Chapter 438
(Kyle Calendar Year
515: Age 22)
Night in the Imperial
Capital (Part 1)
Come
evening, we were guided by the usher sent by Sieghart and headed toward
a tavern in the Imperial Capital. What was surprising along the way was
that, compared to Kylar, the city was incredibly bustling even at night.
It was something we couldn't have fathomed in the innermost depths of the Imperial
Capital near the Inner Palace where we were staying, but as we
passed through several city gates along the way and reached the casual areas
where the citizens lived, it became prominent. Around here, it wasn't just
facilities like taverns and eateries; night markets were set up, bustling in
various places, and the number of streetlights was incomparably high, giving it
the atmosphere of a city that never sleeps. Of course, knowing the nighttime
bustle of major Japanese cities like Shinjuku or Minami, I wasn't
hugely surprised, but Miseri and Yoltia were wide-eyed with
astonishment. Seeing this, I felt I could understand why that tomboy had said
she 『wanted to go see it』. And then... we entered a large tavern where the clamor
leaked out even from the outside, and were guided to a seat in the back.
Inside, in addition to counter seating, there were over 20 tables seating four
to six people. It seemed to be a fairly large tavern, and the atmosphere felt
somewhat like an Irish Pub.
「Welcome, everyone! Are you all here?
I've been waiting for you.」
There,
Sieghart was smiling pleasantly, and waiting for us at the table were Raphael—who
should normally be as lively as a fish in water in a place like this, but was
instead shrinking small—the resigned Marquis Flame, and Knight
Commander Gouras, who had all already taken their seats. They must
have each arrived ahead of time to secure the safety of the venue and await the
arrival of the protagonists; however, some dishes and sake cups were already
lined up on the table.
「It's this crowded, and there isn't a
single table where everyone can sit, so first, please take seats at these three
tables including this one, and afterward, please feel free to move between
seats as you like.」
I
had heard from Sieghart in advance that it was a popular, casual tavern
that even the commoners of the Imperial Capital could frequent. True to
his word, it appeared to be thriving; except for the tables in the back that he
had secured, the tavern was completely full and filled with a lively clamor.
「Takuhir-sama...」
As
I took my seat, Sigur, who had arrived early with Raphael and the
others, spoke to me in a low voice. Unlike when he calls out to me in public,
he was consciously speaking in his usual tone.
「I, Carla, and the guards for Denka
and Heika are standing by at a separate table a short distance away. In
an emergency, please escape through the door behind the back seat. Behind the
door, Hyman is standing by leading an elite unit, the Commander
is having a small unit patrol the perimeter of this establishment so as not to
stand out, and the main force is on standby, ready to move at any time.」
Man,
I feel sorry for increasing their workload with unnecessary tasks. At least for
them...
「Then, I have a request. I can't let
them drink alcohol, but could you arrange meals for Hyman and the
others? Tell them I said 『eat even while standing by.』」
「Understood. I will go make those
arrangements.」
After
confirming the back of Sigur, who left saying so, I took the seat that
had been decided in advance. At the six-person table, the four women sat at the
very back, and in the middle seats sat myself, King Krugel of the
Fearalt Principality, and King Crajyu, whom I had invited
to the Imperial Capital. At another table, Sieghart and his group
were already seated, but they deliberately remained seated. After all, if they
gave us special treatment, we would unavoidably stand out, so outwardly they
were acting as equals.
「Hm? Is Friend (Raphael)
at that table?」
Well,
yeah. I'm not a demon, after all. And the other person scheduled to sit here is
the Emperor of this country. A table full of only Emperors and Kings
is something even I would like to politely decline.
「For now, at least. It's been decided
that once things settle down, everyone is free to move around as they like. I
suppose we're just waiting for the Captain (Emperor) now?」
Right.
No matter how far in the back of the tavern we are, if words like Heika,
Archduke, or Denka fly around, we'll be viewed with suspicion. We
had decided on codes in advance. Captain ... Emperor Grat
(he previously acted as a captain of a mercenary unit incognito), Commander ... Krugel-heika (officially, he is the Commander
of the Royal Guard Division this time), Squad Leader ... King Crajyu (no
particular reason, just for the sake of it), Chairman ... Myself (for the reason that I
am supposedly the promoter of this sort of gathering)
No...
I have zero memory of ever being the promoter, though. Last time, everyone just
came to Kusanagi of their own accord, after all.
「Hahaha, he's already here. Since
this establishment has been a regular haunt of his for a long time.」
Saying
so, the Emperor himself came to the table carrying four sake cups,
but... Does this person understand his position as an Emperor? He
wouldn't need to play at being a waiter himself...
「No need for consideration. This
time, I am the one hosting. Besides, I come here with soldiers from time to
time, and it's always like this.」
「......」
Come
to think of it, the Commander had once said something. At the time, the Third
Prince would sleep and eat with the common soldiers on the front lines,
eating the exact same things as them. Hearing such rumors, the Commander
resolved to lead his companions to him as their new master (contracting party).
Did he do similar things even outside the battlefield?
「This is the last table. With this,
the sake cups for everyone are set, so from here on out, please enjoy the night
in the Imperial Capital with a 『free-and-easy』
spirit.」
Eh?
