Chapter 12

While this was an entrance into the castle for Shadows, it wasn’t easy once inside either.

It was Right Feet that usually went in and out of the castle.

Left Hands protected. Right Feet delivered messages. And so they knew each other well.

However, I was an irregular here. I didn’t know what to do.

So…

“…Uh, the Shadow signal, maybe.”

There was a signal we Shadows of Her Majesty used to determine if someone was a friend or foe.

For instance, if you saw someone at a tavern and wondered if they were a Shadow as well, you could tap your finger on the table.

And so I tapped rhythmically on a thin board that was partially inside of the stone wall.

–Taptap, taptap, tatatatap, tap, tap, tatatap, tatatatatap, tatatatata.

It should vibrate and alert the Shadow on the other side.

“…”

If I waited, they would unlock the door.

“…”

Huh? Nothing happened. Were they asleep?

“Surely not. This place was supposed to be guarded at all times.”

What did this mean? Was there some kind of trouble?

Hmm. I would have to try it once again.

And so I hit the board with the same rhythm.

It shouldn’t be wrong.

I had practiced many times and memorized it.

I waited a little longer, but still, nothing happened.

Just as I was going to try tapping again, I heard the sound of the door being unbarred from the other side.

“One…two…three…four…and five. Five of them.”

They sounded very heavy.

And this was just the first entrance. How tight was their security?

“Name?”

The stone door opened. Two older men stood there menacingly.

“Leon. Right Hand of Her Majesty the Queen, based in the town of Sol.”

“…”

“…Uh…?”

“…Enter.”

“Yes.”

What was with that silence?

Did I do something wrong?

After that point, things were similar to when I had last come with my father.

They did a body search in the next room.

If you were carrying anything that you shouldn’t, it would be taken away at this point.

I was not surprised when they put a magic sealing bracelet on me in the next stone room.

This was required whether you could use magic or not.

After that, we walked down a stone hallway as doors closed behind us.

You couldn’t leave even if you wanted to.

We said our names at the end of the hallway, and another door was unbarred for us.

This repeated twice before we finally started to climb the stairs.

I was getting very tired.

They checked me again at the top of the stairs and then put a second sealing bracelet on my other arm.

It was only after all of this that I was permitted to meet Her Majesty.

I understood the need for safety, but surely this could be simplified a little.

It made you never want to come back.

“But, it’s not like you are ever given any choice.”

We went through a few more rooms that were protected with magic, and then reached the audience chamber.

Well, it was an audience chamber exclusively for Shadows.

It had been made for no other purpose, but apparently looked just like the real one.

Around her, stood many men who were dressed in black.

“It’s an honor to meet you after so long, Your Majesty.”

I said as I kneeled.

She was already here. Waiting for me.

“Yes. Has it been 3 years?”

“It has.”

“I have heard reports of you thriving since taking up your father’s work. Harui must be very pleased.”

“I am not deserving of such high praise.”

“Leon. Would you show me your Dragon Mark?”

There was a sudden tension palpable in the room.

While it was me who was having an audience with the queen, there were many Left Hands around us.

From what I could see, there were 4 next to her, two on each side of me and 3 in the back.

But I could also sense that there were others behind the curtains.

How many were hiding? And did there need to be so many?

As for why I was able to sense that they were there, their bloodlust was thick in the air. They might as well have been shouting threats. Come any closer and we will kill you.

And so I decided to ignore the silent pressure from the Left Hands.

“Here it is, Your Majesty.”

I moved forward a few steps while still on my knees. And then I offered my hand so that she could see it.

“Yes, that is the Dragon Mark. It does not please me to have a capable Right Hand leave Sol, but this is your duty. I hope that you do it respectfully.”

“You need not worry, Your Majesty. I will give my all every day in order to meet your expectations.”

I said with a low bow.

“I am counting on you, Leon.”

“Yes!”

Well, now that that was over. I could leave.

Maybe I could provoke the Left Hands a little first.

As I mused over such things…

“Well, that’s enough of that formal talk, Leon.”

“Uh.”

“Let’s talk a little. How is Harui? He’s so stubborn, you know? He never visits me anymore. Oh, have you heard anything?”

“What?”

What was this about?

Also, I don’t remember her personality being like this before.