New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapter)

 

 

Traveler

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“At last, I have arrived!” (Leon)

On the fourth day after departing from the town of Emilia, just past noon, I stepped down from the stagecoach.

“I am indebted to you for your service.” (Leon)

“Think nothing of it. The royal capital is a dangerous place, so do take care.” (Coachman)

“Yes.” (Leon)

I waved my hand in farewell to the coachman. In truth, I had already encountered more than enough danger along the way. My whole body felt fatigued, and every joint gave off a dull protest.

“What a sight…” (Leon)

This place was another world altogether. I had already been greatly astonished by the city of Maxia, yet the scale of this place was of an entirely different order.

From a vast plaza paved in black stone, avenues spread out like rays of the sun, lined on either side with splendid buildings. Compared to them, our own company’s headquarters seemed positively diminutive, and yet such massive structures stood crowded together as if it were the most natural thing. Not a single scrap of refuse marred the streets.

After flexing my knees a few times, I produced the dark-blue feather and pinned it to my chest. I felt somewhat embarrassed wearing it so openly.

Across the stone-paved ground, a young man was approaching me. He must have been waiting for the stagecoach’s arrival. Like me, he too wore a dark-blue feather at his collar.

“Are you Leon-san?” (Nicola)

“Yes. And you must be Nicola-san?” (Leon)

As promised, he had come to meet me without fail.

“I am Nicola, secretary to the branch manager. I have come from the royal capital branch of the company to receive you. For now, I shall escort you to the dormitory where you will be staying. Let us go one street eastward and hire a hackney carriage. Do you have luggage?” (Nicola)

“Thank you very much. My luggage is fine.” (Leon)

Following Nicola-san’s guidance, I boarded a small one-horse carriage, holding my travel bag upon my lap.

“How magnificent the royal capital is.” (Leon)

Even through the gaps of the canopy, one could immediately perceive that this was a true metropolis. It was easy to believe that this was the largest city in our kingdom. I could not help but wonder whether it surpassed the Tokyo where Reo once lived. Surely, it must.

“By the way, are Duncan-san and Yohan-kun in good health?” (Leon)

Yohan was Duncan-san’s son, my cousin. If I recalled correctly, he should now be four years old.

“Yes, the branch manager is in good health. As for Yohan-sama, I have heard that he too is well.” (Nicola)

“I see. I had been somewhat concerned, since his mother, my aunt, passed away. Though, of course, he must be cared for by a nursemaid and housemaids.” (Leon)

As for myself, Kaa-sama was often occupied with her duties, and it had usually been Nii-sans and the maids who looked after me. Still, since I saw Kaa-sama every day, I had never felt lonely.

“Maids. Ah, yes, indeed. Could it be…” (Nicola)

Nicola-san suddenly broke off his words.

“Could it be what?” (Leon)

“Ah, no, nothing at all. This is your first visit to the royal capital, is it not, Leon-san?” (Nicola)

“Yes.” (Leon)

It seemed as though he had deflected the subject.

“In that case, allow me to guide you along the way. On the left-hand side, it is hidden at present by the nearer buildings, but that tower you see is the Salomea Eastern Cathedral.” (Nicola)

For the moment, I allowed myself to go along with his change of subject. Beyond the glittering shopfronts, a black spire rose into the sky.

“It is immense. And so very tall.” (Leon)

The so-called Eastern Cathedral looked several times larger than the surrounding shops.

