We left the city of Atratia and walked the streets for two and a half days.
In the evening of the third day, we arrived at the royal city of Greysburg.

We passed through the city gates and walked through the busy streets to the royal castle.
On the way, Satsuki and the others were looking around the street curiously.

'It's the royal capital, isn't it, that it's so lively even though the stalls will soon be closed?

'Yes, ........ This makes me feel a bit like a countryman.

'This is the first time for me to come to the capital. I'm a little nervous.

The girls were expressing their thoughts.
I look at them and come to an understanding.

'So it's your first time in the capital?

When I confirm this, Satsuki answers with pride.

'Well, I've been to other countries' royal capitals before. Isn't this your first time in the capital?

'Yes. I lived here in Greysburg as a child.''

''Really? So Will is a city boy born in this big city.''

'No, technically speaking, he was born in the magic city of Rector. He moved here when he was a child because of his father's work. After that, I spent all my time in this city until I turned thirteen and started living in a dormitory at the magic academy in Lector.''

'Hmm. By the way, what does your father do for a living?

Satsuki casually asks me that question.
It was a question I was a little hesitant to answer, but it wasn't something I needed to hide, so I decided to answer it honestly.

'I'm a court magician in the royal city of Greysburg. I believe he's currently working as a division commander.

'Huh? I'm the head of the court magician of the royal capital!

Then, Cyril came from the side, showing an amazing reaction as he took a bite.
His mouth was agape, and he seemed to be unable to formulate a second sentence.

At the sight of Cyril, Satsuki tilted her head.

'Hmm, what's that, amazing?

'It's amazing! Because, first of all, the court magicians of the royal capital are a group of extremely talented people who are especially skilled among the mage class magicians. In addition, the top among them is ......, which means that they are the top of all magicians in this country!

When Cyril said this, he looked pale and trembled.

Still, Cyril seems to have a tendency to give too much importance to human abilities.
Perhaps it is because he is capable in his own right and has a strong sense of competition and self-esteem. .......

I'm going to give my own take on this for Cyril.

'Well, I admit that my father is an extremely talented sorcerer. That doesn't immediately indicate that he is a good human being. He's not as good as he says he is, you know.

As I said this...

Satsuki, Cyril and Mee's gazes fell on me at once.
The girls' eyes were all round, as if they had seen something strange.

'...... What is it? Did I say something funny?'

'Well, ...... I don't think I've ever heard Will say anything bad about anyone before.'

'Yes, sir.

'That's right. I was surprised, too.'

'............'

...... Am I right?

'...... No, it's probably just my imagination, or I just didn't happen to mention it. For example, I felt that the bandits who killed all the villagers in Filia's village were unforgivable, and I even remember talking behind Satsuki's back when we were killing the goblins.''

'Hmm, that's true, but ...... I don't know what to call it, I guess I'd call it a personal grudge. It doesn't feel like William. I know it's just our own image of what's typical.

'............'

......A personal grudge, a personal grudge.

I don't know.
I can't say that I don't have any, but I don't think I have any grudges or hatreds either.

If I had to say, I don't like my father or that person.
I guess that's all.

'Hey, Will ......'

'Hey, what's up Satsuki?

I suddenly realized that Satsuki was standing beside me, tugging at the hem of my robe.

When I looked at her, the black-haired ponytailed girl had tears in her eyes and looked like she was about to burst into tears.

'What ...... are you talking about behind my back?

'............'

I was at a loss for words and could only scratch my head in annoyance.

After that, Cyril interceded and we got rid of the problem, but Satsuki remained pouting for a while.



In the meantime, we arrived in front of the royal castle.

The city itself is covered with high city walls, but the royal castle within the city is surrounded by even higher walls.
In addition, the walls are surrounded by a deep moat, and the main gate must be reached by crossing a drawbridge over the moat.

We crossed the drawbridge, which was wide enough for a large carriage to cross, and informed the gatekeeper at the end of the drawbridge of our requirements.
I showed him the medallion with my coat of arms showing that I was a graduate of the Academy of Magic, and gave him the name of the person I wanted to see, and the gatekeeper said something to a young soldier in the back who looked like a messenger.

Then, as the soldier ran toward the back, the gatekeeper told us to wait here for a while.

We waited in front of the gate for a few minutes.
The soldier who had run to send the message came back, and another person I recognized came running toward us.

'Wow, it's really Will! Long time no see, how are you? How are you, ......?

A short cut of shining silver hair, with a boyish dignity and a gorgeous smile.
I'm not sure what to make of that.

This is the person who was my childhood friend and the first princess of this country, Irene Grace Lord.