Chapter 123
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ED: LonelyMatter
Chapter 123 – Incognito (Before)
Now. Before Elena followed the gray-robed man and was introduced to an inn. We go back in time for a moment to when she got off the bench and started walking.
It goes back to the time when Ain arrived at Magna and was greeted by so many people, and probably to some who saw it, it seemed like a riot.
“…Mother. This is too much.”
As they left the royal capital, Ain and Olivia were greeted by many people as they departed.
And then they arrived in Magna. There, many people, far more than in the royal capital, were waiting for Ain and the others’ arrival.
“Y-yes. A little… no, it really is a lot of people.”
The place where the royal train stopped. From there you could see the people of Ishtalika, who had crowded the place so much that there was no room left.
It was still daytime, so if you looked at the sky, you could see the sun high in the sky.
But even so, there would probably be nothing but shadows under the feet of these Ishtalikans.
The population density was so great that there were no gaps to be seen.
“Olivia-sama is very popular, of course, but it seems that there is a lot of praise for Ain-sama this time.”
Martha, who was standing next to them, spoke to them.
“After all, Ain-sama is more heroic than anyone else here in Magna. In fact, you’re as popular as His Majesty the First…”
Ain’s exploits during the sea dragon disturbance. He was still talked about as a living legend in Magna.
The fact that he defeated the sea dragons single-handedly was a heroic feat in itself, but from the people of Magna’s perspective, which was supposed to suffer the most damage, the impact of this was immeasurable.
When Ain and Olivia listened, they surely heard more voices praising Ain.
“Hmm. If anything, I’d rather they prioritize my mother…”
“Ara, Ain. That’s fine with me. I would rather have Ain praised, that would make me happier.”
Olivia would never feel bad if her beloved Ain was praised. In fact, she would be happier if Ain was praised.
Anyway, it was obvious at a glance that Olivia was in a good mood today.
“Come on, Ain, give them a wave.”
“I-I understand!”
Seeing Olivia so close that their cheeks almost touched, Ain shifted his gaze away from Olivia and turned towards the crowd.
The cheers that came like an earthquake engulfed Ain and the others.
“I know they’re excited to see Ain, but…”
“Yes. It’s really amazing, Olivia-sama…”
The cheers were so loud that the two were confused and lost in their own words.
“Ain-sama, Olivia-sama. It’s time for you to come this way. We’re going to rest today, so let’s go to the inn first.”
The appearance of Ain and the others, and the appearance of the people. Dill, who had observed the situation, called out to them at the right moment.
“We have a carriage waiting for you. We will escort you, but depending on the situation, we may have to ask you to refrain from opening the windows and waving your hands.”
“Ah, yes. I think that might be a good idea…”
Looking at what just happened, it was understandable what Dill just said.
Not only Ain and the others but also those who came to see them could have been injured.
“Well then, Mother. Shall we go now?”
“Yes, that’s right. Martha is okay with this, right?”
“Yes. I’ll lead the way.”
And so the Glacier mother and son begin to walk ahead of them.
Lately, he seems to see them together more than ever.
“Mother.”
“Yes? What’s wrong, Ain?”
Looking at Olivia, who was walking in front of him, Ain thought of one thing.
“The princess should not go alone, so I will accompany you.”
Ain gently held out his hand, and Olivia stopped and stared at Ain’s hand.
“…Then, Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince? You will escort me, won’t you?”
She smiled and placed her own hand on Ain’s in a gesture.
Looking at her gestures and facial expressions, Ain realized that she was indeed a child of Laralua.
——…However, this does not include the first princess.
＊＊＊
They got into the carriage, but in the end, they followed Dill’s advice.
If they had opened the window and waved their hands, there might have been some real injuries.
A large number of people came to catch a glimpse of the carriage Ain and the others were riding in.
Although they kept their distance, they found it difficult to contain their excitement.
It took a dozen minutes to reach the inn.
Even the conversation in the carriage was hard to hear unless the pa.s.sengers were close together—there was so much cheering.
“We can rest now that we’ve come this far… No, I beg your pardon. I misspoke; you can relax now that you have come this far.”
Ain and Olivia arrived at the inn.
Martha, who had arrived one step ahead of them, greeted them and spoke to them.
