Chapter 69

When I woke up, the city of Misra, faintly whitened by the early morning light, was visible outside the window.

Before dawn, at the moment when the night gives way and the city begins to wake up—I always like this time, no matter where I am. It feels like the start of a new day. I can see people here and there coming out of buildings from a distance.

Last night, I kept my usual training with the black sword to a minimum and went to bed early. The room I stayed in had a luxurious private bath, and after working out, I was able to wash up thoroughly and feel refreshed. There was a large bowl of fruit in the room, and I was told I could eat as much as I wanted, so I took a few pieces, quenched my thirst, and then went to bed feeling good, gazing out the window.

Thanks to that, my condition is now perfect.

"Alright, time to get dressed."

I quickly changed into the clothes prepared by Leen and went out into the hallway. It was a bit early, but since it was already light, I wanted to take a look around, as I couldn't walk around at night. Leen and the others were probably still sleeping, so I quietly went out into the hallway, careful not to wake them, and Ines was standing guard in front of the door to their room.

"Nohl, you're up early."

"Yeah, Ines is up early too. Were you already awake?"

"......Leen and the others are still sleeping inside?"

"Princess Linneburg is currently changing clothes. She and Roro are doing the final check on the outfit."

"I see. Everyone woke up earlier than expected."

"Since you went to bed early last night—Is that outfit ready, Nohl?"

"Yeah, I thought it would be better to get dressed as early as possible. Ines, are you going to change too? You're still in yesterday's clothes."

"No, I'll stay like this. This is my formal attire as a guard. Nohl, your usual clothes wouldn't fit the occasion, so we prepared this for you."

"Ah, I really appreciate it. I wouldn't have known what to wear."

The black clothes prepared for me looked a bit tight at first, but they felt very comfortable and I got used to them quickly. They fit my body perfectly, and even when I moved my arms around, they didn't hinder me at all. The fabric was smooth and thin, yet surprisingly sturdy.

"These clothes were specially made for you, with your measurements taken. They're really impressive. I've never worn anything like this before, but they're very comfortable."

"They were made by the best craftsmen in the capital. They're woven with holy silver threads, so they're quite durable, but be careful not to handle them roughly, as they can tear easily."

"Ah, I see. I'll be careful."

"By the way, it's still early, but what are you going to do, Nohl?"

"Since we're here, I thought I'd take a look at the paintings and sculptures decorating the building and the hall. I won't be able to see them once we return to the kingdom, right?"

"I see. But don't go too far. You might get lost."

"Ah, I don't plan to go too far, so it should be fine. I'm not very knowledgeable about art, so a quick look will be enough."

"......Right. You should be back before the guide arrives. It wouldn't do to miss the important ball."

"Speaking of the ball......I don't really understand, but it's a place where everyone dances, right?......Do we have to dance too?"

"No......only the distinguished guests dance. Our job as guards is to watch over Princess Linneburg and Roro to ensure they're safe. We won't dance unless specifically asked."

"I see. That's a relief. I've never danced with anyone before......I'd be at a loss if suddenly asked to dance. ......Can you dance, Ines?"

"No......I can't. I have to learn if it's part of my job, but I'm not good at that kind of thing."

"Really? That's surprising."

You can drive a carriage and seem to be able to do so many things, so I thought you were some kind of all-rounder.

"Surprising......I usually handle everything on my own. I'm not very good at working with others."

"Right, Ines has that convenient shield skill too. You seem like someone who can do anything on your own."

"......Not everything. I have more weaknesses than strengths."

"......Mr. Nohl, are you there?"

While Ines and I were having a casual morning conversation, a voice came from inside the room.

"Yeah, I'm here."

"Ines, is it okay if I open the door?"

"Yes."

Ines opened the door, and Leen appeared. She was wearing a dress that was different from her usual attire.

No, white might be an understatement. It was a pure, almost glowing white, and when she stepped out of the room, the dimly lit hallway seemed to brighten instantly.

"Mr. Nohl, you're already ready. It suits you well."

"Yeah. Are you wearing that? It's a very white dress. It's almost blinding."

"......Yes. It's mostly woven with holy silver threads, so it should look silver or white depending on the angle. I tried to avoid it being too flashy, but......my brother insisted I wear this. ......Is it strange?"

"No, I think it suits you. I don't know how to say it, but......you look like a princess from some country."

"......Really? I wasn't very confident, but it's worth it to hear you say that."

Leen said this and showed a bright, almost excited smile. ...Good. She seems to be in better spirits than yesterday.

"By the way, Roro has changed too!"

Leen rushed into the room and quickly came back out, holding someone's hand. The person she was dragging out looked about the same height as Leen, was wearing a similar outfit to me, and seemed a bit younger than Leen.

It was......

It was......

A boy I didn't know. A stranger stood there.

"......Who is that?"

"No, it's me. Nohl."

The boy looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Yes, it's Roro, Mr. Nohl......don't you recognize me?"

Indeed, his hair was white, and his eyes were red. These were Roro's features. But he was clearly different from the Roro I knew.

"Is it really you, Roro? You look very different......"

"Hehe, right? I pretty much did whatever I wanted with his hairstyle......but yeah, it's good. With this, he should be popular in the noble social circles."

Leen looked at the boy who seemed to be Roro—no, the boy who used to be Roro—proudly. I also looked at him closely, but......I still couldn't believe it was Roro.

"No, I really couldn't tell who it was. ......Your clothes and hairstyle have changed so much."

Still, I decided to call him Roro, even though I was still a bit skeptical. ...Right, if I think of him as Roro, I can see him that way. There's a resemblance.

But at first, I really couldn't tell who it was. The Roro I knew was much more......gloomy, lacking confidence, and seemed very weak and dark. But now, he looks like a strong, impressive boy.

