Chapter 21: Armand Duchy 02
The next morning, seen off by young Raglay, we departed from the inn town.
We were told it would take almost a full day to reach the ducal capital, but since we were able to use a carriage, we arrived in front of the ducal capital’s city gate just past noon.
The ducal capital of the Armand Duchy is the second largest city in the Kingdom of Vermilion, meaning its scale is second only to the Royal Capital.
Though we had grown accustomed to the sight of the Imperial Capital, which boasted the largest scale on the continent, it was still a city overwhelming enough to impress us as we approached its city walls.
Our carriage was too conspicuous, so partway there, we switched to traveling on foot and headed towards the checkpoint before the drawbridge.
On our way to the entrance for nobles, a middle-aged guardsman who looked like a captain, along with two of his subordinates, came running towards us.
“Excuse me! Could you perhaps be the party of the ‘Guidance of Sol’?”
“Yes, that’s right. I am Okuno, the leader,” I replied.
At that, the captain and the two soldiers straightened their backs and saluted.
“Thank you for your long journey! We have been instructed by His Excellency Duke Armand to give you top priority when the party of the ‘Guidance of Sol’ arrives. A carriage from His Excellency the Duke will arrive shortly, so please wait in that rest area over there.”
“Thank you for your trouble. Understood, we’ll be in your care.”
“Yes, sir! I will guide you.”
It seemed Duke Armand had already been eagerly awaiting us.
Though, with a group as conspicuous as ours, it was inevitable that our movements would be known. Well, since we had to go to the Duke Estate anyway, the sooner the better.
Led by the soldier, we crossed the drawbridge, passed through the city gate, and entered the ducal capital.
As we waited in the building designated as a waiting area, several carriages arrived before long. They had even prepared a freight wagon for Geshura, so it seemed they had a firm grasp on our information.
A small flag bearing a family crest designed with flowers and a moon was displayed on the carriage.
I lightly tapped Freynil’s shoulder as she stared intently at the crest.
“Let’s go. It’s okay, the Freynil you are now can overcome anything. I and everyone else will help you.”
“Thank you, Soushi-sama. This crest used to seem strangely large to me, but now, it feels rather small.”
“That’s surely a good thing. Speaking of which, will I too someday have to think about things like a family crest?”
“The Okuno family crest, you mean? Isn’t that already decided?”
“Is that so…?”
As I tilted my head in thought, Lani tapped my shoulder from behind.
“No matter how you look at it, it has to be Soushi’s mace, right? There are nobles who use swords and such for their family crests.”
“That would be good, indeed. The Zanzagil House uses a katana and holly, but for Soushi-dono’s house, there could be nothing else.”
When Sakurahime agreed, the atmosphere in the place somehow relaxed. It was a good thing to be at ease before meeting high-ranking nobles. Though, concerning the ‘Guidance of Sol,’ they might be the ones who were more nervous.
In any case, this was Duke Armand, whom I had been avoiding ever since I met Freynil.
I had no idea how things would turn out, but our position was completely different from back then. I don’t need to feel intimidated, I told myself once more as I boarded the carriage.
The Duke Estate was a castle that towered splendidly on an elevated plot of land, located slightly north of the center of the ducal capital.
According to Freynil, it was originally the castle of a small country that had been annexed by the Kingdom.
The carriage entered through the castle gate and stopped in front of the castle’s main entrance. Waiting for the coachman to open the door, I disembarked from the carriage with Freynil.
About twenty people were out in front of the entrance to greet us.
Standing in the very front row was a blond man dressed in stylish noble attire, who appeared to be in his late thirties, with features so well-defined he could have been a movie actor. He bore a slight resemblance to Freynil, so he was undoubtedly Duke Armand. I had arbitrarily imagined a Duke to be older than myself, but considering Freynil’s and Mirannella-jou’s ages, it wasn’t strange for him to be around forty.
Next to the Duke stood a flashy beauty with her silver hair tied up. Beside her, Mirannella-jou stood with a sullen expression, so the woman must be the Duchess Armand. I couldn’t read any emotion from the Duchess’s face as she stared fixedly at us.
As we all walked forward, Duke Armand took a step forward and bowed lightly.
