Bonus Chapter 4 – Duchess Odette’s Worries

“Yuuki’s past life was a village guardian deity, and Iris’s past life was the villager who reincarnated to follow him…”

That night, after the three of them had been researching in the library—Odette sat in a chair in her room, her head in her hands.

In front of her was a magic tome from her family’s archives. After hearing their story, she had become curious and tried to look up reincarnation. But there was no mention of it in any of her books.

Of course not. Theirs was a reincarnation caused by an ‘Ancient Artifact,’ and Yuuki himself had been an immortal mage—not, in the purest sense, human.

“But… that isn’t the real problem.”

The real problem was that Yuuki was so… reckless.

It had been the same during the Guardian Knight Selection Trial. If he had only wanted to win, he would never have needed to draw the Holy Sword. If they had just attacked with ‘Ancient Magic,’ they could have sealed the specter’s movements. If they’d bought time, the proctor Demeter and General Barnes would have come to their aid. With their help, they could have vanquished the specter.

“And yet… Yuuki drew the Holy Sword. He did it…”

To save Gael Wolfgang.

The longer someone was possessed by a specter, the weaker they became. Eventually, their mana and life force would be completely drained, leading to death. Even if it didn’t go that far, their personality could be destroyed. If they had taken too long to defeat the specter, Gael Wolfgang might have been permanently broken.

“Then again, knowing Yuuki, he might have just been angry at a specter from the Sanctuary Church.”

Giving up on her reading, Odette flopped onto her bed.

“He is truly a troublesome person.”

Odette still didn’t know if their story was true. But she couldn’t believe it was a lie, either. She just had to look at Iris. They had been childhood friends. Odette had watched her grow up and could tell when she was lying—which was almost never.

And Iris’s eyes… they were, without a doubt, the eyes of a girl in love.

That being the case, the story of their past lives gained a great deal of credibility. Which meant the story about Yuuki dying to protect his village was also true.

“—He really was an incredible person, wasn’t he?”

It didn’t matter to Odette that Yuuki had been an immortal mage. The fact that he had laid down his life for his village, and that his people had adored him for two hundred years after his death… that, she thought, was truly amazing.

Odette’s family was a ducal house. They were a prestigious family, connected to the royals, and they ruled over a vast, rich territory. They governed it well enough. But—

“Would any of our people continue to adore a lord for 200 years after his death?”

In that, House Sley had already lost to Yuuki. Thinking about it made Odette smile.

The trouble was that Yuuki held her in such high esteem. It was, frankly, an overestimation. He had said it as they left the library: “I trust you, Odette.” “You’re loyal and have a strong sense of justice.” “You’re the one who should lead the Magic Guild.”

“—It’s difficult when he says things like that.”

And what made it worse was that he meant it. He truly trusted her. He wouldn’t have revealed his true identity to her otherwise.

Of course, Odette trusted him, too. He was a friend she could entrust her back to. He was the first boy she had ever felt that way about.

“…But one day… they will go far away.”

Odette hugged her pillow, pressing it tightly against her face. What is wrong with me? Just the thought of them leaving was enough to bring tears to her eyes.

“…I know. I know it’s for the best.”

An immortal like Yuuki couldn’t stay in one place. If he never aged, people would become suspicious. In fact, that’s what had gotten him killed in his past life. And Iris had no intention of leaving his side. If he went, she would follow.

So, one day, Odette would lose her friends. And the more important Yuuki became to her, the greater the sense of loss would be when he left.

“I have to prepare myself for that day.”

I will become stronger, she thought. As strong as them. While we’re together, I’ll study ‘Ancient Magic’ and master it. I’ll sort things out with my family. I’ll make sure I’m not a burden to them.

If I do all that… then maybe I can stay with them, at least for as long as I want—

“—Wait, why am I planning all this based on going with them?!”

Rumble, rumble, rumble.

Odette clutched her head and rolled around on her bed. This is wrong. She was supposed to be thinking about how to get stronger so she’d be okay without them. But somewhere along the line, she had started planning to get stronger and sort out her life so she could follow them.

“C-Calm down, Odette Sley.”

She pressed a hand to the chest of her nightgown and took a deep breath. She sat up, smoothing her golden hair, which had been hopelessly mussed from her rolling.

“…This is all Yuuki’s fault.”

She had to calm down. The orientation was in a few days. Luckily, she and Yuuki were in different groups. A day apart, without even talking, would surely help her get her feelings in order.

It had to. Otherwise… this was bad. At this rate, Yuuki’s presence in her heart would just keep growing and growing—

“I-I’m fine. I’m fine.”

Deciding she needed some fresh air to calm down, Odette went to the window, only to realize she’d forgotten to close the curtains. Her eyes fell on the building next door, Yuuki’s lodging.

Just then, the shadow of a bat flitted past. For a split second, she thought it was Yuuki. She instinctively started to raise her hand to wave—and then collapsed back onto her bed.

“…This is… a serious case.”

It must just be the stress of the upcoming orientation, she tried to convince herself. She pulled the covers over her head. “I’ll be calm once the orientation is over,” she repeated to herself, closing her eyes.

She fell asleep a few minutes later. She couldn’t remember what she dreamed, but for some reason, she woke the next morning in a happy mood.

And so, Odette began to prepare for the orientation. Little did she know that immediately after it ended, she would be setting off on a journey with Yuuki, just the two of them.

Bonus Chapter 3 – Yuuki and Rhodelia’s Item Development Meeting

A few days before I was to leave on my search for Fira Village, I paid a visit to Rhodelia at the Grail Trading Company.

“Here are your new staff.”

We were in the company president’s office. Rhodelia placed five cloth-wrapped staff on the table in front of me.

“These are even lighter and more durable than the one you used against Alex Kielce. They also have higher heat resistance, so they should be able to withstand your fire magic, My Lord.”

“Sorry to put you through the trouble.”

“Not at all. Our craftsmen were eager to test out some new techniques.”

