If I went back to the Forest of Rondo after this job,
I'd be just in time for the rice harvest.
I heard you were headed for Whitnash, but I didn't realize it was on the same job.
Are you sure you really want the name of your party to be "Room 10"?
Sure am! What better name could represent us?
And this is gonna be Room 10's first job.
We've never done escort work before,
but with Ryo around, I'm sure we can handle anything.
I'm glad they covered this kind of thing in the beginner's course.
Come to think of it, we've got nine days between when we arrive and depart, right?
That seems like a long time.
What, you didn't know?
This is all to coincide with Whitnash's Open Port Festival,
which takes place every five years.
A festival?! That sounds like fun!
Yeah! Let's all make the most of it!
We're about to set out!
I thank all of you for accompanying us on the long trip.
This is where we'll be staying for the duration.
We shall make for Lune once more in the morning ten days from now.
You're free until then.
Hey, Ryo, there's a ton of food stalls set up already!
Let's check them out!
Good idea. I'm already hungry.
Okay, then race you there!
You won't win!
Hey! You guys!
Good grief.
Delicious!
A perfect plate of fish and chips!
I can't believe that devilfish tastes so good!
These croquettes have mashed lobster in them, and it's really good!
This whole roasted mini kraken is pretty addictive with this sweet sauce!
Nothing beats festivals!
A carriage from the Monarchy of Kufaris ahead of us
seems to be having issues with their papers.
And we're stuck in line as a result. Not that we can do anything about it.
What do you make of this excursion, Lieutenant?
Hard to say. I'm not about to speculate about His Imperial Majesty's intent.
I doubt he just wants us to check out the sea because the empire is landlocked, though.
There's a chance...
Does something come to mind, sir?
His Majesty may intend to take care of some bloody business while Princess Fiona is gone.
You know how he dotes on her, don't you?
Well, given her prodigious magic talent and dedication,
she became a commander in the court's magic division at only seventeen.
And on top of that, there's her beauty.
He loves her both as his youngest daughter and as a valuable magic asset.
But that fondness might make him want to spare her the more grotesque sights of his rule.
Wouldn't you say?
What could it specifically be, though?
Maybe a purge of the nobles who oppose the imperial family, for instance.
That's a terrifying prospect.
It is only conjecture. There's no real way to know.
I realize that, but...
Guarding the commander is part of my duties.
And that's what I'm here to carry out.
That's Prince Conrad Stein Bornemisza.
He has such a refined air.
Just what I'd expect from the Debuhi Empire's third prince.
I'm sorry, Fiona.
I know you're not accustomed to this sort of thing.
It must be exhausting.
Please, don't mind me, Elder Brother.
I'll handle things on my end.
You're welcome to retire if you'd like.
Prince Conrad!
Oh, it's wonderful to see you!
Get some rest, okay?
I'd like to apologize for the delay in your entrance to our castle the other day...
Oh, no, it was nothing of concern.
Your Highness, please show some decorum.
I'm exhausted, Marie.
I'm sure you are. Every inch of you is expressing that sentiment.
You needn't say a word.
I'm so relieved Conrad said I was free to go.
I'm truly not cut out for this stuff.
I'm much more comfortable in the commander's office or the training yard.
I hardly know how my brother does it.
Dealing with the endless stream of guests while also looking out for me...
And he's only three years my elder.
Princess Fiona, you have peerless talent with the sword and magic.
Imagine that, a girl whose charms lie in her gifts for sword and spell.
That's... totally Abel, isn't it?
You're right! He's in the seats for special guests.
I guess clothes really do make the man.
Hey, it's Abel! Awesome!
Whoa, that redhead is a real beauty!
She's an imperial princess, so she's even further out of your league than Nina, Nils.
Come on, I didn't mean it that way!
Hey, it's Ryo and the boys.
Imagine running into you in this huge crowd.
R-Rihya...
If the three of you are here, then that's got to be the real Abel, huh?
Yes, he was asked to stand in for Lune's guild master.
He'll be free after tomorrow once the guild master actually arrives, though.
There really is a wind elemental shield protecting the VIP seats...
And it's incredibly thick.
It's wind? Not a normal magic shield?
