Vol 2: Chapter 33
The day of the award ceremony.
On this day, the sky was bright and clear, as though the rain yesterday was a lie.
The young lady stayed inside the mansion the whole day yesterday. The Earl looked at the young lady fondly, as she danced around healthily even with the bracelet on. Though, I didn’t tell him that I adjusted it. The maid might have reported that I messed with the bracelet, but it seems that he decided not to ask about it. Well, it’s all right in the end.
「The day has begun so early in the morning.」
I was woken up one hour before sunrise and was stifling my yawns. Even though I say sunrise, I don’t know when the sun rose because of the clouds.
「In the Kruvan Holy Kingdom, many rituals that are held are sponsored by His Majesty the Holy King. And these rituals take time. From now on, the young lady will also be participating in these rituals, so you must get used to it, Reiji-san.」
「Umm…」
I don’t want to get used to it. Or rather, I don’t want to participate enough to get used to it.
It seems that an event such as “Sprout and New Moon Banquet” is completely different compared to today’s awarding ceremony, which is a ritual.
Skill orb is a gift from God and is received by the Holy King on behalf of the people. The Holy King then distributes it to the people—or more exactly, the nobles representing the people.
The founding of the Kruvan Holy Kingdom dates back more than 1,000 years. Since it is a custom since the founding of the country, there are still old-fashioned rituals that do not fit in today’s world.
「Good morning, my lady.」
The young lady, who had taken a bath three times before sunrise, walked out with the sunrise. There seems to be a rule which says, “You have to keep your body clean when the sun goes up.” Even I had to wipe my body with hot water to get groomed up.
The young lady wore a dress of bright pea-green colour – similar to a fresh, young leaf.
It was a simple dress, like a chiton on greek mythological sculptures. However, the solid texture of the cloth and the luster of the brown strap around the waist reminded me that it most likely cost a fortune as usual.
Wearing a sky blue shawl on top of it, the young lady looked like a character who escaped from the greek mythical world.
「…I can’t get used to this.」
「It suits you very well, my lady.」
「You shouldn’t really wear accessories I hear, but I seem to have gotten special permission for the bracelet.」
The no-accessories is probably also tradition.
…But, if the “Magic Eye of Inspire” activates during the ritual, there will be a disaster.
After that, the young lady wore her hair up, showing off her slender nape. Looking at that, it felt like she was slowly climbing the stairs of adulthood.
「Let’s go, Reiji.」
「Yes, my lady.」
It wasn’t even 8am when I left the mansion with the young lady. The Earl had already long since reached the Holy Royal Palace. That’s just how special today is.
When we got on the carriage and passed through the 3rd Holy District, I heard the sounds of more carriages than usual. Since the young lady shut all the windows – saying it was cold – I didn’t know to which House those carriages belonged.
「My lady, how are you feeling?」
「There is no problem for now. But… the ritual would take place the entire day, it seems. So I’m a little worried.」
「You just have to get through today patiently.」
「Yes, I have to keep that mindset and survive. …And it hurts less because you adjusted the magic tool.」
The carriage ran over a stone and I missed half of what the young lady said.
「Eh? What did you say?」
「It’s nothing. Reiji, be a good boy until I’m done, okay…?」the young lady said, as though a mother advising her child.
I watched the carriage the young lady rode in passing through the castle gate. There were puddles here and there on the cobblestones from yesterday’s rain. Judging from today’s weather, the cobblestones should be dry by noon.
The carriage stopped soon after entering the section where the Holy Royal Palace was located. It seems that the young lady would have to walk from there to the venue.
(Will she be fine…?)
I am quite worried, but the Earl is also inside, so I just have to wait patiently.
The wall separating the 1st Holy District and the Holy Royal Palace seemed to be lower and thinner than any other wall so far. It is only about 3 meters high.
The wall was dark and golden, which is clearly different from the previous walls. Furthermore, a painting was drawn on it.
(A dragon and a person walking side by side… No, it also looks like a beastman.)
The dragon was very similar to the dragon I had encountered before. As for the person, the long ears leave an elf-like appearance, and yet, there was also a tail.
The painting was simplified like a wall mural, and because it was in an open space, it had become a little washed away, so I couldn’t really tell the races accurately.
The castle gate was wide enough for just one carriage to pass through, and when one carriage entered, one came out from the other side. After all, there are too many nobles attending today’s award ceremony, causing a congestion.
「Gah, I’m gonna get down here. Can’t stand to wait for this line.」
「There’s no helping you, father!」
There was a person who got off the carriage in the rear of the line because he couldn’t wait for the congestion.
Although he wore gaudy clothes similar to nobles, the person himself did not look like a noble.
His red hair stretched down his back, like a mane. Donning an incredibly thick chest plate, his muscles bulging through his clothes seemed like they could lift a truck.
His face was tanned, and under his wrinkled eyebrows, were sharp, beast-like eyes. And there was also a scar on his cheek. This man has surely not lived an ordinary life.
When he got off the carriage, his line of sight stopped at me.
「Hou, the kid from that time?」
No, I have never met someone with a vicious face like you, my kind sir.
「Father, you never listen!」
The person who got down after that was, Lady Mira.
That means… This person is Border Earl Mule!? …Oh, I see. I didn’t recognise him because it’s the first time I’ve seen his face.
While thinking about that, I bowed my head courteously and moved to the sidewalk.
Heavy footsteps approached me. Lady Mira complained, “Father, we are the only ones walking. It’s embarrassing,” but the Border Earl ignored it all.
And then, big shoes and thick thighs stopped in front of me.
「You… are the escort of House Sillys, right?」
「…Yes, sir.」
「Show me your face.」
I raised my face as told.
…Oh, Mira-sama is wearing light red clothes. The style is the same as the young lady. It’s simple and cute.
「So, how about you come to my territory?」
「…That means?」
「It means exactly what it sounds like. The Holy City is boring, don’t you think? My territory is much more interesting. There are many great talents and ferocious monsters around. Even wars may occur. It’s a great place to test your skills.」
Umm… Am I being scouted…? I don’t have any such desire at all, though.
「Thank you very much, but I have a lot on my shoulders at the moment.」
「Well, it’s okay to stay here, too. I get a feeling it’s gonna get bloody today.」
Bloody? Even though the weather is so nice today…
「Oh, good morning, Eva-sama’s escort!」
「Good morning, Lady Mira. That dress suits you very much.」
Lady Mira was in awe with the young lady at first, but after exchanging letters and meeting several times they seem to have developed quite a friendly relationship.
「Ufufu… This seems to be the one that my mother wore when she received her skill orb. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?」
「Indeed. I’m sure she must be delighted.」
「Yeah! She is in the mansion for medical treatment right now, but she gave it to me excitedly.」
「—Mira, let’s go.」
「Oh, father, wait! You’re selfish. See you!」
Lady Mira waved goodbye and followed the Border Earl. I heard the young lady talking about Lady Mira’s mother, too… something about how she couldn’t leave the territory due to her poor health.
Even so, seeing her daughter wear the same clothes she did on her big day–must cheer up any mother’s day. Like today’s weather.
(But I should be wary. According to Zerry-san, there seems to be no change in the city, so if there is something, it’s surely within the 3rd Holy District onwards… the movement of the nobles.)
I was a little worried about what the Border Earl said.
Since we haven’t found the mastermind behind the poisoning attempt on Prince Kluvshrat yet, it’s best to be on alert. I thought about that while looking at the 1st Holy District crowded with noble carriages and escort horses.
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