Chapter 183

“Stop right there! What cart is coming from?”

“It’s coming from here!”

“Uh… I’m terribly sorry.”

“I apologize for not recognizing your esteemed presence.”

The people immediately bowed their heads and opened the way upon seeing the pass Senel handed over.

After entering the Dragona Empire, this routine situation kept repeating, and I realized once again that Senel’s name held significant weight here as well.

“How fascinating! It’s astonishing that they don’t even conduct the usual checks for entry.”

“Exactly! I thought they’d at least check the luggage. I can’t believe they didn’t bother with that.”

“Is it because Chancellor of a nation carries such clout? Nevertheless, checkpoints are typically strict, but I didn’t expect such leniency.”

In a world where there were no passports or visas, the procedures for identity verification were inherently stringent. The fact that this checkpoint was bypassed based solely on a piece of paper meant that the opponent’s power was immense.

It wasn’t merely because she was the Chancellor of a neighboring country…

The ultimate reason Senel was respected in the Dragona Empire stemmed from her mother’s standing within the empire.

“With that in mind, I sincerely hope she’s a reasonable person.”

While I felt that neither Lemain nor Senel seemed to be bad people, one could never be too sure in matters concerning humans.

Sometimes, a puppy might turn into a tiger, or a tiger might turn into a puppy.

With hopes that my opponent would at least be someone I could communicate with, I began to take in the sights of the place that was slowly revealing itself—the capital of the Dragona Empire, Rosen GLAD.

*

“Huh? Wait, who… who just came?”

Lemain displayed a clear look of bewilderment.

Her mother calmly responded, “That person has arrived. The friend you mentioned… Ezra Drake.”

“Wait… how… how did he get here?”

“According to the messengers, Senel prepared a pass for him. He probably got the info through that girl.”

“Ugh…”

Lemain felt a wave of regret growing in her heart, realizing she hadn’t properly silenced her younger sister’s lips.

No, to be precise, this wasn’t just regret…

It was more like the small seed she had nurtured—the so-called hope—was starting to sprout.

“Anyway, reports say he’ll arrive by the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

“…”

“What are you planning to do? If you want, I can instruct him to leave. If not, I can arrange for a meeting later.”

“…Sigh.”

Lemain sighed at her mother’s words. In this moment, her heart was entangled with numerous complicated emotions.

Joy at the thought of seeing him again.

Uncertainty about where she should go from here.

And beyond that…

Fear of what their reactions would be upon seeing her in her current state.

“You seem to be deep in thought. Is it hard to decide?”

“…Yes. It’s because I need to keep my identity hidden, but having deceived them… that man for so long doesn’t help either.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“Pardon?”

Seeing her daughter in distress, her mother smiled softly.

“Your worries are understandable; trust is hard to regain once it’s broken.”

“Hmm…”

“But you know, sweetheart, from what I’ve heard so far, they—he doesn’t seem like someone who would abandon you for such reasons.”

“But…”

“Think back: how did that man usually treat you? What thoughts did he hold, and how did he act towards you?”

Her mother’s words jogged memories in Lemain’s mind.

When she first met that man.

When they became friends over drinks on a ship.

And…

When they sailed across the Five Seas, claiming dominion over them.

Though his strength and status changed each time, one thing remained constant.

That was…

“…He believed everything I said, supporting me. I did the same, always.”

“Right, if that’s the man you’re envisioning, then he must be someone you can trust. At least, you’re not one to misjudge people.”

“Mother…”

“Don’t worry and trust your own eyes. Believe in that man you know and act as you always do. Then surely, there will be no problems.”

“As always…”

Encouraged by her mother’s words, Lemain began to feel a bit braver.

Then, suddenly, a thought appeared in her head.

If she followed her mother’s advice, she would undoubtedly act in the way she usually would.

A soft smile began to appear on Lemain’s lips.

“Um… Mother, about that…”

*

Finally, we reached Rosen GLAD.

As I gazed upon the awe-inspiring capital of the Dragona Empire, I was flooded with emotion.

This place felt immensely grand compared to the image I had seen on a computer screen in the original work.

Home to millions, this city dwarfed the likes of Benessa or Pare from before.

However, my wonder at the city was short-lived, as a heavy weight began to settle back into my heart—the stark reality of the situation before me.

At the end of the long road stood the largest, most ostentatious building.

What that was, no one needed me to explain—it was evident to everyone here.

The Imperial Palace.

The heart of the Dragona Empire, the center of all power.

And where, in the original work, a harrowing final battle transpired.

Back then, I charged into the palace, weapons drawn, alongside fully armed soldiers facing bombardments and magic. Yet now, I was simply riding in a cart, entering in a perfectly legal manner, treated with utmost respect by the soldiers.

“I always thought I wanted to come here once… but I never imagined it would be like this.”

“I agree. I didn’t expect to be welcomed like this, entering as a pirate.”

“Tch, this is why uncivilized folks… I’ve been in and out of here multiple times. You see, I used to be the Grand Marshal of the Brittania Empire. The formalities back then weren’t nearly this lax; I must not be treated like an esteemed guest now, huh?”

“Yeah, yeah, got it. If it’s that great, I’ll let you stay here for life.”

“…N-No, that’s not what I meant.”

“I hear there’s a prison called Gulak in the Dragona Empire, right? It’s supposed to be in the middle of those cold northern plains… Asking to be sent there would be perfect.”

“Sorry… I messed up. I’ll keep my mouth shut from now on, so please let it go.”

As I attempted to lighten the mood with some light banter, the carriage finally came to a stop, and a voice came from outside.

“We have arrived.”

“…”

A voice that instilled a heavy sense of tension.

We exchanged glances briefly before nodding somberly.

“Let’s go.”

*

We disembarked from the carriage and walked down the long corridor.

The sheer scale was unimaginable, but I was certain the original had significantly downsized it.

Along the way, we passed through a vast hall filled with various races dressed in formal attire…

Humans, wolfmen, and even sirens of the demon race were bustling around.

In the Dragona Empire, where the non-human demon race made up nearly 40% of the population, this was a familiar sight.

However, at that moment, I observed the place from a slightly different perspective.

“Those columns… I hear they’re made of solid mistil.”

“Mistil?”

“Oh… I didn’t know that either, but seeing them now, it really is true. How did you know this on your first visit?”

“Just… happened to know it.”

Mistil, known for repelling all forms of magic…

In truth, it’s a special metallic alloy that, while having simple ingredients, is incredibly difficult to process, making it unsuitable for fabricating most items.

The fact that they erected solid columns using that metal showcased the impressive technological prowess of the Dragona Empire.

Of course, I had my own reasons for knowing this.

“Somewhere around here is when Senel and I first met in the original work…”

The place where mid-boss battles took place.

Although it wasn’t here now, characters like Ambasha and Magellan had fought fiercely against Napoleona and Senel right at this spot.

Considering the ferocity of battles, especially against bosses where using those mistil columns well was key to avoiding instant death, it was unforgettable.

Of course, in the current situation, those invaluable mistil columns were merely decorative props.

Thus, while recalling those fond memories, we finally arrived at our destination.

Deep inside the palace, the very chamber where the final boss battle had occurred.

And there she was, just as I had expected.

Had my character been in the original work, I would have immediately drawn my weapon and charged at her.

The mother of Senel, and the only individual allowed to occupy that esteemed position before us.

To her, I humbly bowed my head and greeted her.

“I greet Her Majesty, Empress Mina Rozbeta Dragona of the Dragona Empire.”

I couldn’t help but think she was quite a formidable figure for a friend’s mother.