Chapter 310 (Self Edited) Encountering an Unexpected Person

Although it was still a short time, it had been about ten days since Aina came to the Holy City.

She had been having a hard time, probably because she wasnt used to the place and was nervous at the beginning, but she didnt feel it anymore since she had already gotten used to it these days. She no longer rested after taking lessons, and she seemed to be able to have a normal conversation with Eleonora. Apparently, she decided to read books during free time, and she lived the same life as Soma and Hildegard.

There seemed to be no problem for the time being or rather, Soma might be in a more difficult situation now. Soma was here because of this exact reason.

Well, youre saying that theres a serious problem, but its just that youre out of the book to read, right? (Aina)

Yes, youre right. (Soma)

While shrugging his shoulders at Aina who was looking at him with amazed eyes, Soma lightly looked at the surroundings. The sight reflected in the field of view looked familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. They were in the Holy City.

And at the moment, they were walking around because of what Aina had said. He had no books to read in his free time, so he went out looking for something new to read.

Soma had been to the city area of the Holy City for the same reason before, but strictly speaking, it was different from that time. At that time, he knew that there were books in the shrine that he hadnt read yet, but this time, there was no such a thing anymore. To be exact, it was because he had read them all.

In the first place, Soma didnt ask Eleonora for additional books soon after he ran out of books to read. He knew that she was busy for some reason. Soma wasnt ignorant enough to prioritize his own desire.

However, what should be noted here was that Soma wasnt the only one who needed books. Yes, as mentioned before, Aina had decided to read books.

Still, her official position was a guest. She wanted to be their companion and this side accepted it. Although they had treated her that way, she must not forget that she was an envoy from Demento.

Eleonora seemed to want to formally cooperate with Demento, but of course, it was necessary to have meetings and discussions for that purpose. Considering that it wouldnt end in one night, the official treatment toward Aina remained as an envoy, and that was at least until it was over.

So, it was also Eleonoras duty to take care of Aina. If Aina requested something as long as it was reasonable, Eleonora had to fulfill it, and if she couldnt, it couldnt be helped to think that she was incompetent. On the contrary, Eleonora could be treated as incompetent if she was troubled because of the customers request.

In short, if Aina requested books, Eleonora had no choice but to spend some time to fulfill it. If Aina went to the city to buy books, it would trouble Eleonora too.

As for that, Soma had to request Eleonora for that in the beginning. As a result, Eleonora prepared books for him as well. Soma thought that if he requested for books, he would tell the location of the books and get the permission to read it, but since Hildegard and he werent treated as official guests, it didnt happen in the same way as Aina.

Needless to say, the place where they stayed was the shrine. It wasnt a library. It wasnt a place to read books, and the number of books was limited, regardless of sacred scriptures. It was even more so since Soma didnt know the information written there.

Finally, Soma had managed to read all of them until yesterday.

Hmm its good that were going out to buy books, but I wonder where its sold. It would be helpful if theres something that could be a sign. (Soma)

Wait a minute. (Aina)

Hmm? What is it? (Soma)

I certainly thought that you were looking around weirdly from a while ago, but dont you know where to find it? (Aina)

Why do you think I know? (Soma)

Thats because you didnt tell me that! (Aina)

It was true, but it was natural since he couldnt help it. Until now, Soma went around the city several times, but all of them had been interrupted for some reasons. To begin with, he didnt know where the books were.

Eh really? (Aina)

Yes? Didnt I ask you whether you want to look around the city while looking for books? (Soma)

Well, I can only understand it as it is (Aina)

Thats too much, you know. (Soma)

Actually, Soma had said it literally, but it was hard to understand it.

By the way, he invited Aina because he had never seen her going out since she came here, and he also wondered if she could go out alone. It was too much to go out alone in a city where she didnt know much, so it was killing two birds with one stone. In that case, Hildegard would be left alone, but since she was an adult, she could do anything by herself.

In addition, Hildegard would always accompany him even if he didnt ask, but for today, she was forced to a.s.sist Eleonora. It seemed that there was a business that only Hildegard could a.s.sist with. Hildegard couldnt refuse since they were taking care of her, so she decided to help them.

Anyhow

Well, its fine because I was planning to go around the city today. By the way, do you have anything you want to find? (Soma)

Wait? It seems that youve noticed something that I dont think about, you know? (Aina)

Youre right that reminds me, I have never seen a store that sells books. Rather, is there a store that sells books in the first place? (Soma)

Eh? (Aina)

There was no doubt that books existed as products.

