Chapter 162 - Invitation from a Friend
The snow had melted, and now the irises bloomed wildly in the spring. The harsh cold had passed, but the air was still chilly in the early morning. Basking in the warm sunlight, I was on my way to the Royal Capital.
The organization had undergone restructuring, and the new atmosphere was working well. Things were going smoothly, and even in the absence of the President, everything was under control. It was truly running smoothly.
I had planned a short trip, and I had even updated my travel gear. I had a new, form-fitting leather jacket made by my personal designer and stylist, Torietta-san. I really liked this ink-black jacket, and I was riding my beloved Bloomstar Galaxy. The material was the usual metallic thread, but it wasn't in the form of a coat, which I didn't usually wear.
For the rest, I had black leather pants and matching black racing boots, along with gloves that could withstand combat. The large buttons and engraved magic patterns on the jacket added a nice touch, and I really liked them.
I wore teardrop sunglasses to shield my eyes, and let my long hair flow freely in the wind. I had taken off my usual magic accessory hairpin for a more relaxed look.
A little distance behind me were my travel companions: Siegrune, who was similarly dressed and riding a motorcycle, with her sister Valeria dozing in the sidecar. Mary, the commander of the Second Combat Unit, and Margaret, the head of the Public Relations Bureau, were in a small armored vehicle. Graylease, the deputy director of the Intelligence Bureau, and many of the Young Master’s followers were in a large jeep.
You never know what can happen, so I brought Mary and her followers as additional muscle. I chose Mary, the combat unit commander, to broaden her horizons and give her a bit of a break. The other members were carefully selected after discussions.
I brought Margaret to promote our business and to increase our presence in the Royal Capital. We might be able to attract more clients from the capital.
I brought Graylease, who had risen from the leader of a group of young delinquents to the deputy director of the Intelligence Bureau, to get a feel for the situation in the Royal Capital. As a senior member, more experience would be beneficial, and her observations from an outsider's perspective could be valuable.
It was also unusual for both the President and the Vice-Commander to be away on a trip. One of the main purposes of this journey was to attend a banquet celebrating the renaissance of the Kingdom of Brenark.
There were grand ceremonies and parties for guests from other countries, but we were only invited to a private banquet hosted by the same person who invited me. I was personally invited, and Siegrune was coming at her own request.
I had taken Gradena with me to the Royal Capital before, but this time, Siegrune was my companion, and Gradena was staying behind as the Acting Vice-Commander. I was fine with either arrangement as long as they were both on board.
For Siegrune, a former knight of the kingdom, this was her first visit to the Royal Capital in a long time. I didn't know if she had any acquaintances there, but if everything went smoothly, we could take some time to renew old friendships.
This was my first long trip, and I had no intention of making any detours. I had to stay focused and avoid any unnecessary trouble.
The road connecting Exembra and the Royal Capital was much safer due to the recent prosperity of both cities. There was a lot of traffic, and both cities had increased their security measures. The risk of bandit attacks was minimal, and there were almost no incidents involving magical beasts.
I had no reason to get involved in minor disputes between travelers. So, even if there were some rough interactions, I would simply ignore them and keep moving. It was a peaceful journey.
We made a single stop at an inn along the way and arrived at the Royal Capital without any major issues.
As we approached the city in the evening, the first thing we saw was the outer wall, which left us speechless. It was an imposing sight.
The immense and grand outer wall, a product of the magical civilization of Exembra, exceeded our expectations. I remembered it being old and weathered, with a dull, brownish hue. It was far from elegant.
However, the renovated wall was pristine white. It was made of high-quality stone, polished to a beautiful finish. The surface was not flat but adorned with intricate patterns and elaborate carvings near the gates.
The sight of the wall alone was enough to convey the kingdom's resurgence. It was more than a revival; it was a leap forward. I had heard about it, but I never expected it to be this impressive.
We bypassed the line for entry thanks to the crest given to us by our host. We were welcomed with the utmost respect and given a guided tour to our destination. The guide might have been there to prevent us from wandering around and causing trouble.
The main street, which we drove through slowly, was a world apart from what it used to be. It felt like a different dimension.
There were no ruined buildings or debris, and no one was lying around, dead or alive. The street was filled with vibrant people and beautifully maintained buildings.
"…Hmm, it’s hard to believe this is the same city I visited before."
"This is…unbelievable. Even compared to the city before the war, this is a completely different place. It feels like I’m in a new city."
For Siegrune, who knew the old Royal Capital well, this must have been an incredibly surreal scene. The city seemed to have surpassed its pre-war glory, and she was visibly taken aback.
