The Prince's Return
The Gandharva United Kingdom was in a festive mood. Not because of an actual festival, but because the date of Prince Rial’s return was fast approaching, and preparations were underway to welcome him and his guests.
“It’s the Academy’s pilgrimage after several years! Make sure the reception goes without a hitch!”
“The lodgings are to be assigned exactly as ordered! Why split them in half? Because the Prince commanded it!”
“The First Saintess of the Saras Order is asking about monster countermeasures? The Prince takes priority! Honestly, we don’t have answers either!”
Officials and military personnel rushed about in a frenzy of preparation. Those moving most energetically shared one common trait: they were all women of striking beauty. Each wore a bracelet engraved with a number, which they handled with care. Soon, the ground began to tremble.
“They’re here?”
A woman with lightly tanned skin gazed into the distance, tension in her posture. In the far-off haze, she spotted flags. A massive banner bearing the emblem of the Vespia Kingdom. Another marked with the symbol of the Saras Order, a number inscribed within it. And finally, the Academy’s own flag.
Because the empire had been at war, the annual event had been delayed. Now that it was finally happening, they were making up for lost time with an enormous procession heading toward Gandharva.
“Vespia, and it looks like the Saintesses joined them midway…”
“…Something feels off, though.”
The flags themselves were unremarkable. Though this was a friendly cultural exchange, it was also a diplomatic occasion, so it was common for the Academy or any notable house to fly their banners. The real issue was the flagpoles.
“With poles that size, the standard-bearers must be no ordinary soldiers.”
“A show of force from the kingdom…? But Prince Rial wouldn’t allow something so overt.”
The women who had been bustling about began to gather. Those wearing numbered bracelets exchanged serious glances. High-ranking officials soon joined them. Just as the discussion grew heated—
—Rumble—
The identity of the standard-bearers became clear.
“Those are… golems?”
“…What speed is that? Are those the Cyclops?”
“No. According to our intelligence, those are Caterpillar Golems.”
The women murmured as the riders drew closer. Caterpillar Golems, each hauling a massive, elongated box, approached the city gates one after another. All but the lead unit bore the crest of the Krista Merchant Guild and the symbol of the Fifth Saintess. Behind them stretched a long procession of people.
“Open the gates!”
At the gatekeeper’s command, the gates swung wide. The foremost golem’s hatch opened.
“Gandharva! I have returned!!”
Prince Rial stepped out, and cheers erupted throughout the city.
“You’re blocking the view. Move aside.”
“Can’t read the mood at all.”
At the irritated voice from inside, the prince obediently climbed atop the golem and waved to the crowd.
****
Inside the Caterpillar Golem’s cockpit.
The machine, redesigned for transport rather than combat, rolled forward at a steady pace. The prince, who had been sprawled across half the viewport, finally moved aside, grumbling as the view cleared.
“Quite the popularity you’ve got, Your Highness.”
“Only natural.”
People lined the streets, cheering and scattering flower petals. Though it was a desert city, the roads were clean and well-maintained, making travel comfortable. The citizens’ clothing looked neat and tidy as well.
“This is the largest city in Gandharva. It holds the holy land of the Saras Order and is the greatest commercial hub. Seems it’s been chosen as the capital this year.”
“It has?”
“The capital changes every year.”
It was an odd system, but the name “United Kingdom” made sense of it. The capital rotated among the former city-state capitals of the allied nations—an arrangement that no longer seemed strange.
“More importantly, I’m glad the journey was so comfortable.”
“Agreed. This is why golems are wonderful.”
Erica and Noel spoke leisurely while gazing outside. Naturally, the route from the Academy to Gandharva required crossing the desert. Though there was a marked path and signposts, travelers normally had to battle sandstorms the entire way. Aboard a golem, however, such hardships became irrelevant.
Because this was a major event, Mina had seized the opportunity to deploy some of the transport Caterpillar Golems she had manufactured. Thanks to her, a considerable number of students had been able to ride along. Those who hadn’t simply chosen not to; it wasn’t a matter of discrimination. Abatus, for example, had refused.
