Chapter 3 – The Former Demon King Sprints Through the Capital at Night
That night, I was gazing down at the royal palace from the sky.
“Looks like Niil made it into the western villa safely.”
After confirming her arrival, I slowly descended, landing on the roof of a nearby building. This was a residential area a short distance from the palace. Having snuck out of my lodgings, I was taking a stroll through the royal capital at night.
As expected of the capital, it was bustling with people even after dark. The city lights showed no sign of going out anytime soon. The royal palace was particularly bright. The entire perimeter was illuminated by magical lights, with guards patrolling both inside and out.
“Whoa, the central and eastern palaces even have magical alarm systems. Impressive.”
Straining my eyes, I could see lines of magical energy woven above the palace, forming a net that enveloped the buildings. I imagined that touching it would instantly alert the mages in charge of security. The capital was crawling with mages, after all, so it was only natural for them to be wary of intruders, whether they be familiars or other mages. That much I understood.
What I didn’t understand was why the western palace, where Iris lived, had almost no alarms at all. I’d heard the western villa was where the children of the king’s concubines lived, but… was that level of security really enough?
“Is there a reason the security is so lax only in the west? If so, maybe I should prepare another familiar for Iris. And an escape route, just in case—”
“Are you planning to flee, Master~?” a voice squeaked beside me. It was Dick, my bat familiar. “If you’re leaving the capital, I will accompany you~!”
“That’s a last resort, Dick, I told you.”
“Then are we gathering lots of ‘Ancient Artifacts’~?”
“Just two will do. I plan to elevate the Grossalia Barony to a Marquisate.”
That was the most direct path. If the House of Grossalia became a marquis house, I could marry Iris. After that, it would probably be best if we both conveniently went missing under some pretext. Both Iris and I would eventually stop aging. On top of that, we both carried complicated pasts. I had a feeling it would be dangerous for either of us to remain in the human world for too long.
“Odette would probably be angry with me, though.”
“Is Lady Odette a nice person~?”
“Yeah. So nice that I wish she could become immortal along with Iris.”
“Immortal, you say~?”
“Do you want to become immortal, Dick?”
“I don’t really know~.”
“It’d be great if there was some ‘Ancient Magic’ or an ‘Ancient Artifact’ that could grant someone immortality.”
I was sure such things existed. The ‘Holy Sword’ had reincarnated Alice and me, so there was no doubt that ‘Ancient Artifacts’ could meddle with life itself. If so, it wouldn’t be strange for an ‘Ancient Magic’ or an ‘Ancient Artifact’ capable of making someone immortal to exist.
“I actually researched that kind of magic myself, a long time ago. But the best I could come up with was a spell to make people healthier. See, if there were other immortals besides me, I wouldn’t stand out so much. And I wouldn’t have to watch my family die before me.”
“You think about some incredible things, Master~.”
“It’s little more than a fantasy, though.”
Using my ‘Boosted Enhancement,’ I took a running start and leaped. With my ‘Levitate’ skill, I moved from rooftop to rooftop. Dick flew alongside me, with several other bats in tow—friends they had made here in the capital. They flew in a flock, doing a nice job of concealing my figure. They also handled reconnaissance, so I had no trouble avoiding the city guards.
“That’s enough for tonight’s patrol. Good work, everyone.”
“““Yes, Master~!”””
The bat squadron dispersed. I continued on, heading for my own lodging.
“Hup.”
I dropped to the ground from the roof of a building near my quarters.
A light was still on in my room. I’d told them they could go to sleep first, but were Martha and Remy still awake? The front door should be locked, so I figured I’d just fly up and go in through the second floor again.
Just as I thought that, the door to the adjacent lodging opened. I reflexively hid in the shadows of the building. The person who emerged was Odette. I could tell by the way her golden hair reflected the moonlight. She was wearing her usual mage’s robe with the hood pulled up to hide her face, but it couldn’t quite conceal her hair. She waved off a butler who tried to follow her and started walking. Her destination was the lodging next door—which was to say, mine.
“What’s up, Odette?”
“———Eek?!”
Odette jumped. She looked over at me with teary eyes.
“…Yuuki. You shouldn’t startle people like that.”
“Sorry. I forgot I was silencing my footsteps.”
“What kind of way is that to walk? And where have you been, anyway?”
“Just a night stroll.”
“The roads are dangerous at night, you know.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t use the roads.”
“I see. Well, that’s a relief.”
“Yep.”
“…Wait? Something about that conversation doesn’t add up…”
“More importantly, what about you, Odette? What are you doing out at this hour?”
“R-Right! A letter arrived from the Magic Guild. Two of them, in fact.”
“Two?”
“I believe one was delivered to you as well, Yuuki. The first is from Demeter-sama. It’s about the attack by the ‘specter’ in the ‘Cave of the Holy Sword,’ and the ‘Ancient Magic’ that Gael Wolfgang used.”
“…Oh, that.”
During the ‘Guardian Knight Selection Trial,’ Odette and I were attacked by a specter. It called itself Logruel, the Seventh Priest of the ‘Sanctuary Church Elysium Temple,’ and tried to steal the Holy Sword. I had vanquished it with the sword, but we never found out why Gael Wolfgang had summoned it in the first place. Demeter and Barnes-san had mentioned there were worshipers of the Sanctuary Church. I suppose this was the report on their investigation.
“The other is about the investiture ceremony for the guardian knights.”
Odette looked at me, a rolled-up piece of parchment in her hand. Even in the dim light, I could see she was a little pale.
“It seems another member of the royal family will be appointing a guardian knight at the same time as Princess Iris. A princess of the same age.”
“At this timing?”
“Her name is Princess Salvia, the fourth princess. She is the literal fourth in line to the throne and a legitimate child of the king. She is the same age as Princess Iris and also has the right to appoint a guardian knight.”
“I see. But that doesn’t have anything to do with me or the princess, does it?”
“It is rumored that upon hearing Princess Iris was appointing a guardian knight, Princess Salvia declared that she would do the same.”
…What’s that all about?
“Come to think of it, you told me before, didn’t you? That because of her… condition, Princess Iris has been looked down upon by her half-siblings. Could it be that this Princess Salvia is…?”
“You catch on quickly. That is precisely the case.”
As if afraid of being overheard, Odette leaned in close to me and spoke.
“I get it. So that’s what this is.”
So, the one who’s been looking down on Iris is this Princess Salvia. As a daughter of a ducal house, Odette probably couldn’t bring herself to say the name out loud.
“Furthermore, it seems Princess Salvia intends to have her guardian knight compete with hers in a contest of magic.”
“…This is getting complicated.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Can I talk to you for a bit? I’d like your advice.”
“Of course. I came here with that very intention.”
“Thanks. The girls are probably tired, so I can’t offer you any tea, though.”
“That is quite all right.”
Kyu-kyu?
A small cry echoed in the night. Standing next to the door of our lodging was a small, silver fox. It was Remy. I hadn’t heard the door open… ah, I must have left the second-floor window open. Remy must have come out from there after hearing our voices.
“Remy. Is Martha still awake?”
“She’s… getting tea ready~.”
“You know, you guys could have gone to sleep.”
“We want… to be with Master.”
“Sorry about that.”
“It’s not… a problem~.”
“…I can only hear ‘kyu-kyu,’ but I can somehow understand what she is saying,” Odette remarked.
“That’s amazing, Odette.”
“Your name is Remy, was it not?”
Kyu?
When Odette called her name, Remy padded over to her feet and gave a small bow.
“Are you… Master’s friend?”
“I apologize for the late hour, but I shall be intruding.”
The conversation didn’t quite connect, but it was close enough.
And so, Odette and I, with Remy in tow, entered the lodging. We needed to talk—about the information on the specter, and about this Princess Salvia.
“Welcome back, Niil.”
“I’m back, boss~!”
“Did you give Iris the message?”
“Of course! She said she’ll be sure to teach you the ‘Ancient Magic’~. However, she has the investiture ceremony for her ‘Guardian Knight’ in a few days, so she was wondering if it would be okay to do it after that~.”
“Yeah. Tell her that’s fine. Were there any other messages?”
“There are~!”
“Okay. Let me hear it.”
“Well, there’s Version One all the way through Version Twelve…”
“Why are there so many?”
“She said it’s because she’s a maiden~.”
“Just let me hear all of them for now.”
“I can’t do that~.”
“Why not?!”
“She said it’s because she’s a maiden~.”
“Even after two hundred years, I still don’t understand how Alice’s mind works…”
“I understand. Because I’m a girl, you see~.”
“Let me just confirm, is this message the kind of thing where something terrible will happen if I don’t hear it?”
“Not at all~.”
“Right.”
“Besides, the contents are almost exactly the same~.”
“What in the world is she doing, that Alice… I mean, Her Highness Iris.”
“For now, I’ll deliver the final version~.”
“Please do.”
“Let’s see, then~. Ahem.”
Niil gave a deep bow before me.
“‘I am grateful to the fate that has allowed me to reunite with my Lord. Please use this life of mine for your sake. I look forward to our long and happy future together.’ That’s what it says~.”
“…Are all the versions pretty much the same?”
“They are~.”
“…………That’s Alice for you. That part of her, at least.”
“Well then, I shall be returning to Lady Iris’s side~.”
“Good work. And one more thing—”
I stopped Niil just as she was about to take flight.
“I’ve given you a larger than normal dose of ‘Mistel Blood.’ Your strength and endurance should be much higher now. With that power, protect Alice—no, protect Iris. You must.”
“Understood~!”
And with that, Niil flew off into the night.
The royal family’s residential quarters were divided into three sections.
In the center was the royal palace, where the king, his queen consort, and his concubines resided.
To the east was a villa for the legitimate children of the queen.
And to the west was a villa for the children born of the king’s concubines.
Iris lived in the western villa.