Exembra, being an industrial city, had a somewhat rugged feel and was far from elegant. The Royal Capital, on the other hand, was the complete opposite, exuding opulence everywhere. At least along the main street, everything was white, giving a sense of unity.
White stone paved the roads, and the buildings around them were predominantly white, creating a cohesive look. The streets were also adorned with a variety of plants.
Colorful flowers bloomed in flower beds everywhere, and lush green trees and shrubs lined the streets, providing a soothing and pleasant atmosphere.
It felt like the entire city had been transformed into a tourist attraction, similar to the Elegance Balloon, which Lily had created. The city was incredibly beautiful. Lily would probably love it if I brought her here.
There might be more down-to-earth areas or slums somewhere, but they were not visible from the main street. The budget for such extensive renovations must have been enormous, but it was likely limited to the main areas.
We followed the guide's vehicle, still in awe, and soon arrived near the center of the city, where the royal palace was located.
The white palace, visible even from a distance, resembled the Chateau de Chambord in France. The French Renaissance style was unique and elegant, and the scale of the palace and the city, built in a short time thanks to magical civilization, was truly impressive. The last time I visited, it was just a pile of rubble.
Sigh, the view from afar was breathtaking. The white palace was bathed in the sunset, creating a majestic and beautiful scene. It was difficult to describe in words, but it was truly magnificent.
The area around the palace was lined with the residences of the nobility. Entering this area required passing through a smaller inner wall and gate, which were even more ornate and grand than the main city.
The guide handed over the responsibility to a knight-like figure, who led us further. The knight's vehicle had a subtle but noticeable sense of luxury. If we were on foot, they might have offered us a ride.
The houses in this quiet, spacious district grew larger as we moved deeper. It seemed that the higher one's status, the closer and larger their residence was to the palace.
We eventually arrived at what appeared to be the closest and largest estate to the palace. The estate was significantly larger than the ones we had seen before.
The guide changed again, this time to a butler-like figure. The handovers were meticulous, but they were a bit cumbersome.
The gates to the estate opened smoothly, allowing us to enter without any issues. The system was impressive in its own way.
The noble district, with its futuristic yet reminiscent of a European town, felt out of place with our leather jackets, vehicles, and mechanical bikes and jeeps. The contrast was stark.
After passing through the front courtyard, we arrived at a mansion similar in style to the palace. The mansion even had an underground parking area, allowing us to enter the basement without leaving our vehicles.
We parked in a designated guest area and took a moment to look around. The underground parking lot was lined with various vehicles. As expected, there were many luxury cars, but the majority were practical vehicles like jeeps, trucks, and armored cars. Unfortunately, there were no motorcycles.
"The Lady is waiting for you. Please, this way."
We followed the elderly butler into what seemed like an elevator, a large room that exceeded my expectations, and felt a slight vibration as we ascended.
When we stopped, we passed through a short hall and corridor, and finally, we were about to meet again after a long time. The interior of the mansion was opulent beyond words.
"The Lady, your guests have arrived."
The butler announced and immediately opened the door, leading us in without waiting for a response.
In the reception room was a formidable woman, beautiful but with a hint of cunning. A familiar face.
"I’ve been waiting for you, Yukarinowe."
"I’m here, Rosmerta."
Despite the long time since we last met, the atmosphere was relaxed. We had a history of working together, so a more casual greeting was appropriate. After all, according to her, we were friends, so formalities were unnecessary.
"Hehe, it’s reassuring to see you haven’t changed. I’ve had to deal with many people who drastically changed their attitudes in just a day or two."
"You haven’t changed either. So, what’s this party about?"
I ignored her complaint.
"There’s still some time, but first, you’ll need to change."
My tough outfit was certainly out of place at a noble's party. Of course, I had brought a change of clothes.
"Just lend me a place to change, and I’ll take care of the rest."
"I had a dress prepared for you."
"…Well, I guess it’s time to put in some effort with my makeup."
What kind of embarrassing dress did she have in mind? I decided to ignore it.
"I’ll have dresses prepared for everyone. Please, feel free to dress up."
"…What do you mean, ‘everyone’?"
"Of course. I want all of you to enjoy."
I had only planned to bring Siegrune, Vaeria as my guard, and maybe a few others. The others were supposed to meet Rosmerta briefly and then explore the city, visiting important guilds and merchant associations. They didn't want to attend a noble party, and they certainly didn't have their own dresses.
Ignoring my confusion, Rosmerta proceeded with her arrangements. Before I knew it, we were being led to a different room by her loyal butler.
It had been a while since I visited the Royal Capital. This part of the story won't be too long. Stay tuned for the next chapter: "Social Party!"