I've heard about a treasure passed down through the lord of Whitnash's family
that can project a wind barrier.
That's probably the source.
A treasure that can cast magic?! That sounds convenient!
They supposedly don't use it much because it's not very efficient, though.
Any terrorism while the imperial family is present could lead to war,
so I imagine that justifies any excessive fuel cost.
Th-That's a scary thought.
We'll have to pray nothing happens.
That princess is a commander with the Imperial Magic Division, isn't she?
Doesn't that mean her lieutenant should be here, too?
Indeed, it stands to reason he would be.
Her lieutenant?
He's the pride of the empire, the Inferno Magician.
What the heck?! That sounds awesome!
The story goes that he incinerated a thousand royal troops with a single attack.
There's another that he obliterated a wyvern in one blow.
And yet another that he annihilated a fortified rebel town in one fell swoop.
I've heard those.
Do you think they're true?
I'm not sure, but that's what the rumors say.
And if that's the case, I'd rather not have dealings with him.
Better to let sleeping infernos lie, I'd say.
Yes. I doubt you have to worry about him,
but do be careful, just in case.
We should get going.
Right.
We're off to walk around the festival.
See you guys later!
We ought to get moving, too.
Sure thing.
Whoa there.
Sorry about that.
No, excuse me.
Careful, man. It's crowded around here.
My apologies.
Lieutenant? What are you standing around for? We should get going.
Make sure not to drop any of it.
You were the one to suggest we split up to look but didn't actually buy anything.
I don't like crowds, man.
Is that the excuse you'll give the commander?
She's been really looking forward to the food from these stalls.
Show up empty-handed
and she'll cry about patiently sitting in the stands
while you couldn't even find the time to bring her a plate of fish and chips.
Come on. She wouldn't cry over that.
A whole grilled mini kraken, those thin, savory pancakes...
What else was there? She said the fried balls and the fish and chips were nonnegotiable.
Let's get going, Lieutenant.
Jurgen's a real stickler for details...
One other thing. Make sure the food we bought first doesn't get cold.
Oh, pardon me.
No, it's fine.
You're Sir Abel, proxy to the guild master of Lune, no?
Indeed, Prince Conrad. My name is Abel.
That's what I'm going by at the moment, at least.
I see. Begging your pardon.
You resemble someone I once met, so...
I'm sure it's just a coincidence.
I noticed someone in the guest seats earlier.
The Imperial Magic Division's Princess Fiona.
Did something about her catch your eye, Sir Abel?
I'm not sure what you might mean, but if she's here, her lieutenant must be as well.
The Inferno Magician, Baron Oscar Luska.
That falls under military affairs, which I'm not at liberty to discuss.
Oh, pardon me, but I spy a lord with whom I was hoping to engage.
We'll speak another time.
He's a tough nut to crack. I'm really terrible at this business.
So tired...
Highness, I am asking you for the second time to behave a bit more properly.
Do you realize how exhausting it is to play princess while everyone is staring?
But you are a princess, Your Highness.
We're back, Your Highness.
I appreciate it.
So tired...
Her Highness said the same thing.
I just don't like crowds, all right?
You almost ran into that one fellow. Somehow avoided him, though.
That was a close call.
But we avoided each other because he was so quick to react, I didn't need to.
That quick, huh?
He might dress like a magician, but he definitely knows how to move.
For now, let's eat!
Thank you so much, Master!
Your Highness, I keep asking you to not call me that.
It's just the four of us here. I don't see the problem.
Next up, also from the party Room 10, is Eto!
Did you not enter, Nils?
Prepare to be mind-blown.
I have never touched a bow in my life!
That was so in-character, it somehow managed to loop back around to being surprising.
A-Abel?!
Don't laugh at him like that, Abel.
Oh, sorry.
I wasn't laughing at him
so much as I was reminded of myself when I was younger.
I couldn't hit anything...
Archery really is difficult.
Welp, sounds like it's your turn, Abel!
Why don't you show these young pups what real archery looks like?
Do I have any other challengers? Hit the target, and win a prize!
Yeah, except I'm a swordsman.
I know you can do it, Abel!
Next up is an adventurer from Lune!
His name is Abel!
