Our cart clattered along conspicuously, but we were swift on the road, and no one had time to ask us any questions. I called out to Rike, who was gripping Krul’s reins.
“Hey.”
“Is something the matter?” she asked, turning to me.
“Haven’t we been passing some rather fast carriages?”
None of these carriages traveled at breakneck speed; the horses were pulling a wagon full of goods, after all. Still, we spotted a few passing by us from the opposite direction and noticed that they were pretty speedy. We also came across a few (not many) carriages going our direction that would take even our quick cart some time to overtake.
“Yeah, normally, Krul could catch up to most carriages pretty quickly, but it took some time,” Rike observed.
“Thought so,” I replied.
“Wait, do you think...?”
“I’d say it’s likely.”
I nodded, knowing that Rike had drawn the same conclusion. Our carriage was simply constructed, but it utilized a leaf spring suspension system. The speed of Forge Eizo’s carriage was due, in no small part, to Krul’s raw power, but the springs also supported our vehicle and increased our pace.
The roads throughout the kingdom weren’t paved or well maintained. These paths were hardened and timeworn thanks to many people walking and riding over them. They might’ve been maintained on occasion, but the wheels of carriages would still clatter along the rough surfaces, making for a bumpy ride. Leaf springs absorbed the impact of the bumpy road, creating a gentler experience for riders, and they also helped the carts move along smoothly.
I’d taught Camilo about this technology. I wanted to avoid affecting the technological advancement of this world too much, but the leaf spring suspension system was a simple design, and I didn’t think it would change history too much. I’d hoped my friend could capitalize on my idea. Last I heard, he was just shy of being able to mass-produce the leaf springs idea...but all these swift carriages around us made me think that he’d successfully monetized the suspension system.
Maybe a day will come where Krul will struggle to overtake other carriages. How will I console and cheer her up then? Well, I guess I don’t need to worry about Krul feeling down just yet.
As I pondered this, our drake-drawn cart, helped by the suspension system, rolled along the road, headed straight for the capital.
After a while, stone tiles overtook the packed dirt of the rural road—this was proof that the capital was just a stone’s throw away. In terms of military tactics, it was probably unwise to make the path to the capital an easy and smooth ride, but the kingdom’s center had appearances and dignity to uphold. It would be uncouth to have a bumpy road into the capital. Our cart, which had been bouncing around slightly before, began to roll more smoothly. The road was clearly much more even here.
Diana looked off into the distance. “We’re close.”
We all nodded. It would still be a good while until we found out what exactly was happening in the capital, and we were rather nervous about what the future held.
The mood was suddenly shattered when a loud, relaxed voice called out, “Hello there!”
That came from the side of the road, right? It sounded like a lady’s voice... I turned toward the voice and spotted a familiar face.
“Catalina!” I cried.
As I greeted her, the rest of my family waved. She darted toward our cart with incredible speed. Rike tugged on the reins slightly, slowing Krul down, and that was more than enough for Catalina to catch up. She jumped onto our cart with the utmost elegance and grace. Agile as usual, I see... I’m not really sure if a servant is supposed to be this nimble, frankly...
“You’re ferrying something important!” Catalina exclaimed. “I considered picking you up in the forest, but I didn’t want to miss you!”
“I see,” I replied.
“Rike, I can take over—you can just sit back and relax!”
“Huh?” Rike’s eyes widened. “Oh! Thank you very much.”
Taken aback by Catalina’s energy, Rike obediently stepped away from the coachman’s seat. Just as the capital’s buildings began coming into view, I asked Catalina if she knew anything about the situation we were involved in.
“Well,” she said. “It’s not looking good! I can tell you that much!”
She seemed to have some insight but didn’t provide much information. Which means I probably shouldn’t pry further for now.
“You know, just the other day...” Catalina started.
She was like a radio—she rapidly informed us of current events without stopping to take a breather, and we all fell silent, nervously listening to her report. When our cart reached the entrance of the capital, she took a wooden token from her pocket, allowing us to roll inside without any issues. For the time being, this drake-drawn cart belonged to House Eimoor, the coachman was an employee of House Eimoor, and we even had a pass for entry—there was no need to explain our identities to the guards at the gate.
