Chapter 118: The cicada, the mantis, and the oriole. (5)
The carriage that brought Gabriel to the imperial palace made a long detour through the city, the accompanying musicians, practically a marching band, making sure that all the citizens in the vicinity knew that they were passing through. It had already reached a point where it couldn’t even be called excessive anymore, it was just laughable.
Well, at least to the nobles it was laughable. The common man naturally wouldn’t look too deeply into it, they already had their hands full with just getting through the next day. All they knew was that the young man who had helped the empire unearth a heinous criminal was now heading out to join the empire in peace talks with the distant Yverial Empire. If that was not cause to celebrate then what else would they celebrate? Slowly but steadily, the empire was moving into a period of proper peace and prosperity. This ‘parade’ was the perfect way for the citizens to celebrate that very fact, it wasn’t like they could surround the imperial palace and shout out their joy. But this parade? Oh, they could shout at it as much as they wanted, it was passing right by their homes and workplaces.
After what felt like an eternity, at a time when the sun was already starting to approach the horizon again, the carriage finally made it to the golden gates of the imperial palace. Gabriel gave the estate a passing glance as they made their way down the path to the palace, which was paved with ivory-white granite. He could see a few other carriages making their way down their respective roads, having entered from separate gates. Servants were busy running around, carrying a plethora of different goods. The guards were being directed around like an orchestra, the number of squads being mobilized clearly quite a bit larger than normally, at least judging by the slightly confused or tensed expressions of the ones that Gabriel could see as they moved.
But things were going smoothly. The servants and guards didn’t get in the way, and they weren’t excessively visible. If it wasn’t for the fact that Gabriel was actively looking for them then it would have been somewhat difficult to spot them. Things were rushed and hectic, but everyone was doing their best to not make that very fact obvious to those who were called to the palace.
“Viscount Indra, this one is Edwin Gallerion, I humbly greet you. Please forgive the inadequate accommodations, should any problems arise during your stay here then I implore you to call upon me without hesitation.”
Once they reached the actual palace, Gabriel was greeted at the door by a parade of maids and a butler, a middle-aged man with slicked back brown hair and a few small wrinkles around his hazel eyes. ‘Inadequate accommodations’, it almost sounded funny when the butler, Edwin said it. Normally, the guests would be assigned their own small palaces within the estates, buildings prepared to house guests. But right now they were brought directly to the imperial palace, which was naturally larger than all those side palaces combined, how could it possible be inadequate? They had probably all received their own wing, something that would usually be seen as a great honor and a sign of status. But now it was probably more of a ploy to ensure that they were kept close at hand at all times, making it that much easier to keep an eye on them.
“A simple supper has been prepared for you, who must undoubtedly be famished after the long parade. Please, allow me to show you to the dining hall, the maids will handle your luggage and ensure that your quarters will surpass your expectations.”
Edwin took a step aside, smoothly and politely gesturing for Gabriel to follow him. Gabriel could not refuse, and sure enough, he sensed it the moment he set foot in the palace. Magic, the air was suffused with trace amounts of magic, so thin and faint that you’d have to strain your senses to the limit just to be able to barely catch a whiff of it. If you weren’t expecting it and were actively looking for it then you would probably never notice it. With this, the imperial family wouldn’t just be able to keep track of where everyone was at all time, they’d also notice the moment someone tried to use magic. The traces were too faint for him to detect exactly what sort of spell was cast so he couldn’t be sure if they would also be able to pick up the sounds, allowing them to hear everything that was said within the walls. And since he couldn’t be sure, it naturally meant that he had to work under the assumption that they could do just that.
“Please, how could a supper prepared by the exalted imperial family be simple? I am sure that even the simplest of bread within these halls is beyond anything this humble one could ever experience. Please, Ser Gallerion, lead the way.”