"We've been expecting you, Herr Linneburg.
　Please come with me.

　As the carriage entered the cathedral, there was a sort of boarding area where I parked the carriage and got off.

I'll show you to your room.
"Yes, thank you.

　We followed her into the large building.
　After a very wide corridor, we came to an even wider dome-shaped space.
　From there, there were several corridors as wide as the one we had just walked through, all with numerous doors leading to some room.

...... is amazing. It looks like there's a city inside the cathedral.
Yes. This place is so large and complex that it is said that if you get lost, you will never find your way out.
　You have to be careful not to get lost.
"Right, okay.

　We followed the woman in the white robe up the stairs and into the cathedral.

...... Really, it's huge.

　I think we've walked through the building for quite a while now, but we still haven't found the room we want.
　It seems to be a very large building, just as it looks from the outside.
　It certainly looks like it's hard to get out if you're lost.

This way, please. Come in.

　After a while, I was led to a small room with a window.
　The window was very large for the size of the room, and the greenery of the garden outside seemed to jump into the room, making me feel good.

　However, it was a strange room.
　I couldn't see any door leading anywhere from here.
　As I was thinking that perhaps the four of us were going to spend the night in this small room, suddenly a woman got on the floor in the center of the room, which was covered with a pale and shiny pattern, and disappeared.

What happened to ......?　Where did that person go? ......?　...... And what's with the glowing floor?
Was this your first time?　It's a teleportation ward for ascending and descending. They're common in Mithra.
"For ascending and descending?　...... warding?
Yes, sir. The cathedral is a very tall building, so it has this kind of mechanism to move up and down the floors.
　It's very convenient to use.
　We don't want to keep him waiting, so we'll go with him.
"......, do I just get on?
Yes. Yes, that's fine.



　Leanne led the way, and as I stepped fearfully onto the floor, I felt as if I were floating for a moment.
　And then I realized that the view out the window had changed to a much higher one.

　I got goosebumps from ────.

　When I was upset, Leanne, Rollo and Inez came up behind me.

...... You're up pretty high, aren't you?
Yes. I'm told the guest rooms are on the higher floors.
This way. Come in.

　I followed the woman and she led me down a wide corridor.
　The room was decorated in a much more luxurious way than the previous one, and there were a lot of stone statues and paintings that looked expensive. I don't know much about their value, but I know that they are good.
　There are also things like beautifully decorated vases that seem to suck you in just by looking at them.
　As I walked along the corridor, admiring each item, I seemed to have arrived at my destination before I knew it.

This is the room for Mr. Linneburg and two others.
　The man accompanying you will be next to him.

"Yes, thank you.

"Then you may relax until noon tomorrow.
　A member of our staff will be waiting for you when the time is right.

I'll be waiting for you.

　After a brief exchange of words with Leanne, the woman who had been showing us around left.
　We each checked the room we would be staying in, and then quickly returned to the hallway.

So, what are you going to do now?

"Well, yes.
　Since we arrived so late today, Inez, Rollo and I would like to just check our outfits for tomorrow and then go to bed.
　What would you like to do, doctor?

"Well, ...... I'd like to walk around the building a bit, if that's all right.
　There's a lot I haven't seen before and I'd like to take a closer look.

Well, if you think that's a good idea, that's fine too. ...... But it's almost nighttime, and if you just want to walk around, I think it's better to wait until tomorrow.
　It is basically forbidden to go out at night in this cathedral.

...... Is that so?　Then I'll stay inside.
　The view from the window was pretty good.

　When I checked the room earlier, I looked out of the large window and saw the ground far away.
　At first I cringed in fear, but ...... as long as you stay calm and look in the distance, there is no problem.
　The view of the city of Mithra through the large window was still beautiful and I never get tired of looking at it.
　It's sunset time now, and the spires of the churches everywhere look even more beautiful.
　I think I could look at them all night long.

I'll see you tomorrow.
See you tomorrow.

　As we parted ways and were about to enter the room, I saw a boy with green hair walking towards me from the end of the corridor.


　Behind the boy, several figures in strange armor walked around him as if to protect him.

"──── Oh, there you are.
　You're too late, Leanne.
　...... Are you in some kind of trouble?
　I've been looking forward to meeting you.

"...... Prince Tyrence.

　The boy smiled happily as he walked up to Lean.
　He was a little taller than Lean.
　They looked to be about the same age.
　The green-haired boy spoke to Lean, not even looking at us around him.

I'm really happy. You came all the way here to celebrate my birthday.

"It's an honor to be invited, Prince.

　In contrast to the boy's friendly manner, Lean bowed in awe.
　So, that's the son of the country's greatest Pope that Lean was talking about earlier. ────

　──── some sort of prince.

"──── No, Lean.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　We're both officially engaged to be married.

"...... With all due respect, Prince Tyrence.
　I'm not sure if you're still playing that joke.
　I don't remember getting engaged, and it's definitely not official between the two families.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work. ──── My father doesn't even recognize the story.

──── Hmm, did he?
　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
　...... You know what that means, don't you?

"...... No.
　I have no idea why that would be.

