Chapter 11: The Gate of the Capital

 

It was the next morning.

 

We woke up at the break of dawn, and I headed to the Capital with Lotte.

 

Since Lotte had injured her right foot, I carried her on my back.

 

Lotte: “.......thank you again for everything.”

 

Werner: “Don’t worry about it.”

 

I couldn’t bare the idea of throwing a young girl out into the wilderness with an injured foot. I’m not that thick skinned.

 

But even then, I can’t just keep her at the base lab until her foot heals. She would get in the way.

 

I wanted to do my research alone.

 

Werner: “I’m glad that it’s winter now.”

 

Lotte: “Why is that?” Werner: “It would have been hot if it was the summer.”

 

Right now, it is the middle of winter.

 

That’s why I wasn’t drenched in sweat carrying Lotte. In fact, carrying her made the trip warmer.

 

I carry Lotte on my back and continue to walk onwards.

 

Since I was living indoors for so long, it feels like it’s been a while since I took a long walk like this.

 

Lotte: “Um, are you okay? Am I not too heavy?”

 

Lotte is probably lighter than the average person, but I’m still carrying one whole person.

 

There’s no way the burden wouldn’t be heavy.

 

But saying so would be honestly too rude.

 

Werner: “I’m okay. You’re not heavy. Besides, I needed the exercise so the timing was good.”

 

Lotte: “Thank you so very much. I will return the debt one day…..”

 

Werner: “A child shouldn’t worry about such things.”

 

Our conversation during the walk was minimal, and I continued to walk the five hours.

 

It was around noon when we reached the gates of the Capital.

 

With the sun up in the sky, the gates were open.

 

As I was carrying Lotte, I tried to walk through the gate whenーー

 

“HALT! YOU THERE!!”

 

One of the gate guards called out to me.

 

Werner: “Is something the matter?”

 

“You look highly suspicious. We need to see your ID!”

 

I completely forgot that you needed to bring identification for these things.

 

I would go in and out on the Marquis’ horse carriage and would skip over the identification process.

 

Werner: “An ID. ……...did I have one on me?”

 

If I returned to the research lab, I would definitely find it there, but I don’t want to go back 5 hours and 5 hours here just to retrieve it.

 

“If you don’t have one, leave now!”

 

The guards’ attitude is a little overbearing.

 

But they must be working hard to not let criminals inside.

 

It can’t be helped if their attitudes swell up in that case.

 

And showing identification is in accordance with the law, so that can’t be helped either.

 

I start searching through my pockets.

 

Maybe I did have something in here.

 

“Hey! Put your hands where I can see them! Raise them high in the air!”

 

I think they thought I was trying to retrieve a weapon or something.

 

These guards deal with criminals all the time, so it’s no wonder that they’re on edge.

 

Werner: “I was trying to see if I had some ID……”

 

“SHUT UP! There’s no way a person like you would have identification!”

 

Werner: “What……..on what basis are you….?”

 

The guard started making ridiculous accusations.

 

But he’s still well within the law so it can’t be helped.

 

If I was to show some ID, then he would not be able to say such things, but I haven’t produced any ID at this point.

 

“Look at your clothes! They’re ragged and smell awful! There’s no way that you’re a lawful citizen!”

 

Werner: “SーSmell?”

 

I was a little shocked at the comment.

 

But as I fell silent from the sudden criticism, he continuedーー

 

“That’s right! You’re probably a slave or criminal on the run! Be thankful that we’re not throwing you into prison!”

 

Another guard joined in with the first guard.

 

Werner: “No, I……..”

 

“SHUT UP AND GET OUT OF HERE!”

 

They won’t even bother to hear me out.

 

But they are still within the laws of their duty, so it can’t be helped.

 

I absolutely refuse to reprimand them for their disrespectful attitude even though I’m a Noble.

 

I put Lotte down on the ground after walking away from the gate.

 

Werner: “Lotte, do you have identification?” Lotte; “Yes, I do but……”

 

Werner: “Then you should be able to gain entry.”

 

Lotte: “Wait! But what about you, Mr. Werner…..!”

 

Werner: “Don’t worry about me. I don’t have any business at the Capital.”

 

Even if I walk into the Capital, all that’s waiting for me is more trouble.

 

I was going to head immediately back after dropping Lotte off at the Mages Academy.

 

Werner: “Lotte, will you be okay going alone from here?” Lotte: “Yes, there’s no concerns there…….but I’ll speak to the guard to allow Mr. Werner to pass!”

 

Werner: “Don’t worry about me. As long as you can enter, that’s fine with me.”

 

Lotte: “But still…….”

 

Lotte seems hesitant on leaving me here and entering the Capital alone.

 

Werner: “.....just between you and I, I’m not a criminal or a runaway slave, but there are some people that I don’t want to run into inside the Capital.”

 

If I run into my sister, it’ll be bothersome.

 

If I run into Prince Thil, my sister’s fiancé, he might ask me to chat with him all day.

 

For some reason, Prince Thil took a liking to me. Werner: “That’s why I originally planned to go back without entering the Capital.”

Lotte: “.........I see…..if that’s the case….”

 

Lotte bows her head deeply towards me.

 

Lotte: “Thank you so much for everything. You have done so much for me. I will surely return the favor……”

 

Werner: “Don’t worry about it. And sorry if I smelled.”

 

If the guard is correct, Lotte had to be carried for 5 hours on my smelly back.

 

Lotte: “No! You didn’t smell at all!”’

And she was kind enough to deny it.

 

She must be a very caring girl.

 

Werner: “Lotte, be careful on the way there.”

 

Lotte: “Thank you again. Thanks to you, my foot doesn’t hurt as badly.”

 

Lotte bowed her head once more and headed slowly towards the gate.

 

To not make me worry, she is trying to walk as normally as possible.

 

But her right foot is still moving slightly strangely. I’m sure that it still hurts.

 

I watch Lotte’s situation from afar.

 

If she’s rejected at the gate, I may have to rely on my family’s help to get her through.

 

“Wait, wait! Were you not listening to us before?! If you don’t have identification……”

 

Lotte: “My identification is here.”

 

And Lotte quickly produced a small card the size of her palm to show it to him.

 

“Huh? ……...EEK! PーPlease excuse us! HEY! GET THE DIRECTOR RIGHT NOW!!”

 

“What? Why the director?”

 

As soon as he saw Lotte’s ID, his attitude instantly changed.

 

“JUST DO IT! Excuse us again. Oh, it looks like you are injured. May I call a Healer for you here….?”

 

Lotte: “No, I’m fine. I just have a small business to take care of at the Mages Academy…..”

 

“Please! If we just let you through without seeing the Director, we’ll be fired on the spot!”

 

They are really panicking.

 

Maybe Lotte was a daughter of a High Noble.

 

Well, from the looks of things, she’s being handled with the utmost care and should get help getting to the Mages Academy.

 

Lotte: “No, but before that, I would like for you to apologize to Mr. Werner for your behavior earlierーー”

 

Lotte’s trying to make them apologize.

 

Before I get sucked into more trouble, I quietly and quickly leave that area and start returning home.

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