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Through Gadius’ intermediation, we arrived at the capital Raum to start our guarding work for the princess.

I didn’t think Michelle and Finia would refuse a commission I brought, but Cloud was strangely opposed to it.

The reason was simple – it was because he was a half-demon. Would it really be fine for someone of his race to guard royalty? Wouldn’t it cause trouble for Michelle and me? Those were his main worries.

But after I conveyed the intentions of the royalty to him, I got him to agree to take on this commission.

The masses had to see Cloud, a half-demon, getting along with the royalty as a countermeasure against the half-demon discrimination.

Michelle and Cloud were already informed about Fina’s kidnapping details by me, so they realized the problem that was to follow.

“Still, I’m glad Fina ended up fine.”
“Yeah, and everything got resolved before the news reached us too.”
“Yeah, I heard about it. Looks like Lord Reid got revived and solved this case!”

I used my teleportation magic several times and brought everyone to Raum.

Michelle went to see her parents while we were here, while Cloud went to the orphanage to do the same.

I thought of dropping by Maxwell’s place, but he had already headed to see the princess, so we missed each other.

We met up in the afternoon and headed towards the noble district, Michelle hopping all the way.

She seemed to be excited about my (Reid’s) revival.

“H-He got lucky, huh?”
“No way. I’m sure Lord Reid calculated everything and chose the fastest method to solve it.”
“Finia, you’re praising him a bit too much there.”

I really discovered the suspicious person simply because I couldn’t stay in the living room in fear of getting spotted, and went to play hooky on the roof. Finia seemed to be convinced that I did that intentionally.

“Yeah, Nicole. It’s not good to look down on a Six Hero.”
“Not you too, Michelle…”

That said, I couldn’t exactly explain that I was Reid. I couldn’t do anything but shrug while sweating for some weird reason.

As we chatted like that, the inner rampart leading to the noble district became visible. Of course, there were guards on the lookout.

The gate guards gave us suspicious gazes. We were famous here three years ago, but that was only in the outer parts of the city where the commoner district was.

Nobles who didn’t know the true situation, and the knights who served them, only saw us as Adventurers who just looked good.

“We are Adventurers Nicole, Finia, Michelle, and Cloud. We have been summoned to the royal castle for work. Here is our invitation.”

I presented the letter provided to us for the visit, which the guard snatched away and glanced at it.

He didn’t seem to be seeing us very favorably.

But that wasn’t anything special with nobles. There were many who secretly looked down on the Adventurers.

“So it’s you people… Even if you have Lord Lyell’s backing, don’t do anything strange, you hear?”
“Of course.”
“Especially that half-demon—”
“Nicole, over here!”

As the gate guard was throwing snide comments at us, a voice suddenly interrupted him.

Judging from the tone, I realized who it was without even glancing. It was Letina.

“Letina!”
“It’s been a long time—or not really, has it? I came to pick you up.”
“Thanks. I’ve never been to the royal castle, so having you along will be reassuring.”

Raum was far from my headquarters which was in the Alecmarle Sword Kingdom, so I have rarely done any work around this castle. Of course, I have never risked sneaking into castles, either.

It was easier to just sneak into noble mansions instead of doing that.

Thus, I have never stepped into Raum’s castle.

We were going to an unfamiliar place, so Letina, who was familiar with it, coming along would be extremely reassuring.

“I never would’ve imagined that Her Highness Eligore would commission work for you.”
“You aren’t coming along, Letina?”
“Sorry, Michelle, but I can’t. I have my own work to do… And the goal this time is to advertise that the royalty has a companion among the Half-Demon Adventurers. Cloud and I are known to be old-friends, so if I came along…”
“They would think Cloud was there as a bonus because of you, huh?”
“Yes, even Nicole coming along is barely safe.”
“I see. That’s unfortunate.”

The intentions behind this commission were centered on Cloud. If Letina, who was more popular, came along, it would lower the effect.

I was also the daughter of the Six Heroes, so honestly, it wasn’t very good to accompany them on this commission.

But I had the role to make it more believable that Cloud got to know the royalty due to his connection with me.

But a noble like Letina would still create a different implication compared to me. In her case, her intentions would be transparent as she was a noble serving the royals.

“Well, be it I or Nicole, it does not change that this is the royal house’s intention.”

Letina’s words made the gate guard tremble. The royal house’s intention. That was the reason why we were here. And yet, he went on to complain about it.

“You should not cause her too much trouble. You are aware that Nicole is the daughter of the Six Heroes and the hero who saved the World Tree Religion’s pope, yes? A mere noble, not to mention one that only gets gatekeeper work, can not possibly compete with her.”
“Y-Yes, I will take it to heart!”

Letina had gotten quite mean to drive it in like that. I mean, not that her personality was ever good.

Her nature wasn’t good but I think she still had a good personality.

Led by Letina, we stepped into the royal castle that stood tall at the center of Raum.

Author’s note:

In a way, we are beginning the final arc from this chapter onward.