kscans

Chapter 158 - Respective Thoughts

The city was filled with the sounds of celebration everywhere we looked.

People were drinking and feasting in broad daylight, devouring roasted meat from food stalls. Countless vendors lined the streets, selling all sorts of goods and foodstuffs. Everyone was doing as they pleased.

We parked the cart in a designated area and took a look around on foot.

"Wow, they’re really going all out," Bardos commented. "Was it like this in the Empire when the new emperor was crowned?"

"Something like that," I replied. "There weren’t any special events, really. Just a lot of celebrating."

It was a simple impression. Unlike the scheduled festivals on Earth, this was just people making noise, eating, and drinking. It seemed chaotic, but no one was causing trouble for others. They were all getting along and having a good time.

In a way, they were more amicable than people on Earth. Back there, no matter how much fun an event was, you could always count on ten or twenty idiots to ruin it for everyone else. Classic attention-seekers. But here, there was no one like that.

As I was thinking this, I overheard a conversation.

"What a joyous day! To think Lady Olivia is taking the throne! The Kingdom will surely prosper now."

"You said it. Relations with the Empire and the Republic have improved so much, too. It’s all thanks to Lady Olivia. Well, Prince Alphonse has certainly done his part, of course."

"Speaking of the Republic, I heard they’re having a coronation over there as well. Prince Lustolfo is becoming the new king and getting married at the same time."

"Seriously?! A coronation and a wedding at once! Do you know who he’s marrying?"

"Haven’t a clue. All I know is she’s the daughter of some noble and a talented magician."

"Well, either way, it’s a happy occasion! The leaders of all four nations are from a new generation! It really gets your hopes up!"

"It sure does. Well then, once more… Cheers!"

They drained the alcohol from their wooden cups in one go.

Hearing their conversation, I mused, "The Republic too, huh? Did they coordinate this, or is it a coincidence? In any case, a change in generation is a good thing."

I nodded thoughtfully.

Just because they’ve been crowned doesn’t mean everything will go smoothly. The former king will likely act as an advisor for a while, and then retire somewhere once things have settled down. It’s similar to how things work at companies on Earth, but a predecessor there would never retire so easily.

Usually, they’d butt into company policy without being consulted and demand a cut of the profits. It’s hard to say if it’s greed or just a way to earn some pocket money. But to be fair, they sometimes offer useful suggestions, so you can’t just ignore them.

The world is a funny place.

For every good example, there’s a bad one. But most people choose the bad one.

Why? Because it’s more profitable. They’ll stoop to any dirty trick to get their hands on money. It’s just sickening.

I’ve gotten way off track.

I figured things like that wouldn’t happen in this world. The former head of the Church was a terrible person, but he’s dead now. I haven’t heard any bad rumors about the Kingdom or the Republic. I don’t know about the Empire, but their former leader is also deceased.

The conclusion is that an era of peace and prosperity is on the horizon.

"Still," I muttered, looking at my right hand, "I can’t be too optimistic. His existence still weighs on me. And I’m not confident yet. I need one more thing. I feel like something is missing."

A rematch with Sidoor the Sword Demon. I’d been training for it.

The various commotions over the past year had been the perfect trials. My magic had grown stronger, and I’d learned new skills. I’d done everything I could think of to improve my equipment. Yet, something was lacking. Until I figured out what it was, it wasn’t time to fight.

Tina, standing beside me, sensed that Shinsuke was troubled by something. But she knew it was a matter he had to resolve on his own. If he asked for advice, she would give it. She couldn’t risk making him worry more by saying the wrong thing. However, if he ever started to become self-destructive, she would speak up—and even knock some sense into him if she had to.

It was a forceful approach, but that was her duty as his partner.

In the royal castle, inside a certain room, stood Olivia, clad in a lavish and splendid dress. But her face was melancholic.

Sakura, who was helping her get ready, spoke. "Lady Olivia… are you still sulking? About this whole affair?"

Her tone was a mix of exasperation and concern.

"Of course I am," Olivia replied with a sigh. "My brother was supposed to become king, and I was supposed to be off on a journey as a poet. I suppose I took my royal duties a little too seriously."

"But that is the duty of a royal," Sakura said with a smile. "You could have left the castle if you’d done nothing. But I have known since you were a child that you are not an irresponsible person, Lady Olivia. I knew you would never abandon your responsibilities."

