Chapter 2 Part 1
Chapter 2 – The Poison Queen
‘Keim… You’ve done nothing wrong.’
Those were the last memories spent with his mother… Sasha Halsberg. Keim leaned close to his mother lying in bed, shedding tears as he listened to her final words.
‘I was truly happy that you were born. Holding you in my arms, watching you grow, brought me immense joy. So… no matter what happens, don’t blame yourself.’
Keim knew that Sasha had fallen ill after giving birth to twins. Occasionally, she coughed up blood, and the cause of it all was the faint poison unintentionally emanating from Keim’s body. Not only his blood but also his breath and bodily fluids contained the poison. It was a harmless concentration for a healthy person, but it was a deadly virus for his weakened mother.
Keim’s father had tried countless times to stop his mother. He told her not to meet Keim, not to touch him. Her husband, Kevin, had insisted that Sasha should abandon Keim and raise only Arnette as their child. However, Sasha did not abandon Keim. No matter how much Kevin protested or how much Arnette clung to her, she never abandoned Keim and kept him by her side.
‘It’s your mother’s fault that you were born as a ‘Cursed Child’. You’ve done nothing wrong. So… don’t blame yourself, okay?’
Emaciated and weakened, Sasha held Keim’s hand as she reassured him. With every bit of life she had left, she turned it into words for her son.
‘Please find your own happiness. Someday, have your own family and live together.’
That was the last conversation exchanged between Keim and his mother. Shortly after, Sasha began coughing up blood and endured tremendous pain before slipping into eternal slumber. Kevin, who believed that Keim was the reason for his wife’s death, drove his son away and began raising only Arnette as their child.
〇 〇 〇
“Haa… I’m finally back…”
After walking for several hours from the mansion where he was born and raised, Keim arrived at the cabin in the woods where he was staying. He had taken numerous breaks along the way to return home.
“…Let’s rest for today. My body is exhausted.”
With drooping shoulders, Keim opened the door to the seemingly fragile cabin. Inside, there were no fancy items like lamps. In the darkness, he relied on his memory to find the wooden planks he used as a makeshift bed, but… he quickly came to a halt.
“Who’s there…!?”
He sensed the presence of someone in the cabin, though the person appeared to be holding their breath, making no audible noise. However, Keim keenly perceived a different atmosphere from his usual home.
(It couldn’t be a thief; there was nothing valuable to steal here, and it was unlikely that villagers would come near.)
The villagers avoided Keim, the ‘Cursed Child’, and would never approach this place. It could be some beasts or monsters, but… it lacked the characteristic smell of a beast.
“………”
Keim cautiously grabbed a hatchet and looked around the cabin.
“………”
Carefully, with bated breath, Keim stepped further into the cabin, straining his ears and squinting his eyes to locate the intruder.
“Heehh, you’re more sensitive than I thought. I’m surprised.”
“Wha-…!?”
The voice sent shivers down Keim’s spine, appearing to originate from very close by. Someone had somehow approached from behind and whispered into Keim’s ear.
“You…!”
Keim attempted to swing the hatchet around as he turned. However, the young boy’s hand was easily caught by the person standing behind him.
“Heehh, your reaction time is not bad. I guess that’s to be expected from the son of the ‘Holy Fist’, huh? Although it seems you haven’t had much training, I can still sense glimpses of talent in you.”
The person standing behind him was a tall woman wearing a white coat draped like a mantle over a man’s suit. Her black hair and the intelligent eyes behind her glasses left a lasting impression.
“If I may offer some advice, it’s futile to notice an opponent’s presence once they’ve already noticed yours. If you realize they’ve intruded, pretend not to notice and seize the opportunity when they lower their guard. If not, running away is the right choice.”
“Damn it… Let go!”
“If you release that dangerous thing, I’ll release you, too. I apologize for the rudeness of barging into your house. I mean no harm. So, can you put down your weapon?”
“………”
The woman’s voice remained calm, devoid of any apparent hostility.
If her intention were to harm Keim, she would have attacked him by now. Despite distorting his expression with frustration, Keim reluctantly let go of the hatchet.
“Good boy.”
The woman released her grip on his arm, and Keim took several steps back as soon as he was free from restraint.
“Who are you…!? Why are you in my house…!?”
“There’s no need to be so defensive. You act as if I’m some wild animal.”
“Answer me!”
“Alright, alright. No need to rush. I’ll properly introduce myself.”
The woman in the white coat raised both hands in a gesture of surrender as she responded to his demanding inquiries.
“My name is Faust. For now… I suppose you could say I’m a friend of your parents?”
“………!”
The woman who introduced herself as Faust smiled amicably at Keim, who surprisedly opened his eyes.
“I’m here today as a doctor to meet with you, Keim. I wanted to examine the progress of the curse known as the ‘Poison Queen’, which was transplanted into your body thirteen years ago… Would you allow me to do that?”
“‘Poison Queen’…? Transplanted…?”
Keim was completely baffled, furrowing his brow.
Faust gave a wry smile in response to the question mark that seemed to float above Keim’s head.
“I see.Have your parents never spoken to you about the curse that has been afflicting your body?”
“……Not really.”
“Perhaps they couldn’t bear to tell their child… Or maybe they struggled to accept the responsibility?”
Faust rummaged through her baggage and took out a lantern. The room, once shrouded in darkness, was now bathed in an orange glow from the lantern’s light.
“Please, have a seat. Let’s discuss the curse that’s been afflicting your body.”
“…But you’re in my house, you know?”
Faust seated herself on a wooden plank as if she owned the place. Annoyed that she occupied the space he used as his bed, Keim frowned but reluctantly sat down beside her. He didn’t fully trust this enigmatic person before him, yet the story of the curse within his body held a powerful grip on his curiosity.
“Oh, do you have any tea or something? I’m a bit thirsty.”
“Seriously, you’ve got some nerve! It’s in that bottle there, help yourself!”
“Oh, there it is. Let’s give it a try.”
Faust picked up the bottle from the ground. She opened it, sniffed the liquid inside, and blinked in surprise.
“Heehh, interesting tea you have here. Did you brew it yourself?”
“…It’s not tea, just some herbs I picked around here. It tastes awful, but it makes me feel better when I drink it.”
“Well, yes, it’s a medicinal herb called ‘Healing Grass’ that’s also used as an ingredient in potions. You’re pretty interesting to make herbal tea out of it.”
Without hesitation, Faust drank the murky liquid from the liquor bottle. While it couldn’t be called ‘tea’, she seemed to enjoy the bitterness, savoring the taste with narrowed eyes.
“Yes, it’s terrible. But there’s nothing to worry about. They say ‘good medicine tastes bitter’, and things that are good for your health usually don’t taste pleasant. I appreciate your hospitality.”
“………”
It wasn’t his intention to be hospitable. She had entered his house without permission and was now drinking his tea without asking.
“So… about examining my body, what exactly does that mean?”
Faust had introduced herself as a ‘friend of his parents’. Keim might have trusted her if she were a friend of his mother, but he could never open his heart to a friend of his father.
“That’s not all… You mentioned having ‘transplanted a curse’ into my body, didn’t you? What does that even mean?”
It was not something that could be easily brushed off.
Keim had always believed that the ‘poison curse’ afflicting his body was innate, a coincidental affliction akin to an epidemic. However, the use of the word ‘transplant’ implied that Faust had intentionally implanted the curse into his body.
(If that’s true… I will never be able to forgive this person…!)
If someone had deliberately cast the shadow that loomed over his life, forgiveness would be impossible.
(No matter what, I will definitely make them pay…!)
“Don’t give me such a murderous look. Explaining the circumstances is also part of the reason I came to see you, after all.”
Faust smiled with a perplexed expression, placing the bottle she held on the ground. It was a carefree smile devoid of any hostility. Her demeanor almost seemed like an attempt to slip into the gaps in his heart, making Keim feel uneasy.
“Now then… The curse residing in your body originated from the ‘Demon King-class’ monster, the ‘Poison Queen’.”
“………”
The ‘Poison Queen’. It was the same word he had heard earlier. Looking back, Keim remembered that the villagers who persecuted him had also muttered those words.
“…Your parents really didn’t tell you anything…? That’s so irresponsible of them…”
“…What do you mean?”
“The curse that has invaded your body originated from the ‘Poison Queen’, and… your parents. Of course, I bear some responsibility in this as well and deserve to be resented.”
Faust began recounting events from thirteen years ago, just before Keim and Arnette, the twin siblings, were born.
Once upon a time――the ‘Poison Queen’, a ‘Demon King-class’ monster, appeared in the northern part of the Kingdom of Jade.
The ‘Demon King-class’ is one of the ranks that indicates the strength of a monster, starting from Commoner-class, Knight-class, Baron-class, Viscount-class, Count-class, Marquis-class, Duke-class, the Demon King-class, and so on. The higher the rank, the stronger and more dangerous it becomes. The Demon King-class is a calamity that can destroy an entire country.
The ‘Poison Queen’ posed a grave threat to the Kingdom of Jade, but it was ultimately saved by the adventurer’s party known as ‘The Fist of Iron God’, hailed as the strongest at the time.
Led by Kevin, the ‘Holy Fist’, ‘The Fist of Iron God’ succeeded in subjugating the ‘Poison Queen’ at great cost.
Kevin, the leader of the punitive force, was rewarded with the title of ‘Count’ and granted a territory. It is said that other participants were also generously rewarded by the king.
“However… in exchange for such glory, there was a great misfortune. The woman who delivered the final blow to the ‘Poison Queen’, Sasha Halsberg, ended up cursed.”
Faust spoke calmly, her words flowing into Keim’s mind like water seeping into sand.
“The final curse unleashed by the ‘Poison Queen’ was so powerful that Sasha could die at any moment. It wouldn’t be unusual. No doctor or mage could cure her. That’s why, as a doctor, I proposed an idea to them: to transfer the curse into one of the twins Sasha was carrying…”
“You can’t be serious…!”
“This concerns you, Keim Halsberg-kun. Your parents made the decision to transplant the curse of the ‘Poison Queen’ into you so that your mother and your twin sister could live.”
“………!”
Keim was rendered speechless, his breath caught in his throat. If Faust’s words were true, then Keim being born as the ‘Cursed Child’ was not his fault, nor was it due to bad luck.
(So, she’s saying it was all my mother’s and that man’s fault…!?)
Throughout her life, Sasha had repeatedly apologized, as if repenting for something. Could it have been about burdening Keim with the curse?
“Such a thing… Such a thing CAN’T BE TRUE!“
Keim couldn’t help but raise his voice. He stood up and let out the emotions surging within him.
“I’ve been blamed my entire life for being born a ‘Cursed Child’! And now…! You’re telling me it’s not me, but my parents who are to blame!? That’s just too cruel! If that’s the case, then why have people been blaming me all this time!? Why have they been throwing stones at me and saying hurtful things about me!?”
“…You haven’t done anything wrong. The ones at fault are your parents and me.”
Acknowledging the boy’s lament, Faust bowed.
“As a doctor, I did my best to save as many lives as possible. However… I deeply apologize for the burden I have placed on you alone. I truly am sorry.”
“………!”
Keim gritted his teeth in response to Faust’s sincere and honest apology.
At thirteen years old, Keim was at an age where he was becoming more discerning. He understood that Faust was not the one to blame, but that didn’t mean he could easily forgive her. The malice he had endured throughout his life couldn’t be dismissed with mere apologies.
“So, let me at least take responsibility as your ‘attending doctor’. I came here to save you.”
“Save me…?”
Contemplating Faust’s unexpected words, Keim looked up to meet her gaze directly.
“There is a way to lift the curse of the ‘Poison Queen’ that has been placed upon you. It couldn’t be done thirteen years ago, but now, with you, there might be a chance. Please, will you let me save you?”
Chapter 1 Part 3
〇 〇 〇
Kevin Halsberg, the current head of the Halsberg family, was originally a renowned adventurer who engaged in the subjugation of monsters and bandits. Having made a name for himself in various adventures, Kevin was bestowed the title of ‘Count’ and territory for his successful subjugation of a monster known as the ‘Poison Queen’ thirteen years ago.
Rising from a mere adventurer to nobility, Kevin faced strong opposition from the long-standing nobles. However, none dared to oppose him directly, as he was hailed the Kingdom’s strongest, known as the ‘Holy Fist’. Supported by the vassals he had gathered through the connections forged during his adventurer days, Count Kevin Halsberg governs his territory amicably and is admired by his people as a benevolent feudal lord.
“…To think I’d return here one day. Such thoughts never came across my mind when I was driven out.”
Looking up at his family home, which he visited for the first time in a year, Keim, the son of the Lord, furrowed his brow. Though this mansion was filled with memories of his mother, it was also filled with painful memories. If possible, he would rather not visit this place again.
“…Keim-sama, are you alright?”
“…Yeah, I’m fine.”
Keim forced a smile at Tee, who peered worriedly at his face, as they passed through the mansion’s gate.
On their way to the mansion, they walked past the gardeners and guards, all of whom averted their eyes without even greeting Keim, behaving as if they had seen something disgusting.
“How rude of them…!”
“…It’s fine. It doesn’t matter.”
He was accustomed to such reactions. In this mansion, the only people who treated him normally were his mother and Tee. It was better than having stones thrown at him like the villagers did.
As they approached the mansion, Keim noticed two figures moving about in the garden: the master of the mansion, Kevin Halsberg, and Keim’s twin sister, Arnette Halsberg.
“All right, then, I’m going to teach you the combat techniques of the ‘Demon Fighting God Style’ again today!”
“Yes, Father!”
Both of them are dressed for ease of movement and appear to be training in martial arts.
“First, let us review the combat technique of the ‘Demon Fighting God Style’ that envelopes the body in magic power and fights without using swords or spears. The body itself is the weapon. While strengthening the body with magic power is a fundamental technique in various martial arts, the ‘Demon Fighting God Style’ is in a different dimension!”
The red-haired, large-built man――Kevin, let out a sharp breath, and suddenly, his body was enveloped in magic power. The magic power gushed out from his body like hot steam, then gradually compressed, becoming visibly smaller. It was not that less magic power was emanating from his body. Rather, the magic power was compressed, increasing its density.
