It was beautiful and mysterious enough for Jaena to proudly explain. Ban began to gaze entranced at Gillia, which was gradually drawing closer.
As if proving it was a wealthy metropolis, a very large and tall pure white castle positioned in the center boasted magnificence. The castle was built upon an arch, and that arch was also so high that even giant ships could pass through.
The blue sky and pure white clouds harmonized with the beautiful and peaceful city like a painted backdrop, and around it, several large transparent spheres that seemed unaffected by gravity like Orma’s floating island drifted like soap bubbles. Some of them were filled with water, and those seemed to be the lighthouses Jaena had mentioned.
“……I’ve never seen Ban-gong find something this fascinating before.”
“Ah……. I-is that so?”
Ban scratched his cheek awkwardly, realizing that even others could see he’d been watching with too much fascination. Without noticing Orma giggling because he was cute, Ban thought that if the day came when the disaster ended, it would be nice to come back to Gillia and spend the rest of his life here.
Hmm, not a bad idea, is it? In Gillia, there’s no Banan, no Muhwi, and no Serka either. There are no gods or temples that Orma finds so tiresome…… The people are lively, and the city is beautiful. It was perfect as a dream vacation spot where people would typically live after retirement.
“Ban-gong, should we go straight to an inn?”
“Wouldn’t we have to? First we should stay at an inn and look for a ship passage to Yeru.”
“Mm-hmm, then we can eat delicious inn food for a while!”
Ban had been the one preparing meals while traveling. Ban wasn’t bad at cooking, but he wasn’t very good at it either. Moreover, since there were limits to travel ingredients, the variety of dishes was restricted, so Ban also nodded in agreement with Jaena’s words.
“Halt. Due to recent disasters, we’re restricting entry to a small number. Those without entry passes can enter after identity verification, so line up and wait.”
Indeed, a large city was different—flustered at being asked for inspection for the first time while traveling, Ban looked at Jaena. But seeing Jaena also shake his head as if he didn’t know, it seemed to be a policy implemented after Jaena arrived here.
“Wh-what should we do?”
“Hmm……. I don’t know about myself or Jaena-ssi, but Orma-nim is…….”
If they saw those brilliant golden eyes and jet-black hair, they’d immediately know Orma’s identity. Even if they somehow disguised his hair, a god’s eyes weren’t the kind that could be hidden. Rather than showing others Orma wearing his robe pulled down deeply, it might be better to turn back even now or find a back alley to avoid inspection.
However, while he was worrying, those being inspected ahead passed through and it became Ban’s party’s turn.
“If you don’t have an entry pass, we need to verify your identity, so remove your robe. And if you have luggage, we’ll inspect it, so take it out in advance…… Gasp!”
A guard with a bushy beard and strict appearance came over and spoke stiffly, then the moment he made eye contact with Ban, he was startled, stopped speaking, and drew in a breath. Orma and Jaena thought he was surprised at seeing Ban’s beautiful appearance, but when another guard also saw Ban, his eyes widened and they whispered quietly to each other.
“I, I thought it was the Lady…….”
“Doesn’t he resemble her too much? He probably came after hearing the rumors, but this time it might really be true.”
“Phew, the Duke and the Duchess would probably think the same if they saw this person…….”
“Ahem, please go in. The castle is, as you can see, just walk straight in. I, I hope you have good results.”
“……Pardon?”
A conversation Ban couldn’t understand at all continued, then permission to enter was granted immediately without asking anything. He asked back in bewilderment, but anyway, since they were letting him through, he should go quickly. Having rapidly assessed the situation, Ban smiled slightly and replied smoothly.
“Thank you. Is no particular permission or entry pass needed to visit the castle?”
“Of course there will be guards, but if they see your face, they’ll also immediately understand and let you in, so don’t worry. Next!”
He didn’t know why they were kindly guiding him on how to get to the castle, but anyway, they seemed somewhat happy and excited. So much so that they let in Jaena and Orma, who appeared to be Ban’s companions, without even checking them. Even to Ban, Orma’s appearance was quite suspicious, but they were busy chatting with bright faces without paying attention.
“I hope it’s real this time!”
