episode_0118

“Ja priest. What does leisure look like? Isn’t it really nice?”

As Seraphina spun around in place, her skirt and long hair fluttered.

She was currently in disguise to go on a secret mission.

Her blonde hair, which used to shine like gold, was changed to a dull brown using a dyeing spell, and instead of the princess’ dress she usually wore, she wore a dress worn by ordinary women.

Her face was also subtly changed through disguise magic, and a weak recognition-blocking magic was used, so even people who already knew her would not know that she was Princess Seraphina at a glance.

In contrast, Gilbert only took off his cadet uniform and did not disguise himself.

From the beginning, thanks to his gangster-like appearance, when he took off his cadet uniform, it was difficult to recognize that he was Gilbert Lionheart, the man with the highest stock price in the empire these days.

Does a fierce look help in times like this?

It was a bit deplorable, but considering it was stealth, it wasn’t that bad.

“Her Highness the Princess. It’s not that I don’t trust Sir Gilbert, but shouldn’t I, as a guard knight, accompany him? My mission is to protect the safety of Her Majesty the Princess.”

“Yannick. Didn’t I mention it? This stealth was entirely a gift of free time to Gilbert. Isn’t it meaningless to give a reward only when the Lord follows?”

“Your Highness.”

“I will not listen to any objections. And how many times hasn’t Yannick Yeo said this? Please do not call me your Highness while inside the academy.”

“Seraphina, please reconsider once again.”

” was done. I won’t listen anymore.”

Yannick sighed as he looked at the stubborn Seraphina. Sighing like this in front of the royal family was considered lese majeste, but Yannick, who had been her guard for many years, was an exception.

Seraphina was also not the type to be very obsessed with such things, so she pretended not to notice.

Above all else, wasn’t it a secret affair with a priest who wanted to get it so badly?

I was willing to tolerate as many trivial things as I could.

“Then let’s leave. I will only trust the priest who opens it.”

“Okay.”

Gilbert also persuaded Yannick several times, but gave up after realizing that his persuasion was not working at all. The Seraphina he knew was not someone who easily broke a decision once she had made it.

Gilbert and Serafina, who hid their identities, took a carriage and headed to the city that was a little further from Demeia Estate, which was closest to Demeia Academy. In terms of distance, it took about half a day to get there, but since that was the destination Serafina had decided on, I followed without a word.

Seraphina was naturally excited by the scenery outside the window.

The weather was sunny and she felt good, as if her future was bright.

Seraphina was in the best mood she had been in lately.

Is it because it’s been a long time since I went on a stealth trip?

Otherwise, it might have been because I really liked the company.

Seraphina spent a leisurely time looking at the scenery outside the carriage passing by.

The carriage went straight ahead and arrived in the city in less than half a day as planned. There were soldiers checking, but instead of searching the carriage with the Demeia Academy emblem on it, they went through the clearance process in a cautious manner.

Eventually, upon arriving in the city, Seraphina pointed out the window.

“Priest. Let’s go there.”

Gilbert looked where the princess was pointing. It looked flashy from the outside and seemed like a place where wealthy people with quite a bit of money went.

Of course, the amount of money was not an issue for them.

One was the princess of the empire, and the other was the eldest of the three counts that supported the empire.

Far from being short of money, it was overflowing.

Gilbert got off the carriage and escorted the princess towards the entrance. As expected, because it is a place catering to the rich, the staff guarding the entrance were all wearing brightly colored clothes.

“Could you please wait a moment?”

Gilbert and Seraphina, who tried to ignore him and go in, stopped when he stopped them. Looking at the employee with his eyebrows twitching, it seemed like it would be wrong to go in easily.

“This is a place where only guests who have made a reservation can enter. Could you please tell me your name?”

“Can I go in only with a reservation?”

Instead of saying the name, Gilbert asked back. I couldn’t say my real name now that I was secretly practicing it.

“This is not possible as it is strictly a reservation system.”

“I guess so.”

Gilbert nodded to avoid causing trouble.

Even though he was accompanying the princess, wasn’t it a secret operation?

It was right to meekly step down.

The polite attitude of the staff also played a part.

Although she was kicked out of the store, Seraphina didn’t care at all. I was just sad that I couldn’t go into that restaurant.

“This was unexpected. Because I was so busy secretly hiding, I didn’t think about my disguised identity.”

“Still, I was able to confirm that he did not intimidate ordinary people.”

“That is indeed correct. As expected, it is a city under the influence of Marquis Lucas.”

Seraphina nodded and seemed satisfied. It was a difficult appearance for a princess to show, but this was exactly what Seraphina was like.

A person who is not narrow-minded, fair, and upright.

Serafina was the next person to take that position after the current emperor.

Considering their disguised identity, they set out to find a suitable restaurant. Fortunately, I was able to find a suitable place soon. Although it was nothing compared to what they had seen earlier, it was the cleanest place they had ever seen.

As I opened the door and entered, the smell of people living there greeted me. The sound of employees busily taking orders and people chatting loudly resonated throughout the store.

Gilbert sat down in a nice corner with Serafina and ordered food.

“Sister, I have one question.”

“What is the difference between a priest and a woman? Say it without hesitation.”

“Do you often go out in secret?”

