CH 3

Chapter 3: First Visit to the Royal Capital

(So this is the Royal Capital…!)

approximately half a day after leaving Daregas.

At dusk, the sky turns rose-colored.

Olivia’s train carriage has arrived in the royal capital.

Olivia steps out of the train car, exits the station building, and rolls her eyes as the signal sounds.

(Wow! It’s enormous!)

high ceilings, thick columns, and an infinite number of platforms.

She had never seen such massive structures before.

Furthermore, there are so many people that you have to wonder if it’s a festival day.

Then she joined the long line under the sign “Exit.”

Give the ticket to the unfriendly station personnel and exit the building.

The scene in front of her eyes causes her mouth to open.

(Amazing…! This is too much!)

In the vast square that could house at least ten of Olivia’s houses, there are more people walking around in front of the station than she has ever seen before.

(And the buildings are enormous!)

The tallest buildings in Daregas were three stories tall. Many of them had only one story.

But here in the Royal City, as far as the eye can see, all the buildings are five-story stone structures lined up in a neatly arranged city.

She was surprised when she saw it from the carriage window, but even more so when she got down on her own two feet.

“… It’s no surprise that Daregas is described as a country town…”

Olivia stood at the edge of the square, her bags in hand.

The sight, which exceeds anything she could have imagined, both surprises and concerns her.

(…I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it here.)

And then her gaze was drawn to something familiar.

(…! That’s a magic tool!)

It was a lamppost, evenly spaced along the cobblestones’ edge. The magical structure is undeniably that of a magic tool.

The familiarity draws her closer.

She carefully placed her hand on the pillar and looked up.

(Wow! It’s cutting-edge!)

She then realized

She notices people on the street wielding magic tools she has never seen before.

(That’s a stick that can detect poison in whatever you hit! That’s something I’ve never seen before!

I’ve never seen those earrings before! Maybe they’re popular here?!)

Olivia is too preoccupied with other people’s jewelry to notice what’s going on around her.

It’s not until she’s startled by a “Hi, are you okay?” that she realizes what’s going on.

She noticed that people on the street were giving her a blank stare.

(Oh my goodness! I’m so embarrassed!)

Her face flushed as she realized how dangerous she appeared.

She felt like she had screwed up as soon as she arrived at the royal capital.

The person who had shaken her and informed her of the incident sounded relieved.

“I thought you were in a strange mood because you walked up to the pole and stopped moving.”

He removed his hat and bowed politely.

It’s the rude young man who approached Olivia and called her “madam.”

“Hello. Miss. I’m sorry about earlier.”

“N-No. Don’t be concerned. I should be the one to apologize for yelling.”

Olivia leans back and looks away uncomfortably.

It’s rather embarrassing to be perceived in that light.

The young man inquires politely.

“Please excuse me, miss. Where are you going?”

“Well…”

Olivia paused.

She wasn’t sure if telling a complete stranger where she was going was appropriate.

Perhaps sensing her emotions, the young man smiled to reassure her.

“Don’t worry. It’s my way of making amends for what I said earlier. Despite my appearance, I am well-versed in the royal capital.”

She returned her gaze to the young man.

He was tall and dressed in a brown suit with fine stripes and a matching hunting cap.

His hair was tousled and blond, peeking out of his hat, and he wore the green-tinted glasses that many business people wear.

The leather attaché case and his outfit indicate that he was a merchant.

He’s most likely a little older than she is.

He has a very attractive face and appears to have been raised in a good family.

(… He apologized to me previously, and he doesn’t appear to be a bad guy.)

She’d never visited the royal capital before. She has no idea where she is.

She’d appreciate it if someone who knows the city could point her in the right direction.

(Fortunately, I travel light and have very little luggage. If something goes wrong, I can simply flee.)

“…In that case, I’ll take your word for it. This piece of paper contains the address.”

She handed him a piece of paper with the address on it from her pocket, and the young man looked at it.

“It’s right in the center of downtown. It would be faster to walk from here. It’s about a ten-minute walk—Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“All right, then let’s get going.”

The young man begins to walk slowly.

Olivia follows a little behind him.

Everything she sees while walking is fascinating, and she can’t take her gaze away from it.

(I wonder how meticulous her necklace is. I’m sure there’s a skilled craftsman out there.)

Look at that bracelet! It even includes a security feature! They’re popular here?!)

The young man inquired, amusedly watching Olivia examine the jewelry of the people on the street.

“Do you have an interest in jewelry?”

“Not jewelry, but magic stone jewelry.”

“Magic stone jewelry?! That’s quite technical. Excuse me, what is your occupation?”

“I’m a magic tool maker.”

Olivia stares at the earrings of the lady on the street while answering the question blankly.

“I see.” The young man nods in agreement.

“I see you’re watching with great enthusiasm.”

“Yes—It’s something you don’t see very often in Daregas, so it’s a great learning experience.”

And enough of walking through the city’s hustle and bustle.

Olivia was in front of a magnificent five-story building.

“Gordon’s Great Magic Tools Store” is written in beautiful gold letters on a beautiful sign in front of a large window filled with magic tools.

Olivia’s eyes widened unintentionally.

(Wow! It’s enormous! It’s ten times the size of our store!)

The young man opens his mouth and looks up at the store.

“After all, it’s the Gordon’s Great Magic Tools Store.”

“Do you know of it?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it well-known?”

“It’s one of the two most famous magic tool stores in the royal capital. Do you plan to work here?”

“… No. Well… It’s not like that. “

Olivia’s eyes were downcast.

She is proud of her experience as a maker of magic tools.

She has faith in the abilities she inherited from her father.

But then again, she is a rural magic tool maker.

She is unsure if she will be able to survive in the royal capital, where everything is so advanced.

The young man looked at her with narrowed eyes.

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“Huh?”

“I’m confident you’ll have no problems in the royal capital or anywhere else. I have a keen sense of people you see.”

The young man smiles.

He then points to a building at the end of the street.

“That hotel has a reputation for serving cheap and tasty food. I strongly recommend it.”

“Well, I’ll be leaving now,” he says. and walks away briskly, turning on his heel.

By the time Olivia comes to her senses and tries to stop him, he has already disappeared into the crowd.

She sighs.

She barely had time to thank him for showing her the hotel.

(I didn’t want to be addressed as madam, but he was a pleasant, friendly man.)

Olivia adopted an apologetic demeanor.

(If I ever get the chance to meet him, I’d like to thank him.)

Afterwards.

Olivia decided that going to the store in the evening was not a good idea, so she checked into the hotel that had been recommended to her.

She decided to stop by again the next morning.