Chapter 397 -queue
it was the morning of the second day since we left Urmut.
- it's the capital?(Fran
- it should be . I don't think there are any other cities of such magnitude, I replied.
- its Huge.(Fran)
From the back of Urushi, gracefully running in the sky, the surface of a giant city became visible. Barubora, of course, was also a large city, but could not be compared with the large-scale greatness of the capital. City was even larger than the, capital of the beastmen country.
Even the fortress walls were of unprecedented size. They were twice as tall as the trees from the forest surrounding the capital. More than 50 meters in height . Probably, there are such demonic beasts in this world that only this size can ensure the safety of the city.
In addition, these walls did not look rough and utilitarian, the walls and towers with spiers were beautifully finished, which only enhanced the impression of the city view. As befits a capital, she combined pomp and reliability in her image.
The capital was located southeast of Aressa, which was in the northern part of the country, and northeast of Urmut, which was in the southern part of the country. That is, slightly east of the geographic center of the country. It seems that at the time of the founding of the Kingdom of Cranzer, the center of the country was here, but over the long years of its existence, the territory of the country has grown, and the capital ended up being east of the center.
I heard that about 200 years ago they wanted to move the capital closer to the sea, but considering the cost of money and ore for this project, this venture was abandoned. Well, yes, I can imagine how much money is needed to rebuild such a capital.
“Come on, let's go down there,” I said.
- Woow!(Urushi )
- Nn.(Fran)
As always, having reached the outskirts of the capital, we went to the entrance gate. A long queue immediately appeared on the way to the capital. Although there was also a long line at the entrance to Urmut, this one was much longer.
Although Diaz warned us about it before we left Urmut, its actual scale exceeded my expectations. All because the visitors to the auction arrived. If the line lined up straight, it would stretch so far from the capital that people at the end of it would have to fight off demonic beasts somewhere in the woods. Therefore, people lined up along the walls.
The area was patrolled by soldiers and knights, in addition to guards, who also looked after the order in the queue.
- It's hard, but it's cant be helped. We will obediently wait, ”I said.
- Nn.(Fran)
We went to the very end of the line. Having descended to the ground, we could not see its end at all.
Although in line, in Urmut I saw many people who traded with each other in line, but here the scale was different. The liveliness of trade in this line would be comparable, probably, to the market in some small village.
There were kiosks and ordinary shops in the open air. These benches may be easy to build, but is it really worth it? Since the line was moving slowly, everyone had enough time to properly examine all the goods.
Many of them were selling what looked like good old ekiben (packed breakfasts usually sold at train stations) from my native Japan. Although, probably, there is something completely different inside, to which I am not used.
It looks like there will be something to do in the queue.
- I see the end, over there.(Fran)
- What aa big line , - I said.
It seems that at least 3 thousand people are lined up here. Since there are separate gates for the townspeople and the aristocracy, where preliminary registration is required, this is especially surprising. So almost all people in this queue either visit the capital for the first time, or come here less often than once a year. That is, these are the participants in the auction.
I was already beginning to worry if we could meet Gallus in time. Okay, we'll think about the details when we get to the capital.
“This is going to take a long time, so let's relax,” I said.
- Nn.(Fran
- Wow!(Urushi )
This time, Urushi was next to us. even though I thought it was worth ordering him to hide in the shadows, there were enough other people with demonic beasts. Demonic wolves stood in line with the owners, and there were even huge horses under 3 meters, harnessed to a large trade cart.
With all this in mind, there is nothing wrong with leaving Urusi with us. Of course, in his gigantic form, he would panic in line. In general, it was worthwhile to clearly show everyone around that we have a familiar.
With Urusi, some small fry won't dare to cling to us, and even Fran will be comfortable sitting on it.
“Well, let's play game of words,” Fran suggested.
- Oh, you haven't played for a long time, have you?(Master)
- woof -woof!(Urushi )
For some reason, she really liked the game we played in line at Urmut. Since we have plenty of time, why not play around until Fran gets bored.
We spent two hours like this. We still haven't made much progress in the line .
By this point, she was already tired of the word games, so now she was playing with Urushi in reverse. Fran, for obvious reasons, moved the pieces behind Urusi.
By this point, many people in line have acquired board games that they bought in stores. Great business comes out, so skillfully exploit people's position.
By the way, before the reverse, Fran and Urushi had time to play tic-tac-toe, but by the hundredth game they were bored to death.
While we waited, we were not only playing games. We had tea breaks, snacks, and even made friends with the merchants who stood behind and in front of us in line.
Before us stood a dried fruit merchant, Rab-san, who was 31 years old. Having bought dried grapes and apple chips from him for a snack, we managed friends with him.
Behind us stood the aromatic wood merchant, Menan-san, who was 41 years old. Unlike Rab, he had a wagon. It was an open wagon pulled by a donkey.
In order to cook bloated meat later, we bought some aromatic wood, and have talk. Looking at the game in Reversi Fran and Urushi, they both had a good conversation.
“ no, young lady. Not this wrong You need do it like this (.Rab)
- But then he will do it .(Rab)
- Definitely. If he does so, then do such turn .(Rab)
- Nn, I get it.(Fran)
In the same vein as Rab-san discussed the game with Fran, Menan-san talked with Urushi.
- Hey, Urusi. make this turn…(Rab)
- woof-woof?(Urushi )
- You will soon be pushing to the coner . But if you keep doing turns like this, you can always slip away.(Urushi )
- Woof woof …(Urushi )
This uncle with a serious face discusses moves in reverse with a wolf. Crazy picture. But since it was not a mystery to anyone that among the demonic beasts there are many who are comparable in intelligence to humans, Menan-san did not feel discomfort about this. He spoke to Urusi very seriously.
- Ooh. (passerby )
- Indeed…(passerby )
Every now and then all sorts of suspicious persons passed by us slowly. They didn't do much, they just looked at Fran strangely and went back and forth. Do they think that we do not notice it?
Moreover, almost all of these strange passers-by were half-beasts. Probably, news about the Princess of Black Lightning is already well known among the half-beasts in this line.
Although we used the "Conceal Evolution" skill, so even the beastmens shouldn't know that Fran evolved, but … Most likely, since there were many who saw the evolved Fran at the martial arts tournament in Urmut, it was already impossible to stop the spread of rumors that the Princess Black Lightning Princess has evolved.
So Fran, a girl from the Black Cat clan, with a wolf familiar, easily gave herself away as the very Princess of Black Lightning. Perhaps there were those who had already seen Fran alive in Urmut. So these glances from the -beastsmens seemed to be only intended to make sure Fran was exactly the Princess of Black Lightning. I felt no malice, nothing but respect. Even here her fans.
- Don't you notice? I asked.
- What?(Fran )
It seems that having visited the Beastmens country , she is already accustomed to increased attention from passers-by. So Fran was completely didn't mind then . Then I'll leave it as it is. I can't say this directly, so there is not much choice.
t/n edited version will be later on