Chapter 12: In the Royal Capital – 10
The following morning, after having breakfast, we tidied ourselves up as best as we could and boarded the royal carriage waiting outside the inn.
After about fifteen minutes of being jostled in the carriage, we passed through the gates of the second castle wall that protects the royal castle. A further five minutes later, we emerged into the garden in front of the castle.
What greeted us outside the window was a beautifully manicured Western-style garden. Even within the fortress city, its vastness stretched beyond sight, a testament to the grandeur of a monarchy and the significance of its king.
However, what truly took our breath away was the sight of the royal castle as we disembarked from the carriage. The massive stone structure, polished to a gleaming finish, boasted craftsmanship that could never be replicated by mere advancements in science and technology.
As we stood in awe, an elderly gentleman, impeccably dressed, approached us from the entrance meant for guests.
“You must be the members of ‘Soul’s Guidance.’ I have been expecting you; please follow me.”
We followed the impeccably poised gentleman, who seemed to be a butler, into the castle.
The corridor, adorned in pure white with a crimson carpet underfoot, felt luxurious as we walked along. We were led into a waiting room furnished with exquisite decor.
Once seated on the sofa, a maid who had been waiting on us served tea. The atmosphere felt akin to that of a high-end hotel.
“Welcome, and thank you for making the long journey here. I am Raylot, and I will be your attendant. First, please take a moment to relax, and then I will inform you of the schedule and the etiquette for the audience.”
After saying this, Mr. Raylot glanced briefly at Freinir before stepping out of the room to speak with the maid.
“Freir, do you know him?” I asked.
“Yes, he was very helpful when we came here before. He should still be the head butler,” she replied.
“That’s quite a prestigious position.”
I wasn’t entirely sure how much authority a butler held in the royal castle, but being the head butler surely meant he oversaw the entire operation. It was hard to imagine someone of his stature dealing with a mere hero, which might be due to Freinir’s presence.
Shortly after, Mr. Raylot returned to inform us of the schedule and the etiquette for the audience. Thankfully, we wouldn’t need to say much; a simple greeting would suffice, and the ceremony would proceed on its own. It seemed to have been simplified to accommodate adventurers from various backgrounds.
When the time came, we followed Mr. Raylot to the audience chamber. Aside from Larni, who was fidgeting, Freinir, Sfenia, and Mariane all appeared remarkably calm. I tried to maintain a composed expression as well, but I was undeniably nervous to the point of feeling parched.
We stopped in front of a grand door, painted white and adorned with gold decorations. Looking up, it seemed to tower at least seven to eight meters high, exuding an air of formality befitting the audience chamber.
“Now, you may enter the audience chamber. Please adhere to the etiquette we discussed earlier,” Mr. Raylot instructed.
As he signaled, the attendants on either side of the door slowly opened it.
“Adventurers of ‘Soul’s Guidance,’ Soushi and five others, before His Majesty,” the attendant announced.
With that, we stepped into the audience chamber.
The room was as vast as a concert hall. The first thing that caught my eye was the empty throne about fifty meters away. The ornate pillars lining the room, the crimson carpet laid on the floor, and the marble that made up the walls and floor all centered around the throne. The intricate decorations on the walls were undoubtedly crafted by master artisans, showcasing the pinnacle of this nation’s architectural prowess.
However, what truly caught my attention was the sight of over a hundred individuals lined up on either side of the chamber, separate from the guards. All were dressed in formal attire, clearly high-ranking nobles and officials of the state. Among them was none other than Princess Margarot.
It was embarrassing to admit, but until this moment, I had thought the reward would be something as simple as a monetary bonus. I had only considered our defeat of the Kin of Twilight as a mere act of vanquishing a dangerous criminal.
But this situation was clearly far more significant. It was evident that this was a ceremony to showcase us, ‘Soul’s Guidance.’
“Step forward,” Mr. Raylot whispered to me as I momentarily froze.
I took a deep breath and slowly advanced toward the throne.
Stopping about ten meters away, I knelt down, bowing my head to await the king’s appearance.
Before long, the voice announcing “His Majesty the King has arrived” echoed through the chamber, and four presences emerged from a side door, making their way slowly to the throne. One was the king, one was an attendant, and the other two were guards.
One presence reached the throne.
“Members of ‘Soul’s Guidance,’ raise your heads,” the king commanded. However, it seemed we were not to look directly at His Majesty’s face.
“Under the decree of His Majesty, we, Soushi and five others of ‘Soul’s Guidance,’ stand before you. It is our utmost honor to serve you,” I recited the formal greeting I had memorized.
The king nodded slightly.
“You have traveled a long way. Now, Soushi, I hear you defeated one of the Kin of Twilight in Bartran the other day. Is this correct?”
“Y-Yes, that is correct.”
“Very well. The Magic Stone obtained at that time is here, is it not?”
On a tray held by the attendant was a heart-shaped Magic Stone.
“Y-Yes, that is correct.”
“Excellent. In the name of me, Zeicrid Vermillion, I hereby acknowledge the achievement of ‘Soul’s Guidance’ in defeating the Kin of Twilight. Furthermore, I shall bestow upon you a reward for this accomplishment.”
“We are grateful for your generosity.”
Thus, as previously informed, it was announced that we would receive one hundred million Rom and a medal of honor.
The content of the reward had undoubtedly been discussed beforehand, as there was no particular reaction from the surrounding courtiers. However, as we exited, I overheard whispers like, “Isn’t that from a duke’s house…?” and “Isn’t that a High Elf…?” It seemed we could not escape the attention.