“Everyone, this way for a moment.”
Midir led us to a spot off the road, somewhat hidden by the trees, just before we finally arrived at the royal capital.
The road was fairly busy, though the influx of people heading to the capital for the Fighting Tournament seemed to be calming down.
“Have you heard any news from the royal capital?”
Midir asked, once everyone had gathered.
Lumia had told me about that.
“Yes, Lumia-san told me the general outline.”
“Then this will be quick. Rumors about Katia-dono have already spread throughout the capital…”
“Is there some problem?”
“It has somewhat exceeded the intelligence division’s predictions. It’s beyond our control now… Fina-dono, when is the most impactful moment for most people when viewing a painting?”
“Hmm? The first time they see it, of course, for the majority. Of course, there are some that you appreciate more gradually later, but the initial impact is definitely important, you know.”
“Excellent, a model answer. Extending this from paintings, what do you think would happen if the populace saw Katia-dono in town right now?”
“So pompous… what about it?”
“In the capital right now, Katia-dono’s ‘paintings’ and ‘rumors’ have taken on a life of their own. Wouldn’t it be natural for people to want to see the real thing, which no one has seen before, with their own eyes?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“The first person to see Katia-dono will say, ‘Kyaa, isn’t that the person from the paintings? It’s the real one, isn’t it? Look, look!’ ‘Really!? Let’s tell my acquaintance, [Name]!’ ‘Let’s get a closer look!’ ‘Look over here!’ Confusion like this is inevitable.”
!?
Midir-san has a rainbow of voices!
He even used a woman’s voice just now, this person.
What kind of vocal cords does he have?
Or rather, where is that voice even coming from?
“What was that female voice just now!? It’s so flawless, it’s creepy!”
Fina was frightened.
It’s understandable.
Neil seems to have known, and has a non-committal expression.
“That’s for inciting citizens. More importantly, we don’t want a disturbance to occur in the middle of the royal capital. The Fighting Tournament is near, and the personnel maintaining public order are already at their limit.”
“I see. But eventually, I’ll have to show my face, right?”
I can’t just stay holed up somewhere forever.
The original purpose was to support the princess using my position as the Sword Saint’s disciple.
“That’s where we come back to the earlier topic. A situation where being surrounded isn’t a problem… We’d like Katia-dono to make her first public appearance at the Fighting Tournament.”
“At the Fighting Tournament?”
“Yes. If she shows her face to a large audience beforehand, there will likely be less of an uproar when she walks around the capital afterward. As Fina-dono said, the second time, the reaction will be weaker.”
“Hmm… So, you’re saying you want to show what she’s like in a situation where security is tight and things are easy to control. That way, it’ll serve as a preventative measure against excessive reactions, is that the understanding?”
“Yes, that’s fine. The current policy is to be cautious with the first appearance. Until then, she’ll be staying at the castle.”
At the castle…
That’s convenient, considering the Great Spirit, but it’s quite the treatment.
“I understand the plan, but how are we going to get into the capital, and furthermore, into the castle? Are you going to have Katia dress up in some disguise?”
Lyall crossed his arms, trying to move the conversation forward.
I’m already getting tired of this conversation.
I think I’m starting to understand it, though.
“The common people have better eyes than you might think. A simple disguise might be seen through.”
“Then what are we going to do?”
“Are you going to have Katia wear that mask?”
“Hmm, so you’re saying you’re okay with indirectly kissing me?”
“Eh?”
“I’ll make you kiss the ground, Midir…”
“I’m joking, Fina-dono. That one is for men, and there’s only one. It would look out of place if Katia-dono wore it.”
Muu, if a disguise is no good, then we have no choice but to avoid being noticed?
“So, what are we going to do? A carriage that you can’t see inside?”
“I’m pretty sure carriages can’t go through the town or the road to the castle. If I remember correctly, they only go as far as the entrance to the capital.”
Lyall seems to have had the opportunity to ride in a carriage.