“I appreciate it. I’ll be sure to pay you—”

“Are you trying to make me angry?”

“Why?!”

“How many times must I tell you?” Rhodelia sighed. “The Grail Trading Company was created to support your reincarnation, My Lord. The only reason our company has survived this long is because you educated our ancestors in Fira Village. And you intend to pay us? What are you thinking?!”

“Am I the weird one here?”

“Given the circumstances, please just accept them.” Rhodelia smiled, covering her mouth. It was clear she had no intention of taking any money.

“Fine. I’ll gratefully accept them.”

“Thank you.”

“In exchange, I’ll give you some information. Something that should be useful to the Grail Company. Or rather, I wanted to tell you and get your opinion.”

“Oh? And what might that be?”

“It’s about the Lord of Phantoms I fought.”

The Lord of Phantoms was a giant suit of armor that a person piloted from within. It had a weakness—it drained the user’s mana and life force—but that was only because it was sealed. The one who sealed it was the ‘Traitor Sage,’ Lyle Carmine. My… son. And the friend of Rhodelia’s ancestor.

“Does your family have any records of the Lords?”

“No.” Rhodelia shook her head. “My ancestors and the infiltration team cut off all contact.”

“To avoid suspicion from the enemy, right?”

“Yes. The Sanctuary Church was powerful, and deeply suspicious.”

“And Lyle stole a Lord from them…”

“As expected of the infiltration team. I am so proud.”

“I’m going to go look for it. When I find it, would you be willing to store it at your company?”

“You would entrust it to us?!”

“I can’t exactly keep it in my lodging. Besides, the technology used in the Lords might be useful to the world. I know you won’t misuse it, Rhodelia. Will you research it with me?”

“…Thank you very much, My Lord.”

It was sudden. Rhodelia dropped to her knees before me and took my hand in hers.

“On behalf of my entire clan, I thank you. Our duty to protect the company and to preserve your legend… it was all correct. I am grateful to have met you in my lifetime.”

“Hey, listen.”

“Yes?”

“I’m just a village guardian deity. Just because 200 years have passed, you don’t need to be so formal. I just want to live a normal life in this era, pretending to be human.”

“I understand your wishes, but…” Rhodelia paused, thinking. “But… serving you is something of an instinct for me.”

“That’s a weird instinct.”

“If I don’t, I feel you’ll just go and do something reckless again. For my clan, you are… well, you are the guardian we can’t leave alone.”

“The guardian you can’t leave alone?”

“You are kind, and clumsy, but you always put us first, and you’re reckless if you’re not watched. That is the kind of person you are. Our ancestors thought, ‘If he returns, we must support him so we never lose him again.’ It was that feeling that allowed them to survive the chaotic era of the ‘War of the Eight Kings.’”

“…I get the picture.”

Well, I suppose it couldn’t be helped. If her entire family had been like this for centuries, I couldn’t expect her to change overnight.

“Fine. Do as you like. But in public, I need you to treat me like a normal boy.”

“I shall endeavor to do so.”

“What’s with that sly smile?”

“However, if you are to be involved with the Lords, there will be danger. You must permit me to design and prepare countermeasures.”

“I can agree to that.”

“Then let us design some new weapons together!”

Rhodelia was beaming. I had a feeling I’d had a very similar conversation with her ancestor, 200 years ago.

“In the end, your whole family just loves this stuff, huh?”

“My clan is one of meticulous artisans, My Lord.”

“I know. And you have a sharp mind for business, too.”

Rhodelia’s ancestor—Gates the craftsman—had been the same. Whenever he had a new idea, he’d come running to my castle to consult with me, and we’d build it together. We’d brainstorm ways to improve the water wheel or make more effective traps. And then he’d go sell them in the town at the foot of the mountain.

They were good memories. It seemed that meticulous nature and business savvy had been passed down to Rhodelia as well.

“—and if we do this, I think we can make a weapon that uses my ‘Mistel Blood.’”

“—Understood. I will arrange for the proper materials.”

“—Make it small enough to hide under my robe.”

“—The cost per unit would be… but considering the strength…”

We ended up getting carried away, excitedly discussing such things late into the night.

Bonus Chapter 2 – After the ‘Lord of Phantoms’ was Sealed

This was a warehouse established within the Magic Guild. Its deepest, most secure level.

It was the vault for First-rank Sealed Ancient Artifacts, and Second Prince Cain stood within it. It was a place that could only be reached after passing through countless layers of security.

The bare, cavernous room housed a single suit of gray armor, the one-armed ‘Ancient Artifact,’ the Lord of Phantoms. Its severed left arm, along with the thin auxiliary arms from its back, lay on the floor nearby. The cuts were perfectly smooth. It was impossible to imagine what kind of sword or magic could have severed it.

“…Interesting.”

In the center of the vault, Prince Cain murmured to himself, his eyes shining with curiosity. As a B-rank mage, Cain could view the sealed artifacts as long as he filed an application. He had used this privilege to come and see the Lord of Phantoms many times.

“I was truly born in an interesting time.”

“I thought I might find you here, Your Highness.”

A voice suddenly came from behind him. He turned to see a green-haired woman in a robe—the C-rank mage, Demeter. She stood on the other side of a barred wall; as a C-rank mage, she was not permitted to enter the inner sanctum.

“Your Highness, a messenger has arrived from the palace. It is time for your political duties.”

“You’re so serious, you know that?” Prince Cain shrugged. “The legendary ‘Ancient Artifact’—a Lord—is right here. You’d think they could grant me a little time to observe it.”

“I understand how you feel, but…”

“I know. Since you’re here, why don’t you give me your opinion?”

“My opinion, Your Highness?”

“Yes. This Lord. Don’t you think it was built on a completely different philosophy than other ‘Ancient Artifacts’?” Cain spread his arms, waxing ecstatic.

“‘Ancient Magic’ is what expands human potential. It can be made more efficient through incantations and sigils. A single person can move multiple objects or attack scattered enemies at once.”

