Volume 5, Chapter 11 – Heading to the Imperial

After spending a night at the inn we were guided to by Yihua-san—of course, her full name is Diao Yihua, but as we talked, she told me it was fine to call her Yihua-san—we set off for the Imperial Capital, and have now reached the point where we are only a short distance away.

Our journey so far consisted of sailing upriver from Nanhai and through connected canals for three days, followed by two days of travel by carriage; today is the third day.

Incidentally, I’m told that a normal journey would take twice as long.

This is because our current trip is making maximum use of His Majesty the Emperor’s authority.

We used military vessels for the boats and were given top priority at the ports.

As for the carriage, we’ve been swapping horses at every station along the way, allowing us to advance at a pace that would be impossible under normal circumstances.

Furthermore, soldiers are guarding the roads and even handling traffic control so we can speed through.

When things go this far, I can’t help but feel anxious that something terrible is happening.

By the way, it was about two months ago that Yihua-san received the Emperor’s imperial decree and was ordered to wait at the port of Nanhai as our guide; that was right around the time Chris-san was working hard on her training with Tessai-san.

Apparently, the Red Sky Empire was aware that we had boarded a ship heading for the Golden Sun Miko Nation, and since Nanhai was the only logical place for us to return through, they had cast a net—and we walked right into it.

As for Yihua-san, her father is a bureaucrat holding a very high-ranking ministerial post, apparently overseeing tax collection, agricultural administration, and even the control of government monopolies like salt and tobacco.

In other words, Yihua-san is the daughter of a very influential person.

Moreover, she is a stunning beauty and skilled at playing an instrument called the erhu; she is the quintessential “young lady” of a high-class family.

However, she herself has passed the civil service examination and wants to work hard as a bureaucrat.

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But she is currently in a “mini-quarrel” with her influential father, who keeps bringing her marriage proposals she doesn’t like.

When she heard the sudden order to wait in Nanhai, she apparently viewed it as a godsend and came to Nanhai with great joy.

“Yihua-san.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Yihua-san, do you… have someone you like?”

When a woman of her caliber says she hates the arranged marriages her parents set up, human nature compels one to ask.

“Eh…?”

Oh, she blushed. I knew it; she definitely has someone she likes.

“I really think that if I’m going to get married, it would be better to be with someone I love rather than someone my parents chose.”

“Eh, th-that’s…”

“Hehe, please tell me in secret next time, okay? I’ll help you out.”

“Eh? Eh? Eh?”

Yihua-san has turned bright red.

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“With a beauty like you, Yihua-san, I’m sure any man would be overjoyed.”

“…That’s not true. Compared to Saint-sama and the others, I’m nothing…”

“That’s not true at all. Yihua-san, you are incredibly beautiful!”

“I can’t…”

As we were having this conversation, Lu-chan cut in.

“More importantly, Yihua-san! We’ll arrive in Yan’an today, right?! What dishes do you recommend?!”

“Yes. Roast duck, jiaozi ¹ Jiaozi are traditional Chinese dumplings. , and mantou are quite famous. There are also many different types of noodles, so I’m sure you’ll find something to your liking.”

“Yay! I can’t wait!”

Hmph, this food-obsessed girl. I was just getting to the good part.

While I was thinking that, Chris-san spoke to me.

“It is rare for Fiene-sama to show interest in the romantic affairs of others.”

“I don’t have any desire to experience romance myself, but I have a bit of interest in other people’s love lives. Besides, I feel like I’ve never actually encountered a normal relationship between a man and a woman until now.”

People who try to force obedience by making others slaves, people who enjoy being whipped and the people who whip them (?), people who propose the moment they meet (?)—no matter how I look at it, I feel I’ve never come into contact with a normal romantic relationship between a man and a woman.

Then, Chris-san stared into the void as if contemplating something, and slowly opened her mouth.

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“What about Charlotte-sama and Hugues?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, Charlotte-sama and Hugues. Have you forgotten? The other Saint Candidate of the White Moon Kingdom and the Holy Knight. Fiene-sama, were you not close with Charlotte-sama?”

“Ha? Eh? Eh?”

What? Those two were dating?

“Oh? Fiene-sama, you didn’t know? I heard from my comrades in the Order that shortly after the Mummy Disease incident, it was agreed that if Charlotte-sama fulfilled her duties as a Saint with honor and Hugues protected her successfully, their marriage would be permitted. Since they are from the Gatirue and Elnesos families, their family backgrounds are a good match as well, and I heard it was decided quite smoothly.”

“Huh?”

I should have been seeing them frequently around that time, yet no one told me.

Wait… was I the only one who thought we were friends?

I’m shocked…!

“Fiene-sama, Charlotte-sama has a very strong-willed personality, so she likely couldn’t bring herself to mention it. Furthermore, she may have assumed that you already knew. Charlotte-sama has been devoted to Hugues for a long time.”

“…I see…”

“Moreover, there were many young ladies devoted to Hugues. Therefore, they may have kept it a secret to avoid unnecessary rumors or causing a stir with a grand announcement.”

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“I see.”

True, Hugues-san is tall and incredibly handsome.

It wouldn’t be strange for women to be screaming and swooning over him.

Yeah, I hope he explodes.

“Alright, it’s decided.”

“Decided what, Fiene-sama?”

“Once we finish the Emperor’s business and help Yihua-san’s love come true, let’s head back to the Royal Capital.”

“To the Royal Capital?”

“Of course. It’s to report the safe return and the results of the journey to everyone who helped us… not to Char—I mean, the others!”

“…I see. Let us do that then.”

Wait, why does the atmosphere inside the carriage feel strange?

I-It’s just my imagination, right? Right?