Arcadia State
It’s already going to be 2 weeks since we left the Nanor Kingdom. I asked the Arcadia State’s knights-san and it seems that we advanced smoothly so we’ll arrive soon.
As for why there are Arcadia State’s knights around, the King apparently gave an advance notice for us and they came to greet us when we arrived at Sayman Fortress that’s at the Nanor Kingdom and Arcadia State’s border. I was a little bit surprised when we were greeted by a total of about 50 knights.
If I really really think about it, it’s natural to be greeted by escorts since the princesses of the allies, Alexia and Ferris, are coming to the country huh. Instead, the knights-san were surprised when they saw us not bringing any escorts. And then accompanied by 50 escorts, we step foot into the land of Arcadia State.
In this country, with the Pope as the top, it’s followed by, the Cardinal, the Archbishop, the Bishop, the Priest, and the Deacon. These people play a part in the management of the country. It’s something like the nobles of other countries. Since apparently, like nobles, the ranks are through a hereditary system.
And then on a different framework from that, there’s something called the Arcadia Chivalric Order in this country and it seems this is this country’s army.
Within this Chivalric Order, it seems there are 4 Chivalric Orders1, the Azure Dragon Chivalric Order, White Tiger Chivalric Order, Vermillion Bird Chivalric Order, and Black Tortoise Chivalric Order.
It seems these Chivalric Orders have their respective characteristic, the Azure Dragon Chivalric Order excels in offence, the White Tiger Chivalric Order excels in speed, the Vermillion Bird Chivalric Order excels in magic and the Black Tortoise Chivalric Order is proficient at defence.
Each has their respective Knight Captain and it seems each possesses the same authority as an Archbishop. But what I was most surprised by, was the fact that the Pope is even stronger than those Knight Captains. It seems he’s skilled at Light Magic and has eliminated several hundred Demon Races.
The knights-san joyfully talked to me. I wonder what kind of a stern person he is. I’m nervous. By the way, those who came to greet us are the White Tiger Chivalric Order’s people. We’re advancing smoothly even while talking about those things and
“Oohー, this is the Arcadia State’s capital huh. As I thought, it’s huge~”
we finally arrived at the capital. The members who came for the first time are raising their voices from astonishment, Alexia and Ferris along with Helen-san who came here before are looking at that and giggling.
When we pass through the gate, a street that has stores overflowing with liveliness lining up in a row continues. And then when we follow that street, a gigantic palace can be seen in the middle of the capital.
“Alexia, what’s that?”
“Nn? Aa, that’s Sun・Berk Palace. It’s the head shrine and it may be hard to tell from here but, in the middle is the Main Shrine, and the four buildings, the Northern Shrine, the Southern Shrine, the Eastern Shrine, the Western Shrine, were built so that it encloses the Main Shrine.
The Northern Shrine is the shrine where ordinary worshippers gather, the Southern Shrine is a place of assembly where the Pope and the others gather for conferences and such, the Eastern Shrine and Western Shrine are the Chivalric Orders’ headquarters. And then the Main Shrine in the centre is the residence of Pope and the others”
I see~. I proceed down the street while listening to that. There are various kinds of shops huh. But what often comes into sight, is Goddess Astell-related merchandises.
I can still understand Astell doll and Astell manjuu2. It’s a way of selling things that’s often used at tourist attractions and the likes.
But, isn’t the weapon store’s Astell Sword and Astell Shield slightly overboard. The drug store’s,『You can become pretty if you apply! Astell Pack! 』and the likes, it’s definitely bogus, isn’t it”
Perhaps he thought it’s interesting when he saw that, Dargris
“Why don’t we go and have a little look?”
proposed. I’m not sure whether that’ll be fine but, the knights-san say that we arrived at the capital earlier than expected so it’s fine even if we look around if it’s for about an hour. Hence we ended up alighting the carriage and looking around,
I wander around alone, looking at those things that I don’t really understand and,
“Onii-chan, won’t you come to the store?”
there was a young girl who says that and pulls on my sleeve. I guess her age is probably around 8 years old.
“Store?”
“Un! That!”
and when I looked at where the young girl pointed, it was an isolated stand at the end of the street where various stores are lining up. Most of the kids over there, they are kids who are about the same as this young girl’s age.
And then, the girl who’s instructing those kids and lining up the things is probably about 16 years old. Maroon hair in braids along with big round eyes. She has a gentle aura and is wearing a habit-like outfit. It’s a person who feels more sweet than beautiful. And then, I go while being pulled by the young girl and,
“Priscilla-oneechan, I brought a customer over!”
“Ah, Mei-chan! You forcefully brought them over again! I am sorry that this child did it forcefully”
The girl who says that and lowers her head.
“No no, it’s fine. And this place is?”
“Yes, this place is selling the things these kids grew and raised”
I look at the stand and various vegetables were being lined up over there. Heh, these kids grew it huh.
“How much for one?”
“Ah, it is 50 bel”
I take out the money and pass it to, Priscilla-san, was it. And then I receive a cucumber-like vegetable.
“Thank you!”
“”Thank you!””
I was thanked by everybody. Children’s smiles are dazzling. I’m doing such things and
“Oi oi! Priscilla-san! Won’t you quickly pay up!”
says two gaudy men who came. What’s with these fellows?
“Wai! I said to please not come all the way here!”
“I don’t give a damn about that! It’s because you ain’t payin’ up even though we’re waitin’! How long are you going to make us wait!”
“Kyaa!”
The gaudy man kicks the stand while angrily shouting at Priscilla-san. The children who were scared of the men tremble and start crying.
“Pl, please wait for a little more! I will return it by any means necessary! Please wait!”
“If that’s the case, choose whether to pay with your body, or to sell those brats over there to a slave trader!”
The gaudy man who says and grabs Priscilla-san’s collar.
“Uu! Th, that’s! I will gather it in some other way!”
“You said you’ll return it by any means necessary, didn’t ya!”
And then he hurls Priscilla-san. Priscilla-san who was hurled crashed into the stand and collapsed. Aren’t these guys going slightly overboard. At that moment
“Do, don’t bully Priscilla-neechan!”
and one boy strikes the gaudy man with a wooden stick.
“Ow! You shitty brat! What the fuck did you do!”
“Guhee!”
“Roy-kun!”
The gaudy man who was struck lost his temper and sent the boy flying with a kick. And then from his breast pocket, wha! he takes out a knife.
“You shitty brat, looks like you want to experience some pain huh!”
“Roy-kun!”
And then the gaudy man swings his knife down towards the boy. Priscilla-san covers the boy with her body to protect him. And then
“……Eh?”
“What’s with you?”
“You, as expected, that’s going overboard”
I block it. I grabbed gaudy man’s right wrist that holds the knife and stopped him. It looked like they’ve got some kind of circumstances so I don’t know if I should get involved but, as expected, a knife is going too far.
- These four animals are the Four Symbols. Four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellation
- A traditional Japanese confection