“Yes. Thanks to that, monster subjugation has become more efficient, and humanity’s domain has expanded.”

“And ‘Ancient Artifacts’ are also tools for human convenience. The Guild itself has created replicas, resulting in the Boosted Enhancement spell everyone can use, or our mana-measuring devices.”

“They are the very source of this kingdom’s strength.”

“But this Lord is different,” Cain continued, his tone shifting. “I believe the Lords were created for the purpose of remaking humanity itself into a stronger existence.”

“For example, Demeter. What if your mana was limitless?”

“Limitless mana, Your Highness?”

“That’s right. What if you had so much mana you could wear this Lord of Phantoms indefinitely? Wouldn’t you become an invincible existence, bound by no one?”

“I understand what you are implying,” Demeter nodded. “And you wish to say that since ‘Ancient Magic’ cannot stop a Lord, if someone could truly bond with one, there would be no way to defeat them? That the Lords are ‘Ancient Artifacts’ that remake a human into a being an ordinary person could never hope to match?”

“Impressive, Demeter. You catch on quick.”

“But that presents a contradiction. This Lord of Phantoms is here precisely because it was defeated by someone.”

“And that only happened because this one is incomplete, or perhaps because its pilot was not a suitable candidate. Don’t you think?”

“I understand that as well. But that is merely a hypothesis.”

“Yes. A hypothesis.” Cain turned back to gaze up at the Lord of Phantoms. “And to prove it, I want a Lord of my very own. One that I can pilot perfectly. One that I can truly become one with.”

“A replica could likely be created within your lifetime, Your Highness.”

“But what about an original?”

“Do you truly believe anyone exists who could perfectly handle an original Lord?”

“Who knows?” Prince Cain turned his back on the armor and began to walk. The messengers from the palace were probably getting impatient. He had to return to his duties.

“Hypothetically, if someone did exist who could use an original Lord in its perfect form, we would have no means of controlling them.”

“…Let us pray that person is not our enemy.”

“I don’t care either way. As long as I could discuss the nature of magic with them.”

“Your Highness…”

“I know, I know. I was born into the royal family. I have a duty to protect this country. I cannot prioritize the pursuit of magic over all else. I am well aware.”

Prince Cain sighed and walked toward the vault’s exit. He pushed open the heavy, double-sealed doors—designed to keep the artifacts in—and squinted at the light.

“As a prince, there is a limit to how high I can climb as a mage… But even so.”

He looked back at Demeter one last time.

“I would give anything to meet the greatest mage in this world. Someone with wondrous talent, who could perfectly control a Lord. I want to meet them, to know how they see the world. Surely, I can be allowed that small desire?”

And with that, Prince Cain left the vault where the Lord of Phantoms slept.

Bonus Chapter 1 – Princess Iris’s Romance Consultation

That night, after Yuuki had visited Iris’s chambers…

“…I’m finally my Lord’s vassal.”

Iris tossed and turned in her bed. She couldn’t sleep. Today, for the first time, Yuuki had come to her private room. They had been able to talk, just the two of them. It was the first time in 200 years, counting her past life.

She felt as if his presence still lingered in the room, and a smile crept onto her face.

“Now… he can summon me whenever he wants. We can be together…”

Iris touched her wrist, feeling her own pulse. The blood flowing through her veins was now mixed with his. Just thinking about it made her heart pound.

“As his vassal, I have to be ready to be summoned at any time.”

“Are you talking about summoning~?”

“—Huh?”

A voice suddenly spoke. When she looked, a single bat was perched on her windowsill.

“Oh, it’s you, Niil-san. You startled me.”

“Iris-sama, do you want the boss to summon you~?” Niil asked, tilting her head. “If you want him to, I can go tell him~!”

“Please wait!”

“Wait~?”

“…I do want him to. I really do, but…”

But if she were summoned, she would have to make him bring her all the way back here again. She felt bad about causing him that much trouble.

…But I want to see him.

…I want to see him right now and throw my arms around him.

“But… when he summons me, I… I end up in my underwear.”

“Nothing to worry about~!”

“You really think so?”

“I’m naked, you know~?”

“That might be fine for a bat, but…”

“Besides, I don’t think the boss minds that sort of thing at all~.”

“…You’re right.” Iris sighed. “But that’s precisely the problem.”

It had been the same in her past life. Her Lord hadn’t been the least bit flustered, even when he saw Alice in her underwear.

Of course, she had been just a child back then, and he had looked after her since the day she was born. He had babysat her, helped her change, and wiped the sweat from her brow when she was sick. It made sense that he wouldn’t feel flustered by the Alice of that time.

But the Iris of today was different.

Yuuki didn’t know the young Iris. They had been born and raised in different places and had met as if by fate. Iris had been raised as a princess, had learned etiquette, and possessed at least some small amount of grace.

And yet—

“My Lord doesn’t see me as a girl at all!”

“Lady Iris, you’re Alice from Fira Village, right~?”

“Yes.”

“So the boss just thinks of you as someone he’s close to. Someone he trusts completely~.”

“…I’m happy about that, but…”

What could she do? Her Lord thought of his past-life Alice as family. That was why he treasured the current Iris. But because of that, he didn’t see her as a woman.

Their current relationship was still that of Dean Nosferatu, the immortal guardian of Fira Village, and Alice, the village girl.

He had, of course, promised to marry her, but…

“It’s not fair that I’m the only one in love.”

“What are you going to do about it~?”

“I’ll make my Lord fall in love with me, even if it takes my entire life.”

“How, specifically~?”

“I don’t know, but…”

But she had to. She had to make this 200-year-old love a reality.

Iris closed her eyes, clenching her fists in determination. In her mind, she saw the faces of her past-life father, Lyle, and her mother, Remilia. Both were grinning at her. “Go for it, Alice! Show My Lord what you’ve got!” “Unleash those 200 years of feelings, Alice!”

“I don’t know how,” Iris said, her resolve firm, “but I’ll do my best. I’ll do everything I can.”