“Compress the magic power enveloping your body to the utmost limit. By doing so, the magic power will be sublimated to a hardness comparable to steel. The resulting ‘Compressed Magic Power’ can even rival a dragon’s scale. And naturally… when enveloped around your fists, the attack power soars!”
Kevin struck a boulder placed in the garden with his fist, which was enveloped in compressed magic power. With a single blow, the human-sized boulder was pulverized into pieces. It was indeed the punching power of a man known as the ‘Holy Fist’.
“See for yourself. But of course, there are downsides to not using weapons. Even talented individuals take at least five years to learn it. However, the advantage is that you don’t have to carry a weapon around with you and can activate it at any time, all while being lightweight. Running with just your own body is undoubtedly faster than wearing heavy armor.”
“I see… You’re amazing, Father! Will I be able to reach Father’s level someday?”
“Yes, because you’re my daughter! If you continue training for another ten years, you should become a top-class martial artist! To that end, we’ll train hard again today!”
“Yes! I’ll do my best!”
The father and daughter continued their training harmoniously.
A little distance away, Keim twisted his expression.
“…It seems the two of them are still in the middle of training. Shall we go inside the mansion first?”
“No… that’s fine. I’ll watch from here.”
Keim shook his head at Tee’s concern and directed his gaze toward his twin sister, who is learning martial arts.
(My only sister… The other half of the twin… Arnette.)
Keim was overwhelmed with an inexplicable sense of emptiness whenever he saw Arnette. Although they were siblings born on the same day from the same mother’s womb, the relationship between Keim and Arnette was never good. It was hostile… or rather, Arnette unilaterally hated Keim.
The reason was that their mother, Sasha Halsberg, had been overly protective of Keim. Sasha had been very worried about her son’s future, who was born as a ‘Cursed Child’, and had hardly ever left his side. Arnette harbored hatred for Keim, who monopolized their mother’s love, and that hatred had only grown stronger after their mother’s death.
“Okay, take it slow. Let the magic power flow on the surface of your body and compress it.”
“Yes, Father!”
“………”
At the same time, jealousy flickered in Keim’s eyes as he watched his father and sister.
Despite being twins, Arnette, who did not bear the curse burden that Keim did, monopolized their father’s love and was training in martial arts. Keim could not help but yearn for it.
(It’s as if they’re mocking me. They cannot possibly not notice that I am watching… If they are going to ignore me, then why even call me to the mansion in the first place?)
“Alright! Next, I’ll teach you the basic technique. First of all… 【Kirin】!”
“Yes, Father! Like this!?”
With a proud expression, the father demonstrated the technique, and the daughter imitated the movements.
Feeling a strong sense of alienation, Keim continued to watch their training without taking his eyes off them.
As if turning away would be a loss, he watched until their training was over.
After finishing their training, the father and daughter returned to their respective rooms to cleanse themselves. In the meantime, Keim decided to pay his respects to his late mother.
“I’m home, Mother.”
In the room that had been his mother’s bedroom, there was an altar with a portrait of her. Keim knelt in front of the altar adorned with many flowers, paying his respects by offering prayers of tribute to his only family member who had loved him.
As a ‘Cursed Child’, Keim was treated coldly by his father and hated by his twin sister. Even the majority of the servants displayed similar attitudes. Yet, among them, only his mother had continually encouraged him.
‘Keim, please don’t hate yourself.’
‘You’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t think that being born is a sin.’
‘Your father doesn’t hate you either. He just… doesn’t know how to approach you. You’ve done nothing wrong. The curse upon you is not your fault. So, please learn to love yourself.’
“Learning to love myself is… difficult, Mother.”
No matter how Keim felt about himself, those around him treated him as the ‘Cursed Child’. He was immediately driven out of the mansion after his mother’s death and had been living a life where the villagers pelt him with stones.
In such a situation… he had no idea how to love himself.
(If I had a family that loved me, maybe things would have been different… But ever since Mother passed away, I have been all alone.)
“Gau! Keim-sama, Tee is with you!”
“Yeah… Oh, wait, did you just read my mind?”
“Your thoughts are as clear as day to me, Keim-sama! How many years do you think I’ve been serving you?”
“Haha, right… I guess that’s true.”
While smiling wryly at the perceptive maid, Keim finished his reunion with his late mother for the first time in a year. Just then, a stern-faced butler entered the room and spoke in a detached tone.
“…Dinner is ready. Please come to the dining room.”
“It’s fine… I’ve finished my business, so I’ll go home now.”
“The Master and the Young Lady are waiting. Please do not keep them waiting too long.”
The elderly butler said unilaterally and quickly left the room. Although Keim was undeniably part of the Halsberg family, there was not a shred of respect in the butler’s attitude.
“Garrrrr… How rude! What is that butler thinking!?”
“It’s okay, Tee… As much as I feel reluctant, I should at least join them for dinner, and for my mother’s sake.”
Sighing, Keim followed the instructions and headed to the dining room with Tee. When they arrived, both father and daughter, who had finished cleansing themselves, were already there. The two had started eating without waiting for Keim. Although a dish was prepared for him at the corner of the long table, it was noticeably distant from his father and sister’s seats.
“…Father, it’s been a while. I’m grateful for the opportunity to pay my respects to Mother.”
“No need for unnecessary greetings… Sit down and eat quickly.”
“Yes… Thank you.”
With a twisted expression towards his father, who did not even spare a glance, Keim sat down and began to eat.
“This steak is delicious! A meal after exercising is always exceptional!”
“Arnette. Don’t eat too quickly. It’s unbecoming.”
“Yes, I’m sorry, Father!”
“………”
While Arnette happily enjoyed her meal, Keim’s expression was heavy.
Although they were siblings who had not seen each other for a year, it was evident to anyone that there was a stark difference in how they were treated.
“Arnette, the food isn’t going anywhere, eat slowly.”
“Young Lady, your mouth is dirty.”
“We’ll bring dessert later. Today, we’ve prepared pear tart, your favorite, Young Lady.”
“Hehe, I’m so happy. I look forward to dessert!”
“………”
Next to the smiling Arnette was their father, while the servants surrounded them with warm smiles.
As if to show off and boast, Arnette happily ate her meal.
(What are they trying to show me…? Is this why I was called here?)
Keim scooped some soup with his spoon and brought it to his mouth, but it hardly had any taste. Whether it was intentionally made bland as a form of harassment, or his mood was so down that he couldn’t taste anything, he wasn’t sure.
“Keim-sama…”
“…Yeah. I’m fine.”
Encouraged by Tee, who was standing behind him, Keim mechanically consumed his meal and finished it quickly.
“Well then, Father… I’ll take my leave now.”
“Wait, Keim.”
After finishing his meal, Keim tried to leave the mansion in a hurry, but Kevin called him to a stop.
“…Recently, there have been complaints from the villagers. It seems you’ve been throwing stones at village children?”
“…I have not. I was the one who had stones thrown at me.”
“Silence! How dare you hurt innocent children when we’ve kindly allowed you, a ‘Cursed Child’, to stay here!? I don’t remember raising you like that!”
“………”
I don’t remember being raised by you. He almost said that in response but quickly realized it would be futile and shook his head. Instead, Keim sighed and muttered words of resignation.
“…If you say so, Father. You’re always right.”
“What’s with that tone! Is that how you talk to your father!?”
“Kugh…!”
Enraged, Kevin stood up and strode toward Keim, clenching his fist and ruthlessly aiming a punch at him. Keim instinctively tilted his head to the side, dodging the blow.
“You…!”
“Ka-hah!”
Kevin, who had initially looked surprised, quickly kicked Keim in the torso. Keim could not dodge it this time and was sent flying to the dining room’s door.
“Keim-sama!”
Tee hastily rushed over, lifting Keim’s body.
As Keim endured the pain and got up, Kevin spoke with animosity.
“Why was a ‘Cursed Child’ like you even born? If it weren’t for you, perhaps Sasha could have lived longer… Damn it!”
“Father!”
“Master…”
Kevin’s words were cut short as he collapsed in exhaustion onto a nearby chair. Seeing the fatigued appearance of the mansion’s master, Arnette and the servants rushed over.
“Gugh…!”
The servants, including Keim’s twin sister, glared accusingly at him, as if he were the one responsible. Ironically, it was Keim who had been kicked, making the situation absurdly unjust.
“Keim-sama, please hold on!”
“…Yeah, I’m fine. It’s not that painful.”
Supported by Tee, Keim slowly got up and quickly exited the dining room.
“Keim-sama, are you alright? This is terrible! Why must you suffer this way!?”
“…It’s okay, let’s go home.”
While offering a reassuring smile to the concerned Tee, Keim checked himself. He seemed to have taken a powerful kick… yet surprisingly, he wasn’t significantly hurt. Perhaps Kevin had moderated the force to avoid causing him serious injury.
(As expected of the ‘Holy Fist’, I suppose? Such a waste of talent.)
“…Please wait, Keim-sama.”
As Keim tried to leave the mansion, a butler approached and called out to him.
“There are duties for Tee to attend to, so please go back alone. I apologize, but she won’t be able to send you home.”
“Gau! You intend to send Keim-sama home in this state all by himself!?”
In protest against the butler’s provocative statement, Tee retorted fiercely.
“I am Keim-sama’s maid! What’s wrong with accompanying him on the way home!?”
“Please do not misunderstand. You are a maid employed by the Count’s family. Have you forgotten the favor of being taken in by the late Lady?”
“It was the late Lady who entrusted me with Keim-sama! Why does the heir of the Count’s family get treated so poorly!?”
“Tch… This is why beastfolk are so bothersome.”
The butler clicked his tongue in response to Tee’s persistence. In this country, beastfolk were subjected to discrimination and received poor treatment. For Tee to be employed by the Count’s family was remarkably fortunate for her.
(I cannot allow Tee to be burdened any further.)
“I’ll be alright. Tee, please return to your duties.”
“Keim-sama…!?”
“I’ll go back on my own… That settles it, right?”
“…Very well. Take care.”
With a mocking smirk, the butler turned and swiftly returned to the mansion.
“That’s how it is, Tee.”
“This is unreasonable! It’s reckless! How can you return alone in this injured state…!?”
“I’m fine. Although it looked severe, I’m not in much pain. I can walk home properly.”
“But…!”
“Tee.”
Keim tried to convince the teary-eyed maid.
“I’ll be okay. Please take care of the mansion my mother loved.”
“Gau… Keim-sama…!”
Though Tee appeared torn and bit her lip… she eventually conceded. Tearfully, she saw Keim off as he left the mansion.
“Seems just like a loyal dog… but you’re not a dog, you’re a tiger, aren’t you?”
With a wry smile, Keim made his way home. The sun had set, but the moon shone brightly, illuminating the night path. Slowly, yet steadily, Keim headed back to his cabin in the woods.
Chapter 2 Part 2
２
The day after visiting Flegel’s house, I called my dear friends to the outskirts of the Kingdom’s territory, which is a short distance away from Filnots.
With the war brewing between the Kingdom and the Empire, and considering the escalating damages caused by the conflict, I decided to take them to the Empire.
I am not going to go through the pain of losing my dear friends in a war again. This time, I will not let anyone die. Hence, this will be the groundwork for that.
That’s why I requested Princess Valtrune to arrange for their transportation so that they could safely reach the Empire. But the result is…
“…A dragon mount, huh?”
In front of a dragon mount with its wings spread wide and roaring, I was taken aback.
I don’t have fond memories of dragon mounts. In my previous life, I had struggled multiple times against these formidable foes. They moved swiftly and unpredictably in the air, making it difficult to deal with them.
Even dozens of regular soldiers together would find it hard to stop a dragon mount’s movements. Moreover, they had a ferocity that could wreak havoc even without a rider. It reminded me of what incredible creatures they were.
“Aldia, what’s the matter?”
“Well, it’s just that the thought of riding one of these makes my stomach ache a bit…”
“…I see. It’s understandable that you’d have such a reaction.”
Princess Valtrune smiled, seemingly understanding my feelings.
Having fought against these dragon mounts and nearly died multiple times, as a result… I had developed an aversion to them.
“By the way, how were you able to call the dragon mounts…?”
Upon hearing my question, Princess Valtrune answered with a smile.
“For a princess like me, it’s quite an easy thing to do.”
She seemed proud of herself.
“Besides, I’d also love to see Aldia riding a dragon mount.”
Her mischievous smile looked adorable, but… I was far from finding it funny.
The dragon mounts, arranged as a means of transportation to the Vulcan Empire, were accompanied by a few soldiers. These dragon mounts were much larger than humans, and they were actively used for military purposes in the Empire.
Looking at the dragon mounts before me, I turned pale. However, the others had different reactions.
“Wow, it’s a dragon mount… I’ve never seen one before…”
Steano’s eyes were sparkling as he reached out towards the dragon mounts.
It is dangerous to get too close, as they could bite. That was why I, for one, would not casually approach them. His actions are a little worrying, but I understand the feeling of curiosity.
During the war, dragon mounts were spotted all over the place. However, for someone born in the Kingdom and experiencing the current peaceful environment, there are hardly any opportunities to catch sight of dragon mounts.
“These dragon mounts have the most exceptional lineage in the Empire. While we have many dragon mounts raised within the Empire, this particular breed stands out for its incredible speed, intelligence, and aggressiveness.”
Princess Valtrune proudly explained.
Observing this, Petra muttered.
“But it’s strange, isn’t it? Why is Aldia… getting so close to Princess Valtrune…?”
Ah, I’m getting chills.
Standing right next to Princess Valtrune, Petra’s face took on a stern expression, and she sent a sharp gaze.
“Petra, you see… I can explain.”
“Humph!”
It seems that there is no room for excuses. Even if I were to explain that we had a connection from my previous life… it is unlikely that anyone would believe me. Without actually experiencing time regression, it is hard to understand.
“Aldia and I happened to meet on the day of the graduation ceremony.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Her Imperial Highness is absolutely right.”
“Heehh…”
Although Princess Valtrune briefly explained why we were working together, Petra kept giving us her skeptical looks.
