Read Novel Full Chapter 185
Chapter 185
TN: Please read my translations only on my website since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi and Patreon to read several chapters ahead!
Enjoy~
Chapter 185 – Neival-sama
This was the second district I visited for the first time.
The number of people walking in the streets suddenly decreased, and a two-horse carriage moved along the well-maintained road.
The carriage itself was of a different quality than the ones I had seen before. While the third and fourth districts were full of carriages with only a loading platform or a hood, here I could see box-shaped carriages with a wooden roof.
They were beautifully painted and had a mark on the side that looked like a family crest or emblem.
You could tell at a glance that they were for the rich.
“Brother, this is the last gate. We can’t go any further.”
“It’s enough that we’ve come this far!”
It took about an hour and a half to get here from the inn in the third district.
After paying about 6000 beeke, I got off the carriage and looked at the imposing gate to the next district.
I doubt many ordinary people come this far.
There are two types of carriages: the circular carriage, which follows the same route, and the sightseeing carriage, which is more expensive but will take you anywhere you want within a certain area of the city.
This time, it seemed like I only had the option of the latter, so I came here by myself and used the carriage.
I was able to hear a lot of stories from the coachman, and looking at it that way, I feel like I ended up paying less than I expected.
“Hello~!”
“…What do you want?!”
When I called out to the middle-aged soldier wearing what looked like a rather well-made suit of armor, he looked down at me with a very intimidating look.
Oh well, there’s nothing I can do about it.
I’ve heard that this area ahead is a special one, filled with the country’s most important institutions.
Of course, security will be tight.
“Well, my name is Loki, and I’ve come to see the chief magician, Neival-sama. Have you heard about me from Malta’s chief auditor, Nillow-san?” [T/n: Name changed from Nival to Neival; sorry for the inconvenience]
“Neival-sama? …Wait a moment.”
As I watched, I saw that next to the large metal gate, which was currently closed, there was a small door that an adult could get in and out of by bending down a bit. He was calling out to someone on the other side.
I think this soldier probably hadn’t been told anything.
And…
“Someone else is going to check with the Auditor’s Office. Please wait here until then.”
Unfortunately, there was nothing around this gate.
If there were at least some food stalls, I could have waited while I ate, but after entering the second district, I didn’t see any food stalls at all.
If I’m flying, I’ll be able to…
That’s the first thing that comes to my mind, but I don’t have the courage to fly directly into a place where the king is.
If I do that, I’ll be in trouble if arrows or magic come flying at me, so I guess I’ll just have to be patient and aim for a direct approach.
And about an hour later…
After spending so much time training in a low-key manner that I’d used up all my magic power, I was feeling a little too bored to do anything, and I was about to fall asleep next to the gate when I heard a voice I’d heard before.
“Lo-Loki-dono!?”
“Hmm?”
When I turned around, I saw a familiar receding hairline.
That head…
“Ah, Nillow-san. I arrived in the capital, so I thought I’d drop by~.”
Nillow-san, the chief auditor from Malta, was standing there with a man I didn’t recognize.
And for some reason, Nillow-san bowed to me as soon as he opened his mouth.
“I thought you were flying directly over the walls, so I apologize for not communicating properly.”
“Ah… ahaha. I don’t like being attacked out of the blue!”
I see, so that was within the acceptable range. Damn, I messed up.
“Still, I didn’t expect to see you here, Nillow-san.”
“I was planning to return to Malta as soon as I delivered my message, but I was ordered to stay.”
As he said this, he glanced at the man beside him, who opened his mouth as if on cue.
“I am Kamuria, deputy director of the Lagreath Audit Office. I’ve heard about you from Nillow.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re the deputy director?”
The man named Kamuria is in his fifties and has a particularly dark complexion.
Since he is the deputy director, he must be in a fairly high position, such as the second-in-command of the audit office.
His mouth is smiling, but his eyes are sharp, and it is clear that he is sizing me up.
