Vol 4 Chapter 39: In the Capital, Harmonia

The ruler of the human kingdom, Queen Ramielle.

Her name is known not only to the people of this kingdom but even to those in distant lands.

She is in her mid-twenties—a young woman whose journey to the throne, despite her youth and lack of experience, was marked by countless trials and tribulations.

The previous king had three children: two sons born of the queen and, much later, a daughter, Ramielle.

When Ramielle was only ten, the aging king, weakened by old age, began considering his successor.

The choice was expected to be between the firstborn and second sons, who had already reached adulthood. However, events took an unforeseen turn, surprising both the king and his people.

The eldest son, a leading candidate due to his military achievements, died in battle, pierced by the blade of an enemy during a war against other races.

Shortly after, the second son, who had distinguished himself in politics, succumbed to a sudden illness. Despite the desperate efforts of healers and doctors, he passed away.

This left only Ramielle, a young girl, as the last heir to ascend to the throne.

Initially, her succession was met with skepticism. The deaths of her brothers—one in battle, the other from illness—seemed almost too convenient, fueling rumors. Was Ramielle behind their deaths, plotting from the shadows for the throne? Or was she a mere puppet, placed there by someone scheming to manipulate the kingdom?

Whispers spread like wildfire. Some even called her a cursed witch who brought misfortune.

When she officially took the throne and appeared before her people as their queen, her youthful beauty failed to assuage their doubts. Her inaugural speech was dismissed as the naive ramblings of a child, further fueling unrest and dissatisfaction.

However, what followed was a remarkable transformation of the kingdom.

Ramielle wasted no time in rooting out corruption among the nobility and officials, purging those who harmed the kingdom and relentlessly pushing for reforms despite facing opposition.

Some nobles, confident they could manipulate the young queen, rebelled, even resorting to armed uprisings. Yet, every one of these revolts was crushed.

The peculiar nature of these battles drew attention. Rebels advancing with fabricated justifications were thwarted by sudden heavy rains, archers’ arrows were rendered ineffective by unexpected headwinds, and mysterious illnesses swept through enemy ranks. It was as if the heavens themselves favored Ramielle, shielding her with the blessing of a goddess of fortune.

Her good fortune extended beyond the battlefield. After her coronation, harvests grew more bountiful, and the economy prospered due to her strategic investments in new industries. Tax revenues increased, and both the kingdom and its people thrived.

Witnessing the rapid development of their nation, the people gradually forgot their initial fears and suspicions. They began to praise her as a wise and fortunate queen, spreading her renown far and wide.

Ten years had passed since her ascension. Now, Queen Ramielle continued to lead her kingdom with wisdom and an aura of mature beauty that only grew with time.

“And that’s the story circulating about her. Nina, had you heard it before?”

“Nah, never. I’ve heard her name, but I had no idea how she ended up queen.”

Inside the carriage heading to the royal capital of Harmonia, Lena recounted Queen Ramielle’s story to Nina, like a teacher explaining a lesson to a child.

As someone from the countryside, I wasn’t well-versed in the details either. The almost fantastical tale Lena wove about the queen intrigued me.

“Some parts might be exaggerated, but it’s true that Queen Ramielle is incredibly popular,” Alice, a former noble, added, crossing her arms. She seemed more familiar with the topic than the rest of us. Her expression, almost like a child showing off her knowledge, was endearing.

“…I wonder what she’s really thinking,” Fana muttered, almost to herself. She’d never been one to look kindly on nobles or the elite, and I couldn’t help but wonder if something had happened in her past.

Come to think of it, I knew very little about Fana’s history—what parties she had traveled with before, why she transitioned from a dancer to a sage. There were countless things I wanted to ask, but probing too deeply into someone’s past felt invasive, as though I were accusing them of something.

I hoped that one day, I could learn her story. For now, I kept those thoughts to myself and listened quietly to the conversation around me.

“We’re about to arrive,” Kaguya’s voice called out from the driver’s seat.

Looking outside, I saw it: the towering outer walls of Harmonia, the royal capital. Unlike anything I’d ever seen before, the walls exuded an almost oppressive grandeur.

