Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

Now about the gates, they are generally outside of Mother Fii’s jurisdiction. In other words, they prioritize entry based on social status. Due to having relations with other nations, it’s become a necessity to give way to foreign nobility.

Even if they were told to join the lines with the commoners, there would likely be many who wouldn’t take heed, so it’s best to have them separate for Central’s own convenience.
There is some meaning behind why the class system exists, and Mother Fii acknowledges the utility of it to some extent. The Creator God and Mother Fii don’t necessarily want humanity destroyed or put into chaos, after all.

The ideal would be for humans to endlessly defeat monsters, manufacture sorceric tools, and quickly expend magic cores, but as long as they don’t break the taboo, humanity is permitted quite a lot of freedom, I think.
Maybe I just think that way because I’m a half-step to their side; maybe the people actually living in this world think differently. After all, there is someone trying to commit a taboo at this very moment.

I digress.

Reaching the gate, Ciel ignores the lines and walks straight ahead. There are some who are staring at her with bewilderment, but Ciel doesn’t pay them any mind at all. As we arrived at the checking station, the gatekeeper said, 「Please go ahead, Lady Cielmer,」 and lowered his head.

It’s been a few hours since I greeted Mother Fii, so it seems that they already know. The people waiting in line seem to have a complicated look in their eyes, but let’s ignore them. After all, a random little girl who dared to ignore the line just so happened to be the princess of this nation; it’s understandable.

「Thank you, that’s enough now.」
「Affirmative!」

As Ciel said so, the gatekeeper raised his head.
His face had a look of surprise, but Ciel didn’t pay mind to it. But I personally felt a bit happy about it, and it seems like I let it show.

「Ain, is something wrong?」
『No, it’s fine.』
「Really? Are you sure? Well, it can’t be helped. I suppose I’ll leave it at that for now.」

Ciel could see through my unskilful feigning, but she still let me play ignorant.
It’s not necessarily something I can’t tell her, but I don’t think it’s time to share it with her yet, so I’m glad she let me off this time.

By the time we arrived at the manor, the sun was completely down, and I saw lights shining through the manor windows.
Have we never actually seen the manor at night until now?
Seeing it like this, it’s a really beautiful building.

On the way here, there wasn’t much pedestrian traffic, and due to the darkness, there weren’t many that noticed Ciel―I think.
We’ve eaten from the stalls downtown, so likely there would’ve been many people who’d call out to Ciel if we arrived in the morning, but just for today, I’m glad that there weren’t any acquaintances around.

As Ciel approached the manor’s outer gate, it opened on its own, and the same happened when we approached the doors.

「Welcome home, young ladies.」

Behind the opened doorway, Mohsa greeted us with a kind expression, and behind her, Luna bowed down and greeted, 「Welcome home.」

While the exchange of, 「Welcome home,」 and, 「I’m home,」 wasn’t something Ciel grew up with, ever since we came to the manor, we have had more of these exchanges. Since we started living here, either one of the maids or Mother Fii would always be there to welcome us, and since studying at the academy, Mia would always be there to greet us.
While I’ve also greeted Ciel,「Welcome back,」 and she responded in kind, it was merely for formalities sake, and I don’t think she really felt anything from it. Though she probably did find it curious the first time around.

However, after spending several months away from this manor―a place where we had lived with an unconditional sense of security for the longest time―I think Ciel feels something from this homecoming.
Hearing the two greet her, Ciel was stunned and could only blink her wide-open eyes.
And then, she replied, 「Yeah, we’re home,」 with a tender smile she practically only shows when talking to me.

It seemed to be very effective, as the two showed visible surprise, which is unusual to them, but they quickly pulled themselves back together.

「We’ve finished preparing the meals, so allow me to show you the way. The mistress has been looking forward to your return.」
「Right, please lead the way.」

After handing Mohsa our cloak, we were led by Luna to the dining room―not, it was a dressing room instead.
Usually, we would change clothes and get spruced up―we’d even take a bath most times―before having a meal, but it seems like having dinner is being prioritized, as we only spent a short few minutes changing.

It seems like I subconsciously mumbled, *’That was relatively short,’* as Ciel asked, 「That was fast, wasn’t it?」 and Saueluna chuckled in response.

「In normal cases, we would not be finished so quickly. While we often change clothes for appearance’s sake, it also serves to make it so dirt wouldn’t be brought inside the house.
After all, it’s natural to have at least some dust stuck on you when going outside.」
「So that’s how it is.」
「However, dirt would never get stuck to you, milady.」
「All thanks to Ain!」
「Yes, all thanks to Lady Ainsel’s efforts.」

Hearing Luna respond as if it’s simply a matter of fact, Ciel nodded in satisfaction.
In contrast, I kept my silence; after some time, our preparations were finished and, 「Now then, let us go to Mistress Fiiyanamia,」 Luna began escorting Ciel to the next location.