06-20 The Royal Castle
Egelia Kingdom’s capital Asunto was a Fort City. The walls rose to a height of 10 meters, they had been hardened and reinforced with magic, and in addition Magi Formulas to endow them with resistance to magic had been carved on the surface.
The central road stretched forth from the south, and at the end of it stood the royal capital.
“What a terrific city.”
“Mh-hm. It’s because this town was established after the Great Magic War. They followed a logical structure.”
When asked what he meant by logical, he explained that first the area was divided into sections, then each section received a house number, and the addresses were recorded on ledgers.
“Hmm, what a rather advanced country.”
The carriages continued on the central road, then the line stopped in front of the royal castle. Palace guards were stationed on the gates.
Reinhardt was a visiting diplomat from Shouro Empire, while Jin and Beana as Magi Craftsmen showed their registration cards.
If someone who was trained in magic examined her carefully, they could confirm she was an Automata, so without much trouble the group was allowed to go in the castle.
After passing through the gates, although they were inside the royal castle, the area was called the outer palace.
They were moving slowly at half, no, a third of the speed at which they had moved until now.
Standing there were four royal guard knights. They were the most outstanding of the kingdom’s soldiers. As they were to not let suspicious individuals into the royal castle, they monitored the behavior of Duke Blue’s group.
It was common to make certain of everyone’s identity. This was the royal castle, and everyone was on the lookout for foreign spies or assassins mixed in with the people invited for the third prince’s birthday party in two days.
They asked, and starting with Reiko’s ‘Peach Blossom’, Reinhardt’s guards’ weapons, and Elsa’s guard Herman’s sword were all taken to custody. In the end, even the butler Adberg’s cane was seized.
Ten maids and ten footmen went with Duke Blue’s group, and seven maids and seven footmen went along with Marquis Braun’s group.
Earls Kuzuma and Guarana each both got five maids and footmen each, and Reinhardt got the same number of both.
“Please make use of these lodgings.”
The assignment of the rooms was left to the leader of the group, Reinhardt.
His last words were aimed towards his butler. The butler then assigned the rooms for the servants.
By the way, the golems participating in the party all had their operation suspended and were moved to a certain storeroom. This was also a measure taken to prevent sabotage and such.
“Now then, let’s move in the luggage and relax a bit. Elsa, Jin, and Beana, let’s have some tea in my room afterwards.”
“Got it.”
“Okay.”
Everyone then left towards their assigned rooms. However, one maid followed behind Jin.
Jin wondered if she was going to enter the same room as him, and asked.
She responded in a bit agitated manner. On a closer look, she was about 15 or 16 years old. She appeared to be of the same generation as Elsa and Beana.
Her brown eyes often looked around, and her round face made her a charming young lady.
Reiko stood in front of the girl.
“U, Um, am I not good enough? Would you like someone with more experience?”
“No. Whoever it is, it would be unnecessary.”
“No, Reiko, we don’t know much about this country or the castle, so don’t you think we could use a little help?”
“…Yes, Father.”
Reiko reluctantly agreed.
Jin put the luggage away and looked out of the window. Nothing but trees and shrubs could be seen outside.
Jin muttered, and,
So that’s how it was, Jin thought after hearing it.
He said and left the room, and not just Reiko but the maid too followed.
She was slim and looked a little older than Elsa. She was a young lady with chestnut hair and violet eyes.
He asked.
“Yeah, so it seems.”
“Ah, Jin.”
A redhead maid was also following Beana.
In there they found, as expected, two maids.
“Seems like this castle’s maids are all nothing but beauties.”
“Oh, dear guest, you flatter us.”
The glamorous maid behind and to the side of Reinhardt said. Jin’s maid blushed, and Elsa glared a little at him.
The tea Reinhardt’s maids brewed tasted like real black tea.
Jin said, and,
“Oh?”
To make black tea, the fresh leaves must be dried, but then strangely the leaves must be left to ferment.
So, this tea was without a doubt black tea.
“Jin’s also pleased with it? Me too, I thought I’d buy some for the return trip.”
The tea seemed to suit Reinhardt and Elsa. It looked like Beana didn’t know much about teas’ flavors.
“Now then,”
“You call yourselves maids, but your goal is to monitor us, right?”
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