As the carriage approached the gates, armored gatekeepers armed with spears waited ahead. The carriage slowed to a halt before them.

“All passengers, step out!”

The booming voice of one of the gatekeepers reached even inside the carriage. We complied, stepping out one by one.

When I stepped out first, the guards looked me over with faintly mocking expressions. I suppose, compared to their burly builds, I must have seemed like a weak, unreliable adventurer.

Then, the women began to disembark.

Lena, Alice, and Fana descended carefully, their movements causing… gentle, bouncing ripples.

“Whoa…”

The guards’ previously disdainful expressions froze as their eyes widened, clearly entranced.

Next, Kaguya hopped gracefully from the driver’s seat, and Nina, ignoring the steps entirely, landed on the ground with a thud, her movements sending another set of generous motions rippling through the air.

“…Whoaaa…”

Even these disciplined gatekeepers were utterly captivated, their gazes locked on the stunning women before them.

“Um, could you hurry it up?”

Fana’s sharp voice snapped the guards out of their stupor.

“Yes! Right away!”

They scrambled to begin the standard inspections, but before they could proceed—

“No need. These are guests of honor. I’ll handle this.”

A commanding voice came from behind the guards.

A woman emerged, her serene yet imposing presence halting them in their tracks.

“L-Lady Rin? But—”

“I said I’ll handle it. Did you not hear me?”

“…Understood! My apologies!”

Her voice, calm yet piercing, silenced the armored men instantly. She moved with an elegance that drew my gaze.

Her emerald eyes, framed by long lashes, shone with an almost otherworldly light. Jet-black hair cascaded over one eye, lending her an air of mystery. Clad in a form-fitting black dress that covered her entirely yet emphasized her curves, she radiated an aura of both modesty and undeniable allure.

“…Shin? Hey? What are you looking at? Hmm? Care to tell me?”

“Fweh!? N-no, I wasn’t looking at anything!”

“Oh, really… Hmm. Is that so? Well, that’s fine, I suppose.”

Lena caught me staring and called me out. Flustered, I hastily diverted my gaze, trying to play it off. But a strange, heavy sense of pressure, like peering into a deep, dark abyss, gripped me, sending a shiver down my spine.

“We’ve been expecting you, members of the White Lightning.”

“—How… do you know our name?”

The woman who introduced herself as Rin continued speaking with a respectful bow. Fana’s voice was wary, and understandably so. This stranger suddenly appeared, addressed us by name, and acted as though she knew us. Suspicion was inevitable.

“Hehe, I recognized you all instantly. As I’d heard in advance—black-haired mage, red-haired thief, sky-blue-haired girl and her black-haired maid, the golden-haired sage, and, lastly, the lone male swordsman. You do realize, don’t you? …You’re all quite noticeable.”

Ah, that makes sense. She must’ve heard descriptions of us beforehand. Well, I mean, considering how distinct everyone else is… yeah, I suppose we do stand out.

“Fair enough… By the way, who are you?”

Apparently satisfied with Rin’s explanation, Fana asked her another question.

“My apologies. I am Rin, a guide sent by Her Majesty the Queen. I’ve been instructed to escort you to the castle. —This way, please.”

Declaring herself an emissary of the queen, Rin turned to lead us. Her arm extended back, gesturing toward an ornate carriage bearing the royal crest.

“I see… If this is a royal summons, we can’t exactly refuse. …Alright, everyone, let’s go.”

Though she hesitated for a moment, Fana, our leader, quietly agreed. With her decision, our course of action was set.

We handed off the carriage we’d used so far and boarded the new one. The difference was staggering, as if stepping into another world.

Unlike our plain, boxy carriage, this one was elegant, rounded, and adorned with intricate decorations. Even the wallpaper inside was meticulously designed, resembling a luxurious inn. The seats were plush and incredibly comfortable. Befitting something prepared by the queen herself, it looked extremely expensive.

The seating arrangement consisted of three-person benches facing each other: Lena, Alice, and I on one side, while Nina, Kaguya, and Fana sat opposite us. Rin, the guide, took a small single-seat positioned near the corner.

“You may proceed,” Rin instructed the driver.

