Published: July 4, 2025
"Everyone, this is 'Blue Horizon,' where we will be staying. We have reserved two triple rooms and one quadruple room. Please check in individually. We will depart for our return to the City of Run on the morning of the 9th day after the port festival ends, so feel free to spend your time until then."
Hugo, the leader of the trading company, said this and promptly headed off with his merchant companions for business negotiations.
"That’s settled then, we’ll take the two triple rooms and Nils and the others will take the quadruple room."
"Yes, that works."
"Alright. We’ll see each other again in ten days."
With that, 'Coffee Maker' headed into the reception of 'Blue Horizon.'
"I’m glad we arrived without any issues."
Once they reached their room, Eto exhaled deeply.
For the four in Room 10, it had been a somewhat tense two days since it was their first escort request.
Of course, Suzu was no exception and felt a bit fatigued as well.
"For now, how about we eat and then take a walk outside?"
With Nils' suggestion, they decided to go out for food.
With the port festival starting the day after tomorrow, the entire city was lively.
The main street was bustling, and even the back alleys had stalls set up.
As they walked through, the four were munching on snacks from various vendors.
"This is... definitely fish and chips. So delicious..."
While Suzu was moved to tears, Eto was savoring grilled octopus legs.
"I can’t believe this... this is the leg of a devil fish..."
Amon was enjoying a croquette.
"This croquette has ground shrimp in it, and it’s delicious."
Nils was relishing grilled mini kraken.
"In the end, the four of us in Room 10 filled our stomachs with street food without ever entering a restaurant that night."
The next day.
The entire city was busy with the final preparations for the port festival starting tomorrow.
The last group of guests from various countries were arriving to view the festival.
Among them, there was a particularly eye-catching group.
They were guests from the Debuhi Empire's imperial capital.
Within their entourage, there was a more luxurious carriage, adorned with the imperial crest on the door.
"Rand, what’s wrong? Is there a problem?"
"No, your highness. It seems the carriage from the Kufaris Kingdom that entered ahead is having some procedural delays... what should we do?"
"If it’s not our problem, then I don’t mind. Each country has its own circumstances; it’s not our place to interject. Let’s just wait patiently."
With that, the third prince, Conrad Stein Borne-Missa of the Empire, sank deeply into the sofa of the carriage.
"This is the scent of the sea... how nostalgic it feels."
Conrad murmured as he caught the scent of the sea drifting in through the carriage window.
(It's interesting to feel nostalgic about the scent of the sea when our Empire has no ocean. Acquiring the sea has been the longing of his majesty the emperor, or rather, a desire for several generations... but if we were to obtain it, it would bring its own set of troubles...)
Just as he was pondering this, the carriage began to move.
"Your highness, we will head directly to the Lord's Manor where we will be lodging."
"Ah, Rand, thank you. There’s a meeting with the city’s representatives afterward, isn’t there?"
"Yes, exactly. Following that, there will be a dinner hosted by the lord."
Since they were representing the Empire, there were many scheduled activities.
"Well, it can’t be helped."
That night, a pre-festival celebration was held throughout the city, and a dinner hosted by the lord was taking place at the Lord's Manor.
"I’m sorry, Fiona. I know this kind of occasion isn’t your forte... you must be tired?"
"Brother, please don’t worry about me."
The third prince, Conrad, spoke to the eleventh princess, Fiona, who was greeting guests next to him.
"The lord, Loxley, will be departing shortly. You can retreat to your room at that time. There are still many things tomorrow, so please rest well tonight."
With that, he moved slightly away from the guests, allowing Fiona to exit more easily.