“We have reserved all the rooms in the inn for the duration of your stay until you return to the royal capital. So only those who are concerned will be allowed to enter the inn.”
“Yes. Then security will not be a problem.”
“There will be many royal knights patrolling the area, so please don’t worry about it.”
After entering the inn, the raging noise that had been heard earlier became quiet as if it were a lie. Ain sat on a sofa in the lobby and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Besides, Warren-sama’s men are also present. So security is in place.”
Two members of the royal family were coming. In this case, such a security measure was a matter of course.
“The room on the top floor will be your room. Once inside, you’ll find several bedrooms and a living room for the two of you to use as you please.”
“Yes, thank you, Martha.”
Magna was a place where many n.o.bles came to visit, so many such facilities had been built.
The inn where they were staying at this time was first cla.s.s among them. In the past, Sylvird also stayed at this prestigious and luxurious inn.
Renting this inn would cost a considerable amount of money. However, such security measures were still necessary.
“Excuse me. …Ain-sama. The deployment of the royal knights has been completed as of now. I have also completed the deployment of the Knights of Magna.”
“Okay. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. The only thing I would like to say is that we are having a hard time guarding the large number of people pouring into the city…”
He said this with a wry smile on his face, which Ain agreed with. Witnessing the scene just now, one could understand the hardships of the knights.
“…It’s not that hot yet, but make sure they don’t collapse.”
“Hahaha… I understand.”
It was still early spring, and the weather outside was pleasantly warm, but when there were so many people around, it felt hot.
It seemed to be the same for Dill, who, like Ain before, was wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Ain. Shall we go to our rooms now?”
“Okay. …Well then, Dill, let’s go.”
“Yes!”
Hearing Olivia’s suggestion, Ain also got up and walked close to her.
“By the way, Martha? I always thought we didn’t have to stay in the upstairs room.”
“But in terms of the quality of the rooms, the ones closer to the top floor are the best.”
“It doesn’t have to be that high.”
Olivia replied with a wry smile.
“Please understand that you have a certain position.”
“Geez… You always answer like that.”
Ain walked beside her, listening to Olivia and Martha’s conversation.
“Mother. I am looking forward to Magna’s seafood for dinner.”
“Fufu, yes, that’s true. But I was hoping that Ain and I could go for a walk together… but I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
As she said these words, Olivia looked really disappointed.
“I wish I could have done that too, but as you can imagine, it’s going to be difficult…”
Thinking back to the scene from earlier, it seems impossible for the two of them to go together, no matter how they try.
“Hmm… I’m glad that Ain is so popular, but it makes me a little sad.”
“O-Olivia-sama? I’ll think of a plan; please don’t go out with Ain-sama alone in silence…”
“Don’t worry, Martha. If I can’t take it anymore, I’ll call Martha without hesitation.”
“No, I don’t think I’ll accept that either…”
Olivia smiled like a mischievous child and annoyed Martha.
After all, Olivia seemed to be in a good mood today and was more full of her own personality than usual.
“——Mother, here you go.”
As they reach the stairs, Ain holds out her hand to Olivia.
“…Yes. Thank you. Ain.”
Olivia smiled from the bottom step of the stairs, even more radiant than usual.
＊＊＊
After climbing several stairs, Ain reached the room prepared for him.
He felt it when he entered the room. This room was more luxurious than Ist and Baltic and would cost more than usual.
By the way, Dill should watch outside the door for a while.
“It’s a much nicer room than I expected.”
It was too much to say in one word, but it was Ain’s honest impression.
The reason he said “better than expected” was because he had imagined the rooms in Ist and Baltic. It was not that there was furniture with gold and silver in it, but the softness of the carpet, the shine of the mirror, and the beautifully carved furniture without a scratch on it.
The room was beautiful and clean, with a white marble-like touch.
The view would also be of great value, as there was a sweeping ocean view in front of it.
“And the windows are huge.”
Ain entered the room, walked to the back, and opened the transparent window. Through the window, he could hear the sound of the waves and the bustle of people.
“Yes… it smells like the ocean.”
Olivia, who came right next to Ain, enjoyed the air coming in through the window.
“Speaking of which, Olivia-sama?”
“Yes, what is it?”
Olivia answered Martha’s voice without looking back.
“Actually, I’ve been wondering for a while now, Olivia-sama, does the ocean breeze… the tide have any ill effects on your health?”