“Okay! Niil will cheer for you, too~!”

“In my past life, my Lord always said, ‘Start with the easy parts of a hard problem. And if you don’t know, ask someone.’ I’ll follow his advice.”

And with that, Iris sat at her desk and began to write a letter.

The next day, Odette came to the western villa.

“What is it, Iris? To call for me so suddenly.”

“I’m sorry, Odette. I had something I needed to discuss with you.”

“Discuss? Very well. I am listening.”

Iris and Odette sat in chairs across from each other at a table. Odette looked tense. Iris took a deep, steadying breath, and then—

“This is purely hypothetical, of course… but how do you think one would make a much, much older man—who only thinks of one as a daughter—fall in love with them, Odette?”

“If you’re not even going to try to hide it, you don’t need to call it hypothetical!”

After her initial outburst, Odette listened to the rest of the story with rapt attention. She, it seemed, was quite taken with the theme of ‘How to Make Yuuki Fall in Love.’

And so, the two girls talked excitedly for hours. But on this day, neither Iris nor Odette could possibly have known that this ‘council’ would be held again and again, many times over.

Chapter 10 – The Former Demon King Goes on a Journey

What Odette’s father had done became a massive scandal at the Magic Guild. He had used the daughter of a count, Therese Michel, to put his own daughter in harm’s way—and during an official Guild orientation, no less. The senior mages were, justifiably, furious.

In the end, Odette’s father was summoned by the Magic Guild. The summons was issued in the joint names of Princess Iris, the high-ranking mage Prince Cain, and General Barnes. The duke, upon receiving the letter, hastily sent a messenger in his place. He himself was absent due to poor health—which, apparently, wasn’t a lie. The poor health was just a direct result of his scheme being exposed.

In front of the Guild’s senior mages, the Sley family messenger presented a letter, handwritten by the duke himself. It contained a vow to never interfere with Odette again and to grant her complete freedom until she willingly chose to leave the Magic Guild.

Lady Therese Michel got off with a light punishment. In a way, she was a victim, too. After a few weeks of suspension, she was allowed to return to the Guild.

As for Duke Sley… he reportedly vanished from high society. The reason, it seemed, was that the other ducal houses had found out what he had done. Well, that was to be expected.

Conversely, Odette’s reputation soared. Tales of her strength and her defiance of her own family to pursue the path of a mage began to inspire others.

“I’m not sure what to do with all the love letters I’m getting from the female mages,” she told me, blushing.

In any case, the most important thing was that the problem was solved.

A few days after the incident had settled down, Odette and I left the capital on a public carriage. Our destination was to the north of the capital, to the ruins of Fira Village, located in the lands of the border noble, Count Thorias.

If my guess was correct, that was where Lyle had hidden the Lord he’d stolen, the Lord of Nosferatu.

“It will be three days by carriage, one day by boat, and about a day on foot to reach the village,” Odette said, reviewing the route on a map inside the carriage.

The lands north of the capital were directly governed by the royal family. Further on, there was a town on the coast of an inland sea—a prosperous trading hub, rich with seafood. After crossing the sea to the north, we would enter the territory of a noble named Count Thorias. Fira Village was located in the mountainous region of his lands.

About 350 years ago, I had drifted into Fira Village by a similar route. It felt nostalgic. Back then, I’d traveled by foot and public carriage. I hated boats. If you fell off, you’d have to put your face in the water. It was the worst. I wanted to avoid the boat this time, too, but I knew that would be difficult.

“It will take about five days to reach the village.”

“It’s surprisingly far.”

“And that’s only if everything goes smoothly. If we run into any trouble, it will take longer. We have no choice but to stick to the main roads.”

“…I guess it can’t be helped.”

“Let’s travel along the road today and stop at the third town. I want to make as much progress as possible on the first day,” Odette said, looking up from the map.

The third town. At this rate, we’d arrive around evening. Rest, then set off again the next morning. It wasn’t a bad plan, but…

“I have a suggestion.”

“What is it?”

“Why don’t we get off at an earlier village and rest early?”

“We could, but it will slow us down.”

“No, I think it’ll be faster. I have an idea.”

“…Very well.” Odette nodded, seeming to understand.

I glanced around the carriage. This was my first time in a public carriage in this life, but it hadn’t changed much from my previous era. The other passengers were merchants, travelers, and some adventurer. The adventurers were watching us with interest. Wearing robes so close to the capital made us stick out as Magic Guild members. Once we were further out, I planned to just pass us off as regular adventurers.

“…You two from the Magic Guild?” an adventurer called out. She looked like a warrior, with a large, two-handed sword strapped to her back.

“Ah, y-yes. That is—”

“Yes. We’re trainees,” I cut in. Why are you so flustered, Odette? What happened to your real-world problem-solving skills?

“I see. I’ve heard that Guild mages sometimes do adventurer work to gather monster parts. Is that what you’re doing?”

“Something like that. Though the ‘parts’ I’m after are a bit on the large side.”

“Be careful, then. Outside the capital’s walls, there are monsters you can’t even imagine.” The woman grinned. “Don’t get cocky just because you’ve cleared a few floors in the capital’s dungeon. You’ll get yourselves hurt.”

“Wha—?”

“Monsters we can’t imagine, you say?” I quickly clapped a hand over Odette’s mouth and asked, “Specifically?”

“…Huh?”

“Specifically, what kind of monsters are out there?”

“Uh, well. Let’s see.” …Why is she suddenly looking away? “H-Hey, merchant. What kind of monsters were out this way again?”

“…You’re asking someone else?”

“Gathering information is a basic skill for adventurers! Right, merchant?”

“…Y-Yeah.”

The female adventurer was getting glared at. The merchant had been sound asleep, clutching his luggage. He looked extremely annoyed.

“…I’ve heard from my associates about a monster in armor. Just a rumor, mind you.”

“A monster in armor?”

“Yeah. Taller than a man, wandering the wilderness at night. The guy who told me only saw its shadow, though.”

