By morning, Sugo, Leanne, the coachman, and the two territorial guards were all fuming.
Their anger stemmed from the fact that Ryu had been kicked out of his room and relocated to a vacant one.
“Ryu, what’s going on? When I went to wake you up this morning, there was that unpleasant kid instead!”
“Exactly, young master! Why didn’t you say anything about this yesterday?”
But Sugo, you were asleep and didn’t wake up, right?
Ryu gave Sugo a cold stare.
“Why are you looking at me like that, young master?”
Sugo seemed to have sensed the chilly look.
“They arrived at the village late last night, and the innkeeper was in a bind, needing to free up a room, so I gave mine up.”
Ryu explained, slightly glossing over the details.
“You gave it up? You mean you got kicked out, right?”
Leanne hit the nail on the head.
“They’re a count; this kind of thing happens in small villages. Besides, think of the innkeeper. It would’ve been unfair to them, so let’s not make a fuss.”
Ryu reminded everyone.
“Understood. Young master, since this is likely to happen again, let’s eat quickly and get on the road to put some distance between us.”
Sugo suggested.
Proposal accepted!
Ryu agreed with Sugo’s sharp intuition, as he also anticipated similar situations along the way.
The coachman and the guards nodded in agreement and hurried to the dining room to finish their meal quickly.
Thus, the group found unity in a peculiar situation.
In this way, the group was strangely united.
Originally, the carriage only carried Ryu and Leanne, with all their luggage stored in Ryu’s magical storage, making it light.
Sugo and the guards traveled on horseback, so there were no issues.
For nearly two weeks, they moved swiftly, taking only necessary breaks for meals, rest, and sleep, always feeling pursued.
Consequently, they arrived in the royal capital three days ahead of schedule.
This left them with nearly a week before the Royal Academy entrance exam.
“Marquis Sugoella’s domain was impressive, but the royal capital is even bigger than I imagined!”
Ryu marveled as he leaned out of the carriage to gaze up at the city gates.
Leanne, doing the same, commented.
“It’s not as big, but the Landmark domain’s gates are quite grand too.”
“You don’t need to compete on that…”
Ryu responded with a wry smile.
Leanne had a strong attachment to the Landmark gates because she and Ryu had built them together, which made her statement endearing to Ryu.
The capital was indeed different in scale.
The sheer number of people was overwhelming. Compared to the bountiful harvest festival in the Landmark domain, it felt as if a festival was perpetually taking place here.
It was a melting pot of races, with many that Ryu had never seen before. Elves, once thought rare, were commonplace in the capital.
Leanne wouldn’t stand out here.
“There are many different kinds of beastmen too.”
Leanne noted while peering out the carriage window.
“Yes, even you won’t stand out here, Leanne.”
Ryu replied with a laugh.
In the Landmark domain, Leanne was the only elf and thus drew attention.
Being a beautiful girl added to her popularity, though she didn’t seem to mind, accustomed to the attention as the constant companion of Ryu, the lord’s third son.
“Well, that’s irrelevant. What’s the plan now?”
Leanne asked, uninterested in trivial matters.
“Very practical. Haha. For now, let’s get a room at the inn where my father, Farza, once stayed.”
Farza had stayed at this inn when he came to the capital to decline a promotion. The inn was modest by noble standards but still a good one.
Upon mentioning the Landmark name, the innkeeper immediately remembered Farza and Sugo, who had accompanied him, and welcomed them warmly.
“Landmark Baron’s third son, young master Ryu, is here for the Royal Academy entrance exam. Please take good care of him during this time.”
Sugo requested.
“Oh my, is that so!? That’s wonderful! Please prepare well here and pass the exam!”
The innkeeper responded enthusiastically, directing the staff to show Ryu to the best room.
Ryu felt a bit uncomfortable taking the best room but accepted the hospitali