"You seem a lot stronger. I'm impressed."

"Really?"

"Compared to the green-haired boy we met yesterday, you look much better."

He said he had been training for the past few months, so maybe that's why. He looks more solid and well-built.

Also, his bangs used to cover his face, making it hard to see his expression, but now his hair is neatly styled, and his forehead and eyebrows are clearly visible. That difference alone makes him look very different.

Can a change in hairstyle and clothes make such a difference?

......No, that's not it.

I finally noticed the decisive difference.

......His eyes.

Right, it's the eyes. Before, his gaze was very uncertain and timid, but now it's filled with a sense of understanding and confidence. His eyes seem much stronger than before.

That must be the reason for the difference in impression. I couldn't see it clearly before because his hair was covering his face.

"......You really look different, Roro."

Still, the change from a few months ago is quite significant. Well, this boy was always very talented, but he was just very self-critical and dark. I don't know what happened, but for some reason, he seems to have gained confidence and now looks the part.

......Right, the boy in front of me is indeed Roro. There's still a sense of unease, but I have to accept it. This is Roro.

As I looked at his face, he gradually started to look more like Roro.

...Good, I thought. If I keep this up, I'll probably be able to accept him as Roro.

"By the way, Mr. Nohl, what are you doing so early in the morning?"

While I was trying to accept the new Roro, Leen spoke to me.

"......Huh? Oh, me. As I mentioned yesterday, I wanted to take a look at the things here. I heard we can't walk around at night, but it should be fine in the morning. There might be some rare things from the kingdom, and it could be a good conversation starter."

"If that's the case, may I accompany you? I'm not an expert in art or crafts, but I can give a simple explanation."

"Ah, that would be great. Thank you."

"Yes! Since we're here, how about Ines and Roro come too?"

"Sure."

"Understood."

So, we decided to walk around the cathedral together.

Leen explained each of the various artworks displayed in the hallway in detail, including their origins and history. She had an incredible amount of knowledge. However, while she was explaining with enthusiasm, I felt bad for her, but her explanations were so detailed that I couldn't really follow most of them.

Anyway......they all seemed to be incredible works.

While listening to Leen's explanations, I remembered a large painting I had seen in the hallway on our way here yesterday, and we decided to go see it.

"......There it is. It's really big."

Inside a large, ornate frame, a figure that looked like a skeleton was depicted sitting on a heavy golden throne, wearing a robe embedded with many sparkling jewels. Honestly, it was a creepy painting, and I was curious why it was displayed here.

"Leen, why is this creepy skeleton painting displayed here? To me, it looks like a monster."

I said what I was thinking, just like I did when I saw other things on the way here.

But......Leen and Ines' faces seemed to cloud over for a moment when I asked. ...Did I say something wrong just now?

"Mr. Nohl......This is the holy image of 'Saint Misra.' Please don't speak too loudly about your impressions of this painting. If someone hears, it could cause serious trouble."

"......Why?"

"This......'Saint Misra' is the most revered figure for the followers of the Misra faith. The only holy being revered by Pope Astira. If you speak ill of it, many people in this country will be upset."

"There are people who care about this......?"

"......I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I didn't realize."

"No......to be honest, I share your impression, but I try not to say it out loud. It could hurt the feelings of sincere people, so it's better to be considerate."

"......Right, I'll avoid talking about it."

I looked at the large painting again, but......it still looked like a skeleton monster to me. But I shouldn't say that.

This country is a bit stifling. There are many interesting and beautiful things, but......if I had to live here, I think the kingdom would be more suitable for me.

"Let's head back to the room. I've seen enough. I appreciate Leen's explanations."

"Yes, it's about time. It's best to go back now."

We returned to Leen's room, and after finishing the late breakfast, we heard a knock on the door from outside.

"......Princess Linneburg. I have come to escort you."

Ines opened the door, and a woman in a white robe was waiting. By then, we were all ready to go.

"Yes, we're all ready. Please lead the way."

"Understood......let's go."

As the guide started to lead us, we saw a group of soldiers in peculiar armor walking down the hallway from the other end.

"......What's this?"

The soldiers were walking straight towards us. The talkative prince wasn't with them today. I didn't count them yesterday, but there are six of them now.

We stopped and watched as the soldiers approached us. Suddenly, they stopped in front of me and surrounded me, saying:

"Servant of Princess Linneburg......Nohl, is it? The Pope has ordered us to 'entertain' you in a separate room. Please come with us immediately."

Suddenly, they said they would entertain me alone. I didn't understand what was going on, and Leen and Ines looked confused too. ...Well, that's understandable. We were about to go to the ball, and suddenly being told this would be confusing.

"......Entertain, huh. That's very kind of them, but......now? It's a bit sudden. ......And only me?"

"Yes, the Pope has ordered us to entertain you alone, all of us."

"......I see......all of you for me? ......That's a bit much, isn't it?"

I turned to Leen again. In situations like this, it's best to seek her advice.

"......Leen, what should I do? It seems I'm being called."

"Yes......I'll leave it to your judgment, Mr. Nohl."

"......I see......? It's up to me......?"

I got the most troublesome answer from Leen, but after thinking for a moment, I quickly made a decision.

"Right......I'll go. Since it's an order from the important Pope......if I ignore it, it might cause trouble for them."

"Are you really going alone......?"

"......? Yeah. It seems I'm the only one being called."

"......Understood......be careful."

"Princess Linneburg, Roro, Ines, this way. I'll take you to the venue."

After our conversation, the woman in the robe started walking with the other three.

"......Mr. Nohl. Good luck."

"......? ...Yeah, see you later."

Leen's parting words were a bit concerning, but I said goodbye to everyone and followed the six soldiers in peculiar armor through the large cathedral.