“I’ll explain in detail once we arrive at the Empire. Is that okay?”
“Haa… Fine, I’ll accept that for now.”
Having obtained Petra’s approval, I let out a deep breath.
“By the way, it’s really a gathering, isn’t it?”
All of my friends are gathered here.
Addy and Tredia, who are still attending the military academy, are not here, but the six of us――Steano, Petra, Ambros, Mia, Flegel, and me, have gathered here. In addition, Princess Valtrune and a few dragon mount soldiers she brought along are also present.
“Well, that was the plan, after all!”
“Yeah~!”
Steano and Mia, both in high spirits, talked cheerfully.
“Still… there are quite a lot of us.”
Seeing the size of our group, I am glad that we did not gather in a busy area, which would have attracted unwanted attention from passersby.
“Imperial Princess! Who are they?”
One of the younger-looking dragon mount soldiers raised his voice. He must be curious about us.
“They are my important guests. I plan to invite them to the Empire. Is there a problem?”
With a stern expression and a snobbish attitude, the dragon mount soldier took a step back. He must be a nobleman’s son. While asking Princess Valtrune about our identities, he sharply directed his gaze towards Flegel. He must have sensed Flegel’s high status from his attire.
Flegel is the fourth son of the Viscount Margneuer family, a noble family from the Kingdom.
From the perspective of the nobles in the Empire, it seems they are displeased with the friendliness between Princess Valtrune and the nobility from other countries.
“It seems like you’ve misunderstood, but the Imperial Princess and I are not in any close relationship.”
“I didn’t ask you. Nobles from the Kingdom shouldn’t meddle.”
The rumors about Princess Valtrune breaking off her engagement must be circulating within the Empire. That is why the dragon mount soldier was directing harsh words toward Flegel.
“…Imperial Princess, with all due respect, I am opposed to them setting foot in Imperial territory.”
“Oh, really? And why is that?”
“I believe the Imperial Princess understands how the future of the friendship with the Kingdom will unfold. Despite that, do you really think that the Emperor would allow you to invite nobles of the Kingdom as guests!?”
Indeed, there are those who dislike the idea of us entering the Empire. And it’s not limited to the Empire; similar sentiments might also exist within the Kingdom. However, Princess Valtrune remains undaunted.
“I have no intention of seeking my father’s permission. What’s wrong with inviting my friends to the country?”
“Let’s say the Emperor permits inviting that noble over there to the Empire. But the others are commoners, right? Inviting them as guests might tarnish the Imperial Princess’s dignity.”
The Empire is a country where nobility reigns supreme. This was particularly evident during the war, where the majority of generals were sons and daughters of the Empire’s nobles. The rise of non-noble generals came during the final stages of the war when the Empire was desperate.
The discriminatory attitude of the dragon mount soldier toward the commoners is not uncommon. This mindset is shared by every noble in the Empire and was considered the norm.
“Are you suggesting that I’m blind or something?”
“N-No! That’s not my intention…”
“Then let me ask you, isn’t it my own decision whom I befriend and invite as guests to my country?”
“W-Well, that might be true, but…”
Hearing the Princess’s words, the man clenched his teeth and looked down.
“Sir Linos, they are my important guests. I ask you to treat them with respect.”
“――! I’m sorry, but… I can’t accept them!”
The dragon mount soldier, named Sir Linos, mounted his dragon and took off into the sky. The other soldiers looked on with appalled expressions.
The only one who raised his voice at his actions was a brawny man among the dragon mount soldiers,
“Hey, Linos! Are you abandoning the mission!?”
“I can’t accept this situation! Never!”
“I won’t tolerate anyone disrupting the order, no matter who they are!”
“I don’t care…!”
Ignoring the reprimand, he flew off into the distance.
“Hey…! Haa, he’s gone too far now, we can’t call him back.”
The distance was so vast that he appeared like a speck in the distance.
The brawny man was looking at him with an exasperated expression but soon turned his gaze back to Princess Valtrune.
“…I apologize, Imperial Princess. I didn’t discipline the soldiers enough.”
The man who had been shouting just moments ago now humbly apologized. He must hold a certain position within the Empire.
In response, Princess Valtrune smiled gently at the brawny man.
“Please raise your head, Sir Dorthos. It’s not your fault.”
With that, she gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
“But… haa, abandoning the mission is an unacceptable act for a proud dragon mount soldier.”
“It seems he has a negative impression of commoners.”
“Yes. However… deep down, he’s a serious and considerate person, but unfortunately, his pride gets in the way…”
It seems ingrained ideologies are hard to change. Perhaps that was why the Empire lost the war against the Kingdom.
“That seems to be the case.”
“Yes, I’m ashamed…”
Respecting established traditions and turning a blind eye to new ideologies. The consequence of that was the mass deaths of Imperial generals.
Incompetent nobles led the troops, resulting in unnecessary loss of military strength, and in the end, even their own lives.
The Kingdom was different. Even commoners were actively given the right to command troops if they were competent. I was one of those, and I believe it is a rational approach. Unless this exclusionary mindset is addressed, the Empire will undoubtedly be defeated in a war against the Kingdom.
This time, with the decision to serve Princess Valtrune, I must create a future in which the Empire will not be defeated.
“This is not just a problem limited to Sir Linos. It’s a problem for the entirety of Imperial nobility.”
“That’s right… The Imperial nobility doesn’t like to socialize with commoners.”
“Yes, but Sir Dorthos doesn’t seem to be bound by such customs, which is reassuring.”
Seeing Princess Valtrune smile, he scratched his head and turned away, looking embarrassed.
“That’s not it, I simply admire strong individuals. I believe that the ideology of meritocracy is more prominent than the aristocratic supremacy system. In fact, our Fourth Dragon Mount Soldier Squad consists of handpicked elites, with over half of them being former commoners.”
Hearing Dorthos’s words, the dragon mount soldiers nodded happily.
“Our captain is our pride! We’ve been oppressed for being commoners, but the captain is different. He gives us a fair evaluation.”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m really happy to be part of this Fourth Dragon Mount Soldier Squad!”
“Captain Dorthos is known to be one of the few nobles in the Empire with good character!”
Amid the excitement around Dorthos, Petra, who had approached me unnoticed, murmured softly,
“They seem so passionate over there…”
“Don’t say that.”
“But it’s true. I’m not lying.”
“Even if it’s true, you should keep quiet at times like this…”
Trying to caution her in a low voice, she pouted her lips and said, “But still…”. Well, it is true that from our perspective as outsiders, it just looked like a mere farce. However, as someone who is going through his second life, I understand that it was only natural for Dorthos to be admired and respected by his squad.
“Petra, you may not know this, but it’s quite impressive for an Imperial noble to treat commoners without discrimination.”
“Heehh, is that so? But I’m not really interested in noble affairs or anything like that.”
“Why are you so stubborn and negative about it…?”
She maintained a consistently indifferent attitude. Despite that, Ambros spoke to her.
“Petra, the aura emanating from that person… it’s like the epitome of purity, just like that of a saint.”
“Huh? Aura? Ambros… um, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“A healthy body houses a healthy mind. That’s what I mean!”
“Haa… Is that so?”
Petra tilted her head, not entirely understanding his explanation.
He probably wants to convey that Dorthos is a trustworthy person. However, with such a roundabout way of speaking, Petra will not understand. He should have used a more straightforward approach.
When I looked at Ambros, he just smiled in response… completely unaware of my intention.
“Hmm, well… let’s leave it at that. Imperial Princess, you’re sending the guests to the Empire on the dragon mounts, right?”
This praise-filled scene ended abruptly with a single remark from Dorthos that seemed to disrupt the flow. It must have been quite embarrassing for him. His face flushed red as he glanced sideways at the soldiers’ excitement.
Princess Valtrune was thoroughly pleased as she observed the scene.
“Sir Dorthos, then I entrust the Fourth Dragon Mount Squad to transport us.”
“Please leave it to us. We will safely escort the Imperial Princess and her guests to the Empire.”
And so, despite a small dispute, we were able to enjoy our aerial journey without any further issues.
Chapter 2 Part 1
Chapter 2 – The Beginning of the Path to Supremacy with the Princess
1
The next day, after pledging loyalty to Princess Valtrune. I was quietly making preparations for the recruitment of Flegel, with the help of Princess Valtrune.
We are currently inside the Imperial royal family’s exclusive carriage owned by the Princess. The interior was luxuriously decorated, something that a commoner like me would never have the chance to experience in a lifetime. And inside the carriage, there are only Princess Valtrune and me.
…I felt a bit unsettled for some reason. However, in order to ensure that our conversation would not be overheard by anyone else, there was no better secluded place than this carriage.
“I’m aware of the existence of the Viscount’s son, Flegel von Margneuer as well. If I remember correctly, he was engaged to Lady Mariana, the second daughter of the Duke of Vulcan Empire.”
“I see… So he was engaged to the daughter of a duke.”
Inside the carriage, we were discussing Flegel, whom we were about to meet.
――I never imagined that Flegel’s fiancée would be such an influential person. It was surprising that he had become close to the daughter of a duke.
However, the Princess explains that he will be separated from Lady Mariana if he continues to stay with the Viscount Margneuer family. The relationship between the Kingdom and the Empire will continue to deteriorate in the future.
“Flegel went missing in the previous world. That’s why I’ve been curious about what happened to him.”
“Actually, Lady Mariana also went missing during the war. We didn’t know at the time whether she was alive or dead…”
“Could it be…”
“They eloped…”
We both arrived at that possibility simultaneously.
Without being affected by the cracks in the country, they chose to walk together. Thinking that way, we cannot definitively say that he was unhappy when he went missing in the past. If he made choices that I could not make and stayed true to his beliefs, that’s worth more than anything else.
“I think that possibility is high.”
“Then, if their happiness can be fulfilled in that way… should we not interfere?”
If it were just me, a mere commoner, inviting him might be one thing, but now I have pledged loyalty to Princess Valtrune. If I were to bring Flegel to the Empire, he would undoubtedly be involved in the war as well. That is why I am uncertain about what the right course of action is… I’m hesitant to make a judgment.
I have experienced firsthand how thoughtless actions can be the trigger for self-destruction.
In response to my indecision, she showed a hint of contemplation before speaking.
“Aldia, make a choice without regrets. What do you want to do?”
“――――!”
The meaning behind her words deeply struck my heart. It could be interpreted as her own cautionary words as well.
We are living our second lives. That was why the emotion of ‘not regretting what we didn’t do’ comes across as so.
“We’ve had enough failures, haven’t we? In this world, I think it’s best to believe in a path without regrets and move forward. Don’t you think so?”
――In other words, she was telling me that no matter what the outcome may be, I should make the best choice for myself now. That’s what she conveyed.
She was right. I was losing sight of why I had been given this second chance. I want to remain friends with Flegel. The answer has solidified within me.
“Thank you very much. I have no more doubts. I will definitely bring Flegel to our side.”
“Yes, that’s the spirit.”
To pull Flegel away from the Viscount Margneuer family. If he strongly opposes it, then I will reconsider at that time. However, if he agrees to my wish… at that time, I will do my best to support him.
“He is incredibly talented. That’s why he is someone I want to have on our side.”
“Yes, considering his performance at the military academy, it’s clear how capable he is. And if he was engaged to Lady Mariana… there’s a possibility of gaining the support of the Duke’s family. I can’t find any reason not to bring him in.”
If it comes to being enemies, there is no doubt that he would become a formidable opponent. However, there is not just one ending. There are thousands of branching points, and the choices we make from them lead to the future. Therefore, it should be possible to hope for a future where we can move forward together with Flegel.
“If we can present the conditions that Flegel desires, it will be easier to invite him to the Empire.”
“Then, we should guide them so that the relationship between him and Lady Mariana isn’t torn apart.”
“Yes, please.”
And even if it is a matter between nobles, the Princess and I have the power to make it possible. Because we are living our second lives. No matter what obstacles come our way, we should be able to overcome them.
“We’re almost there. I’ll leave the persuasion to you, but I’m sure it will be fine.”
“Yes, I intend to do my best.”
Therefore, failure is not an option.
In the midst of anxiety and a sense of urgency dominating my mind, the movement of the carriage slowed down. The mansion is already right in front of us. Eventually, the carriage came to a complete stop, and she placed her hand on my shoulder.
“Aldia, we’ve arrived.”
I take a deep breath. However, in the end, my heart is still racing, and I cannot calm down.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine…”
“Doesn’t really seem like it.”
She is right. My hands are trembling with nervousness. Nevertheless, now that I have made up my mind, I will do my best to negotiate with him.
“Your Royal Highness, I’ll go now.”
“Yeah, good luck…”
“Yes.”
After exchanging a gaze with Princess Valtrune, I got off the carriage and waited for Flegel to come out of the mansion.
The passage of time felt long, as if I had forgotten about the coldness of the wind.
――He is here.
I heard the approaching footsteps and directed my gaze toward that direction.
“Flegel.”
“Aldia… Why are you here?”
The reunion with my once lost friend took place on a side road near Viscount Margneuer’s residence. Unfortunately, as a commoner, I could not step foot inside the noble mansion. So I waited for him to come out here on this side road.
Princess Valtrune parked the carriage a little distance away and secretly watched over us.
Failure is not an option.
I silently pledged to bring Flegel back to the Empire without fail.
His complexion, after not seeing it in a long time, looked bad, and he seemed to have lost some weight.
“There’s something I need to talk to you about… Is it okay?”
He lowered his head and awkwardly averted his gaze.
“Is it about not being able to attend the graduation ceremony? I am sorry… There were a few things going on.”
“That’s not what this is about.”
“――Is it something else?”
“Yeah, I came to meet you for another reason.”
The real purpose of this meeting was not about that.
“Well… Petra was furious, though.”
“…Ugh, I knew it.”
“But I’m not really mad. I understand the circumstances… to some extent.”
He must have thought I was mad because we did not meet up before the graduation ceremony. However, even if Petra was furious, I had no intention of blaming Flegel. Because I knew all the circumstances. I will not blame someone who is not at fault.
“Then, why are you here today?”