“By the way, how many people live in the royal capital?” (Leon)

“You mean the population? Including those within and without the castle walls, it is said to number around 300 thousand.” (Nicola)

“300 thousand! That is a number beyond imagination.” (Leon)

“Indeed. As you may know, the royal capital consists of a central district, circular in shape with a diameter of ten kilometers, and from there extend four districts along the greatest dragon veins of the realm, each eight kilometers wide, stretching east, west, south, and north. The population is concentrated for the most part in the three districts of the east, west, and south.” (Nicola)

“I understand that the central district has the royal castle, so it must be sparsely populated. But is the northern district also so thinly inhabited?” (Leon)

“Yes. The northern district is occupied primarily by the detached palaces and estates of the great nobility.” (Nicola)

“This is the eastern district, is it not? It feels very much like an urban area.” (Leon)

“Indeed. That is because we are upon the East–West Highway. If you turn north or south, you will find large parks, rivers, lakes, as well as woods and hills.” (Nicola)

“Ah, I see.” (Leon)

“The eastern district alone extends eight kilometers by eight. Our company’s royal capital branch is located one street south of here.” (Nicola)

“So, it lies within a rather central part of the city.” (Leon)

“You mentioned this East-West Highway. Does it continue straight on into the western district?” (Leon)

“It might appear so, but if it ran straight, it would cut directly through the royal castle itself, which of course it does not.” (Nicola)

“Hahaha, indeed, that would be impossible.” (Leon)

“Upon entering the central district, it bends into a broad arc to pass by the southern district, then curves again until it intersects with the Great North-South Avenue, before finally reaching the western district and turning westward.” (Nicola)

“I understand. So, it skirts around the royal castle.” (Leon)

“Precisely so. The castle walls themselves are worth seeing, and I recommend you visit them during your stay.” (Nicola)

“Yes, once I have completed the secondary examination, I shall do so.” (Leon)

Before long, the hackney carriage turned southward. As I listened to the names of various sights and landmarks, I felt as though I had come to a foreign land, watching the city flow past me. At last we reached the outskirts, which were nevertheless as bustling as the entire town of Emilia, and there the carriage turned into a certain estate.

The horses stopped, and after we disembarked, Nicola-san paid the fare. The sound of hoofbeats receded.

“This is the dormitory where you shall reside during your stay, Leon-san. I shall show you to your room. Once you have set down your luggage, we shall proceed to the branch manager’s house.” (Nicola)

The dormitory was a plain three-storied building of brick. After greeting the caretaker, Nicola-san guided me to a guest room. It was comparatively spacious and quite clean, at least twice the size of the inn where I had lodged the night before.

“You must be weary. Would you like to rest a little?” (Nicola)

“No, let us go to my uncle’s house immediately. By the way, do you also live here in this dormitory, Nicola-san?” (Leon)

I took out the articles entrusted to me in Emilia from my travel bag.

“No, I live near the branch office.” (Nicola)

“I see. Let us be on our way then.” (Leon)

The dormitory and Duncan-ojii’s house were not far apart, and we reached it on foot in less than ten minutes. It was a handsome house of reddish brick.

“Welcome.” (Maid)

Upon entering, we were greeted by a maid and led into what appeared to be a drawing room.

Seated upon the sofa, I looked about the chamber. Like the hallway, it was tastefully arranged. In Emilia, where land was plentiful, houses tended to be broad and spacious, but this one was compact and well ordered, making it surely a comfortable place to live.

Before long, another maid, different from the one who had shown us in, brought tea.

“May I ask, where is Yohan-kun?” (Leon)

“This morning, he was looking forward to your arrival, Onii-chan, but at present he is taking his nap. He should awaken before long.” (Maid)

“So, he already knows of me.” (Leon)

“Leon-san.” (Nicola)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“I shall return to the branch to report your safe arrival to the branch manager.” (Nicola)

“Yes. I am grateful for your guidance.” (Leon)

“Then, I take my leave.” (Nicola)

The room was left to me alone.

Now that I thought upon it, the last time I had seen Yohan-kun had been when he was two years old. I wondered whether he still remembered me.

No matter. I would read through the documents I carried while I waited. I had been idle enough already today.

By the time the tea had grown tepid, I heard the sound of light footsteps pattering along the hallway, and the door opened.

“Onii-chan!” (Yohan)

What an adorable boy. Yet his beaming smile gradually faded away.

“Hello, Yohan-kun.” (Leon)

“You are not Onii-chan!” (Yohan)

 

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