“Pride, I suppose. He won’t stoop to using one.”
It seemed foolish to reject comfort out of stubbornness, but among nobles traveling abroad, even the choice of conveyance was political. Using a golem would instantly shatter the trust Abatus had built with other nobles. Ironically, that trust was one of the few areas where Abatus currently held an advantage over Eisen. Any action that damaged noble credibility would tilt the balance further.
Thus Abatus had forgone golems entirely. Instead, he traveled in a lavish carriage drawn by strangely shaped beasts, followed by cages of chimeras—an almost circus-like spectacle. The tents within were reportedly packed with magical tools, so his group was likely comfortable enough.
“Still, the moment that sandstorm hit, they plastered themselves right against us.”
“Well, we can overlook that.”
While the heavy, sturdy golems remained unaffected, Abatus’s side had nearly lost their tents in the chaos. They had shamelessly clung to the golems’ flanks. A fine example of how survival trumps pride—worth remembering.
“By the way, is the prince really this popular?”
“Honestly, I’m surprised too.”
The golem moved slowly to avoid dropping anyone. Rial stood atop it with arms spread wide, showing himself to the cheering crowd. The applause showed no sign of fading, especially from those in worn clothing.
“From our perspective he’s an arrogant, disagreeable prince, but the view from here is different.”
Mina spoke quietly, then turned to the others.
“His motives may not be pure, but he performs the most relief work for the poor and donates the most to the Order.”
“How do you know that, Mina?”
“The Order’s internal intelligence network.”
Given that this was the holy land of the Saras Order, their information network would naturally be active here. Mina watched Prince Rial in silence.
“A hypocrite and a villain.”
“Huh?”
“That’s how the Order describes Prince Rial.”
Mina offered no further explanation. The Academy’s grand procession soon arrived at what appeared to be the royal palace.
****
After that, nothing particularly noteworthy occurred. The kingdom’s envoys who had accompanied the Academy, along with Headmaster Calliope, paid their respects to the king. The King of Gandharva nodded and instructed Prince Rial to handle the welcome. Though the prince’s mind seemed elsewhere, there was no room for complaint.
“Still, splitting the lodgings in two…”
“It does feel excessive.”
Noel quietly agreed with Eisen’s remark. Because so many people had arrived, an entire building with a large plot of land on the outskirts of the city had been designated as the Academy’s lodging. Given the packed schedule of sightseeing and visits to the holy land, it would have been more practical to keep everyone together…
“They’ve blatantly drawn a line.”
Even the professors had been divided. One side for the golem faction, the other for the chimera faction.
“No matter how fierce the political rivalry, this is worth protesting at the Academy level.”
“Professor Reina already lodged a protest, but Prince Rial said that even if they were placed together they’d just split up again, so she couldn’t argue further.”
“I heard the Headmaster arranged for everyone to share meals, at least. She said this shouldn’t become a permanent tradition like some kind of rival tournament.”
That explained the magically erected tent in the center. It seemed meals would be served and eaten outdoors.
“Come to think of it, what about the chimeras?”
“They’ve been placed in the rear courtyard of the other dormitory building.”
A brief glance had shown that the chimeras were far from small. With no proper facility available, they had simply been left there. Though trust was low, Abatus’s people would presumably manage them. Still, measures had to be taken to prevent any from wandering over.
“…Wait. Manage?”
“Lord Eisen?”
A sudden, chilling realization struck him. Chimeras were, after all, monsters—living creatures. Naturally, they would…
“…I need to speak with Professor Reina… No, I have to tell everyone and get permission.”
“Lord Eisen?”
Leaving a bewildered Noel, Erica, and Mina behind, Eisen hurried into the dormitory and gathered everyone. A short while later, after hearing his ominous premonition, the professors and students unanimously erected a towering clay wall in front of the golem faction’s dormitory.
Mina purchased a large quantity of air fresheners and set up a stall in front of the chimera faction’s building, but no one stopped her.