第１５５５堀：香り (Part1)
**Chapter 1555: Scent**
**Side: Ria**
Night had already fallen, and we were resting in the guest quarters provided by the church.
"Phew. We managed to get the soup kitchen done just in time."
"Indeed. If Yuki hadn't stocked up on fresh supplies, the sisters would still be running around in a frenzy right now."
Dressa sighed in agreement with my words.
It was true; the sisters were incredibly hardworking. They acted as if their own needs were the very last thing on their list. If we hadn't arrived, it seemed their plan was to skip lunch entirely and eat whatever scraps were left over later. Only after that would they finally tend to themselves, wiping down their bodies and finding a moment of rest.
Lilishe-sama must have understood how hard they were working. That was why she had insisted they take a break.
"..."
Amidst our conversation, the former princess of the old Vinoshia royal family, Canaria, remained silent, staring off into space. Given the circumstances, I hadn't expected her to help with the soup kitchen, yet she had pitched in quite naturally, and Yuki-san hadn't stopped her.
Dressa and I had kept a watchful eye on her, just in case, but there was no one who wished her harm, and Canaria herself hadn't done anything to the people who came to receive food. Honestly, I hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, considering that half the population in this old Vinoshia was made up of the Dark Guild.
If anything, she had been keeping to herself ever since we entered the old royal capital. There was no way to read the inner thoughts of someone whose expression never shifted. Well, I suppose there *was* a way, but that was... just as I was thinking that—
"You haven't said much all day. How did it feel?"
Dressa asked the question bluntly. I thought, *Whoa, that’s a bit much,* but since it was the only way to get an answer, I decided to follow up.
"You don't have to force yourself to talk. But since you didn't react to anything, I was just a little curious."
When I said that, Canaria finally turned her gaze toward us.
"It was better than when I fled."
"Was it that much worse back then?"
"Yes. People were desperate for salvation, and many were rioting. It is much calmer now than it was in those days."
Well, I suppose it wasn't wrong to say it was better than during the height of a civil war, but...
"Then, how does it compare to when things were peaceful?"
It felt cruel to ask, knowing she was comparing it to the chaos of war, but I was curious. She pondered for a moment before answering.
"...If you are asking about times of peace, I didn't venture outside very often. But as far as my memories go, the city was much cleaner, and the people were smiling."
"I see."
Hearing it from her own lips, I finally understood that such times had indeed existed in this capital. Well, it couldn't be a state of civil war forever, could it? As I was thinking that...
"However, there is something that bothers me."
Rarely, Canaria offered an opinion of her own. We exchanged glances, and Dressa asked again.
"What is it?"
"I have no proof, but the residents who came to receive food today..."
"Did someone do something to you?"
"No, nothing like that. But that in itself felt strange. It was as if they didn't know who I was."
" "Ah." "
Canaria’s observation wasn't wrong. To begin with, half the people in this old capital were members of the Dark Guild. Some might have known of Canaria through information, but very few had actually met her face-to-face. More importantly...
"That’s only natural. It hasn't been a terribly long time, but enough has passed, and you aren't the same as you were back then, are you, Canaria?"
Dressa was right. Several years had passed since Canaria left this capital. It wasn't as if she had returned after a month or two, and above all, she had fallen into slavery. She had been treated reasonably well, but she certainly hadn't received the treatment of a princess. Back then, she was in her early teens; now, she was nearly twenty. Even I had grown from a young girl into a woman since Yuki-san took me in, and my appearance had changed so much that I could be mistaken for a different person. I even had a child now. It’s a bit late to realize it, but I really feel how much time has passed since then.
But that wasn't the point...
"Exactly. Quite a bit of time has passed, and your appearance has changed, so maybe they just didn't notice? Besides, commoners rarely get to see the faces of royalty, so there are probably very few who would even recognize you."
"Yes, I suppose you are right. That is a distinct possibility."
But Canaria tilted her head, clearly not satisfied with our answer. We tilted our heads in return. Our explanation hadn't been strange, so did this mean Canaria felt a sense of unease that she couldn't quite put into words?
"You don't seem convinced, Canaria. What exactly feels so off to you?"
"It is difficult to put into words, but perhaps half of the people who came for the soup kitchen... they lacked the scent of our country."
"Scent?"
"Yes. I do not believe they were originally from this land. I suspect they are members of the Dark Guild who infiltrated the country when they moved in."
Surprisingly, Canaria had correctly guessed their true identity. There was no particular reason to keep it a secret, but no reason to lie about it either, so we decided to consult Yuki-san. We took Canaria and headed to the room where Yuki and the others were staying.
Since we were using the VIP suites on the upper floors of the church, it was just a short walk away. Even within Vinoshia, this area held different rights, and thanks to the efforts of the priests and sisters, there had been little violence here despite the civil war. It wasn't zero, but that’s just how things go.
As I knocked on the door, it opened without the need for anyone to verify who was there.
"Ria-sama, Dressa-sama, and Canaria-san, is something the matter?"
It was Riel who greeted us. Before, in the infirmary, she had looked so frail, but now, with a bust level matching Rurua’s and her posture perfectly upright, she looked quite... well, let's just say she looked like she would be very comfortable to hold.
"Um, Dressa-sama?"
"Ah, Ria is just surprised because something like that suddenly appeared before her eyes. I was surprised too. Anyway, we need to see Yuki. Is that alright?"
"Ah, I’m not entirely sure, but Yuki-sama is fine. Please, come in."
*Hah.* I had lost my composure because of the vast difference between her and me. But I had my own charms, so I should be confident. Yuki-san likes me, too. Besides, holding large things is fun, so there's no doubt Riel’s assets are a good thing. I should ask Samantha or Rurua about that sometime.
"So, Ria, why are you making such a complicated face?"
"Eh? Oh, Yuki-san. I heard something quite interesting from Canaria-san."