Volume 10 - Chapter 13 – The Blue-haired Automata (1/2)
10-13 The Blue-haired Automata
“An Automata you’d like me to repair?”
“That’s right. It’s shameful, but my Cline Kingdom doesn’t have a satisfactory Magi Craftsman. Everyone gave up.”
Princess Lieschen said regretfully.
“I heard talk that some distant village had an excellent Magi Craftsman, but thanks to a certain idiot called Earl Walter they ran away.”
“Eh?”
It was a familiar story.
“Hm? So you’ve heard of it too. …Really, all those old nobles, they’re just absorbed in protecting their own interests and don’t think of the country’s or the people’s benefits at all.”
While talking the princess looked over at Jessica next to her and continued,
“Jessica’s also a new noble. Good grief, there are sometimes times I think the whole lot of the nobles should be replaced.”
“Your Highness, that’s a little…”
Jessica softly interrupted her.
“Mhm, you’re right. I shouldn’t have the guests from another country listen to my grumblings. …And so, Jin, I would like you to accompany us to the royal palace.”
Refusal no longer seemed to be an option. Jin gave up and accepted. However,
“If there’s no materials then I can’t repair whatever it is I need to repair though.”
He told the princess before he forgot. She then replied with a serious look on her face,
“Mh-hm… Is there anything you need?”
Jin explained,
“It depends on what’s broken. I won’t know before I examine it.”
At any rate first came the examination so the carriage the group had got onto moved. On both sides of it four Imperial Guard knights followed.
The princess, Jessica, Jin, Elsa, Hannah, and Reiko were on board yet there was extra room.
That was only natural as the carriage was drawn by four horses. However, the ride wasn’t very comfortable. But the road being paved was a big help. Mostly to Jin.
The carriage headed to the building all the way at the end of the main road, the royal palace.
“Is it fine to just take us along?”
Jin asked and Jessica answered,
“Although we’re heading towards the royal palace, despite it being part of it where we’re going is more like an imperial villa, so the security and management is loose compared to the main palace. Not to mention that the check will be simple since this carriage is exclusively for the royalty.”
Princess Lieschen then gave additional explanation.
“I am the third princess. I have two elder brothers and two elder sisters. Moreover, a princess who isn’t an adult has no authority to inherit the throne. So even though I’m royalty I’m not treated so seriously.”
Even Prince Ernest was born to a mistress, Jin remembered. Somehow it seemed like royalty like this felt like they were of better quality, Jin thought but of course didn’t say it.
The so-called imperial villa was to the left of the royal castle when facing it from the front, that is to say it was a building on the western side. It was different from how Jin imagined an imperial villa being like, but thinking that just might be a difference between worlds, Jin accepted it.
Since this was Hannah’s first time on a carriage she was engrossed in looking out from the window. Elsa was watching out from the window too with a slightly interested look on her face.
“This is it, we’ve arrived.”
The carriage’s door was opened from the outside and a stool for getting down from the carriage was prepared.
First Reiko got down while being cautious. Of course, nothing was there.
Jin took Hannah by the hand and got down, then Elsa got down while feeling a little bit jealous of that.
“Thank you Jessica, you may go now.”
The princess said but Jessica shook her head.
“No, I shall attend you until the end of the day.”
“Well aren’t you diligent, if only you were like this when using magic… Oh well.”
While the princess spoke, they passed through entrance that was quite huge for an imperial villa.
Jin’s group kept following after Jessica. She was a slightly dejected from the princess’s comment.
There were less people around than expected. It seemed that the labor shortage affected this place too.
An Automata caught Jin’s eye. She was wearing a maid’s clothing and Jin could tell she was compensating for the labor shortage. However,
“Hmm, why is so rickety like that?”
Jin voiced his impression of the maid Automata. Even Elsa said,
“Jin-nii, the Automata here seem to be moving strangely. Awkwardly.”
Having become used to seeing golems made by Jin on Kunlun Island and Hourai Island, apparently she had become able to tell the difference between their movements.
Whether the princess heard their exchange or not, she kept on walking silently until she came to a stop in front of a room.
“Here.”
She placed her hand on the door, looked over her shoulder and spoke with a sad tone.
“Jin, please, I want you to repair her.”
She then personally opened the door.
Tapestry with flowers and butterflies on them had been hung on the walls of the room, and there was a soft bright green carpet on the floor. Judging from the feel it was a child’s room.
“Woah, cute room~”
Hannah said; she must’ve got the same impression.
“Yes, this was my room as a child.”
The princess said, her eyes slightly moist.
“Take off your shoes and come in please.”
The princess said, neatly took off and put away her dark brown shoes, then stepped on the carpet. Jin’s group followed. Just Jessica kept standing as if protecting the entrance.