Chapter 60

Thank you for accessing today as well.

"Haha, hey Katy? That's not good, struggling like that."

"Meow!"

A direct train from White Rose to the magic city of Isto. Ain was on the noble car of this water train. After visiting the Majolica Magic Stone Shop and obtaining a lot of information from Majolica, the preparations for the necessary magic tools went smoothly.

After receiving the magic tools for three people, they decided to head for the magic city as a party of three.

...That's right, they were supposed to go with three people.

"It's enough already, meow...! We're already on the train! So stop treating me like a cat, meow!"

An unexpected situation arose. ...A stray cat had overheard the information about going to the magic city.

This led to a commotion for several days, as they had not prepared magic tools for her, and it was difficult to hide her. Just then, Ain proposed a somewhat devilish treatment.

"Shut up, meow! ...Ah, that feels good, meow. Rub a little harder, meow."

He suggested treating Katy as a large cat rather than a Kitsu. To board the noble car without being recognized as Katy, she would be treated as a large pet cat. There would be no sense of discomfort! That's what Ain thought.

Then Ain started stroking the back of Katy's neck. Her delighted expression was just like a cat.

"Would you be okay with becoming a complete cat if you give in here?"

"...Huh!? No, that's not good, meow!"

"Please, both of you, be quiet..."

Chris, sitting in a nearby seat, expressed his concern. Dill, who was also nearby, could only manage a subtle smile as he watched Ain grooming himself and Katy being groomed.

"But, the snack of fish we got from the noble car service. You were eating it so happily, weren't you?"

"Huh? That's a snack, so it's fine, meow."

"I see. You're completely unfazed..."

By the way, Katy is a pseudonym. It's just a simple name with the "ma" removed from Katima, but it's better than nothing.

In this way, the party members heading to the magic city with Ain became four. Starting with Ain, there were two guards, Chris and Dill, and Katima, who joined as a pet. As a researcher, she couldn't ignore this opportunity.

"Still, these magic tools are convenient, aren't they?"

"Lord Ain, there are few craftsmen like Majolica. Despite everything, she is one of the top experts in Istarika..."

"Even though she looks like that...?"

"Even though she looks like that, yes."

Sighing lightly, he agreed. Chris couldn't understand her fashion sense either. Katima, who had been listening to their conversation, began to join in.

"What kind of effect does it have, meow? I didn't hear the details, meow."

"Well, Chris?"

"Yes. According to what I heard, it's something that lightly misleads consciousness. Therefore, it doesn't work on monsters or those skilled in magic."

"Meow? If it doesn't work on those skilled in magic, how can we go to the magic city, meow?"

Katima's question was valid. If it was easy to be recognized when going to the magic city, it would be meaningless.

"It's based on Majolica's evaluation of those skilled in magic, so I think it's probably not a problem. It's her work, after all."

"...Now that you mention it, that's true. I see, meow."

Katima also had a high opinion of Majolica. The magic tools made by Majolica were widely used in the castle, and even in Katima's laboratory. Considering this, it didn't seem like she would do a half-hearted job.

"By the way, Lord Ain. Was Lady Katima really given permission...? I heard from my father that it would be difficult."

Dill was still worried about Katima's situation, even at this point. He wondered if she was actually hiding... During the Sea Dragon incident, Dill had gone on a rampage with Ain, but he was thinking about it calmly now.

"It's okay, Dill. But in exchange, Lady Katima used the reward she was supposed to receive for this."

"Reward...?"

"Yes, meow. The reward for the Demon King's book that she made while Lord Ain was sleeping! She was supposed to receive that reward from Lord Silverwood. She used it for this trip to the magic city! I managed to get it approved by putting the reward on hold. It was the right decision, meow."

Dill nodded in understanding.

Katima was supposed to receive a reward from Silverwood. This time, her contribution was significant, and she had planned to use it to purchase new research magic tools.

But this unexpected event.

From her position, it wasn't easy for Katima to leave the capital easily. The port town of Magna was the limit for her to go easily. ...Actually, this was only the second time Katima had visited the magic city, and she hadn't gone there many times.

That's why it hit her desire straight on.

Katima is a famous researcher. For example, she could participate in national projects like the White King and even serve as a team leader. That's Katima von Istarika.

For someone like her, a city like the magic city, where new technologies gather, is a place she wants to visit at all costs.

Going back to the topic, Katima's achievements were not small.

In just six months, she used all her connections and knowledge, and worked tirelessly, even sacrificing sleep, to achieve her results.

