Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume15 Chapter4 (section)

===Part 4===

"&mdash;Greetings, dear guests from Ordesia. Welcome to the Dragon Rock Fortress."

After they got off the dragon carriage at the plaza in front of the castle, female attendants serving at the castle immediately came forth to greet them.

Passing through the massive iron gate, Kamito and company followed Leonora to enter the castle.

"Indeed, the layout is completely different from Nefescal Palace..."

Fianna examined the walls and ceilings and remarked.

Rather than built from stone, it seemed to make use of the original gigantic cavern. The ceiling was designed to resemble stalactites, with numerous spirit crystals embedded to give off light like dazzling stars. Many dragon reliefs were carved on the walls.

"Claire, do not touch without permission."

"I-I know, okay..."

Intending to touch a dragon relief, Claire was warned by Ellis.

(Somehow feels kind of nostalgic...)

Recalling the Instructional School's Cave Castle, Kamito had that thought. That being said, it was not a memory he liked to recall.

"So big."

Claire sighed in admiration.

"People unfamiliar with this place can get lost. Please take care."

"What a dangerous place... Restia, please be careful not to get separated."

"Y-Yes..."

Kamito held her hand, causing Restia to immediately bow her head with a shy expression.

Suddenly, Leonora stopped in her tracks with a surprised look.

"Kamito, don't tell me that you intend to bring your maid along to pay respects to His Majesty?"

"...Huh? Oh, right&mdash;"

Indeed, from Leonora's perspective, the current Restia was just a mere maid. Bringing her along for an official meeting would be far too rude.

"Uh, Restia isn't a maid, she's&mdash;"

"Hold on&mdash;"

&mdash;At that moment, Rubia, who had remained silent the whole time, pulled Kamito over by the arm and whispered in a voice too quiet for Leonora to hear.

"It would be best not to take the darkness spirit along."

"Why?"

"The Dragon King was a trusted subordinate under the Darkness Elemental Lord's command. Once her identity is exposed, it might pique the other side's interest."

"...Oh right."

She had a very good point. It might be best to conceal Restia's presence from the Dragon King. Otherwise, in the event that the Dragon King demanded to keep her by his side in memory of the Darkness Elemental Lord, then Kamito would be forced to fight the Dragon King.

"I'm sorry, Restia... Can you wait for me a while?"

"Very well, I understand."

Kamito patted her on the head and Restia agreed obediently.

"The room has been prepared already. Please follow me."

As soon as Leonora gestured, a female attendant immediately hurried over to take Restia away.

They continued to move forward in the cavern. Soon, the group reached a wide open space with a domed ceiling.

The princess maidens in formal attire serving the Dragon King were lined up against the wall in a row to greet Kamito and company.

"This is the throne room?"

"No, the throne room is up ahead."

Leonora shook her head.

"Please make preparations here to have an audience with His Majesty, everyone."

"Make preparations?"

Saying that, the princess maidens walked over while carrying baskets in their arms.

"What preparations?"

"Since you will be entering the presence of His Majesty the Dragon King, you cannot remain dressed like this."

"Do we still need to change into ritual attire?"

Claire made a surprised expression.

The uniform of Areishia Spirit Academy was formal ritual attire that was authorized for high-level ceremonies including the Blade Dance festival. Logically speaking, going in like this to have an audience should not be problem&mdash;

"No, it is fine to keep wearing these uniforms. However&mdash;"

"However?"

"You must remove your underwear."

"...EHHHHHHH!"

Hearing Leonora's instruction, Claire and the girls all cried out in shock.