Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 59. The Setting Sun Over the Capital ①
On the north side of the capital, there was an old arena. Built a long time ago, it had fallen out of use for quite a while, partly due to the marshland that spread out toward the Uleri River to the northeast, making the ground unstable.
Recently, workers had gathered to carry out repairs, as there were plans to repurpose the arena for something.
Most of the laborers lived in the poor districts of the capital, laying hastily-constructed cobblestones over the poorly drained soil. There was also a waterway leading from the capital near the arena, and because the rainy season had rendered it particularly foul-smelling, efforts were underway to cover the waterway with wooden planks.
“I wonder what they plan to use this old arena for,” one of the men said.
“I heard the king is supposed to come and watch from the stands. They’re doing quite a bit of work here, though. Is it for some kind of ceremony?” another replied.
The men chatted as they worked. While they were grateful to have jobs, there were many things they didn’t understand as they just carried out the tasks they were assigned to do.
“Hey, have you heard that another person has gone missing…?”
“What? Another one? I don’t get why they’d run away; the pay isn’t bad for this job.”
The worker frowned. Lately, workers have been disappearing one by one without anyone knowing. It was not an easy job, but the wages were good, making it a rare opportunity for those living in poverty to make money, and it didn’t seem like work that would make someone want to flee.
“Yeah, and I’ve been hearing a lot about the Undead lately… I can understand why people might be hesitant to get close to the river…”
The man carrying the processed stones looked anxiously towards the Uleri River.
◆◆◆
Crown Prince Alexis and his fiancée Amanda were on a tour of the downtown area of the royal capital accompanied by their royal guards. This was also an excuse to meet with the commoners Kevin and Chelsea.
Despite being dressed humbly to avoid drawing attention, their guards made their presence felt due to their position. Still, since Alexis had frequently visited the common districts, there wasn’t any major commotion.
Suddenly, a child ran up to their carriage. The guards quickly attempted to restrain the boy to prevent him from intruding, but the boy, looking over the shoulder of the guard holding him back, was crying and shouting at Alexis.
“Your Highness! Please, help me! My dad is gone!”
Alexis and Amanda exchanged serious looks. It was rare for such direct pleas from commoners to reach them during their inspections, but even so, something felt off about the atmosphere in the city today.
The boy’s desperate demeanor was alarming, and the residents who kept their distance seemed equally anxious, as if they wanted to say something.
A middle-aged woman, likely the boy’s mother, stepped forward towards the guards with a pale face and took the boy in her arms, but her gaze was directed pleadingly at Prince Alexis.
“…Recently, several people have suddenly gone missing. My husband and others alike have disappeared without a word… I can’t think of any reason for it…”
After saying only that, the woman knelt down, bowing her head to the ground while still holding the child in her arms. Normally, the guards would quickly create distance between them and any commoners approaching like this, but seeing her desperate state, they now had confused expressions on their faces.
Among the gathered residents who stood a distance away, several were also kneeling with their heads to the ground, facing Alexis in the same way.
“Just to be sure, let’s investigate,” Alexis said.
Amanda nodded in agreement.
◆◆◆
In one of the rooms in the royal castle, Elliot and Emily were fitting the costumes that had just been sewn, with the Count and Countess Agreas in attendance.
The servants of the royal castle who were present thought it was strange, though they didn’t show it on their faces.
Emily, wrapped in a beautiful gown layered with delicate lace, seemed to be enjoying herself at first glance, but her conversation with Elliot felt somewhat awkward.
The two had changed from being overly familiar and casual in a manner unbefitting the royal castle to now avoiding eye contact and exchanging stiff words. There was a palpable tension as if they were struggling to say something to each other.
Some interpreted this awkwardness as a result of Marianne’s lessons imparting propriety to Emily, while others thought it could be sign of the emotional instability that often accompanies a soon-to-be married couple.
Even if they tried to rationalize it, a dark shadow lingered in the air, creating an indescribable haze within the hearts of the servants.
While the couple themselves merely put on their costumes as instructed and listened to the explanations, there was a gloomy air about them that was not fitting for the glorious debut of the Holy Knight.
Only Count Agreas and his wife bore calm, inscrutable smiles as they watched over the proceedings.