However, at the same time, books were quite expensive. He kind of forgot about that because books were common around him. After all, his parents household was a Duke household even though it was a small country, and the books in the library of the Royal Academy were originally brought from Veritas, the most prosperous in the world at that time.

If anything, those were exceptions, and usually, the general public couldnt afford it. By that common sense, it was scary to line it up at the storefront.

I dont remember seeing a store selling books when I went out before. (Soma)

It makes sense when you say it. I misunderstood because it was natural to see books rather, why dont you ask people if you dont know? If you asked, you should already know at that time. (Aina)

Even if you told me that, I cant afford to ask Eleonora. (Soma)

You can ask the servants (Aina)

He was shocked at that blind spot. Aina, then, sighed with a mixed face of fatigue and dismay. It wasnt just Soma, she also didnt think about it.

Well, I should have realized that and asked beforehand. I didnt ask because I thought you knew, but maybe I lost focus. Its no wonder whats happening now. (Aina)

Hmm youre right. (Soma)

He nodded, squinted his eyes, and let out a breath. Surely, he might have been losing focus too.

For the time being, why dont we move from this spot? Originally, searching for books was one of my goals, and I was planning to take a walk around anyway. Besides, its not decided that books arent sold. (Soma)

There are still some places to look around here, but if you want it that way, sure (Aina)

When they noticed, they resumed the movement of the legs that had stopped, and the two started walking from that spot. Somehow, Aina had a dubious expression, but she didnt mind it and moved along.

Then, when Soma turned his eyes to the surroundings, the movement of people in the city of the Holy City was still the same. Most of the people, who came to the Holy City, didnt come for holiday, but for pilgrimage. Therefore, the destination was inevitably the shrine.

On the contrary, Soma and Aina were coming from the shrine, which inevitably went against the movement. It was obvious that they were on the way, so they moved to the side road to avoid them.

At the moment, he felt a gaze piercing from his back, but he dared to say nothing. That was why he had plans. Aina didnt say anything and just followed him.

Certainly, considering the purpose was to look around the city, it was a poor plan to enter the side road. They wouldnt get caught up by the crowd, but they wouldnt know what and where they were in the city. Although it was necessary to check the side road, it was normal to think that they should check the main road.

However, Soma, of course, was walking here after realizing that fact. Moreover, he went further back on the side road, to a place where even the signs of people had begun to become far away.

U-uhmm Soma? Wait where are you heading? Heading out of sight means could it be (Aina)

Aina called out the situation, but it seemed that her voice contained more tension than anxiety. Even so, Soma didnt respond and he went further back.

H-hey could it be how should I say it could it be that you want us to be alone? Its too sudden, and theres no need to do that, right? W-well, its not that I dont like it, you know!? (Aina)

Soma never responded to Ainas words, and eventually stopped at his feet.

It was a place that was a bit wider than the narrow roads they had been walking by until now. Although it wasnt a square, it was large enough for two people to relax and lie down.

Then, Soma turned around, held Ainas hand, which reflexively made her shoulders bounce.

Aina. (Soma)

Wait, Soma!? Uhm, I m-my heart isnt ready!? (Aina)

Sorry. Dont ever leave me, alright? (Soma)

E-ehh? Soma, what are!? (Aina)

At that moment, Aina opened her eyes wide, probably because she knew what was going on, but Soma never responded. He couldnt afford to do it. Instead, he whispered when he increased the strength of holding her hands a bit more.

Dont mind it, alright? (Soma)

Immediately after that, what echoed on the spot was the sound of broken gla.s.s. The surrounding s.p.a.ce shattered all at once, and the scenery that I had never seen from behind appeared. It didnt look like a place Aina was in until just before, but what impressed her most was the figure of a woman who was there.

She had bluish-purple hair and eyes of the same color. She was staring at her intensely, and the eyes harbored a light that she could never forget at first glance.

The woman was the greatest in the world, and Aina had no doubt about it. That woman insisted that fact with her whole body, and what was on her face was a fearless yet joyful smile.

It was the face that Aina saw for the first time. There was no mistake.

But

Is that the empress own way of welcoming? Its extremely discourteous. (Soma)

What? You dont have to despise it yourself. Of course, when it comes to welcoming the Demon King, I must deal directly with him, right? (??)

With that said, the woman, the current empress of the Yupiter Empire, Victoria Y. Arcanam, lifted the edge of the mouth on her joyful face.