Chapter 28: The Royal Castle
“Phew…”
After enjoying a luxurious breakfast at the inn, we were on our way to the royal castle in a carriage that had come to pick us up.
Unlike the rugged carriage we’d ridden to the royal capital, this one sparkled with lavish decorations. It was undoubtedly a carriage meant for nobles.
I was nervous, of course, but my lack of sleep wasn’t helping either.
“Don’t worry, Kakeru! We’ll protect you!”
“I’ll protect Kakeru-sama even if it costs me my life!”
“…Yeah. Thanks.”
The reason I was sleep-deprived wasn’t because I was about to meet the Fourth Prince.
The thing was, we had stayed at an upscale inn in the capital the previous night. Yuuka, Aoi, and I had all shared the same room. At the town we’d stayed in the night before that, we’d each had our own room—with mine between theirs—but last night, the three of us slept together in one large room.
I’m still a healthy guy, so there’s no way I could share a room with two women and not be conscious of it. Needless to say, I barely slept…
Living together in the same house and sleeping together in the same room are completely different things.
The beds were wonderfully soft and comfortable, and thankfully they were spaced well apart. If the two of them had been any closer, I doubt I’d have slept at all…
When the carriage arrived and we stepped out, the first thing I saw was the largest building in the entire capital—the royal castle.
A massive wall surrounded it, and after undergoing an inspection at the main gate, we were finally allowed inside.
This time, we’d left behind everything except Yuuka’s katana, Aoi’s staff, and the single self-defense magic tool I carried. Apparently, that was a requirement for entering the castle.
“Whoa… now this is something.”
“I know exactly what you’re thinking, Kakeru.”
“I bet every Blessed One who sees this castle thinks the same thing.”
Once we passed through the outer wall, the full view of the castle came into sight.
It was an enormous brick-built castle. Ahead stood an even grander gate, while numerous blue conical towers stretched toward the heavens, each crowned with golden ornaments. Elegant arched windows lined the walls, and exquisite carvings adorned every corner.
…Yeah.
It looked remarkably similar to that famous castle at a certain theme park in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
No—scratch that.
I’m convinced a Blessed One built this castle!
Sure, this one was much larger, and it carried the dignity and weight of centuries of history. But no matter how I looked at it, it was unmistakably modeled after that castle.
It was certainly magnificent…
Yet somehow, it was also a little disappointing.
Maybe every Blessed One felt the same way upon seeing it.
Hmm…
Maybe Japanese culture has had too much influence on this fantasy world.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
“Yes.”
Escorted by armored knights, we made our way toward the Fourth Prince’s chambers.
Apparently there was a formal audience hall, but this wasn’t an official summons from the royal family. We had been invited as the Fourth Prince’s personal guests.
Ordinarily, anyone meeting royalty would have to surrender all of their weapons beforehand.
But we’d been granted an exception.
Perhaps allowing us to keep our weapons—and even inviting us into his private quarters—was his way of showing he trusted us… or perhaps trying to earn our trust.
“Your Highness Rain, I’ve brought your guests.”
“Very well. Let them enter.”
One of the knights knocked on the door and announced our arrival.
A young man’s voice answered from inside.
Upon receiving permission, the knight opened the door and ushered us into the room.
As expected of a prince’s chambers, the room was extravagantly furnished.
Standing at its center was a single young man.
“Lady Yuuka, Lady Aoi, and Sir Kakeru… I sincerely thank you for making the long journey to the royal capital.”
His hair and eyes shone with a brilliant silver-white—the unmistakable mark of the legitimate royal bloodline of the Kingdom of Orion.
His face was so perfectly handsome he could have passed for an idol or a famous actor.
He looked only fifteen or sixteen years old.
Yet despite his youth, there was an unmistakable dignity about him—the natural grace and bearing of royalty.
“My name is Yuuka. Your Highness Rain Orion, it’s the greatest honor to be granted an audience with you.”
“My name is Aoi.”
“I’m Kakeru.”
Following Yuuka’s lead, I performed the formal bow used by the nobility.
Since we were meeting royalty, we’d purchased temporary formal attire in town and crammed as much etiquette training as we could beforehand.
“…Hmm. You appear satisfactory.”
He nodded slightly.
“Everyone else may leave. Until I give permission, no one is to enter this room.”
“Y-Your Highness Rain, surely that’s—”
“It’s my decision. Whatever happens, none of you’ll bear responsibility.”
“…Understood.”
With that, the knights quietly left the room.
Now only the four of us remained—
Yuuka.
Aoi.
Me.
And Prince Rain.
“…”
“…”
“…”
An uneasy silence settled over us.
Perhaps he’d dismissed the knights simply because he wanted privacy…
But this immediately made it far more likely that the Fourth Prince was himself a Blessed One.
That said, we couldn’t rule out the possibility that this was all a trap meant to lower our guard.
If anything, we had to be even more cautious.
According to Yuuka and Aoi, almost nothing was known about the Fourth Prince.
Just…
What kind of person was he?