The villa was a grand building with a spacious garden. Her father would visit from time to time, and she wanted for nothing in her daily life. Dealing with her other brothers and sisters was a challenge, but she could manage if she thought of it as her duty as a member of the royal family.
She had no particular complaints.
Or rather, her head was so full of something else right now that there was no room for complaints or worries to creep in.
“…Yuuki… was my Lord.”
Iris lay on her bed, hugging her favorite pillow.
“…My Lord. Lord Dean Nosferatu. Alice’s Lord. Iris’s Lord Yuuki. The man… that I love…”
As she murmured the words, Iris covered her bright red face. Her heart was pounding. The heat inside her body wouldn’t subside. She could feel her entire being trembling with the joy of having been reunited with her Lord.
Her mind was a complete blank. She could hardly remember a thing they had talked about after leaving the Grail Trading Company.
Did I say something strange?
Did I do anything that would make him hate me?
As these thoughts spun round and round, Iris rolled about on her bed.
To be honest, the memories of Alice Carmine still hadn’t fully settled in. They were incomplete and fragmented.
So why did her chest feel so warm?
It was likely back in the barony, when he saved her from the Dark Bear. That was the moment Iris fell in love with Yuuki.
I want him by my side, she had thought.
And that was why she had declared she would make him her guardian knight.
“…Both Iris and Alice… are in love with Lord Yuuki… with my Lord.”
When she thought of Yuuki, she felt as if the ‘Iris’ and ‘Alice’ within her were melting together. The realization that they were, in the end, the same person was terribly embarrassing. It was proof that, memories or not, she was drawn to him.
“…This is… so embarrassing…”
Screee, screee.
Suddenly, a strange cry came from outside her window.
Iris leaped out of bed and opened it.
There was a bat. It was hanging skillfully from the window frame, staring intently at her.
“Are you, perhaps, one of Lord Yuuki’s familiars?”
“Yes, I am~!”
“It talked?!”
“You can understand me~?!”
The princess and the bat stared at each other in mutual surprise.
“This is a shocker~! Only the boss is supposed to understand a familiar’s speech~!”
“It must be fate!”
“Is that how it is~?”
“Well, perhaps by regaining my past life’s memories, I’ve become something closer to Lord Yuuki,” Iris suggested.
“That makes sense, then~!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Iris.”
“A pleasure to meet you, too~! My name is Niil. And I’m a girl, just so you know~!”
“Thank you for the clarification.”
“Not at all, the pleasure’s all mine~!”
Iris and Niil exchanged bows.
“I have a message from the boss. Would you like it on parchment, or should I just tell you~?”
“Both, please.”
“You’re a greedy one~.”
“That’s because I wish to receive everything from Lord Yuuki with my entire being.”
“Alrighty, then. I’ll tell you first. The parchment says the same thing~.”
Niil flew into the room. Iris closed the window and the curtains, then sat down on her bed. Niil landed on the back of a nearby chair. They drew closer and began to talk.
“First, let’s talk about what comes next~.”
“Please.”
“The boss has ordered me to stay by your side, Your Highness. To act as a messenger between you and him, and also as your guard~.”
“You have comrades with Lady Rhodelia at the Grail Trading Company as well, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. I can contact them, too~.”
“I understand. I’ll be counting on you.”
“Next, a message from the boss. He’d like you to teach him the ‘Ancient Magic’ you know of the next time you meet~.”
“Ancient Magic?”
“He says just using it in front of him would be fine. The reason is, uhm, let’s see~…”
“It’s because it’s necessary for exploring ‘Elysium, the Capital of Ancient Magical Civilization,’ isn’t it?” Iris cut in. “Lord Yuuki has only just joined the Magic Guild, so he knows very few Ancient Magic. He needs me to support him with my knowledge, right?”
“That’s pretty much it. You catch on quick. Very impressive~!”
“It is a subordinate’s duty to discern the will of my Lord.”
“Have you been in his service for long~?”
“Yes. For two hundred years.”
“You’re a true veteran~!”
“Oh, not at all. In fact, I’m rather envious of you, Niil.”
“You are~?”
“If I had wings, I could fly to Lord Yuuki’s side whenever I pleased.”
“Shall I pass that along~?”
“N-No! Please hold that thought. That was a bit too forward of me. As a maiden, I’d like to convey my feelings with words chosen a little more… carefully.”
“Understood~. I will wait, so please think it over~.”
“Huh? Oh! J-Just a moment, please…”
For some reason, her face began to burn. Niil would deliver her words to Yuuki. That meant, through Niil, Iris was connected to him.
I can… tell him anything, can’t I?
It was a secret line of communication, just for her and Yuuki… for her and her Lord. No one else could understand the bat’s speech. She could say any embarrassing thing she wanted.
Like how she felt when they first met.
Or how mortified she was in her past life when her Lord had to treat her wounds.
The words came bubbling up, one after another, but they were all too embarrassing to say out loud. She wouldn’t know what kind of face to make the next time she saw him.
No, no, I shouldn’t worry about it. After all, I’m going to become my Lord’s wife, and we’ll spend our entire lives together—
“———!”
“Why are you curled up in a ball~? What’s wrong, Lady Iris~?”
“I-It’s nothing…!”
Any more of this would be dangerous.
With that thought, Iris leaned in close to Niil’s ear. She whispered a few words, completing her message for her Lord. She asked Niil to pass it along during the regular nightly report.
After that… Iris dove back into her bed, pulled the covers over her head, and squeezed her eyes shut.
When night fell, she ate dinner in the dining hall while a maid worriedly asked, “Do you have a fever?”
Then she took a bath, changed her clothes, and promptly dove back under the covers.
In the end, she ended up correcting her message more than ten times before the night was over.
Chapter 2 Part 3
Odette was waiting in the reception room of the ‘Grail Trading Company’.
“That was quite a long time, wasn’t it? What were you talking about, exactly?”
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Odette.”
“Sorry about that. It took longer than expected.”
“…It’s not really a problem for me.”
Odette sighed as she rested her cheek on her hand. In front of her were plates of sweets, pancakes with honey-soaked fruit, fruit pies, and so on. Odette had left half of them untouched as she sat in her chair with a worried look.
“I heard that the ‘Grail Trading Company’ called the best pastry chef in the royal capital, but I couldn’t eat all the sweets. I’m tired of waiting.”
“I’m really sorry.”
“I’ll explain the situation, but first, I’d like some tea.”
I had been talking for a while, and my throat had gotten dry.
“Understood.”
After hearing my words, Rhodelia rang the bell in her hand. The maids then came and brewed some tea for us. After that was over, Rhodelia and the maids left the room. With only the three of us remaining in the room, Odette turned to me and said,
“So, what happened with the story of Iris’s dream?”
“It was true.”
“What?”
“I was the village’s guardian deity in Princess Iris’s previous life, and she was one of the villagers. Due to various circumstances, I was reincarnated in this era, and so was Princess Iris.”
Odette’s face was blank, and her hand trembled as she held the teacup, causing some of the tea to spill out. It seemed that I had indeed surprised her.
However, it was impossible to keep my previous life a secret from Odette. She had already heard about Iris’s dream and knew about the crest of the ‘Grail Trading Company’. If I tried to hide my previous life from her, the truth would inevitably come out later.
Besides, I did not want to lie to Odette. It was thanks to her that I understood Iris’s situation. If she had not told us about the crest of the ‘Grail Trading Company’, neither Iris nor I would have come here. We would not have met Rhodelia, nor would we have learned about the situation in ‘Feela Village’.
“…E-Er, um…”
Odette was fidgeting with her teacup. Then, she turned to Iris ──
“Iris… is it true?”
“Yes, it is.”
Iris took hold of my hand.
“Yuuki-sama was My Lord. I-I followed My Lord here.”
“W-WHAAAATTTTTT!?”
“In the future, I want to marry Yuuki-sama.”
“H-HUUUUHHHHHH!?”
“For me, it doesn’t matter what my position is as long as I can be by Iris’s side.”
“You always say things like that…”
“Iris is holding Yuuki’s hand, blushing…… Eh? What? Huh? EEEEEHHHHHH!?“
Odette was holding her head.
It was understandable.
Reincarnation is not something that usually happens, and there is no way to prove it. It was impossible to believe it.
Even if it looks like Iris and I are teasing Odette ──
“…I understand.”
“You understand?”
“Well, I don’t really understand, but I’ll say I do!”
“Is that okay?”
“Reincarnation and a village’s guardian deity. It doesn’t matter. What’s important is that my best friend, Iris, intends to marry my comrade, Yuuki. That’s enough for me to know.”
“Amazing, Odette.”
“The Duke Sorey family is a practical family. It’s natural to take care of what you can do.”
Odette stood up and looked straight at me.
“I agree that Iris and Yuuki getting married is a good thing. However, it’s difficult. The royal family selects their children’s marriage partners from noble families that are at least equivalent to a Marquis family or higher, or from royal families of other countries.”
“Yeah. That’s why I want to raise my peerage.”
“…Oh?”
“If I find two more ‘Ancient Artifacts’ in addition to the Holy Sword, my Baron family can become a Marquis family. And the ‘Ancient Artifacts’ are most likely in the giant dungeon, the ‘Capital of the Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium‘. So I’m planning to investigate that place when I have the chance.”
That would probably be as part of the job for the ‘Magic Guild’. And in that case, I’ll need a collaborator.
“So, we want you to overlook it, Odette.”
“We are not asking for your help. When Yuuki-sama and I enter the ‘Capital of the Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium‘, we’ll just secretly do some extra investigation.”
“We won’t inconvenience you, Odette… wait, hey.”
“GAH! AAAGH! AAAHHH!!”
Odette snapped!?
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Are you really telling me to rest in the dormitory while Iris and Yuuki are investigating the ‘Capital of the Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium‘!? I cannot do such a thing, can I!?”
“But we don’t want to inconvenience Odette…”
“It’s not an inconvenience!”
