The Kingdom of Scavia #5

As they approached the beautiful palace in the distance, the number of people started to decrease according to the number of guards increasing. The dusty road slowly transitioned to cement, then to bricks, then to polished stone tiles.

The scent of cherry blossoms was strong, but other mixtures of scents were in the air too, and they were all uncomfortable for Akiro. His discomfort was coupled by the attire they were all required to wear, not because the fabric wasa course of rough, but the silk-based apparel was very restrictive.

They were currently outside the inner castle, but still within the outermost walls, which were surrounded by more moats. They stopped in front of a large man-made moat bridge, there, they found out that there were three more sets of drawbridges before the common residential area which was then connected to the inner Palace.

"Whooa~" Many gasped in awe as they came down, forming a highly-secure passageway to the Feudal Castle.

"This way." the pretty tour guide smiled, very proud of the reaction.

Entering the palace grounds' tall walls, they were greeted by a beautiful zen and rock garden. It was about the size of a football field, with guards stationed in every strategic position available, all armed with spears, swords, and bows.

However, the beauty of the outside could not outshine the splendor of the interior of the castle. Strong pillars of carved stone held up the majestic structure, with the color palette pleasing to the eyes. Soon enough, they arrived in front of the grand throne room doors.

"This is as far as I'm authorized to reach, farewell." The guide said, with a low bow, before stealthily disappearing.

“It’s difficult to breathe–” Akiro groaned, shifting the tight belt that was forced on him by the handmaids; but compared to his discomfort, it was better than Ayama who was swarmed by them. “Are you okay?” he had to ask his haggard companion.

“Define okay?” Ayama glared back, still in shock of being pursued by women half his age to thrice his age. It was not a pleasant experience.

A quick glance around their classmates, who were finally quiet for once, made it feel like they were in a historical drama of sorts. Since the Scavian Kingdom clearly had their origins in Japanese culture, it eased the foreigners in a foreign world, but it also caused them to be complacent with their actions.

This was something Kaiser and Olivia were very aware of. The two professors immediately shot the trouble-makers viciou glances that promised serious disciplinary repercussions, after all, they were already late– understandable the situation may have been, it was still rude to the monarchy.

"Alright, fix yourselves. " He sighed. "We're going to meet with the royal family. Be on your best behavior, especially you, Masashi-Kun."

Although his honorifics were clumsy, his point was successfully delivered.

"Yes sir.." the class brute replied sheepishly. However, Akiro and Ayama were trying their hardest not to laugh.

Akiro would admit, seeing his chief tormentor bow and quiver in fear, brought him great joy. Kaiser nodded, noticing the royal messenger in the corner of his eye. She was a beautiful woman, dressed in a beautiful kimono.

"Honestly, he's such a child." Akiro sighed internally, straightening his back and lifting his chin. They seemed to be waiting for someone, perhaps a servant to give instructions, after all, they have a different culture around here. “Oh, who’s that?”

She met up with the group and bowed respectfully with a bright, welcoming smile. "Sorry to keep you waiting, this way please." She motioned behind her, not removing her eyes from Kaiser.

Olivia frowned, ever so slightly, at the woman; nevertheless, the class of Heroes followed behind them in a disciplined, orderly line. "It must be tough being a ladies' man." Ayama sighed, noticing Kaiser being fought over.

The second guide stopped in front of probably the last door, which many would guess to be the royal courtroom. Kaiser gave everyone one last wordless glare, before composing himself. He nodded at the two sentries posted on each side of the door, to which they replied with a bow.

The tall doors opened, revealing an even larger throne room. With a steady pace, the heroes kept formation and walked in with noble etiquette– or as much as they could.

The Scavian Nobility, which was all seated on both sides of the room in long orderly rows, whispered in hushed voices. Their clothing was in the same style as theirs, but the embroidery-suggesting status symbols were clearly handmade.

"Oh my, they're all so disciplined."

"Look at their equipment!"

At the end of the room, four seats were raised and set apart by a short flight of stairs, where a small stage lifted up was located. atop the highest point were two thrones sat the handsome King, the beautiful queen, and their two captivating daughters to each of their sides.

The two princesses exchanged knowing looks before smiling discreetly to each other. “Well, I wasn't expecting that,” Akiro thought.

After walking down the carpet, being carefully observed by the nobles, the group stopped a meter off the king's steps and bowed with their knees and faces on the ground.

"We greet his Highness and the Royal Family." Sebastian, Olivia, and Kaiser said with practiced unison.

"At ease." The king said, getting up at the same time as the heroes. "I welcome the Hero's Envoy, so rise."

Kaiser lifted his head first, “Yes, My Lord.” He said, rising politely first, with Sebastian and Olivia following. After the professors had done so, the heroes followed, stiffly and more nervous than they were.

The king seemed to scan the group for a brief second, but eventually, the king descended the steps and set his hand on Kaiser’s shoulder. "Our kingdoms are good friends, let us not be so distant."

"I- I understand, your highness." Kaiser replied, caught-off guard.

the King turned to the group and smiled like an affectionate parent, but still within the bounds of his royal dignity. “I also hear about your great deeds, I am quite excited to see the spoils of your conquests.” He praised, turning back to Kaiser, “You have raised these fledglings well.”

“Y-Yes, My lord, it was my duty to do so.”

The king then spoke to his subjects, introducing the group, but the two boys at the back barely paid any attention to it. Having honed their senses, the king was not just a king in name, but a warrior too.

A quick visit to the local library had shed some light into the country of Scavia’s governing system; their monarchy was earned through trials, tests and combat.And with that in mind, even if the king was smiling kindly, he was not someone to be trifled with. But still, he was a very warm person, strangely so.

He turned to the heroes and bowed his head, making plenty of the nobles flinch. "Hello Children, I am Stephen Uesugi." He said with a soft smile, comparable to that of a parent smiling at his own children. "Please be at ease, and make yourselves at home."

His tone dropped from professional to casual, almost as if he was tired of it. "You have been invited into my country to strengthen yourselves against the incoming threat of demons, aren't you? " He asked with a smile. "Then come, we have plenty to talk about."

A single motion of his hand caused the nobles to be escorted out by guards, as the King personally led the group through a different exit. It was not something they expected but it was still welcome, even though the royal family walked beside them as if they were equals.

“Let’s not be too stiff, shall we?” Stephen chuckled, “I am not exactly a serious individual outside of the courtroom, and I would prefer that.”

“Of course, Stephen, sir.” Kaiser struggled to say, but it was adequate enough for Stephen to smile.

“Much better.”

Taking the king’s plea for casualness a little too seriously, Akiro elbowed Ayama “Did you wave back to Otome?” Akiro whispered, knowing that he didn’t, “Kinda rude, you know.”

Ayama on the other hand could only cough, “Shut up, I didn’t expect this, neither see her again. Give me a break.”

“Who knew that she was a princess.”