Chapter 119
(Kyle
Calendar Year 508: Age 15)
Royal
Capital Kylar ① - The First Baptism
Translator : PolterGlast
Kylar, the Royal
Capital of Kyle Kingdom, is located almost exactly in the center of the kingdom
and boasts a population of over 200,000. Situated by a great river, it is
surrounded by four concentric walls and has a 500-year history. Its beautiful
cityscape and magnificent white royal palace are said to fascinate all who
visit, truly making it a captivating city.
District 1: Home to
the Royal Palace, it lies beyond four city gates and is accessible only to
those with special permission.
District 2: Houses the
residences of high-ranking nobles and various administrative offices. The Royal
Capital Knights' garrison is also located here. Nobles and their attendants are
permitted entry to District 2, as are designated merchants and administrative
personnel.
District 3: Features a
general noble district and a high-end commercial area (shops, inns). The
academy is also in this district, at the edge of the noble quarter. My brother
lives in this third district, so I headed there first. Those who can pass
through District 4 (the city gate) can also enter District 3 with some freedom
(though screening is involved).
District 4: Consists
of streets where commoners live, along with post towns and shops catering to
the general populace. Although there's a screening process at this outermost
gate, virtually anyone can enter. Of course, entry will be refused if one is
deemed unsuitable or cannot pay the entrance tax.
With preparations for
academy enrollment complete, we arrived in Kylar at the end of summer. This was
my second time (third, if you count my previous life) arriving in the Royal
Capital, and my first stop was my brother's residence.
"Brother, it's
been a while!"
"So, you ended up
coming here too. You can use this place as is. Unlike me, you've got a large
retinue."
Students at the
academy who have residences in the Royal Capital commute from there, while
others live in the academy's boarding house. My brother also stayed in the
boarding house for his first two years, but after returning from the previous
joint supreme tournament, he rented a small mansion on the outskirts of the
general noble district. Though it was called small, it had stables for horses
and a garden, and could comfortably accommodate about 10 people besides me.
"Even so, you've
changed quite a bit in a short time."
"Yes, Commander
(demon) really put me through the wringer... I somehow managed to become a
[Sword Master]."
"Oh? Takuhir, the
eternal apprentice 'in training'? You've grown!"
After some brief small
talk, my brother and I immediately began our discussion about the future. My
brother was scheduled to be assigned to the border as a Vice Commander, leading
the Sixth Corps of the Frontier Knights, which would soon be formed. He didn't
have much time in the Royal Capital.
My brother had five
points to convey or request:
·
Watching over Lady Flora
·
New order for 500 crossbows
·
Candidates for civil officials to be introduced to
Teigun
·
Intelligence matters
·
Other points to note
He said that Lady
Flora, as the fiancée of the popular academy student, my brother, was already
highly regarded and probably wouldn't be a concern. She was a year older than
me and apparently already had schoolmates from respectable families, so it
seemed I would only need to keep a watchful eye.
"Here, please
give this to her, Brother."
"Thanks, you've
gone to a lot of trouble. She always really wants these, you know."
I handed my brother
about five small jars of honey. I hoped it would at least boost my brother's
standing a little.
※
Regarding crossbows,
he really wanted Estol Bows, but since his new assignment was to the newly
established Southern Gate Fort, he had given up on them due to the presence of
other units. Feeling that he wouldn't be able to hold his own otherwise, I proposed
arranging for an upgraded version of the crossbow, which we had recently
succeeded in developing. This was a further reinforced version of the composite
bow, which used monster materials (such as tendons). It required more strength
to draw than before, but my brother's unit consisted of sturdy individuals, so
there should be no concerns.
After our meeting, I
decided to send orders to Foreman Karl in Teigun for the main bodies of the
crossbows, and to Master Geld's workshop in Est for a large quantity of arrows.
※
"As for the civil
official candidates, they are all trustworthy, but I'd like you to meet them
directly and confirm for yourself. I'll call 10 of them here tomorrow, and you
can decide then if any don't meet your expectations."
Saying that, he handed
me a list with nearly 20 names. It included 10 who would graduate this year,
and over 10 who were expected to graduate next year, along with his personal
impressions. For those graduating next year, only their names were listed. Does
that mean I'm supposed to observe and confirm them myself during my time at the
academy?
I tentatively planned
to hire all the individuals I would interview tomorrow, trusting my brother's
judgment. However, I decided to send all of them to Est first and entrust them to
Steward Raymond. I made sure to prioritize having the steward use his discerning
eye and filtering process to assess their abilities and aptitudes. The plan was
to send them to Miseri in Teigun as immediate reinforcements. If, by any
chance, we were to house spies from the 【Restorationist Faction】 in Teigun's administrative office, it would become incredibly
troublesome.
※
"Also, I've added
information I researched here to the faction-related list I gave you before.
