Chapter 20

And a few days later, Raidor stepped into the capital he hadn't visited in five years, swaying in the carriage.

The streets of the capital hadn't changed much from what Raidor knew. However, the number of people on the main streets and the number of stalls lining the roads had clearly decreased, and he felt a vague shadow of darkness hanging over the entire city.

(It's no wonder the atmosphere is bad, given that we're at war... but is the situation not going well?)

If the war was going in our favor, the people's faces wouldn't be so gloomy. The reason their faces are so downcast must be because the common folk can sense that the Kingdom of Zain is being cornered.

Raidor leaned out of the carriage window and made this prediction about the war situation.

If the Kingdom of Zain is being cornered to this extent, it's possible that they would recall someone they never wanted to see again, he thought.

"We will take you directly to the mansion. Your audience with His Majesty will be tomorrow, so please take your time to rest from your journey."

"Mansion? Aren't we going to the palace?"

Raidor furrowed his brow at Daren's explanation. He had assumed he would be taken directly to the palace, but where were they taking him?

"The palace is quite busy, so we have prepared a mansion in the noble district for Your Highness. Please use this mansion during your stay in the capital."

"......I see. So, I'm not being trusted at all, huh?"

Raidor twisted his lips in disgust. Although he had been exiled from the capital and sent to the frontier, he had not lost his status as a royal. He had assumed he would be staying at the palace, but it seemed his brother, the king, despised him so much that he couldn't even bear to have him under the same roof.

"Is he afraid I'll betray him and strike while he sleeps, or does he just not want to see my face? I'm not sure, but it seems he doesn't even want me under the same roof."

"No, it's not like that at all..."

"You don't have to sugarcoat it. I've known since five years ago that my brother hates me."

"......"

Raidor turned his face to the window and said coldly. Daren bowed his head in a pained expression, looking apologetic and silent. The carriage was enveloped in a long silence, with only the sound of the wheels scraping against the ground.

The carriage continued to drive for a while and eventually arrived in a district lined with the mansions of nobles and influential merchants. The number of people on the streets dropped sharply, and a peaceful atmosphere enveloped the area. The carriage continued deeper into the noble district and finally stopped in front of a particularly large building.

"We have arrived. This is the mansion."

Daren spoke as if he couldn't bear the silence any longer. One of the knights surrounding them dismounted and opened the carriage door. Daren stepped out first, followed by Raidor and Naimilia.

"Wow... this is quite something."

Raidor sighed in admiration as he looked up at the large mansion. The mansion had the appearance of a grand noble residence, with a vast garden filled with well-maintained shrubs and seasonal flowers. The white walls and blue roofs were meticulously maintained, with not a single stain in sight. If one were to try to buy a mansion of this caliber, it might cost as much as a year's tax revenue from a frontier city.

(I see... my brother's true feelings are clear.)

As Raidor gazed up at the grand and luxurious mansion, he speculated on what King Granard thought of him. He didn't want Raidor in the palace because he feared and despised him, but he still wanted his help, so he was offering him a sweet deal. It was a balance of two conflicting emotions: the desire to make Raidor disappear and the desire to control the wielder of the holy sword.

"Can I use this mansion as I please?"

"Of course. His Majesty has instructed you to use it as you like."

"Alright, then I will."

Raidor stepped through the gate that the knight had opened, with Naimilia following closely behind like a shadow.

"......"

Daren watched the two of them disappear into the mansion, his eyes reflecting both anxiety and hope.

I have also posted the following works. Please check them out as well.

- The Poison King

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2436hp/

- I Returned from Being a Hero in Another World, but the Four Sisters Next Door Are Acting Strange

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4591hn/

- The Brave Soul of Evil and Tyranny

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8818gp/

- The Disqualified Prince's Harem Conquest: The Prince Without Magic Power Seizes the Throne with the Help of the Harem's Consorts

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5257hk/