The Necromancer Commands Slaves, Not Undeads

37 – Imperial Capital (2)

Estedorf, the capital of the Empire, was a very large metropolis accommodating 2 million people. Fortunately, the prison was nearby and we were able to get there in about an hour.

As we arrived in Estedorp early in the morning, the sun was still high in the sky.

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Beron Prison was located on the outskirts of Estedorp, the capital. There was a guard station near the prison, and the guards on duty at the prison were wearing full military uniforms.

Overall, the prison had a dull tone. The strong stone walls were built thick enough to prevent prisoners from escaping, and with a guard standing next to the watchtower watching the surroundings, security seemed very tight.

Dorothy and I left the horses in a nearby stable and approached the guard.

“Wait, stop.”

The guard gave us instructions in a military-sounding voice. The guards’ movements were angled one by one, and I could almost see how hard they were working.

“Hello. I came to visit you.”

“Are you visiting? Have you brought your permit?”

“Oh, by any chance, who can I get permission from?”

“You can apply for a visit to the Eskedorf Guard.”

It’s an application…

“Thank you for letting us know.”

Dorothy and I left the prison. The guard building was near the prison, and we were able to get to the guard station in a short time.

The guard building was a quiet place with no people except for the guards. When I explained the situation to the seemingly leisurely people, they responded that they would call the person in charge and to wait a moment.

We happened to meet the person who manages prison visits. Everything went smoothly up to this point, but one thing that bothered me was that this place was the capital.

I was prepared for the process to be complicated as security was tight and there were many people in the capital….

“It takes at least a month to get permission?”

“Yes, you are strangers whose identities have not been confirmed. It would be a different story if there was someone who could guarantee your identity, but for now, that’s it.”

The answer from the security guard was that we had to wait for a month.

If this happens, the golden lion will be taken to trial before even being able to meet. At this point, when we don’t know what the outcome of the trial will be, we can’t just suck our fingers and wait…

I took off my blindfold and showed my spiritual eyes to the guard just in case. When the guard looked at his right eye, which had a spider web stuck in it, he flinched in surprise.

“As you can see, I am a magician. I got the nickname White Bone from Freud’s order. This is something that needs to be done urgently. Can’t I confirm my identity with this?”

However, the guard was drooling and looked troubled.

“I’m sorry. Even if you are a wizard, it will take time to obtain permission to visit unless your identity is confirmed.”

At this very moment, I was resentful of the golden lion whose face I did not know. If the crazy guy hadn’t molested the princess, things wouldn’t have gone this far…

In response to the guard’s tight response, I could not think of any way to enter the prison through the normal route.

Just when I thought I should at least sneak in, I heard a familiar male voice from behind me.

“Oh… Aren’t you the wizard and his assistant?”

After hearing that story, Dorothy and I turned around and saw a familiar young man.

He was Gilbert, the anemone merchant who had walked with Freud to the territory after escaping from the old woman’s hut.

When fighting with bears and slaves, a welcome young man appeared who was more scared than anyone else and buried his whole body in the dirt, showing a manly appearance.

“Gilbert. Do you know someone?”

“Ah, of course. Just know. This person is Lord White Bone, who subdued the Manticore. He is a completely famous person in Freud’s order. Anyway, why are you in the security unit…?”

“Mr. Merchant…”

Gilbert, who suddenly appeared, looked so much like a savior that I almost shed tears of joy.

“These people came to the prison to get permission to visit, but they were telling us that they were strangers whose identities had not been confirmed and that procedures were needed.”

“How rude is that? The identity of these people is guaranteed by me, Gilbert and the Anemone Guild. They are my benefactors.”

At Gilbert’s eloquence, the guard reluctantly nodded his head, and fortunately Dorothy and I were able to obtain a visitation permit.

“Please come outside for a moment.”

We left the security guard and exchanged pleasantries.

“Wow. I never dreamed I’d see it like this.”

“Me too. I never thought I would meet you like this and receive help. I guess there really is such a thing as fate.”

“hahahahaha, I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to be able to help you in this way. How have you been, Jo Jo?”

“Yes.”

We smiled and shook hands, and then Gilbert unexpectedly asked us.