“I-I’m sorry. Martha… I don’t understand what you mean.”
Olivia turned with a troubled look on her face.
“Your race is dryad, so I was wondering if the tides might have a bad effect on you…”
“Oh, you mean dryad, that’s what you were wondering.”
The woman’s face broke into a small smile as if she understood.
“Hmm… But you know, I lived in a port city before, and it didn’t affect me at all.”
“Before?”
“Yeah. I used to live in a port city.”
Olivia, obviously referring to Roundheart, was adamant about not mentioning the name and began as if she were just making small talk.
“Back then, Ain and I even walked along the beach a few times. But I didn’t feel any different, so I think everything will be okay.”
“I-if that’s the case… I feel relieved.”
Martha smiled at that and did not mention the port city either.
On the contrary, when she looked at her fist, it seemed to be tense, and the veins were flowing.
“What about you, Ain? Did you feel any physical pain or anything like that?”
“No. I can’t think of anything.”
“I understand. Then, none of you had any adverse effects. I will keep that in mind.”
Olivia looked at Martha, who seemed convinced and turned her attention back to the sea.
“Ah, look at that, Ain. There are lots of fish over there.”
Olivia sounded happy and called to Ain, who was standing next to her.
“Let’s see… where is it?”
Ain tried his best to look for them, but he could not find the direction in which Olivia was looking. As he searched for her with a worried look, a helper came to his aid.
“Not there. It’s a little more to the left… over there.”
The two of them were so close in profile that even the sound of their breathing could be heard.
Then Olivia pointed her hand in that direction and told Ain where it was.
“Oh… Y-you’re right! There are so many!”
The silvery group, which could not be seen in the harbor of the royal capital, was reflected in the eyes.
Their surfaces glistened in the sunlight, shining like treasures in the sea.
Seeing this rare sight, Ain was also excited.
“Olivia-sama, Ain-sama. It’s a little late, but lunch is ready.”
“Yes, thank you. Then, Ain, let’s have it right away.”
“I understand.”
Hearing Martha’s voice, Ain and Olivia went to the center of the room, where a large table was set.
The castle’s cook, who arrived a day early, was preparing the food. And since it’s Magna, they were using ingredients that were caught this morning.
“Yeah, that smells great.”
“I was hungry, so the aroma is even more pleasant.”
Olivia smiled at Ain’s words and sat down on a chair across from him.
＊＊＊
The two of them enjoyed the delicious food prepared with fresh ingredients.
Not only Olivia but also Ain enjoyed their meal more than usual because of their preference for Magna’s food.
After the meal, there was nothing to do. They just moistened their mouths with Martha’s brewed tea.
As far as the schedule was concerned, there was nothing special to do today and tomorrow.
In the meantime, there was some work to be done at the inn, but it was not much.
Even while they were drinking tea, the sky gradually turned azure. Watching the sunset, Ain took his time.
“I guess it’s almost evening…”
“Yes, that’s right. If it’s such a beautiful view, I really want to keep looking at it…”
It was even more contrasting than the evenings in the royal capital.
You could hear the bustle of the people, but mixed with the sound of the waves, it was a very emotional time.
——Knock, knock.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll take a look.”
There was a sudden knock at the door, and Martha, hearing the sound, went to it.
“Yes. What is it?”
“It’s me. Dill, I received a report from the knight outside, so please contact Ain-sama.”
Martha opened the door and let Dill, who was outside, in.
“Sorry to interrupt your pleasantries.”
Dill, who had come to where Ain was sitting, bowed once and then opened his mouth.
“I have received a report from the knights outside that the disturbances of the day have subsided. Currently, the place is as busy as Magna during the high season.”
“I’m glad to hear that. And was anyone hurt?”
“No, sir. However, there have been some minor clashes among the people, and we have sent the knights to the scene.”
Dill said with a bitter look on his face, but it could not be helped.
“Because there are so many people. Such things can’t be prevented, but I’m glad there were no serious accidents.”
“You’re right. Then I’ll go back to the guard.”
“N-no, no, no! I think it’s time for you to take a break, you know?”
When Dill started to go back to the guard, Ain stopped him.
“Hey, Martha-san? It’s time to take a break, right?”
“…I think Dill should stay close to Ain-sama. Of course, there is no bias on my part as a parent.”