“Sounds interesting. I’d love to go hunt it.”

“Right, right. You do you…” The merchant grumbled and immediately fell back asleep.

“…A monster in armor. Reminds me of the Lord,” I muttered.

“If a monster was wearing an ‘Ancient Artifact,’ it would be a major incident… Yaaawn.”

“You look sleepy, Odette.”

“My apologies. It’s just so boring, not being able to move… Yawn.”

“You can sleep. I’ll wake you up when we get there.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Actually, it’s probably better if you rest now.”

“…Then I shall accept your offer.” Odette closed her eyes.

The adventurer, having found another target, was now whispering with someone else. I stared blankly out the window. The sky was overcast. It looked like the moon would be hidden by clouds tonight. As long as it didn’t rain, we’d be fine.

Hidden in my luggage were Dick and several other bats. I’d left Niil and the main bat army back in the capital, which was more than enough to protect Iris. And Remy, the Silver Fenrir, was with Martha, so she was fine too. I promised them I’d be back soon, so I had to take the fastest route.

I leaned back against my luggage and relaxed. …I should probably rest now, too.

We arrived at the second town past the capital just after noon. We took a nap at an inn, waking up just before dawn. We checked out, claiming we were going to do some early-morning magic training, and headed outside.

“Are you planning to travel at this hour?”

“I’d rather not be seen, if possible.”

“Very well. I decided I would follow your lead on this journey. I trust you.”

“Thanks. In that case, I need you to get on my back.”

“…Sigh. Understood.”

Odette obediently moved behind me and let me get her on my back. “A little tighter. Really hold on.”

“…Like this?”

“Right. Now I’ll just tie you on so you don’t fall off.”

Preparations complete. It was before dawn, so there was no one around the inn. Dick had already confirmed the route was clear.

First, I drew the Boosted Enhancement sigil on both my hands. Then, I moved to a flat, open area for a running start. With Odette held securely… I ran.

“Wha—?! Yuuki?! You’re so f—”

“Activating ‘Flight’ skill, jumping—kicking off the roof—!”

“———Ah!”

I’d used Boosted Enhancement: Double for my running start and just leaped. Using a nearby roof as a springboard, I jumped again. After gaining enough altitude, I kicked off the town’s outer wall, launching myself even higher.

I caught the wind and flew.

“———Wha…” I heard Odette gasp from my back. I thought she might be scared, but I was wrong.

“A-Amazing! This is amazing, Yuuki!”

A vast, open plain spread out beneath us. We were flying straight over it. The moon was a faint glow behind the clouds. At this height, no one would be able to see us. Not that anyone would be standing in the middle of a field before dawn, anyway.

I glanced at the sigils on my hands. It had been over twenty minutes since I’d activated Boosted Enhancement, but the spell was still active. It seemed its duration was getting longer each time I used it. Maybe I was leveling up.

“Master~!”

“Dick! Can you keep up?”

“Barely~!”

“We’re cutting straight across the plains. We should be able to cover a huge distance and reach our destination by dawn.”

“Y-You’re right! Ha, hahaha! Hahahahaha!”

Odette was laughing, trying to hold down her golden hair as it whipped in the wind. “This is incredible! We’re flying!”

“You’re not scared?”

“I’m sure I will be, once reality sets in! But right now… at dawn… it feels like I’m in a dream!”

“Glad to hear it.”

“This is so much faster! It won’t take us three days to reach your village at this rate!”

“I’ll land when we lose altitude. I’ll run and jump again, so hold on tight.”

“Right!”

When I got tired, I’d land. In mid-air, I redrew the sigil for Boosted Enhancement again and again.

And just like that, Odette and I flew on, continuing until the break of dawn.

Meanwhile, just as Yuuki and the others were heading for the goal—

“…Something is strange.”

Odette stopped in her tracks in the middle of a dungeon passage.

“No matter how you look at it, there are far too many monsters.”

Odette had been following the route on her map exactly. And yet, every time she turned a corner, she ran into more of them. Goblins. Large Rabbits. Just a moment ago, a pack of three Dark Wolves had attacked her all at once. She was managing to defeat them, but this was far too difficult for a simple trainee orientation.

“And… isn’t this location near the second level?”

In front of her was a chamber with a high ceiling. Odette had heard rumors about it before—that near the entrance to Elysium’s second level, there was a great hall once used for some kind of ritual. It was also said that using flashy magic nearby could attract a swarm of monsters.

“An orientation would never send us to a place like this. We must have taken a wrong turn.”

Odette looked at the count’s daughter standing behind her, Therese Michel.

“Excuse me, Lady Therese. Could you please show me the map one more time?”

“Lady Odette…”

“There’s no need for the ‘Lady.’ We are partners, are we not?”

“Could you please forfeit the orientation, Lady Odette Sley?” Therese said, ignoring Odette’s question. “If you strike the armband and say the words, help will come… It would be better to just give up.”

“We still have time. If we retrace our steps while checking the map, there shouldn’t be any—”

“Please, give up… I’m begging you.”

Therese spoke, her expression hidden behind her long bangs. “If you don’t, you’ll be in danger, Lady Odette…”

“In danger?”

“…The Magic Guild is not a completely neutral organization. If a ducal house pays enough, they can be convinced to provide a fake map… and lure you to a dangerous hall, close to the second level of Elysium…”

“What are you saying?!”

Odette took a step toward Therese, who shrank back as if frightened.

“You are… my partner, are you not?”

“That is why I am advising you…”

“Advising me?”

“The Magic Guild is not just a gathering of saints. There are trainees who cannot defy high-ranking nobles, who would swap your map for a fake and lead you to a dangerous place…”

The count’s daughter brushed her bangs aside, looking at Odette with tear-filled eyes.

“Please understand. Even if you leave your family home, you won’t be able to live freely as a mage. Please, just give up and follow your family’s wishes, Lady Odette…”

“My family’s wishes? Don’t tell me—!”

