Chapter 190: Souvenirs and False Reports

Ryu and Stingray had made their way to the souvenir street.

This bustling avenue had been constructed only a few years prior, specifically to cater to tourists, and ever since its opening, it had been lively without a single day of rest. The crowds that filled it were a colorful mix—adventurers clad in worn armor, wandering travelers with dust on their cloaks, shrewd merchants with calculating eyes… and nobles from every corner of the continent.

The reason was simple.

The Gran Federation was a perfectly neutral state. In fact, it was often considered far safer than even one’s own allied nations.

It wasn’t uncommon for nobles, like Ryu, to stop by before returning home, purchasing souvenirs for their families, retainers, and servants. And nobles, as a rule, were easy to spot—if not by their bearing, then by the formidable knights standing guard at their sides.

Earlier, the two of them had placed a massive order at a confectionery shop. Now, while waiting for it to be prepared, they strolled down the street in search of other gifts.

“As expected, the Federation’s confectioners are on another level,” Ryu said, glancing at the displays with quiet satisfaction. “You can buy sweets from all across the continent here—it almost feels like you’re getting more than you paid for.”

“They are a bit pricey,” Stingray replied, her tone light, “but for you, Ryu-sama, that’s hardly an issue. It’s practically pocket change.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Ryu snorted. “I just look like I have money because I only spend it when it counts. In reality, most of Arden’s funds are managed by my mother.”

“If anything, with the dungeon master crystal now in your possession, communication will become much smoother. That should only accelerate Arden’s development even further.”

“Speaking of Arden,” Ryu continued, his expression turning thoughtful, “the armor and weapons for the knights guarding the second estate—those are still being repaired and purchased through external blacksmiths, right? And at a pretty steep cost.”

“Yes. Most blacksmiths in the capital are large establishments, so their prices tend to be high.”

“Well… you might want to look forward to it. There’s a chance we’ll be able to scout a promising blacksmith soon.”

“Really? That’s wonderful news!” Stingray’s eyes lit up. “Transporting an entire unit’s worth of armor to a forge is more troublesome than it sounds. If you’re the one saying it, then they must be an incredible craftsman.”

“Not at all. They’re not even an amateur yet—they’ve never even held a hammer.”

“…Eh?”

“But,” Ryu added casually, “give it a few years, and they’ll probably be the best blacksmith in the capital.”

“I believe in your words, Ryu-sama‼”

As she spoke with unwavering confidence, Ryu’s gaze briefly flicked toward the sword at his waist—Kurikara—before returning forward.

“From your perspective, Stingray, what do you think Arden still lacks?”

“Hm… perhaps an intelligence division?” she said after a moment’s thought. “At one point, I assumed you might form a covert unit centered around Mimi, but she’s fully committed to being an adventurer now. As Arden grows into a more prominent noble house, having an intelligence network under your direct control would provide a great sense of security.”

“…Yeah, I figured as much.”

“What about recruiting Captain Lily and the Kingdom’s First Special Unit wholesale?”

“No good. They’re strong, sure—but terrible at gathering information. That would defeat the whole purpose.”

“Well… their captain is like that, after all.”

“Exactly. Besides, we’re not lacking in military strength. And if conflict does arise, geographically speaking, the Grace Border Count’s house would act as our shield first.”

“Hearing that just makes me want an intelligence unit even more,” Stingray said with a small sigh.

“I’ll think about it later.”

As they walked, Stingray’s eyes wandered, taking in the crowd.

“…Is it just me, or are there an awful lot of nobles around today?”

“It’s the Federation. Right now, every country’s on long-term break, so nobles with territories near the border are probably traveling here.”

“No wonder the souvenir street is so lively~”

“And the number of patrol knights, too—that’s likely why.”

Nobles, by their very nature, were prone to causing trouble.

And here, where nobles from many nations gathered, the chances of encountering old grudges—or igniting new ones—were all too real.

Even without personal history, if two countries were on bad terms, their nobles would inevitably reflect that hostility.

It was simply how the world worked.

After indulging in a rather extravagant shopping spree, Ryu and Stingray returned to the confectionery shop where they had placed their order.

That was when they noticed it—

A middle-aged man harassing a young noblewoman.

