Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Imperial Capital Karnias (2)
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[Hey, wait a minute! If you want to reach the capital on time, this carriage is your only option!]
Sion's group refused to ride in the same carriage as Olivia and took a different route to the capital.
"Urp... Blegh!"
"R-Rion! Are you okay?"
[That girl's still got terrible motion sickness. Go pat her back or something, Cloe.]
Their method? Teleportation magic straight into the capital.
-Tap tap tap-
"Urp... Maybe it's because I haven't used it in so long... I feel even dizzier..."
[Yeah, we haven't had much need for it lately.]
Due to the teleportation magic's recoil, which grows stronger with distance, Sion ended up vomiting up the meat soup she'd eaten just before.
"Ugh... I thought I was gonna die..."
"...You could've just taken the carriage."
"Riding with Olivia... would've been worse..."
Rather than suffer through motion sickness, riding with Olivia was far more unappealing.
[Cloe! Cloe! Come with me-]
"I see..."
'Olivia must really rub her the wrong way that much?' Cloe wondered, but recalling the woman's sharp tongue, she nodded in understanding.
[This is the Empire's capital, Karnias.]
True to its name as the Empire's heart, the city brimmed with vibrant energy.
Crowds of citizens filled the streets, soldiers patrolled vigilantly, and merchants hawked their wares without end.
"Wow..."
All these sights were utterly foreign to Cloe, who had grown up in the slums of a remote border town.
"Ugh... Feels like there are even more people now..."
Of course, for Sion—who instinctively avoided crowds—it wasn't exactly welcome news.
-Rustle.-
Sion pulled her robe's hood low, hiding her face from prying eyes.
"Huh...? Are you cold?"
"N-No... It's just... people might... see me..."
[Overly self-conscious?]
"Q-Quiet..."
In a rural town like Prifre, maybe not—but in a massive city like this, Sion's striking looks were bound to draw attention.
Her eye-catching beauty was one reason she'd worn a mask during her days as the Grand Archmage.
"It's so different from Prifre... Way more lively."
[Well, with the war against the Demon King over, it's peacetime for the citizens.]
"What's that over there?"
Cloe gazed around the streets with childlike excitement.
Watching Cloe's uncharacteristically bubbly demeanor, Sion decided to give her a proper tour of the capital since they were already here.
"That's... a play. Actors take on roles and perform stories for the audience."
Where Cloe pointed, a troupe was putting on a street performance atop a makeshift stage.
"What's the story?"
"It varies by play. Hmm... That one is..."
[A play about the Seven Stars.]
The tale of seven heroes from across the continent defeating the Demon King.
"Ahem..."
Who knew they'd turn it into a play? Sion's cheeks flushed as she cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Whoa..."
Cloe stared blankly at the actors continuing their performance.
"Wanna... get a closer look?"
"C-Can we?"
"Of course..."
Seeing her like this, she looked just like any girl her age.
'Yeah... this is more normal.'
What girl throws herself into a slime's guts or a pile of bombs?
Sion, oblivious to her own girlish facade on the surface, thought nothing of it.
"If you're curious about anything else... just ask. I'll explain everything..."
[You're one to talk—you hole up in your room and don't know much either.]
"L-Lily!"
"Is that... okay?"
"...Of course!"
Cloe hesitated a moment before timidly speaking up.
Sion vowed to answer any question with utmost care, no matter what—
"Um, Rion? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Who... is Master Sion like?"
"Pfft-"
—but Cloe's question completely blindsided her.
"Rion! You okay?"
"Kuhk... W-What?!"
Cloe still didn't know Rion was Sion.
And there'd been no intention of telling her anyway.
"I-I mean..."
But Cloe did know Rion was Sion's disciple.
So, naturally, she asked Rion about Sion's character.
Having just watched the play about the Seven Stars, Cloe's curiosity about Sion had spiked.
"Well, you see..."
Asking Sion herself—who was hiding her identity—about what Sion was like.
How to answer reasonably without deceiving Cloe? Sion pondered.
"Uhh..."
Lie or reveal herself? Both options were equally tricky.
"There you are."
Saving Sion from her dilemma was a sturdy, handsome young man in pristine white-and-gold knight's attire.
"Who... are you?"
'I swear I've seen this guy somewhere...'
His purple hair screamed noble birth at first glance.
The knight's uniform marked him clearly as a member of the Imperial Knights.
"I'm Edwin von Leonhardt, Rion. I humbly serve as Captain of the Imperial Knights."
"Ah."
Oh, right. She remembered now.
"Hello..."
Olivia's older brother and Captain of the Imperial Knights.
The Empire's greatest swordsman, excluding the Hero Karl.
"S-So... why are you here?"
"To escort you to the palace. It was supposed to be my sister's duty, but..."
Oh yeah.
