Once More at the Imperial Capital (2)

While we were being led by Misha, everyone in Team Bacchus were secretly talking to Rokuko (though it wasnt exactly secretly since they were just doing it inside the coach).

Hey Jou-chan. Should I start n use -sama fer ye?

Eh? Why would you?

Rokuko-sama~ yep, Ichika and Kuro are always addressing you like that, so it doesnt even feel too out of place.

Not you too, Roppu!

Ill just keep calling you Rokuko-san as always!

Oh, Wataru, you can go ahead and use -sama.

The reason she was only treating Wataru like that was probably due to my influence on her She is my partner, after all. Well, its not like we dislike him or anything so its k.

And thats how we passed the time on the way to the castle. Unlike Haku-sans villa, it had a stone rampart that emphasized practicality. Most striking was that it didnt seem like thered ever be a force enough to actually stress the defenses.

As Misha was leading us, we were easily let inside.

Come to think of it, were still using the coach with the Tsuia family crest on it, is that alright?

It feels like itll make people start correlating us, but I guess thats actually the truth?

With that, wed just passed through the second gate on the way in and Misha stopped. Our coach stopped alongside her.

Oookay, please leave the coach right here nya~. Leeets see, I gotta leave my mount too oh! Sally, youre just in time. Please bring him back to his stable~

Misha, please dont just dump him on me Oh, Kehma-san. Its been a while.

Ah, its Sally-san, the knight commander and living armor, one of Haku-sans party members. Though uh, is it fine to walk about in your armor like that? I guess it is.

Oh, I guess Sally-san doesnt have any reason to hide. I mean, she came all the way to our inn without hiding at all.

Yeah, it has. Shikinas here too.

I-It has been a very long time, Sally-sama!

Well if it isnt Shikina, I see youre back. Have you already greeted your father?

N-no, Ive just recently arrived! I will see him eventually!

Shikina saluted as she spoke. Wataru joined the conversation and bowed.

Sally-san, did you enjoy your vacation?

Oh, Wataru, youre here too?

I figured that he knew Misha, but I guess he knows all of Haku-sans party members since shes been having him do all of those commissions for her.

Yeah, my vacation was pretty good. Lets go practice for a bit.

Sally-san, youd seriously kill me, could we not?

Isnt it more effective that way? A hero like you should do things like that! Whats wrong with that?

Sally-san struck her chestjust plate armor though as she spoke. Wataru youve gone through some hellish training what a main character-like thing to do.

Hey, Sally~. Could you please hurry up and run that errand for me nya~

Hah? How bold of you to try and use me, the knight commander, as an errand runner.

Eeeh? Whats that have to do with me? Gehnyan!?

Just then, Sally-san pulled Mishawhod started rubbing against heroff of her by the head.

I have a message from Haku-sama. She told me to tell you to not do anything unnecessary and to not ignore what you need to do. Now please, return to your guild master duties Its been piling up, right? Your work.

UguI-I knooooow. Alright Kehma-san, lets have that match next time! I wont lose nya!

Misha waved as she said that and hopped onto her mount.

Could she just not?

Kehma-san, you beat Misha-san too? Even Im only at a fifty-fifty win-loss ratio with her.

Its basically the same as with you.

As Id expect, Kehma-san!

Hmm. You can use -sama for me like with Rokuko as well.

As Id expect, Kehma-sama!

Sorry, please dont. That just gave me goosebumps.

Thats horrible! Hahaha

Next to the now-laughing Wataru, Sally-san took the initiative to lead us into the castle.

Guess its finally time. I mean, whats going to happen? Its a bit late, but like cant I just stay an ordinary, every-day adventurer?

Just as I thought that, what we were guided to wasnt the audience chamber but an ordinary-feeling guest room.

Youll be staying in the guest rooms meant for barons for now. Weve prepared a room for each person, so please use them for today. The peerage elevation will happen the day after tomorrow.

Huh, its not going to be today?

Kehma-san the Emperor isnt so free as to rush things like that. You arrived much sooner than expected and the schedule readjustment has been a serious issue, you know? Even so, youve been given quite the priority.

Come to think of it, we did finish up at Corky well ahead of scheduled uhh sorry.

Wait, Emperor?

Yes. The Emperor, he who is supposedly Haku-samas descendant. Haku-sama will also be attending, of course, but it is best does with the Emperors authority.

Oh really? Now that she says it, Haku-san definitely gives off the feeling of a recluse that lazes around in her villa. So then although she herself is the most powerful, she gave the lead position a figurehead status. Like how Im just a figurehead of a village chief.

Its just one-sided, but Im starting to feel some kinship here. But well, being village chief and being the leader of an empire are very different things.

Besides, you will need to choose outfits for your audience, so please use tomorrow to do so. Feel free to rest for today, though.

I guess rehearsing and preparing is important. Though rather, is it day after tomorrow entirely because of that?

Would you like to eat in the dining room? Or have them brought to you?

Oh, then brought to us.

Understood. Ill let the staff know. A maid will arrive in a little while, so make sure to let her know if you need anything Also, dont walk about carelessly. You will be arrested as a spy if you do, after all.

Saying that, Sally-san bowed her head and trotted off in her clanky armor.

I fer one am happy well have some time teh prepare. Roppu, ye goin te wear a dress?

Oooh, maybe I should? Gozoh, you will be wearing formal clothes too, right?

Meh, itll work out even if I dont! Its not like Id be executed even if I sneeze in the middle of the Emperor speech.

You wouldnt be executed, but imprisoned maybe?

Wataru interrupted their conversation with some lightheartedness.

Well, we tentatively decided to each head to whichever room we wanted. There were four rooms per side of the hallway, making eight in total. The rooms were all the same, each with a bed, desk, and vase. Pretty simple, honestly.

Im thankful for the beddings to be a futon.

Still though, even Rokuko was given the same room as us. Guess Haku-san cant have everything her way?

Maybe shell be called for tonight?

Maybe.

At any rate, wed rest today in anticipation for tomorrow, then have the audience the day after that.

I have to make sure I dont forget the reason were here!

I mean, I do remember. Really, I do.