Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 153: Arc 3, - 63: Nothing Ever Goes to Plan
Whilst many still worked in the office—filing documents, going through procedures—a large portion had taken the day off for health concerns; that or they just wanted to join in the festivities outside.
Regardless, one man still had a circus to oversee, even more so with the recent events. "The minister will not be handled by us or the police, even if he is in their custody.
He’s lawyered up and will be answering to higher authorities. As for the time device, people should be doing fine, but we’re sending the professor to Cravolta City Penitentiary for now.
We’ve requested the Royal Guard to take this directly to Cravolta’s Military as a whole and the Maleficos Ordinate, Cravolta Sector, so that we can further understand what all happened here in more detail.
We’ve also dealt with the disguised Trailon soldiers along the roads in and out of Hartamat. They admitted to killing anyone who showed difficulty in not turning back the way they came.
Thankfully, the travel ban made sure anyone trying to go in or out were doing so illegally; so no one official travelled into or out of Hartamat.
People used other roads, much longer ones to travel around Hartamat, so not too many casualties either. Also, during our time arresting the soldiers, a messenger arrived from the eastern road.
He came from the Cravoltan Transport and Vehicles Ministry to check on the travel ban news since we were trapped in time and unable to relay any information to the outside.
News now travels across Cravolta, Kria and further on to inform the world of this whole disaster. Maybe not in the first day, but I assure you the information is beginning to spread like wildfire.
And this is all thanks to the four of you. Heaven knows where Hartamat would be if you hadn’t been here. So, that’s all we have for you.
Is there anything else we could do for you in kind? Besides anything illegal or a musket of course," the major smirked.
"Well, you’re welcome. And thanks for the info; don’t know how much that’ll help us, but in terms of compensation..." the blonde gazed to Hotaru.
"Compensation? Hm, the minister did offer us twenty armite so I hope that can still be on the table and as well as acknowledgement on our help will do," Hotaru contemplated.
"Ah, those are not too big an ask. We can easily give you twenty armite from the minister’s coffers and the news already spreads the word of you; we’re not claiming more credit than you.
Besides, if we do, we just become bigger targets by the Regimes, like Northern Cravolta. Is there anything else? I know adventurers are fond of praise, parades and the like," the major shifted some files around.
Jotou smiled, "Parades and all sound nice, but we don’t need that. Maybe some security on our way to Galuvit Town would be appreciated, just in case."
"That can most definitely be arranged, just give me the time."
"Hold on a second paranoiac, what do you mean by ’we’? I’d like the biggest parade Hartamat can throw," Fumeko placed her fist on his desk.
"Ooo! I wanna do magic throughout the entire parade please!" Asobi sided along. Hotaru sighed, rolling her eyes in a chuckle.
The blonde surveyed the three of them—an arrogant Fumeko, Asobi loving the spotlight as usual; though she could not pin why, but Hotaru seemed much sprightlier than usual.
’It didn’t matter what they looked like, the scars on them or how they spoke. People saw them with respect. To explore the world and see the wonders, never to be judged for who you were again.
Looks like you’re getting what you wanted Aru. I’m happy for you.’ Jotou beamed, looking back to the major, "A parade might be a bit much, but we don’t have to leave right away. Maybe we’ll spend some more time with the public before we leave for Galuvit Town."
"Really?" Hotaru’s ears pricked.
"Yay! That works!"
"Does that work for you detective?" Jotou peered to her.
Fumeko pouted, moaning in deliberation, "Fine, that works," she shut her eyes.
_
"Yes, we can leave an hour from now, works with me," Aviv stretched, letting out a little purr, "It’ll be nine when we leave, eleven hours, we’ll reach Galuvit Town in the morning travelling all-night."
"Are you sure you can stay awake?" Hotaru raised a brow.
"I do. I slept in, my head’s all rested and I’m all charged up for the journey. So heroes, a night trip is no issue," his ears twitched, "A little tip would be greatly appreciated."
"If you ever catch on fire, jump into some water, you can save yourself," Asobi told.
"Huh?"
Asobi tilted her head, "I thought you’d appreciate the tip."
"...Never mind, let’s get to Galuvit Town soon, please..."
Spending their evening in Hartamat, the four of them packed their things and departed into their carriage. With one carriage from Hartamat’s Defence Force behind them, they set off by night.
Asobi stuck herself out the window—Jotou’s head poking a little beside her to see the small crowd that had gathered around their departure.
Fumeko poked her head out the other side, giving a smug wave whilst Hotaru had her elbow on the windowsill, smiling to all the goodbyes they received.
Hours went by after the sound of goodbyes; only the sound of horse steps, carriage wheels and the creatures of the night remained. One by one, they dozed off.
_
Her eyes waxed open, to closed curtains where the Sun was beginning to pierce through. The blonde’s head was pressed against the side of the carriage.
Jotou awoke, feeling the wheels come to a halt. Her boots had been taken off, her legs had curled up into the seat, but she could not move her legs.
Upon a second glance, she realized why. Fumeko had fallen asleep, fallen onto Jotou, her head lying on Jotou’s waist as saliva drooled down Jotou’s coat.
On the other side, the sight was not too dissimilar. Hotaru’s tail had curled up into her lap whilst Asobi had slept on the redhead’s shoulder.