“…The prestigious House of Sley cannot allow itself to be looked down upon by others. If another house succeeds in a political marriage, then our house must do the same. This is what I was told to ‘make the daughter who does not understand this, understand.’”

Her faint voice echoed in the dungeon hall. Therese continued, her eyes averted from Odette. “Your family will surely keep doing this until they get their way. Please, just give up, Lady Odette.”

“You mean my father pressured another noble family? That you swapped the maps and led me here on purpose?”

The words from her father’s letter flashed in Odette’s mind. He wants to marry me off to compete with other dukes. He shortened my time limit to six months. A man like that would absolutely pull strings with other nobles to sabotage her.

“Is my father… trying to ruin my evaluation by sabotaging the orientation? To stop me from becoming a C-rank mage?”

“…There are children in the Magic Guild who are just tools for the high nobility to use.”

“…What a nuisance.” Odette started to walk back the way she came. “I am returning to the starting point. You can call for rescue or do as you please.”

“You can’t, Lady Odette.” Therese shook her head. “I have the real map. You don’t know the way back, let alone the way to the goal. Please, I’m begging you, just forfeit.”

“I will simply retrace my steps from memory.” Odette defiantly tilted her chin up. “A little trouble like this is nothing. Compared to that man who risked his life to protect his village, this is trivial. If I gave up over something like this, he would laugh at me—”

Screee, screee.

Suddenly, a sound came from right next to her ear. She hadn’t even noticed. A small bat was perched on her shoulder.

“—You!”

Scree, screee?

The bat tilted its head, looking at her. On its wing… there was some kind of sigil drawn there. It was unmistakable. It was one of Yuuki’s familiars.

“Did you… come looking for me?”

Screee.

“Do you know the way back?”

Nod, nod, nod. As if it understood her perfectly, the bat nodded.

“You must be Dick… no, you’re Niil. I can somehow tell.”

(Nod, nod.)

“Then please, show me the way.”

“Lady Odette!” Therese cried out as Odette started to leave. “Please give up… There are people in the Magic Guild who are enemies of your house!”

“But I have a very strong ally as well.”

An image of Yuuki flashed in her mind. She remembered the story he’d told her about his past life. He had apparently risked his life to protect his villagers from the Sanctuary Church. She didn’t know the details, but she knew it must have been something incredible, something that required a resolve she couldn’t even imagine. That was why Iris, and even Rhodelia of the Grail Company, were so loyal to him.

Though the man himself was always so infuriatingly casual about it.

“How could I ever face him and say, ‘I tried to become a mage, but I gave up because my family got in the way’?”

Odette flashed a defiant smile. “I believe magic is meant to make people happy. Since I was born with this talent, I intend to use it. As for political marriage… well, I’ll think about it if I ever get bored of magic.”

“…Is that so.”

Therese Michel’s fingers traced a sigil in the air. An attack—! Odette instinctively threw up the Anti-Magic Shell she had prepared.

But Therese wasn’t aiming at Odette.

“Activate… Flash Bomb.”

A ball of light shot from her fingers, flying past Odette and down the corridor… where it exploded with a blinding flash and a massive boom.

“Now, the monsters will gather. Lady Odette.”

“How could you!”

“Those were my orders. I’m sorry…” Therese was trembling, her head in her hands.

The next moment, footsteps echoed from down the hall. Multiple monsters were approaching. Lizardmen, humanoid reptiles carrying weapons; Dark Wolves, pitch-black beasts that hunt in packs; even Ghosts and armed Skeletons.

“I’m sure you can defeat them, Lady Odette… but will your stamina and mana last?”

“…Therese Michel.”

“Call for rescue. If you don’t give up on your own…”

Screee!

Suddenly, Niil the bat launched from Odette’s shoulder. She flew straight down the corridor, spread her wings toward the approaching monsters, and—

“Screee—screee! (Burning Meteor)!”

BOSH!

A massive fireball shot from Niil’s wings.

““—Huh??””

Before Odette’s very eyes, the fireball flew down the passage and—

DOGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!

—it exploded, engulfing the entire pack of monsters.

““GIIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!””

The monsters, crowded in the narrow passage, had no way to dodge. They were swallowed by the massive inferno and burned to cinders.

“…Th-That was… Alex Kielce’s Burning Meteor… wasn’t it? Wait… you’re Yuuki’s familiar, right? Why? How? What?”

“Y-Yuuki Grossalia’s familiar?!” Therese recoiled. “The familiar of the man who defeated the C-rank mage Alex-sama… the one who’s Princess Iris’s guardian knight?!”

“Ah, and speak of the devil, here he is.”

Yuuki came running down the corridor, carrying Iris on his back. He effortlessly leaped over the massive chasm—the one that dropped to the third level—and landed neatly in front of Odette.

“I saw Niil use Burning Meteor. What’s going on?”

“…Well, it’s a long story.”

Odette was at a loss for words. On the floor, Therese Michel didn’t even dare to look up. She had failed to stop Odette and had instead drawn the attention of Yuuki and Iris. Her mission was a complete failure.

“I’ll explain what happened,” Odette began. She told them everything—about her father’s desire for a political marriage, his plot to make her fail at the Magic Guild, and Therese’s orders to swap the maps and lure her to this dangerous, monster-filled area.

“…This happened… during a Guild orientation?” Iris asked, her gaze falling on Therese. Her expression was now filled with the dignity of a royal princess. “Then I will have you explain yourself. Tell me everything you did. Everything about this plan.”

“Please forgive me, Your Highness!” Therese prostrated herself, pressing her forehead to the stone floor. “B-But… I cannot say any more. If I do… my family will be…”

“She couldn’t defy a duke’s request. That’s all it is,” Odette suddenly interjected. Saying it out loud made it sound so trivial, so foolish. It was such a petty, ridiculous plot that she almost felt sorry for Therese.

“…I am so sorry… Lady Odette. Your Highness…”

“In the name of Iris Liestia, I will order an investigation into this matter,” Iris declared. “I will not forgive such actions taking place during a Magic Guild orientation. And more than that… to put Odette in danger…”

“…Oh, Your Highness.”