Read it, memorize it, then burn it. You never know what might happen
here."
My brother's concern
was entirely valid. But, well, I had a secret plan. If I rewrote the entire
list and its contents in Japanese, no one would understand it.
Actually, I had taught
Anne, Miseri, Claire, Yoltia, and Yuka how to read Katakana and Hiragana. It
was my idea for a code that only the six of us could use. They learned
surprisingly quickly and were already using Japanese in letters and
confidential documents.
"Be careful of
those 【Restorationist Faction】 people. After I returned from Teigun, I was constantly
bothered by their pawns and had a tough time. You be careful not to fall into
the pitfalls they dig."
My brother apparently
moved to this residence after returning to the Royal Capital because he was utterly
bothered by noble daughters who overtly tried to seduce him and others who
approached him trying to curry favor.
"No, if it
weren't for Mother's harsh punishments and watchful eye, my heart actually
might have wavered... Men who would unrepentantly invite me to brothels, saying
'I'll treat you!' or women who would overtly seduce me... Yeah, it was pretty
bad."
My brother muttered
with a distant look in his eyes. He seemed to have been thoroughly chastened by
that condemnation event.
Indeed, unlike my own
ordinary face, my brother has bright brown hair and blue eyes, well-defined
features, and a refreshing appearance. He is handsome, and among the Solis
family's maids, he rivals the steward in popularity. He also possesses charisma
that attracts people, and leadership qualities on the battlefield. So, he is
popular with women and well-liked by men.
However, being popular
also seemed to bring its own troubles. Such troubles... I wouldn't know. My
brother's decision to leave the student dormitory, in particular, was made
after one day, a noble daughter from the 【Restorationist Faction's】 ranks, frustrated by his usual rejections, apparently simply entered
his room and waited for him in his bed.
"They, no, the
lower-ranking nobles acting on their orders, are desperate. They'll resort to
any means, including incredible displays of force, so you be careful!"
They'd go that far?!
My head's starting to ache even before I've even started academy life.
※
"And finally, the
most important thing... be very careful about the Headmaster. I don't think
he's an enemy, but he's a completely unpredictable, sly old man in every way.
He seems to see right through everything, and I'm not good at dealing with him
either."
Yes, Duke Klein von
Claus, the Headmaster of the Royal Capital Academy. His name was also on the
list I received from Father Grace. He is said to be one of the leaders of the
two major factions in the Royal Capital. The Royal Capital Knight Commander,
with whom I am acquainted, is also a member of the faction he leads, the
[Royalist Faction].
"The Headmaster
(tanuki) is probably at the academy today, so shall we go pay our respects for
now? Anyway, if we don't go, he's sure to summon us."
And so, on the very
day of our arrival, after this meeting concluded, my brother led me to the
academy.
※
"Ho ho ho, to
greet me so soon after your arrival, what a commendable attitude. I was just
about to send a messenger myself."
"See!" my
brother seemed to say, looking at me. So, my arrival had already been monitored
and conveyed to the Headmaster. And he deliberately put it into words so we
would know. Truly... an unpredictable, sly old man.
"It is an honor
to meet you for the first time. My name is Solis von Takuhir. I heard that my
brother was greatly indebted to you during his time here, so I came immediately
to pay my respects. Also, thank you very much for the direct admission approval
from His Grace the Duke. I plan to diligently pursue my studies for the next
three years so as not to tarnish the academy's name. I humbly ask for your
continued guidance."
As I calmly delivered
my formal greeting, I observed the Headmaster. He wore a gentle smile, but his
eyes weren't smiling. He, too, was calmly observing me.
"Indeed, I've
heard from Lord Gouras about you, who are rumored to be a skilled [Hakuraku]
(an expert in discerning talent or ability). I too have long wished to meet you
once."
"Oh no, not at
all. I was simply fortunate enough to be blessed with luck and good encounters
with people."
I knew that
information about Mages had also flowed to this person. He's already getting to
it! I thought, bracing myself slightly.
"I thank you for
sending three Mages to the newly established Mage Combat Training Course as
requested. Well, the number is a little modest, but it must be a difficult
time, isn't it? It can't be helped, I suppose."
So he hit the nail on
the head after all. I thought it best to end the conversation quickly.
"Headmaster, I am
deeply grateful for your support over the past three years. I, too, will soon
depart, leading the graduating students. I came come here to bid you
farewell."
"Indeed. Will it
be lonely here when you are gone? In your place, I expect your brother to
distinguish himself, and you, under Margrave Hastburg, should fully display
your skills."
"Yes, Your Grace!
Thank you. Well then, as this was a brief greeting, we shall take our leave
now."
My brother had
probably grown quite accustomed to handling such situations over three years.
Thanks to his skillful disengagement, I was safely released from that
uncomfortable place.
However, later, even
this brief exchange would make me realize my own immaturity and reflect on it.
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