He asked in a somewhat indifferent tone. Perhaps it was after his relationship with his fiancée was severed. His frustration was clearly evident. I feel sorry for reopening the wound, but there was no time to be considerate right now.
Taking a deep breath, I firmly looked into his eyes.
“Flegel. I’ll be straightforward. Would you leave the Kingdom and come to the Empire with me?”
“…Huh?”
――So, it has come to that.
His stunned face showed the extent of his confusion.
Afterward, the discussion ended in just a few minutes.
To cut to the chase, I succeeded in recruiting Flegel.
I learned that he was pressured by his father to break off his engagement with Lady Mariana, a noblewoman from the Empire, which caused a significant rift in his family. It seemed that there were quite a few things he could not agree with.
“…Alright. I’ll go to the Vulcan Empire.”
He willingly accepted my proposal.
With this, the objective of pulling Flegel away from the Viscount Margneuer family was achieved.
…If the story ended here, it would have been a happy ending. However, it did not end so easily.
“W-Why are you and Princess Valtrune in the same carriage!?”
That happened as we were leaving.
By a careless mistake, Flegel caught sight of Princess Valtrune and me together and gave me a sharp gaze.
While he exclaimed in astonishment, his expression changed rapidly. Princess Valtrune, with her dignified demeanor, sent him a gentle gaze.
“Aldia has… become someone precious to me. That’s why we’re together.”
“S-Someone… precious!?”
It was a phrasing that invited misunderstandings. I could see a future where I would be bombarded with questions. I tried to explain myself, to find the right words, but it was in vain, and the misunderstanding continued to spread.
“I intend for Aldia to serve in the military of the Vulcan Empire. And…”
“And?”
“Ultimately, I plan to appoint him as my personal knight.”
“――――!?”
That was something I had not even heard yet.
I had only pledged my loyalty to her, but to be appointed as her personal knight…? I had not anticipated the situation unfolding like this.
Becoming a personal knight to a member of the Imperial family in the Empire carries meaning beyond words. Naturally, it entails protecting the life of one’s lord, but it also means obeying their orders unquestioningly, no matter what those orders may be.
While I do not think she would give me unreasonable orders, I was quite shaken inwardly.
“Your Royal Highness, is that statement true?”
“Yes… I’m sorry. I didn’t mention it before.”
――She has a deliberate look on her face.
Princess Valtrune smiled in an artificial manner.
Naturally, I was surprised by the bombshell she dropped, and even Flegel was taken aback, delivering a strong punch to my shoulder.
“…Aldia. What the hell did you do to the Princess!?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Don’t lie! You must have some leverage over her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be saying something so cryptic!”
In his mind, he must be imagining a scene where I am blackmailing Princess Valtrune.
――Please, I hope he refrains from having strange delusions.
“Hehe.”
“――――!?”
It was not just my imagination, but Princess Valtrune seemed delighted by my flustered state. She must have deliberately chosen her words to surprise Flegel. The thought crossed my mind that I might continue to be toyed with by her in the future.
Chapter 1 Part 9
9
“Aldia Graetz. Won’t you come with me to the Vulcan Empire…? No, please come!”
It wasn’t a casual invitation; rather, it felt like an order from an absolute ruler.
It surprised me that she would demand such a thing from someone like me, who was from the Kingdom of Leshfeld. But then again, she had told me something similar before, back when we first met on the battlefield.
Was she planning to say this from the moment the engagement with Prince Yuri was broken off?
From Princess Valtrune’s words, I realized something. Could it be that she, too, is like me?
“………”
As I fell into silence, she slowly took my hands.
“You must be confused by this sudden request. It’s… understandable. Leaving your homeland and coming to a neighboring country, it’s a difficult thing.”
―― No, that is not it.
Looking at her sad face, I almost responded that way instinctively. But when I heard the rest of what she had to say, my words got choked up.
“But please. I want you…”
It felt like a cry from the depths of her heart.
The scenes from the past intertwined as the figure of Princess Valtrune, extending her hand towards me, overlapped with the image of the Valkyrie I once saw.
“…Valtrune, Your Royal Highness.”
When I called her name, she slightly lowered her head.
“………”
Witnessing that sorrowful expression, it felt as if my heart would burst.
Since the moment I realized I had returned to the past, my answer has remained unchanged.
I want to live for Princess Valtrune.
The wish I made on the brink of death still lingers within me, unforgotten.
“…I won’t force you. I may have said ‘please come’ as if I were so great, but I won’t try to recruit you against your will. However, if you have even a little bit of that feeling…”
―― Ah, finally.
“…Then please come with me to the Empire…”
―― Finally, I can repay the favor I received from her.
She must be under the impression that I would reject her, as I could sense the pain seeping through every word she spoke.
She knows that there are many important people to me in my homeland ―― and that must be because she knows about my past. Her sadness stems from knowing the words I said on the day I did not take her outstretched hand, the choice I made to oppose the Empire.
But now, I will not push her hand away anymore.
…I once lost everything. The result of lingering in ambiguity was disastrous.
―― This time, I will never make a mistake in setting my priorities.
Why does she desire someone like me so intensely? I still don’t fully comprehend it. However, the fact remains that she wants me, and I want her in return. So, the answer is already evident.
“Please lift your head, Your Royal Highness.”
“―――― !”
I gently spoke to her, who trembled while looking down. She raised her face, but her eyes were moist, and it seemed like she was bracing herself for my rejection.
“I… I…!!”
I stared at her face as she weakly uttered her words. I wish she would not look so anxious.
―― I have sworn not to hesitate anymore. With determination, I gently wiped away the tears that welled up in her eyes.
“I will go with you, Your Royal Highness.”
“Eh…!?”
She wore an expression of disbelief, as if she couldn’t believe it.
“T-That means…?”
‘Why?’, she seemed to want to ask, looking at me.
“Are you sure? Will you come with me to the Empire?”
“Of course. If that is your wish, I will comply. Besides, as a commoner, how can I possibly refuse the orders of a princess?”
“N-No… there’s no need to force yourself if you don’t want to!”
“Is it something I don’t want? It goes without saying that I’m delighted.”
To be granted the privilege of walking by her side, there’s no way I wouldn’t be happy about it. And from her words and actions, it became clear to me. She, like me, retains memories from that time. That’s why she extended this invitation. And if that’s the case… I am obligated to repay the favor I received from her.
I know the moment when her beautiful face warps into sorrow. I do not want that future. I want her to always wear a smile. And I want to be there to support her.
“There’s something I want to tell you, Your Royal Highness.”
“W-What is it?”
Why did I accept her request? If she hears this, I am sure Princess Valtrune will understand. I looked at her with a serious gaze.
“Your Royal Highness… I am truly happy to have met you in this life.”
―― This time, I will not let her future of happiness be cut short.
If that is her desire, I will walk by her side without any hesitation.
Being reunited with Princess Valtrune brings me the utmost joy. And as a dramatic turn of events, she also retains those dreaded memories.
“Aldia… Could it be that you…?”
I was just as shocked as her. I did not expect her to have memories from before her death, either.
And so, I kneeled before her.
“It is as you imagine, Your Royal Highness. I, too, have the dreaded memories of that chaotic war, just like you. I have always regretted not wielding my sword for your sake…”
“Is that true…?”
“It is. I was ―― a knight of the Kingdom who couldn’t be of help to you. That’s why when I realized I had returned to this era, I made a vow. This time, I want to fight as your sword.”
“―――― !”
Becoming close to her happened only after everything had been too late. However, it is different this time. The war has not even started yet. Princess Valtrune is right here, alive and well.
“Your Royal Highness. I pledge my loyalty to you in this life. As your sword and shield ―― it is the only way I can repay the favor I received from you.”
Now, the time has come to repay the favor that I couldn’t return back then.
“Really?”
“…Yes, I swear.”
I am nothing more than a commoner. I do not have the noble spirit of sacrificing everything for the Kingdom. The reason I fought on the Kingdom’s side was solely to protect the people dear to me. However, now I need not be constrained by such considerations.
“Your Royal Highness. If you’re okay with me, I will fight for you with unwavering devotion.”
To me, the most cherished thing to protect now is her smile.
“Thank you, Aldia.”
It is I who wish to express gratitude. I have been given the opportunity to serve my chosen ruler, and this time I can fight with all my might, not as an enemy but as an ally. I have obtained a significant purpose for wielding my sword.
“Are you okay with it? I will once again fight against the Kingdom of Leshfeld, just as I did before.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness. I believe I understand your determination. I will stand by your side, no matter where it may lead.”
After gazing at each other for a while, she reached out her hand to me.
“I am Valtrune von Felsdorf. I hope we can walk the path together in this life.”
“I am Aldia Graetz. I promise to support you to the best of my capabilities. Until my life’s end, I shall be the sword and shield solely for you.”
“Hehe, it feels somewhat embarrassing, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does.”
“It feels strange. You were a formidable threat when we were enemies, but now that you’ve become an ally, you are remarkably dependable.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
We have crossed paths once again. Perhaps this is a chance bestowed upon us by the gods to start anew.
The graduation ceremony of the Filnots Military Academy.
On this day, the fate of the world would shake profoundly. The confrontation between the Kingdom and the Empire. It marked the prelude to a great war. And I have resolved to dedicate myself to her cause.
The downfall of the Empire, her execution, the anguish of losing everything ―― None of that shall happen this time. I will eliminate all those elements.
I will obliterate all of her enemies.
―― To protect that lovely smile of hers, I will overcome any adversity that comes our way.
Chapter 1 Part 8
8
The first time I met Aldia was before the entrance ceremony of the military academy.
I was the first princess of the Vulcan Empire, Valtrune von Felsdorf.
Because of my title as the first princess and my superior talent in magic compared to others, I always had annoying people around me.
‘Princess Valtrune, please choose me as your personal knight!’
‘I have won the provincial swordsmanship tournament. If you are looking for someone to be your personal knight, I would like to receive that position.’
‘Valtrune, I think I’m the only one worthy of being your personal knight… What do you think?’
I was approached by numerous men, asking to be my personal knight.
Becoming the personal knight of the Imperial Princess would guarantee a secure future.
While it was a well-known fact, it was truly troublesome to be approached in such a manner by people I barely knew. I was tired of people with obvious ulterior motives.
―― That was why I said,
‘Do you want to become my personal knight? Then prove that you are stronger than me. If you can do that ―― I will consider appointing you as my personal knight.’
I set strict conditions for becoming my personal knight. Fortunately, I have never been surpassed in magic by anyone.
‘I-Is that so…’
‘With this level of skill, you wanted to become my personal knight? That’s out of the question.’
Whether they were of the same age or older, I defeated them all.
Many people wished to test their skills against me, and I continued to defeat them. Perhaps because of that, hardly anyone said they wanted to become my personal knight anymore.
‘…Finally, it’s quiet now.’
Once people knew of my abilities, no one approached me anymore. At the same time, I could not make close friends. It would be a lie to say that I did not feel lonely, but more than that, I disliked being bound by troublesome relationships.
Quiet moments passed by. However, that was only within the Empire. Such peace was ephemeral.
When I was about to go to the city of Filnots, a neutral zone, to enroll in the military academy, nobles and knights from other countries, including the Kingdom of Leshfeld, who were unaware of my magical prowess, began to gather around me and try to win my favor, just like the people from the Empire did before.
‘Oh, beautiful Princess of the Empire. Please make me your personal knight.’
‘I heard that the position of your personal knight had not been decided yet. Could you please give me a chance?’
‘Your Royal Highness Princess Valtrune!’
‘I am the most suitable!’
‘No, I am!’
―― Ah, here we go again. It was truly exhausting.
On the day of the military academy’s entrance ceremony. And to think that such a commotion would occur so early in the morning, it was too noisy for the beginning of the day.
‘Um, please calm down a little…’
I tried to settle the situation amicably, but my efforts were in vain. In a space where people tried to assert their claims, gentle responses had little effect.
‘Valtrune-sama!’
‘Your Royal Highness!’
‘Please, I beg of you!’
At first, all I could do was wear a perpetually troubled expression.
―― Endure it. As the Princess of the Empire, I must avoid acting on my emotions.
I desperately tried to suppress my emotions, but the discomfort overshadowed my efforts and began to dominate my heart.
If I were to use magic to make all the people gathering around me disappear, would I be able to have peaceful days?
It was at that moment when such dangerous thoughts flickered in my mind.
‘Um… You’re obstructing the way if you stand there.’
‘Huh? Who are you?’
In front of the gate of the military academy, a young man passed by the crowd surrounding me. The crowd was indeed obstructing the way, and I thought it would be inconvenient for everyone around me.
‘What’s the matter? Do you need something?’
‘I’m a new student here, but it’s bothersome for everyone if you all gather like that.’
‘Huh…? Listen, I’m an upperclassman at this military academy. You, as a mere new student, shouldn’t butt in.’
Ignoring the offensive language, he continued,
‘…I see. If someone as uncouth as you is considered an upperclassman, it speaks volumes about the integrity of this military academy.’
‘…Hey, what did you just say?’
‘I said that you all are a bunch of incompetents.’
The short black hair that casually swayed caught my attention. He directed a piercing cold gaze toward the people who had gathered around me, grabbed the hair of what seemed to be the son of a noble closest to him, and forcefully lifted him up.
‘Haa, if you’re going to make a fuss… could you please do it somewhere that doesn’t inconvenience others? If you can’t even grasp the bare minimum of common sense, I don’t think you’re suitable for this academy.’
‘W-What…?’
Struggling to release the hand gripping his hair, the young man pleaded, but Aldia maintained his expression without a hint of change, holding onto the young man’s hair firmly. Tears welled up in the young man’s eyes as he frantically kicked his legs.
The gazes that were directed at me swiftly turned to him.
‘Hey, cut it out… Let go of him.’
‘He is the one who should cut it out. I want him to consider the inconvenience he is causing to others.’
Uttering such a provocative statement, it was only natural that the people present would voice their opposition to him.
Some turned red in the face, and others brandished their weapons. It seemed like his provocative words had struck a nerve with their pride. However, even in the face of their hostility, he remained unfazed. His demeanor, tinged with a chilling aura, was somehow different from the others, and the moment I realized it, my eyes continued to follow him.
