Arriving at the Imperial Capital

The Imperial Capital, Artas.

Located in the center of the Hespia Empire, this city is the heart of the vast empire, a culmination of all cultures, and the largest tourist destination.

In the past, as the Hespia Empire united various nations into one, it absorbed residents from each country and various ethnic groups, successfully merging their cultures into one place.

As a result, the city center, focused around the Imperial Palace, is more prosperous and splendid than anywhere else, while the outer regions are considered a sanctuary of harmony, where diverse cultures mix and mingle.

However, as is often the case, there are considerable conflicts due to cultural differences, and the residents of the outskirts, tired of this, have divided themselves into five districts to live in.

Still, the center of the capital and the main tourist attractions, where outsiders mainly tread, remain a place to enjoy diverse cultures, making Artas a must-visit destination just to witness it.

,Wow…! Kyle, look at that. There are so many people.”

Befitting its reputation, Kyle and his party got out of the carriage to take a look around before arriving at the Imperial Palace, and Sylvia couldn’t help but be amazed, looking around with her mouth wide open.

She was so fascinated by the mix of residents with diverse skin tones and clothing when she went to the duchy last time, so is the Imperial Capital just on another level?

It seems even more extreme than before.

In particular, some women were wrapped head-to-toe in cloth, as if they shouldn’t show their skin to others, even though the weather was quite warm, which was especially noticeable.

,It’s the heart of the empire, after all. By the way, it’s really overwhelming.”

,This is mild, Kyle. If you go further inside, it’s hard to even find a place to step.”

,Come to think of it, you said you’ve been to Artas before.”

,Yes, when I was very young, I followed my grandfather holding his hand.”

Although Vermilion is now half in Kyle’s clutches and can’t escape being his subordinate, he is still a member of a prestigious family.

Moreover, considering that his grandfather was the previous Archmage of the Magic Tower, it would be stranger if he didn’t have memories of visiting the Imperial Palace.

♬~♪

At that moment, the three people’s gazes turned towards the sound of an instrument coming from the alleyway.

There, a man was sitting on a small folding chair spread out on the bare ground, playing an instrument with a look of absorption.

It had a slightly different appearance from the gittern or mandolin commonly played by minstrels; the neck was much thinner and longer, the body was thin, and there were only two strings.

,Wow, Kyle. What kind of instrument is that? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

,It’s probably an instrument called a dombra. I heard it was a traditional instrument of the former Kazier Kingdom. It’s my first time seeing one in person too.”

,I see. Kyle, you’re quite knowledgeable about history too.”

,I’m just saying what I know to a reasonable extent.”

Kyle scratched his cheek awkwardly as if embarrassed by her compliment, but in fact, he had a lot of knowledge about history, enough to feel proud of himself.

Although it’s nothing to brag about, before his regression, he couldn’t do anything properly, whether it was swordsmanship or magic, so he had a long period of being labeled as a troublemaker in the family.

At that time, he studied all sorts of things with the intention of trying anything, and among them, he dabbled a bit in history and theology.

However, Kyle himself was such a deeply rooted atheist that he only learned some miscellaneous knowledge in theology and quickly gave up.

,There’s no room to butt in here.”

Meanwhile, Vermilion smiled bitterly as he watched the two people enter their own world and start bickering.

Of course, he knew very well that he was an intruder, but they didn’t even glance at him, leaving him standing next to them like a stone statue, so he didn’t even think about interfering.

Then, the intruder has no choice but to step back discreetly at this point.

,Kyle, then I’ll be on my way. I’ll see you again at the Imperial Palace later.”

,Okay, take care.”

,Huh? Duke Drake-gun, aren’t you going to the Imperial Palace with us?”

,Yes, I plan to visit His Majesty the Emperor separately later to pay my respects.”

So, when he opened his mouth at the right timing, Kyle, who had already entrusted Vermilion with an important task, simply nodded indifferently as if he had expected it.

Rather, it was Sylvia who reacted in surprise; she didn’t know that Vermilion had come to handle a separate task at Kyle’s request, so she naturally assumed that he would go to the Imperial Palace with them, meet the Emperor, and then continue to accompany them.