“Hmm, the elder sister is not here? Oh, that’s right. Please don’t be so formal. Both Nillow and I come from ordinary families. If you have a guide, it’ll be easier than being accompanied by someone who acts all high and mighty, right?”
“That’s true.”
I replied, but it was a very delicate situation.
It could be assumed that he had risen to such a high position despite being a commoner, and from the atmosphere, this old man could not be underestimated.
Well… even so, this person is not strong.
Then I thought there was no point in worrying about it, so I followed the two people as they bent down and walked through the door.
It’s so sad that I can pass through without stooping.
“The building you see in front of you is the center of the Lagreath Kingdom, the Beriya Palace. Neival-sama is also there.”
It’s a large white building surrounded by greenery, with a rather large area.
Personally, I always imagined that a fantasy kingdom would have a castle towering over it, so when I saw it from the air for the first time, I was a little surprised at how much it looked like a national parliament building.
From there, we got into the box-shaped carriage that had been prepared for us behind the gate and rode to the palace.
Thinking that the ride would be a little more comfortable, I looked out the window, which was covered by a curtain, and decided to ask the two of them―or rather, I asked Deputy Director Kamuria since Nillow-san was frozen stiff with nervousness―about my concerns.
“Does the king also live in that building?”
“Strictly speaking, he lives in the royal palace at the back of the palace. However, the buildings themselves are connected.”
“I see.”
“You don’t want to come into contact with the royal family, do you? Don’t worry, I’ve already told them.”
“…Thank you.”
From their point of view, this situation must look like they’ve got everything under control.
I wonder if they’re planning something to catch me off guard or if they’re just coming right at me to gain my trust.
Well, I thought I’d give them some time, so I came to the capital at my own leisure, and it was I who gave them time to prepare.
I guess I’ll just have to leave the rest to chance.
The ride takes about 20 minutes.
The carriage stops, and a soldier in armor opens the door from the outside.
This kind of treatment is too stifling.
I had planned to drop in casually, but I can’t help but feel that this is becoming something important, and my stomach starts to hurt.
Before I knew it, Nillow-san had gone from leading to being led.
I followed behind Deputy Director Kamuria, shrinking in comparison to him, and when we entered the palace…
(Oh, this is amazing…)
I was lost for words at the sheer opulence and splendor, my eyes wandering everywhere.
It was a complete contrast to the rather plain exterior.
The walls, pillars, and ceiling were all carved with such intricate patterns that it would not be an exaggeration to say they were detailed to the point of being excessive, and they even extended down to the floor, which was made of stone.
Is there some sort of magical element to this, or is it just art?
Whether it’s the chandeliers hanging in the air or the bright mineral decorations on the walls, the whole place is so shiny it almost hurts your eyes.
On the way, I got strange looks from people in extravagant costumes, and after both Nillow-san and I squinted our eyes, we came to a door.
“…Is Neival-sama here?”
We heard a hoarse voice from inside, responding to the call of Deputy Director Kamuria.
“You have finally arrived.”
The heavy door opens at the same time as the words, and my eyes meet those of an old woman standing in front of the door.
Her eyes are at exactly the same level as mine.
The small woman, with her back slightly bent and both hands resting on a cane, looks at me with a carefree smile.
Her hair, which has lost its pigment and is now pure white, and the deep wrinkles on her face tell me that she is probably the oldest person I have ever met in this world.
“Hey, stop standing there and come in.”
She tapped me on the shoulder with the tip of her cane.
It was a normal conversation, one she would have had with anyone.
But I still couldn’t move.
I quickly stopped the skill, but the emotions I had felt earlier still lingered, making me hesitant to take the first step.
Hahaha… I’m beaten.
(I don’t think I can beat this old lady at all…)
I forgot to greet her and could only smile wryly at the first emotion I had ever felt other than that of a goddess.
If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read several chapters ahead!