‘Hey, you commoner, don’t get too carried away.’
‘I’ll teach you to know your place!’
He glanced at the people gathered around him.
‘―― I don’t recall saying anything wrong, though?’
Those who were met with his crimson eyes momentarily flinched, but they quickly resorted to the use of force.
‘Shut up! Take this!’
‘Learn your place in this military academy!’
Considering their aspirations to become my personal knight, they displayed decent moves. However, he effortlessly dealt with them without using any weapons, relying solely on his bare hands. His movements were precise and graceful, without wasting any effort, and I was captivated by them.
‘W-What…?’
‘You must be kidding me…! He is taking on all those people by himself!?’
‘This is impossible…!’
Many were disheartened before even laying a hand on him. He had demonstrated such extraordinary physical abilities that it exceeded the confines of social status. He instilled overwhelming fear in his surroundings and stood there with a calm expression.
‘Ouch…!’
‘H-He’s… a monster, isn’t he?’
The scene was littered with bodies. It was only natural for everyone to fear him. Including those who had fallen around him, everyone present could not help but feel a sense of terror toward him. And then he casually turned his back, directing his cold gaze toward the fallen individuals.
‘…Is this the extent of the upperclassmen’s abilities?’
His presence at the center embodied the essence of a perfected knight. No, he exuded the aura of an overwhelmingly powerful individual that seemed to surpass the very concept of a knight. It was impossible to envision him being defeated.
Everyone felt a sense of intimidation, realizing that he was not someone to be taken lightly.
‘Haa…’
As he let out a sigh, his eyes were a vivid shade of crimson. It was horrifying, yet at the same time, I found myself captivated by his dignified posture.
‘U-Um…!’
―― Before I knew it, I had called out to him.
This was the first time something like this had happened.
I had never been so nervous when talking to someone before. My heartbeat resounded loudly, and I could feel my face growing warm.
When someone addressed me, they usually responded with a pleased expression. However, he calmly bowed towards me and knelt down on the ground.
‘I apologize for causing a disturbance, Your Royal Highness.’
‘N-No… I don’t think it’s a disturbance. In fact, I’m grateful.’
The killing intent had vanished, and he exuded a tranquil atmosphere.
‘If you say so, then I am relieved.’
He was the ideal knight that I had been searching for. Stronger than me, never shows flattery towards anyone. Yet, he also possessed a polite side. A mix of wanting him to be my personal knight and feelings of romantic attraction overwhelmed me. I had completely fallen for him at first sight.
‘Um, if it’s alright, could you… tell me your name?’
He displayed a slightly perplexed expression, but quickly regained his composure, wearing a composed expression.
‘My name is… Aldia Graetz.’
‘I see. Aldia Graetz…’
‘Yes, that is my name… Well then, I shall take my leave.’
‘W-Wait…!’
Before I could call out to stop him, Aldia swiftly left the scene.
‘………’
I wanted to talk more, but just getting his name was enough.
Aldia Graetz.
I found someone who might be stronger than myself for the first time. I would not need a personal knight if they were weaker than me. It was at that moment that I changed my ways, something I had believed for a long time. The catalyst for that change was the encounter with Aldia Graetz, who would later be hailed as the strongest knight in the Kingdom.
And he was also my first love.
‘Aldia… Graetz… Yes, if it’s him, then…’
I had been gazing at his back the entire time. He is also a student at this academy.
―― Can I become friends with him in this place?
…This is not like me. When was the last time I felt this elated? My lips curled into a smile, and I did not care about the people around me. Unfortunately, I never exchanged another word with him during my five years at the military academy. The main reason for that was his commoner status and being from the Kingdom.
‘Your Royal Highness Princess Valtrune. The investigation of Aldia Graetz, enrolled in the Knight Department, has been completed.’
I had the Imperial Intelligence Operatives immediately investigate Aldia. He was not a noble, and there were no records of him being mentioned as a knight. Just an ordinary student from a common household. His performance within the military academy was average, neither outstanding nor failing.
The image of a person emerged that could not possibly mesh with the scene I saw at that time.
‘Um… with all due respect, it may be better to refrain from appointing him as your personal knight. It could cast doubt on your dignity as the Princess of the great Vulcan Empire. He is too ordinary and not suitable for the position. I recommend looking for someone else.’
‘I understand… Thank you for your hard work.’
It felt unnatural, but I did not feel like complaining about the work of the intelligence operatives.
I nodded in agreement with the intelligence operative’s words and decided not to appoint Aldia as my personal knight. Although I had been observing him for five years, I could not become close to him until the end.
In addition to the difference in social status, it was because I believed secondhand information rather than what I had seen with my own eyes.
‘Aldia… Graetz. Who are you?’
There was no one to answer my murmured words. The vacant expanse of the blue sky was remarkably clear, seemingly unconcerned with my troubles.
‘Why am I so concerned about him…?’
―― I wonder if he is aware of it.
While thinking that way, I never found the right answer. After graduating from the military academy, I no longer had a chance to meet him. I thought I would never see him again. I thought there was no reason to meet him. So I desperately tried to forget.
I tried to convince myself that it was just a fleeting emotion. My love for him was surely a mistake.
A suitable personal knight for me will never appear. He is different. That was the conclusion that came out. It was pointless to cling to regrets forever.
―― Why could I not realize that my judgment was wrong?
I was truly foolish and naive. In the end, I did not even believe in my own intuition.
After graduating from the Filnots Military Academy, I broke off the engagement with Prince Yuri.
The annulment of our engagement worsened the relationship between the Empire and the Kingdom. The collapse of the engagement caused turmoil not only in both countries but also in the surrounding nations. It led to great chaos in the world.
…And it would lead to the worst outcome.
Just one year after the annulment of the engagement, both countries fell into a state of war.
The surrounding countries unilaterally condemned the Empire.
Originally, the Empire had a few allied nations, and we had failed to communicate the reasons for the annulment to those allies properly. It was all due to our mishandling of the situation.
And so, the entire world sided with the Kingdom. No matter how powerful the Empire was, dealing with acts of aggression from multiple countries was difficult.
The war lasted for six long years, but it ended with the Empire’s defeat. The Imperial Army could not even set foot in the Kingdom’s territories.
The enemy was too numerous to be defeated by force alone.
‘If only… I had become closer to Aldia, would the outcome have changed?’
While running through the battlefield, I suddenly thought about that.
It was right after I had failed in my attempt to win him over.
‘I’m sorry. I have friends and family in the Kingdom. That’s why I can’t betray them by siding with the Empire…’
―― Well, I suppose it’s a problem to hear that from an enemy country… especially from a princess. Friends and family are important, so it cannot be helped.
It was something I could understand immediately if I thought about it. He is a knight of the Kingdom. Betraying his homeland is impossible.
‘Still… I can’t help but think.’
―― Would he have accepted that proposal if I were his friend?
I blame myself for not reaching out to him when we first met.
Aldia Graetz had become a splendid knight, feared even within the Empire.
‘The cold-hearted Black-Claded Demon King.’
He continues to move forward without hesitation, no matter how wounded he becomes, and he keeps advancing without hesitation, even when his allies are completely wiped out.
The pitch-black sword he tightly grips becomes stained red with the blood of Imperial soldiers. His merciless and one-sided fighting style creates numerous scenes of unimaginable horror, truly deserving of the title ‘Demon King’ as the strongest knight.
For the Imperial Army, his appearance was considered the greatest threat. He ruthlessly tramples fleeing enemy soldiers, leaving a mountain of corpses in his wake. If he had been on our side, the Empire would have had a better chance of holding on. He has shown his invincibility to such an extent that it makes one believe that.
Conversely, the fact that he was an enemy forced the Empire into a difficult battle against the Kingdom.
―― The reason I am being sent to the battlefield like this is because he exists. It was ironic. Every time the wounds of my homeland spread, I could meet him. But somewhere deep in my heart, I find myself slightly happy about that.
‘Princess Valtrune, you did nothing wrong…’
Even after the war ended and I was imprisoned in the Kingdom’s dungeon, he never mistreated me. He showed respect and treated me as the Empire’s princess. I still wanted to walk the path of a princess together with him.
‘Aldia… Why are you so kind to me?’
‘I am not a cruel person who would be cold to someone who saved my life.’
It must be about that time.
When I treated his wounds… In truth, I should have done nothing and just watched him take his last breath. As the princess, it was a big mistake to treat Aldia at that time. However, I do not regret what happened then.
‘You are kinder than anyone, and you never truly desired a war… You shouldn’t have been treated like this just because you are of royal blood.’
Because he showed such a face filled with anguish for my sake, I felt happy that he genuinely cared for me. He did not just see my title. He saw the real me. He was the one who understood me.
The day of my execution was fast approaching, but strangely, I felt no fear.
‘I will come again tomorrow.’
‘Yes.’
When I met him, all my anxieties vanished as if they were lies.
The day of my life’s end draws closer with each passing moment.
Aldia visits me every day, attentively bringing me meals and other daily necessities.
‘Princess, Aldia-san has arrived.’
Only Aldia and the child who was assigned to me in the dungeon treated me with such empathy.
‘Welcome, Aldia. I’ve been waiting for you.’
―― However, I was happy. Many people around me have disappeared, but there are still people who care about me, and that fills me up.
‘Aren’t you cold? It’s chilly in the dungeon.’
‘Yes, it’s a little chilly.’
‘Please take this. It should provide some comfort.’
He gently places the blanket he brought over me.
‘Thank you, Aldia.’
Even trivial conversations became precious treasures when exchanged with him. They became warm memories that I cherished.
I have walked through harsh battlefields, and my feet are covered in wounds. However, when I see his face, I feel as if those wounds are healing.
The moments right before death may have been the happiest time for me ―― I genuinely felt that way.
‘From this point forward, we shall carry out the execution of Valtrune von Felsdorf, the highest-ranked war criminal of the Vulcan Empire.’
At the moment when everything ended for me, I saw his face.
Though he was amidst the crowd, I recognized him at a glance.
His eyes were filled with deep sorrow, and his mouth remained silent.
―― Please don’t make such a mournful face. I will be alright.
My heart was remarkably calm.
―― Thank you, Aldia. Becoming the last member of the Vulcan Empire’s royal family was dishonorable, but I will never forget the time I spent with you, even in death.
‘Carry out the execution!’
―― That’s why, if I were to be reborn, would you walk by my side next time?
Chapter 1 Part 6
◆
After Tiana left, Chris regained consciousness as if nothing had happened. It seemed like she had not heard the conversation up until then, but it appeared as though she had heard from Tiana that there was some conversation going on. Curiously, she asked, “Oh, is the conversation over?”.
Later that night――
“――It’s been a while since I’ve had a sleepover with Elria~~!!”
Chris was happily swinging her pillow around on the bed.
“The last sleepover was over a thousand days ago, so we should announce it as a national holiday and share the joy with the people, don’t you think!?”
“Chris, we shouldn’t create national holidays without good reason.”
In contrast to Chris’s excitement, Elria shook her head while hugging a pillow.
For some reason, Chris wanted to turn their personal event into a holiday. Right now, as a princess, it was just silly talk, but if she ascended the throne, she might end up creating a holiday for every single day.
“But, I was surprised to hear that you knew Tiana.”
“I guess calling it ‘knowing her’ is a strange way to put it… To me, she’s like another personality that has been with me since childhood. I never thought she would turn out to be one of my great ancestors.”
Chris smiled with a troubled look.
“Moreover, she understood and supported all my ideas and thoughts about Elria. It felt more like talking to another part of myself rather than a separate personality.”
“…Yeah, I really think you two are very similar.”
Chris not only had a similar magic power presence, but she also behaved similarly to Tiana. She always cared about Elria and had a tendency to look after her like an older sister. That is why Elria did not see her as a complete stranger. She could naturally accept and interact with her as someone she knew.
“The only difference is your manner of speech.”
“Oh, that’s just part of my character.”
“I didn’t expect that answer…”
“Because if I were a ‘quirky’ princess with an odd way of speaking, people wouldn’t mind if I said weird things while talking to Tiana-sama, right?”
After explaining her reasoning, Chris let out a deep sigh.
“Father and Mother never believed me when I told them I was talking to my ‘other self’, and I was so sick and tired of being referred to doctors every day.”
Elria could understand those feelings. When she asked her parents to search for Reid, they were quick to call for a doctor.
She can now understand that it was a natural reaction, but as a result, Elria became more reserved and started pondering about the present era while searching for Reid’s whereabouts on her own.
For Chris, it seemed to be a way of ‘changing her manner of speech’.
“Nowadays, even if I do something strange, everyone perceives it as ‘usual’. Not only within the castle but also the people of the royal capital adore me as a cheerful princess. And even after ascending to the throne, I will have solid popularity among the people, ensuring the stability of the monarchy.”
“It was a surprisingly well-thought-out strategy.”
“As a member of the royal family, if I were to be complacent, the country would decline. It is my duty to protect the country that my ancestors have passed down through generations and as the one standing at its pinnacle, I must make efforts.”
Chris proudly straightened her back while speaking. Despite her eccentric behavior, her earnestness is reflected in her policies, and that is why she is admired by many.
As Elria gazed absentmindedly at Chris, her cheek was suddenly pinched.
“Wh-What is it?”
“…You seem a bit down, don’t you?”
“Mm… Is that so?”
“When someone like me, who has been watching Elria for eighteen years, says so, it must be true.”
“Being watched even before I was born…”
“Jokes aside, was there something during your conversation with Tiana-sama that bothers you?”
“…Yes. There was something that caught my attention.”
It was――of course, about the circumstances of her death. Elria does not remember how she died. She only remembered doing her magic research, taking a break to relax, sipping on her favorite lukewarm milk tea, and then getting up to continue her work.
Her memory ended there, but she did not pay much attention to it. She thought she had pushed herself too hard with her research and unknowingly accumulated fatigue, which led to her collapsing and dying. However… it turned out to be different in reality.
It is not normal for all magic power to be lost. If the amount of magic power drops to a level that affects bodily functions, the body would prioritize the recovery of magic power and enter a state of dormancy, cutting off consciousness. In other words, even if one were to take actions that consume an enormous amount of magic power, they would lose consciousness before being able to activate magic.