“I know, I’m the one who knows best what Dill is capable of. But he works too much; it’s time to take a break!”
Thinking back, he was on guard duty until the sun went down.
On the contrary, considering the time it took to get from the royal capital, he had been pushed into this job without a break, so it was time for him to take a break.
“Dill. Ain says so, so why don’t you take a break?”
Olivia’s words also came in, and as expected, Dill began to break down.
“I-if you say so, I’m very sorry, but I think I’d like to take a break.”
“That would be great. Eat a proper meal and rest your body a little.”
Seeing that Ain keeps saying the word “rest,” Dill decided to take a rest as well.
“Thank you. Now, I will rest for a moment. I will leave the guard outside to another knight. So if you need anything, please let me know.”
With those last words, Dill left Ain’s side.
“…Well. I know it’s a little early, but I think I’ll take a bath.”
Olivia opened her mouth and turned to Martha.
“Martha. Can I ask you to help me?”
“Understood. Then I’ll prepare it, and in the meantime, I’ll call another servant for Ain-sama.”
“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll ask Ain to run an errand for me.”
——An errand?
“Mother? What do you mean by an errand?”
“Ain, you want to go to town, don’t you?”
Ain certainly agreed with Olivia’s words, “If I could go for a walk…”
“…I’m embarra.s.sed to admit it, but I actually want to go.”
“Haha,” he replies with a small laugh.
“I have a good thing that I borrowed from my father. I will give it to Ain. So you can put it on and go for a little walk.”
“O-Olivia-sama. Such a sudden…”
“Ain will want to go outside. …Father said so and lent it to me. So it’s okay.”
With that, Olivia stood up and began to open one of the bags she had placed nearby.
“Besides, we have a very talented woman among Warren’s subordinates today… Ah, here it is.”
She pulled out a “gray” robe. The fabric was not cheap, but one wondered why Sylvird lent it to her.
“Ain. I heard that this robe has properties similar to that of the jade of the earth, and it protects the body. It doesn’t take as much time and money to make as the jade of the earth, so it can’t be as effective as the jade of the earth…”
Holding the robe in her hand, Olivia moved closer to Ain.
Then she walked behind Ain and unfolded the robe.
“Here, Ain? Put your hand through it.”
The second princess dressed him. And since this second princess was Olivia, nothing could make him happier.
“T-Thank you.”
“Fufu… It’s okay. Yeah, the size is fine too.”
Olivia moved to make it easier for Ain to put it on as Ain put his arms through.
She touched Ain when he was done wearing it, confirming the size.
“Olivia-sama? You’re not going to tell Ain-sama to sneak around…”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m sure the bigger Ain wouldn’t be in such danger… so don’t worry.”
Olivia spoke with confidence, not only in her words but also in her expression.
“As you say, Ain-sama has become strong and powerful. I am sure my husband recognizes that as well. But just in case…”
“I heard from my father that he once sneaked around in it while he was hiding from Beria.”
“E-Even His Majesty…”
This was a first for Ain.
He never thought that Sylvird had such a naughty time.
“And besides, Lili, who went to Heim, is back, so you can be sure that she’s with us.”
“I-If Lili-sama is here too, well, that’s something…”
Lili was on a solo mission to Heim.
Ain, for what it’s worth, has also had conversations with Lili.
To describe her personality, she gives the impression of a Martha-like personality mixed with Katima’s shenanigans.
“One more thing, everywhere you look, there’s a knight. So everything will be fine.”
Martha looked at Olivia, who stubbornly insisted that everything would be fine, and Martha thought, “This is not good.”
The security was so strong today that, as Olivia said, there would be knights everywhere you look.
“I understand. But I can’t allow too much time! One hour at the most. No more than that!”
“That’s enough. Well, Ain? Enjoy your walk, and have one for me too.”
Ain’s mood was gradually lifted by the sudden permission.
“A-are you sure I can go?”
“Yes, it’s fine. I’ll be in the bathroom. …And since this is an errand, I might ask you to buy me something from the food stall.”
With that, Olivia went to Ain’s front and tied the sash of his robe.
“Well then, I’ll take your word for it and go and enjoy the city of Magna for a while! You can count on me for some souvenirs!”
——So Ain left for Magna as the sun began to set.
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