Chapter 178: Tomoki Appears (1/2)

Chapter 178: Tomoki Appears

I have been betrayed by the Empire.

A snow country metropolis in a fantasy world.

I was actually really looking forward to the imperial capital’s appearance. Wondering what kind of illusory-like land it might be.

Like for example; a steampunk-looking place with steam coming out here and there.

Seriously, there’s nothing like that here.

It may be splendid, but well, it gives the impression of a fortress.

If it is like this, the first town I arrived to called Robin gave more of a snowy country than this.

A teleportation facility that can overlook the imperial capital of Ruinas.

There’s still one more teleport formation to arrive inside Ruinas, but the guides that followed us from Robin told us to please look at the imperial capital and gave us time here.

From what seems to be a mountainous area of tall mountains, what can be seen from below is a big city.

Even though its circumference is bright white with snow, the inside of the city looks normal like the one of Rotsgard.

There’s no snow piled up.

In those points, I think magic is involved.

It is heavily different from what I was expecting…

The imperial capital has a circular shape with three outer walls that demarcate the central and outside circumference.

At the very center there’s a castle I can see even from here, so that must be where the emperor is.

It seems like they place social classes to the people living in the imperial capital, so those outer walls are probably the representation of the difference between the people that live there.

A society reigned by social position huh.

An obvious difference is seen in the standings between hyumans and demons, so it isn’t strange to see differences within hyumans.

It might be a good chance to feel it with my own skin at least once.

“What do you think of the imperial capital, Waka?” (Shiki)

“I had an image that it would be more like… filled with snow or icy.” (Makoto)

“Me too. How to say it, it is a city with no elegance.” (Tomoe)

“That’s different from expectation huh. This time it will be a stay of about 2 days. There’s not much time to look around, so I am happy that they are showing us its entirety in this way. To investigate the atmosphere of the city, maybe I should leave that job to Shiki?” (Makoto)

“Understood. I will look around the state of the city when there’s free time.” (Shiki)

“I’m counting on you. I have to deliver this after all.” (Makoto)

I look at the bag I am carrying.

It seems to be the egg of Lancer. I have to bring this egg to a superior dragon named Grount.

The one guiding us has already been settled by Root to Princess Lily.

Root, he really does have mysterious connections.

He is a pervert without doubts, but his heartfelt consideration, I honestly appreciate it.

“Oh right, it would be bad to leave the guide waiting too much. Well then, let’s go.” (Makoto)

“Yes.”

“Right.”

I call Tomoe and Shiki, and confirm that both of them nod.

I wave my hand at the guide that is looking at us from afar and return.

Later, we will be doing a teleportation once more, and then, after receiving several inspections, we will head to the place of the princess. There, we will meet the hero and the princess.

The Empire’s hero, Iwahashi Tomoki.

It seems he is 2 years younger than me, but as a hero, he has been playing quite the big role.

I wonder if the crater that can be seen slightly further away from the imperial capital was his doing.

If I am able to ask him about it, let’s try asking.

I am half looking forward to it and half uneasy.

While thinking hopefully about the second hero I will be meeting, I step onto the teleport formation.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

“Well then Raidou-sama, please wait in this room here. The two there, I ask you to follow us.”

“…Understood. Tomoe, Shiki, see you later.” (Makoto)

The two are guided into the castle and disappear into its depths.

Being the only one left now, I open the door and wait. I follow the instructions of the guide that was here moments ago and enter the room at the left side.

It seems to be the norm to have the representative and the other party wait in different places when doing their greetings, and it is not like this is just a custom done only in negotiations.

Even if they isolate me in a business relationship, I have already decided that there will be no other conclusion than demanding to leave, so there’s not much point in doing so though.

If not, there would be no point in having Tomoe and Shiki accompanying me.

But I thought that the one isolated would be Tomoe. This is a bit unexpected.

I look at my given room as I wait.

As expected of the castle of a large country and the place where the emperor is in.

Leaving aside mine, this reception room is a lot more extravagant than the one from Zara-san and Rembrandt-san.

It isn’t like it is all shiny. There’s a calm and settled atmosphere that makes me feel its elegance and extravagance. What I am trying to say is that, I can’t calm down.

Drinking the given tea while sinking deeply into the sofa, the part at my lower back feels fluffy.

Hm, the presence of people..

2 of them. Slightly behind, there’s 3 more.

5?

That’s quite a lot.

Even when there’s already 2 standing guard outside the door and a maid-san inside the room that is serving me tea.

Well, it would be better to wait for them standing.

Because I moved, the maid-san lifted her head, and while that happened, the door opens and the 5 enter the room. Seeing them, she does one step back and returns to her original position.

“Glad that you have come, Raidou-dono. You were a great help at Rotsgard.Let me please give you my thanks once again.”

Princess Lily was the first one to speak.

From the people here, she is the only familiar face.

“Thank you for inviting me in this occasion, Princess Lily. It’s embarrassing to say but, I have personally seen with my own eyes such a big city within this thick snow; witnessing the power of the empire, I thought that maybe we are out-of-place. That I am now able to meet with someone who I knew when in Rotsgard, I am slightly relieved.” (Makoto)

“I am happy that you praise our imperial capital. It is sad that it will be a short stay, and here I thought about escorting you and make sure you would have fun. However, when I saw your face, a desire of having you make a store at our country in your return has been borned. Please do consider it.” (Lily)

Eh?

Her atmosphere is softer in its entirety compared to the time I met her in Rotsgard.

Is it because it is her own country?

But I was told that there would be no negotiation, yet, it already feels as if the odds and ends of the words have already deviated from mere casual talk.

More so because her mouth looks gentle, but the depths of her eyes were not smiling.

As I thought, I am no good with her.

And, the one at her side is probably the hero. He is standing right beside the princess, so there’s no mistake, right?

He is supposed to be Japanese, but maybe it is called *odd-eye*, the color of his eyes are different and the color of his hair is a natural silver.

Did he tamper with his appearance?

Or was he originally a half or a quarter?

I heard that he was two years younger from senpai, but his height is definitely over 180cm. A handsome man that wouldn’t look out of place in this world of hyumans.

I see. This type of people is what that Goddess prefers huh.

“Right. I can’t just be happy about our reunion. Raidou-dono, I will introduce you. The person here is the one providing support to our country, hero Tomoki-sama.” (Lily)

As I thought.

“You are the hero-sama huh. Nice to meet you, I am the representative of the Kuzunoha Company, name is Raidou. I am honored to meet you.” (Makoto)

“Iwahashi Tomoki.” (Tomoki)

While doing his greeting, he looks at me seriously.

“What is it?” (Makoto)

“Don’t ‘what is it?’ me. You are a Japanese, right? Your face is not that of a hyuman, and it doesn’t seem like you are a demi-human either. Also, you are using an obvious fake name like Raidou.” (Tomoki)

…

I was exposed in an instant.

Hah…

Well, it is true that I don’t have a nice face. And the name Raidou is also one that can be easily pointed out by people that know of it.

Hm… but is it something that can be instantly pointed out?

Is he quite the gamer?

Senpai didn’t react much to the name Raidou after all.

“Ahahaha. Well, a lot happened and I am doing business here.” (Makoto)