23

“Ains-dono, good morning. Did you rest well last night?”

“Good morning, Kansas-san. I was able to enjoy a fine bath, and it washed away much of my lingering fatigue. Thank you very much.”

Ains sat down in the chair a maid had pulled out and was waiting beside.

Laika, seated across the table, greeted him with a “Good morning,” and Ains replied with “Morning, Laika.”

Sophia, seated beside him, had apparently waited without touching her breakfast. After they exchanged greetings, she began eating only once Ains picked up his fork.

“I apologize for asking this so soon after yesterday, Ains-dono. As we discussed last night, I would like you to accompany us to the royal castle shortly.”

“That’s for explaining the circumstances of Corbelli’s capture, right?”

“Exactly. I’ve arranged it as a private audience rather than a formal public one, so there’s no need for you to be overly tense.”

Kansas spoke with a smile.

Ains had been somewhat nervous, his expression stiffening, but Kansas noticed immediately and addressed him. Ains briefly wondered if some sort of magic was being used.

“That’s a relief. Honestly, that was the one thing on my mind—I couldn’t even sleep in this morning.”

Ains replied with a light joke, easing the atmosphere.

“Then once breakfast is finished, we’ll prepare and head out by carriage.”

“Understood.”

They continued chatting lightly as they finished breakfast.

Afterward, Ains had coffee prepared and enjoyed its flavor.

“Ains-sama, your left sleeve is stained.”

The maid who had been assisting noticed the ink stain and spoke up.

“You’re right. I didn’t really mind it, so I left it, but is it a problem?”

“You will be granted an audience with His Majesty the King, so it would be.”

“I see. Then I’ll clean it.”

“Thank you very much.”

The maid stepped back.

Once breakfast was finished, everyone returned briefly to their rooms. Those who were ready would wait in the entrance hall, so Ains left the dining room as well.

Since Ains required no special preparation, he did not return to the guest room and waited alone in the entrance hall.

He asked a maid to bring the jacket he had left in the guest room and sat down on the steps of the grand staircase.

“I should clean this ink stain too.”

Without chanting, Ains activated the everyday utility spell Wash.

It was the magic he had used most frequently in his life. Back when he lived in the forest, he rarely bathed. With Wash, both clothes and body could be cleaned at any time.

“It’s convenient, but baths really do calm the mind.”

Ains recalled the bath from the night before.

He also remembered hearing about hot spring towns during dinner and found himself wanting to visit one.

Before his eyes, a sphere of water hovered over the ink stain on his left sleeve, swirling violently as it scrubbed the fabric clean.

Once the stain was completely removed, he finished by drying it with wind magic.

The black discoloration vanished entirely, returning the sleeve to pristine white.

“Oh? Is it just you, Ains?”

A voice came from above the stairs.

Turning around, Ains saw Laika dressed in a green-based gown.

“Yeah, just me. I don’t really need to get ready.”

“How do I look?”

Laika spun once on the landing.

“It suits you. The green dress really stands out—you look like a forest fairy.”

Ains answered with a smile, putting Silica’s teachings to good use.

“You really are good at flattering women.”

With Riste’s assistance, Laika descended the stairs.

As expected of a marquess’s daughter. The dress was elegant, and Laika herself exuded the refinement of a lady—hard to believe she had stood on the front lines of battle.

“Ains-sama, thank you for waiting.”

Sophia appeared, descending the grand staircase in the attire and armor of the Silver Snow Knights, her sword at her waist, holding Ains’s jacket.

“I happened to meet one of the maids earlier and heard that the jacket was to be brought to you, so I took it upon myself.”

Sophia handed it to Ains. She seemed to have lightly applied perfume, a faint, refreshing scent drifting from her.

Her hair, tied back in a ponytail, was clearly well-combed.

‘Should I have done something too?’

Ains felt a flicker of unease.

‘Maybe I’ll ask Sophia to comb my hair in the carriage.’

Holding the parts of his hair that stuck out, Ains sighed. Sophia simply tilted her head in puzzlement.

Finally, Kansas appeared in formal attire in the entrance hall, and they boarded the carriage.

Leaving the quiet noble residential district, the surroundings grew noisy as they entered the center of Kirk.

The carriage advanced at a leisurely pace.

So slow that walking might have been faster.

As they passed through the central district, the massive royal castle gradually came into view.

Along the paved roads stood armored guards, stationed at intervals and watching all who passed.

“I don’t think I could ever do a guard’s job. Standing in one place all the time would drive me mad.”

Laika spoke while looking out the window.

“That’s a very noble-sounding complaint. Still, you do seem like someone who can’t stay in one place.”

“And Sophia-san looks like she’s used to it.”

“Yes. I could stand for three days and three nights—no, if it were Ains-sama’s order, I would stand until death.”

Sophia said this calmly, her expression completely normal.

“Still, they have the vital duty of preventing intruders during an attack on the royal castle. I respect them greatly.”

Kansas replied while watching the guards pass by the carriage.

The carriage bearing the Brandy family crest passed through a brief inspection and was quickly granted entry.

It stopped in a large courtyard, and the driver opened the door for them to disembark.

Led by knights, Kansas, Laika, Ains, and Sophia entered the royal castle in that order.