Chapter 28: Journey to the Imperial Capital

Ho ho ho, its all right, you dont have to worry about this, his Majesty just wants to meet you. You can think youll just go on this trip to have some fun. You can go completely at ease. I dont need souvenirs, by the way.

Take care of yourself, Zest-sama. If you make sure this pink diamond wont break, I wont mind it at all and Im also fine without souvenirs.

Cheating on me is no good, ok? If you do that Ill chop you into tiny pieces, ok? Ah! I would so like to eat some sweets from the imperial capital!

Gahaha, go defeat those imperial capital weaklings, itll be an easy task for you. You can bring me some sake as a souvenir.

Well, my dear, since Zest is very kind he wont do such a thing. Ah! Recently, my cosmetics dont suit my skin anymore.Im just speaking to myself, you know?

Eeveryone, Im going now. Ill make sure to bring you souvenirs.

On the day I was setting off for my trip to the imperial capital, I was feeling very nervous, but all they said to me were requests for souvenirs.

The ones accompanying me were master and Albert. My master and I were enjoying each others company inside the shaking carriage, while Albert was riding on a horse.

Of course, it was not only the three of us, our convoy numbered 10 more knights and 2 maids, it was like a large family.

For us to take maids in order to assist us was more like a means to show off, however there are many nobles who cant take care of their everyday necessities.

Well, for the relatives of the Frontier Count to just casually go on a trip like that without escorts and everything would be a drop in prestige, therefore we took along a convoy only for a stupid reason like that.

Lord Sonia, well be soon arriving at the village.

Albert called out from outside.

Since there are a few villages and towns until the imperial capital, weve decided to stop there to stay for the night.

There are no suitable inns for nobles to stay at in these villages, so we made some announcements and we would stay at the village headmans house.

This village was surrounded by a fence made of wood and the village entrance was currently restricted.

It wasnt really such an imposing fence, but it was a good enough measure for keeping away bandits and monsters.

Please wait! We have indeed received a notice, but we still have to know your names.

The soldier gatekeeper called out to us.

After all, money and time were needed for that.

I am Albert, a knight of the Frontier Counts Household. The ones riding the carriage are the Magic Division Commander Sonia and Viscount Gaiyus heir, Zest-sama. Youve done your duty well.

Albert, standing on his horse, answered.

This guy in incredibly serious when working.

Yes sir! Youve come a long way. This man will guide you to the village chiefs house.

Following our guide, we entered the village.

At which point, we heard the children in the distance making a racket..Actually, adults were joining them as well.

So awesome! Its the black knights! So its the regular army, I havent seen them in a long time. Look! Thatkemonobitoknight is so cool!

Right.

The regular soldiers wearing black military equipment are a subject of aspiration, so they are quite popular.

Thats what the soldiers told me when we went drinking together.

I was a little envious of Albert who had all the attention of women and girls constantly cryingkya kya, but I waited quietly inside the carriage.

Rewards are needed once in a while, and recently Alberts training got really intense.

And so, we arrived at the village chiefs house and it was time for a banquet.

I dont really want to make an enemy out of the commoners and well, its also part of the etiquette.

Once the enjoyable banquet was over, the maids wiped my body dry and I went to bed.

This is not cheating, right? They only wiped my body dry, thats all.

Like that, the first day of our trip ended without any particular problems.

After that, our journey progressed smoothly as well.

We encountered some dog-like monsters, but the knights defeated them easily. And so, our journey continued peacefully to the point it became rather disappointing.

Thats to be expected of the black soldiers that are said to be the most elites; they are really reassuring.

However, when we only had one day left until we got to the imperial capital a problem sprang forth.

Lord Sonia, Lord Zest, theres some sort of trouble up ahead. Just to be sure, please be cautious.

When Alberts words came out, it made me want to check the situation outside. And then, Ive seen it.

Some people wearing armors were surrounding a group of young men and women.

There were also some armor wearing persons who were riding on horsesAre they knights? Besides, their equipment seems rather light.

It appeared that the other party had noticed our presence as well.

One of the cavalrymen started running awayWhat? Are you retreating midway?

The knight who ran back a little while ago accompanied the groups leader now, a man wearing a full-plate armor, and they were rushing towards us.

Excuse me for not dismounting. I am Kenes, one of the squad liders of the imperial capitals patrol corps. When Ive seen your black military equipment, I realized youre the Frontier Counts regular army, however, may I ask who is riding inside the carriage?

The full-plate took off his face guard and called out to us.

My master stopped the carriage and showed his face.

I am Sonia Varnam, the Magic Division Commander of the Varnam Frontier Counts army. What happened here?

Oh, hes in the Frontier Counts Household mode now.

Master, I cant believe you were cheerfully talking about the imperial capitals bars until a while ago. You look so dignified now.

Greetings, Lord Sonia. Forgive my rudeness. We are currently arresting some adventurers.

According to his story

The adventurers were on a harvesting quest inside the forest close to the main road when some thieves attacked them.

Since it was clearly an accident, the patrol squad didnt want to make a huge fuss over it, however because there was an adventurer who showed a bad attitude towards them, they started to quarrel and ended up arresting the entire group.

Hey! Really now, dont start a fight with the army!

Well, the soldiers were commoners, so the adventurers lives were out of mortal danger. If they would have offended a noble instead, it would have been an imminent goodbye for their group.

I see. Well then, we have nothing to do with this, so well be on our way.

Yes sir! Im sorry for making trouble for you!

It seemed that my master didnt want to get involved, and Im sure the adventurers would be released after spending a few days in jail.

I dont really know towhat extent their attitude was bad, however if it was excessively awful, then they might also end up getting killed.

Nevertheless, they picked a fight with the wrong group and they must suffer the consequences now.

We approached the side of this group and continued on our way.

We would just pass them and go ahead on our wayor thats what it was supposed to happen.

I beg of you! Please save us, Frontier Count, Varnam-sama!

That was the desperate shout of a tied up woman adventurer, who jumped in front of our carriage.

It was the moment we realized we could not simply advance and ignore her cry.Im beaten.