We spent the rest of the day before my summons to the Empire preparing for the trip. Zara explained her absence to the wolf-kin and Alara. I let Ilina and Cara know that I may be gone for a day or two. Ilina, I told the truth, and Cara I just told that it was something important. She seemed curious, but she didn't press the issue.
There was also the matter of locating the royal capitol of the Empire – Rodsgard. It is in the northeast section of the country, hundreds of miles past Cedonia.
I decided that the best course of action would be to stealth teleport us to the outskirts of Cedonia, then use long-range magic sense to detect the largest cluster of magic signatures in that direction. After that, I can just fly us there.
It's the morning of my summons, and we're all standing in the reception hall with our full gear. We don't really need it; we just want to look the part if necessary. I also had Alto and Zara wear hooded cloaks, for extra safety.
"Alright, is everyone ready?" (Mizuki)
There's a round of confident assent from Nina, Alto, and Zara. After confirming with magic sense that Cara is not nearby, I teleport us to the area just outside Cedonia. I orient myself to where I think Rodsgard is, based on the sun, then I use a thin arc of magic sense to search for power clusters.
After a little searching, the largest signature seems to be in the direction I expected, over 700 km away. That must be it.
"Okay everyone, get in flight formation. I think I located Rodsgard." (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…I get the front spot!" (Nina)
As Nina declares this, she jumps over to wrap me in a hug, then gives me a charming smile. Alto and Zara just laugh, then walk over and prepare to fly. I nod my approval at everyone and take off at max speed.
With the four of us, it takes about an hour to get there. Most of the terrain between is sparse and relatively flat forestland, but it becomes more mountainous as we approach our destination. Eventually, a massive city emerges on the horizon.
Surprisingly, the city itself does not have a huge protective wall encircling it, like the others I've seen. However, that's probably because the city is a metaphorical island.
It's situated atop a rock formation in a surrounding canyon, and a narrow extension of that rock formation is the only access point into the city from the main road to its south. That said, there is an enormous castle within the city center that has its own defensive wall – Belmod doesn't like looking at the plebes, I guess.
Zara mutters at the sight in amazement.
"This is a natural fortress…it would be very hard for soldiers to overtake." (Zara)
Alto responds bitterly.
"I agree…I wish our own royal capitol were so well defended." (Alto)
Nina responds predictably.
"Fufufu…they've completely ignored the air! Dragons would destroy this feeble city." (Nina)
I sigh deeply.
"Everyone, I'm going to set us down in the forest off the main road. We'll need to walk that short distance to the city's entry point, then cross the rock formation for entry like everyone else. Since that's the only access road, I'm guessing the emperor has people waiting for us to show up. From this point forward, maximize your defenses. Alto, use your ring." (Mizuki)
Everyone voices their assent.
I set us down near the main road, behind the nearby tree line, and drop the concealment spell. Hmm…initially I thought this gear would make us look like travelers, but I also wonder now if they're going to confiscate any weapons or gear when we go to meet the emperor.
"Alright, load all your things into my item box. I consider it likely that they'll try to confiscate our weapons and gear early on, and I want to avoid that. Alto, you can put your things in your own item box if you'd like." (Mizuki)
I summon the item box, and place my weapons in it, then Nina and Zara follow suit. Zara looks longingly at her sword as she puts it in. Alto takes me up on my offer and stores her daggers and travel gear in her own item box. Truthfully, she's a mage at heart, so she doesn't need them.
Afterwards, I nod at everyone approvingly.
"Great, let's go then." (Mizuki)
I wait until there's a lag in the foot traffic, then we quickly walk out onto the road and approach the city's access point. There's a slight wait at the entry checkpoint, while several guards assess the incoming visitors.
As we get closer in the line, I can hear some of their exchanges. The guards always ask for the travelers to state their business, and the responses are varied.
"I'm an adventurer, I'm returning from a collection job."
"I'm a merchant, I have a meeting to discuss purchasing property and opening a new shop here."
"We're citizens, returning from visiting family in a nearby village."
In all cases, the guards ask for written verification or identification. So, we're not bluffing our way in here – the city will be alerted to my presence. It's even possible this security is specifically for our arrival. I make sure to position myself at the front of our group.
Eventually, I'm next in line.
"State your business in Rodsgard." (guard 1)
"Good morning, my name is Mizuki. I am here responding to a summons from Emperor Belmod." (Mizuki)
I see recognition on the guards' faces briefly. So, they were alerted to me.
"Do you have proof of this summons?" (guard 1)
I nod politely and grab the letter tucked behind my shirt. I hand it to the guard, and he looks it over casually, then nods.
"Seems official. It says you're an adventurer with a party, so I'll need to see everyone's guild cards to verify your identities." (guard 1)
I nod and produce my guild card, then collect Zara's and Alto's. I hand them to the guard while Nina does the same with her own guild card. I really hope the guards don't try and hold on to them, because Nina really loves that thing – she might kill them over it.
The guard scans over the cards briefly.
