Chapter 364: Into the Noble District
The streets were surprisingly normal, much more so than I had anticipated. With troops stationed outside the gates, I had expected the atmosphere to resemble that of a Stampede alert at Satanis Garden.
While some residents were taken aback by the TYPE Series following us, others were buzzing with excitement, their energy palpable.
As I listened to the surrounding chatter, the predominant sentiment was that the Chancellor was dead. While I had no intention of killing him, socially speaking, he might as well be, so perhaps they weren’t entirely wrong.
“…But why is the talk about the Chancellor spreading so fast?”
“Why, you ask? Because I requested it to be spread,” Ivan replied casually.
“Huh?”
Ivan, who had been scanning the area, suddenly fixed his gaze on me.
“Now that I think about it, Ivan was the only one who wasn’t around because of a request.”
I vaguely remembered him saying he was heading to the Royal Castle after making an appointment.
“Wait, is it really okay for things to get this out of hand?”
“It’s precisely the chaos we wanted,” he said, explaining how it was necessary to prevent being crushed by power as we walked down the Main Street, leading the TYPE Series. The Royal Capital had a broad road running north to south, with the western section designated as the Noble District, at the heart of which stood the Royal Castle.
As we progressed, arrows occasionally flew in from unknown sources, but each one was swiftly captured and tossed into a cage. The close-quarters sniping in the city was far more effective than when they had been targeting us from the road, yet it was all in vain. It had become almost routine at this point.
Soon, the walls surrounding the Noble District came into view. While we had bypassed the guards when entering the Royal Castle, we would need to pass through the entrance manned by the guards of the Noble District.
So far, we had faced little resistance, but the entrance to the Noble District was bound to be different.
“Wow, their defenses look pretty solid,” Ivan whispered, eyeing the impressive group of armored guards stationed at the entrance.
“There are so many horses too! Just like mine!” Phonia exclaimed, happily petting Nil, who was riding with her.
The military had been stationed outside, while here we faced the knight order. Though fewer in number due to the city setting, they seemed more capable than the soldiers outside. There were about fifty infantry knights and fifty cavalry.
“Stop right there!”
As expected, a cavalryman stationed at the entrance called out. Despite having brushed off countless commands to halt, it seemed these guards were oblivious to our past encounters.
“Why would we stop?” I retorted.
“You are Shu, an S Rank Adventurer. Beyond this point lies the Noble District! You are prohibited from entering! Halt immediately!”
Hearing his words, I slowly came to a stop.
“Oh? So what you’re saying is that the Chancellor’s corruption is being covered up by the state?”
If I was being told not to come forward while claiming to have evidence of his wrongdoing, that was the implication, wasn’t it? I had no intention of stopping, but the man’s words piqued my interest, and I shot back with a glare. Given that a Crime of Overthrowing the State had been issued, it seemed unlikely they would accept any evidence.
“That’s not the case! I’m telling you to follow the proper procedures!”
I see? While his argument had a hint of validity, it felt more like a ploy to keep us out. However, I believed there were instances where even the proper procedures could be obstructed.
“I see. And if I were to follow the proper procedures, what are the chances of it being suppressed along the way?”
I was certain that the possibility wasn’t zero. After all, being the Chancellor, he must have connections everywhere.
“…”
“Rejected.”
The moment he hesitated to respond, it indicated the possibility of suppression. I had intended to present the evidence directly to the Royal Castle to avoid such a scenario. Even if he had answered immediately, I had no reason to trust the words of a stranger. Ultimately, our course of action remained unchanged.
I resumed my steps toward the Noble District.
“W-Wait! Even so, I can’t let you pass through here!”
“If the evidence doesn’t reach the highest authority, then perhaps you should step aside.”
As it seemed our persuasion had failed and they were preparing to forcefully block our path, the knights behind the cavalryman began to move. The cavalry formed a line across the Main Street, while the infantry knights positioned themselves behind them.
We didn’t halt our advance and instead cast a Spatial Isolation Barrier across the width of the street. Although we were still some distance from the cavalry, the barrier was set right in front of them, carefully placed in the air to avoid affecting the horses.
“Guh, w-what is this!?”
As we pressed forward, the barrier advanced with us, causing the riders to be unseated while I instructed the TYPE Series to capture each knight one by one.
In a one-on-one situation, the capture was completed swiftly. The knights struggled, but it seemed they couldn’t escape the firm grip of the TYPE Series.
“There’s not much resistance, is there?”
“That’s a hassle in its own way…”
Rio sighed, and I felt a complex mix of agreement and relief. The lack of resistance made things easier, after all.
“Once we reach the castle, will the Royal Guards come out to greet us?”
Ivan sighed in exasperation.
“Indeed. I wonder if they’ll put up a bit more of a fight.”
Rio seemed pleased at the prospect, while I merely shrugged.
“Regardless, we’re entering the Noble District now. There’s no need to hold back, so let’s make a grand entrance.”
“Okay!”
“Understood!”
“Got it!”
“Woof!”
“…Moderately, please.”
For some reason, Ivan seemed to be the only one who was hesitant.