Chapter 6: Arrival at the Holy Capital
As we landed on the grassland beside the street, curious gazes and surprised voices surrounded us. Parting the crowd that was watching us from a distance, soldiers in silver metal and leather armor appeared.
“Y-you there! Wait!”
They called for us to wait even though we hadn’t moved yet. As I turned to face the soldiers after just getting down from the driver’s seat, they hurriedly took up battle positions.
As I was wondering what to do, Alabaster jumped out of the carriage.
“W-wait! I am Alabaster-Domek, Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard! This carriage is not hostile! Lower your guard!”
At Alabaster’s shouting with a panicked look, the soldiers hastily took their hands off their weapons.
“L-Lord Alabaster!?”
“You’ve already returned!?”
Murmurs of surprise could be heard, but the tension eased for now. Confirming this, Alabaster cleared his throat exaggeratedly.
“Ahem! While our arrival method was mistaken, this was an experiment with new magic! There’s nothing to worry about! That said, your swift response was excellent! I hope you’ll continue to demonstrate your strength as valiant soldiers of the Holy Empire!”
“Y-yes, sir!”
As Alabaster vigorously threw out his excuse and words of praise, the soldiers straightened their backs and replied.
For some reason, several passersby applauded this scene, but Alabaster only raised one hand in response before turning to one of the soldiers.
“I request passage permission! The list of authorized persons will be issued at a later date!”
“U-understood! Please proceed!”
The soldiers replied. A few remained in place, while the others began calling out to move the people lined up at the city gate to the edge of the road.
Feeling bad about this, I spoke up.
“It’s alright. If we’re granted permission to pass, we’ll go over from above.”
“Huh?”
Seeing the soldiers tilt their heads at my words, I smiled as I touched the carriage door and cast a flight spell.
The carriage lifted as if it had lost gravity, and I floated up as if being pulled by it.
We rose above the height of the city gate in about five seconds, receiving dumbfounded stares from soldiers and passersby.
“Sensei Aoi! You’ve forgotten someone!?”
Alabaster’s shout came from the ground.
It seems we had forgotten Alabaster. Come to think of it, he had gotten out of the carriage to explain to the soldiers.
“Alabaster, please pass through the city gate as usual. And I’m sorry, but it would be helpful if you could notify people where we’re landing to minimize confusion.”
“Won’t there be confusion no matter what if a carriage descends from the sky!?”
“You’re right… Then, please keep the confusion to a minimum.”
“Wha-!? I-I understand!”
After asking him to explain the situation, Alabaster hurriedly started running towards the city gate.
Since there were no horses pulling the carriage to begin with, I had intended to move by levitation.
Therefore, we continued to receive curious glances as we moved along the main street that ran straight through the center of the Holy Capital.
Soldiers marched alongside the slowly flying carriage, probably fearing collisions.
“You there, merchant! Don’t approach this carriage!”
“Please clear the way! You there, move to the side of the road!”
The surroundings became noisy, and some people, finding the flying carriage curious, tried to approach. The eyes of merchants, in particular, gleamed like predators eyeing their prey.
Sensing the atmosphere around us, Strauss and the others waiting inside the carriage refrained from showing their faces. Normally, Aile would probably want to jump out of the carriage and experience the city firsthand, but she’s showing good restraint.
The ground is paved with stone, but the city is lined with white buildings, giving an atmosphere reminiscent of a Mediterranean tourist destination. At first glance, it’s a very well-maintained and beautiful cityscape, with lively expressions and voices from the people passing by.
Most of the talk is about the flying carriage, but some voices are directed at me.
“Hey, could that small girl be…”
“No, no, there must be a terrifying magician inside the carriage. She’s probably just one of the attendants.”
It seems they understand that the carriage is floating by magic and are trying to identify who’s casting the spell. From what I hear, no one in the crowd seems to conclude it’s me.
However, the soldiers who followed us when we passed through the city gate are different. They heard my conversation with Alabaster.
The soldiers glance at me while keeping watch over the street.
“You there, move aside!”
“What? Who do you think I…”
A young soldier called out sternly to a fully armored man walking nonchalantly in the middle of the main street. As the armored man turned around irritably, about to complain, the soldier’s eyes widened as he issued another warning.
“Move aside if you don’t want to die!”
“Hmm…”
When the soldier shouted with a fierce expression, the man reluctantly retreated to the edge of the street.
