In the early morning, having tidied up their campsite, Kazuya and his companions departed towards the royal capital, arriving there before noon.

 

However, as with the towns they had passed through before, entering the urban area with vehicles would cause a commotion. Thus, they concealed their vehicles in the nearby forest and left half of their guards to watch over them, proceeding into the capital with the rest.

 

"As expected, the royal capital is vast. It's on a different scale compared to the other towns and cities we've passed through."

 

"That's right. After all, this is the royal capital of Balans, which our Canary Kingdom proudly boasts."

 

Sending Chitose ahead to the adventurers' guild, Kazuya, accompanied by Phyllis and others as escorts for the carriage carrying Iris, made their way towards the castle at the heart of the capital, listening to Phyllis's brief explanations.

 

"Balans is built with vast lands enclosed by three layers of walls. From the outside, there are roughly segregated areas for commoners, nobles, and royalty."

 

Inside the capital, being the heart of the nation, the main streets were bustling with numerous individuals - not just humans, but also elves with pointed ears, hobbits who were adults yet only as tall as children, succubi clad in provocative attire, and various other mythical creatures like arachne and lamias, as well as beastmen with animal-like ears and tails growing from human bodies.

 

However, despite the multitude, there were no smiles on people's faces, and simultaneously, there was a lack of vitality.

 

"Hmm... It seems rather lifeless, doesn't it?"

 

"Well, it can't be helped. Taxes have risen due to the war with the Elzas Magic Empire, and logistics have been disrupted by abnormal monster breeding, leading to inflation."

 

"..."

 

As Kazuya and Phyllis exchanged casual conversation, someone inside the carriage was staring at them with resentment.

 

"It seems like we're being intensely watched..."

 

"Endure it. We can't possibly allow Princess Iris to get off the carriage and walk. Remember, we're operating incognito."

 

"I see. Understood."

 

"Nevertheless, Princess Iris's attachment to Kazuya is quite remarkable..."

 

Saying so, Phyllis recollected the various events that had occurred on their way to the capital.

 

"It was beyond my expectations as well. That... was..."

 

Kazuya also reflected on the happenings, accompanying Phyllis in her contemplation.

 

But as the two reminisced about past events while the twilight descended, they arrived in front of the massive gate guarded by several knights.

 

"Ah, we've reached the castle. Our escort duty ends here."

 

"That's right. Firstly, we must report to Her Majesty the Queen... Right, within the next two to three days, I'll send a messenger for you to come to the castle? We'll settle the reward then."

 

"Understood. We'll be at the adventurers' guild, I presume. If not, send someone to the vehicles; there should be subordinates there."

 

"Agreed. Well then, until we meet again."

 

With those parting words, Phyllis and her companions passed through the gate into the castle.

 

However, as they did so, the carriage door rattled violently, indicating someone inside was attempting to come out.

 

"That's... not good."

 

Kazuya, inside the carriage, silently thanked the maids who must be fiercely preventing Iris from leaving, engaging in a desperate struggle to maintain the fortifications.

 

Parting ways with Phyllis and the others, Kazuya walked through the capital, intending to rendezvous with Chitose, who should be at the adventurers' guild.

 

"Is this the place?"

 

"It should be."

 

Spotting a signboard bearing a sword and shield, the emblem of the adventurers' guild, similar to what they had seen in other towns and cities before, Kazuya confirmed with his subordinates, receiving an affirmative response.

 

"Shall we enter then?"

 

Just as Kazuya reached for the door of the adventurers' guild, a sudden commotion ensued as a male adventurer was flung out of the window beside the door.

 

"What the...!?"

 

"Captain!? Please step aside!!"

 

Though the abrupt appearance of the thrown adventurer caused a stir, the guards of the escort, armed not with guns but combat knives, remained composed, shielding Kazuya while maintaining vigilance around.

 

(The reason the guards are armed with combat knives rather than firearms is because Kazuya imposed restrictions on firearms usage before entering the capital.)

 

The remaining guards who hadn't joined Kazuya's defence moved to the front of the adventurers' guild's door, readying their combat knives and daggers. They exchanged eye contact, preparing to ascertain what was happening.

 

Then, after a nod, they pushed open the door and rushed inside, but there was no sound of battle.

 

"...Nothing seems to be happening."

 

After the guards had barged into the adventurers' guild, not hearing any signs of combat, Kazuya cautiously entered.

 

"...What are you doing, Chitose?"

 

In the silence that had befallen the interior of the adventurers' guild, the focal point of the disturbance was Chitose, whose face resembled that of a demon, holding a kukri knife to the neck of a sobbing man, while four or five adventurers lay battered on the floor around them.

 

"...This is..."

 

"Enough. Release the kukri knife you're holding against that man's neck."

 

"Huh..."

 

Upon Kazuya's command, Chitose quickly sheathed the kukri knife.