For everyone? Don't tell me... When I casually cast my gaze to the side, Miseri
and the others were staring at the sake cups lined up in front of them with an
apprehensive look. Don't tell me the Emperor carried those himself
too... is that what this means!
「Hahaha, pledging to the reunion of
friends, cheers!」
「Yeah, to the friends who visited
from afar!」
「W-With gratitude...」
「To those who are uncharacteristic!」
The
last words were a sarcastic remark I uttered, but logically speaking based on
common sense, this is an impossible scenario. However, there were those who
reacted with laughter to my words.
「True. The Captain's behavior
is one thing, but originally, my friend here is the most uncharacteristic
of all.」
「Eh? Why me?」
To
me, who was self-aware that I possessed the most common sense among those
present, those were unexpected words. So I couldn't help but raise my voice in
protest.
「I heard rumors that at the academy
cafeteria, you would personally portion out and serve meals according to your
classmates' preferences. Because Clarisse-dono was envious, saying, 『I wanted you to bring me food too.』」
「......」
That
was for Mary and Sasha... no, I feel like I did that for others
several times after that, too. For Yuka and Chrisia, of course,
but sometimes in the salon, even for Mark and for Hyman and the
others who are standing by behind the tavern this time... But, you know, that
was strictly a matter between students...
「Is that so. I was surprised by the
vastness of the Chairman's capacity many times, but I am thinking of
using it as a reference and reforming myself from here on...」
No!
I'd be in trouble if you imitated me, and a King shouldn't do things
like that! You shouldn't be influenced by the three unruly ones (reluctantly
including myself)!
「Hahaha, that's good. Actually, we
heard about the 『free-and-easy』
gatherings held in Teigoon and Kusanagi from the big-eared fox (Sieghart),
you see. We decided to make it a customary event...」
「Ohh, that's excellent! We too heard
that story in the past and adopted it. If it's an officially established event,
there won't be anyone (Flame) who comes flying over with a changed
complexion, after all.」
No...
come to think of it, you (Krugel-heika)
were of the same kind, weren't you. On the last night when I visited the Fearalt
Principality as a special envoy, when we held a private appreciation party
for our own people, you snuck in as a server on your own and terrified us... I
couldn't help but recount that story to the two of them anew. Their reactions
were varied, though.
「No... I am also attending a seat
like this for the first time, and I feel anew that there is much to learn. This
visit to the Imperial Capital has been nothing but surprises...」
No,
that's different. Because I think the direction you're learning from is wrong.
「Ah, you'd better stop. Because the
people around you will end up troubled. Just like them, sitting at the table
closest to the entrance.」
Saying
so, I glanced at the table closest to the entrance. Yes, the hardships of Marquis
Flame, Knight Commander Gouras, and the others are
endless. Except for Sieghart, who is the only one casually enjoying the
alcohol and food... no, is he actually fulfilling his duty as a vassal? A while
had passed since we took our seats and started drinking, but when I looked
closely, although sake cups were lined up on their table, they hadn't touched
the alcohol at all. Of course, including Sieghart's cup... They must
truly be on pins and needles. I started to feel a bit sorry for them.
「What's this, it seems they aren't
able to enjoy themselves. Very well, I shall urge them to drink from my end
too.」
「That's right, my friend doesn't seem
to be drinking much either, and to show my appreciation for them, I shall
also...」
Ah
man, the two people being shown the most consideration have launched a charge.
What are you going to do... I apologized in my heart to Count Flame
and Knight Commander Gouras, who were shrinking in fear from
being urged to drink by the Emperor, and to Raphael, who had
frozen stiff after having an arm thrown around his shoulder by the King.
And then... that was when the real 『free-and-easy』
began.
「Hahaha, with this, my role is over.
I was matching the serious folks, but from here on out, I can drink casually
with Takuhir-dono .」
Saying
so, Sieghart moved to the table where King Crajyu and I
were. Carrying his own cup.
「Eh? Is that alright? Weren't you
refraining from drinking for the sake of security?」
At
my words, Sieghart stuck out his tongue and laughed. Then he told me the
truth in a low voice.
「Actually... this is an off-the-record
story, but I've reserved this establishment for today, and all the other
customers are people I've planted, so the safety inside the shop is secured. If
by any chance danger were to reach the state guests, I couldn't provide any
explanation, you see. I couldn't tell them that over there, so I was matching
them, you see...」
「Hahaha, is that how it is.」
Does
that mean we are being presented with a performance where we enjoy a regular
tavern? Does that mean he was one step ahead of me?
「Cheers to wicked schemes!」
At
this moment, I laughed from the bottom of my heart. Together with Sieghart.
King Crajyu, who exchanged cups with us, had a solemn face,
though...
「It seems the two of you whose names
resonate with resourcefulness are enjoying yourselves. If it's a strategic
discussion, by all means, wouldn't you let us join in as well?」
Saying so, the one who moved seats was Clarisse-denka. And... from here was actually the true beginning of the 『Night in the Imperial Capital』. That it would be an incredibly dense night—and that she, who brought about that trigger, was the sound of the bell announcing the opening of the 『true night』—I would recall later while suffering from a hangover.
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