Odette placed her hand on top of mine and Iris’s. Then, with a gentle smile, she said,
“Rather, I want to help. I want to know if you two truly have memories from your previous lives, and if Yuuki really is like a guardian deity. Also, whether you guys can really find the ‘Ancient Artifacts’… What kind of mage would I be if I didn’t see that through?”
Odette pulled our hands towards her chest.
“Don’t leave me out. I can’t stand not being involved in something this interesting.”
“Thank you, Odette.”
“But, Yuuki, don’t you think it would be better to establish a new noble family than to raise your Baron family peerage with the ‘Ancient Artifacts’?”
“Is that so?”
“Think about it. It’s a hassle for your family to have an illegitimate child who has raised the family to the level of high nobility and is married to a princess.”
“Um, Odette, I don’t mind being Yuuki-sama’s mistress.”
“Please be quiet because it will complicate things, Iris.”
“Y-Yes.”
“Anyway, why not try finding all four ‘Ancient Artifacts’ and aim for the rank of Marquis from scratch? It’ll be easier that way.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Of course, I’ll keep this conversation a secret.”
“Thank you, Odette.”
Saying that, I looked out the window. The sun had already begun to set without me noticing. It was about time to leave. Iris had sneaked out, so she could not stay out for too long.
Odette and I let go of each other’s hands, and Iris reluctantly let go of mine. Then, we put on our robes and left the ‘Grail Trading Company’.
The general manager, Rhodelia, bowed at the entrance and remained in that position until we were out of sight. It was so long that the employees and passersby would stop in amazement.
We passed through the noble gate on the road that led to the dormitory. A white carriage was waiting by the gate, and Barnes-san was on the coachman’s seat. He noticed us and brought the carriage toward us.
“Your Royal Highness, please hurry. We are already well past the scheduled time. If it is discovered that you have left incognito, it will cause problems in the future.”
“I’m sorry to trouble you, Barnes.”
“Your Royal Highness’s troubles are my reason for living. Come on, let’s go quickly.”
Barnes-san got down from the coachman’s seat and opened the carriage door. Iris, who was dressed in a robe, climbed into the carriage while holding the hem of her dress. Her demeanor was that of a true princess, and she looked nothing like Alice, who had been a village girl. Alice had never even ridden in a carriage before.
Even though she has memories of her previous life, Iris is still a princess after all…
“…Please wait a minute, Barnes.”
Just as I thought that, Iris suddenly came running towards me. She came up close to me and looked up at my face.
“My Lord… You’re not going to disappear, right?”
She said that to me.
“You’re not going to disappear suddenly, right?”
“I won’t.”
“Okay. I believe you.”
Satisfied with my answer, Iris smiled and nodded. Then, she got into the carriage and returned to where the royal family lived.
“Hehe. That’s the first time I’ve seen Iris look like that.”
“May I ask you something, Odette?”
“What is it, Yuuki?”
“What does Princess Iris look like from the perspective of a best friend?”
“Her appearance is that of a clean and proper princess.”
“I thought so.”
“But she’s a strong-willed girl at her core. She knows what’s most important to her and is willing to do anything for it. It’s hard to just sit back and watch her.”
“She hasn’t changed at all.”
“Hehe.”
“Is this where we’re supposed to laugh?”
“No, no. I’m laughing at myself because I find it funny.”
Odette tilted her head and continued,
“After all, I’m starting to believe your story about your previous life.”
As we talked about such things, we returned to the dormitory.
Chapter 2 Part 2
Iris’s story ── her voice became teary towards the end. Eventually, she started crying, and before I knew it, she had buried her face in my lap. It was just like how Alice used to cry two hundred years ago.
“…Don’t cry, Alice. No… you’re Princess Iris now, right?”
“I-It’s annoying. I’m still Alice…”
“Rhodelia will laugh at you, you know?”
“I don’t care. Rhodelia-san is also tearing up…”
That was true.
Since a while ago, Rhodelia had been wiping her tears with a handkerchief. To her, the story was about her ancestors, and it was an old tale she had heard about for a long time. So it was not surprising that she was tearing up.
“From here on out, I’ll tell you the story that my ancestors have told for generations. It’s an old tale, and there may be some vague parts… So please forgive me.”
Rhodelia took a deep breath, then began to speak,
“After Alice Carmine set off on her journey, ‘Feela Village’ split into two groups.”
“Two groups? Did they have a falling out?”
“No. The village was very close-knit. They just had different goals.”
“Different goals?”
“Yes. There was the group that said, ‘Let’s create assets for My Lord and Alice, who will be reincarnated’, and the group that said, ‘Let’s infiltrate the Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple, and destroy it from the inside’.“
“…No way.”
“It’s true. My parents called them the ‘Merchant faction’ and the ‘Infiltration faction’.”
“In that case, this ‘Grail Trading Company’ wasn’t created by Gates alone ──”
“The people in ‘Feela Village’ who were skilled in commerce jointly created it. So they could take care of My Lord and Alice when they were reincarnated.”
Rhodelia smiled kindly and said,
“Lyle, Remilia, and other members of the ‘Infiltration faction’ pretended to follow the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘ and rose to high positions. This ‘Authentication Ancient Artifact’ was also passed down from them to our ancestors.”
“…I have a question, though.”
I raised my hand and interrupted Rhodelia’s story.
“I understand why Gates and the ‘Merchant faction’ established a trading company. Business is subject to luck and can be profitable if you ride the wave of the times.”
“That’s right.”
“But I don’t understand the ‘Infiltration faction’. Can they really rise to high positions in the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘ so easily? The Sanctuary Church should have had talented people, right?”
“…Hehe.”
“Did I say something strange?”
“No, I’m just happy. My Lord is just as it has been described in the story.”
Rhodelia smiled as she looked at Iris.
“That’s right, Your Royal Highness Princess Iris.”
“Yes, My Lord is too humble and doesn’t realize how great he is.”
Iris wiped away her tears as she spoke. She had somehow occupied my lap in the meantime.
“My Lord saved ‘Feela Village’ from the ‘Death Crest Disease’, remember?”
“That’s not all. Since My Lord came to ‘Feela Village’, there hasn’t been a single death from starvation in the village.”
Rhodelia took over Iris’s line.
“My Lord helped the sick children with his ‘Purification’ spell. Thanks to that, there were hardly any child deaths in the village. The monsters around the village were exterminated by My Lord and his familiars, so the villagers were not attacked. In other words, the villagers could live peacefully and reach their natural life spans.”
“Even today, I don’t think there are many villages like that.”
“Is that so?”
Rhodelia and Iris nodded in agreement at my words.
“Besides, My Lord taught the villagers magic research, agricultural, hunting techniques, and how to defeat monsters.”
“Oh, yeah. Because I can’t really understand something until I teach it to someone else.”
“On top of that, at that time, the literacy rate in the royal capital was only 30 percent, while it was 100 percent in ‘Feela Village’. Everyone there had been educated by My Lord, the ‘Immortal Mage, Lord of Nosferatu‘, for 150 years. The geniuses like Lyle and Remilia were born as a result of that education.”
Rhodelia smiled and continued,
“In short, in ‘Feela Village’, there were more talented people than in the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘.”
“What do you think would happen if my father and mother, who were exceptionally talented among them, acquired knowledge of ‘Ancient Artifacts’ and ‘Ancient Magic’?”
Lyle, a genius of effort, and Remilia, a natural genius. According to Iris, the two of them had analyzed the secret of the Holy Sword in less than a year. If those two were to acquire knowledge of ‘Ancient Artifacts’ and ‘Ancient Magic’ ──
“…It’s going to be pretty dangerous.”
“Furthermore, My Lord’s death allowed my father and mother to infiltrate the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘. There’s no way they would waste that chance.”
…That was undoubtedly true.
“Is there no record in the ‘Folklore’ about the results of Lyle and the others infiltrating the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘?”
“Unfortunately not.”
Rhodelia shook her head.
“After the war started, it seems that we lost contact with the ‘Infiltration faction’.”
“It can’t be helped, then. It was two hundred years ago, after all.”
If it were Lyle and Remilia, they might have been able to cause the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘ to collapse from within. Moreover, the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘ was not on guard against Lyle and the others.
To the priests of the church, Lyle was a hero who had killed the evil ‘Immortal Mage, Lord of Nosferatu‘. Therefore, they gave him the Holy Sword and welcomed him into the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘.
If Lyle and the others had tried to crush such an unguarded opponent… Yeah, there would be no chance of victory for the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘.
“That might be one of the reasons why the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘ was destroyed.”
Seriously, Lyle and Remilia were too reckless. I wonder what happened to their daughter, Mia, aside from Alice, who had been reincarnated. They must have properly kept their bloodline up to this day, right? I would not tolerate it if they went too far and let the lineage die out.
…Jeez. They were really something else. Even though I died peacefully in my previous life. Just what is this mess?
“That’s all for my story.”
said Rhodelia, concluding her speech.
“I would like to talk about the formation of the company as well, but I can’t keep Princess Iris any longer.”
“I’ll send my familiar to Rhodelia later.”
“Familiar? Is it a bat?”
“Yeah. If the company’s crest is a bat and an old castle, having a bat by your side wouldn’t be strange. I’ll explain the situation to my familiar, so use it as a liaison between us.”
“Understood.”
Rhodelia kneeled in front of me once again.
“The ‘Grail Trading Company’ and Rhodelia Koofy will fully support your life in this era, My Lord. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need any money or tools.”
“I’ll count on you. Oh, and… Princess Iris.”
“Y-Yes!?”
“Can I entrust my familiar to Your Royal Highness as well?”
“I’ll take care of it! I definitely will!!”
“All right. I’ll send it later as a liaison. Please tell me the location of Your Royal Highness’s room.”
“U-Um, Yuuki-sama!!”
Suddenly, Princess Iris took my hand.
“…What about… your promise with Alice?”
“Promise…?”
“Yes, that promise.”
“Is it the one Alice was talking about when I was treating the ‘Death Crest Disease’?”