Here you go, Abel!
R-Right.
And he makes the shot!
What a spotlight stealer.
You're so amazing, Abel!
Goodness! Well done!
Oh, Abel, I see you're free already.
R-Rihya...
Why are you guys carrying so much stuff?
Women have certain necessities, you see.
He promised to go around with her today but didn't show, so she's livid!
That explains it.
W-Well, Ryo, guys, I'll see you later!
Abel is seriously awesome!
Rihya is a goddess...
It's been a while, Nina.
Oh, Sera! Rare to see you drop by.
What brings you today?
I'm looking for Ryo, a D-rank adventurer.
I wanted to let him know I've found a lead on something he was searching for in the library.
Ryo's actually out of town for work at the moment.
I see. I guess I'll come back tomorrow, then.
Oh, hang on!
Ryo actually accepted an extended job.
He won't be back for a while.
S-Sera? Are you okay?
Oh, yes. I'm fine. Just fine.
Now then, how long is "a while"?
I'm not sure specifically, but at least another week, I believe.
I see. Understood. I appreciate it.
A while... A while, huh?
They're in the next race, right?
Nils and Amon said they were in the contest for adventurers.
I think so, but isn't that...
What the hell're you doing here?!
Huh?! I could ask the same of you!
Where did you even find a partner?!
I never thought Dan would be participating.
This isn't the kind of sport your lot should be involved in!
Isn't that girl...?
Say what?!
Oh, that's Sasha from Room 2. She's a priest, like me.
I guess she joined Dan's party, hmm?
Why's there a separate race for adventurers?
It seems adventurers are allowed to attack other boats in the back half of the race.
Magic being against the rules puts a twist in things.
Wouldn't magic put a pretty swift end to the race?
Not everyone's like you, lieutenant. Don't be ridiculous.
You must really like those crepes. You had some yesterday, too.
Yes! They're absolutely delicious!
We should have them available at the training grounds!
Not happening.
B-But, master, surely we could!
The training grounds are for training.
Food should be limited and selected for nutrition.
Which excludes such sweets.
I'll have to invite a crepe chef to the castle, then...
They're almost at the last corner.
Get back here!
Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid!
This ain't over!
I'm not losing to you!
They'd have won if they'd just crossed the bridge.
And now they're guaranteed last and second-to-last place.
And now, a special award for the two teams that entertained the crowd the most!
They're still at it...
Now that is impressive.
Revolutionary, really.
It's got such an odd shape.
And no sail.
Or oars.
You lads here to see the Rain Shooter, too?
I'd imagine anyone would want to see such an impressive ship in action.
But how does it move?
From the explanation I heard yesterday, a combination of magic stone and alchemy.
Wind magic propels it above water, and water magic pushes it below.
I don't get how that works, but it sounds cool!
I'd love to board it.
It had better be impressive, considering it cost 370 billion florins to build.
I've been wondering for a while now...
How I can contribute to our fighting force while Amon and Nils are on the front line?
That led you to a crossbow, eh?
Hey, welcome.
Good afternoon.
Are you boys looking for crossbows?
Yes. I was thinking I could one for cover fire from midrange.
I've got just the thing, then.
It's a repeating crossbow.
Doesn't have the best range, but you can fire in quick succession.
I think I might be able to help with this!
Yeah! We're counting on you.
Will we be able to execute?
Who all has left?
Just the guild master from Lune.
His proxy is going in his stead.
Good. Then we proceed as planned tonight.
Filling in once again, Sir Abel?
I am. Our guild master was present this morning, but he's since returned home.
Which is why I'm here at the garden party.
Brother.
Ah, Fiona.
Let me introduce you officially, Sir Abel.
This is the eleventh imperial princess, Fiona Rubine Bornemisza.
My younger sister.
Fiona, this is Sir Abel. A rather impressive B-rank adventurer.
We'll speak again later, Sir Abel.
There's something unnerving about not carrying a sword.
Granted, with the protective field, I probably don't need one.
Sir Abel. Might I trouble you for a moment?
Sure.
Huh? The treasure isn't channeling mana anymore!
What do you mean?
The barrier's going to come down at this rate!
What?!
Wha—