“But what brings you to prison?”

“Ah~”

I explained the whole story. The Golden Lion was introduced to me by the Black Wolf, and I had to meet him for personal reasons, but he was accused of molesting the princess and was imprisoned…

When I told him that he was in trouble, Gilbert couldn’t hold back his laughter and started whimpering.

“This is serious…”

“I don’t think there’s anything I can do to help you with that part. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Your help just now has helped me a lot. I hope your business prospers and next time if you get a chance…”

“Yes, wizard, please finish your work well. See you next time.”

From what I heard later, Anemone Guild has been expanding his business for half a year and is distributing a significant number of weapons to the Estedorp Guard.

And the person in charge was Gilbert, so his identity guarantee was more certain than anyone else’s. He is the one who apologized for the mistake he made to Dorothy when they finally parted ways.

At least he was able to take responsibility for his own mistakes and seemed to have the ability to be a merchant.

Thanks to Gilbert, Dorothy and I were able to present the permit and enter Veron Prison before sunset.

The guard guarding the entrance to the prison looked surprised, but did not ask any questions, and we entered the prison’s visiting room.

And I was finally able to encounter the golden lion.

He was a handsome young man with blond hair and red eyes. His height looked small compared to the black wolf, but his proportions were good, with his head small and his legs long.

The Golden Lion was wearing shackles like a prisoner and opened his mouth in a very frivolous voice.

The golden lion figure I thought of was a strong male figure, tall and bulky, like a black wolf… It was a little far from what I imagined.

“Hello~ I’m seeing you for the first time. What’s going on?”

I don’t know if it was because of that, but I heard that he molested the princess. If I were to describe the golden lion I was seeing in one word, he looked like a typical conman.

Dorothy and I made the difficult journey from the south to the capital, going through hardships for half a year to meet this man.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t have hope that the Golden Lion would be able to resolve the matter with the Exitium Clan.

He was also the only person who could solve the situation I was currently in.

But, he is such a frivolous and trustless person… Only a sigh came out.

“Sweetheart, don’t just sigh and speak up if you have anything to do. I’m grateful that you took me out of prison and into the visiting room, but if you look at me like I’m looking at a bug, you’re hurting me too, right?”

“So… You are the golden lion, right?”

“Yes. But?”

“I came to you on the recommendation of the black wolf.”

I took out the badge I once received from the black wolf and handed it to the golden lion. Then his attitude changed, as if he had seen someone he was very pleased with.

“The black wolf was still alive!? Wow, who would have thought that unlucky guy was still alive…”

“When I met him, he was leading the Black Wolf mercenary group. Before I left, he became a knight of Lord Freud.”

“Phew… I’m glad you’re doing well. The guy who was friendly with the black wolf said something to me.”

“I understand that you are familiar with the Exitium Clan. And I came here because I heard that you were someone who could help me.”

“I know Exitium well. Please tell me in detail. I will help you if I can.”

To be honest, I didn’t trust the golden lion who was accused of molesting the princess… I decided to trust the black wolf who recommended this guy. I calmly explained the situation I was in.

Starting from being a wizard’s assistant, he was chased by Morse. They even told us that they had items they wanted and that they were willing to give them to us if they would let us live.

The golden lion listened to my words pouring out incessantly. Contrary to his impression, he listened to my story with a serious attitude and without any frivolity.

And of course the answer that came back was rejection.

“The Exitium Clan thing is something I can help with. I can’t solve the problem directly, but I can create a space for conversation. But… I’m in this situation right now, so even if I want to help, I can’t help. “I can’t help it.”

I guess that’s because the golden lion in prison won’t be able to help us.

“I’d like to ask one question. Was the s*xual harassment charge false?”

Dorothy, who had been silent, suddenly asked a sharp question.

“Well, in your eyes, do I look like someone crazy enough to molest the princess?”

“Master and I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t go that far. I never molested the princess. Rather, I was the victim.”

The golden lion tore the cloth covering his shoulders with his mouth. His clothes were torn, revealing a bite wound on his shoulder from a beast with sharp fangs.

“I just received a one-sided kiss from the princess.”