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TL: ALT
Chapter 45 – Royal Capital Part 2
The line to enter the royal capital was extremely long, but it moved very smoothly.
If they took their time with each person, it would be night before everyone got through the checkpoint, so this was to be expected.
Watching the people enter the checkpoint one by one, Wataru was reminded of people using a train station ticket gate.
“What is your purpose for entering the royal capital?”
“Tourism is the reason. Also, my slave used to attend school here, so I plan to meet some old acquaintances.”
“I see. That’s a good reason. All right, then. Please pay the toll.”
“Yes.”
This time, Wataru and his companions were not there to sell goods as merchants but rather for procurement and tourism. Therefore, they did not need to pay a large sum of money.
Of course, extorting money from travelers in a city as large as the royal capital would only drive them away and have a negative impact, so three people wouldn’t amount to much in silver coins.
Had they brought something valuable, like sugar or spices, they would have been hit with a hefty tax.
Masques was probably paying a hefty tax as well.
Incidentally, these customs duties could be avoided in Baron Moye’s territory.
“Well, see you again when the timing is right!”
“It was a short time, but thank you for your help!”
“I’m looking forward to doing business with you!”
“I’ll be sure to ask for your help then!”
Masques said he had to check his goods, so they parted ways.
He was a nice guy who took good care of Wataru.
Wataru had no objection to continuing to do business with him in the future.
They waved goodbye and went their separate ways.
Beyond the city walls, tall buildings with uniform Western architecture lined the streets.
There were stone buildings with three or more stories.
Large crowds of people were walking around, and it was very noisy.
The tall buildings were evidence of the dense population.
Expanding a walled city with a second or third wall requires a lot of money and effort, so the city tends to grow vertically.
The population density was similar to that of Osaka’s Umeda and Namba districts.
“Wow, there are so many people! I said the same thing in Baron Moye’s territory, but there are far more people here.”
“The scale is different between a provincial capital and the royal capital.”
“This will be tough for the guards. Mariel, don’t get carried away and wander around.”
“O-Okay.”
Aire’s warning startled Wataru, who was already looking around excitedly like a tourist.
There were many street stalls, as well as something resembling a shopping district, which caught his eye.
On top of that, the aroma of something fragrant being grilled wafted through the air and stimulated his appetite.
However, he couldn’t let his guard down; he had been targeted by pickpockets before.
He made sure that his bag and wallet were secure.
“First, we need to find a place to stay.”
“Let’s go this way. I’ll show you.”
“It’s nice to have someone who knows the area. Hey, look! A minstrel is singing.”
“What a beautiful voice.”
With her keen ears, Aire listened intently to the song, a dreamy expression on her face.
Standing on a small platform, the minstrel loudly sang the praises of a hero.
The song was about a hero who fought a fallen god in the Age of the Gods and brought peace to the world.
In this world, there was once a time when gods truly manifested themselves.
“There really were strong warriors in the old days. I’ve seen Aire’s skills at the dojo, but I wonder who would be stronger if they fought.”
“I-I won’t lose!”
“I don’t doubt Aire’s skills, but the opponent is a warrior worthy of being sung about in a poem. I hope I can see the dream card someday.”
Aire angrily pulls on Wataru’s sleeve.
Even if the opponent is a legendary warrior, Aire’s strong will to win is one of her charms.
“Hmm… If I were to fight seriously, it would be on a battlefield or in a labyrinth. Other than that, it would mean you’d already have been kidnapped and wouldn’t be able to watch me fight.”
“Oh, right. Well, I trust your abilities, Aire, so I’ll just hope that opportunity never comes.”
Kidnapping is no joke.
Given how much money he was making right now, it was scary to think that something like that wasn’t impossible.
If he continued to earn more money, he could attract the attention of the nobility or a large criminal organization.
“I think that’s a good idea.
“Come on, the inn is just ahead.”
They walked down the street, led by Mariel.
Hyupos pulled the carriage down the road, so they walked slowly along the sidewalks on either side of the street.
The street was lined with lodgings and could be called a lodging district.
From the outside, they all looked solidly built and similar to each other.
There was a public bathhouse nearby that cost a large copper coin to use.
“This is the inn where my family and I stayed when we were in the capital temporarily. The food is very good. I’m sure you’ll like it.”
“Hmm, that sounds nice. But don’t nobles have mansions in the capital?”
“Only those with rich territories have mansions. My family is a poor lord in the borderlands, so we had to give up our mansion.”
“I see. I’m sorry to hear that.”
It was just a small question, but he ended up saying something he didn’t mean to say.
The inn was brighter than he had expected, probably because of the large windows.
The first floor seemed to be the reception and dining area, and the guest rooms were on the second floor.
Each piece of furniture was beautiful and elaborately crafted, befitting a place that catered to nobility.
The man at the counter noticed Mariel and widened his eyes.
“Y-You’re Mariel-sama of the Hanover family, aren’t you? Are you all right?”
“I’ve been away for a long time. Could you prepare a room for us?”
“Yes, I’ll prepare one right away.”
The man looked at her as if to ask a question but said nothing and quickly made the arrangements.
He probably knew about Mariel’s situation.
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