The carriage began to move smoothly. Compared to any I’d ridden before, this one felt almost magical—no jostling, no harsh vibrations. Even the thought of motion sickness seemed irrelevant.

“This is amazing. It’s so quiet and comfortable!”

“Right? If we traveled like this all the time, it’d be such a breeze!”

Lena and Nina chatted excitedly, marveling at the luxury of the carriage.

Rin, rather than mocking their reaction, simply smiled warmly.

I, meanwhile, gazed out the window at the lively streets of the royal capital. The bustling scenery filled me with the same giddy excitement as a festival.

Alice and Kaguya sat calmly, clearly accustomed to such opulence. Fana, however, wore a pensive expression, lost in thought.

After some time of brisk travel, Rin spoke again.

“We will be arriving at the royal castle shortly.”

Her considerate tone drew my attention, and I instinctively leaned out to look ahead.

“That’s… the royal castle…”

At the heart of the city, atop a small hill, stood a majestic, pure white castle.

Surrounded by walls towering several times the height of a person, its ornate, flowing gates looked like works of art. The castle itself was massive, with countless spires stretching skyward, as though trying to pierce the heavens.

It was a place that truly conveyed its role as the dwelling of humanity’s ruler, inspiring awe and reverence.

“I-I want to see too!”

“Don’t hog it! Let me look!”

Lena and Nina leaned over me, shoving their faces toward the window. Normally, the sensation would’ve left me flustered, but I was so captivated by the sight in front of me that I barely noticed.

“Wow…”

“Whoa…”

Their awestruck reactions mirrored my own. The closer we got, the more overwhelming the castle felt, as though its grandeur were bearing down on us. Beyond those gates awaited Queen Ramielle herself.

Unbothered by my growing tension, the carriage rolled steadily forward, its rhythmic sound almost soothing.

The surprises didn’t end once we entered the castle grounds.

A graceful fountain and gardens filled with vibrant flowers greeted us.

The entrance was so tall it seemed like it could welcome giants.

The interior was a dazzling display of gold and crimson, its luxurious décor bordering on overwhelming. Even in broad daylight, the chandeliers—made of glittering gemstones—illuminated the space with countless lights.

Soft carpets seemed to swallow my footsteps, and everywhere I looked—paintings, ornate pillars, and elegant furnishings—it was a world far removed from anything I’d ever known. I was so awestruck I could barely suppress a sigh.

Following Rin cautiously, we were eventually brought to an especially resplendent door, more opulent than anything else we’d passed.

“From this point on, you will enter the audience chamber. Please, I implore you to avoid any impropriety.”

Rin’s warning carried the weight of stepping into the final room of a dungeon, where a monster lies in wait. Though we had been summoned, we were about to meet the highest authority in this kingdom. One wrong move, and it wasn’t impossible to imagine a swift execution.

“Are you prepared? —Then, let us proceed.”

With a deep metallic creak, the double doors slowly opened, revealing a grand chamber, a continuation of the luxurious interiors we’d seen so far, but with an air of solemnity.

The stone floor gleamed like polished gemstones, nothing like the rough stones you’d find on the roadside. At the center, a vivid red carpet stretched forward, creating a clear path for those entering.

On either side, rows of ornate chairs were occupied by elegantly dressed men and women, their gazes assessing us like we were items on display.

And at the far end, atop a raised platform, sat a throne more magnificent and ornate than anything else in the room.

Rin led the way down the seemingly endless carpet, and we followed closely, careful not to fall behind.

When she reached the center, she knelt gracefully. Fana, Alice, and Kaguya mirrored her actions, lowering themselves with practiced precision. Unfamiliar with court etiquette, Nina and I scrambled to imitate them awkwardly.

The chamber fell into complete silence, so heavy that even breathing felt like a transgression. My mind raced, unable to comprehend what might happen next.

Then, a soft click of footsteps broke the stillness. The sound, muffled by the carpet, was deliberate, teasing, as if savoring the tension.

Finally, the steps stopped in front of us.

“—Raise your heads.”

The voice that resonated was gentle yet commanding, leaving no room for disobedience. As if pulled by invisible strings, my head lifted, my gaze following the source of the voice.

