Chapter 4 (1/2)

811'>

Soon enough, the flash of light started to gradually die down enough for the travelers to realize that they had been transported to the plaza of an extremely large area. Elric was no stranger to such places. When Victor brought them to the Sina Circle, the magic circle used to bring them there was the exact same as the one used just now.

There was a difference between this plaza and the one in Sina, however. Not only was this larger, a palace was off in the distance; this was presumably the imperial city.

To the left was the very heart of the Circle of Magi of Sovereign: an observatory that stretched up high into the skies. Coincidentally, this was also where Archmagister Naga presided.

To the right were a series of building complexes with pointed rooftops. Their architectural structures were very clearly a symbol of their closeness with the G.o.ds, meaning that they were the center of the Church.

Perhaps the magical array caused some disturbance when it was activated, but Elric and his group could see a squadron of knights on warhorses come rus.h.i.+ng towards the plaza.

Lined up on both sides of the streets as they marched forward in step with the other horse-mounted knights, the squadron looked spectacular as they moved. From this alone, Elric had a pretty strong inkling that these were the Royal Guard Jerry's elder brother joined.

His guess was confirmed when the knights approached. Now that they were within eyeing distance, Elric could make out the crest st.i.tched on the saddles of the armor of the horses and the s.h.i.+elds of the knights.

The crest of the Sovereign Kingdom: the winged horse.

The squadron continued their forward march for a while before coming to a stop. Each knight dismounted from their horses and pulled out their swords in a single motion. Under the illumination of the rising sun, each sword gleamed in a resplendent golden light.

By the command of the two captains leading them, the knights started to give a uniform greeting as they requested for an audience.

When the ceremonial greetings ended, each knight returned their swords to their sheaths. When the last sword was sheathed, the captain on the left side of the squadron moved towards the princess and knelt on one knee to request an audience with the princess.

Due to their upbringing as normal civilians who knew not the common etiquette when it came to royalty, Elric and Jerry had to be dragged behind Kite who had already moved off to the side. Obediently, Belladonna did the same.

”Your Highness, your servant has arrived late. His Royal Majesty is currently officiating the courts, if it would please Your Highness to take a moment of respite, an audience awaits at His convenience.” The captain bowed to the princess before moving back in line with the other knights.

Another five knights came forward with a horse ready for the travelers. Bending at the knee in front of the horses, they linked their arms together in front of their chests to offer themselves up as stepping stools.

Elric had no idea what to do here, so he watched the princess step towards one of the horses. With one leg on top of the knight's arms, she grabbed hold of the horse's saddle and was helped up onto the horse to mount it.

On another side, Kite sought out a horse as well. But rather than using the nearby knight's arms as a foothold, he made for some sort of simplistic greeting to the knight, who nodded in return. Standing at attention, the knight watched as Kite swung himself up onto the horse.

Belladonna and Jerry gave each other an eye—unsure whether or not they should make use of the same insurance the princess had.

They did.

Being a grocer in his home village, Elric was very familiar with taking care of horses and was well-versed in equestrianism. Walking up to one of the offered horses, he imitated the same actions Kite did and lifted himself up onto the horse's saddle rather than using the stirrup to mount it.

He was successful in mounting the horse, earning a nod of approval from the knight next to him.