Chapter 14. Let’s Explore the Capital 1
Today, we’re visiting the capital right next to the castle.
I've been here several times with my parents, but with so many guards and servants, it felt like a royal procession.
I wasn't allowed to walk around freely, so I couldn’t explore as I wanted.
This time, it’s just me and Yuu, along with our guide and guards: Sebasun, Sebasto, and Noela.
Since it’s a small group, we can go wherever we want this time.
I also got a small allowance.
The Elmbarn Demon Kingdom is known worldwide for its good public order.
And the capital’s safety is top-notch.
But there are still small slums and minor crimes.
No matter how safe it is, my parents insist on having guards.
The people of the capital seem ordinary except for the fact that they belong to various races.
The clothing style is...18th century Europe? Not quite medieval...I can’t pinpoint it.
Yuu says it looks like late 18th to early 19th century England but isn’t sure.
It's hard for me to keep up with fashion trends.
The architecture feels like an old Western town.
If it were just humans, I might think I time-slipped.
Well…this is my first time exploring the capital freely.
Where should we start…?
“Yuu, do you have anywhere you want to go?”
“Hmm, I want something sweet first! Then, a clothing and accessory shop!”
“Okay, let’s start with sweets.”
“Don’t you have anywhere you want to go? We can go there first.”
“Hmm, I also want clothes. Something easy to move in for training.”
Lately, I've started physical training along with magic training.
Well, I’ve always done a bit, but now I’m doing more.
Building my body is essential to harness the Demon God’s emblem.
“Then, I also want to check out magic tools and weapon shops. Maybe a blacksmith? My dad recommended a blacksmith named Stefania in the capital…”
“Let’s not go there!”
Sebasto, who had been quietly listening, suddenly cut in, saying we should avoid Stefania.
He seems quite desperate.
Sebasun and Noela also nod.
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“Yes, a big one. Especially for me.”
“? Is it her personality?”
“Well, she’s not a bad person. Probably a good person... But it’s not just me; Jun-sama and Oyaji are in danger too.”
“Indeed... I would rather not go either.”
“Me too. I don’t think it’s good for Yuu-sama either.”
Even the capable butler Sebasun is reacting this way.
What kind of person is she?
I’m curious now.
“But my dad recommended her... I want to establish a connection for future weapon crafting. The best blacksmith would be ideal.”
““Isn’t the second-best good enough?””
What kind of politicians are you…?
“If we’re doing this, let’s go for the best.”
““If you say so…””
They’re clearly disappointed.
Do they dislike it that much?
“Well, it can’t be helped. Sebasto, Noela. It’s time to brace ourselves.”
“Ugh... I’m dreading it…”
“Well, it shouldn’t affect me much…”
Brace yourselves…?
Well, it seems they’ve agreed, so let’s go.
“Alright, let’s get some sweets first. Noela, please guide us to a good shop. Let’s go, Yuu.”
“Certainly.”
Noela guides us to get sweets first.
The food culture in this world isn’t that different from modern Earth.
Some vegetables and fruits have different names or slightly different shapes, but there’s no major discomfort.
The biggest difference in food culture might be the presence of magical beast meat and eggs in stores.
Some magical beasts with magical power have incredibly delicious meat.
Hence, magical beast meat appears on dining tables.
I’ve had it before, and it was delicious.
“Mmm!!! Delicious!”
“Yes. This is my favorite shop. Ah, this candy is also recommended.”
“Looks tasty! I’ll have that too!”
“Would you like some, Sebasun and the others? It’s delicious.”
“Thank you, Jun-sama. I’ll have some.”
“Thanks, Jun-sama. I’m not great at making sweets.”
It’s good.
As I said, the food culture isn’t much different from modern Earth. More precisely, in the Elmbern Demon Kingdom, it’s like a modern Japanese table.
Western, Chinese, and Japanese dishes familiar in Japan appear.
Despite Western-style clothing and architecture, the food is modern Japanese.
It’s puzzling, but as a former Japanese, I’m grateful.
I think the mystery will never be solved anyway…
“Next, let’s look at clothes.”
“I’ll guide you to an old acquaintance’s shop. This way.”
This time, Sebasun guides us to a clothing store.
It looks like we’re just walking normally, but the three of them subtly surround Yuu and me, paying attention to the rear.
These three are skilled enough to be entrusted with our protection.
Sebasun and Sebasto are skilled in martial arts. Noela uses hidden weapons.
A maid using hidden weapons… I feel like I’ve seen that somewhere, but let’s not think too deeply.
It suits Noela.
“Here we are. It’s a shop run by a skilled owner who also takes custom orders.”