Before us stood a woman who could only be described as ephemeral, like a snowflake caught in moonlight—Queen Ramielle.

Seated on the throne, her long, straight white hair cascaded like clouds, untouched by even the faintest blemish.

Her azure eyes held a quiet dignity, shimmering like a lake’s surface kissed by sunlight.

Her lips were a soft, petal-like pink, and her alabaster skin, paired with her hair, lent her an otherworldly aura.

Her expression betrayed no emotion, exuding an almost doll-like perfection that was both captivating and unnerving.

Her dress, the same deep blue as her eyes, revealed her shoulders, toeing the line between regal and sensual. Yet, her inherent elegance transformed it into something purely awe-inspiring. Looking directly at her felt almost unbearable.

When I dared to meet her gaze again, I felt as if her eyes lingered on me, her enigmatic lips curving ever so slightly. Perhaps it was my imagination.

“I am Queen Ramielle. I extend my gratitude for your recent achievements. You have done well to free my people from the clutches of the demon tribe.”

“…Your Majesty’s words are too kind,” Fana responded as our representative, her tone steady despite the immense pressure.

“As a token of appreciation for your service to the kingdom, I will bestow upon you a reward. The specifics will be entrusted to Rin. …Rin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

At her summons, Rin rose from her kneeling position and approached the throne. She leaned in to whisper something to the queen, her words inaudible to the rest of us.

I noticed her expression tighten slightly as she listened.

“…Understood?”

“Y-yes, as you command.”

Though Rin’s response was composed, her voice carried a faint tremor.

Queen Ramielle stood, her every movement as graceful as a swan gliding across water.

Was the audience over? As I pondered this, I once again locked eyes with the queen. Her lips curved slightly again, or so I thought.

“Hey! Shin, you’re being rude! Bow your head already!”

Startled, I realized I was the only one still looking at the queen. Alice hissed at me under her breath, snapping me out of my daze. Quickly, I averted my gaze, focusing on the crimson carpet beneath me, though the image of her snowy hair lingered in my mind.

Just as when she entered, the queen departed, her footsteps echoing faintly as they receded. The audience ended swiftly, and the others in the chamber followed her out, leaving only us and Rin behind.

“Now then, regarding your reward…”

Rin stood and began to explain. Expecting some kind of monetary reward or title, we leaned in, eager to hear the details.

“—The queen has requested to discuss it personally in her chambers. Please, follow me.”

“W-wait, hold on! Her chambers? Are you serious?”

Fana, uncharacteristically flustered, voiced the question on all our minds. The notion of being invited to the queen’s personal chambers was absurd. For a moment, I thought it might be a joke, but Rin’s expression was entirely serious.

“Yes. Her Majesty specifically stated that she wishes to speak with you—Shin.”

“…Huh? M-me?”

“Yes, Her Majesty has requested a private audience with you.”

I couldn’t fathom why. Surely, if anyone deserved a private audience, it would be our leader, Fana.

“May I ask why only Shin has been summoned?” Fana asked, her voice steady despite her visible confusion.

“I’m afraid I cannot say. Her Majesty did not provide a reason,” Rin replied, her tone apologetic but firm.

She seemed just as bewildered as the rest of us, even letting out a faint sigh.

“Well… it’s not as if we can refuse the queen,” Fana murmured, half to herself.

Her words were true. To reject the queen’s command could be seen as treason. As uneasy as I felt, I couldn’t refuse.

“Shin, can you handle this?”

“Y-yes! I’ll do my best!”

I tried to sound confident, but my voice wavered.

“Shin, the queen may be beautiful, but don’t lose your composure, alright?”

“Yeah! Don’t do anything stupid, or you’re done for!”

“Stay calm. One inappropriate look, and it’s over for you.”

“Shin… if you’re struggling, should I use Ninpo: Sealed Vessel to help you control yourself?”

They spoke as if I were some kind of wild beast about to pounce on the queen. I couldn’t help but wonder what they thought of me. And Kaguya’s suggestion? Absolutely not.

“This way, please. Her Majesty awaits.”

With Rin leading us once more, I followed her through the royal castle, this time taking the lead among our group.