Olivia turned away, embarrassed.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Excuse me. Prince Alphonse is here and wishes to speak with you."

Olivia nodded her assent.

The door opened, and in walked Alphonse, dressed in a Gothic-style black and white suit—the attire only a chancellor was permitted to wear.

"Still not happy about it? It’s written all over your face," he said with a weary look.

"And you, brother?" Olivia retorted sarcastically. "Are you not unhappy with your position as chancellor?"

Alphonse’s expression turned serious. "You shouldn’t say such things. We still don’t know how the nobles will react. In fact, the knights at the gate reported that an acting lord made insulting remarks about you. It’s proof that there are those who do not wish you well."

Olivia’s face also grew serious. "I heard about that as well. However, when I heard the noble’s name, I recalled that he was one of those who used to fawn all over me. I see no reason for him to do such a thing."

"There is only one explanation. He panicked—panicked about securing a position and offering me tribute. The report I received was a bit vague on the specifics, which is proof the knights are holding back details. No doubt to spare my feelings, so I don’t take it too hard. And so, I feel nothing. Is that not for the best?" she finished with a cold smile.

Alphonse drew a sharp breath. He too had sensed some questions in the report, but his thinking hadn’t gone as deep as Olivia’s. He had come here to warn her that she still had enemies and to be careful, but he now felt a slight sense of dread, realizing his sister’s mind far surpassed his own.

Sensing the cold air, Sakura interjected, forcefully changing the topic. "Did you come to suggest we strengthen security for today’s coronation ceremony, Prince Alphonse?"

"Something like that," Alphonse replied. "The current security is solid, but I want to be thorough. I was thinking of increasing the number of knight escorts."

"Rather than surrounding me with more guards, wouldn’t it be more effective to strengthen the physical inspections?" Olivia countered. "No matter how many guards I have, it means nothing if someone has a weapon that can break through them. The nobles will complain, of course, but if you mention the incident at the gate, they’ll have no choice but to comply. And if they still refuse, it’s proof they have something to hide."

Alphonse had to agree.

Indeed, more guards might just slow things down. It could even lead to complacency due to the sheer numbers. He felt a bit ashamed for suggesting it himself.

Olivia’s proposal was, in a way, the best option. If everyone was completely unarmed, they could be quickly subdued by fully armed knights, even if they used magic or skills. Glad had trained them well, and they had plenty of experience.

"Understood," Alphonse said. "I’ll leave your personal protection to Glad, as planned. He’s already been briefed, so he’ll act accordingly. Sakura, don’t leave Olivia’s side."

With those words, he left the room.

Now alone, Olivia sighed.

Whenever there was an event, two things were sure to follow: joy and trouble.

When large crowds gathered to celebrate, voices of joy would be met with voices stirring up anxiety. Nothing ever went smoothly. But this time, there wouldn’t be a major incident. Congratulatory messages had arrived from the other three nations, and the Republic was even holding its own coronation ceremony.

With no criminal organizations around, nothing was likely to happen. If anything did, it would be something small, like what had just occurred.

Olivia looked out the window.

"From now on… I have a bad feeling," she murmured, pressing a hand to her chest. "Something is coming, not just for the Kingdom, but for the other nations as well."

It would be natural to assume that her nerves were just conjuring up baseless anxieties. But in a way, her premonition would turn out to be true.

At the castle gate.

A gatekeeper saw us and said, "Welcome. We are pleased to have you. Please, come through. But first, excuse us, we will need to hold onto your weapons. We will also be conducting a physical inspection as a precaution."

We complied without protest.

They checked everything from our pockets to the lining of our armor. A female soldier even carefully checked the baby. Caution was essential, especially at a major event like this.

"Thank you," the soldier said. "Please, proceed. A maid will show you to your room."

The gates opened, and we entered.

The inside of the castle was on high alert. The relaxed, joyful atmosphere of the city was gone, replaced by an air that promised anyone who stepped out of line would be killed without question.

"Isn’t this a bit overkill?" Bardos whispered. "I mean, really."

"You’re right," I replied. "Something must have happened. Some minor incident before the main event."

It never occurred to me that the incident at the gate was the cause.

We were shown to a room, where we talked while drinking the tea that had been prepared for us.

And then, the coronation ceremony began.