The meeting place was relatively easy to find.
　In the first place, there was only one inn along the main street where you could see the castle of the emperor.

　If they were all at the same height and spaced evenly, the Imperial City could only be seen from the stores along the avenue.
　Although I wondered what this meant when I was told that I would find out right away.

Surely, you get the idea.
I know. However, I don't think it was necessary to be so far-fetched in this case: ......
"...... any reason?
Well, anyway, let's go inside.

　Although half-convinced and half-unfathomed, Allen and the others entered the inn where the meeting place was located.

　By the way, the reason I knew it was an inn is because there was a signboard that said so.
　On the contrary, if there is no signboard, there really is no difference between it and the surrounding buildings, so that you wouldn't think it was an inn.
　To be honest, I was a little apprehensive about what was going on inside, but fortunately, or should I say, when I opened the door, there was an inn-like reception area.

　But what surprised me was when I announced Curtis' name there.
　I was told that my companion was already waiting for me.

　I told him Curtis's name because I had decided in advance to use it as a rendezvous name, and of course I don't think it would be the same as any other.
　But Allen and the others arrived here as soon as they entered the city.
　Although they walked down the main street, not much time must have passed.

　You're going to be able to find out what you're looking for, and you're going to be able to find it.
　You will be able to find the best way to get the most out of your new job.

I'm glad to see you all here safely. But you all arrived surprisingly quickly, didn't you?
"No, I think that's your line.
I don't know, ...... we're not supposed to be on a side trip or anything, are we?
Well, we used a carriage. I think it's only natural that we'll arrive sooner than you.

　I'm sure you'll be able to see that Curtis and his team got into a carriage while Allen and his team headed into town on foot.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going to be the best way to get the most out of your new job, and I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going to be the best way to get the most out of your new job, and I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going to be the best way to get the most out of your new job.

　You will be able to find out the best way to get the most out of your time.
　We haven't wasted any time.

Hmmm ......, all right. I've got more important things to do now. Oh, and I'm just wondering, is it okay that I mentioned Curtis' name like you asked?
Oh, I've been wondering that too. Well, maybe it's not so much what happens when you tell a mere innkeeper your name, but it's what happens.
Oh, that's not a problem. This inn is often used as a meeting place due to its location, and one of the reasons for this is the rule of not telling anyone what you see and hear here. And since this is an authorization from the emperor, even the emperor can't ask for the identity of the visitor, nor can he tell you who has been here.
Wow, there is such a thing. I mean, you admit it.
"...... empire, unique?
Maybe. That's often the case as we continue to bring in different species and nations. Whatever people think of it. ...... whatever people think of it.
"Curtis ......?
Oh, I'm sorry . I'm sorry. But I have something else to tell you all.

　That said, Curtis had a vaguely confident smile on his face.
　To look like that in this situation.

"Let me know, like ...... found out where Henriette is, or something?
"Huh?　Was it easy to understand: ......?
Well, there's only so much you can tell them in this situation.
...... and its face.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I couldn't hide my happiness.
"Glad, is ......?

　Sure, it's nice to know where you are, but I'm not so sure it's a happy thing.
　As long as you're caught, you shouldn't be happy.

Yes, normally happy would not be the right word, but ...... is where my sister is because that's where she is.
"Does that mean that ...... is being treated not badly?
"Not only is it not bad, I think it's the best I could think of. After all, I heard that you are in the imperial city now.
"...... Teicheng?　And that's it?

　As Milene looked out the window, the majesty of the imperial castle that she had seen earlier was there.
　And Curtis nodded clearly at it.

Yes, the imperial castle.
It's not like you're in an imperial dungeon at ...... or anything, of course, is it?
There are no dungeons in the Imperial City. As long as the emperor is there, we can't keep criminals nearby, even if they are isolated.
Doesn't that drastically contradict the situation with Henriette now?

　Henriette should have been brought here as a criminal.
　It's strange to be in a place where criminals shouldn't be.

"No, this isn't so strange. There is a high possibility that she was brought in as the main culprit in the assassination of the emperor, and as long as she was brought in by the Kuro Wolf Knights, her guilt is almost certain. But the crime is not yet confirmed. And although she has no real power, she is the de facto head of the marquise family: ......
"Can't we keep them in ...... dungeons or something?
I guess that's what it is. Well, I don't know who made that decision: ......


I don't know ......?　What do you mean you don't know?
In any case, it is the emperor who decides these things. But ......
"I see, because the emperor is not there.
Yes. Currently, the five members of the royal family and the heads of the various dukes have the right to do so, but we don't know who made the decision, as expected: ......

　However, the most likely candidate seems to be someone from the duke's family.
　Although the royal family has authority, it is doubtful that they can make the right decision due to their lack of practical experience.

　Therefore, if the emperor's seat is vacated for some reason, the consent of all members of the duke's family would be needed to make a decision, and someone from the duke's family would be the one who can offer such an opinion.

Well, it doesn't really matter who makes the decision.
I'm sure you're right. I would like to thank you later on because of that your sister is not in a difficult situation because of that ...... but right now I have other things to do. Anyway, that's why my sister is under house arrest at the imperial city.
"House arrest or ...... well, that's a pretty prestigious treatment for a guy I was expecting, isn't it?
Yes. However, it made it difficult for us.
Ah ...... well, you're right. That means you'll have to sneak into the imperial castle. ......
"By the way, the security of the imperial castle is ......?
Of course, the best was originally put in place, and that's partly why it was determined to be the work of the devil. The lack of response to the gift was later the deciding factor. ...... That's why the next emperor has not yet been named, but I'm told that security has been tightened even further to ensure that there will be no more delays.
"Can't you go to ......?
Well, it's looking pretty grim.

　That said, it's also the story of the entire Imperial City.

　If there is an emperor, he would keep his surroundings even more fortified, but would he go that far with Henriette?
　I think there's room to maneuver.

...... somewhere in there is Henriette.

　It's really a gradual process, but it's definitely getting closer.
　With this realization, Allen squinted his eyes and gazed at the castle.