"Wow, they're gold, huh? I've been doing this for years and never seen these…real S-rankers." (guard 1)
The guard seems chill to me. However, when he flips through to Zara's and Alto's normal cards, and scans them, his eyes go wide in surprise, and he tries to peer under their cloak hoods – I'm guessing he noticed their races on the cards.
The guard returns our cards, and he seems thoughtful for a minute before responding.
"Okay, you two are clear, but they have to stay here with us." (guard 1)
I raise my eyebrows at him curiously.
"They are members of my party. May I ask why?" (Mizuki)
The guard hesitates before responding.
"The card said they were B-rank, and the summons was for an S-rank party. So, we can't verify that they're included." (guard 1)
Bullshit.
"You have verified my status, and I, the leader of the party, verify that they are included in my party. Is there an issue?" (Mizuki)
The guard looks conflicted, but eventually responds flatly.
"We have to detain anyone who looks out of place." (guard 1)
I narrow my eyes at him.
"In other words, this has nothing to do with their B-rank status, and everything to do with their race. Is that right? If it were about their lack of S-rank, you would have been surprised when you saw the normal guild cards mixed in, not when you read them. Are non-humans banned from Rodsgard?" (Mizuki)
The guard stiffens, and he is obviously flustered.
"No. Still, those are our orders." (guard 1)
The guard looks nervous, and I see his two companions watching me carefully – their hands are on their swords' hilts. I sigh deeply and give the guard a smile.
"Well, that much I can understand. I guess there's nothing else to be done, then." (Mizuki)
The guards seem to relax.
"Alright everyone, let's head back to Elmesia. It seems our party isn't welcome. Guards, please give Emperor Belmod our sincerest apologies for not being able to enter his city." (Mizuki)
All the guards' eyes go wide in surprise.
"Wait! You're going to ignore a summons from the Emperor!?" (guard 1)
I turn back to him with my best confused expression.
"Ignore? Of course not, I traveled all the way here, didn't I? Emperor Belmod asked me to come as the leader of an S-rank party, not as an individual, which implies that I'm to bring said party. I came, and now that party is not being allowed inside. That would make you the ones ignoring the summons, not me. I'm sure Emperor Belmod is a very understanding man, though, so you can clear it up with him and we'll come back later." (Mizuki)
I see the main guard's face go pale, but one of the other two guards just narrows his eyes at me, annoyed. He's leaning against a post nearby, and he seems to be the oldest of the guards.
"Listen kid, we're not ignoring anything…we were told to detain any elves or wolf-kin that showed up here today. If you try to leave, that's ignoring the emperor's summons, and we can arrest you. None of you even have weapons, and you can't use magic. So, do as we tell you, leave your little pets here, and quit running your mouth." (guard 2)
Guard 1 grimaces at the other's response and turns to sternly address him.
"Kurt, you're still my subordinate. Don't get involved unless I tell you." (Guard 1)
Kurt snarls but returns to his leaning pose quietly. That's okay…he was very helpful. Belmod obviously told them detailed information about us and wants to preemptively detain Zara and Alto without explanation. That's not a good sign.
[Nina, Alto, Zara...be ready. I'm going to have to be a little stern with them.] (Mizuki)
I address the first guard when he turns back to me.
"Well, that's what Kurt thinks, but it sounds like you're in charge. Tell me, what do you think is the wisest decision? Turn hostile towards the friendly S-rank party or escort them with a couple of extra guests." (Mizuki)
I glare at the first guard to drive home my point. Kurt looks like he's seething, but the guard in charge is hesitating.
Time to push him a little harder. He must know about Nina's magic abilities, so I bet he's not inclined to fight us while so outmatched.
"Might I suggest the latter? After all, you could still turn hostile against us later that way. The difference is…you'll have backup then." (Mizuki)
The guard gives me a shocked look, and he seems to be breaking out in a cold sweat, but I just maintain his gaze. Eventually, he makes a decision.
"Kurt, you stay here and continue gate duty. Rhett, run ahead and get word to the Emperor that I'm escorting Mizuki and his entire party to the palace." (guard 1)
Rhett nods and takes off across the land bridge to Rodsgard. Kurt is absolutely glowering, but just walks over to continue checking IDs at the gate. The head guard waves us towards him and begins walking across the pass. When we're halfway across, I speak up.
"My, my…Rhett seems nice. But Kurt…tsk, tsk. I feel sorry for you, having a subordinate like that. I'm guessing he feels that he should be your superior, since he has more experience in the guard. Is that correct?" (Mizuki)
The head guard gives me a puzzled look, then shakes his head in exasperation.
"Yes, you seem like a sharp kid. That makes it even more confusing why you're so nonchalant right now. I saw your card myself, and you can't use magic. If you're not an idiot, why are you not more worried?" (guard 1)
I smirk at the guard, and he grows nervous.
"Worried? Do tell, what would I have to be worried about? This is just a polite summons from the Emperor. Is there something I should know?" (Mizuki)
The guard stares at me suspiciously for a few moments, then turns around without a word and keeps walking in silence.