“Your father’s name may be brought to light… I trust you are prepared for that, Odette?”

“As Your Highness wishes.”

Odette tried to kneel before Iris, but her legs gave out, and she had to catch herself with her hands. She almost laughed at her own weakness. She had talked so tough, but the truth was, she had been terrified. “If Yuuki hadn’t come, I probably would have burst into tears.”

“It was Iris—Her Highness—who found you, actually.”

“Her Highness?”

“…Just between us,” Yuuki whispered, leaning in. “She was so stressed out from ‘being a princess’ that she begged me to let her be ‘Alice the villager’ for a while. But we couldn’t let anyone see her, right? So we moved to an empty corridor and I sent the bats out to scout the area for people.”

“…Huh?”

“While they were at it, I got worried about you and had them check on you, too. I told them to use magic if you were in a pinch. So really, it’s not like I deserve any thanks or—hey, Odette?”

“…Pfft. Ah… Ahahahaha! Hahahahahahaha!”

She couldn’t hold it in. Odette clutched her stomach and doubled over, howling with laughter.

It finally hit her. It was all true. Yuuki really was a guardian deity, and Iris was his villager. He was, without a doubt, the most over-indulgent guardian deity who had ever existed, to go to such lengths for such a silly request.

“…How ridiculous. My father and the others, staking everything on political marriages and ducal pride… they’re all just… so ridiculous.”

“Hey, Odette. You okay?”

“You know, Yuuki.”

“Yeah?”

“If you ever get the chance, would you make me one of your villagers, too?” The words just tumbled out. “I mean… if you ever decide to build a village again, like you did before.”

“…That would be problematic.”

“…It would?”

“…It’s a lot of work, taking care of any more people.”

“…How many do you already have?”

“…Right now, there are two confirmed.”

“…What’s one more?”

“…I don’t know about adding another immortal to the list…”

“…That’s one high-level village you’ve got there!”

“…Well, I haven’t actually figured out how to make anyone immortal yet.”

“…Oh, you. Honestly, what am I going to do with you?”

Odette was laughing so hard she was crying, but she felt… cleansed. Yuuki was interested in people, not their positions. He was the complete opposite of her father, who was obsessed with status and reputation. That’s what made him so likable, and also… so dangerously naive.

(…I’ll have to be the one to support him, to make sure he can live his peaceful life. My status as a duke’s daughter must be good for something.)

In terms of combat power, Yuuki was superior. But in terms of real-world problem-solving, Odette was almost certainly better.

A path forward suddenly seemed clear, and Odette smiled again.

“I will escort Therese Michel. Let us finish this orientation, Your Highness.” Odette knelt by Iris’s side. “As for my father’s actions, please do as you see fit and make them public. House Sley is a vassal of the Royal Family. They should be ashamed of committing such an injustice within Elysium, where you yourself were present.”

“Understood. I will consult with General Barnes, Demeter-sensei… and my brother, Cain, on this matter.” Iris nodded, her princess-face firmly in place.

Therese, still prostrating on the floor, didn’t dare look up. Odette let out a weary sigh.

She glanced at Yuuki, who seemed to be thinking for a moment before he spoke.

“By the way, Odette. Are you free after the orientation?”

“I have no plans for a while.”

“Then… would you be willing to accompany me on a trip?”

“A trip?”

“Once this is all settled, I’m planning to go look for something in a village near the border. But I’ve never really traveled that far, and I’m a bit worried. It would be a huge help if you’d come with me.”

Yuuki said this while looking pointedly at Therese.

Odette understood.

(Is he… doing this for me?)

Once her father’s actions came to light, things would get noisy around her. It was possible the other trainees would give her trouble. It would be best for her to leave the Magic Guild for a while. Yuuki must have realized this and was inviting her on his trip—because right now, there was no safer place for her to be than by his side.

“Very well. I will help you.”

“Thanks. You’d be saving me.”

“I’ll pay you back. I’m quite good at real-world problem-solving, like arranging travel and lodging. It’s about the only thing I’m better at than you.”

“Alright. I’m counting on you, then.”

“Leave it to me.” Odette tapped her chest.

She pointedly ignored Iris, who was puffing her cheeks out in a pout next to Yuuki.

And so, the four of them made their way through the dungeon—and all arrived safely at the orientation’s goal.

The day before the Magic Guild’s orientation, Odette trembled as she stared at the letter that had arrived from her father, Duke Sley.

“…Why would he send a letter like this now?” she murmured, glaring at the words.

To my daughter, Odette.

Do you remember the condition under which I permitted you to join the Magic Guild? It was that you had one year. If you failed to become a C-rank mage within that time, I would use you in a political marriage. That was our agreement.

However, circumstances have changed. A ducal house of equal standing has just married off their daughter. House Sley cannot afford to be seen falling behind or be looked down upon by others.

The promised period is now shortened to six months.

If you fail to produce results by then, I will proceed with your marriage. That is all.

“This is absurd!”

Odette slammed the letter onto the floor. Before she joined the Guild, he had promised her two years. The moment she arrived in the capital, it became one. And now, right before her orientation, it had been cut to a mere six months.

“…If only Grandmother were still alive. She would have stopped him.”

Odette’s grandmother had been a mage from the Guild. Growing up, Odette had heard all sorts of wondrous stories from her. It was why she hadn’t been surprised to learn of Iris’s ‘ageless constitution’—the world was full of mysteries, so such things were possible. That was why Odette had decided to become a mage herself. Her parents had even supported her.

But ever since her grandmother passed away, her father had done a complete turnaround. He had begun to see Odette as a tool for a political marriage, all to gain an advantage over the other ducal houses.

“But… a C-rank mage in six months… That’s simply beyond my abilities…”

As she thought this, Yuuki’s face came to mind. If she asked him, he would surely help her. With his power, obtaining C-rank would be easy.

…But.

