Chapter 156: The Federal Capital, Herz

“Welcome to the Gran Federation!”

At the guiding gesture of a Federal knight, they passed beneath the colossal gate.

Beyond it lay—

…not a dazzling new world brimming with exotic splendor and roaring crowds, as one might have expected.

Instead, just like the Empire, a long forest road stretched ahead, embraced by towering trees and dappled with sunlight.

Which, upon reflection, made perfect sense.

The capital of a great nation — one that housed both the headquarters of the Adventurers’ Guild and the Commercial Guild — would never be foolish enough to sit flush against the borders of continental superpowers. For reasons of defense alone, it had been constructed properly at the nation’s heart.

From here, it would still take some time to reach the Federal capital, Herz.

Of course, that estimate applied only to ordinary warhorses.

Axel did not belong within the boundaries of “ordinary.”

To describe the Gran Federation in broad strokes—

In ancient times, small nations clustered at the continent’s center, surrounded on all sides by powerful empires. Rather than be swallowed one by one, they united under the spirit of neutrality and forged a single great state.

As a result, each city still retained remnants of its former identity. Architectural styles varied. Local customs differed. Cultural quirks lingered proudly, distinct and vibrant compared to their neighbors.

It was, without question, a land worth savoring.

But this journey was limited in time.

With reluctant hearts, they bypassed city after city, choosing the shortest possible route to the capital.

And finally—

“The Federal Capital Herz—!!!!”

They had arrived.

At the city’s center lay a grand plaza of staggering scale. Surrounding it, arranged almost theatrically, stood three monumental edifices:

The headquarters of the Adventurers’ Guild.
The headquarters of the Commercial Guild.
And the headquarters of the Federal Government.

All rose proudly, dominating the skyline with deliberate symmetry.

The emphasis on visual grandeur was surely the tasteful indulgence of ancient architects, who had wanted visitors to feel awe the moment they stepped into the capital’s heart.

“Woooow… it’s overwhelming!!!” Lena exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

“Which one interests you most?” Ryu asked casually.

“I think the Federal Government Headquarters! I’m curious how they manage state affairs!”

“I am drawn to the Commercial Guild Headquarters,” Esther said thoughtfully. “I wish to study the distribution of medicines and materials.”

“And you, Stingray?”

“Without question, the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters! At the very top of that building resides the famed Grandmaster…!”

The Federal Government building flew a simple flag bearing a star.

Each of its five points symbolized a continental power:

The Gran Federation.
The Garcia Kingdom.
The Eldorado Empire.
The Mondo Duchy.
And the Astoria Empire.

The Commercial Guild flew a banner adorned with the image of continental currency and a carriage — commerce and trade incarnate.

The Adventurers’ Guild banner displayed a sword and staff crossed together.

No explanation was necessary.

Behind the excited trio stood Alice and Ryoma.

“Ryoma-sama, which one interests you most?” Alice asked.

“Hm… truthfully, I am less interested in the headquarters than in this nation’s cuisine… and in this so-called Hero party from the Garcia Kingdom.”

Ever since he had slain the Duchy’s Hero, Ryoma had found himself contemplating the very concept of “Hero.”

Those summoned from the same world as the First Hero who had built his homeland, Hinomaru.

What kind of beings were they?

What did they bring into this world?

Thus far, their reputation had plummeted — instigating wars, resurrecting Demon Kings. The impression left behind was far from noble.

And yet…

Surely among them existed a Hero who shone like the sun, as the First Hero once had.

Besides, Heroes were summoned against their will.

In that sense, they were victims too.

“I would very much like to speak with them at leisure,” he murmured.

“Me too! I want to try the Federation’s food and meet the Hero!”

Alice matched his enthusiasm perfectly — even if she was clearly just agreeing for his sake.

And that made her all the more adorable.

“Alright,” Ryu said decisively. “The Arden group will tour the three headquarters as sightseeing. Ryoma and Alice, you two can explore the food stalls and search for the Hero. One day is fine. We’ll regroup tonight at that high-class inn over there.”

“Understood.”

“Roger that. Let’s go, darling.”

“I am not your darling.”

“You will be sooner or later.”

“W-What…?!”

Alice firmly hooked her arm through his and dragged him toward the bustling street of stalls like an excited puppy pulling its reluctant owner.

Lena watched them with a mischievous grin.

“Alice-chan is even more aggressive than usual~ hehehehe.”

“A maiden in love can, at times, become a demon of war,” Esther declared sagely.

“Ryoma-dono has it rough…” Stingray muttered.

“Ku ku ku… this is exactly what I wanted to see,” Ryu chuckled.

He then turned to Axel.

“You’ve worked hard getting us here. We’ll stable the carriage at the inn. What will you do? You can shrink down and let Lena carry you to the headquarters… or laze around in the inn room.”

“Brrr.”

Apparently, lazing around was preferable.

“Got it. Then come with me to secure the rooms. You three head to one of the headquarters first.”

“Roger,” Esther nodded. “Since our true objective is the dungeon, let us begin with the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters. Agreed?”

“Yes!”

“Leave security to me!”

“Gyau!”

Thus, Ryu and Axel headed for the inn, while the three women made for the Adventurers’ Guild.

◇◇◇

The trio of beauties — accompanied by a small red dragon hatchling — crossed the grand plaza toward the banner of sword and staff.

“Actually, it’s my first time visiting the Adventurers’ Guild~” Lena admitted.

“Oh? I, on the other hand, am a heavy user,” Esther replied smugly.

“I’m C-rank, so I’m here often too… but why are you a regular, Esther-sama?”

“I frequently post material-gathering requests for medicinal herbs. Purchasing dried stock from the Commercial Guild is convenient, yes — but many potions require freshly harvested ingredients.”

“Ahhh.”

It went without saying: good medicine demanded good materials.

And when a top-tier pharmacist like Esther handled them, perfection was assured.

They passed fully into the shadow of the towering headquarters.

“Hohooo… so many robust adventurers,” Esther breathed.

A massive, musclebound giant.
An elf witch draped in black robes.
A lightly armored beastkin scout.
A female brawler wearing metal knuckles.
A samurai in kimono and katana.
A dwarf bearing an enormous hammer.

One glance was enough.

Every single one of them was a seasoned adventurer who had crossed the continent’s length.

This was the place for those who chased fortunes within deadly dungeons.

…Weaklings did not gather here.

“Wow… the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters is incredible!”

“The level of adventurers here is clearly different from the Empire…”

“Enough gawking — we advance!”

And yet—

Those hardened adventurers were staring back.

“Whoa… too dazzling. They look like nobility…”
(They are.)

“That child elf… she gives off a dangerous vibe…”
(Medicinal fumes.)

“I know this much: where great beauties gather, terrifying monsters lurk nearby…”
(Homura.)

Behind the trio stood a pair who appeared distinctly Hinomaru in origin — a young man and woman.

The man’s eyes shone.

“A noble young lady, a loli-elf, and even a ‘crush-me knight’ type…⁉ I must hit on them immediately! Isekai life is the best!!!”

The woman promptly punched him in the head.

“Idiot! Don’t harass people!”

“Ow!”

“Honestly… typical high school boys…” she muttered.

Meanwhile, at the border between the Federation and the Garcia Kingdom, a mysterious trio arrived.

“We finally secured a mission in the Federation, Subordinate-chan! Louise-kun!”

“Captain Lily, your voice is too loud. This is technically a confidential operation.”

“I’m already sick of dungeons… seriously… haah…”

And thus, beneath the vast continental sky, multiple destinies began to converge within the heart of the Gran Federation.