It was a question about Seraphina, who seemed familiar with the situation at the store earlier and the situation in this noisy store. Seraphina was not a character whose background was fully explained in Tactical Combat.

Even if a connection was made with the player character, only fragmentary parts could be seen, and the production company did not intentionally reveal Seraphina’s settings, so Gilbert did not know much about Seraphina.

“I’m trying to do that. It was best for me to see them among their subjects like this. Shouldn’t you understand their joys and sorrows only if you see their lives with your own eyes?”

Gilbert was lost in thought as he watched her look at the store with kind eyes.

It occurred to me that they were talking about her as a great politician.

Depending on the route taken, Seraphina either became the Crown Princess or was purged, but the moment she became the Crown Princess and succeeded the Emperor, the Infractus Empire entered an unprecedented golden age.

The current emperor was not incompetent. It was simply because Seraphina was extremely capable.

While Gilbert and Seraphina were talking about various things, the food we ordered was served. Although it was shabby compared to the food we ate at Demeia Academy, it was a neat dish that seemed to have been made with the chef’s sincerity.

Seraphina took the first bite and smiled with satisfaction.

“It tastes pretty good. If it weren’t for the secret act, the chef here would have been rewarded.”

“Isn’t it somewhat inferior to the food at the imperial palace?”

“What are you talking about? The food in the imperial palace is not the only one that is the best. As the priest said, it’s definitely not enough compared to the imperial palace’s cuisine. However, this dish should not be disparaged. This would also be great food.”

Gilbert felt like he had seen another side of Seraphina. She was extremely cold-hearted when it came to matters related to the empire, but she seemed to be quite lenient in places like this.

Well, I guess she’s human too.

Even though the blood of a politician is said to be blue, he guessed that talented people are attracted to her because she has such a human side.

Gilbert and Seraphina began to slowly savor their food. Although it was food eaten by commoners, their dining etiquette was that of noble families.

“Did you hear that? That bastard Gilbert did a great job at this exchange meeting.”

“You crazy bastard. When did you ever become a fool? Are you a fool? Do you think it’s possible for an idiot to become a level 5 knight?”

“Why are you swearing at me, brother? If you mess up once, you’ll mess up forever.”

“Arthur. The bastard is then caught by the guard.”

“Damn the oil demand. You can’t say that you curse at Nara when you can’t see it”

“How did this guy drink so much that he pretends to be knowledgeable?”

Gilbert, who was eating for a while, heard his story in his ears. As expected, no matter how much he went on to become successful, he couldn’t erase his previous reputation as a screw-up.

“I think I can hear the priest’s story.”

“I heard some bad stories, but… .”

“Isn’t that also the priest’s karma?”

“I feel it keenly.”

Serafina, who sliced the sausage and took a bite, smiled softly as she watched the priest speak emotionlessly. Anyway, he was a fun guy.

“So, let’s just talk about it. What did Gilbert say?”

“Is this gentleman Gilbert? 얼마 전까지만 해도 개새끼 소새끼 다해놓고는.”

“Should I cut off the snout? Speak up!”

“You have a bad temper… . Anyway, did you know that the next successors to the Four Seasons Weapons Technology participated in this exchange meeting?”

“I heard it. Because there was an uproar because of that.”

“Then the story will be faster. It is said that the next successors competed against each other at this exchange meeting.”

“Really?”

Perhaps because his voice was so good, I could hear what he was saying very clearly.

In particular, aren’t Gilbert and Seraphina talented people heading to the ranks of transcendents?

It sounded vivid as if I was hearing it right next to you.

“But didn’t you say that this guy destroyed all the next successors? He said his hobby was destroying things, but now it looks like he has shifted his focus to the next successors to the Four Seasons’ Art of Weaponry.”

“Huh… That won’t be that easy.”

“Well, that’s enough. I guess he was knighted as a cadet. I never dreamed that I would be able to shrug my shoulders because of that guy.”

“That’s right. Are you suddenly craving alcohol? Two beers here!”

The two started talking more excitedly, using the story about the exchange meeting as a snack.

Seraphina, who was quietly listening to the two’s story, looked at Gilbert with pride.

“Your popularity has improved even among commoners.”

“I didn’t want to, but… .”

“You don’t have to be ashamed. That means what the priest did was amazing.”

Seraphina giggled as she looked at Gilbert, whose face was stiff.

“Oh, by the way. older brother. I need to crack down on that nephew.”

“Emily? Why is that suddenly happening again?”

“No, are you living with your ears completely closed? I really don’t know anything.”

“Stop talking nonsense and talk about it! Why is Emily cracking down?”

The man looked around and lowered his voice slightly, unlike before. Gilbert and Seraphina pricked up their ears because it seemed like no one should be eavesdropping.

“It looks like some slave traders have appeared here.”

“A slave trader? Are they really doing human trafficking?”

“According to rumors, it seems like that is the case. So, I think it would be better to not let Emily wander around for a while.”

Slave trader? Is that part already?

As soon as Gilbert heard the two men talking, a main scenario came to mind.

I thought there was still time to spare, but it seemed like something had gone wrong this time.

“A slave trader.”

Gilbert looked at Seraphina, hearing her voice full of anger.

Her eyes were cold, but burning brightly, as if she had heard the story of indescribable trash.