We've arrived at the academy city

"We've arrived at the academy city—-!!!"

And with that, we'll skip the travel and jump straight to our arrival.

… No, we did actually travel, okay? Bandits totally could have attacked us. But they didn't. Not a single one. Not even a lone monster.

I mean, what kind of bandit wouldn't pounce on such a perfectly ordinary carriage driven by a frail-looking beauty? The Elflands must have incredible public safety…

"Man, Anego, I'm bummed I didn't get a chance to show off either."

"Right? Zero chance to reveal our dragon's true identity. Tch, how boring."

At this rate, should I just raid a prison and copy some already-captured bandits?

… No, no. I need to stick to the bandit-hunting principle: "When you defeat bandits, their fate—including life or death—belongs to whoever beat them."

Grrr…! Are there seriously no elven bandit gangs in this entire country?!

Maybe if someone tried to shake me down… no, turning someone into a "do whatever you want with them" test subject over a petty crime would be too cruel. I need bandits who actually attack me first—that way I can fight back with legitimate authority over their lives. Otherwise I can't even fool myself!

"My, my. What a troublesome personality you have, Karina-sama."

"Hey, Rena. You got some Divine Artifact that lets you read my inner thoughts?"

"No, this is simply maid mind-reading. A basic maid skill for anticipating one's master's desires. And technically, you are also someone I serve, Karina-sama."

Since Dea-kun forbade her from lying, she's probably dead serious. Could actually be a skill, though.

Anyway, setting that aside—we're finally at the academy city in the Elflands.

A short line snaked from the city entrance checkpoint. Lots of students. According to Dea-kun, they were probably returning from gathering expeditions in the nearby area. And wow, so many elves. More than half of them, easily. A few humans and beastkin were scattered about too, chatting amicably—probably students who'd formed parties together.

… No dwarves, though. Yeah. He did mention they generally don't get along with elves. Or rather, their vibes just don't mesh.

"By the way, the name is Academy City Academireco. You won't be allowed in if you can't at least say the town's name, you know?"

"I-I didn't forget, Dea-kun."

Crap. Totally forgot. My plan was to just coast in on Dea-kun's student ID.

"Huh. Do I need to be able to say the name too?"

"Arthur appears as just an ordinary horse to everyone except us right now, so you'll be fine."

"I have an idea, Dea-sama. Perhaps Karina-sama should also disguise herself as a horse?"

"Hey, Dea-kun. Didn't this maid just insult me? Didn't you forbid that kind of thing?"

"Oh my, I was being serious though."

"… Rena, apologize."

"I'm sorry, Karina-sama. Please forgive me. I'll do anything—as long as it doesn't involve stealing Dea-sama's underwear."

"Ugh! Fine, I'll forgive you!"

That aside—something just occurred to me.

"Hey, Dea-kun. Couldn't you use your connections to get us in without waiting in line?"

"I'd rather not use that kind of thing… especially dressed like this."

Dea-kun's face soured… But it looks amazing on you, though? That girls' uniform. The slightly too-long sleeves are especially adorable.

What's there to be unhappy about? Absolutely precious. If I had a kouhai girl like this, school life would be a blast.

"Imagine if you, Onee-san, had to wear the boys' uniform."

"? I don't see any problem with that?"

"… Right, I forgot you're that kind of person, Onee-san. Sigh"

I got sighed at. I don't get it.

"I'm only wearing this because the oracle said so and you absolutely insisted, Onee-san, got it?"

"Y-yeah. Well, um. It's super cute and looks great on you. Like it was made just for you, Dea-kun!"

"The Five Elders did make it for me! … Ugh, but then why is it a little baggy?"

"Uniforms are usually made a bit large to account for growth."

"Normally you'd just get a new uniform as you grow… Ah, but if it's made by the Five Elders, I suppose it'll last ten or twenty years…"

Oh, right. With an elf's glacial growth rate, that tracks. The uniform would wear out before they outgrew it.

Apparently it also has a size-adjustment feature, but it's too cute like this, so I'll keep that tidbit to myself.

The fact that they only told me and not Dea-kun means that's exactly what they intended! My wives really get it!

While we chatted away, our turn came up before I knew it.

The gate guard was an elf, naturally. A fairly well-built male elf—your standard guard type.

"Welcome to the academy city… Hmm, a student, I see. I'll need to verify your student ID and any items you're bringing in. Do you have an outing application?"

"… Here it is. The outing application was filed over half a year ago. The people behind me are prospective new students, so they don't have student IDs."

"Hm…? ??? Uh, that is. Male student?"

"It's a punishment game…"

"Ah, I see… For what it's worth, not sure if this helps, but it really suits you… wait, whaaaat?!"

The guard let out a surprised shout after looking at Dea-kun's student ID.

"Ah, please keep it quiet."

"… M-my apologies. Please, go right through."

"Um, the luggage inspection?"

"Oh, r-right. Then please allow me to inspect it!"

Hmm. The VIP treatment, huh.

While Dea-kun handled all the procedures as our representative, the rest of us huddled together and whispered.

"As expected, Dea-sama must come from quite the incredible household."

"Right? The aura just radiates off him. An absolute flood of cuteness."

"Wait, isn't Dea-kun-chan's surname the same as the country's name? Doesn't that make him royalty?"

… Huh?! Did Arthur just casually drop something huge?!

"Oh dear. Arthur-sama, that was supposed to be a secret."

"Huh. Did I mess up?"

"Wait, seriously?!"

But now that he mentioned it… it clicked.

He had the kind of beauty where calling him a princess wouldn't seem the least bit strange…!

"For real? Dea-kun was a princess this whole time…?! Our statuses are way too different?!"

"Oh my. Weren't you a Dwarf prince in your forged identity, Karina-sama?"

"Oh yeah, that's right."

Right, Mie-chan was Queen, and Healer got turned into a Dwarf prince.

Huh? Royalty is surprisingly common in my life…? Then Dea-kun being royalty isn't really a problem, I guess.

"Besides, wouldn't the Goddess's envoy outrank that?"

"That's Anego for ya. Being stronger than a dragon already gives you more clout than most royalty anyway."

Hey now, if raw power decided everything, I'm probably second only to the Goddess in this world, y'know?

Though there might be someone stronger than me out there.