…I was so nervous.
After climbing down from Ji Liz’s back, shaking hands with that incredibly important-looking man (who I later learned was Hajime-san’s father), and following him as he led us away, I finally stepped onto the passageway connecting the landing dock to the floating island of the castle. Only then, out of the public eye, did I allow myself to exhale deeply.
「You did well, Sui-kun. You looked great out there.」
「Hmm. Very cool.」
Mother and Karen whispered reassuringly from behind me.
Still, I couldn’t let the act drop just yet. At least not until we reached wherever we were staying. For now, I had to keep up appearances.
Yes.
What Mother had instructed me to do was clear: “Act as though you are the master.”
Mother, the renowned Heavenly Bell Witch, was a name that resonated not just in this kingdom but across the entire continent. Karen, too, was a figure everyone in Alfheim knew—the Calm Spring Witch, heir to the bloodline of the Six Founding Clans.
By walking with these two at my side, I was to make a statement.
To flaunt the presence of someone so grand that even Heavenly Bell and Calm Spring would walk at his heels. To show Alfheim the kind of person I was—or at least the person I was pretending to be.
…Look, I get it. I understand that this is all about creating an impression, about ensuring that we’re taken seriously right from the start.
But honestly, can we not? This kind of showy display is not my thing.
I was wracked with doubt. Was I managing to look confident? Was my voice shaking too much? My nerves felt like they were written all over me. Still, judging by their reactions, I’d at least managed to fake it well enough.
「Bark!」
「Shh, Chocola. Walk with dignity.」
I could hear Karen and Chocola whispering behind me. You two seem so at ease, don’t you? Not that Chocola wasn’t trying his best—he wasn’t jumping around or barking, which was incredibly well-behaved of him.
Still—
My gaze wandered to the group leading us.
At the center of the escort party was a man walking with a steady, composed air, surrounded by the twins from Ejetia and Hajime-san.
I could only see the back of his head, so I had no idea what expression he wore or what thoughts he might have. But even if I could face him head-on, I doubted I’d be able to read his mind.
Emishi Aquano.
When he had greeted me upon my descent, he shook my hand and said:
「Welcome. We’re glad to have you.」
His face, lined with a stern frown, seemed to belong to a man in his thirties.
Mother had mentioned that he was of her generation, so in reality, he was likely at least ten years older. The deep furrow of his brow and the rock-like rigidity of his expression didn’t speak of simple hardship but rather a mask forged from inner turmoil, an effort to hide his true emotions.
If Shiki-san’s assessment was correct, this was the man who had summoned me—the one who intended to use me for something.
Whether he would prove to be an ally or not… well, that remains to be seen.
We had been walking for a while, but there was still no sign of exiting the passage. Judging by the distance, we should have already crossed the bridge connecting the landing dock to the floating island.
The corridor was windowless, resembling a tunnel, with walls made of what looked like concrete. It seemed to be a private route, likely designed to keep important guests out of public view.
—Not that I seriously thought it was a trap.
Eventually, we came to a door. It was an imposing, heavy iron one. Hajime-san, leading the way, opened it, revealing a room beyond. Like the passage, it was spartan, save for a lone desk in the corner where a few elves in crisp, formal uniforms sat.
One of them stood and approached us.
「Welcome to Alfheim. This is the immigration control office. Will the three entrants and their familiar please step forward.」
「Excuse me, but a correction: he’s not a familiar. He’s family.」
I immediately countered. Even in something as trivial as wording, this was not something I could yield.
「…Understood. Three individuals and one… companion, step forward.」
The officer’s annoyance was plain on their face, but I ignored it.
One by one, we were called, our identities verified, and the entry documents signed. Mother and Karen’s titles as witches served as their identification, while I presented my adventurer’s card. Even Chocola’s name was listed—not under “familiar,” but under “partner,” thanks to a special designation arranged by Cliche-san.
「Verification complete. Entry approved. Welcome to Alfheim.」
With the formalities done, we left the examination room and were finally about to enter the castle proper—when a problem arose.
「Now, I will guide you to the accommodations arranged by the Elders’ Council… Quioy-sama, this way, please.」
For some reason, the person guiding Karen and the one guiding the rest of us were different.
「Viole-sama, Sui-sama, Chocola-sama, this way.」
I frowned instinctively.
「What’s the meaning of this? Are you saying Karen and we will be staying in separate accommodations?」
The answer I received was blunt.
「Quioy-sama belongs to the Six Founding Clans. A room in the noble-exclusive district has been prepared for her. You, however, are not. …This should hardly come as a surprise.」
I glanced at the others.
Emishi-san’s face was a mask of indifference, not a single eyebrow twitching. Hajime-san mirrored him, expressionless. The Ejetia twins, on the other hand, both sighed audibly.
「Arranged by the Elders’ Council? What kind of nonsense—」
「Wait.」
I stopped Noemi-san before she could protest further. Stepping forward, I positioned myself between the immigration officer and both Karen and Mother.
「I refuse to stay in separate accommodations.」
「…You have no authority to refuse.」
「Even so, I won’t accept it. We’ll stay together.」
「That is not possible. If you cannot comply with our instructions, your entry permit will be revoked.」
「I see. Then we’ll leave.」
「…What?」
The immigration officer froze, dumbfounded.