And so, despite the early hour of the day, we managed to skip the long line of people that were waiting to be admitted into the capital. I could practically feel some people shooting daggers at us as we cut the line and sped right in. It seems we’re in a rush today, so I can turn a blind eye, but I wouldn’t want to cut the line to the capital during less urgent times (though I also wouldn’t visit the capital for less urgent matters anyway). Receiving these glares doesn’t feel good; it’s not worth cutting the line normally. Ugh, this mindset of refusing to stand out must come from my Japanese background. I don’t really want to be thought of as weird—I probably shouldn’t touch upon this topic with anyone else.
Our cart raced through the capital. A drake wasn’t a common sight, even in a diverse place like this. Under the curious gazes of the populace, we headed straight for the city’s center—the heart of the capital protected by two layers of walls, where nobles mostly resided. While we attracted some attention in the center, no one was rude enough to ask to buy our drake. Our coachman was an employee of the house of an up-and-coming count who had ties to the margrave—this fact probably helped too.
After a short while, our cart rolled into the Eimoor residence. Matthias immediately stepped out to greet us. He was slightly standoffish, a man of few words, but he was very considerate and kind. He was the horse master for House Eimoor, and I’d become acquainted with him during the monster subjugation campaign.
“Hey,” Matthias said, raising a hand to greet me. He wasn’t smiling at all, but by his standards, he was being very friendly with us.
“Hi there,” I replied. “Sorry to trouble you, but I’ll leave them in your care.”
I was talking about Krul, Lucy, and Hayate. Maribel was currently hidden in Helen’s pocket; she didn’t make a peep, and Matthias didn’t notice her. I’d had Maribel hide during the trip too, since it would only raise further questions if a fire spirit was in the public eye. I hid her from Matthias for his sake—I didn’t want this secret to take a mental toll on him. He wasn’t expressive, but he seemed terrible at lying, and ignorance truly was bliss. I thought this would be better for him.
“Sure thing,” Matthias replied with a nod. He even clumsily cracked a smile. This was the brightest expression he could muster, and I knew that all too well.
We stepped off the cart, carrying the box that contained Divine Dragon’s Claw. At this point, we had to part ways with Krul, Lucy, and Hayate for just a short while. Catalina, despite maintaining her usual, laid-back tone, rushed us ahead and led the way into the manor.
I was already quite used to this view. This was my friend’s house, but even so, I didn’t feel like a simple blacksmith should have the honor of visiting his lavish residence so frequently. And yet, the reality was that I knew this place well—well enough to know the rough layout of the rooms and where I was headed. If my memory served me correctly, we were headed for a sitting room large enough for groups, and I assumed that this was where we’d learn some more details about the present debacle. Which reminds me...
“Where’s Bowman?” I asked Catalina.
Bowman, who sported a large physique, was the head servant within this manor. Usually, he was the first to greet us and guide us into the manor. Is he busy handling other guests within this residence?
“Ah, well, he has other work to tend to,” Catalina said, glancing my way and furrowing her brow slightly.
“I see.” All right, I won’t pry.
Catalina turned to face forward when we reached our destination. She knocked on the door that was all too familiar.
“We’re coming in,” she called.
“Go ahead,” Marius replied from inside.
She opened one of the double doors and ushered us inside; we all bowed to Catalina as we stepped into the room. I wasn’t surprised by the faces that were gathered before us: Marius, Camilo, and the margrave. Referring to them as the “usual crew” makes me feel like I’m a part of that, and I don’t really want to be...
After a quick greeting, we were encouraged to take our seats, and we all sat. I placed the box with Divine Dragon’s Claw on the table. Once we all got comfortable, Marius broke the silence.
“Now then, shall we begin?”
“Very well.” The margrave nodded solemnly.
He looks a bit annoyed by all the trouble. Is this a political affair? I mean, to be fair, I didn’t expect this to be anything but political.
“Ah, sorry.” Marius pointed at the box on the table. “Before we get to business, is that what I think it is?”
I nodded. “You can peek inside if you like.”
“Really? Don’t mind if I do...”
He grabbed the box and gently opened it up. Camilo and the margrave crowded around Marius to also peer inside. Camilo doesn’t have the status, but if the margrave had been so curious, he could’ve just opened it himself.