“That’s right.”
“The one Alice murmured like a delirium, and I just let it pass?”
“Aren’t you deliberately avoiding the specific wording?”
“I know. When you grow up, Alice will be my wife, right?”
As I said that, Iris’s face turned bright red.
“Y-Yes… that’s right.”
“But you haven’t grown up yet, aren’t you?”
“It’s been two hundred years. Isn’t that okay?”
“What about Princess Iris’s feelings, even if Alice is okay with it?”
Undoubtedly, Iris is Alice’s reincarnated body, but she also has her own will as Princess Iris, who has lived up until now. It’s important to ask about that.
“Princess Iris is already in love with Yuuki-sama, who saved her life twice.”
Iris pinched the hem of her robe and bowed like a lady.
“I ask that My Lord take both Iris and Alice as wives.”
“Right. Anyway, I planned to protect Alice’s descendants forever. It’s even more so for the reincarnated Alice. If I’m going to protect you by your side, getting married is the quickest way, isn’t it?”
“That’s too casual, Yuuki-sama! I’m happy to hear that you’ll protect me for life, but if you could say something more romantic…”
“Well, you see. In my previous life, I was a guardian deity of the village for 150 years, remember? I took care of almost all the children in the village and even changed the diapers of Alice’s ancestors. Even if I’m told to feel that way towards their descendants right away, it’s difficult for me.”
“That’s a phrase that only an immortal lord can say…”
Princess Iris and I tilted our heads. Then we looked at each other and burst out laughing.
There was no need to rush. I just reunited with Alice, and Princess Iris has just regained the memories of her previous life. I, Yuuki Grossalia, am only thirteen years old right now, so there is no telling whether or not I will develop those feelings in the future.
But for now, we have time. So let’s take it slow.
“According to the customs of the royal family, Princess Iris can get married from the age of fifteen.”
Rhodelia, who had been watching our exchange, muttered suddenly.
“Furthermore, even if they are children of concubines, members of the royal family are said to only marry into other royal families or families of higher rank, such as a Marquis or above, either domestically or abroad. Of course, if that is your wish, our company will do everything possible to support your elopement, but…”
“That’s a last resort.”
I said.
“After all, we’ll attend the ‘Magic Guild’ from now on. If we go to the ‘Capital of the Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium‘ and find an ‘Ancient Artifact’, my peerage will go up, right?”
“Could it be that My Lord is planning to marry me legally!?”
“I can’t cause trouble for my family.”
If Princess Iris and I were to elope, the Baron Grossalia family would not get away unscathed. I do not know what would happen to Father, Xellos nii-sama, or even Rumia.
“So, first, let’s try to raise my family’s peerage. If unsealing the Holy Sword is considered an achievement, the Baron Grossalia family has already earned the right to become a Viscount. I just need to find two more ‘Ancient Artifacts’. They’re probably lying around somewhere.”
Besides, ‘Ancient Artifacts’ are something like relics of Lyle and Remilia. If they had destroyed the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘ and scattered them, that is.
I will find them. Lyle, Remilia. I will also find the descendants of Alice’s little sister, Mia.
“If that doesn’t work, we can just make it look like an accident and disappear. Princess Iris and the ‘Knight Escort’ might have the chance to travel together. We can come up with plenty of excuses, such as being attacked by monsters or being caught in a landslide. My family won’t be inconvenienced if we claim it’s due to circumstances beyond our control.”
“Understood, My Lord!”
“In that case, please let me assist you.”
Iris had a smile on her face, and Rhodelia had a sly grin as she clapped her hands.
Well, we have talked for quite a while. It was about time to go back.
“We have kept Odette waiting for quite some time. I hope she’s not angry.”
“It’s okay. Our company is doing everything we can to entertain her.”
“Odette has a weakness for sweets, after all.”
“As expected of the ‘Grail Trading Company’…”
With that said, I was reunited with Alice and a descendant of the village.
Now, all I have to do is gather the ‘Ancient Artifacts’ and follow in Lyle’s footsteps to find out what kind of recklessness the crybaby Lyle got up to. After all, I am the guardian deity of ‘Feela Village’, Dean Nosferatu.
Chapter 2 Part 1
Chapter 2 – The Folklore of ‘My Lord’s People‘
“Please let me get this straight.”
Things have become quite confusing.
── Princess Iris is Alice’s reincarnation.
── Rhodelia Koofy from the ‘Grail Trading Company’ is a descendant of the villagers of ‘Feela Village’.
── The villagers were expecting Alice and me to meet and had made preparations for it.
All this information came at once.
“At any rate, I understand that Princess Iris is Alice’s reincarnation.”
I stopped using honorifics. After discussing it, I decided to speak in the shoes of my previous life.
“Yes. And Yuuki-sama is the reincarnation of ‘My Lord’, right?”
“That’s right, but…”
Lyle, Remilia, and Alice… what have they done? It is impossible that they had Alice reincarnated a year after my death. That is just not normal.
“I wonder if Alice was not in pain, I hope not.”
“…Eh?”
“To reincarnate, you must pierce your body with the Holy Sword, right? I wonder if it didn’t hurt.”
“Well, that’s…”
Princess Iris placed her hand on her chest as if searching for her memories.
“…I think it probably hurt.”
“I thought so.”
“But compared to the pain in my chest when I discovered that ‘My Lord’ had died, it was nothing.”
Saying that, Iris held my hand again. Rhodelia was watching us while kneeling, with a pleased expression on her face.
“I remembered. If your surname is Koofy, then you must be the descendant of the craftsman, Gates Koofy.”
“As expected of My Lord. Thank you for remembering my ancestor.”
“I will never forget about my family. Oh, that’s right, he was good at calculations. He must have passed that on to his descendants and created a company like this.”
Gates, you’re amazing. You were strong and quick-witted. From my perspective, you were an easy-to-deal-with child, but you have created a company like this… I wish I could have seen that process. I wanted to praise you.
“Can I praise you instead of Gates, Rhodelia?”
“I-It’s an honor.”
“Can I pat your head?”
“To your heart’s content.”
“Good job. You did well protecting his company.”
I patted Rhodelia on the head. Gates used to be pleased when I did this.
He was smart, but he was also weak-willed. When Lyle took Remilia from him, he came crying to me.
“Iris, do you remember what happened after I died?”
“Yes, for Alice, it’s the closest memory.”
“Then, Rhodelia too. Please tell me what happened after Alice used the Holy Sword.”
“Yes, understood.”
“All right.”
I removed my jacket and used it as a cushion to sit on the basement floor. I then motioned for Rhodelia to sit as well. Iris also took off her robe and tried to ──
“Are you trying to sit on my lap!? I don’t think that’s a good idea, though!?”
“I-I’m sorry!?”
Princess Iris quickly stood up with a bright red face.
“E-Ehhh? That’s weird. I didn’t mean to do that.”
“Are you being influenced by Alice’s memories, perhaps?”
“Y-Yes, my body moved on its own.”
“……Okay, I don’t mind, but what should we do?”
“……I-I’ll just sit normally!”
said Iris as she sat down next to me.
It is kind of unsettling to think that Iris is the reincarnation of Alice, as Alice would always sit on my lap all the time.
“Rhodelia-sama, you know this from your ancestors’ traditions, right?”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness. So I only know rough details.”
Rhodelia then looked in my direction.
“But my parents have taught me about My Lord since childhood.”
“I see.”
“My family’s old tale begins with, ‘Once upon a time, there was a great man called My Lord’. The story ends with, ‘The Koofy family is actually My Lord’s vassal’. That’s one set of the story.”
“…Don’t make other people’s lives into old tales.”
“I also want to hear that tale.”
“Before that, can you tell me what happened after I died, Iris?”
I turned to Iris and said so.
“Yes, My Lord. I’ll tell you.”
Iris straightened her posture, placing a hand over her chest. She then began to talk about her memories from her previous life ──
After My Lord died, I could not get up for a while. It was not a symptom of the ‘Death Crest Disease’. It was because I stopped eating after hearing that my father had killed My Lord.
Eh? Don’t be reckless, you say…?
…Yes, you’re right. But at the time, I did not know that My Lord had been reincarnated. So I intended to follow in My Lord’s footsteps.
…I knew that it was not my father’s fault. He had no choice but to kill My Lord with his own hands to save the village from the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple’. I also knew that it was My Lord’s will. However… my body would not listen to me.
When I woke up in the morning and realized that My Lord was no longer there, I could not handle it. It was like I had already died, and my body just kept going on living ── that was what those days were like.
The situation changed when my father, Lyle, was appointed as a ‘Hero’ by the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple’. My father was granted the Holy Sword as a reward for defeating My Lord. After that, my parents, Lyle and Remilia, cooperated to conduct research on the Holy Sword.
These were what they told me,
‘Will you help us with the research?’
‘If our hypothesis is correct…’
‘You might be able to meet My Lord again.’
It all started with My Lord’s last words, “See you again”.
My Lord never lied to us. Since you said that, we thought there must be a way, so my parents decided to infiltrate the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple’ to find out.
After hearing the story, I jumped out of bed. I started eating again. Of course, as My Lord instructed me after the illness, I chewed slowly and swallowed little by little. As soon as my body recovered, I began to help with the research.
Thanks to My Lord, my blood had become closer to ‘Magical Blood, Mistel Blood’. With that, I was able to assist with their research efficiently.
And so, my parents discovered the secrets of the Holy Sword.
── The Holy Sword has the power to reincarnate the ‘righteous one’.
── There is one more use of this power left.
── Alice can be reincarnated at the same time as My Lord.
My parents asked me,
‘What would you do if you could meet My Lord?’
And I answered,
‘I will see him no matter what it takes.’
My parents allowed me to use the Holy Sword. I think they had no choice. They had watched over me, who had stopped eating anything after My Lord’s death.