It’s impressive he knows so much, even though he doesn’t live in the capital.
“Yes, we can’t use a carriage. That’s where the reason I was dispatched comes in. There’s an underground passage that the intelligence division uses to get to the capital.”
“An underground passage?”
“Yes. If we use that, we can get close to the royal castle without going through the town.”
So, it’s like the ones royalty often use to escape in stories.
But here, it’s for the intelligence division.
“I see. But is it really okay to tell us about that passage?”
It’s a valid question.
Isn’t it a secret passage?
“There’s no problem. The entrances and exits are rebuilt irregularly and frequently, and the inside isn’t designed for outsiders to pass through without getting lost.”
“Rebuilt regularly? With earth magic?”
“Yes, there are specialists. We’re creating a complex network of tunnels directly beneath the capital, so we can’t have anything happen to the buildings above. Mistakes are not allowed.”
So, it’s a job where you’re constantly digging and filling in tunnels under the capital, taking care not to cause any collapses.
It sounds mind-numbingly tedious.
In any case, there’s no need to worry about secrets leaking.
“Originally, I only needed to bring Katia-dono to the castle…”
“No.”
“I expected Fina-dono to say that, so it’s fine for everyone to come. What will you do?”
“Is it wide enough for me to pass through?”
“There’s no problem. It’s about three meters high.”
“Then I’m going. It wouldn’t sit right with me to split up here.”
“I’m going too.”
“Then, let’s go. The entrance is ‘here’.”
No sooner had he said that, than Midir cast earth magic at his feet.
The ground rolled up, and
“Oh, a cavity.”
Stairs appeared.
It’s like a role-playing game where you can find stairs by examining your feet.
The underground was pitch black.
Midir led the way, guiding us with a lantern.
Watching the flame flickering in the darkness, I couldn’t help but remember her.
The time we first met.
“We’re about five minutes from the exit. We’ll be getting closer to the surface, so please try to keep the noise down.”
When will I be able to meet the Great Spirit?
Has Lumia’s letter arrived yet?
Will Spike-sama meet with me right away?
…These are all things I can’t do anything about by thinking about them.
“This is the exit. It will be bright immediately after you exit, so please be careful of your footing.”
Midir opened the exit with earth magic.
The light from outside poured in.
It’s certainly dazzling.
It will probably take a little while for my eyes to adjust.
I’m at the very back, so I’m later than everyone else to get outside.
“You’re late, Midir. I was getting tired of waiting.”
A figure appeared at the exit.
I can’t see very well, but they seem to be wearing well-tailored clothes.
And the sunlight is reflecting off something and hitting my face.
My eyes still haven’t adjusted.
“What are you doing? Can’t you wait even a few hours?”
“You know my temperament. I can’t wait.”
Eh? What is this situation?
Who is it? ‘I’ (Yo)?
Translator’s Note
“Yo” is a very archaic and arrogant first-person pronoun, generally used only by very high-ranking nobility or royalty. It immediately indicates the speaker is of extremely high status and used to getting their way.
“Yo, old man, long time no see. Sorry for the intrusion from the hole.”
“It’s fine. I’m also lacking in courtesy. Have you been well, Lyall?”
“Ah, it’s Spike-sama. As light on your feet as ever.”
“Fina, it’s been a while. And your younger brother, the knight Neil, was it?”
“Y-yes! It’s an honor to meet you for the first time! I am deeply grateful for this audience–”
“Enough, enough, I’m tired of hearing formal greetings. Don’t be so stiff.”
I mean, I’ve been able to meet big shots smoothly and they’ve had unexpected appearances, but.
This is too much, isn’t it?
“Um, Spike-sama, is it?”
I ask hesitantly.
“Indeed. I am the seventh king of the Garcia Kingdom, Spike Garcia Jenkins. I’ve been wanting to meet you, Katia.”
His bald head and white teeth gleamed.
Dazzling!