Just as the two guards stationed at the city gate had said, the Royal Capital was currently under extremely tight security. Not only was entering the city subject to strict investigation and screening, but even within the city itself, soldiers could be seen patrolling every street and alley in perfectly lined formations.
People seemed to have gotten used to this sight and continued their daily activities in an orderly manner.
From time to time, adventurers dressed in high-grade equipment could be seen walking the streets, radiating extraordinary auras.
Every so often, wanted posters could be found posted on bulletin boards and announcement boards around the city.
Those posters, of course, were bounties for the Black Knight.
"As expected of the Royal Capital... The atmosphere feels so much more tense than Axel, and it's way more prosperous. Even the buildings look high-class. Could this be one of those places only rich people can live in?" Kazuma spoke.
"Where's the church? The Axis Cult's church? It's impossible they don't have one, right?" Aqua inquired.
"Ahhh, posters of my idol are everywhere… I'm so happy I could die…" - Megumin
"Those aren't posters, they're wanted notices! Get a grip! Even the guards over there are giving us weird looks. Be careful or you'll get arrested!" — Darkness
Along the way, Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness kept bickering and gawking around, acting exactly like bumpkins who had just entered the big city. Their behavior was so embarrassing that it made one want to die from shame.
Fang Li had already given up paying attention to them, focusing instead on the patrolling guards in the alleys and the wanted posters plastered in every corner. Rubbing his forehead in frustration, he muttered:
"Looks like things have gotten even more out of hand than I thought."
Thinking carefully, this level of response was probably to be expected.
A mysterious intruder had broken into the Royal Castle with ease, made a mockery of the entire Knight Order, kidnapped the Princess of the Kingdom, and even single-handedly wiped out a Demon King Army division. Such a major incident, how could they not treat it seriously?
In Axel, few people talked about the incident, only because it's a beginner adventurer town that even the Demon King's army wouldn't bother attacking. Peaceful to the point of boredom, and far from the Royal Capital, people there just didn't concern themselves with matters unrelated to them.
Even so, wanted posters related to the Black Knight had still been sent to Axel, which was proof of how massive the incident's impact was.
And this place was the epicenter of that incident. This level of reaction was only natural.
"Maybe these measures are also in place to prevent the Demon King's forces from infiltrating during the chaos."
Not to mention, when Iris was kidnapped by Fang Li, didn't the Demon King's army seize the opportunity to attack the Royal Capital? It nearly fell to them. So, even setting aside the kidnapping itself, the chaos that followed was something all factions could exploit. Caution was absolutely necessary.
Therefore, this state of heavy security wasn't just aimed at Fang Li; it was to prevent all manner of unforeseen consequences.
"It's already been months, and things are still this tense... I wonder just how chaotic it was at the very beginning?"
With that thought in mind, Fang Li led the group toward the Royal Castle.
"Halt!"
In front of the Royal Castle, several guards stood like immovable rocks. The moment Fang Li's group approached, they immediately raised their long spears.
One of the guards stepped forward and spoke sternly:
"This is the Royal Castle. Unauthorized persons are forbidden to approach. Leave immediately!"
Hearing this, the normally loud Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness all jumped in surprise at the serious tone and fell silent.
"We're adventurers from Axel, summoned here by royal request."
Fang Li, apparently no longer interested in wasting time, took out the invitation directly.
Upon seeing the invitation and hearing his words, the castle guards were momentarily stunned. Then their expressions shifted to surprise.
"Adventurers summoned from Axel?"
"Could they be… that adventurer party rumored to have defeated a Demon King Army leader?"
Amidst the astonished murmurs, the lead guard, who seemed to be the captain, straightened up with a serious expression. His attitude became respectful as he took the invitation, opened it to confirm the contents, and nodded.
"It is indeed an invitation from the Royal Castle, and what's more, it carries the Royal Family's personal seal. My deepest apologies for the discourtesy."
Saying that, the guard gave a formal bow to the group.
"Please, come with us into the Royal Castle. You may rest for a while in the lounge while we deliver the report. You will be summoned again once preparations for the meeting are complete."
With that, a few guards stepped forward, it seemed they would be leading the way.
And so, under their escort, the group entered the Royal Castle.
Royal Castle – Lounge
After entering the lounge, the group was initially excited, curiously touching everything and giving their own opinions about how luxurious the place was. But it didn't take long before the novelty wore off.
"Hey." Aqua, clearly bored, slumped face-down on the table and spoke lazily, "How much longer do we have to wait?"
"It should be soon." Darkness replied quickly, "The Royal Castle is massive. Just reporting our arrival takes time. Add to that any other government business they're handling, and it's not unusual to wait for half a day. That's why they even have a lounge like this."
"Still, this is too long..." Megumin was starting to get annoyed too, "Who's the one that summoned us, anyway?"
"Since we were allowed directly into the Royal Castle, and the invitation carries the Royal Family's seal, it's almost certainly a summons from the Royal Family." Darkness answered again, "So waiting a bit longer is only natural."
"A summon from the Royal Family, huh?" Kazuma said offhandedly, "So who exactly is summoning us? The King?"
"No." Darkness responded immediately, "His Majesty the King is currently on the front lines with the prince, fighting against the Demon King's army at a fortress. So that's unlikely. For now, royal affairs are mainly being handled by Princess Iris. So our summoner is probably Princess Iris."
The moment Darkness finished speaking, Kazuma, Aqua, and Megumin all fell silent.
But the three of them… simply turned to stare at Darkness without saying a word.
"Wh-what's wrong?" Darkness asked, somewhat uneasy, "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
This time, it was Fang Li who answered her.
"Honestly, that was a complete self-destruct." Fang Li sighed, "They're looking at you like that because it's weird how you know so much about the Kingdom, the Royal Capital, and even the Royal Castle. You idiot."
"Ah..." Darkness finally realized.
Seeing everyone staring at her so intently, Darkness seemed to give up.
"Whatever. We've come this far, my identity's going to be exposed sooner or later anyway."
Letting out a sigh, she straightened up and looked seriously at the group.
"Everyone, please listen to what I'm about to say."
"My real name is Dustiness Ford Lalatina."
"Darkness is only my alias."
(End Of This Chapter)
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