Afterward, a second outbreak of the ‘Death Crest Disease’ occurred, so we were slightly delayed. But I, Alice Carmine, was able to use the Holy Sword safely.
And now, I am sitting next to Yuuki-sama… My Lord. Oh yes, my little sister was born safely. Were you worried, My Lord? The ‘Death Crest Disease’ was rampant at the time. You were concerned if the baby in my mother’s stomach would be born safely, right? She was a little infected, but we did something using my blood and the power of the ‘Purification’ spell that my parents learned from My Lord. Her name was Mia. She was a cute little girl.
When my parents sent me off, they told me to visit the crest with a bat and an old castle if I ever meet My Lord in the future.
I did not understand the meaning at the time, but it turned out to be something like this.
── The people of the village created a company and left it for the future.
── Thus, the village’s legacy is passed on to My Lord.
The crest with a bat and an old castle was needed as a marker for that.
After that, I received a message from my parents to deliver to My Lord.
From my father, Lyle ── Um, I’m sorry for the foul language…
“Don’t mess around, you damn old man. You planted the trauma of killing a family member in someone’s mind. Take responsibility and take care of my daughter. She’s not going to marry anyone but you anyway!”
From my mother, Remilia…
“…Fufufu. The ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple’, huh? Because of them, My Lord had to go through that… I’ll never forgive them. Never. I won’t leave the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple’ to the time when My Lord and Alice are reincarnated. While I’m still alive, I’ll erase them completely without leaving any trace.”
I’m sorry, but my mother also loved My Lord.
That’s about all I can remember now.
Lastly… Yuuki-sama… My Lord. I’m still a little confused about whether I’m Iris… or Alice. But this feeling is real. I wanted to see you… so much… I really missed you. My Lord… Yuuki-sama… Dean-sama… My Lord.
…My Lord… My Lord, you idiot.
…You died without my permission… do you know how much I cried!? You idiot, My Lord is an idiot… I missed you so much… I really missed you… I wanted to see you……!
Chapter 1 Part 2
This is the second reception room of the guesthouse. Here, the Duke’s daughter, Odette, and the 8th Princess, Iris, are facing each other.
“It’s been a while since we talked alone like this, Your Royal Highness Princess Iris.”
“Please call me ‘Iris’, Odette.”
“Then, with your permission… Say, Iris.”
Odette cleared her throat and continued,
“I’ve been thinking about it since earlier, but isn’t your attitude a little strange? Yuuki Grossalia passed the knight candidate exam and became your knight. He declared that he would forget about his past and prioritize you above all else. As a princess, shouldn’t you be happy about that?”
“…I know, Odette.”
“Then why?”
“Lately, I’ve had some strange dreams.”
“Huh?”
“A few days ago, I had a fever, remember? Since then, I’ve had some strange dreams.”
“What kind of dream?”
“I am in a certain old castle, and being taught by someone. That person has lived for a very long time and has been alive since my parents were children… like a village’s guardian deity.”
“I see. An immortal being, huh?”
“I’ve loved that person since I was little. But that person ── whom I called ‘My Lord’ ── died because of the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple’.”
“…It’s a strangely specific dream.”
“Moreover, it was my father who killed ‘My Lord’. My father was evaluated by the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple’ for killing ‘My Lord’, and he received the Holy Sword. But upon researching it, the sword had the effect of destroying evil and reincarnating good alignment beings.”
“Oh, I know.”
Odette clapped her hands.
“Is it possible that ‘My Lord’ had black hair and black eyes, was blunt but kind, and was strangely friendly?”
“How did you know, Odette!?”
“In other words, ‘My Lord’ is just like Yuuki. I see.”
“A-Anyway… the dream is very vivid, almost like another reality… and it subtly matches history.”
“How so?”
“The epidemic of the ‘Death Crest Disease’.”
“Oh, yes, such a thing did happen. Two hundred years ago, a deadly disease called ‘Death Crest Disease’ broke out twice.”
“That’s the one that appeared in my dream. When the ‘Death Crest Disease’ broke out for the second time, my parents Lyle and Remilia, used purification magic while giving blood to my newborn sister… I saw that in my dream…”
“I see. I understand.”
“You understand!?”
“Your ‘My Lord’ in the dream looks exactly like Yuuki Grossalia, and you were in love with that person in your dream, is that right?”
“……Ehhh?”
The princess’s face turned red all of a sudden. She covered her face with both hands, surprised by the sudden surge of emotions.
“……Y-Yes, that’s right…”
“Then let me tell you what the dream really is.”
“Is it a memory from my previous life…?”
“No, it’s a love disease!”
Odette declared, pointing at the princess.
“You fell in love with Yuuki, didn’t you?”
“T-Then, what about the dream? The people that Yuuki-sama mentioned in the dream, why did they appear in my dream?”
“Because you want to believe that it’s destiny between you and Yuuki, right?”
“Destiny?”
“Yes, you fell in love with Yuuki at first sight. But because love at first sight is a matter of the heart, you haven’t fully accepted it in your head yet. That’s why you created reasons to be interested in him. You heard about Yuuki’s dream and wanted to dream the same thing. That’s why the same characters appeared in your dream.”
“Isn’t that a bit different!?”
“Is it?”
“It is! Because in my dream, I liked the person who looked like Yuuki-sama very much… and that’s why the villagers… sent me away.”
“But there’s no way to find out, right?”
“…There is.”
said Iris, picking up an inkwell and pen from the desk. She then placed parchment paper on the desk and slowly ran the pen across it.
“In my dream, the villagers told me that if I ever met ‘My Lord’ in the future, I should look for this crest. They said that the village would prepare for our future by making it easier for us to find it.”
On the parchment was a crest that depicted a bat, with something like the shadow of an old castle floating behind it.
“They told me to find this crest and visit it with ‘My Lord’…”
“May I borrow this parchment paper, Iris?”
Odette took Iris’s hand and spoke.
“I have seen this before. We might be able to confirm whether the dream is true or not.”
“…Odette?”
“Hehe. I’m starting to enjoy this.”
said Odette, flashing a mischievous smile.
The next day, I was heading to town with Odette.
“Today, I’ll show Yuuki around to a recommended place.”
“A recommended place?”
I looked at Odette. Both of us are wearing long robes over our uniforms of the ‘Magic Guild’. This seemed to be the formal attire for the guild’s mages when they went out.
“Yes. It’s called the ‘Grail Trading Company’ with a long history. It seems to have existed since before the ‘War of the Eight Kings’.”
Odette said proudly.
I am glad to have her show me around town, but ──
“Why there?”
“Yuuki just came from a rural territory, right? It’s important to know about companies in the royal capital. As a mage, you may also acquire valuable items during exploration. After exchanging them, you can’t just leave the money in the dormitory.”
“I can’t imagine getting such valuable items, though.”
“What does someone who pulled out the Holy Sword say?”
Odette shrugged in disbelief.
“I told you before. The discovery of a new ‘Ancient Artifact’ raises the family’s peerage by one. You can even build a new house. Yuuki already has that right.”
“I didn’t find the Holy Sword. It was already there.”
“It’s as good as nothing if you can’t use it. If it becomes public that you removed the seal of the Holy Sword, the Baron Grossalia family’s peerage may be raised. With an elevated peerage, you should be able to increase your dealings with merchants.”
“In short, I should know about companies in the royal capital just in case, so to speak?”
Odette certainly has a point.
The ‘Holy Sword Rinkal’ is currently left in the Holy Sword’s cave because no one but Alice and I can pull out that sword.
After talking with Princess Iris and Odette, we decided to either replace it with a replica or publicly announce that we had removed the seal, whichever came first.
Odette’s invitation was in case I chose the latter.
“As expected of Odette. You are so dependable.”
“…Ehhh!?”
“I’m a countryside noble, so I don’t know these things. I appreciate your support. I really am glad that I met you, Odette.”
“W-W-What embarrassing thing are you saying!?”
“I just wanted to express my gratitude.”
“Nobles don’t say that directly. They write letters! They would usually speak about it in more roundabout ways in person. I’ll teach you next time!”
“Thank you, Odette.”
“Remember the way to the company. You may have to guide your family there someday.”
“I remember. Cross the first bridge and go through the noble’s gate, right?”
“That’s right… Oh?”
Suddenly, Odette stopped.
Beyond the cobblestone road, a pure white carriage was parked.
“Oh my. A carriage in a place like that. And that is what the royal family uses for their secret outings. Well, how strange.”
“But, why does Odette know about the secret carriage?”
“The Duke family is a branch of the royal family. But more importantly… My, my, what a surprise. That is Princess Iris. What a coincidence.”
“It’s not a coincidence, is it?”
It is impossible for Princess Iris to go on a secret outing when we are going out. They must have planned it from the beginning.
“…Well then, Your Royal Highness, I will come to pick you up later.”
“Thank you, Barnes.”
“I think it will be okay as long as you have Yuuki-dono and the Sorey family’s daughter by your side, but please be careful.”
The coachman driving the carriage was General Barnes. He waved his hand to Odette and me before riding off with the carriage.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Yuuki-sama, Odette.”
Princess Iris lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed. She was also wearing the uniform of the Magic Guild, with a long robe on top and a hood to hide her identity.
“I will accompany you to the company.”
“Your Royal Highness, is it okay for you to walk around like this?”
“I am also a trainee of the ‘Magic Guild’. I sometimes go out for guild work.”
“I thought I would let you two learn about society together since you haven’t used the company’s services before.”
Odette winked at me.
“I understand. I will accompany Your Royal Highness.”
“…Yuuki-sama, um, you don’t have to use honorifics.”
“…Is that so?”
“It’s a problem to be called ‘Your Royal Highness’ in public. So please call me Iris.”
“I understand. Then, Ali ──”
“Yes. My ──”
“Ah, I’m sorry, Iris.”
“T-That’s right, Yuuki-sama. Let’s go.”
“…Hehe.”
Odette’s meaningful smile bothered me, but we headed toward the town anyway.
