A Decrease font size. A Reset font size. A Increase font size.

Once More at the Imperial Capital (1)

We finally arrived at the capital.

It was such a long trip in vain.

We saw a long road made of stone bricks after passing through the capitals gates. Shops and wooden buildings lined the road on both sides. It was overwhelmingly showy compared to the towns wed passed through until now. To go with the alchemist groups and Heroes Workshop, the capital also sported a huge number of super European-esque buildings that just felt woah.

There were tons of people and carriages moving about on road, fitting for its status as the capitals main street. A good tenth of them had aristocratic crests on them, even.

This is the capital!

Wataru stated grandly in the coach, the street a backdrop to his statement.

We couldnt really see that well since he was standing in the way and all, but I was able to make out someone embarrassed at the country bumpkin. Yep.

The city-elf, Shikina, just looked at him with lukewarm eyes that seemed to say: [People like him come to the capital every so often, so people go about not minding them.]

Yeah, its the capital alright.

Huh, youre not surprised? Its like youve seen a town like this before.

Setting aside Mikhan, Tsuia, Donsama, and Corky were pretty big towns though?

Id say their scales are very different.

Oh come on. One, two, three, more, more, more, more. At some point it just stops making a difference and all you feel is like [Oh hey, this is a big town]. Compared to Golen, theyre all huge, thats all.

How half-assed! But Id expect nothing less of you, Kehma-san.

Well, Ive been here before, too. I didnt say that though. And what do you mean you expected me to be half-assed?

As an aside, our coach made it through the capitals gates without a check as well. The effect of being summoneds amazing.

Well, how about we head to the closest adventurer guild first? There are several here, just like in Corky. One in the center and another at each cardinal direction, making five in all.

One for each gate, huh. Lets head to the east guild then.

By the way, Misha was at the central adventurer guild. I didnt feel like heading all the way together I didnt, really. I dont think Im supposed to know Misha at this point either, after all.

More importantly, Kehma. Food! Ichika, whats good to eat here in the capital?

Therere ranches all around, so theres a ton of dairy products and stews.

Rokuko, the cheese here is delicious, too. It might be a bit much for newbies, but their fragrances are distinctive and entirely irresistible to cheese enthusiasts!

Heeh, so thats your recommendation, Roppy? Alright, lets eat some cheese, too! Ill deal with it when the time comes if I dont like it!

Rokuko. Youve totally been influenced by Ichika I dont not understand you, though.

Come to think of it, Rokuko, do you remember why youre here?

Huh? Wasnt it to go on a food journey?

Oh you poor thing, thats entirely off~. You were called here after the dragons defeat, remember?

Oh yeah, that was a thing, huh!

There are a few things we have to do here, unlike the towns so far. Wataru, whats our schedule looking like?

Right. I showed them the letter at the gate, so theyll definitely get in contact with us soon. Theyll probably do it once we make our way to the guild, we can just go with the flow after that.

Maybe theyre waiting for us to turn in at some inn. Whys he so sure theyre waiting for us at the guild?

*

When we dropped off the packages at the guild and decided to look around a bit in the guilds dining hall, she appeared.

Nyoho~! Im here to pick ya all up~!

Oh, Misha-san. Thank you.

Oooh, Wataru. Guess youre out and abyout as always, huuuh? Ill practice with ya anytime, just come at me nya~!

Bleh, so it turned out to be Misha. The pink-haired idiot of an A-Rank cat beastkin-cum-guild master, that is. But huh. She sounded stressed, wonder whats up?

Lets pretend I dont know her at all.

So Wataru, is this Misha someone you know? Could you introduce us?

Nya? Whatre you talking about, Kehma-san, why would he have tooh, right! Nyof course he needs to introduce us! Yeah, yep, nyuh-huh! I am pleased to meet ya for the first time.

She couldnt act for shit, but yeah. Misha and I shouldnt know each other. I mean, Im always hanging out at Golen and Mishas always at the capitas guild headquarters.

In other words, Misha and I are two people who definitely should never have crossed each others paths. Although we do know each other due to dungeon-related things, us knowing each other makes no sense outside of that.

Eh? Misha-san, Kehma-san, do you two know each other?

Nope, this is the first time weve met. Ive never met her before but she seems nice~. I hope we can get along, Misha!

Yep! Its the first time weve met, but it feels like Ive knyown ya for a long time! I bet well get along great!

Yeah, I can tell well get along just by looking at you, well be best friends, best friends! Yaaaay.

Yaaaay!

I went for the whole overplay it till you make it strategy. Did it work? I hope so. Even if not, Ill just keep this train a going and not let them follow up!

Alright, let me introduce myself. Im Kehma. Golens Village Chief. This girl heres Rokuko. These two are my slaves, Kuro and Ichika.

You dont need to introduce me, though these two are my party members, Gozoh-san and Roppu-san.

My name is Shikina Kukkoro!

Yep yep! Im Misha. The imperial capital adventurer guilds guild master, good to meet nya!

Good, now there shouldnt be any issues with us knowing each other from here on.

But Wataru was still tilting his head to the side in thought, so I whispered something into his ear.

Wataru. Dont tell anyone, but Misha came to me a while back. She was undercover, though. So please dont say anything strange.

Oooh, I see. So thats how it is?

Convinced, Wataru nodded. I guess Misha overheard, since she gave me a thumbs up.

Alright. Perfect. Now I can use that as an excuse next time I see one of Haku-sans party members. I can also just pretend Id never met them, too. I can also also pretend that I was just pretending to not know them because of reasons. Its perfect.

Okay, lets go! Ill guide ya there with my mount, so please follow me with your coach nya~

With that, Misha straddled her lion (that had feathers and a snake for a tail). We would follow behind in the coach.

Okay, Rokuko-sama, come here please.

And then Misha reached her arm out for just Rokuko as if the rest of us were chopped liver.

Misha. Right now, Im just Rokuko, you dont need to be so polite.

Ah. Sorry, Im nyot worth your concern.

Seeing that, let alone Wataru, even Gozoh and Roppu looked like they wanted to say [Oooh yep, got it] or something, but also looked like they figured it was best they didnt. Shikina tilted her head at Mishas response, like she even added -sama to Rokukos name. She was entirely giving preference to Rokuko.

Lets try this againlets go to the castle. Please follow me and dont get lyost~

Misha started to lead the way again. Mishas mount really was rare, though. It kept drawing everyones eyes and she tried to get Rokuko to ride it? Heeeh~.

Still though, is it really alright for you to show it off, Misha? Isnt that like your ace in the hole?

No, maybe Haku-san ordered her to show it off to keep anyone from wanting to make a move against Rokuko?

No way. Its Misha, after all.