“Marquis Okuno, Her Imperial Highness Maricier, the Miko Princess of Ozz Country, and everyone from the ‘Guidance of Sol,’ welcome to the Armand Duchy. I am Oblight Armand, head of the Armand family. This is my wife, Zeolana, and my daughter, Mirannella. We are truly delighted by your visit.”
It was a greeting that felt particularly refined, even among the nobles I had met so far. I had heard that the Armand Duchy was a land excelling in arts and entertainment, and the Duke indeed had an air befitting its lord.
“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Your Excellency Duke Armand. I am Okuno, a Marquis of the Empire and an Earl of the Kingdom. Thank you for welcoming us today. We were in the midst of our journey as Adventurers, so I must apologize for not having made any preparations.”
“There is no need for apologies, as we are the ones who insisted on inviting you. My daughter has also been in your care, so it is rather I who should be expressing gratitude.”
“I am relieved to see your daughter, Mirannella-sama, looking well.”
When I replied immediately, Duke Armand’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Yes, I hear she was also greatly indebted to you. Oh, let us not stand here talking. Please, come into my residence. I am somewhat unsure if we can sufficiently entertain all of you, who are already rumored to be saviors.”
As if to avoid probing each other’s intentions, the Duke cut the conversation short and ushered us into the mansion.
Now then, I could strongly sense that he had business with Freynil. If so, would some trouble be unavoidable after all?
However, based on my first impression, the Duke appears to be a much more delicate figure than the image I had of him. Moreover, since Freynil and Lani weren’t reacting, it seemed there were no ‘Netherworld Candlestick’ affiliates in the group before us, at least.
Relieved on that point alone, I looked at Freynil’s face, and she was also looking at mine. I nodded to her before following the Duke into the mansion.
At the Duke Estate, each member of the ‘Guidance of Sol’ was assigned a private room and a servant.
We were also attended to for baths and such. Looking only at these aspects, it was indeed treatment befitting honored guests, and there was nothing suspicious or strange.
For now, Freynil seemed to be receiving the same treatment as us and hadn’t been summoned separately.
Just as I returned from my bath and was taking a breather, I received a summons from the Duke. Accompanied by a servant, I entered the drawing-room.
“Ah, Marquis Okuno, I know you must be tired, but I wished to speak with you a little before dinner, so I had you summoned.”
“I also wished to speak with Your Excellency the Duke, so please don’t trouble yourself. I hear this was originally a castle; it’s a very splendid residence.”
“Haha, we are merely reusing an old structure. It’s just that its construction is extremely sturdy, and demolishing it would be quite a hassle, so we continue to use it.”
“I see. However, the quality of original craftsmanship is a rare thing, so continuing to use it is surely the right decision.”
After such innocuous pleasantries, we sat down on sofas opposite each other for a talk.
Initially, the Duke wanted to hear about the ‘Guidance of Sol,’ so I told him a considerably abridged version, starting from around when I met Freynil.
The Duke acted as if he wasn’t particularly interested in Freynil, but when it came to the matter of the Saint Succession Ceremony in the Royal Capital, he leaned forward and asked various questions.
“…I see, so that’s how things transpired. I had heard some of it from Mirannella, but she only kept saying Freynil… no, Freynil-sama was at fault, and I couldn’t get to the heart of the matter, which was troubling.”
“As for Mirannella-sama, since the time she was active in the party called ‘Supreme Radiance,’ I had a few opportunities to see her, and it’s possible she didn’t get a good impression of us back then. In any case, I believe there was a bit of an unfortunate misunderstanding.”
“No, Marquis Okuno, you put it quite mildly, but considering Mirannella’s personality, I believe she is the one unilaterally playing the victim. What you’ve told me, Marquis Okuno, aligns with what I heard from the church.”
Saying so, the Duke sighed, pressing the bridge of his nose.
On his face, I could see a weariness that hadn’t been there back at the entrance hall. It seemed likely that he was struggling to deal with having been told various things by Miss Mirannella.
Today, Volume 2 of “Ossan Isekai Saikyou” goes on sale.
It’s a volume featuring newly written content and beautiful illustrations by peroshi-sama.
Look for the eye-catching cover featuring the High Elf Sphenia-san and Soushi’s Unusual Mace.
Please be sure to check it out!