Volume 8 Chapter 7: Arrival in the Royal Capital

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Author: 夜州 (Yashu)

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Having stayed the night in the lord’s mansion, they set off to the royal capital after breakfast.

Since Randal would also be going along, the lord had lent them a carriage, which was being loaded with luggage.

“Randal-dono, thank you very much for lending us the carriage.”

Originally, they had planned on chartering a carriage in the town and going to the royal capital in that.

There was a self-driving bus in Cain’s Item Box, but since there would be an uproar if he took it out in this country, he didn’t do so.

“Don’t worry about it, I appreciate a strong companion like yourself, Cain-dono, accompanying me. Also…”

Randal clenched his fist.

Randal also wanted to go and fight on the front lines with his comrades, but since he had to defend the town his parents ruled, he hadn’t been permitted to leave the town.

And Randal had had no choice but to endure, even though only word of lost battles came.

But now that Gandal had seen Cain’s power and given Randal permission to accompany him, Randal’s spirits were soaring high.

“I’d also like to go to the front lines and fight at least once if possible…”

“Is that so…”

Randal was a beastman who loved fighting, but his mission had been to protect his home and not participate in battle, and now he could go to the front lines thanks to Cain.

“Ah, Cain-sama, you’re healing personnel, so no going to the front lines, okay?”

A person who had come along from Esfort called out to Cain from behind.

Cain had indeed been given strict orders by the king not to go to the front lines when he departed from Esfort.

Just with Cain’s appearance there, the status of the war would change significantly.

No, Esfort’s higher-ups understood that Cain alone could repel the Empire’s invasion.

However, the people from the Beast Kingdom would not know that. And if they saw Cain’s true power, no matter that they were friendly countries, he didn’t know when he’d start being seen as a danger.

“……I know.”

Cain sighed dejectedly.

“But if you came to the front lines, it’d be like we had a hundred more men… But this is a war between the Beast Kingdom and the Empire. So you just watch my gallant figure and heroics from behind.”

“Yes, I’ll be on standby in the rear as healing personnel, so please don’t come, if possible.”

“I have no intentions of needing your help. I shall chase every one of those imperial bastards away!”

Having acquaintances die was painful. And while they had only just become acquainted and Randal was strong, one never knew when they would lose their life on the battlefield.

Cain quickly glanced to the side at the fuming Randal next to him with a perplexed face, then went back to looking at the landscape from the carriage.

◇◇◇

It was a two day long journey to the royal capital of Kermes. There were towns all along the way, so they were able to arrive without having needed to camp.

The royal capital’s cityscape consisted of mostly wooden houses, with only the walls surrounding it and the castle in the very centre being made out of stone.

Since Kermes was a country carved out of the forest, they had put the abundant wood to use.

It was wartime, yet shops throughout the city were open, and the place was bustling with pedestrians.

Unsurprisingly since it was the Beast Kingdom, nearly all citizens were beastmen.

A wide variety of inhabitants were walking around in the city, including dog beastmen, cat beastmen, rabbit beastmen, and so on. There were hardly any humans, but they were also going about their business as usual.

“How is it? We’re in a war, but it’s still lively. We’ll probably be staying in the royal castle tonight. We should be granted an audience quite swiftly.”

“Is that so. The people’s expressions are bright, I’m a little relieved.”

The carriage proceeded through the city, and arrived at the royal castle without being stopped.

Along with Randal and Hagnes, Cain was immediately shown to a lavish reception room by a servant.

“I shall show you the way once the preparations for the audience have finished, so please wait in this room until then.”

“All right.”

The reception room they had been guided to was furnished with detailed decorations, and it didn’t have the same uncouth feeling as that of the port town ruled by Gandal.

As Cain looked around at the room, Hagnes smiled.

“There are also some types of beastmen with dexterous fingers, and many beastmen often have professions that suit their races. The decorations in this room were likely done by fox beastmen. They have good dexterity, and good sense as well.”

“I was surprised by the room being more lavish than I had expected. I doubt there are many people in Esfort who could do something like this.”

“Yes, so. Using that dexterity, we can trade with foreign countries. Luckily, we also have gold mines and an abundance of other precious metals.”

“All these decorations aren’t going to win us the war though.”

Randal seemed to have absolutely no interest in decorations, and both Cain and Hagnes chuckled at his remark.

They leisurely sipped the black tea the rabbit beastman maid on duty in the room had brewed for them.

“This black tea is also delicious. It might be the first time I’ve drunk this flavour.”

“Yes, we also have tea plantations. We can have some tea prepared for you when you return.”

“Thank you very much. Everyone at home will be happy.”

The three of them continued chatting, then there came a knock on the door, and a servant entered the room.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting. We have finished preparing for the audience, so I shall show you the way.”

Cain and the others braced themselves at those words and stood up.

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