It's still busy.

　I think about that as I look out at the view from inside the swinging carriage. Seeing me like that, Alexia, who is sitting in front of me, laughs with a chuckle. ........what?

'That's true. They say it's the most populous city on the continent.

　You're the most numerous on the continent. We're currently leaving the royal residence and coming to the imperial city of Grahalm. Just as Alexia just said, the imperial capital of Grahalm is the largest city on the continent with the most people.

　The population is about half a million. One tenth of the number of people in the Regalia Empire live in this imperial capital.

　The reason why we are in such a place is because the messengers of the Regalia Empire came to the Royal Domain about two weeks ago.

　We had heard from the king before that the Regali Empire was going to hold a party for friendship, but the messengers actually came and handed us a letter of invitation.

　General Melia and others came to stop them, saying it was a trap, but they had already decided to go, so they all reluctantly obeyed.

　The people who came to the imperial capital were me and Alexia. Krona as me and Alexia's maid of honor. General Melia, Dagris, and Burton as my guards. Elea and Shizuku came along as Alexia's bodyguards, and about 2,000 Nanor soldiers, who were under General Melia's command, came along with us.

　The rest of the fiancées are staying at the royal residence. Even if it's for the sake of friendship, that doesn't mean there aren't people who have a grudge against us. We can't bring everyone to such a dangerous place.

　Helen remains as deputy deputy, and General Melia's second-in-command is staying behind in the royal domain with all the other soldiers together. As for the defense, Caro is there, and in case there's a battle, Ferris and Aeris are there as well. Kate and the others are also left behind, so they should be fine.

'But it's so lively, it's hard to believe it's after the war. It's a far cry from the villages we've been passing through.

　All the villages on the way to the Imperial City were lackluster and listless. On top of that, the only people in the village were women and children and old men. There were still no young men in the village.

　From what I heard, the men who had been drafted into the army had not yet come back, even though the war was over. They said they hadn't died, though, because they'd been sent letters.

Are they still up to something?

'I don't know about that, but the next time they try to attack us, the rest of the world won't shut up. That's how the war was settled at the end.

　No matter how much I think about it, I can't think of a purpose for it... We're both grunting and groaning, when I feel something warm snagging next to me with a snap. I looked to see what it was and saw that Krona was stuck to it.

'What's the matter, Krona?'

　For some reason, as I poked Krona's cheeks, which were puffed up, I asked

I miss talking to you alone!

　And then he comes in. Me and Alexia looked at each other and laughed. He's a cute guy. I pick Krona up and sit her on my lap. Krona gets flustered, but this will make it easier to talk to her.

'I'm sorry, Krona. I'm sorry, Krona, but this should make it easier for you to talk to me. That's right Krona. I'm going to buy some souvenirs for everyone in the imperial capital, what do you think would be good?

　From then on, the three of us were trying to think of a good souvenir for everyone until we arrived at the Imperial City.

　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

　As the three of us were getting excited about what a good souvenir would be, the door was knocked on from outside. I opened the window and saw General Melia pulling his horse up to the carriage.

'What's up?'

''Yes. We've just arrived at the Imperial City's imperial city, please get ready to go.

Okay.

　We get ready to get off the carriage. There's nothing in particular to do when I say prepare. My stuff is in the item ring.

"Krona. Basically, you'll have to stay with us. If you have to leave for an audience or something, you must be with someone, such as General Melia. Never be alone, okay?

I understand.

　Krona nods to me divinely. In the meantime, the imperial side is also pretending to be friendly, so I don't think they'll do anything, but it's just to prevent any eventuality from happening. I've told everyone else the same thing.

　And the shaking carriage stops. The door is opened from the outside, and we get out of the carriage in order, starting with Alexia. I get out of the carriage and look around and see that I'm surrounded by regalia soldiers. A slumped old man comes out from among them.

I'm glad you're here. I am the Prime Minister of this country, Brooklyn Jan MacArthur.

Yes, I'm Alexia Nanor. I'll be looking after you for the duration of your stay.

　Most likely, he wanted to give the Imperial side an advantage in a small way. That's why he has us surrounded by so many soldiers, and then the Prime Minister comes over to talk to us in a pompous manner. But, unfortunately, Alexia is also used to this degree. She returned it with room to spare.

Then come in.

　He walked into the imperial castle with a bitter look on his face. I'd say I'm annoyed that things didn't go as I had hoped. Is it okay for the Prime Minister to express his emotions so easily?　I don't know.

　But now we're entering the tiger's mouth. No soldiers can follow us in there. I know what's coming, so you should be prepared for anything. But if you come in contact with my people, I want you to be prepared for that.

All three of you, please.

Yes, Master!

"Leave it to me, my Lord.

　In case something happens, two spirits will be assigned to me, Alexia and the guards. The spirits are said to be able to talk to each other even from afar, so they'll be our liaison in case something goes wrong. I've asked Light to stay behind in the royal domain.

　We're ready to go. Good, let's go.