Furthermore, it is unlikely that someone else took away her magic power under the circumstances. Elria remembers the state of security at that time and has the confidence to say that not only was it difficult to break in unnoticed, but even if she was fatigued, she would not be easily overtaken. While the cause of her death has been determined, the motive remains unknown.
As Elria ponders over these thoughts, Chris pinches her cheek again.
“See, if you make such a difficult face, it ruins your cuteness, you know?”
“………Nya.”
After gently loosening Elria’s cheeks, Chris changes her expression.
“I won’t ask more than what Tiana-sama has told me. I have a position as a princess to think about, and if I were to learn too much, I’d have to change my attitude.”
Though Tiana said she only told her the bare minimum, Chris probably knows the truth about Elria’s true identity. If Chris were to hear it directly from Elria, she would not be able to remain as a ‘friend’ as she has been until now.
That’s why Chris embraces Elria without asking anything.
“No matter what happens, I will continue to be your friend. Even in your toughest times… I’ll always be by your side as your ally.”
Since childhood, Chris has always embraced Elria like this. Even when she was reincarnated into a world a thousand years later where nobody knew her, in a lonely world where no one could understand her… Chris showed her support by embracing her, assuring her that she had at least one ally.
It was as if――
“――Truly, the two of you are so alike.”
The image of her apprentice, who was always by her side, overlapped in Elria’s mind.
Chapter 1 Part 5
◇
After successfully surviving the entertainment prepared by Princess Chris, Reid and Elria descended to the venue and exchanged greetings with the people attending the party.
“Elria-sama, congratulations on your engagement.”
“Mm… Thank you.”
While responding to the words of congratulations, Elria hid behind Reid’s back as usual. However, she seemed to be more or less acquainted with the people working in the castle, as she was thirty percent more outgoing than usual and without any signs of nervousness.
Those who came to greet her seemed to understand Elria’s disposition, so they tried to keep their greetings brief and considerate. However… there was one thing that everyone mentioned when they saw the current Elria.
“Elria-sama has become much more spirited compared to before.”
“……Is that so?”
“Yes. Even when Her Royal Highness Princess Chris did something reckless like today, Elria-sama used to remain calm, but today you showed various expressions.”
The middle-aged woman spoke with a gentle smile.
“And I heard you mention the names of other people. Are they your classmates?”
“Yes. I’ve become friends with an interesting girl named Millis and a magic equipment engineer named Wiesel.”
“Oh my, I’m glad you’ve made such wonderful friends.”
“Thank you. Both of them are really nice.”
Elria nodded slightly while forming a slight smile in response to the smiling woman.
“We should thank Reid-sama for this.”
“……Me?”
“Yes. When Elria was a little girl, she didn’t interact with anyone other than Princess Chris, and it’s thanks to Reid-sama’s influence that she now shows various expressions like this.”
“No… Elria was already loved by many people. My influence is insignificant compared to the fact that she started to pay attention to those around her.”
“Oh my, there’s no need to be so modest towards us. Just by observing the harmonious relationship between you two had shown us earlier, everyone can see that it’s thanks to Reid-sama.”
Upon hearing those words, Reid gave a wry smile, and the woman let out modest laughter.
“Well then… I hope that both of you will be filled with happiness on the path ahead.”
While still smiling, the woman bowed her head and quietly retreated from Reid and Elria.
Once the people coming to greet them had stopped, Reid let out a sigh.
“At first, I thought we were being dragged into something strange, but… I didn’t expect to be appreciated to this extent.”
“Yeah. I’m very happy that Reid is praised by everyone.”
“And I also learned that everyone was so worried about you.”
“……That was unexpected, too.”
In addition to words of congratulations, almost everyone recounted Elria’s shy episodes in her childhood years and how they had been concerned about it, expressing their gratitude to Reid for bringing about a change.
In social gatherings, Elria had always hidden behind Alicia, only going outside if forced by Princess Chris, getting startled and falling down just from someone her age calling out to her, running away when a soldier approached her, hiding under the bed when a maid entered the room to help her change clothes, and so on.
Even with her exceptional talent, seeing such aspects of Elria on a daily basis, it was understandable that everyone would be concerned.
“If I think about it, you’ve grown quite a bit…”
“Yeah. Now I can walk around the academy properly on my own.”
“That’s right. It’s impressive that you can walk properly now…”
Elria was slightly proud of herself, but it was unfortunate that she lacked any credibility as she still clung to Reid’s sleeve.
While directing a wry smile at Elria, Princess Chris approached them.
“Both of you, well done.”
“We truly appreciate the good opportunity you gave us today. Thank you very much.”
“…To think that you would call it a good opportunity even after being tricked into participating unexpectedly, you truly are a good-natured person.”
Princess Chris wore a look of disbelief, but quickly changed her expression.
“That said… I understand that you are serious about Elria. And it’s clear that Elria trusts you, too.”
With that, Princess Chris smiled as if she had let go of something.
“I’m sure I can entrust Elria to you.”
She conveyed her words as someone who had watched over Elria as her friend for a long time.
“As a member of the Vegalta royal family, I will be occupied with the responsibilities of uniting the country. I can’t just keep chasing after Elria’s figure as I have done in the past.”
Then, after placing her hand on Reid’s shoulder, she handed Reid a magic device with a large lens.
“……What is this?”
“It’s a projection magic device.”
“I can see that by looking at it.”
“With this, you can capture Elria’s appearance at the academy and send it all the way to the royal castle.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t use my own magic power, or the magic device will break.”
“Oh? So, it’s not just magic equipment, but magic devices, too?”
“As for the magic devices, I have Elria pour in her magic power, so maybe she can do the same for this projection magic device――”
“I absolutely refuse.”
“Mmmph… I was going to ask you to capture Elria’s appearance for me…”
Seeing Elria vigorously shaking her head, Princess Chris tossed the projection magic device toward Selvas with a look of regret.
“In that case, it’s fine to report on Elria’s well-being orally when you come to the royal castle regularly. With the Elria-love I have cultivated, I can fill in the gaps with my imagination.”
The wording itself made one question whether it was fitting for a princess to say as such, but it was clear what Princess Chris’s intention was.
“So, is it basically a means for me to go to the royal castle personally?”
“You’re quite perceptive. As someone of commoner origin, there is a possibility of receiving disapproval by other families if you were to go alone, and it wouldn’t be feasible to have a member of the Caldwen family accompany you every time, right?”
Even though Reid had joined the Caldwen family as Elria’s fiancé, his own position remained weak. Since the Caldwen family had the tradition of a female head, outsiders would unlikely treat him on equal terms as the head, even if he was a spouse. However, the situation would change if he were in the position of――‘Princess’s friend’.
If he entered and exited the royal castle regularly, it would make it known that not only Elria but also Reid had a close relationship with the Princess. That way, even in the social circles attended by the upper echelons of society, they could eliminate those who overtly disparage Reid.
“And in my case, it is well-known that I ‘love Elria too much’, so inviting you to the castle wouldn’t raise unnecessary suspicions.”
“It seems to be quite well-known to other families if it has reached that point…”
“That just shows how deep my love for Elria is!!”
Proudly proclaiming that, Princess Chris hugged Elria tightly. Again, Elria wore a resigned look, but she didn’t seem to dislike it.
“Well, originally, I didn’t plan to take care of you both so extensively, but… I was asked to lend a hand to you two.”
“…Asked to lend a hand?”
“Yes. Introducing the two of you to that person is one of the purposes of today.”
After saying that, Princess Chris led Reid and Elria toward the balcony.
The sky was already dyed with ultramarine color, with stars twinkling and the moon hanging in the sky. However, there was no one on the terrace. The only thing visible from there were the lights of the people living in the royal capital below. But――Reid had already guessed.
Elria, even towards her own mother Alicia, would cast a fearful gaze, showing a sensitive reaction to others in her childhood. But from what he had heard from others, Princess Chris was the only one who had spent time with Elria during her childhood.
The reason for that was not hard to imagine. Perhaps… Elria sensed the magic power and presence of someone she was familiar with. That was why Elria was able to trust Princess Chris so quickly.
And when they visited the royal castle, Princess Chris embraced Elria using magic. It was a magic that Reid had seen once before on the battlefield.
It was a power that could not only affect oneself but also interfere with the very principle of the world, stepping into the conceptual realm that could not be touched or manipulated, a power truly befitting the name ‘Magic’.
As far as Reid could remember, there was only one person who used that magic.
The person who, as an apprentice of the ‘Sage’, studied magic by Elria’s side, faithfully inherited the teachings even after the death of her master, and propagated magic technology to the present day, laying the foundation of magic supremacy a thousand years later――
“――You looked like you were enjoying yourself, Hero of Altein.”
The manner of speech was clearly different from that of Princess Chris. That was why Reid responded in the same way as a thousand years ago.
“You don’t have to make such a scary face――Little Tiana.”
A person who, despite being a member of the royal family, went to the battlefield as an apprentice of the ‘Sage’, possessing the magic skills she learned from her master and the unique magic inherited from her lineage. Subsequently, she relinquished her right to the throne and took up the family name of the great sage ‘Caldwen’, establishing the foundation of the present world.
That person was――Tiana von Vegalta.
“It seems you were quite handsome when you were young. When we fought, you looked like a huge, withered old tree, so seeing you like this, I can’t believe you’re the same person.”
“Is that so? I was surprised to see the little girl who used to lose to the old man and cried every time, show up here.”
“…You’re still an irritating man.”
Tiana glared at Reid with half-closed eyes and then let out a sigh in the form of Princess Chris.
“Anyway, I didn’t use Chris as a means to have a casual chat with you.”
“Aren’t you reincarnated?”
“Well. From your perspective, I have sent my consciousness through my own magic from the world of the past――about a thousand years ago, and I’m using Chris’s body as a vessel for this conversation.”
The magic that Tiana was using, Reid called it ‘Time Leap’.
It is a magic that transfers one’s physical body to another realm called ‘time’. Only Tiana could move within this ‘time’, and others could not interfere with it.
And since it was a concept of ‘time’ itself, the passage of time, which should be irreversible, did not exist, allowing for infinite thinking time by simply transferring one’s consciousness.
The latter part was still speculation on Reid’s part, but there were moments when it seemed she could see the future, leading him to be half-convinced. He had vivid memories of how troublesome it was to deal with her.
“I see. To enter ‘time’, you need to transform the physical body itself using magic and consume magic power according to the amount of movement, but if it’s just the consciousness, the consumption can be minimized.”
“…It’s a complex feeling to see you talking so elaborately about magic.”
“Thanks to being reincarnated, I was able to learn magic. And it’s quite relieving to finally understand the reason why you would often collapse from ‘high fuel consumption’.”
“Please stop calling it ‘high fuel consumption’!!”
Tiana glared at Reid with a threatening look, as if something had struck a nerve.
Tiana’s ‘Time Leap’ was difficult for Reid to deal with. Within the ‘time’, moving the physical body consumed an excessive amount of magic power. She could only move for about ten seconds, and with each use, her magic power would be depleted, resulting in sluggish movements. If she used it five times, she would collapse.
There were times when she would confront Reid but collapse due to a lack of magic power. Reid witnessed Elria administering magic power recovery potions to Tiana to revitalize her. It was after witnessing this that Reid started teasing her, calling her a ‘high fuel consumption girl who gulps down magic power’. However, from the way he observed her just now, he seemed a little concerned about her.
“But even if it’s just the consciousness, is it really okay to transfer it a thousand years into the future?”
“Normally, even transferring just the consciousness would consume an enormous amount of magic power, and I would collapse from the exhaustion of magic power while moving within the ‘time’.”
However, Tiana’s expression clouded slightly.
“I’m able to transfer my consciousness because there was a ‘hole’ that led to this world.”
“……A ‘hole’?”
“Yes. Thanks to that, I was able to skip the long journey of a thousand years. Not only can I transfer my consciousness to this world for a short time, but with Chris’s body, whose magic power wavelength is close to mine, I can also borrow her physical body and move.”
“…Could it be that we were the cause of that ‘hole’?”
“That’s a possibility. The details of the reincarnation magic are unknown, but… considering that both Elria-sama and you were reincarnated in the same era, it’s possible that the ‘hole’ had some influence or that the destination of the reincarnation was designated for a thousand years later.”
Two people who lived a thousand years ago reunite in the world a thousand years later. In a sense, it could be considered a coincidence, but there was one thing that was certain.
“In other words――there are others besides you who can move within ‘time’?”
That ‘hole’ had likely existed even before Reid and Elria were reincarnated. If the reason for both of them being reincarnated in the same era were due to the ‘hole’, it would mean that the ‘hole’ had already existed before the activation of the reincarnation magic. Alternatively, a third party might have intentionally created the ‘hole’.
Either way, it meant that they were reincarnated due to the intentions of a third party.
“At the very least, considering that travel was possible within the ‘time’ through the existing ‘hole’… it means that someone, whether through reincarnation or time leaps, had existed a thousand years ago as well.”
“Is it possible for you to create a ‘hole’ like that?”
“No, I cannot. The ‘time’ realm is highly complex, and while I can enter it using magic, interfering with the realm itself and leaping to desired times should be impossible.”
Tiana asserted so.
Even the supposed impossibility is made possible by a third party. Then――a thousand years ago, they performed a time leap and carried out the reincarnation of Reid and Elria. However, the purpose behind it is unknown. If they can perform such extraordinary feats, there should have been no need to reincarnate Reid and Elria.
“Elria, if you’ve come up with anything as well――”
As his thoughts were in a deadlock, he turned his gaze to Elria, who was by his side, hoping to seek her help――but there, Elria was tilting her head with a puzzled expression.
“Is Chris… actually Tiana…?”
Vaguely murmuring only that much, Elria’s eyes were spinning around. Above her head, many question marks seemed to be floating, as if saying, “???”.
Seeing Elria in such a state, Reid looked at Tiana with a puzzled expression.
“…Hey, Little Tiana, haven’t you told Elria about this?”