“Wow, the shop gives a nice impression. Let’s go in.”
“Welcome~”
A woman greets us as we enter the shop.
Emerald green hair, blue eyes, pointed ears.
A very beautiful and slender person.
Could she be an elf?
“Oh, Sebasun-san. Long time no see~. How have you been~?”
“Yes, it’s been a while, Sylvie-san. I’ve been well.”
“I see~. Sebasto-kun and Noela-chan, long time no see~. You both look well~.”
“Hey.”
“Long time no see. You look well too, Sylvie-san.”
“Yes~. I’m well~. By the way, who are they~?”
She seems laid-back.
I didn’t know elves lived in our country.
“These are my master’s children, Jun-sama and Yuu-sama. Jun-sama, Yuu-sama, this is Sylvieta-san, the owner of this shop.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jun. Pleased to meet you.”
“I’m Yuu. Pleased to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you~. Call me Sylvie~.”
“Yes, Sylvie-san. I didn’t know we had elves in our country.”
“Oh, really~? Well, it’s rare. There are very few elves living in demon countries, but there are some. We’re all oddballs though~.”
“Oddballs? Including you, Sylvie-san?”
“Yes, I guess~. Most elves don’t like to leave places where they can feel nature and don’t stray far from their homeland. But some, like me, live in other countries or travel the world as adventurers.”
“Adventurers…”
I know about adventurers, but I’ve never met one.
“Why did you leave your homeland, Sylvie-san?”
“Hmm? I used to run a clothing store in my homeland, but it got boring~.”
“Boring?”
“Yes. Elves are all beautiful, right~? Making clothes for people who look good in anything is no fun~. So, I came to this country, where various people live, and it’s comfortable. This is a good country~.”
“I see. Thank you.”
“Oh? Why the thanks~?”
“Because you said my father’s country is good. That made me happy.”
“Oh my~. You can say things like that at your age~. Just as the rumors say, you’re a good child~.”
Rumors?
I rarely leave the castle, so how could there be rumors about me?
“Well, there are rumors~. You’re handsome, smart, excellent in magic, and kind~. I heard from customers who work at the castle. And from Sebasun-san.”
I glance at Sebasun, who’s smiling wryly.
Yuu looks proud.
Well, it doesn’t feel bad to be praised.
“Yuu is definitely as the rumors say.”
“...That’s also just as Sebasun-san said~.”
Huh? I look at Sebasun, who’s smiling even more wryly.
So are Sebasto and Noela.
Yuu looks complicated.
What’s going on?
“Well, never mind~. So, what kind of clothes are you looking for today~?”
“Oh, right. Can I see what you have?”
“Sure. Boys’ clothes are over here~. Girls’ clothes are here~.”
The lineup ranges from commoners’ clothes to those for nobles and royalty, and even for adventurers and travelers.
I’m looking for training clothes, so I mainly check out the adventurers’ section.
Oh, this is…
“Is this made of magic fabric?”
“Yes~. It’s durable and automatically adjusts to some extent. Very convenient~.”
Magic fabric is woven with threads imbued with magic power.
It’s made using magical threads, such as silver thread or threads made by magical beasts.
Magic fabric can be tailored to have specific properties based on how it’s woven and sewn.
It can be knife-resistant, impact-resistant, or magic-resistant.
Of course, it’s expensive, and only a few can make it.
“It can also be made into underwear to wear under armor. But it’s expensive~. Custom orders are even more so~.”
“I thought so.”
I can’t buy anything too expensive this time.
And as a growing child, I can’t use it for long anyway.
“I’ll skip custom orders this time. I’ll go with this. The size is just right.”
“Oh, it suits you~. I’ll add some small adjustments for free~.”
“Thank you.”
“Well then, let me handle it~. Take your time looking around~.”
Sylvie-san heads to the back with the clothes I picked.
I browse around but don’t need anything else, so I just window-shop.
After a while, Sylvie-san comes back with my clothes adjusted.
“Here you go~. Since you have a nice figure, the adjustments weren’t difficult~.”
“Thank you. How much?”
“This time, it’s service~.”
“Huh? But I don’t want to take it for free…”
“Well, in that case, tell me what you think after wearing it~. If you want adjustments or more clothes, I’ll charge properly~.”
“...Got it. Thank you.”
“Tell your father I said hi~.”
“Yes, I will.”
The shop was nice, and I like the clothes.
I’ll come again next time.
“Jun, I’m done too. Where next?”
“Right. Let’s check the magic tool shop next. Sebasto, can you guide us?”
“Of course. This way, please.”
“Thank you, Sebasto.”
And so, we continue our exploration of the capital.
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