　The green-haired boy still has the same carefree smile on his face.
　The green-haired boy is still smiling at Lean, but Lean looks much more unhappy.

　The air seems a little tense since they started talking.
　They seem to be ...... acquainted, but I wonder if they don't get along.

"Hmm, you're really bossy, you know that?
　It's not like you're going to give in no matter how much pressure I put on you.
　Only you, ......, can do that.　You're the only one who can give me that kind of look to my face.

I don't mean to be so rude, but ...... even if I were, I don't know how you could ask such a person to marry you.

I'm not going to be that hard on you, but ──── even if I were, I don't know how you could ask someone like that to marry you.
　This is why (・・・・・), you're the one.
　You are the one who deserves to be my bride.
　I'm not interested in people who are easily seduced by money or power.



"I'm flattered by the compliment, but ──── I don't think I can live up to your expectations.

──── Hmmm, you're as boring as ever.
　It's not a bad deal, I think. ......
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you can do to help. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at our own website.
　I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've never heard of it.
　I'm sure you don't understand something as simple as that. I'm just curious.

What's that ────?

It's a good thing. It'll boost your country's power.
　Why would you turn down such a lucrative offer?
　I've been waiting for you my whole life.
　Hey, look, ──── you can come to my room right now.
　Just leave those followers alone.

"Really ──── are you kidding?

　I'm not sure if you've heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to try.

"────... I think you're being too playful, Prince Tyrence.
　Anything more than that will be taken as a joke and an insult to ...... our family and will be dealt with accordingly. ──── May I?

　She now had her hand on the hilt of the golden sword at her hip.
　The armored soldiers at the side of the green boy noticed this and immediately stepped forward.
　At the same time, Inez jumped out to protect Lean.

　The two sides stared at each other between the boy and Lean.

──── "It's okay, boys.
　There's nothing to worry about, just stay back.
　She's not going to do anything, you know.

"...... Yes, the prince is right, Inez.
　This is just a greeting.
　This is the way it's always been with him.
　...... Isn't it?　Prince.
　──── unless you want to keep going.

"──── Oh, scary, scary.
　You're very impressive.
　I really thought you were going to cut me down.
　But I'm relieved to see you're still the same.
　That's my lean.

　The boy waved his hand lightly and the armored soldiers quietly fell back behind him.


　イネスも同じく、リーンの後ろへ下がった.
　リーンも剣から手を離し、少し落ち着いたようだった.

「……その軽口も、辞めていただけると嬉しいのですが」

「まあ、何はともあれ、さ？
　君はまたここに来てくれた. 僕は今はそれで十分だよ.
　明日の成人の儀(誕生日パーティ)、とても楽しみにしているからね」

「……はい. 私も明日は楽しみにしております.
　皇子のご期待には添えかねると思いますが」

「ふふ────つれないね.
　でもね、リーン. これは一応、忠告だけど」

　先ほどまでおどけていた少年が、急に真剣な表情になった.

「────ここが君の家の領地(にわ)でないということは、もちろん、わかっているだろう？　君たちが何を準備(・・)してきたのかわからないけれど、あまりおかしな動きはしないほうがいいと思うんだ.
　どうやら僕へのプレゼント、というわけじゃないみたいだしね.
　僕はお互い、無駄な血は見ないほうがいいと思ってるんだけど────君がその気なら僕らもその気になるだけだよ.
　それと、馬車の中で(・・・・・)そこの従者にお母様を老婆(・・)などと呼ばせるのも、やめたほうがいい.
　……お母様を怒らせると、あとが怖いからね」

「────それは、お互い様(・・・・)だと前に申し上げたと思いますが」

　少年はしばらくリーンを見つめた後、可笑しそうに笑い出した.

「あはは、本当に気が強いね、君は.
　それでこそ僕の見初めた人だ.
　いったい、明日君は何を見せてくれるんだろうね？
　……もしかして、本当に僕へのプレゼントだったのかな？
　ともあれ、挨拶はこれぐらいにしとこう.
　本当に明日が来るのが、待ち遠しいよ.
　じゃあね、おやすみ────良い夜を」

　緑色の髪の少年はそう言ってリーンに手を振りながら、周りの兵士たちと一緒に廊下の奥へと去っていった.
　彼らの姿が見えなくなると、リーンは一つ、息を大きく吐き出した.

「なんだったんだ、あれは？　あれがその……例のなんとか皇子か？」
「はい……彼は私の留学時代の……友人、のようなものです」
「そうか」

　とても友人という風には見えなかったが…….
　まあ、リーンはこんなところに招待されるぐらいのすごい家柄らしいから、俺のような普通の人間がわからないことも色々あるのだろう.

「……すみません、急な再会だったので少し、取り乱してしまって.
　思ったよりも疲れが溜まっていたようです.
　申し訳ありませんが、先に休ませてもらってもよろしいでしょうか？」

「ああ、それがいいだろう. ゆっくり休むといい」

　We parted ways and went into the rooms that had been set up for us.
　She said she hadn't slept well last night, and didn't seem to be in good shape.
　It would be better to get some rest early.

　That night I looked out the window at the beautiful city with its small lights and fell asleep, immersed in the afterglow of the trip.