,So, does that mean I can be alone with Kyle?”

But that was it; she didn’t seem particularly disappointed that Vermilion was leaving.

From the beginning, before coming to Artas, she had wanted to go on a date with Kyle alone, so why would she be disappointed when the intruder was offering to disappear on his own?

It’s just that she’s naturally kind, so she instinctively feels sorry for parting with someone she’s become close to.

,Then, goodbye.”

After Vermilion disappeared with a brief greeting, Sylvia cautiously glanced at Kyle.

She wanted to look around a bit more alone with him, but she was worried that he wouldn’t have time because he had been summoned by the Emperor and his schedule would be busy.

Moreover, Kyle didn’t like going out and about, and he must have been quite tired from coming all the way to Artas, so she thought he might want to head to the Imperial Palace right away to rest.

,Then, let’s take a look around ourselves, Sylvia.”

,…Huh?”

,Huh?”

But unexpectedly, when Kyle led her inside and started walking, a word mixed with bewilderment came out of Sylvia’s mouth.

When Kyle showed the same reaction, Sylvia realized that she had answered like an idiot and blushed.

,Ah…! I’m, I’m sorry. I thought that Kyle-ssi, with your personality, you would see His Majesty the Emperor first….”

,Ah, that’s what it was. It’s okay. Originally, we were supposed to meet His Majesty tomorrow.”

,Tomorrow?”

Then why did he come to Artas a day early, even moving busily?

As she tilted her head, Kyle scratched his cheek, feeling a little embarrassed to say it himself, and added, averting his gaze.

,Well, it’s just that I thought Sylvia-yang might want to go out and about like when we went to the duchy a while ago, so I came a day early. I’m sorry if I assumed that on my own.”

Just like when he visited the duchy early the day before the social party, he had done it on his own, wondering if Sylvia might have the same expectations this time.

However, now that he had done it, Kyle was somewhat uneasy, suddenly thinking that Sylvia might want to rest at the Imperial Palace as soon as possible, having come by carriage for a long time.

,I didn’t think of that.”

Awkwardly avoiding Sylvia’s gaze as she stared up at him, Kyle blamed his frivolous actions.

He wondered if it would be better to just go to the Imperial Palace and rest now, but at that moment.

Firmly.

,…Why do you always do that, Kyle?”

Suddenly, Sylvia grabbed his hand and said something incomprehensible.

What does she mean by “Why do you always do that?”

Does she mean why do you always do things on your own without asking people?

Kyle felt a pang of guilt, as he had a history of doing things he shouldn’t have done recently, and opened his mouth.

,I’m, I’m sorry. Sylvia. I didn’t even ask you and did things on my own….”

,…Look at you. You’re apologizing again. Why do you always think of me first like that?”

,I don’t quite understand what you mean…. Well, more than that, Sylvia. Let go of this hand and let’s talk….”

He wasn’t particularly prone to sweaty hands, but he was a bit sensitive to heat, so he tried to let go of her hand, worried that the moisture on his hand might make her uncomfortable.

Sylvia shook her head firmly, as if she wouldn’t let him, and instead intertwined her fingers with his, even interlocking them.

,I don’t want to. Kyle-ssi acted on your own first, so I’m going to act on my own too.”

,I’ll apologize if there was anything uncomfortable….”

,No. There was nothing uncomfortable. It’s just….”

Just? What is it?

With her cheeks flushed, she stood next to him, leaning her body slightly against his, and Sylvia’s lips carefully opened as she looked up at him with slightly raised eyes.

,I was so happy that I got a little angry. So this is punishment.”

,……?”

What does it mean to be angry because you’re happy?

Even though it’s hard to fathom a woman’s heart, Sylvia’s words and actions were often particularly difficult to understand.

Fortunately, she was smiling, so Kyle guessed that he hadn’t done anything to upset her and moved his feet, following Sylvia’s lead.

When he tried to let go of her hand, taking advantage of a gap when she was distracted by something, she would quickly give strength to her hand and pull him back, and Kyle thought that she might have a talent as an investigator.

A woman in love can sometimes use that as fuel to unleash superhuman abilities.