“Move aside, nameless noble,” the man barked arrogantly.

“Excuse me?” the woman replied, her brows knitting together. “I was clearly in line first. And for your information, I am a proud noble of the Empire. Whoever you are, you should step aside.”

“An Imperial noble, you say?” he sneered. “That explains your small-mindedness and lack of refinement. I am a noble of the Imperial Theocracy, ruler of the world. Stand down, servant of that barbaric nation abandoned by the god Eld.”

“A servant…?”

Among the great powers of the continent, only the Astoria Empire prohibited the Eldorado religion. As a result, there were no churches within its borders—a fact the Theocracy deeply resented. It had even been one of the primary reasons they incited the Cell Principality into war against the Empire in the past.

In a world where faith could ignite entire nations, such tensions were never far from the surface.

“Well, well… speak of the devil,” Stingray muttered.

“Looks like an Imperial noble is being harassed by a Theocracy noble,” Ryu observed calmly.

“What should we do?”

“Tell me, Stingray—if there’s a rock in your way, what do you do?”

“I kick it aside.”

“Exactly.”

The Imperial noblewoman raised her voice.

“Calling me a servant is going too far‼ This could easily escalate into an international incident‼”

“Hmph. All citizens of the Empire are beneath even commoners—that is the Theocracy’s truth. And this is the neutral Gran Federation. How exactly do you intend to make it an ‘international issue’? No official here will lift a finger for you.”

“Ghh…‼”

—And then.

Without warning, Ryu grabbed the man by the back of his head and slammed him straight into the ground.

“Gah—‼”

“You’re in the way,” Ryu said coldly. “Disciple of whatever-that-god is.”

He stepped on the unconscious noble’s back and moved forward as if nothing had happened.

Naturally, the knights attending the man erupted in fury.

“You bastard‼”

“How dare you lay a hand on our lord‼”

…but—

“Stingray. Handle them.”

“Yes, sir‼”

In the blink of an eye, Stingray incapacitated them all.

“Non-lethal strikes,” she said crisply. “Be grateful.”

The two of them entered the shop as though this were just another mundane errand.

“I’ve always wanted to say that line once~,” Stingray added cheerfully.

“Isn’t ‘non-lethal strike’ usually a sword term?”

“Well, let’s not sweat the small stuff!”

Behind them, the young Imperial noblewoman and her knight stood frozen, mouths slightly agape.

““““…………””””

Ryu quickly collected the prepared sweets and stepped back outside.

Right on cue, security personnel came rushing over.

“What’s going on here—? Wait, you’re the one from the dark clan subjugation operation…”

It seemed one of them recognized him.

“Ah, yeah. That Theocracy noble and his knights attacked me, so I subdued them.”

“I see… Theocracy nobles are known troublemakers. This must be another such case.”

“Right. Just toss them in a holding cell for now. Once they wake up, they’ll probably start lying and playing the victim, so don’t fall for it.”

“Understood! You there—carry them out‼”

““Yes, sir‼””

The group was swiftly hauled away.

“What a refreshingly bold fabrication,” Stingray said with admiration.

“Honestly, the moment the guard recognized me, it was already over.”

The young noblewoman hesitated before speaking.

“Um… thank you…?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Ryu replied. “I’ve got my own grudges against the Theocracy from the western front. Judging by your embroidery, your features, and your accent—you’re from a northeastern noble house with ties to Duke Mondo, aren’t you?”

“…You could tell?”

“I’m indebted to Duke Mondo myself. Consider this repayment.”

“I… see…”

“Well then, shall we get going?”

“Yes! Let’s!”

And just like that, the two of them walked off without a second glance.

The noblewoman watched them go, then murmured softly—

“…Ah. I forgot to ask their names.”

“Haha… they were like a passing storm,” her knight chuckled.

“I heard they were Imperial nobles. That must be why they helped us.”

“As expected of the Empire’s nobility—courage, strength… and intellect.”

“Yes… they’re on an entirely different level.”

Afterward, they too purchased their sweets, and soon departed for the Empire.

“Ryu-sama, it’s already noon.”

“Then let’s grab something to eat while we’re at it. Care to join me?”

“Of course‼ Gladly‼”