Published: July 3, 2025
"Iteke Bo" is both the name of a nation and the name of a city.
In other words, it can be said that this city is the entirety of the nation, making it a city-state.
Iteke Bo is surrounded by high castle walls and has managed to prevent monsters from invading the city despite their attacks.
As it was a diplomatic delegation, the kingdom delegation entered Iteke Bo without undergoing special inspections.
The city of Iteke Bo has a reasonably large river flowing through its center, dividing the city into east and west.
On the west bank lies the noble district centered around the lord of the realm's mansion, while the east bank consists of the urban area.
All accommodations are located in the east bank district.
However, there are, of course, no enormous lodging facilities like those that existed when the kingdom delegation stayed in the Empire.
It seems there are some interactions with the outer regions of the Empire… but from the perspective of the Central Nations, it appears quite small.
Even the largest inn can only accommodate about forty people.
As a result, the kingdom delegation had to split up and stay in a total of thirteen different inns.
Initially, it was planned for four inns each for the kingdom, the empire, and the alliance, while the remaining two inns would host the delegations of smaller nations.
However, at the request of the kingdom delegation leader, Hugh McGrath, the kingdom decided to occupy thirteen out of the fourteen inns.
Is the mindset too small?
That is not the case!
This is for the benefit of the kingdom… it must be… hopefully… I hope so…
The official in charge of coordination is chief negotiator Ignis, while the leader of the b-rank party "Coffee Maker," DeLong, is responsible for the guardian adventurers.
Room 10 is also a b-rank party, but "Coffee Maker," being the more senior b-rank party, has been one of the parties that has handled the most guardian requests among kingdom adventurers, so it has been arranged this way.
Of course, Nils and the others from Room 10 did not object.
Since their first guardian request was to escort Whitnash alongside "Coffee Maker," the two parties have developed a good relationship.
Certainly, during the journey to the Western Nations, unlike the stay in the Empire's Gilsbach, the guardianship job does not end once they enter the city.
Anything could happen even in the city.
While they might be able to relax after arriving in the Western Nations, the guardianship request is always active during the journey.
This applies even while staying at the inns.
"Nils, sorry. The escort for the 'Moonlit Invitation Mansion' will be entrusted to Room 10."
"Yes, DeLong-san. Leave it to us."
"No… as I've said before, we're both b-rank, so just call me by my name..."
Although Nils has a mischievous boyish vibe, he is the type to respect his seniors.
"We will proceed with the escort at 'Spring Sun' as planned, so if anything comes up, please come to us."
"Understood."
Since "Spring Sun" is the largest inn in Iteke Bo, it was where leader Hugh and chief negotiator Ignis would be staying.
In a sense, it serves as the most crucial base for the vigilant guardianship mission.
By willingly taking on the most troublesome location, DeLong's professionalism is evident.
Perhaps this is proof that the teachings of "Abel," who had led the adventurers of the City of Run with his actions and presence until three years ago, continue to live on.
Iteke Bo, the audience chamber.
There, the audience of the kingdom delegation from Naitorei was taking place with Duke Zlaransu, the lord of Iteke Bo.
"So, what will the kingdom offer this nation in return for hosting this delegation?"
Duke Zlaransu's abrupt question left leader Hugh McGrath speechless.
It was surprising to encounter such a demand right away during the initial audience, but using the term "offer" was also difficult to comprehend.
While he did not want to emphasize the difference in national power, couldn't there be a better way to phrase it?
When Hugh raised his face to say something, chief negotiator Ignis swiftly opened his mouth first.