Volume 6, Chapter 13 – To the Royal Capital

The next day, we set out for the Royal Capital by stagecoach.

Margrave Capotrias had offered to have his knights escort us, but we firmly declined.

The reason for our refusal was political; we didn’t want people to think we were under Margrave Capotrias’s protection.

Furthermore, it looked as though Nicola-kun was going to come along as a guard knight.

No matter how you look at it, we aren’t so weak that we need a nine-year-old child protecting us; if anything, we’d be the ones protecting Nicola-kun.

However, even though we were riding in a stagecoach, members of the Fifth Knight Order surrounded it, taking positions at the front, rear, and both sides.

Officially, it was stated that because the Demon Lord Alert had been raised to an Elevated Alert, they were there to ensure the safety of carriages traveling the highway, but in reality, they were likely acting as our guards.

Honestly, I felt that going this far was unnecessary, but I couldn’t exactly tell them to go home.

Feeling somewhat awkward, we let the carriage sway us forward.

◇ ◇ ◇

After leaving Samarca and crossing the second mountain pass, our carriage was brought to a halt.

“Men of the Fifth Knight Order, by royal decree, the Royal Guard shall take responsibility for the escort of Saint Fiene Argentata from this point forward.”

Upon hearing this, the knights who had been guarding us until now performed some sort of salute and a handover ceremony.

“Fiene-sama, it is highly unusual for the Royal Guard to come this far to meet someone. It seems something has happened.”

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“Is that so?”

“Yes. The duty of the Royal Guard is the protection of the royal family, the royal castle, and key dignitaries. In other words, the Royal Guard is a knight order for His Majesty the King and his family; it is almost unheard of for them to leave the Royal Capital.”

I see. We were still a long way from the Royal Capital, so this certainly sounded like something out of the ordinary.

While we were talking, a member of the Royal Guard approached us and knelt.

“Saint-sama, I have come to receive you by the order of His Majesty the King. I am Richard de Fourniere, Captain of the Royal Guard Third Escort Unit.”

“I am Fiene Argentata. Thank you for your hard work.”

“If you would follow me. We shall escort you to the Royal Capital in our carriage.”

“Thank you very much.”

Escorted by Chris-san, I stepped down from the carriage and was led by the hand toward the carriage prepared by the Royal Guard.

Honestly, I can get off a carriage and walk on my own without anyone’s help, but apparently, this is the proper etiquette for such an occasion.

“Come to think of it, Chris-san, were you in the Royal Guard too?”

“Yes. Officially, that is where I belong.”

“Don’t you need to salute that man? Since he’s a Captain, isn’t he a high-ranking member of your own order?”

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“It is not necessary. Before I am a knight of the White Moon Kingdom, I am Fiene-sama’s knight. Since ancient times, it has been decided that Holy Knights dedicate their swords to the Saint, and it is customary to leave the state once a master is chosen. The special forces of the Royal Guard were created specifically to keep us within the kingdom. The special forces are a gathering of independent knights who act with their own discretion under the orders of His Majesty the King. Therefore, I stand outside the knight orders’ chain of command. The only people I am required to kneel to, other than Fiene-sama, are the royal family, His Holiness the Pope, and Charlotte-sama.”

“I didn’t know that. Chris-san, you’re actually quite high-ranking!”

“…Fiene-sama is higher than I am, you know?”

When I said this with genuine admiration, Chris-san replied with an exasperated look on her face.

I see, it’s true that I’m officially Chris-san’s master, and in the Empire, they even said I was equal to the Emperor.

Wait… so I’m actually important?

Sigh.

Hierarchical societies are such a pain.

I think it would be much easier if everyone were just equal.

“Now, Fiene-sama.”

Escorted by Chris-san, I climbed into a luxurious carriage adorned with the Royal Crest of the White Moon Kingdom.

Compared to the stagecoach from before, the cushions were plush and the interior was opulent.

Lu-chan bounced up and down on the seat a few times, testing how soft the cushion was.

Before long, the carriage began to move slowly.

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As expected of a VIP carriage bearing the Royal Crest.

Thanks in part to the sturdy seat cushions, the ride was smooth with minimal vibration and very comfortable.

“How much longer until we reach the Royal Capital?”

“Roughly one week, I would say. Ahead lies a large port town called Semnos. Once we leave there, we’ll be following the same road you once traveled, Fiene-sama.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Beyond Semnos, we will merge with the highway leading from Zarabia to the Royal Capital.”

Hmm? Zarabia? Where was that again?

Reading my expression, Chris-san provided an explanation.

“Fiene-sama, you may have forgotten, but Zarabia is the port town where you first stayed after defeating Schwarz; it is governed by Viscount Mushroom.” ¹ Reminder: Chris called him “Masshiloom” not Mushroom but it’s hard to notice the joke if I just put Masshiloom so I still keep the “Mushroom.”

“Eh? Ah, right, uh, yes. Of course I remember. Yes.”

Right. That Mushroom Viscount who tried to kill my abs with laughter.

Oh, no. Just remembering it is making me crack up…

“Huh? Onee-sama, why are you looking down? Are you hungry?”

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“…No… that’s… not it… pfft, hehe.”

Seeing this, Lu-chan started poking me in the ribs.

“Bfuft!”

I couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.

“Ah, I don’t really get it, but you were holding something back, weren’t you? Take this!”

“Wait, Lu-chan, aha, ahahaha, wait, stop—”

Despite my desperate protests, Lu-chan only doubled down on poking my ribs.

“Yah! Yah!”

“A-haha, pffft, wait, Chris-san! Help me, ahaha!”

“Lumia, that’s enough.”

“Okaaaay!”

Shizuku-san watched us with eyes that suggested she found the scene quite heartwarming.

Please, someone help me!