The Department of Law and Politics is the most powerful, mysterious, and feared department among the thirteen departments of the Clock Tower.
In the minds of most magicians, the daily life of this department should be like this.
The dark stronghold is like an abyss, and the eerie atmosphere is like hell.
Each member was wearing a cloak, hiding their heads and showing their tails, and discussing shady conspiracies in low and hoarse voices.
Who should be targeted today, what kind of trap should be set up to lure someone into the trap tomorrow, and more stringent regulations should be introduced the day after tomorrow, causing complaints from the entire Clock Tower.
However, if they were to see a scene like this, perhaps their impression of the Law and Politics Department would change.
"Hey? Did you hear that?"
"What did you hear?"
"The Lord is off today."
"What? Her Majesty the Queen? Vacation? Haha, this joke is not funny. The Lord has never taken a vacation since he took office except for Christmas and New Year."
"I didn't believe it at first, but the Lord's leave form has been sent to the Internal Affairs Department through the assistant."
"There's no need to do that. She is the highest authority in the Law and Politics Department."
"That's true. But everyone knows the Lord's style. He always leads by example."
"Indeed, there hasn't been much going on lately, and everyone is a bit lazy - by the way, does Her Majesty have a reason for her vacation?"
"I wrote it, saying I was going to experience the life of ordinary people."
"Uh... what is this?"
"Don't ask me, that's what the Lord wrote. Maybe there's a reason why he has to do it this way."
◇◇◇
Lorelaia, who was respectfully addressed as Her Majesty the Queen by her subordinates, also wanted to know the reason for doing so.
"Why? Give me a reason?"
"Why do you need a reason for everything? Don't you feel tired?" Shinji is the only one in the entire Law Department who dares to talk to Her Majesty the Queen like this.
"I'm going back. I still have a lot of things to deal with."
Lorelaia made a move to leave, but Shinji quickly stopped her.
"Don't use that excuse. There's nothing to do recently. One or two days won't make a difference. Besides, don't forget that we made a bet before. If you lose, you have to listen to me once on an unimportant matter. You don't want to regret it, do you?"
"Of course not, I just don't quite understand it."
"It doesn't matter if you don't understand. If you could understand, you wouldn't be Bartomero. Let's go. You've been stuck in the office lately. It's a rare opportunity to come out. It's a good time to relax and change your mood."
Lorelaia thought about it and nodded, "Okay, I'll follow your arrangements."
"Come on, put this on first."
Shinji said as he handed over a handbag. Lorelaia took it and opened it, revealing a set of unremarkable clothes inside.
"Why are you wearing this? I have my own clothes."
"I know. But my lady, your identity today is not a lord, not a queen, but an ordinary person."
"What happened to the normal people?"
"Ordinary people don't have magic costumes, and they don't have every piece of clothing custom-made because they can't afford such high costs."
"Then how do ordinary people get their clothes?"
"Put on some clothes and follow me and you'll find out."
◇◇◇
When it comes to shopping in London, Oxford Street is undoubtedly the first choice.
Unlike many so-called commercial streets designed to rip off tourists, this is the shopping center most frequented by authentic Londoners.
This is the main road in and out of the city, and it is convenient to go in and out. Not only are there large supermarkets that rank among the best in Europe, but there are also various British brand stores and the famous Selfridges department store, which has been glorious for more than a hundred years. On the first working day after Christmas, the discounts here are usually shockingly low, and you can buy great things at very cheap prices.
Shinji took Lorelaia to a department store called Debenhams, which is the British people's favorite department store. You can buy everything here, from sewing needles to home appliances and furniture, including clothes of course.
"Look, this is it." Shinji said standing at the entrance of the clothing area.
"It's just a shopping mall. I know that." Lorelaia disagreed. It seems that several branches of Barthelmero run shopping malls. "Although Barthelmero is an aristocrat, it still collects detailed information about other classes."
"But it's just limited to gathering information. You must know the general appearance and functions of the mall, but you probably haven't been there in person. Even if you have, you haven't picked things out like those people, right?"
Loreleija was speechless. She had indeed never been to such a place in person. Barthelmero had a dedicated life consultant whether at home or away. There was nothing in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation that she needed to take care of personally.
"Come on, young lady." Shinji held out his hand to Lorelaia, "I know you are not satisfied with the clothes you are wearing, let's choose one that you like."
"good."
Now that I'm here, I'll just do as you say. It's no big deal if I just waste a day. The leave form has already been sent to the internal affairs department anyway.
With this thought in mind, Lorelaia relaxed and followed Shinji as they walked and looked around the clothing area.
"This one looks nice."
"If it's good, try it. There are dressing rooms there."
"Eh? Just go and try it right away?"
"Of course. How do you know if it fits if you don't try it on? I'll ask the clerk to get it for you in your size."
"I think about the width of my shoulders and the circumference of my neck..."
"Stop, miss. Clothes are not made to order. They are not that particular. They are all in standard sizes. Forget it. Let the professionals do it. Miss, please check what size my friend is suitable for. Please help her get one of these to try."
"Okay, wait a moment."
...
Five minutes later, Loreleija came out of the locker room.
"How is it? Is it suitable?"
Wearing a small stand-up collar jacket, she walked in front of Shinji a little awkwardly. She had never let anyone other than her lifestyle consultant and designer see her trying on new clothes.
Shinji looked it up and down, then clicked his tongue and said, "I think it's good. Take a look for yourself. There's a mirror here."
Lorelaia pointed at a few joints and said, "Hmm... They don't feel very solid. They get stretched easily here and there."
"This is a casual model, not a sports model. Even if it is a sports model, it can't withstand activities at our level. This is just the world of ordinary people - is there anything else?"
"It seems a little short here. It would be better if it could be lengthened."
"Sorry, that's impossible. The clothes sold here are all finished. Except for the hems of the pants, other clothes cannot be altered. Either buy it with a little regret, or give up looking for clothes that satisfy you. This is the life of ordinary people. It's hard to be perfect right from the start."
"Compromise or insist... It's very similar to the work of the Law and Politics Department. I choose to insist."
"Then let's go, I hope we can find some clothes that will satisfy you."
Shinji chuckled and gestured with his hand again.
PS: Let me say a little here that the next volume will be the final volume, and this book will be finished after it is written. The beginning is related to Lorelei, so I will give out the sweets first.
PS2: The FGO chapter you are all looking forward to has already been written, but it is not a part of this book, but a new book, titled "Perseus's Journey to Chaldea", so stay tuned. (By the way, the protagonist cannot be the third magician. If he enters Chaldea directly, then don't play it. At the beginning, he will have a hundred holy grails and a large group of monsters more terrifying than the Mad King. You can fight them, come on, fight them. As for the relationship between the protagonist and the second master, hehe.)