Because of such significant achievements, Silverwood had no choice but to approve her accompanying the trip to the magic city.

"Looking forward to it, meow."

With Katima, who was dressed in a different, pet-like fashion, Ain and the others continued their journey to the magic city. The journey was still long, as it would take about half a day.

They left Istarika in the evening, so they would arrive at the magic city of Isto around 7:00 AM the next morning. Of course, they would sleep on the train, and this noble car had about six rooms. Including the lounge where they were sitting, there were enough rooms for each of them to rest individually, which was a relief.

* * *

Although it was a journey with an important mission, the car where Ain and the others were riding was filled with a warm atmosphere.

Because of Katima's presence, everyone was able to relax, and they didn't have to be too tense. They were grateful to her for that.

Suddenly, Ain woke up. His throat was dry, and he felt uncomfortable.

Glancing at the clock next to the bed, it was just past 2:00 AM. It had been about three hours since he went to bed.

"Phew... Should I go to the lounge?"

He got up to get a drink from the lounge. The noble car offered a variety of drinks and light snacks as a service. It was quite expensive, and the service was excellent.

Opening the door, he stepped out into the corridor of the car where they were riding. Each car had its own entrance and exit, and movement between cars was not possible. Looking out the window, he could see a few lights in the dark landscape.

They seemed to be passing through an agricultural area, and the lights were probably from farmers who were awake. Looking at the vast fields of crops, he could glimpse the power of the country of Istarika.

After enjoying the scenery for a while, Ain remembered his dry throat and headed for the lounge.

"...Lord Ain? Is something wrong?"

Ain was greeted with a soft smile, unlike her usual stern demeanor. Chris was sitting in a small bar area, illuminated by the light coming in from outside and a small indirect light. Her beautiful appearance, combined with the lighting, made her look somewhat ethereal.

"My throat is a little dry. How about you, Chris?"

Chris was sitting at a small bar, not in her usual armor but in a sleeveless sweater and tight pants. Her good figure was accentuated by the outfit, and her beautiful blonde hair added to the overall effect.

Seeing Chris in casual clothes, which he rarely saw, Ain stared at her for a few moments longer than usual.

"Actually, I am too. Would you like to join me?"

Chris in casual clothes was indeed different. Even her smile had a different charm, and the way she held her glass and moved her fingers seemed to have a certain allure. Even her long, slender legs, crossed under the table, added to her current charm.

It's not that Chris in knight's armor wasn't attractive. But this might be her true charm. It wasn't a strange thought to have.

"Can I sit next to you?"

"Of course, please do. I'll get you a drink."

As Ain sat down next to Chris, she stood up and went to get his drink. Incidentally, Chris was drinking hot wine. Was she also having trouble sleeping? He couldn't help but think that.

"What would you like, Lord Ain?"

"Hmm, I'll have some tea. I think there was some cold tea, right?"

"Yes, we have it. Please wait a moment."

In such a slightly stylish bar, with a beautiful blonde woman sitting next to him, a man ordering tea didn't seem very cool. But he couldn't help it; he wasn't old enough to drink alcohol yet, and he had to endure for now.

He decided to enjoy the atmosphere in silence and have a little conversation with Chris, whom he rarely saw in such a setting. That would be the best.

"Here you go, please enjoy."

"Ah, thank you."

As she placed the drink in front of him, a faint, sweet scent from her neck was slightly annoying.

But Chris, who didn't notice Ain's thoughts at all, quietly sat back down next to him.

"...Actually, this might be the first time we've had a chance to talk like this, Lord Ain."

Holding a glass of hot wine, Chris spoke to Ain while looking at it. Glancing at her face, her cheeks seemed a little redder than usual, probably due to the alcohol in the hot wine. It looked like she had put on some blush, and it wasn't bad.

"Come to think of it, you're right. We've acted together many times, but this is the first time we've had a relaxed conversation like this, I think."

The light from the magic tools created a cozy atmosphere. It wasn't real fire, but the flickering flames recreated a calming environment.

"It's been years... Since I went to pick up Lord Ain and Lady Olivia."

"I remember. At first, I was a bit wary of you when I saw you."

"Hehe... That's right. Actually, Lord Ain, the story of you standing in front of Lady Olivia to protect her became a famous anecdote among the royal guards."

"What, what's that...?"

When Chris and Princess Olivia arrived at the port town of Roundheart, a few royal guards were with them. Despite the intimidating presence they exuded, Ain stood in front of Olivia without flinching to protect her.