“This is the famous ‘Grail Trading Company’ in the royal capital.”
Odette stopped in front of the building facing the street.
In front of us was a large building. It was bigger than the Grossalia family’s mansion where I used to live. The height is about three stories high, and the width is about the size of several ordinary households lined up side by side. In front, there is a double door guarded by armored guards wearing armor.
“The ‘Grail Trading Company’ has branches throughout the kingdom. You can deposit and withdraw money at any branch. In addition to handling the distribution and sale of goods, they also invest in other companies. They have branches in other countries, so it is said that the ‘Grail Trading Company’ will not fall even in times of war’.”
“I had heard about that, but this is my first time seeing it…”
Princess Iris’s eyes sparkle as she looks at the building.
“The ‘Grail Trading Company’ doesn’t do much business with the royal family. Even if they did, it’s unlikely that any of the royal family’s children would come this far. That’s why Iris didn’t recognize that crest.”
Odette pointed to the sign above the front door. Next to the name of the ‘Grail Trading Company’ was a small crest with a bat and a castle.
…That castle looks very similar to the old castle that I know. Is it just my imagination…?
While I was staring at the crest, Odette approached the security guards.
“I am Odette of the Duke Sorey family. We have an appointment with the general manager. Please confirm.”
“Understood! Please come this way!”
The security guards opened the door as Odette spoke. Iris and I followed Odette into the building.
“…Why are we meeting with the general manager?”
“When I said that I wanted to talk to an important person about an important matter, this is what happened.”
“I thought we were just here for a tour of the company?”
“Yes, we are here for a tour. We are just going to talk to an important person while we’re at it.”
Odette shrugged.
“I’m sorry, Yuuki-sama. I asked Odette to help me.”
“Iris-sama did?”
“I’m interested in this company’s crest. So Odette arranged for me to speak to the person who knows the most about it.”
“Even though I didn’t mention Iris’s name…”
“But still, we’re being treated like this. Odette is truly amazing.”
“It’s nothing. The Duke Sorey family has had dealings with the ‘Grail Trading Company’ for a long time. I have also deposited about a hundred gold coins.”
“As expected of the Duke family.”
“My family motto is ‘save money in preparation for a crisis’.”
As we talked, we were led to the reception room of the ‘Grail Trading Company’. We sat down in chairs and waited for the general manager to arrive. When I looked closely, there was the crest with the bat and the old castle. This one was a relief carved into a copper plate.
A bat and an old castle.
I wonder if this crest means anything to the company. Could it be related to me ── or, more precisely, to my previous life as Dean Nosferatu…?
“I apologize for involving you in this, Yuuki-sama.”
Suddenly, Princess Iris spoke up.
“But I must confirm it no matter what. Whether the contents of my dream are true or not.”
“The contents of your dream, whether they are true or not?”
“Yes. I was told to go to the place where this crest is with you, Yuuki-sama.”
“In your dream?”
“Yes.”
“By whom?”
“…The man who was my father in my dream. Lyle Carmine.”
── Eh?
“Iris… could it be…”
“After I met Yuuki-sama, I fell ill and had a fever. Since then, I have had some strange dreams. In the dreams, Yuuki-sama and I were really close to each other.”
Princess Iris grabbed my hand.
“I don’t mind if you laugh. I just really want to know if that dream is true or not.”
Her slender fingers slipped between mine.
This was Alice’s favorite way of holding hands with me two hundred years ago. “My Lord always runs off somewhere, so I devised this way of holding hands so you couldn’t escape”. That’s what she told me, and I remember it.
If she knows that, then… Princess Iris is ──
“Excuse me.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Thank you for waiting. I am Rhodelia, the general manager of the ‘Grail Trading Company’.”
The door opened, and a woman with gray hair entered. She is a tall woman, wearing a white shirt and pants and a tie.
“I haven’t seen you in a while, Odette Sorey-sama.”
The woman who introduced herself as Rhodelia stood before us and bowed deeply.
“Nice to meet you, Your Royal Highness Princess Iris Restia. It’s an honor to have you visit our company.”
“You recognize me?”
“If the general manager of a company doesn’t know the faces of the royal family, they wouldn’t be fit for the job. It’s an honor to meet you in person.”
“N-No, it’s me who should be thanking you for listening to my sudden request.”
Iris seems a bit confused still. She returns the greeting while still holding my hand.
“Odette-sama, could you introduce that person over there?”
“This is Yuuki Grossalia, the second son of the Baron Grossalia family. He’s an important friend of mine.”
“I see. Thank you very much for visiting us.”
The general manager, Rhodelia, bowed deeply to me, too.
“I am aware of Baron Georg Grossalia’s military achievements. I heard he defeated three enemy generals in battles against the eastern ethnic groups. I have been wanting to meet him in person.”
Impressive. The fact that she remembers my father’s achievements is remarkable. As expected of the general manager of a great company. She is still young, but she must be exceptionally talented.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Yuuki Grossalia.”
I greeted Rhodelia in return.
“However, I don’t quite understand the reason why I came here…”
“I will explain that to you.”
Iris looked at me with a serious expression.
“Rhodelia-sama, are you the general manager of this ‘Grail Trading Company’ and the chief executive responsible for the entire company?”
“That’s right, Your Royal Highness Princess Iris.”
“I heard that the ‘Grail Trading Company’ also has records from before the ‘War of the Eight Kings’.”
“Not all of them.”
Rhodelia shook her head.
“However, I have inherited the most important matters from all the general managers of past generations.”
“Then I will tell you. You can laugh it off as a child’s talk if you want.”
Princess Iris took a deep breath and continued,
“I am told that when Alice Carmine and My Lord meet, they should visit the location of the crest with the bat and the old castle when they meet. If they go there, they will receive ‘blessings’. Today, I came to confirm that.”
“………”
The company’s general manager opened her eyes wide at the princess’s words.
“…What does that mean, Your Royal Highness Princess Iris?”
When I asked, Iris whispered,
“…I came to confirm if the dreams I had were true or not.”
“…The dreams you had?”
“Yes. If those words are true, then they are memories of my previous life.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s a hundred percent the case. By the way, what were you told?”
“To fulfill the promise.”
“…The promise?”
“Yes. ‘We will prepare a dowry for you if you find ‘My Lord’ in the future. The entire village will work together, earn, and save money, and prepare for that moment by passing down the tradition for generations. When the time comes, you can withdraw and use it’, was what I was told.”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait.”
What are the people of ‘Feela Village’ thinking? The dowry… could it be for when Alice gets married? But it has been over two hundred years. Something like that should be impossible. If that had been passed down to this day, ‘Feela Village’ would be a cheat village…
“Yes, I understand.”
However, Rhodelia simply nodded.
“Do you know about it!?”
“Of course. This ‘Grail Trading Company’ exists for that reason.”
“…Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Where did the ‘Grail Trading Company’ originate?”
“I’ve heard it’s a village deep in the mountains. The first generation left there and started a business. That’s why the company uses the crest of a bat and an old castle to remember the scenery of that time.”
said the general manager, Rhodelia, politely.
“There is a legend from the first generation of the village.”
“A legend?”
“‘No matter how much time passes, we are the people of My Lord’, was passed down. I will explain in detail. Please come this way.”
She prompted Iris and me to move to another room. By the way, Odette is sitting in a chair, with her mouth open. I’ll explain it to her later.
We were guided to the basement of the ‘Grail Trading Company’. The general manager, Rhodelia, opened a sturdy iron door with two keys and beckoned us in. On the other side of the door, there was a board that appeared to be made of crystal.
“Please sign here.”
“What is this board?”
“It is an ‘Ancient Artifact’ that the general managers of the ‘Grail Trading Company’ have been protecting for generations. It is probably an original.”
“An original ‘Ancient Artifact’!?”
Princess Iris exclaimed.
Well, I can understand why she was surprised. ‘Ancient Artifacts’ are a hidden treasure among hidden treasures, and even the ‘Magic Guild’ only had replicas.
If this is really the original, how much would it be worth? Or rather, where did the people of ‘Feela Village’ get this from?
“This doesn’t have much power. It simply authenticates the handwriting and magic power of the registered person.”
Rhodelia then handed me the crystal board.
“Go ahead and sign.”
“Me?”
“That is what the legend says. In your own way, use your true name and magic power.”
“Understood.”
I dipped the pen in blood and wrote my name on the crystal board.
‘Dean Nosferatu.’
“…Yuuki-sama… ‘My Lord’.”
Tears fell from Princess Iris’s eyes.
“……Huh? That’s strange… my tears… won’t stop… why?”
“You’re Iris Restia… right?”
“I don’t know… I really don’t know… but… for some reason, I’m so happy.”
“Authentication complete.”
said Rhodelia.
The crystal board was glowing blue.
“We have been waiting for this moment for two hundred years, since the first generation.”
The general manager, Rhodelia, got down on her knees on the floor.
“I apologize for the delay. The general manager of the ‘Grail Trading Company’ has always been a descendant of the first generation for many generations. We have heard these words from our ancestors… from long ago.”
Rhodelia took a deep breath and looked at me.
“‘No matter how much time may pass, My Lord who saved us from the disease of death and sacrificed his life for us is the true ruler’, was passed down from our ancestors. I, Rhodelia Koofy, pledge my loyalty to you. And I will tell you what happened after My Lord and Alice Carmine departed on their journey…”
Chapter 1 Part 1
Chapter 1 – Report on the Completion of the Examination and Princess Iris’s Concerns
The ‘Selection Examination’ to become Princess Iris’s knight escort has ended.
I teamed up with Odette, and we safely reached where the Holy Sword was located, deep inside the cave. It was unexpected that we were attacked by Gilvan Kiers, possessed by the Dead Priest of the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘. I had to draw the Holy Sword to exorcist it, but as a result, I learned the secret of my reincarnation.
── My reincarnation was due to the power of the Holy Sword.
