The capital is certainly crowded and lively with lots of people.
But that's all.
There are many street stalls lined up, but they just get in the way of traffic, and theft is obviously happening everywhere.
On top of that, when it comes to the merchandise, the quality doesn't even come close to what we have in Weed.
Well, Yuki always tells me that "It's wrong to compare them in the first place", and he's completely right.
If you step even slightly into the back alleys, the foul stench of excrement and urine wafts through the air.
It really is too different from Weed.
Furthermore, there are no toilets here...
Ugh, do the people in this capital just relieve themselves right on the street during their daily lives? They should at least use toilet paper.
"Hey, Yuki, was that really a good idea? If those two were with us, we wouldn't have needed to hire a guide to find our way around the royal castle, you know?"
While I am lost in these thoughts, Labyris points out the fact that we parted ways with those sisters.
Come to think of it, our objective here is to meet the person who rules the Jilva Empire, right?
The empire's level of civilization was so low that I'd been too busy worrying about how to survive the day here.
"Indeed. Hiring a separate guide seems like it would be troublesome." said Ria
"It'll be fine. Knowing Yuki-san, he definitely has a plan in mind." added Riel.
Just as Ria said, finding another guide would be troublesome, and as Riel pointed out, there was no way Yuki hadn't already thought this through.
"...So, what are we going to do?"
I try asking Yuki directly.
If luck is on our side, we can finish up here quickly and return to a life filled with delicious food and functioning toilets.
"What are we doing, Boss? I mean, you've got me and a bunch of demi-humans with you. We're attracting a lot of attention."
Just as Steve says, half of our group consists of demi-humans.
And since I am one of them myself, being subjected to these strange, mocking, and contemptuous stares doesn't exactly put me in a good mood.
Well, it doesn't look like there are any idiots foolish enough to pick a fight with us just yet.
"You're right. Leaving Steve aside, I don't really like the idea of my wives being stared at like they're anomalies. Ah, speak of the devil, looks like our volunteer guide soldier has arrived..."
The moment Yuki finishes speaking, a soldier pushes his way through the crowd and approaches us.
"Get out of the way! I heard some fools are walking around here with demi-humans without even putting collars on them. Where are they!?"
Huh?
What is this guy spouting at Yuki and the rest of us?
Should I incinerate him?
"Well, if word gets out that those sisters are cooperating with us, it'll just complicate things for them. Even if the court eventually finds out they're working with us, it's better if that happens after we have everything completely under our control, right?"
"Ah, that's true."
Yuki and Tori said, holding themselves back.
Phew, that was close.
"Fufu... Yuki, you're thinking of something interesting again, aren't you?"
Labyris smiled as she said that.
So he really did have a plan.
"Alright then. Shall we boldly head straight into the royal castle and request an audience with the King?"
"You bastards! Are you even listening!! It is forbidden in the capital to walk demi-humans without collars!!"
Completely ignored, the enraged soldier draws his sword and steps toward us, but...
"Ah, Soldier-san, we happen to have some business at the royal castle right now. Would you mind guiding us there?"
"Insolent wretch!! Taking demi-humans into the castle is absolutely out of the question! It is a supreme insult to His Majesty! I shall strike you down where you stand!!"
It seems this guy's goal was to cut us down from the very beginning.
However, his blade never managed to swing down upon Yuki.
"So, Yuki-san, what should we do with this soldier?"
Ria had already parried his sword away and slammed him flat onto the ground.
With her bare hands, of course. You've gotten strong, Ria.
If she had used that Hero's sword of hers, she would have sliced him completely in two, so this was the only sensible choice.
"Just leave him there. We don't really need a guide — we can just head to that visible castle over there. It's straightforward."
That's true.
The whole point of a guide is to help us get inside smoothly, not because we can't figure out where the royal castle is.
"Yuki-san, how exactly are we going to get inside? Won't a massive horde of soldiers come after us if we do this?"
Riel asked, tilting her head curiously.
"That's exactly the point. Since we don't possess any official status or paperwork anyway, there's no way they'd let us meet him through normal means. So, by demonstrating our true strength as we march right up to the castle, we ensure that we'll get to meet him."
"Ah, I see."
"Plus, we can threaten them during the castle raid not to attack the dungeon. This should also make the demi-human issue calm down a bit."
I see, he really is thinking ahead about all sorts of things.
"So, I think I'll mostly have all of you fight. Is that okay?"
Yuki looked around at all of us.
Naturally, none of us have any objections, so everyone nods in unison.
"Alright, my policy for today is to avoid fighting as much as possible. I'll stick to a support role for everyone."
"Don't worry. I will protect you, Yuki-san."
Saying this, Leia manifests her Hero set and raises her shield high.
"Also, let's see... Make absolutely sure you don't get too carried away enjoying the fight and end up wandering off alone. Aslin, Feelia, are we clear?"
""Yeees.""
"Ara? You're not going to warn me?"
"Um, me too...?"
Labyris and Sheila speak up with dissatisfied expressions.
Since the four of them are always together, I suppose they felt a bit left out.
"The two of you are highly responsible. Consider yourselves the older sisters in charge of keeping an eye on those two. Do your best."
"Understood."
"If you say it like that, I suppose we have no choice."
Yeah, both of them make excellent older sisters for Aslin and Feelia.
The rest of us are usually too busy to spend all our time playing with them, but those two are always by their side.
"Well then, it looks like our welcoming committee has arrived. Shall we head toward the royal castle while knocking them all aside?"
The moment Yuki speaks, a massive wall of soldiers begins to surround us.
However, their strength is thoroughly lacking. There is absolutely no way a force of this level can stop us.
"Uwaaaaaah!?"
"How is this happening!?"
"S-Someone call for reinforcements!!"
"Damn it, I can't hit them!?"
"E-Even the kids!?"
* * *
In the end, we smashed right through the gates of the royal castle and arrived at the throne room without facing a single issue.
"...There's no one here."
"Indeed, it is empty."
"...Um, Yuki-san. The King doesn't exactly sit on his throne all day long, you know."
The moment Sheila points this out, everyone realizes the obvious truth.
"""Ah, right! That makes sense."""
A short while later, an old man dressed in expensive but inconvenient-looking formal clothes and a woman in a lavish military uniform carrying what appeared to be a Magic Sword walked into the room.
