An Aura Farmer's Guide to Another World-Chapter 34: Queen Violet’s Royal Castle

Upon the ceremony’s completion, I had managed to make enemies with all the attending cadets. More importantly, any hope of persuading others that I am the Demon god’s vessel was now gone.

As the sun began its descent to the west, I found myself in Queen Violet’s convoy. It turns out the Headquarters of the House of Sinners is the same as the Queen’s castle. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Seated across from Cupcake in the carriage, the rhythmic clatter of hooves on cobblestones provided a backdrop to my spiraling thoughts.

The convoy moved in a precise order. Leading the way were knights on horseback, their trumpets announcing their approach, while they proudly carried flags displaying a purple rose.

Behind them came the Queen’s royal carriage drawn by four large armored horses, each guided by a knight clad in gleaming plate.

Following closely was a less decorated carriage carrying me and Cupcake. Three more carriages trailed behind, completing the central group.

Flanking the entire procession were the Royal Guards in their red uniforms. Some rode on horseback, while others marched on foot, their spears and swords held ready, ensuring the convoy’s safety and maintaining its formation.

"Queen Violet has returned." An armored guard leading the convoy yelled.

Right in the Center of the city, outside the velvet-draped windows, I saw a massive stone wall that resembled the Great Wall of China.

Stretching eastward and westward, the wall featured regularly spaced watchtowers.

’Creeeeak...’

The gate began to open, revealing a scene akin to a fairy tale.

The image of a red lake, swirling like wine ready to be served, appeared. In the lake’s center stood a castle, rising eighty feet into the twilight sky.

The bridge was constructed of the same grey stone as the wall, it stretched across the red water, wide enough for the Queen’s carriage to pass comfortably, with sturdy railings on either side offering a sense of security over the unsettling, wine-like lake.

The bridge led directly to the main entrance of a cherry garden.

’Clop-clop.’

The horses maintained their pace while we crossed the Broadway bridge in ten minutes.

Across from me in the carriage sat Cupcake. Ever since our departure from the cathedral, she had been silent, her gaze unwavering and fixed upon my face.

Leaning against the carriage wall, I asked Cupcake, "This certainly isn’t a cherry blooming season."

Cupcake looked away from me, her gaze fixed on the endless rows of pink cherry trees lining our path.

"The usual rotation of seasons doesn’t apply in the presence of Queen Violet," she responded, her eyes flicking from one tree to the next.

Five minutes into the journey, the scenery transformed from cherry to maple trees, their in-season leaves displaying a vibrant palette of bright red, orange, and golden yellow. Shortly after, oak trees dominated the landscape. These tall, dark-brown-trunked trees stood like steadfast sentinels, their leaves a deep maroon.

As the carriages neared the castle, wisteria trees lined the broad stone path, forming a leafy canopy draped over metal supports, offering shade from the descending sun. Golden lanterns, spaced evenly, cast a gentle orange light, superseding the sun’s glow.

Leaving the wisteria behind, a grand stone castle came into view, encircled by a mix of pink and purple tulips. The carriages proceeded along an even narrower path towards the castle gates, which promptly swung open upon their approach.

’Creeeeak...’

With a loud creak, the gates revealed the interior.

The castle consisted of five imposing stone cylinders, each soaring eighty meters high.

Four towers stood at the cardinal points of an ’X’, while the queen’s residence occupied the central position. Skybridges connected each of the outer towers to the main tower.

"Thud-thud!"

Cupcake and I alighted from the carriage. She took my hand. "There will be a welcoming celebration for the three recruits tonight. Come with me to my room; your attire is waiting."

Hand in hand, we walked across the tall green grass that bordered the path leading to the castle entrance and made our way to her room.

***

Upon entering. Cupcake’s room surprised me with its unexpected simplicity.

Two narrow beds with purple sheets sat against opposite walls, flanked by a wooden nightstand holding a single lit candle and a closed book.

Opposite the beds stood a tall wardrobe of dark wood.

A small round rug woven with intricate silver thread lay on the stone floor near the center of the room.

The only decorations were a few dried flower wreaths hanging on the otherwise bare stone walls.

Despite its simplicity, the room felt strangely warm, the flickering candlelight casting long, dancing shadows that softened the harshness of the stone.

Cupcake offered me tea and gestured to one of the beds. As she headed to a small kitchen through a nearby door, she removed her jacket, revealing a leather bra and several belts across her chest. From the bed, I watched her heat water, pour it into a ceramic cup, carefully add tea leaves, and stir.

She returned, handed me a cup, and sat on the bed opposite mine. "Thank you," I said, adjusting myself.

"Drink quickly; the welcome ceremony is in an hour," she stated, looking away to sip her tea.

Sip-sip.

My thoughts drifted to Cupcake’s expression during the induction ceremony. Her offer to "use her" had been accompanied by a deep blush, and her leaning in, pressing her chest against me while staring intensely.

Since then, she had been quiet, speaking minimally and constantly glancing my way.

’Is she hiding something?’

Wobble-wobble!

A wave of dizziness washed over me, and Cupcake’s image blurred into two. I touched my forehead, struggling to focus on her.

I watched as she approached. Leaning in close to my ear, she whispered, "You should be unconscious by now. I have a score to settle with you."

She pushed me, and I fell softly onto the bed. Her hands produced a rope, which she wrapped tightly around my wrist. "We have a lot to discuss," she added.

Her voice sounded creepy, and the venom in her tone was unmistakable.

"What does she plan to do to me?"