“I have a really good feeling. I think the one who just passed might really be it…….”
He couldn’t know exactly what they hoped was real, but it seemed the lord of Gillia was desperately searching for someone. Jaena, who had entered quietly, only asked subtly after getting a few steps away from the checkpoint.
“Ban-gong, what just happened?”
“I don’t know either. But we got in, so isn’t that good?”
“It seemed like they said you resembled someone.”
“Hmm…… Listening to the guards’ conversation, it seems the Duke and Duchess of Gillia are looking for someone. Perhaps that person resembles me?”
At Ban’s words, Orma thought about something carefully, then gradually began to frown. As if recalling some terrible hypothesis, he hesitated for a while before asking carefully.
“Is the Duke title of Gillia inherited hereditarily?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know much about Gillia……. As you heard earlier, I only learned about the transparent lighthouses because Jaena-ssi told me.”
“……I see. Then, well, never mind.”
“Me! I know something!”
Finally, something Ban doesn’t know but I do has come up! Jaena’s eyes sparkled as he raised his hand and hopped around. Orma, who would normally say he wasn’t curious about your answer, unusually urged with an anxious face.
“What is it? Tell me what you know.”
“Ahem, the Duke title that rules Gillia has been inherited with a long history like almost a king of a nation.”
“Long history? How long?”
“Uh…… so…… probably easily over several hundred years!”
“You don’t know exactly how long?”
“Not that far…….”
“Don’t you know anything else?”
“Umm…… Ah! The city name ‘Gillia’ was taken from Gillia Port, but the name of the ducal family that rules Gillia is ‘Lebesi’!”
How about that, don’t I know a lot? Jaena added proudly, but Orma lightly ignored those words and sank into thought.
Then he stared intently at Ban again and muttered while exhaling a long sigh.
“I thought so…….”
“Yes? What’s wrong? Is there something uncomfortable about Gillia?”
“No, well…… it’s nothing. Just a meaningless hypothesis……. You don’t need to worry.”
For saying that, he had a face that was far too concerned. Ban asked Orma, whose complexion had darkened, once more, but he pressed his lips tightly shut, saying he had no intention of saying more. Then, after engraving the brand in his eyes, he began showing anxiety again that he hadn’t revealed much lately.
What’s bothering him again to make him like this……. Though curious, Ban forcibly swallowed a sigh and headed toward an inn visible nearby.
Even though he entered any inn wherever his feet led him, the interior was quite crowded. Many people were seen catching their breath, avoiding the scorching sunlight like a disaster. While boasting a lively atmosphere like a tavern, conversations befitting a trading port were the main topic, like planning to go night fishing today or worries like “The trading ship should be arriving soon…….”
However, the moment Ban’s party opened the door and entered with a jingling bell sound, the inn owner who had been greeting with a smiling face and loud voice froze after seeing Ban’s face.
“Welco…… Gasp!”
The inn, which had been noisy with various conversations, was engulfed in silence as if a song had been cut off. Every single person had surprised faces looking at Ban, and those who weren’t all appeared to be outsiders or travelers. Ban, who didn’t understand the situation, briefly made eye contact with Jaena and Orma, then slowly walked toward the inn owner.
“……Hello. Do you have vacant rooms?”
“Ro-rooms? Ah, yes. There are some. But…… you’re staying here?”
“Yes? Is that not allowed?”
“Without going straight to the castle…….”
Castle talk again. The inn owner looked at Ban with a face that couldn’t understand why he was here, as if it were completely natural for Ban to go to Lebesi Ducal Castle.
……Does he not want to do business? Is this a new concept of hazing? After briefly pondering, Ban decided to roughly go along with the situation.
Because not only the inn owner but even the guests were surprised seeing him, he had a premonition that similar things would happen if he went to other inns.
“……As you can see, I have companions. For now, I plan to stay here for just one day and assess the situation—do you have one double room and one single room?”
“Ah, I see……. Someone of a knight’s caliber bringing companions along should be no problem at all, but just in case. Yes, the rooms are ready, so I’ll guide you right away!”
What on earth was happening? Following the guards, even the inn owner and guests kept looking at him with happy faces until Ban went up the stairs and became invisible from view.