“Um, no… I can only come here for about ten minutes, and since I don’t know who is involved, I’ve only explained the bare minimum to Chris. Also, as Elria-sama mentioned, I’ve been investigating whether Reid Frieden has also been reincarnated…”
Tiana explains while her gaze wanders, but there is something off about her demeanor.
Observing her behavior, Elria, who is convinced that it was Tiana herself, narrows her eyes quietly.
“Could it be that every time Chris hugged me, it was actually…”
“P-Please wait a minute! Most of the time, it really is Chris herself!! I occasionally asked her to switch with me to enjoy the company of a younger and adorable Elria-sama or to confirm how comforting you feel in my arms, that’s all!!”
“And when we had sleepovers, I remember Chris dressing me up in various outfits.”
“That’s also not what it seems! I just recommended outfits that would suit Elria-sama to Chris, and later, I would see the pictures taken with the projection magic device…!!”
“And even Chris’s manner of speech…?”
“That’s really irrelevant!!”
Tiana becomes visibly flustered and starts confessing one thing after another.
Reid was once an enemy a thousand years ago, so he does not know much about their relationship. However, he can say this with confidence. Chris and Tiana not only had close lineage and magic power, but also shared the same feelings for Elria.
“Tiana, you’re in for a lecture.”
“Sure, I’m happy to!!”
“……Don’t be happy about getting a lecture.”
“But it’s only natural to be happy about it!”
With a smile on her face, Tiana responds.
“Because… I can talk to Elria-sama again…”
Tears overflow from her eyes, streaming down her pale cheeks.
In the world where Tiana existed, Elria had already passed away. They are never able to speak to each other again.
“After the passing of Elria-sama… driven by the sense of loss, I was yearning to catch even a glimpse of your figure and searched for a way to leap into the past using my magic.”
With that desperate desire to seek traces of Elria, Tiana managed to discover the existence of the ‘hole’. And in the world of ‘time’, she found the ‘hole’ and encountered a young girl.
“Seeing a child who resembled Elria-sama… I decided to follow in the footsteps of the Sage, in order to realize that future. I joined forces with the remnants of the Altein Army, which had crumbled after losing its Hero, and together, we destroyed the Altein Empire. Now, I am striving to spread the magic technology created by Elria-sama.”
Undoubtedly, this was partly due to her trust in her master.
By believing in the great ‘Sage’, even if it was through a transcendent method like ‘reincarnation’, it might be possible that she is living in the future.
Believing in that possibility, Tiana exerted herself to realize the world where her beloved master is alive.
“I really wanted to talk to you right away…! Like in the time when Elria-sama was alive ten years ago, I wanted you to call my name and smile at me…!!”
Surely, Tiana would have wanted to speak and confirm things immediately. However, upon learning that someone far surpassing her own skills had been performing ‘Time Leap’ and suspecting that Elria’s death and reincarnation were intentional, she hid her true identity and remained concealed until she could confirm that Reid had also been reincarnated. Nevertheless, she continued to watch over her beloved master through Chris.
“That’s why――”
“I know.”
With just a short response, Elria hugs the sobbing Tiana.
“Thank you for working so hard for my sake――Tiana.”
In a gesture of appreciation for her apprentice’s devoted efforts for her master, Elria gently strokes her head.
“Tiana, you’ve worked really hard.”
“Yes… Yes…!”
“If it has been ten years since my death, you must have grown into a wonderful young lady by now.”
“I’ve already surpassed Elria-sama’s height…”
“In that case, I’m sure you’ve become a very beautiful woman.”
“Yes… I can’t help but feel disappointed that I can’t show it to Elria-sama…”
As they hold each other, they exchange trivial words to fill the time they lost. And then… with red and swollen eyes, Tiana slowly pulls away.
“I’m sorry… but it’s time for me to return there.”
“Alright. When can we meet again?”
“If I gulp down a lot of magic power recovery potions, I’ll be fine even tomorrow…”
“That’s surprisingly fast.”
“However, I need to borrow Chris’s body to have a conversation… So, I’ll ask her about her schedule first, and then we can have a proper meeting to decide on the date…”
“You can even do that?”
“Yes… Perhaps because our magic power wavelengths are similar, conversing doesn’t consume much magic power.”
Perhaps feeling calm after Elria stroked her head, Tiana sniffs softly.
Ideally, Reid would have liked to end the conversation between master and apprentice there. However――he has something that he needs to ask Tiana.
“Tiana, before you go back, let me ask you one thing.”
The information that was originally thought to be lost and given up on, Tiana would be able to answer that.
“Why――did Elria lose her life?”
In response to Reid’s question, Tiana wiped her eyes and looked up. However… her expression was indescribably complex.
“I can’t give a clear answer to that.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I can tell you the cause of Elria-sama’s death, but I don’t know how it happened or whether it was the act of a third party.”
Tiana prefaced her answer and then talked about Elria’s death.
“Elria-sama was found in her laboratory, which she also used as her private room. It was heavily guarded with soldiers and various magic devices, as it housed confidential information such as magic research materials and techniques. However… there were no signs of a struggle inside the room, and there was no indication that any research results had been stolen. Elria-sama was lying in the center of the room as if she were sleeping.”
Recalling the scene from that time, Tiana’s words falter for a moment――
“And――Elria-sama had completely lost all her magic power when she passed away.”
That was the truth about Elria’s death, as revealed by Tiana.
Chapter 1 Part 4
◇
Led by Selvas, Reid and Elria were guided into the castle. There, they entered a magnificent hall adorned with dazzling decorations and designs. It was likely originally used as a place where the upper echelons of society, such as nobles and wealthy merchants, gathered, or as a venue for private celebrations by members of the royal family.
After being solemnly led into such a place――
“――This is the first ‘Battle to Determine Who Loves Elria More’!!”
As Princess Chris declared loudly, the venue erupted with cheers and applause. It was a truly lively scene.
The people gathered in the venue were not dressed in formal attire or courtly garments. Some were even wearing plain clothes, and among them were individuals in work uniforms, such as serving staff. They were probably the people working within the castle.
Most of the castle’s staff and soldiers seemed to have gathered there, as many people in the venue were enjoying themselves with food and drinks in hand. Moreover, an elaborately constructed grandiose tiered gallery was clearly prepared.
While standing on that tiered gallery, Reid spoke to Princess Chris, who was seated next to him.
“…Princess Chris, what is this about?”
“I already mentioned it earlier, didn’t I? It’s the ‘Battle to Determine Who Loves Elria More’.”
“Not that, but why are so many people gathered here?”
“We actually had plans to hold a party for the castle staff as a way to show our appreciation. So, as part of the entertainment, I invited you and Elria and took care of the planning and preparations.”
“…As outsiders, Elria and I are supposed to be part of the entertainment?”
“Yes. Elria has been coming in and out of the royal castle since childhood, and those who have long served within the castle know her well. When someone like Elria suddenly gets engaged, it’s only natural for people to be curious about her fiancé, don’t you think?”
said Princess Chris, surveying the assembled crowd.
Indeed, it seemed that many gazes were directed toward Reid.
“You will also become part of the distinguished Caldwen family from now on. It’s a good opportunity for others to become aware of the character and personality of the person who will stand above them.”
Coming from a rural commoner background, with unclear abilities and an unknown identity, there would undoubtedly be some people who feel uneasy about someone like Reid marrying into the prominent household that has supported the country.
That was why Princess Chris thought it was necessary to make Reid’s character known not only to the people and mages of the academy and a select few from the upper echelons of society but also to the people within the castle who are closer to the general population.
“We have already investigated you. Your behavior and reputation in your hometown and within the academy, your contribution to the village in a way that suits your abilities even with the stigma of being unable to use magic… I am neither young nor foolish enough to claim that you are unsuitable for Elria without considering those results.”
As she evaluated Reid, Princess Chris nodded softly. And her head sank further and further down.
“Well, personally, I feel like Elria has been stolen from me…!!”
“…I apologize for that, in a way.”
“It doesn’t matter. The fact remains that Elria chose you… I have no intention of elevating you in front of everyone or deceiving them with words about testing your love.”
As Princess Chris smiled with a hint of mischief, Selvas, holding a voice amplification magic device, climbed onto the stage and began the proceedings.
“This time, it will be a showdown between Princess Christia, who is famous for her excessive love for Elria-sama and her eccentric behavior, and Reid Frieden-sama, who has become Elria-sama’s fiancé. I, Selvas, will have the honor of serving as the host and moderator.”
“Wait a minute! I sense ill intentions in my introduction!!”
“For those working within the castle, it is a well-known fact. And precisely because everyone knows, there are high expectations for the valiant efforts of Reid-sama.”
Ignoring Princess Chris’s protest, Selvas calmly continued. Judging from his strangely accustomed manner, he must have often served as the host for such events.
“Lastly――the winner can truly be called Elria-sama’s supporter.”
As the audience focused on Reid, the tiered gallery was illuminated by magic lights devices. On top of it was a luxurious chair. And there sat――Elria, her face turning bright red as she lowered her head. Blushing up to her ears, she shrunk herself and trembled.
“T-This is so embarrassing…”
“It’s adorable to see Elria embarrassed!!”
“Princess Chris, please refrain from interrupting the proceedings to cheer for Elria-sama.”
As Princess Chris rushed to Elria’s side, Selvas immediately restrained her with chains created from magic. It was a treatment that seemed far from that of a princess.
“Now, Reid-sama, would you like to share your enthusiasm?”
“Umm… yes. Although I have only recently met Elria, as her fiancé, I will strive not only to meet her expectations but also the expectations of everyone in the audience.”
“Thank you for your wonderful enthusiasm. Now, Princess Chris, please.”
“Hmph! I have been with Elria since childhood! I can answer everything, from her likes and dislikes to the number and brands of teas she spilled during nap time!!”
“I hope that ability can be utilized for the sake of the country in the future.”
Nodding gracefully, Selvas returned to the proceedings.
“The right to answer the questions lies with the magic button device on your seats. The one who lights up the button first will be given the opportunity to answer. And Elria-sama will be in charge of reading the questions and judging the answers.”
“M-Me…? I have to do it?”
“I apologize for the trouble. However, there was a request to hear the gentle voice of quiet Elria-sama, so if you could kindly read the questions and make the judgments, I would appreciate it.”
“G-Got it…”
“And whether the answer is correct or not, please use the buttons in front of you.”
Selvas bowed deeply and handed Elria the prepared questions. However, due to nerves, her eyes were swirling as she glanced over the written questions. Elria then slowly took a deep breath――
“Th… the f-f-first q-question――”
She stuttered, just as expected. Her performance was so impeccable that she could not even reach the content of the question. Upon seeing Elria like that, Princess Chris enthusiastically hit the magic device.
“Elria is so adorableeee!!”
“Princess Chris, the question hasn’t been read out yet.”
“That was my instinct speaking!!”
“I see. However, I will have to revoke your right to answer from now on.”
As the two exchanged such banter, Elria trembled, hiding her bright red face behind the question paper. If this continued, Elria might succumb to her embarrassment and collapse.
“…I’m sorry, can I leave the reading to Selvas-san?”
“Hmm… So, she still finds it difficult to speak in public. In that case, I will handle the reading, and Elria-sama will be in charge of judging the answers.”
Adapting swiftly to the change in plans, Selvas proceeded to read the questions.
“Now, for the first question, Elria-sama’s hob――”
But before he could finish reading, Princess Chris lit up the magic device.
“――――Reading. She enjoys reading not only books but also research papers, primarily on magic.”
As Elria nodded in agreement with the answer, the sound of the correct answer resonated throughout the venue. Amidst the audience’s excitement once again, Princess Chris proudly puffed out her chest.
“Hehe, with questions like this, there’s no need to listen till the end, right?”
“……I suppose so.”
While replying to Princess Chris’s words, Reid felt anxious internally.
What just happened was not a matter of simple knowledge or memory. The questions were not prepared by Elria, so it can be inferred that their contents are understandable to others.
Princess Chris watched Selvas’s mouth movements as he read the question sheet and confirmed the word following ‘hobby’ before answering.
Capturing such subtle movements is possible for Reid as well, but she likely speculates not only from Selvas’s mouth movements but also from his intonations and habits during the reading. And undoubtedly――magic is involved.
When they first met, Princess Chris hugged Elria at an abnormal speed. Reid had witnessed a similar type of magic before. If it is the same type of magic, it would be possible to anticipate the questions based on Selvas’s mouth movements and intonations, and also thoroughly consider the possibilities in advance.
In other words, Princess Chris is genuinely here to win.
“You wouldn’t expect to end up without achieving any results as Elria’s fiancé, would you?”
Princess Chris taunted Reid with a confident smile.
This was not just any event, but a serious match.
Reid was feeling anxious to the point of seriously considering the disparity in their respective strengths and the state of the match.
While pondering on such thoughts, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of the tense atmosphere, knowing that losing this battle was not an option. Because――
“………………..”
Elria, sitting at the top, was staring at Reid intently. Her eyes were filled with sparkling anticipation. She had a look of wanting Reid to answer correctly so badly. Moreover, when their eyes met, she nodded back as if to encourage Reid, “You can do it, Reid”.
However, the match at hand is extremely unfavorable. He could not possibly beat Princess Chris in quick response rounds. And if he pressed the button before the question was confirmed and answered incorrectly, Elria would undoubtedly be disappointed. While pondering such thoughts――
“For the second question, when Elria-sama is sle――”
“Stuffed animals. Her favorite is a big, black dog named Vallee.”
The correct answer sound echoed as Princess Chris continued to answer correctly.
Throughout his countless battles and desperate situations, Reid had never experienced a situation where the path to victory was so elusive. And when he looked at Elria again――
“………………..”
Her expression seemed a little dissatisfied. She pouted slightly. However, upon closer inspection, her gaze was not directed at Reid but at Princess Chris.
Elria probably realized that she was using magic, and from their long-standing relationship, she also noticed that Princess Chris was genuinely here to win.
“…Selvas, can I ask the questions?”
“I don’t mind, but there’s a possibility that Elria-sama might stutter in a cute manner――”
“T-That happened because I was reading the question sheet…! If I just ask the questions that I come up with on the spot, I can ask them without stuttering…!”
