After that, we continued on our way to the Kingdom of Dal Canto. Even though we’d decided not to kill any more monsters on our way, and just use Soap on them, we didn’t see a single one before we got to Fatna, Dal Canto’s capital. Honestly, it was so easy, it was a letdown. It looked as if Eric’s hypothesis that monsters were decreasing was true.
“Whew, it’s been a long journey.” Sir Gaius smirked as we reached the castle gates with their royal flags flying.
We’re so close to the next Cristallo Sacro!
Or so I thought...
✦ ✦ ✦
“What? We’re staying here for a while?”
“Yep!” Miss Maria nodded to me, up to her neck in the bath.
Once we arrived at the royal castle, we were led to the baths to clean off before we saw the King. The unbelievably luxurious bath we were in now was apparently for guests. Since we were the only women, I was brought to the same bath as Miss Maria, the Sacred Maiden. As per her request, we were the only ones in the room.
“Haaaah, it’s been so long since I’ve had a bath! This is great.”
“Kyuah!”
“Wait— Wait just a second! Don’t we need to hurry!?”
Though I felt bad for saying it to Miss Maria now that she was relaxing, I was shocked. Don’t we need to purify the Cristallo Sacro to stop the monsters...?
“Well, apparently we need to get dressed up, see the King, go to a welcoming party, and finally get an official send-off for some stupid political reasons. Why do we need to do all that? I was summoned here for a reason.”
“What!?”
“Lucia, you didn’t know?”
“You did tell me that you had to stop in Hirsch for His Highness to greet the Grand Duke...”
“Yeah, that! We stopped like this in Hirsch, too. The Grand Duke is Ed’s uncle, so we got a super warm welcome. We would’ve been there even longer if Ed hadn’t gotten him to stop.”
Miss Maria looked up at the ceiling, stretching herself out. I followed her gaze to see elaborate ceiling reliefs. They were made to show the legends of the Cristallo Sacro, with the image of the tree in the center. It was a beautiful inlay, but after seeing the real ones, they were much more beautiful.
“I wish it’d all end quick. It’s such a pain to have to greet the nobles all dressed up,” Miss Maria sighed unhappily. “They all act nice, but they’re really just checking the others out. It sucks.”
I would hate that too... I’ve never had anything to do with that kind of world, so I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb.
“Not being able to bathe when you want is torture, not a welcome. Right, Shiro?”
She tilted her head at Shiro, and he mimicked her back.
“Kyuuwah!”
Unlike us in the tub, Shiro was sitting on top of a decoration, just watching us. I thought he might be bored, but whenever he was included in the conversation, he wagged his tail, so he must have been having fun in his own way. While I watched them, I thought back to the dispute that had happened before we got into the bath. People of high status never bathed alone, so being state guests, we had been accompanied by servants.
They didn’t take kindly to Shiro. Though still just a baby, he was a dragon. Even if we called him our companion, other people still saw him as a threat. They hadn’t noticed him when we entered the country since he was in the carriage, but people had screamed when they saw him in the castle. Apparently, the same thing had happened in Hirsch. Both times, Miss Maria’s stubbornness and the prince’s golden tongue won out. That was why we were all here together now, but...it seemed like it would be difficult for people to live alongside monsters.
“After this, we’re probably gonna get massaged, then thrown into the dresses they prepare, then slathered in makeup, before we finally meet with the King. It’s such a pain!”
“It’s difficult being a Sacred Maiden, huh...” I said, trying to show my sympathy.
She shot me a glare and yelled in frustration, “Why are you acting like it’s all for me? You’re gonna get it all, too!”
“Me!?”
Weren’t we making me her servant? I was surprised, but Miss Maria just started toying with her hair, smiling.
“Of course. You’re not my servant, you’re my friend — my companion! You even purified one of the Cristallo Sacro! I’d never let them treat you like a servant!”
“I’m absolutely fine with being treated like a servant...” I mumbled.
“Hm? What? Did you say something!?” She taunted me with a wonderful smile. Please, stop! Laughing as I shook my head at her, Miss Maria stretched herself out again, relaxing. “Well, you’re gonna get something massaged, soon. My back and legs hurt, so I’m looking forward to it.”
“I-It’s full-body!?”
“Of course it is! It feels good, so I wish it just stopped at that. We don’t need the rest.”
It would be my first time ever getting a massage... Is it really okay for me to get something so impressive? Though I felt a little guilty, I followed Miss Maria’s example and stretched myself out.