Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 25: To the Imperial Capital
“Mm, a party name, huh…”
After returning to the Rugen residence and having breakfast, Hyde sat down at his desk in his room.
It seems that when forming a fixed party, it’s necessary to register the party’s name, and he was struggling to decide on one.
“She said she’ll leave it to me, but…”
When he asked Helene if she had any ideas for a name, she responded, “I leave it to you. This party’s leader is Shou, after all.”
Even when he asked her to think of something since he lacked a sense for naming, she repeated, “Anything that Shou decides on, I’ll be happy with.”
“Really, this is troublesome.”
On the paper in front of him, several name ideas were listed in Japanese:
- Black Alliance
- Sword and Bow Dual Armies
- The Eternal Night Shadow Corps
- The Dream-Breaking Star’s Guard
“…Hmm, I don’t think they’re bad, but they don’t quite click with me.”
He sighed deeply while looking over the names he had come up with so far.
At that moment, the door to his room was knocked.
“Yes?”
“Young Master Hyde, your father is calling for you.”
“Understood, I’ll be there now.”
Hyde tucked the paper with the party name ideas into his pocket and stood up.
(A call from Father… I have a bad feeling about this.)
As he headed toward the office, Hyde’s uneasy feeling turned out to be correct.
“It’s a sudden matter, but tomorrow, you’ll be accompanying me to the Imperial Capital. Be prepared for that.”
Hyde was taken aback by the suddenness of the news.
“The Imperial Capital? It takes a five-day carriage ride one way from here, doesn’t it? I can understand you going, Father, but me too?”
“Yes. It is indeed premature to take you, only seven years old, to the Imperial Capital. However, seeing your remarkable progress in swordsmanship recently, I’ve changed my mind.”
“May I ask what you mean by that?”
Dolph stood up from the leather chair, moved around to the front of the desk, and placed a hand on Hyde’s shoulder.
“You might feel pressure when I tell you this, but don’t misunderstand me. This is all for your sake.”
“…Um, so what is it, exactly?”
Uncharacteristically for Dolph, his words were indirect. When Hyde looked puzzled, Dolph, as if having made up his mind, spoke up.
“—I want your skills to be evaluated.”
◆ ◆ ◆
The carriage left the Rugen residence.
The atmosphere was not as tense as during an expedition.
Though the knights guarding the party surrounded them, it was a calm and peaceful setting.
The carriage Hyde and the others were riding in was not a cargo wagon but a luxurious passenger carriage with a roof and doors.
Inside, designed entirely for people, two sofas were set in place, one in front and one in back.
The exterior of the carriage was decorated with the Rugen family crest: three crossed swords, symbolizing the family.
The ride was incomparable to that of a cargo wagon.
As he sat on the plush sofa, Hyde felt like he might throw up.
(This is bad, bad, bad, bad—!)
Recalling the conversation he had with Dolph, Hyde was in agony.
The Rugen territory was located in the Bernard Empire, which was governed by the imperial family.
Until now, Hyde had never given a thought to what kind of skill the imperial family, who controlled numerous powerful nobles, might have.
He had assumed that, living in such a remote region, there would be no connection to the imperial family living in the capital.
However, now he regretted his own foolishness.
The skill passed down through the generations of the imperial family, who ruled the Bernard Empire, was…
[Appraisal].
A skill that could see through the skills of others.
The first emperor had used this [Appraisal] skill to recruit talented individuals with excellent skills, thereby establishing dominance over the central continent and building the current position of the empire.
In other words, the purpose of this visit to the capital was for the imperial family to assess the potential skill that Hyde, who had yet to awaken his own skill, might possess.
([Appraisal]—I knew such a skill existed, but to think the imperial family of this country possesses it…)
Once someone is viewed with [Appraisal], there’s no way to deceive them.
Hyde’s four strongest skills, the ones he had been hiding. Was there really no way to conceal them?
As Hyde furrowed his brows, deep in thought, Dolph, sitting across from him, spoke up with concern.
“Hyde, are you feeling unwell?”
“N-no… It’s just that I’m nervous because it’s my first time in the capital.”
“…I see. Now that I think about it, you’ve never been to Sentritz either.”
Little did Dolph know, Hyde had been to Sentritz several times in the past few days.
“If you were as reckless as Enju, I would have reconsidered this trip, but you’ve always been clever. You won’t act inappropriately. I guarantee it.”
“Well… thank you.”
Dolph’s words reminded Hyde of Enju’s reaction when she found out they were going to the capital.
Just like during the previous expedition, Enju had insisted, “I want to go too!” But, unlike last time, she didn’t force herself to follow them this time, likely due to her experience from before.
Ad
“Hyde, there’s no need to worry so much. Your swordsmanship has already grown to the point where you can fight monsters with ease. Even if you don’t have a combat-related skill, you will be able to govern the Rugen territory admirably.”
“Father…”
Hyde was genuinely pleased to be praised so highly, something he hadn’t expected at all.
“However, unless it’s for something like your case, I wouldn’t want to go to the capital either.”
“Why is that?”
“People in the center are mostly those who have forgotten their noble duties. They leave the management of their territories to their stewards, and instead of fighting monsters, they indulge in luxury. It’s truly deplorable.”
Seeing Dolph speak with a face like he had bitten into a bitter bug, Hyde couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.
(Indeed, this must be the kind of place Father dislikes the most.)
It was clear that such a place would not align with Dolph’s serious nature.
“Um, Father.”
“What is it?”
“Could it be that my skill will be examined by His Majesty the Emperor?”
“I don’t know. The letter mentioned that they would accept you, but anyone from the royal family with the [Appraisal] skill could potentially assess you. …Ah, speaking of the royal family—”
Dolph spoke as if remembering something.
“The Fourth Princess is about the same age as you. You probably won’t have the chance to meet her, but if you happen to see her at the castle, be sure not to be rude.”
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As he said this, Dolph laughed heartily, adding, “But with you, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”