── Also, Alice Carmine, who was my family in my previous life, was reincarnated in this era.
Therefore, I decided to search for the reincarnated Alice. That said, I do not have any leads at the moment.
After the exam was over, the on-site verification by the examiners began. Odette and I were there to attend it.
“As expected. The amulet is destroyed.”
said Demeter, the examiner mage.
This is the entrance to the Holy Sword’s cave on the first floor of the “Capital of the Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium“. Other mages have also come to check the walls of the passage.
An amulet is an item that repels monsters. Apparently, the one that was placed in the passage was destroyed. That was why we were attacked by the priest of the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple’, who was a high-ranking ghost.
In the “Capital of the Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium“, which only members of the ‘Magic Guild’ can enter, the fact that someone can do such a thing means that there may be someone in the guild conducting sabotage, and there is a possibility that they are sympathizers of the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘.”
Come to think of it, the private tutor, Kachel, also praised the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘. In that case, it would not be surprising if Kachel had associates among the nobles or in the ‘Magic Guild’. What a troublesome person.
“May I speak with you for a moment, Gilvan Kiers-sama?”
“M-Me?”
“Yes. Regarding the undead that attacked us.”
When I said that, Gilvan looked reluctant.
Gilvan himself told us that the Marquis Kiers family was trying to manipulate the undead using Guiel Wolfgang. Demeter and Barnes also knew that the Count Wolfgang family is a lineage of ‘Necromancers’. To those who thought that this incident was Guiel’s own decision, Gilvan confessed that it was requested by the Marquis Kiers family.
It was apparently because of the pride of the nobles, but if that were the case, I wish that they had not interfered from the beginning.
“…Feel free to ask me anything. We have had our qualification to join the ‘Magic Guild’ revoked, and are awaiting judgment.”
Gilvan-Kiers slumped his shoulders.
“I’ll get straight to the point. Was it true that Gilvan-sama and Guiel-sama planned to interfere with the exam by using undead?”
“Yes. But… we never intended to summon the Dead Priest of the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘! It’s true!!”
“Just using Skeletons and Ghosts to slow us down?”
“Yes. That’s why Guiel was taught special ‘Ancient Magic’ by the Count’s acquaintance. But I’m sure he didn’t think it would turn out this way, either. Even I wouldn’t have asked for this if I knew… “
Gilvan Kiers covered his face with both hands.
“You guys are amazing. Defeating the Dead Priest of the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘ with ‘Ancient Magic’ and saving Guiel… It’s my complete defeat. Please forgive me… Yuuki Grossalia.”
“I don’t care about that.”
“Is that so…”
“More importantly, please investigate the person who taught that magic to Guiel. And also, the person who knows about this exam. Who was it that tried to make Guiel use necromancy at the moment the amulet was broken… That’s what I care about.”
“Wait! Do you even know what you’re saying!?”
Gilvan Kiers raised his face.
“Are you saying that the Marquis Kiers family and the Count Wolfgang family have worshippers of the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘?”
“I don’t know anything about that.”
“But that’s an insult!!”
“I just don’t want the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple‘ to cause trouble. That’s all.”
“Yuuki is right, Gilvan Kiers.”
Odette interrupted us.
“You understand the gravity of the situation, don’t you? If Yuuki didn’t defeat the Dead Priest, Guiel Wolfgang might have been turned into a vessel for the Dead Priest.”
“…Guiel, as a vessel for the Dead Priest?”
“He would have been used as a source of magic power, and in the end, even his spirit would have been consumed. We cannot let those who caused him such fate go unpunished, even if they are from the Marquis or Count family.”
“……You guys are right.”
Gilvan Kiers nodded dejectedly.
He was then supported by the mages and walked toward the exit of the dungeon.
The questioning and searching for the culprit will be left to the ‘Magic Guild’. For now, I must find Alice’s reincarnation.
“We’ll also return to the surface. We have to inform Her Royal Highness about the Holy Sword.”
“…Yeah.”
Odette and I decided to return to the surface.
“I have received your report. It seems that Yuuki-sama was the first to clear the exam.”
This is the reception room at the guesthouse. Odette and I sat across from Princess Iris, with a table between us.
“Of course, I have also heard about the accident. That Guiel Wolfgang was possessed by the Dead Spirit of a mysterious priest, and that Yuuki-sama and Odette defeated it with magic.”
“I didn’t do anything. It was Yuuki who defeated the Dead Priest.”
“No, if it weren’t for Odette’s help, it would have taken more time. It was thanks to Odette that we were able to save Guiel.”
“If Yuuki hadn’t pulled the Dead Priest off Guiel, I wouldn’t have been able to attack it.”
“During the exam, Odette and I were equal partners. So Odette should also be given proper recognition.”
“Yuuki is so stubborn!”
“That’s my line!”
“…Ahem.”
The Princess cleared her throat in the reception room.
I looked over and saw that, for some reason, the Princess’s cheeks were twitching, and she was looking at Odette and me.
“…You two seem to be very close.”
“I apologize. Yuuki is already the Knight Escort of Princess Iris, isn’t he?”
“Yuuki-sama will not be appointed as a knight escort until he receives a formal award in front of Father… which is fine, but…”
Princess Iris muttered, looking down.
“His achievement is important, but the fact that Yuuki-sama drew the Holy Sword was more significant.”
“I would like to try drawing it again later in the presence of Princess Iris. Then we can decide what to do with it.”
I said.
“However, I don’t want it to be known. If it’s known that a Baron family’s illegitimate child obtained an ‘Ancient Artifact’, it will cause a commotion among the nobles.”
“I understand. Let’s keep this a secret.”
Princess Iris nodded.
“After confirming that Yuuki-sama has drawn the Holy Sword, we will decide whether to study it ourselves or establish a separate research team.”
“Understood.”
“…Yuuki-sama is… truly amazing.”
Princess Iris stared at me.
Large blue eyes. Beautiful lips. The shape of her ears ── she really resembles Alice. But Princess Iris is two years older.
There are several ways to confirm whether she is Alice’s reincarnation.
First, her blood.
After reincarnation, I can use my ‘Magical Blood, Mistel Blood‘ just like in my previous life. Therefore, the blood that I gave Alice in my previous life might have left some effect behind.
If Princess Iris is Alice’s reincarnation, there is a good chance that she has blood similar to ‘Magical Blood, Mistel Blood‘. However, that does not mean I can ask for her blood directly…
The second method of confirmation is to let Princess Iris touch the Holy Sword, Rinkal.
Alice was also reincarnated with that Holy Sword. So even if I draw the Holy Sword and then let Princess Iris touch it, if there is any hint of ‘Erosion, Hacking‘, it should indicate that the Holy Sword is reacting to her.
The third method is to confirm it from her attitude and knowledge.
However, I have already told Princess Iris the names of Lyle, Remilia, and Alice. I told her it was a dream, but my intentions should have been conveyed if Princess Iris was Alice. If she still remains silent, she might be a different person, or her memories may not have returned yet…
Or could it be that she knows but is remaining silent? Since it is Alice we are talking about, there is a possibility that she is happy just by seeing my reaction.
Confirming whether the other person is a reincarnation of an acquaintance is rather difficult.
“…What’s the matter, Yuuki-sama?”
“It’s impolite to stare at the Princess’s face like that.”
“I’m sorry. I was just lost in thought.”
“You’ve just arrived in the Royal Capital, Yuuki-sama. It’s only natural to have a lot on your mind.”
Princess Iris smiled.
“However, I believe you will adapt quickly. From now on, Yuuki-sama will always be by my side as my knight escort.”
“…Yuuki.”
Odette nudged me with her elbow.
“…This is the perfect moment to say something clever. Princess Iris seems quite pleased that you’ve been chosen as her knight escort.”
“Got it.”
Something clever, huh? Well… I cannot think of any.
I was a village’s guardian deity in my previous life, and I am just the second son of a countryside noble in this life. I have never been in high society, and I have never been a knight. So I cannot think of something clever to say, even if I want to.
“I, Yuuki Grossalia, promise to become the knight who protects and serves Your Royal Highness with absolute loyalty.”
“Thank you very much!”
Princess Iris shook my hand.
Standing next to me, Odette sighed and said,
“…That’s just barely a passing grade.”
Well, I am sorry about that.
“The tea has gone cold. Let’s have it made again.”
Princess Iris rang the bell, and the maids entered. They took away our cups and made new tea. There are a few cookies on a small plate. If any is left, I’ll take them home for Martha and Remy.
“By the way, Yuuki-sama. You mentioned that you were told to protect me in a dream before, right?”
Princess Iris said as she held her cup of tea.
“Did I say that?”
“You did, right?”
“…Yes, I did.”
It happened on the day after I arrived in the Royal Capital.
Summoned by Princess Iris, I asked if Lyle, Remilia, and Alice were her ancestors. Ultimately, I could not determine whether the three of them were Princess Iris’s ancestors. During our conversation, I told her that I had dreamt of the three of them, and they had asked me to protect Princess Iris.
“Were they Lyle-sama, Remilia-sama, and… um, that appeared in your dream, Yuuki-sama?”
“You remember it well.”
“It was a memorable story.”
With the cup in her hand, Princess Iris looked at me and said,
“…Those people must have been important to you, Yuuki-sama.”
In a calm manner.
“That might be true.”
I took my time to reply.
Princess Iris then asked me with a gentle smile.
“Could it be that… one of them was Yuuki-sama’s former lover…?”
“No.”
“…Is that so?”
“I have never had a lover.”
“B-But… surely, there must have been someone important to you…?”
Princess Iris leaned towards me.
*Nudge. Nudge.*
Odette nudged me again.
“……Do you not understand how Her Royal Highness feel, Yuuki?”
Odette whispers softly into my ear.
How does Her Royal Highness feel? Then ── does that mean Princess Iris is Alice’s reincarnation, and she is asking if there is someone important to me among Lyle, Remilia, and Alice?