Hotaru was the only one with her legs still on the floor; her hand gently petted the back of Asobi’s head, thinking it was her tail as her ears remain folded down.
To wake up to a nice sight and not immediate panic—Jotou inhaled, groaning herself awake. The light sleeper, felt the little movements and groaned louder, not wanting to wake up.
The little door opened up, "We’ve reached Galuvit Town ladies, our little trip’s come to an end."
"Thanks, give us a minute," Jotou hid a yawn with her palm.
Fumeko had curled up completely on the seat; her head rose up from atop Jotou, "Oh, I fell asleep on you... Sorry," she rubbed her eyes.
’She’s apologizing?’ "Why do I feel like that was intentional?" Jotou leered.
"You’re overthinking again," Fumeko sat up, doing a little stretch, causing the other two to wake up.
Hotaru’s tail began fluttering, her ears spiked up, "Hm? Are we in Galuvit Town?" she took her hand off of the magician’s head and slowly pushed her up.
Asobi hummed, falling onto the other side of the carriage- "Thud!" "Huh!? Oh, are we in Galuvit Town?" the elf jumped awake.
"Sorry Sobi," Hotaru reached a hand out.
"Yeah, we just made it," Jotou stretched, nearly punching Fumeko.
They got all their luggage down from the carriage and stood around the parking of Galuvit Town’s customs—a small building. The Hartamat Defence Force soldiers that came along bade them farewell as they turned around.
The Sun a little harsher, even through the thin roofs built overhead. "Finally; feels like three days, but it’s been way longer," Fumeko pulled her luggage along the bricked paths.
Carriages arrived and parked from various alternate routes and many where getting ready for departure. "Hey, there’s a restroom. Why don’t we freshen up?" Hotaru pointed.
Jotou washed her face, the water as warm as the air. Brushing their teeth, they went into the building and showed their travel documents, and handed Aviv his pay.
"Well, it’s certainly been a journey to remember. I’ll see you ladies in the papers," Aviv departed, tail swaying as he left.
The peach-painted brick walls were stretched high—counters with clerks behind glass, many people here early. Benches and tables everywhere and the exit showed signs leading to different areas in Galuvit Town.
"We get to go to Galuvit Station now, right!?" Asobi hopped.
"Mhm. No rush, we can eat then leave. The plan’s back in action; we’re going to the Cravoltan Adventurers Guild, settle into Cravolta City and explore," Hotaru smiled.
"You sure we won’t be mobbed before that?" Fumeko glanced around. Many eyes were eyeing back the four—newspapers still held in their hands.
"Maybe we could’ve kept the defence force for a bit," Jotou shrugged, "Oh well. We’ll be fine. And there’s no rush, right? We’ve been paid big, so budget’s not an issue.
Why don’t we stay around Galuvit Town for a bit and see what’s going on here. The entire point is to adventure and explore, right?" Jotou looked to the three.
Hotaru’s tail wagged, "Right. I’m sure there’s lots to explore here too," a fanged grin she wore.
"I wonder what goes around this place sneakily... There could be a mystery afoot!" Asobi snuck around a bench.
"Yeah, seems to be a pattern. Let’s go get a map first," Fumeko looked around till her eyes caught something; or rather, some people. "Heads-up, Royal Guard incoming."
The public examined the armoured guard walking forth—long halberds with symbols on them; as if they were enchanted.
Their armour clanged with chainmail, but many sections such as their shoulders, chests, thighs, boots, were plated with full metal—the symbol of Cravolta sat in the middle of their clothed chest plates.
Six of them marched forward to the four of them, "Thundering Blade, Jotou Howllett; Fumeko Namora, Hotaru Kinoshita and Asobi; it is with great honour that we greet you all," the guard in front stomped and bowed.
The other five behind her bowed as well. "Hm, finally some respect on my name," Fumeko crossed her arms and grinned.
"Uh, upmost greetings to you as well. This might not be the best place to announce me like that," Jotou curtsied slightly, wincing her eyes.
"Your name and title travel far, even to the princess’s ears. The princess has requested your presence in Cravolta City. We will depart at once to meet her schedule," the guard stood back up.
Jotou gawked at the guard then to her friends, "Well... I wanted to hang around Galuvit Town for a bit..." she sighed.
Fumeko glared to Jotou, before she got closer to the blonde’s ear and pulled Jotou’s shoulder down to meet her height, "Listen, I don’t care for all these royal types.
But... if this is the ruler of Cravolta, then we can get some serious credit and not to mention tons of money and the most delicious food. We can always come back after this royal meeting," she whispered.
Jotou stood up straight, "I mean, you’re not wrong," she hushed. "As long as you two are okay with this?" Jotou asked aloud, uncaring for the guards waiting.
"WE GET TO MEET A PRINCESS!? I’M BETTER THAN OKAY! I’M, I’M, SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!"
"I don’t think that word works there... Aru?"
Hotaru’s tail still waged, her ears pricked, "Of course I’m okay with it. To meet royalty? I mean, that’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I wouldn’t dare say no. It could even be a commission for all we know."
"Is it?" Jotou glanced to the guard.
"The princess wished to meet the four of you; other than those words, we have been given no other details. I would advise not to refuse her majesty’s request."
Jotou pouted, "Wasn’t planning to, but now I’m tempted..." Jotou exhaled, "If everyone’s happy with it, then our answer’s a yes."
