Chapter 209 - Shirone, Part Five
Aisha's Perspective:
When I returned to the royal capital with Zanoba, the people were out giving us a warm welcome.
Judging by the atmosphere, Pax had most likely come through without any trouble.
Zanoba seemed to realize the same thing. His expression eased.
He turned to his knight, Ginger.
"Ginger, did anything happen while I was away from the royal capital?"
"Reporting to Your Highness! Nothing out of the ordinary! If I must mention something, it would be the arrival of Lady Aisha and Lady Ghislaine."
"Lady Ghislaine?"
"Lady Aisha's traveling companion, and a trusted aide of Lord Rudeus."
"I see."
We continued on, and just as the palace came into view, that statue of Lord Rudeus from before rose up ahead of us.
Zanoba stopped, staring at it.
I stopped too. He's a prince, after all, the least I could do was give him a moment.
"Lady Aisha."
"Hm?"
"In your opinion, where does it fall short?"
I looked the statue over from top to bottom.
Robes, staff, rings. All the defining features were there.
But... how to put this...
The pose, maybe? The statue showed a mage raising his staff just before casting a spell.
The expression matched it, a look of intensity, of anticipation.
But the Lord Rudeus I know...
"Prince Zanoba, Lord Rudeus doesn't show much expression when he casts. He doesn't make large movements either."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I've seen it myself."
"..."
"And the face isn't quite right. Lord Rudeus is more handsome. More mature."
"I see..."
"Did you carve it using magic?"
Zanoba shook his head.
"It was carved entirely by hand."
"Ah?"
"I chiseled it out bit by bit, alone, using a pick."
"Alone? That... how long did it take?"
I looked the statue over again.
It wasn't as tall as the one in the Asura Kingdom, but it still stood around 4 meters high.
One person did this?
"About 3 months, I suppose. Not that long, really. I have great strength, so fatigue isn't the issue. It's the technique. That's where I fall short."
He pushed up his glasses, then glanced toward Ginger.
Ginger seemed to understand immediately. With a slightly resigned look, she handed Zanoba a wrapped package.
"Lady Aisha."
"What is it?"
"Please, take a look at this."
He unwrapped it. Inside was... a doll?
Painted, too.
Green hair. A red gemstone set at the center of the forehead. A long spear.
There was no way I wouldn't recognize him. Back when I worked as an investigator in the Asura Kingdom, he had taught me.
Lord Ruijerd.
"This is Lord Ruijerd?"
"Yes! You recognized him!"
"...When it comes to green hair, who else could it be but Lord Ruijerd? Lady Sylphie, maybe. That's about it."
"Fair point. So what do you think of the doll?"
"Not much. Ruijerd is far more muscular than this. He's very strong."
"I've never actually met Ruijerd in person. I've only had picture books and secondhand descriptions to go on..."
As he said it, he drifted into muttering to himself.
All of it was about doll-making. Techniques, materials, proportions.
I had zero interest in any of it.
With the time he spent talking about dolls, he could have just gone and seen the real person.
"So, Lady Aisha — could you instruct me in magic? I'd like to try applying it to doll-making and such..."
I snapped back to attention. Somehow, Zanoba had already arrived at that particular request.
I refused without hesitation.
"No. I don't have the time."
"I can offer compensation! I am a prince, after all. If you'd consider—"
"No."
"Very well..."
Zanoba dropped his head, the dejection plain on his face.
Is this really a prince?
-------
Back inside the palace, a servant led us straight to a room that resembled a banquet hall.
Not particularly lavish, as these things go. The moment we entered, Pax stepped forward.
"Congratulations on your triumphant return, Miss Aisha, Elder Brother!"
The woman behind him, Benedict, smiled and gave a slight dip of her head.
Not wanting to speak, or just not able to?
Zanoba nodded back. I didn't spare the queen consort much thought and looked toward Ghislaine instead.
Ghislaine read me immediately. She walked over and filled me in.
The King Dragon Kingdom had actually... made its move. It had really happened.
But they'd let a few people go back, so it should be fine now, right?
"Miss Aisha, Miss Ghislaine — would you be willing to stay as guests in the Shirone Kingdom for a few days?"
A personal invitation from the king of a nation.
Declining would be rude.
I nodded.
"Fine."
-------
4 days into our stay in the Shirone Kingdom, an urgent letter arrived from the Kika Kingdom.
The contents were simple.
The King Dragon Kingdom had turned its aggression on the Kika Kingdom.
...That king has truly lost his mind.
Attacking the Kika Kingdom, the kingdom holding Lord Rudeus's token?
No. No, no, no, no.
I messed up.
Hm? But Zanoba is fine. The Shirone Kingdom is fine. So technically, the mission is complete?
No. I couldn't afford to think like that.
I needed to get back. Now. And tell Lord Rudeus everything.
➤ Next: Calamity