── I could not help but think that, but of course, Odette’s words were different.
“You will become the Princess’s knight.”
Odette looked at me with a serious expression and continued,
“As a knight escort, you must prioritize protecting the Princess. So Her Royal Highness wants to make sure you have the resolve to do so.”
“Thank you, Odette.”
She is dependable, as always.
As the soon-to-be Princess’s knight escort, I should respond accordingly.
“Of course, the most important person to me is Princess Iris Restia. Even if I had a lover or someone I used to have feelings for, they would not surpass Princess Iris. I have forgotten the past and know that my life is for Her Royal Highness.”
“……Is that so.”
“Oh?”
said Princess Iris with a slow reaction, and Odette made a strange voice.
“Wait, Yuuki, stay here for a moment.”
“Eh?”
“Princess Iris… no, Iris. Can we have some time to talk as childhood friends?”
“Eh, ah, yes. Of course. Odette.”
“In that case, I will borrow another room for a moment. You stay here, Yuuki. It’s a girls’ conversation, so don’t eavesdrop!”
said Odette, taking Princess Iris to a different room.
Side Story Part 2
Side Story 2 – Princess Iris’s Wish
A few days before leaving Baron Grossalia’s territory for the magic guild’s entrance examination.
The eighth Princess, Iris Restia, was talking with Odette Sorey at the Western Palace.
“I heard that you’re heading for the Baron’s territory. It will be a long journey. Please be careful, Your Royal Highness.”
“We are alone, so please, no formalities, Odette.”
“No. You never know who might be listening.”
Odette shook her head.
Iris is envied by the other princes and princesses because of her beauty and talent for magic.
That is why her best friend, Odette, was careful about what she said and did.
“Is he a promising one? The boy from the Baron’s territory, Xellos Grossalia.”
“According to Kachel Mieghem, who recommended him, he seems to be a very talented boy.”
Iris picked up the letter of recommendation.
In the said letter, the outstanding performance of Xellos Grossalia is described in the aristocrat’s characteristic language.
The information is in such a mess that it is hard to read.
“He is said to be good at ‘Body Strengthening, Boosted’ and ‘Summoning’ of ‘Ancient Magic’. Both his personality and character can be fully vouched for by the D-rank mage, Kachel Mieghem.”
“Can he be trusted? This Kachel Mieghem.”
“He is the eldest son of former Minister Longes Mieghem. There shouldn’t be any problem.”
“I see…”
Odette tapped her finger on the cup in front of her.
A clear sound rang out, she looked at Iris curiously.
“If the boy, Xellos Grossalia, is truly talented, then he might be able to become the ‘knight escort’ of Your Royal Highness.”
“…I am not thinking of appointing a ‘knight escort’.”
Iris murmured.
When a royal family member reaches a certain age, they can appoint a ‘knight escort’ for their own protection.
However, Iris was reluctant.
And that was because she has a secret.
It was the ‘immortality’ that she had inherited from her grandmother.
Her grandmother never aged. Even after giving birth to a child and reaching middle age, she still looked like a young lady.
The marquis, who had taken her grandmother as his wife, did not care about that but loved her for her intelligence and kindness. The same was true of the king who took Iris’s mother as his consort.
However, Iris, among her half-brothers and sisters, has always been under the gaze of curiosity.
That is why she was always hesitant to have a stranger close by.
“If it is alright with me, I am always happy to have a talk with you, Your Royal Highness.”
said Odette.
She knew about Iris’s constitution and that she was troubled by it.
Odette is one of the few people Iris felt comfortable with.
“I am ready to risk my life to protect Your Royal Highness.”
“Thank you very much, Odette.”
Iris replies with a smile.
But it will probably be difficult.
Odette’s family is of a Duke. Her status is too high.
If the eldest daughter were to become the princess’s ‘knight escort’, it would disrupt the balance of power among the nobles.
Odette’s father would love to have his daughter as a ‘knight escort’, but it would be impossible without a great deal of trouble.
“Your Royal Highness.”
“What is it, Odette?”
“I hope that one day, Your Royal Highness will find the right person.”
Odette smiled gently.
“Someone who understands you and will protect you. If there is no such person, please call out to me again. If the problem is that the Duke’s status is too high, then… I will point out my father’s mistake and arrange for his peerage to be lowered.”
“Oh my, Odette…”
Iris laughed.
(Someday, I will find the right person.)
For some reason, Odette’s words were carved into her heart.
She remembered her grandmother saying something like that.
“Why do you never age, Grandma?”
“Time is on our side. Someday, when Iris meets that special someone she thinks is the right person, you’ll know .”
“…Your Royal Highness?”
After coming back to her senses, Odette looked into Iris’s face
Realizing that she had been pensive, Iris looked up.
“It’s nothing. I’m sorry, Odette.”
“Your face is red. Please take good care of yourself before the trip.”
“…I will.”
“Then I will take my leave now.”
With that, Odette left the room.
Now alone, Iris heads for her bedroom. She sat down on the bed to take a rest.
“Someday, the person that will be my ‘knight escort’ will appear.”
Will that person appear?
Someone who she can share her secrets with and be there for her on top of it.
Lying on the bed, Iris closes her eyes.
“…I wonder if there really is someone… that I would want by my side.”
Someone other than Odette, someone who she can trust.
A ‘knight escort’ ── who will stay by her side and protect her.
“…If there is such a person… I wonder if they will really… understand.”
Murmuring softly, Iris then fell asleep.
TL Note: This is the end of Volume 1.
Side Story Part 1
Side Story 1 – Martha’s Job Consultation
“How are you feeling, Mother?”
Martha asked her mother, Melissa, when she returned home.
This is a village in the Baron’s territory. Martha’s house is located in the corner of said village.
Shortly before Yuuki’s older brother, Xellos’s entrance examination to join the magic guild, Martha took a day off to visit her mother.
“I’m worried because mother is always acting recklessly.”
“Thank you, Martha. But I’m fine. I also am not coughing anymore.”
Melissa answered as she hung the laundry in the yard.
Martha was relieved to see her mother looking well.
But to be sure, she took the laundry basket from her hands.
“Martha will hang the laundry. Mother can go make some tea.”
“Yes, yes.”
Melissa trotted into the house.
Martha’s mother was chronically ill. With regular use of herbs, she would not have a cough or fever.
It was around the time of a nasty cold epidemic a few years ago that her mother became ill.
The cold, in combination with her usual cough and fever, was really bad at one point.
At the time, her mother, Melissa, was still working for the Baron family. But she was in no condition to work.
Thus, in her place, Martha became the Grossalia family’s maid.
“It’s been five years since then…”
“What about another year, Martha?”
Before she knew it, Melissa was standing behind Martha.
She looks at her daughter, who is hanging the laundry, with gentle eyes.
“Now that I can work as well, if there’s anything you want to do, please don’t hesitate to tell me, Martha.”
“Things that I want to do?”
“I mean, you can look for a commuting job instead of a live-in job. You wouldn’t feel rested spending all day at the Baron’s mansion, right? Besides, it’s time to start looking for someone to marry at your age.”
“…I hadn’t thought of that.”
“By the way, Martha.”
“What is it, mother?”
“Why do you keep going through my nightgown pockets?”
Hearing that, Martha looked at her hand.
Her hand was carefully going through the pocket of the just-washed nightgown.
Martha blushed when she realized it. Without thinking, she withdrew her hand and looked at her mother, and said,
“I-It’s not what you think. It’s because Yuuki-sama often puts nuts and medicinal herbs in the pockets of clothes.”
“Is that so?”
“The other day, there was a piece of material in his pocket that he got after defeating a monster, you know? I took it out before washing it and gave it back to him, but he said, ‘That’s for you, Martha’. So I had no choice but to go to the market and exchange it for some high-quality soap that’s gentle on hair, which I left in the bathroom.”
“…Heehh.”
“Yuuki-sama really is a troublesome person.”
“But we owe Yuuki-sama a debt of gratitude, don’t we? It was Yuuki-sama who told the Baron to let you work at the mansion. He also often gives us the medicinal herbs to cure my cough, doesn’t he?”
“I don’t mean to speak ill of him. Besides, if Yuuki-sama gets too dependable, Martha will have nothing left to do…”
Martha’s voice got quieter.
For some reason, she felt like she was saying something embarrassing.
Her mother, Melissa, is grinning in front of her.
It’s good that her mother is feeling better, but she wishes that her mother could stop teasing her about Yuuki.
She does not hate it, but it does leave her perplexed.
…I do not know what kind of face to make, Martha ponders.
“Listen, Martha.”
“Yes, mother?”
“I’m fine now. So when the time comes for you to decide your future, please be honest and choose what you want to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yuuki-sama is an illegitimate child. He can’t stay in the Grossalia family’s mansion forever.”
“…I know that.”
Yuuki will soon leave the mansion to attend school.
It is Baron-sama’s school of choice, so it is probably not for commoners.
Still, it is not always a place where maids can go either.
“…Martha would like to help Yuuki-sama if possible.”
“That’s fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Melissa patted Martha on the head.
“Besides, there is still time. Maybe something extraordinary will happen, and Yuuki-sama’s status will rise. Then Martha will still be of service to him.”
“Yeah. Yuuki-sama has amazing abilities, after all.”
In particular, his talent for magic is in a different league.
She cannot even tell her mother about this because Yuuki told her to keep it a secret.
“…Yuuki-sama sometimes says, ‘I trust Martha more than myself’.”
So let’s secretly ask him when there’s an opportunity.
What kind of path does Yuuki intend to take in the future?
Martha is wondering if she can keep up with it.
“Come to think of it, Xellos-sama’s entrance examination to join the magic guild is coming up soon.”
During the exam, Martha and Yuuki will be staying at an inn in town.
Let us talk about it then.
Can Martha continue to help Yuuki?
Would it be okay for Martha to stay with Yuuki?
Martha began to think about it.