"To be honest, the royal guards were unsure of what kind of child Lord Ain was. Even though Lady Olivia occasionally sent updates to Istarika, it's different to actually meet someone in person, after all."

"Well, that's true... So, what?"

"Lord Ain's actions spread throughout the royal guards on the first day of arriving in Istarika and became a famous story."

"It's a bit embarrassing..."

Seeing Ain's embarrassed expression, Chris giggled. They continued reminiscing about old memories.

—As they talked, their drinks gradually ran out. When the bottom of the glasses was almost visible, they felt that the conversation was coming to an end.

"...Hey, Lord Ain."

"Hmm? What is it?"

Chris spoke a little hesitantly. The atmosphere suggested that this would be the last topic of the night.

"In the future... Will you marry Lady Crowne?"

"...What!?"

Caught off guard by Chris's unexpected question, Ain was only able to show a surprised expression and couldn't answer. Why did Crowne come up? And why was she asking about his future? He couldn't understand what Chris was thinking.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."

Chris, blushing, tried to cover up her mistake, waving her hands to emphasize that it was a mistake.

"It's nothing, I'm sorry... Oh, it's already this late! Lord Ain should get some rest soon! I'll leave now...!"

"Wait, Chris!"

"Good night, Lord Ain! I'll come to get you in the morning!"

Chris, looking flustered, left the scene without waiting for Ain's response. As she left, she put away the glass she had used, showing her meticulous nature.

"...What was that all about?"

Left alone, Ain just stared in the direction Chris had gone. After a few dozen seconds, he finished his remaining tea, put the cup away, and returned to his room.

After returning to her room, Chris leaned against the door to make sure Ain wouldn't come and open it. She tried to calm her slightly flustered breathing.

"Ha... ha... What was I thinking..."

She didn't understand why she had said that.

But she had wondered, if Ain were to be with Crowne, would they still have moments like this, just the two of them? If not, the thought made her feel a bit lonely.

* * *

When it started to get light outside, Chris came to greet Ain as if nothing had happened.

Seeing Chris in her knight's armor, acting as usual, Ain felt a bit hesitant to bring up last night's incident.

After that, nothing unusual happened. The four of them gathered in the lounge for breakfast, and the train arrived safely at the magic city of Isto.

When they went outside, they were surprised by the station facilities. Ain and the others had tickets for the noble car, and at the capital's station, there was a magic tool to process these tickets.

Thinking they would pass through a gate-like magic tool and exit the station, Ain's expectations were quickly shattered.

"...I didn't expect something like that to exist."

"It's a magic tool that will soon be implemented in White Rose, meow. It's convenient, isn't it?"

"I'm really feeling the greatness of the magic city."

There were no gates. Instead, there was an area marked with a thick black line on the ground. Passing through this area, the ticket was marked as used.

In the end, they just walked out.

After exiting, they were surprised by everything. The cityscape was different from the capital, and Ain was captivated by it.

Streamlined objects were moving all over the city. In the center of the city, there was a large clock tower. If the city's atmosphere were to be described in colors, the sky was blue, and the cityscape used a lot of colors between blue and purple. It was a bustling city, not inferior to the capital.

Streamlined, non-angular trains were running all over the place. These were probably the unique water trains of the magic city. The mechanism might be different from the water trains, but they were still impressive.

"Well, Lord Ain. There are many interesting places in Isto, but we have a lot of days to stay. Let's start by finding a place to stay, shall we?"

"Ah, that's right. We should look for a place to stay first."

Ain and the others planned to stay in the magic city of Isto for about two weeks. During this time, they would act as a group of four, but first, they needed to find a place to stay. Forgetting this would lead to an unacceptable situation for a prince, such as sleeping on the streets, so it was an important first goal.

Ain agreed with what Chris said and decided to start with that.

"Lord Ain, I've been here four times with my father. I know a place with rooms for nobles, so if you'd like, I can show you..."

"Ain! Do as Dill says, meow! I want to get into the city quickly, meow!"

"Alright... Dill, can you show us the way?"

"Understood. This way, please."

Dill seemed to know the city a bit, so they decided to let him guide them to a place to stay.

Chris had also been to the magic city of Isto, but she wasn't very familiar with such matters, so it was convenient that Dill knew a place to stay.

The three of them followed Dill to the accommodation.

* * *

Thanks to Dill, they were able to arrange their accommodation quickly. Ain and the others started their subsequent plans ahead of schedule.

Their next destination was a research institute mentioned in the letter of introduction from