Even I knew my response was curt and obstinate, but I couldn’t help it.
After all, I could tell—plainly—how they viewed us.
Their tone had been polite, their words measured. But the atmosphere they exuded, the subtle waves of magical energy they gave off, spoke volumes.
They were looking down on us.
Whether it was due to whispers from someone absent or simply their natural disposition, I couldn’t say. They revered Karen, that much was clear. But as for me, my mother, and Chocola? They saw us as nothing more than bumpkins from the surface.
That’s why I said it.
With unwavering conviction and clarity, I addressed not only the officers here but also the faceless members of the Elders’ Council who had likely given the orders.
「Didn’t you hear me? We’re leaving. Thank you for your time.」
「Indeed.」
「Hmm.」
「Bark!」
Mother, Karen, and even Chocola responded in unison.
As I turned on my heel, a flustered voice called out from behind.
「Wait… Hey! Leave? Do you think that’s allowed?」
「Well, you said our entry permit would be revoked, right? In that case, we have no choice but to leave.」
「H-How do you plan to do that? This is a floating island! I’ll remind you, the use of hippogriffs won’t be authorized.」
「Oh? Do you not know how we got here in the first place?」
I threw the question back at one of the officers whose contempt had been all too clear.
「I’ll call the dragon back. I doubt he’s too far away yet. …Actually, I should probably inform Emishi-san instead. If the accommodations remain unchanged, we’re truly leaving.」
Turning away from the immigration officers, I directed my words further into the room, toward Emishi Aquano, who had been silently observing the entire situation.
「Please arrange for Karen to stay at the same accommodations as us. The district doesn’t matter. We’ll even cover the cost if necessary. …Or is this beyond your authority?」
If Shiki-san’s speculation that night had been correct, then this whole debacle—splitting us and Karen into separate lodgings—was the handiwork of certain conservative members of the Elders’ Council. Their staunch, bloodline-centric agenda was likely the driving force behind this nonsense.
However, this wasn’t the will of the nation. It was merely the result of a few troublesome individuals prioritizing their own petty pride.
It couldn’t have been Emishi-san’s intention.
If their pride was more important than whatever task they needed me for, I would genuinely have no problem turning around and leaving.
But if that wasn’t the case—if Emishi-san truly needed our strength—then he would put a stop to this.
「…Very well. I will authorize it under my authority as Emishi Aquano. Quioy-sama will stay in the same lodging as our honored guests. Amend the paperwork accordingly.」
Thus, Emishi-san took the reins.
With a faint sigh and a deepening furrow in his brow, he addressed the immigration officers.
「However, we are simply following orders from above…」
「I, Emishi Aquano, have made this decision as a member of the Elders’ Council. Are you suggesting there are higher orders than that? Or do you intend to bring this trivial matter to a formal debate?」
「Please wait. Quioy-sama carries the esteemed blood of the Six Founding Clans. To place someone of her standing in the same lodging as… commoners is unthinkable.」
「Watch your tongue. Who are you calling ‘commoners’? Are you referring to the ‘Heavenly Bell Witch,’ personally granted the title of ‘Deer Slayer’ by the Sovereign of Sorx? Or perhaps you mean the heir of the Hatano Viscountcy of the Sorx Kingdom? It is only through their graciousness that we are spared. Should you be accused of disrespect here, losing your head would be the least of our problems. Our nation would have no grounds to protest to the Kingdom—in fact, we would owe them an apology for your folly. Do you understand the gravity of your words?」
「I… ah…」
One of the officers, the one who had looked down on us the most, paled and began trembling visibly.
…Wait, I’m the heir of a viscountcy?
Oh, right. Father does hold a viscount title, doesn’t he? I vaguely remember Mother mentioning it in one of her old stories. But I’d never thought it had anything to do with me…
「Um, let’s leave it at that. As long as our lodging is properly arranged, that’s all we ask.」
Feeling pity for the now sweat-drenched officer, I intervened to calm things down.
Emishi-san turned to me, inclining his head slightly, and spoke solemnly.
「You have shown remarkable generosity despite the insult to noble blood from another nation. I extend my gratitude. And you—express your apology and gratitude as well.」
「I… I deeply regret my rudeness. I offer my sincerest apologies and gratitude for your magnanimity…!」
With a firm push, Emishi-san shoved the apologizing officer aside, as though they were no longer needed. His brusque gesture left no room for argument.
「Now then, I apologize for the sudden change, but new accommodations will need to be arranged. Fortunately, there is a lodging owned by a branch family of mine. Its security is top-notch, so you may rest easy. Allow me to guide you there myself.」
「…I see. Please lead the way.」
I nodded, though internally I was stunned.
Because in the end, we not only secured the same lodging but also managed to avoid staying anywhere under the influence of the conservative faction.
「Could it be… this was his plan all along?」
「Something the matter? Come along.」
「No, it’s nothing.」
As I hurried to follow Emishi-san’s brisk pace, I couldn’t help but reflect.
Emishi Aquano.
He was likely not an enemy.
But at the same time, he was certainly no simple ally either.
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