It’s like a daimyo’s procession. While it might be better that we’re not making everyone prostrate themselves, it’s undoubtedly causing inconvenience.
“…Please try not to use such harsh language.”
I called out, but the soldiers’ faces only turned pale. I hope strange rumors don’t start spreading…
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Mapleleaf Holy Empire.
It is widely known that the emperor, the country’s representative, is educated as one descended from divine blood.
Long ago, in the land where the current Holy City stands, there was a religion known as Mapleleaf Holy Faith, and a small settlement centered around it. A merchant guild visited that settlement and eventually took residence.
At that time, the saint, believed to be of divine blood, lived quietly, helping only those who sought them out. However, the merchants were deeply saddened by this.
“Why not spread the wonderful teachings of Mapleleaf Holy Faith more widely? Why not help more people?”
Moved by these words, the saint began to preach the teachings of the faith far and wide. To protect the followers, the saint declared the foundation of a nation.
Thus, the Mapleleaf Holy Empire was born, as history tells it.
Since then, Mapleleaf has focused its efforts on researching healing magic to help people. People from all over the world flocked to the country, rapidly making it a powerful nation.
It is said that when the empire absorbed neighboring small countries, the saint began to claim the title of emperor.
Was it the exceptional business sense of the merchants who realized the power of religion? Or was the saint so charismatic that their influence was overwhelming?
Either way, the first emperor’s reign saw the rapid rise of the Mapleleaf Holy Empire, which quickly gained prominence on the world stage.
Around this time, the noble families that formed the core of the nation also emerged, and it became a rule that the Prime Minister, the second most powerful position in the country, would always come from the lineage of the original merchants.
“…Is the strong class system of Mapleleaf because merchants run the country’s administration?”
Strauss muttered, frowning as he looked at me.
“Please be mindful of what you say. We’re in the royal castle now.”
He warned me with a reproachful look.
The room we were in was spacious, about the size of 20 tatami mats. Beautiful patterns adorned the walls and ceiling, and decorative items like vases and weapons were displayed at regular intervals along the walls. Ten comfortable single-seater sofas were arranged with small round tables next to each one.
At the only entrance stood two knights in silver armor, holding spears like staffs. They stood perfectly still. There were two windows as well, but they were barred like a prison, making it impossible to open them.
The room was luxurious, but it felt a bit stifling. I sat with Strauss and Eliza, while Court and Shenley were seated on the sofa across from us. Shenley’s slightly gloomy expression caught my attention, perhaps from nerves.
Meanwhile, Aile and the others were looking out the window or pacing around the room.
Watching them out of the corner of my eye, I shook my head at Strauss’ words.
“It’s strange to get angry just because someone points out a system officially established by the country. Since this is a great nation, I’m sure they’re confident enough to explain their system without taking offense.”
“I… I get it. Just please, keep quiet now.”
Strauss quickly covered my mouth with his hand, panicking. It was rare to see him flustered, and I watched him curiously until he realized and backed off.
“Ah… sorry.”
Eliza, too, was watching Strauss with interest. Indeed, the two knights at the door were glaring at us, creating a tense atmosphere.
Still, I found it hard to believe Strauss would be so unsettled. Was the Mapleleaf Holy Empire really such a dangerous country?
By the way, the class system I had mentioned earlier referred to a hierarchical structure within the empire.
Initially, all the followers of Mapleleaf Holy Faith were human, which is why other races tend to be lower in the social hierarchy. However, those who convert to Mapleleaf Holy Faith move up one rank, and those who work as magicians or in governmental roles rise another rank.
The highest-ranked citizens are humans with magical talent who also serve in the government as followers of Mapleleaf Holy Faith. In contrast, the lowest-ranked citizens are non-humans with no magical talent, working as apprentices in general jobs while following other religions. Exceptions like Alabaster are extremely rare.
This class system not only affects the quality of life and access to education but also impacts the severity of punishment for crimes.
While there is no official slavery, the lowest-ranked citizens in the Mapleleaf Holy Empire are treated like slaves, used for cheap labor.
What’s even more troubling is that devout followers of the faith blindly obey, allowing the empire to manipulate even the highest-ranked citizens. In a way, the Mapleleaf Holy Empire has created the most efficient nation possible, though I can’t say I’m a fan of their methods.
As I mused over the history of the Mapleleaf Holy Empire, the door to the room opened from the outside.
“Everyone, the Emperor of the Mapleleaf Holy Empire, His Majesty Diagio, is ready to meet with you. Please, come this way.”
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