CH 23

“Your Highness Nagi! It’s this way. Wow, you really came in a dragon carriage.”

“Machina! Thank you for welcoming us.”

“No problem. Thank you for coming all the way to such a remote place. You too, Mika, good work after the long trip.”

“Yeah, long time no see.”

Just past the ivory-colored walls of Parthenios, a familiar blond knight was standing.

When I was about to get off the dragon carriage to greet him, there was suddenly a soft, perfume-like smell.

In this unfamiliar town, even the smell is different.

For the time being, Machina offered to take us to Count Lambert’s mansion, and we were to take him in the dragon carriage and head there together.

Unlike the cobblestone streets of other towns in Pluvia, the ground in Parthenios seems to be very smooth, and the dragon carriage did not shake at all.

Outside, I could hear people cheering as they saw the dragon carriage for the first time. I am sure that the people in the territory knew that the prince was coming to inspect the place.

I was about to get carried away again without knowing, but I pulled myself together.

As long as this is an official business, my action is the action of the country.

Machina’s curious gaze swept all around the dragon carriage.

The seat I’m sitting on now is not much different from the one in a horse carriage, but the seat is designed to be a foldable and convenient sleeping couch. Between the seats, there is a table that can also be folded up. It’s like a kind of movable bedroom, so to speak.

Machina suddenly squinted his eyes and asked me a question.

“Hmm. Are you two alone in this carriage the whole time?”

“Huh? Well, yes. Mika is… my personal knight, after all.”

“That’s right, Machina. I’m a personal knight, after all.”

“Hmm.”

During the trip, the two knights who accompanied the dragon tamer during the trip had a tent next to the dragon carriage, and these two seats were basically set up for the royal family and their knights.

As a matter of course, Mika rode together with me, and the two other knights rode in the back of the dragon carriage, in seats attached to the outside.

Machina jokingly said, “How nice~ a trip of two,” and hearing that, Mika smugly laid on his back with legs outstretched and said, “Of course it’s nice,” but I don’t know what he was trying to compete with. It was a childish retort, but it was somewhat embarrassing for those who were listening.

Besides, this is not a trip of two.

This is an official business.

Machina and Mika have had many hand-to-hand combat sessions with each other because they are both knights, and they probably had classes together. From the way they talk, you get the sense that they are close.

Machina, who has won first place every year in sword competitions, naturally shows up at the Order of Knights. Rumor has it that Mika, although recognized by the country as a “knight”, had no intention of joining the Order of Knights. And even in my first life, I heard that he was helping Count Chardin with his work.

Count Chardin, despite his influence, is not a bureaucrat or someone who fits into such a box. Perhaps it’s because he has an estate facing the sea, or perhaps it’s because he has a broad knowledge of commerce and the arts. And perhaps Mika wanted a job where he could move freely, rather than being a knight or holding a government position.

“We’re going to Edessa tomorrow, and since using the dragon carriage will be too conspicuous, I’ll have a horse carriage ready for us.”

“Yes, thank you. Is Marquis Lambert at home today?”

“Yes. Both my father and brother are looking forward to meeting Your Highness Nagi. We have prepared a humble dinner for you this evening.”

Machina smiled at me and it made me smile back.

In my first life, while I was together with Machina all the time, we weren’t close because I built a wall from my side. But this time, I hope we can get along. Besides— there are a lot of challenges.

For the inspection, it’s not Brother Seth who comes to visit. It’s me, the third prince, who is a recluse and never opens his mouth. Marquis Lambert, who is in charge of the border territories and should be very busy, is not looking forward to my visit.

(It’s not that I’m trying to do this perfectly. But… I just hope this will lead to more opportunities in the future.)

I didn’t set my target that high.

Originally, I’m the third prince whose rating is less than zero. I hope I can at least struggle enough to get from negative to zero.

“That’s my family house.”

Machina said, pointing to a mansion that came into view outside the window.

At a quick glance, the architectural style of the building was not different from that of Pluvia, but as I got closer, I noticed that its ivory-colored walls were finely decorated with mosaics.

The window frames, unlike those near the royal city of Pluvia, were lattice windows in the shape of a honeycomb, which seemed to be well-ventilated. The large windows and arched doorways on the lower floor were shaped like onions, with their edges filled with mosaic.

I couldn’t help but let out a gasp of admiration at the fine craftsmanship.

“It’s so beautiful…”

“Yes. This building, which incorporates the architectural style of Pluvia with the ornamentation of the Rubrum Empire, is the pride of my father, who is entrusted with this territory.”

“If there are no conflicts, this must be how the cultures mix together…”

My heart ached at the thought of what might happen in the future.

I had never exchanged words with Marquis Lambert, but I could imagine that he was a man who loved his culture, even though he was neighbors with the hostile Rubrum Empire. Besides, he is also the father of Machina, who had taken good care of me in my first life.

I forgot how nervous I had been earlier, and I felt like I was looking forward to it a little bit.

We got off the dragon carriage and said our goodbye to Chicken and its tamer as Machina led them to the stables. Then I went under the gates of the Lambert mansion with Mika and the other knights.

I felt my hand being gently grabbed from the side, and when I looked up, I saw Mika’s pouting face for some reason.

“Why are you so relaxed around Machina?”

“Huh?”

“You never really interacted with him before, right?”

“Well, no… It’s just that he’s smiling a lot, so it’s easy for me to talk to him.”

With a scowl on his face, Mika said, “That’s called a frivolous smile,” to which Machina, perhaps hearing him, retorted, “Call it a gorgeous smile.” As I listened to the two bickering, I was transfixed by the beautiful mosaics that continued on the walls and floors inside.

Then I thought.

(Wow… I wonder just how much time I wasted on my first life, five years ago…)

While letting out a sigh, I reminded myself, however, that I was not here for sightseeing.

But just when I was thinking that I wanted to go see the town at least a little, Machina said,

“Your Highness Nagi. Let’s go to the town once you finish putting your luggage down. I’ll be with you, so you can leave that noisy knight behind.”

“Ahaha, Mika will be staying here?”

“Of course not. I’m your personal knight.”

“Ugh, your boasting is annoying.”

What he said was childish, but it was actually the first time for me to see Machina like this, talking with his friend. I regret many things. But I was still so happy that I couldn’t help but chuckle. However, the perceptive Mika immediately interrupted me.

“Like I said! Why is your face relaxing around him?!”

“Huh?”

“Of course, it’s because I’m always smiling and easy to talk to~”

And so, with this and that, my ten-day inspection of Lambert territory has begun.