An Inspection Called A Date

“Ah, it’s here! It’s here, Yo—… I mean, Ike!”

A cart piled high with announcement newspapers stopped in front of the fountain in the plaza. Seeing it, Cordelia excitedly tugged at Isaac’s clothes. By the way, “Ike” was Isaac’s nickname, used only now so their identities wouldn’t be noticed.

“The one pulling is the vendor… With that amount, it feels like they’ll run out quickly.”

“Hehe, that’s not all. Look at that carriage over there.”

Saying so, Cordelia pointed at a carriage quietly parked in the shadow of a building.

Inside, the work of attaching perfume to ribbons and wrapping them around the newspapers was being done. Once a certain amount was finished, they would be carried back to the vendors.

“To preserve the scent of the perfume as long as possible?”

“Correct.”

Perfume faded over time. While a changed scent could be pleasant, she believed freshly applied was best for people to enjoy it longer.

“Even so, this grand plaza really is something. Even on a day off, there are so many people… I almost thought a festival was being held.”

Cordelia and the others had come to the largest plaza in the royal capital.

People walked across the multicolored stone pavement, and around the large symbolic fountain were lunch-break crowds, strolling citizens, and street vendors catering to them.

They sat on a corner of the steps in simple, neat clothes suited for movement.

“At this time, carriage traffic is restricted and stalls are permitted, so it’s like a small festival.”

Cordelia nodded at Isaac’s explanation. It was probably like the pedestrian zones from her previous life.

“Ah, it looks like it’s starting.”

Seeing the vendor position himself before the fountain, Cordelia whispered. The man responded by raising his voice.

“Come one, come all! The newly announced second Holy Maiden, Cordelia-sama, is apparently holding a free healing gathering! Details in the free newspaper! One per person!”

His ringing voice carried even through the noise, and nearby people turned around. Soon their attention gathered on the announcement paper in his hands.

“It’s free? I’ll take one.”

“Sounds interesting. Give me one too.”

Drawn by the word “free,” one or two came, and before long the vendor was surrounded by people. In this era where newspapers were valued entertainment, people wanted one regardless of content if it was free.

Many began reading on the spot, and Cordelia watched their reactions anxiously.

“A healing gathering, huh. No money needed. And anyone can come.”

“My back still hurts from the other day—think they’ll fix that?”

“It says even small ailments are fine.”

“This kind-looking lady will treat us? Maybe I’ll go.”

“Oh, this ribbon smells nice.”

“Look, it’s the same color as the Holy Maiden’s eyes. Pretty.”

“Do you think it’s a scam? Like they’ll make us buy some weird jar?”

“It says ‘Cordelia’ means ‘daughter of the sea.’ Her eye color inspired the name.”

“I want to see her. Is she really this beautiful?”

Before long the surroundings were filled with talk of Holy Maiden Cordelia. The newspapers ran out quickly, were restocked, and ran out again. A line had even formed, and everywhere people chatted while reading.

“For now, wouldn’t you call this a great success?”

“Yes, I think so too!”

Cordelia nodded happily at Isaac’s whisper.

Being the second Holy Maiden gave her immense name value. She expected attention if handled well, but the response exceeded expectations.

Afterward, the two visited other vendor locations Sphida had told them about. Everywhere people held the newspapers; it wasn’t an exaggeration to say the entire capital buzzed about the Holy Maiden.

“It turned into a great success after all.”

“Did you predict this?”

Cordelia asked, surprised, and Isaac nodded.

“The newspaper was excellent. Writing reflects character, and readers must have felt the Holy Maiden herself speaking with care and kindness. I even thought some might fall in love with you from the announcement alone.”

He praised her thoroughly, and Cordelia blushed.

“I’m honored to hear that from Your Highness. I’m relieved everyone seems pleased, but…”

She paused.

(Rather, the effect seems greater than expected. This could become troublesome…)

Though the palace limited access range, the capital still held a huge population. Isaac asked what she was thinking.

“…Is there a chance too many people will come to handle?”

“There… is a possibility. We wrote we’d restrict entry depending on the situation…”

The paper noted prioritizing the severely ill, elderly, children, and pregnant women, but Cordelia began to worry if that was enough.

“…We should reconsider the number of guards. And Ike, if I can’t handle it alone, may we increase water mages? Also—”

“Right now I’m Ike, Cody.”

“Ah! R-right, Ike.”

Cordelia corrected herself. Even with Isaac’s magic active, many people were around, and exposure wasn’t impossible.

“It’s crowded here… Come, I know a good place.”

Isaac took Cordelia’s hand and began walking.