“I understand. In that case, let’s have Elria-sama ask the questions.”
As Elria desperately explained herself, the voice amplification magic device was once again handed to her.
“Um… the third question…”
Her voice trembled slightly, but she managed to articulate the question without stuttering.
“What is my favorite seasoning when I’m really tired?”
“…It’s a very specific question, isn’t it?”
“Not really. It just came to my mind.”
Princess Chris seemed to sense something, but Elria vigorously shook her head and insisted. And naturally, Reid noticed it, too. It was obvious to anyone that Elria intended to ask a question that favored Reid.
As proof, she confidently sent him a gaze saying, “This one will be fine!”. The people in the audience who were observing the whole situation also seemed to understand what was happening, showing expressions of realization.
In the midst of all this, Reid reached out with an unusually heavy hand and pressed the button.
“…A salty seasoning with a sprinkle of salt.”
“!”
*Ding-dong, ding-dong*, Elria repeatedly triggered the correct answer sound with a look of immense joy. She then continued to ask more questions.
“For the fourth question, what criteria do I use when choosing a dish at the academy’s dining hall?”
“You choose a different dish from the one I picked. The reason is that we’ll share half of each other’s dishes later.”
“For the fifth question, what do I do after going to the large bath with Millis?”
“You stop by the dining hall and buy ice cream or sweets for both of us, then we eat them together in our room.”
“For the sixth question, what do I do before going to sleep?”
“You roll around on the bed to check the distance where you can toss and turn without hitting me.”
“Ugh…!! They’re using the questions and answers to show off their close relationship…!!”
“And Reid-sama is answering without making any mistakes. It really brings to mind the harmonious atmosphere between the two during their academy life.”
“I’m sure they even say ‘ahh’ to each other when they eat!”
“According to my research, it seems that they do that even in public places like the dining hall.”
“That’s not acceptable!! If people see Elria innocently opening her mouth and courteously moving it after putting the spoon in as she chews, the overwhelming cuteness would make the entire human race faint, you know!?”
“That may be true for Princess Chris, but I’m sure their fellow classmates would also be warmed by it, wouldn’t they?”
Upon hearing such comments from the two, the audience laughed and smiled.
Though Reid usually didn’t care about it, he felt embarrassed in front of a crowd. Sensing his discomfort, Selvas nodded before speaking up.
“Now, we’ll move on to the last question. Reid-sama has already secured victory in terms of the number of correct answers, but since this is a match to show who loves Elria-sama more, let’s aim for as many correct answers as possible.”
After that preface, Selvas prompted Elria for the last question. However… Elria lowered her head slightly, as if contemplating something.
“Elria-sama? Is something the matter?”
“…Mm, I was thinking about what to ask.”
After responding, Elria slowly opened her mouth――
“――What do I like?”
With just that short question, both Reid and Princess Chris were momentarily taken aback. They had assumed it would be a question that only Reid could answer, so their reactions were delayed. But Reid quickly snapped back to his senses and pressed the button――
“――Lukewarm milk tea.”
That was his answer. However… *buzz*, the sound of a wrong answer buzzed for the first time.
“Oh…? It appears Reid-sama has given an incorrect answer. Elria-sama, would you be so kind as to tell us the correct answer?”
When Selvas prompted for the correct answer, Elria softly shook her head.
“I won’t say it.”
“I see. Is it alright if you don’t reveal the correct answer?”
“Yeah, it’s a secret.”
Blushing slightly, Elria covered her mouth with the question sheet. However, her gaze was clearly directed at Reid. And when their eyes met, Elria happily narrowed her eyes and said to Reid once again――
“――――It’s a secret.”
Chapter 1 Part 3
◇
The next day, Reid and Elria headed towards the royal castle, taking a day off from the academy. Inside the magic vehicle, swaying with the light of the setting sun, Reid let out a deep sigh.
“That Alma… I can’t believe she forgot after keeping the invitation…”
“Alma-sensei is quite scatterbrained indeed.”
Elria nodded in agreement.
Alma had received the invitation when the treatment of Reid and Elria was being decided. Thinking that she could give it to them anytime at the academy, she had completely forgotten about it, seemingly at ease.
Then, in a rush, they went to the Caldwens’ mansion, where Alicia, the head of the household, scolded them for not contacting her until the previous day. They busily made preparations, and that brought them to the present moment.
“Well, from what I heard, it was supposed to be a personal summon from the Princess, and we had plenty of time since it was in the evening. That’s the only saving grace…”
“…But I’m not really fond of parties.”
Saying that, Elria puffed up her cheeks.
“If it was a personal summon, I could have just worn my uniform.”
“That’s not possible. The other party is a member of the royal family.”
Elria had been thoroughly dressed up at the Caldwens’ mansion today, wearing a dark blue party dress with a pure white cape, her long silver hair neatly tied up. She gave off a slightly more mature impression than usual. However, due to the unfamiliar attire, Elria seems restless and unable to calm down.
“The dress is restrictive, and I can’t move around without messing up my hair.”
“What do you plan to do at the royal castle?”
“Nothing, but I always maintain a mindset prepared for battle.”
“You had your hair done and made to look cute. It would be a waste to mess it up. Let’s behave calmly today.”
“……In that case, I’ll behave.”
Although Elria was still restless, perhaps her mood improved slightly when she received praise. She blushed faintly and nodded.
While exchanging wry smiles with Elria, the magic vehicle came to a stop in front of the castle gate. As the driver opened the door and they stepped outside, Reid raised his head.
“…I never thought the day would come when I would be here.”
The royal castle, situated in the center of the royal capital, was towering and massive, to the point where one had to look up. It was a castle that symbolized the country called Vegalta, which has remained unchanged for a thousand years. The huge castle was built by carving into and cutting through a small hill.
From anywhere in the royal capital, it could be seen, serving as a symbol of the country for the people, and revealing glimpses of the relationship between the royal family and the people, as the royal family has continued to watch over them.
Reid never thought that he, who had once belonged to an enemy nation, would have the opportunity to set foot in this place that could be called Vegalta’s sanctuary.
As Reid looked up at the sight of the royal castle――
“――We have been expecting you, Elria Caldwen-sama.”
An elderly butler who had been waiting in front of the gate bowed respectfully toward Reid and Elria.
“And you must be Reid Frieden-sama, am I correct?”
“Yes. We have been invited by Her Royal Highness the Princess and have come here.”
“Thank you very much for your courtesy. I am Selvas, the head butler, serving as the personal attendant to Her Royal Highness the Princess. Please remember that from now on.”
Once again, Reid slightly bowed in response to Selvas’s bow. Peeking out from behind Reid’s back, Elria also bowed with only her face showing.
“I am glad to see that Elria-sama has not changed.”
“…………Mm.”
“…I apologize. She tends to be shy around people.”
“Yes, I am aware. Elria-sama has been acquainted with Her Royal Highness since childhood and would always hide behind Alicia-sama whenever she visited.”
Selvas chuckled amicably, but one can easily imagine how many times Alicia, Elria’s mother, felt a chill down her spine seeing her unchanged attitude even towards the royal family, her superiors. Moreover, there was something different about her behavior, unlike her usual shyness.
While tightly holding onto Reid’s sleeve and hiding behind his back, she remained the same, but for some reason, she seemed unusually wary, constantly looking around.
“…Selvas, where is she?”
“Please rest assured. Her Royal Highness is waiting inside the castle.”
“……Really?”
“Yes. I used my magic to personally keep her bound.”
Although Selvas maintained a courteous demeanor and bowed his head, Reid felt like he heard some strange words. However, upon hearing those words, Elria let out a sigh of relief and stood next to Reid.
“…Mm, if it’s Selvas’s magic, I can rest easy.”
“That is an unworthy compliment. I am extremely honored to receive praise for my magic from Elria-sama, who is known as the reincarnation of the Sage and possesses remarkable abilities.”
said Selvas with a cheerful smile, then led the two of them toward the castle gate.
“I will guide you inside the castle. The preparations to welcome both of you have already been completed――”
Just as Selvas spoke those words, the castle gate opened with a resounding sound――
Right next to Reid, something golden passed by.
A moment later, a loud crash was heard from behind.
“……Huh?”
Reid instinctively turned around and found Elria once again hiding behind him as a shield. Moreover, she had a pale expression and was trembling uncontrollably.
“Hey, what’s wrong, Elria?”
“Reid…! Let’s run away right now…!!”
“What? Run away from what?”
Perplexed by Elria’s desperate plea, Reid tilted his head in confusion. However, Selvas rubbed his chin in a troubled manner and narrowed his eyes.
“Hmm… It seems that Her Royal Highness has managed to escape in five minutes and thirty-five seconds this time. That’s a new record.”
“Um… What do you mean by ‘escape’?”
“Of course, it refers to Her Royal Highness the Princess.”
Immediately after Selvas gave his matter-of-fact answer, a figure emerged from the shadows behind them. Her platinum blonde hair shone brilliantly in the evening sun. Her eyebrows, elegantly arched, gave her a lively impression, while her light blue eyes resembled the blue sky.
“――Finally! You’ve arrived, Elria!!”
The girl shouted, placing her hand on her hip.
In this country, there is no one who does not know her appearance and name.
The Kingdom of ‘Vegalta’, named after its reclamation efforts in cultivating virgin land, was established. It grew into a powerful nation through prosperous trade utilizing abundant resources, eventually rivaling the Altein Empire, which occupied over half of the continent. The royal family has continued to rule the country for several generations.
That is why they are allowed to bear the name of the one and only royal family.
The beloved daughter of the current king, who is a part of that great lineage.
The First Princess of the Vegalta Magic Kingdom――Christia von Vegalta.
“I can’t believe it! Even though I have graduated from the academy and are finally free, you never come no matter how many times I call for you!”
While saying that, Princess Christia walked towards them with a pout, clearly angry.
“I really――wanted to see you so muchhhh!!”
Suddenly accelerating her movements, Princess Christia embraced Elria tightly. She then rubbed her cheek against Elria’s, wearing a blissful expression.
“Mmm! This smooth skin! This silky hair! I feel like I’m replenishing three years’ worth of Elria essence that I couldn’t get during my confinement at the academy all at once!”
“Chris… Please stop ingesting mysterious essences from me every time…”
While Princess Christia had a delighted expression, Elria accepted the cheek rubbing with a resigned look on her face. As Reid stood dumbfounded, Selvas lowered his head apologetically.
“I apologize for this unsightly scene. When Princess Christia is in the presence of Elria-sama, she tends to lose herself a little.”
“…Well, from what I gather, it seems like they haven’t seen each other in a while.”
“Yes. She has adored Elria-sama like a younger sister since childhood, and the king strictly ordered me not to allow her to return home until she graduated from the academy, precisely because she loves Elria-sama so much.”
Seeing the princess happily frolicking and giggling, one could easily imagine the kind of relationship the two had built since childhood. While observing the two, the Princess turned her sharp gaze toward Reid.
“So, you’re Reid Frieden, huh!?”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess. I recently visited the Caldwen――”
“Skip the formalities, it’s too bothersome!”
“……My apologies. I am Reid Frieden.”
“And if you’re Elria’s fiancé, I permit you to call me Chris, too! So, I’ll address you without honorifics as well!!”
“Thank you for your consideration, Princess Chris.”
“Excellent! Now we can skip the bothersome formalities!”
Princess Chris nodded satisfactorily. Reid had assumed that, being a princess, she would have a reserved and modest image, but she seemed to have a bold personality, much like Alicia.
Just as Reid was thinking that, Princess Chris firmly pointed her finger at him.
“I don’t acknowledge you completely yet, Reid Frieden!!”
“……What do you mean by that?”
“Because if I don’t acknowledge the engagement, Elria will dislike me, you know!?”
“I see. So ‘that’ is doubting my abilities, is that correct?”
Reid preemptively responded, and Chris was slightly surprised before composing her expression.
“Yes. It’s hard for me to believe that you possess abilities comparable to Elria’s, even though you cannot use magic.”
Her words likely stemmed from her perspective as someone who had witnessed Elria’s growth since childhood, rather than just her position as a member of Vegalta’s royal family.
“The testimonies from Alicia, the head of the Caldwen family, as well as your direct confrontation with Galleon, and your bare-handed interception of the magic from Alma Kanos, a special rank mage. Furthermore, the recent incident where you made an entire designated danger zone disappear without using magic… It’s impossible to believe that you achieved all that without magic!”
“To be frank, my honest reaction would be, ‘What nonsense are you talking about?’.”
“Oh, so you’re aware of it?”
“And is it safe to assume that you called us here to assess my abilities?”
“…Hmm, you seem strangely accustomed to this situation.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m accustomed, but I have mentally prepared myself for it, as I anticipate it happening more frequently in the future. After all, it’s an ambiguous power, and those who are knowledgeable about magic are often the most skeptical.”
There are undoubtedly many people, including Princess Chris, who would not be convinced until they see with their own eyes, despite hearing rumors or reports.
Until now, the discussions had been limited to within the academy, but news of the recent incident had spread to the royal family and the Mage’s Association.
In addition to the doubts about Reid, there may also be individuals who consider his abilities as yet unseen magic, triggering their intellectual curiosity and a desire to witness it firsthand.
“Even though my limited knowledge may not suffice, if we have exceptional mages like Elria and the brilliant mages that Vegalta boasts, it is possible that they can unravel this power. Therefore, I thought that by showcasing my abilities, I could be of assistance in furthering the development of magic techniques.”
“I see… You are more capable than I had anticipated.”
“Yes, isn’t he amazing?”
Looking pleased that Reid had been praised, Elria nodded repeatedly. It seemed that she had regained some vitality, which was a relief. However, with Elria in her arms, Princess Chris laughed triumphantly.
“But… my lack of acknowledgement is not only about your abilities.”
“In that case… is it about my origin?”
“No. While it is unprecedented for a branch of the royal family like the Caldwens to marry a commoner, those matters can be resolved by achieving evaluations that overshadow one’s origin. In fact, many people are paying attention to your abilities.”
Then, Princess Chris continued――
“What I am going to test is――your ‘love’ for Elria!!“
She boldly declared it, despite feeling a little embarrassed.