 

"H-huh... h-help..."

 

The man, freed from the kukri knife around his neck, collapsed to the ground with a thud, emitting a mixture of groans and screams.

 

"Ugh, not again..."

"I deeply apologise..."

As Kazuya queried Chitose with an air of bewilderment, she cast her eyes downward and offered words of contrition.

Even during their journey through towns and cities until they reached the capital, similar incidents had occurred frequently. Whenever they stopped by the adventurers' guild for information gathering, invariably, the female guards of the Royal Guard were accosted by male adventurers.

The reason was simple: the female guards of the Royal Guard were all remarkably beautiful.

Consequently, although they usually only sent male members to the guild, this time, due to staffing constraints, only Chitose had been dispatched, resulting in the current predicament.

...Well, it couldn't be helped.

Having grown accustomed to such situations, Kazuya merely heaved a deep sigh.

"...Anyway, regarding that matter—"

"Is there anything else you wish to order?"

"I'll bring the one sleeping on the floor."

"Understood."

It seemed such commotions were commonplace at the adventurers' guild, as when Chitose sheathed her kukri knife, the guild quickly resumed its prior bustle, and several staff members emerged to carry the fallen men to a room at the back.

Observing this scene out of the corner of his eye, Kazuya queried Chitose.

"Couldn't we handle this a bit more peacefully?"

"That's not possible. Those men attempted to lay hands on me, who is reserved for my master alone."

"...Ahem."

Though he was grateful, he wished she would make such statements in a quieter tone. After all, adventurers who had apparently overheard were now casting formidable gazes their way.

"Phew. What's done is done. Anyway, is the task I asked for completed?"

Ignoring the stares of the surrounding adventurers, Kazuya inquired of Chitose.

"Yes. It's all done. And I've also purchased a slave to maintain the building."

The task Kazuya had entrusted to Chitose was to gather information at the adventurers' guild and to purchase a building to serve as a safehouse in the capital under a fictitious name.

"Well then, shall we go see the mansion?"

Having finished their business at the adventurers' guild, Kazuya decided to go see the mansion—now a property owned by Chitose.

Additionally, he handed gold coins to about half of the guards present, combining it with a vacation to double as information gathering.

By the way, in this world, there are four types of currency: copper coins, silver coins, gold coins, and platinum coins. Ten copper coins make one silver coin, ten silver coins make one gold coin, and one hundred gold coins make one platinum coin.

Guided by Chitose, they progressed through the upscale residential district of the capital, and Kazuya's sight fell upon the mansion nestled in a corner.

"Here we are, master."

Passing through the mansion's gate alongside Chitose, Kazuya entered. The garden was overgrown with weeds.

Is this place... all right?

Despite some concerns, Kazuya followed behind Chitose. Upon entering the mansion, he found it somewhat dusty but clean enough for habitation.

"Until about three weeks ago, a merchant lived here. Since the furnishings are left intact, once the cleaning is done, it'll be ready for occupancy."

"I see. You've worked hard, Chitose. But this mansion is quite spacious."

"There were larger properties available, but they were too expensive and would attract too much attention, so I refrained from choosing them."

"That's a prudent decision."

As Kazuya and Chitose conversed in the entrance hall, sounds of bustling footsteps emanated from the depths of the mansion.

...What's that?

Suspicious of the footsteps, Kazuya glanced in their direction to find young women of various races clad in maid uniforms running towards them.

"W-Welcome back, master! Madam!"

Volume 02, Chapter 05

 

Hastening to align themselves before Kazuya and his companions, the maids simultaneously bowed, uttering, "Welcome, Master."

 

"What is this... a maid café? More importantly, 'Madam'?"

 

As Kazuya pondered the answer to the question forming in his mind, Chitose, who stood beside him, provided an explanation.

 

"These are the slaves they purchased."

 

"No, no, referring to them as 'these'... and 'Madam'?"

 

"Hehe."

 

As Kazuya attempted to inquire about the reason the maids addressed Chitose as 'Madam,' Chitose, without a clear response, merely smiled faintly.

 

Feeling a sense of unease from such a situation, Kazuya averted his gaze and shifted his attention away from the women in front of him.

 

... All of them are beauties. Moreover, of various races.

 

Although they all wore maid uniforms, each one had a distinct style, donning various types of maid outfits.

 

Furthermore, their ages ranged from around 15 to over 30, presenting an impressive lineup of exceptionally beautiful women and girls.

 

Observing them with admiration, Kazuya shifted his gaze away from them.

 

"They may look frightened, but they've been gathered with care. Please enjoy them at your leisure, Master," Chitose whispered into Kazuya's ear, her tone seemingly normal.

 

What happened to Chitose?! Even though Chitose intended to convey this information in a matter-of-fact manner, from Kazuya's perspective, her words were oddly disconcerting and unsettling.