第４７４堀：これからこれから (Part2)
While talking about such things, we passed through the gate of Betan and entered the city.
The bustling, noisy atmosphere...
Betan’s city seemed to be doing just fine.
"There are... so many people."
"Mm. It’s no different from any other royal capital."
"Well, that’s because this place is essentially a joint-recognized territory between Zilba and Enaria. It’s become common knowledge that if you want to conduct business between the two countries, you go to Betan. It’s guaranteed to be safe, after all."
After all, it’s been turned into a dungeon.
The security, while perhaps not quite on par with Weed, is only one rank below.
The reason it’s a rank lower is that the people of Betan are the ones handling the security work; because they can't disclose all the information, there’s a slight delay in that regard.
If these were people from Weed, they’d have the designated protection protocols running at full capacity, but it’s a bit of a hassle that we can’t just do that here.
Of course, the upper management consists of members brought over from Weed, so there are no bottlenecks in that area.
Simply put, the movement at the grassroots level is just a bit sluggish.
By the way, we didn't set up our residence in the lord’s mansion, but rather in a separate location where we connected a gate.
It saves Horst and the others the trouble of moving, and it also serves as a gesture that we have no intention of displacing them.
...Well, the biggest reason is that I don't feel settled when my workplace is my home.
However, the operation of Betan is decided through discussions between Seraria and Horst, and while I haven't been involved much, it seems to be developing more than I expected.
I mean, they’ve installed public restrooms, and there are clear signs stating that littering on the streets will result in a fine.
I can tell they’ve put a lot of effort into this.
Thinking about such things, I arrived at the lord’s mansion.
There’s a line of people... Horst must be busy.
As I thought this and tried to pass through the gate while glancing at the line, a voice stopped me.
"Wait, who are you people?"
"Uh..."
Ah, a rookie, then.
It makes sense that they wouldn't know my face, or Jessica’s, or Ria’s.
Even though we’re the ones who conquered Betan.
As I was wondering how to answer...
"Lady Seraria is not in, and Lord Horst is busy right now. You can see the line, can't you? I haven't heard of any special visitors. You look like mercenaries, so please line up over there like everyone else for those kinds of job inquiries."
Ah, yeah.
I’m not exactly dressed like a noble, after all.
Actually, we’re a motley crew; Samantha is a noble, but Jessica is a knight, and with such a mixed group, "mercenaries" or "traveling performers" is a reasonable assumption.
...This soldier is just doing their job, so if I explain properly, it should be fine, right?
I don't want to cause any trouble.
"Well, I’m Yuki, Seraria’s husband and the lord of this Betan. Haven't you heard anything about that?"
"Eh? Isn't Lady Seraria the lord?"
Ah, I haven't spent much time in Betan, so they probably recognize Seraria as the top authority.
"For now, could you go and confirm? I don't want to cause a scene, and I’d hate for you to get reprimanded for this."
"Understood. I mean, I understand. Please wait a moment."
With that, the soldier called out to a few others managing the line and ran toward the mansion.
"That was a bit sloppy, wasn't it?"
"It’s unbelievable. Not knowing the face of the lord."
"Mm. No good."
Jessica, Samantha, and Cleena were a bit annoyed and exasperated.
But Ria had a different reaction.
"Isn't that just how it is? It’s not like commoners get to see the lord’s face very often, and since they’re soldiers, they’re probably new recruits, right? It can't be helped. They didn't tell us to go home or anything."
Well, that’s the difference in the world.
Villagers wouldn't know the face of their country’s king. There’s no television or photography here.
Jessica, Samantha, and Cleena were born into positions where they might have seen such faces.
I only know famous people from TV; I’ve never actually met them in person.
Even if I did, I probably wouldn't recognize them since I’m not interested.
Even on Earth, where information technology is highly developed, it’s like this, so expecting commoners to memorize the faces of the bigwigs is asking too much.
As I was thinking about this, Horst himself came running toward us.
"Yo. Looks like you’ve welcomed the New Year safely as well."
"Yes. Thanks to you, Lord Yuki, it has been a lively New Year. However, please forgive our rudeness just now..."
"Ah, don't worry about that. And don't punish the soldier, either. They were doing their job properly. Maybe we should start showing photos of us from now on."
"Understood. Regarding photos, that would be for the best. I was actually discussing with Lady Seraria that it might be time to lift the restrictions on that. But that aside, we have guests, and I would like you to handle them. I was just about to contact you via call."
"Guests?"
"Yes. Lady Marly, the Wind Princess Knight from Zilba, along with her sister knights Olive and Mist. And from Enaria, Lady Prism, the Dual-Wielding Magic Sword User, and Lady Agil, the Lightning Magic Sword User, have arrived."
What is with that star-studded lineup?
I almost said, "I completely forgot about them," but I managed to hold my tongue just in time. I think I’m pretty impressive for that.
Perhaps this is the step forward toward Yuki’s original objective.
For that very reason, things are about to get difficult from here on out.
In a normal story, the previous chapter would have been "happily ever after," but this story is only just beginning, and the real challenge for Yuki starts now.
Well then, everyone, you could say we’ve finally moved past the prologue.
Now, now, how will things turn out? Please, stay with me a little longer.