Olivia had volunteered to guide them, but they'd ditched her and bolted.
"I heard you had unavoidable circumstances and traveled separately."
Hmm... He had a real talent for phrasing 'ditched and ran' so elegantly.
[I wondered why there were so many patrol guards on the streets. Must be because of this.]
"Is that so...?"
In this vast capital, the odds of Edwin spotting them by chance were slim.
Those numerous soldiers must have been his eyes and ears, making it easy to find them.
"But... how did you know I was Rion right away?"
"Olivia described your general appearance, and your companion's as well."
"Ahh..."
Separating from Olivia meant arriving earlier than planned.
They'd figured they'd wait for her to catch up and go together, but Edwin was already here.
"Shall we go? His Majesty the Emperor awaits."
"Hmm..."
Cloe hadn't finished sightseeing yet.
There were plenty of interesting spots; Sion wanted to show her more.
"I'm fine."
"-Huh?"
"We can sightsee next time. Just... take it slower then."
Reading Sion's mind, Cloe offered a gentle consideration.
Sightseeing could wait if it made her uncomfortable; priorities could shift anytime.
"Thank you for understanding."
Edwin, catching the gesture, bowed gratefully to the pair.
After all, the Empire had been the one to invite them.
"Then, please take my carriage."
Sion's group rode Edwin's carriage and finally entered the palace, the Empire's true heart.
"This is... the palace..."
Adorned everywhere with gold and jewels, its grandeur overwhelmed all who beheld it.
Cloe had marveled at the capital's streets, but the palace interior surpassed her wildest imagination.
"Is that real gold...?"
[Probably. They wouldn't use fakes when face matters so much.]
Of course, to Sion and Lily—who'd traveled the continent—it was nothing special.
"I'll guide you this far. From here, this young lady will take over."
After escorting them deep into the palace, Edwin summoned a maid and addressed Sion's group.
"U-Um... H-Hello! I'm Evril, personal maid to Her Highness the Princess."
A brown-haired girl with an ordinary look.
"H-Her Highness the Princess wishes to meet you both... Before His Majesty, please come to the reception room first."
"...Princess?"
But Sion reacted sharply to the maid's mention of being the 'Princess's' exclusive servant.
[Oh boy.]
"What's wrong...?"
Not just Sion—Lily couldn't hide her unease either.
Cloe wondered why they were so sensitive about the name 'Princess.'
"Ugh... Sigh, how do I even explain this..."
Sion still couldn't forget.
[Lady Sion, it's Edelra. Did you have a peaceful day? I-]
[With the weather turning crisp, autumn must be here. I hope your day went smoothly?]
Edelra's letters, which had filled over half her inbox single-handedly.
Even without a single reply, the letters kept coming—letting Sion sense the princess's near-mad obsession.
[P-Please take me as your disciple!]
[Um... Sir Sion, could you perhaps tutor the princess in magic...?]
[Sion, our princess insists no one but you will do as her master. Still not interested?]
She'd even begged her father the Emperor and the Hero to make Sion her teacher.
While hassle was the main reason for declining the palace invite, Edelra factored in too.
[Word was she went abroad to study in a duchy recently, but looks like she's back already.]
"Yeah..."
She'd accepted the invite assuming Edelra was away studying.
Who knew she'd return so soon?
'The problem is... I'm disguised as that Sion's disciple...'
On the surface, Rion was Sion's apprentice.
To Edelra, who desperately wanted Sion as her master, Rion was anything but welcome.
"She's waiting inside."
While Sion fretted over Edelra, they'd already reached the reception room door.
The princess waited beyond it.
"Your Highness, I've brought the two guests."
-Let them in.
"Then..."
Unpleasant as it was, basic courtesy demanded she show her face as an invited guest.
"You've arrived. I've been waiting."
Opening the door revealed a woman in a sapphire gown entering Sion's view.
A refined lady with the imperial black hair and eyes.
"Evril, bring tea and cookies for our guests."
"Yes, Your Highness."
'More... normal than I thought?'
As royalty should, Edelra's demeanor instantly dispelled Sion's worries.
"You must be exhausted from the long journey. Please, have a seat."
She showed no hostility, simply hosting as a princess should.
"So..."
Just as Sion began to relax—
"...You're Rion?"
Edelra's atmosphere shifted completely.
The poised, kind princess vanished, replaced by a venomous woman steeped in jealousy.
"Y-Yes..."
Startled by the sudden change, Sion quickly adapted.
She'd already anticipated some hostility.
As invited guests, Edelra wouldn't cause a major scene—or so she'd thought—
"Y-You!"
"...Yes?"
—but Edelra's madness far exceeded expectations.
Pointing at Sion, the words bursting from her lips were—
"I formally challenge you to a duel!"
A rather out-of-left-field declaration.