words.

He then looked at Rainer, bowed, and left.

'Hmph, you lowly rat . ......

'Um, lord . Rainer, who is that man?'

Chris asked Rainer fearfully.

Count Laurent Galliano. He's a man who loves money and privilege."

Reiner muttered in the direction where Laurent was headed, as if to spit out.

Chris almost let himself be lured by him.

But Rainer saved her from that.

:Chris, I am so sorry it was my fault."

Emma looked a little tearful.

, "It's okay, Emma didn't do anything wrong."

"But I will never forgive that man."

The Countess Laurent's family has just been barred from the Christie Trading Company.

Same goes for other family members

"He was most likely trying to make a fuss and get rid of the donation after he had angered you. Well, don't think too much about it. This is what I am used to. You'll be taken advantage of if you get upset over something like this."

" I will do my best."

"Don't worry. Her Majesty the Empress and his Imperial Highness are perfectly normal and reasonable people."

Chris thought that this might be the first time she had ever felt such relief just by hearing the words "normal and reasonable people."

After the incident with Count Laurent, all three of them went into the guest room, where Rainer was sitting on the sofa resting.

Chris and Emma were enjoying the room with a twinkle in their eyes, as it was a rare opportunity for them to see the room.

A few moments after entering the room, there is a knock at the door.

When Rainer answered, a maid entered, bowing as she said, "Excuse me."

The emperor and empress would like to see you. Let me take you to them."

"Finally."

Chris's heart swelled with nervousness and anticipation as she walked forward.