“Yuuki has circumstances that can’t be brought into the light. I can’t let him do anything that would draw attention. Besides, this matter with my father… it isn’t something that needs to be solved today or tomorrow.”

Odette shoved the letter into a dark corner of her bookshelf. In its place, she looked over the orientation guide that had arrived from the Magic Guild.

“Iris is paired with Yuuki, and I’m paired with Lady Therese, a count’s daughter.”

She’d never heard the name, but they would have to work together to get through this. With that, Odette began to plan for the next day.

The day of the orientation arrived.

I was on the first level of the great dungeon, Elysium, the Capital of Ancient Magical Civilization, standing with Iris. Our fellow trainees were gathered around us, about a dozen or so. Odette was there, too, paired with a girl I didn’t recognize. She had long bangs and a quiet, reserved demeanor. That must be Lady Therese.

Knowing Odette, she’d be fine no matter who her partner was. We’d trained together before the magic duel with Alex, so I knew she was skilled. We just had to focus on our own job.

“I will explain the rules once more,” one of the instructors announced, stepping before the trainees. There were two of them: one was our instructor, Demeter, and the other… I think his name was C-rank Mage Daraton.

“This orientation is to familiarize you with this dungeon, Elysium. You will move according to the map you were given and proceed to the point where we are waiting. Understood so far?”

I peeked at the map in Iris’s hands. Each pair had been given one, showing the route we were supposed to take today.

“The route on each map is different. No two pairs will cross paths. The goal is for you to learn the sheer scale, and the terror, of Elysium. Are we clear?”

The trainees, myself included, all nodded.

“The monsters on the first level are all weak. I have no memory of selecting trainees who would struggle with them. However, if you feel you cannot proceed, strike the armband you were issued and chant the incantation.”

The instructor pointed to an armband on his left arm. Iris and I wore identical ones. It was a magic item with a small, diamond-shaped crystal on its surface. The crystal was tiny, about the size of a thumbnail, but I could feel the magic dwelling within it.

“That will alert us to your location, and we will come for you. However, be aware that it will impact your future evaluations. We have no desire to babysit trainees. We’d much rather get back to our own research,” Daraton spat.

“We will be at the goal on the first level. There is no need to rush. Be cautious. In ten minutes, the crystal on your armband will light up. That is your signal to move. Do not even think about taking shortcuts. There is a massive chasm on this level. If you fall, you’ll drop all the way to the third level. If you don’t want to bring shame upon your noble houses, be careful. That is all.”

With those parting words, Demeter and Daraton left, disappearing down a side path off the main corridor.

“Are you ready, Your Highness?”

“I am. It’s just…” Iris shivered slightly beside me. “Lately… when you call me ‘Your Highness,’ it… gives me the chills.”

“…It does?”

“It feels… ticklish, but also… like you’re keeping me at a distance. Something like that.”

“…But I’ve always called you that.”

“…It’s like my constitution changed after I remembered I was Alice.” She rolled up her robe’s sleeve to show me. She had goosebumps. “It seems the ‘Alice’ personality inside me is getting stronger. So, when we’re alone, could you please call me Alice?”

“…I’ll try.”

Whisper, whisper.

Iris and I stepped away from the line of trainees, talking in low voices. For the record, I was standing with my back straight, staring intently into the depths of the dungeon, while Iris held up her arm to show me her sleeve. To everyone else—

“Hey, look. It’s Princess Iris and her knight, Yuuki Grossalia.”

“They’re steeling themselves before tackling the dungeon.”

“Even for an orientation, Her Highness is giving it her all…”

“Don’t underestimate that knight, either. He’s the one who defeated C-rank Mage Alex Kielce.”

“Look at him, pledging his loyalty to his princess. It’s like a painting.”

—That’s apparently what it looked like to them. In reality, she was just showing me her goosebumps.

Odette, however… she knew exactly what we were doing. I could tell from her wry smile.

“Everyone, quiet down. It’s almost time,” Odette suddenly called out.

Everyone focused on the armbands on their left arms. As we watched with bated breath… the crystals began to flash. The trainees took off, racing toward the goal. The orientation had begun.

“Alright, Dick, Niil. You two keep watch outside.”

“Roger~!”

“You got it~!”

About ten minutes after the orientation officially began, Iris and I arrived at the innermost chamber of the ‘Cave of the Holy Sword.’

A princess couldn’t be seen sprinting breathlessly through a dungeon, after all. She should be the last to depart, proceeding to the goal with calm and dignity.

Using that as our convenient excuse, we waited for all the other trainees to leave before we started moving. After confirming no one was around, we ducked into the Cave of the Holy Sword.

Our purpose was to return a replica of the Holy Sword to its pedestal.

I’d asked Rhodelia at the Grail Trading Company to prepare an exact copy. All we had to do was slide it into the scabbard.

Whoever finds an ‘Ancient Artifact’ has ownership rights. I could get a reward for turning it over to the Guild, but I had no intention of trading the Holy Sword for something so trivial. That sword was the artifact that killed me, and it was tied to my and Alice’s reincarnation. Plus, with Lyle leaving behind that flashy ‘Traitor Sage’ moniker, the remnants of the Sanctuary Church would be all over us if they ever found out I was his guardian and Alice was his daughter. It was best to seal the sword away where no one would ever see it.

“Okay, I’m summoning the replica.”

“Right, my Lord.”

As Iris watched, I drew the summoning sigil on both hands. “Answer my summons and come forth! My vassal, the replica of the Holy Sword Rinkal!”

A magic circle appeared on the ground, and from it, the silver sword materialized. This, however, was the copy Rhodelia had made. I’d marked it with my ‘Mistel Blood,’ temporarily making it my vassal, which was why I could summon it like this.

Now to just dry-fire a spell to burn off the remaining ‘Mistel Blood’…

“Alright, the Mistel Blood is gone.”

“I’ll wipe it down, just in case,” Iris said, polishing the replica with a cloth.

We both gave it a final check for any lingering evidence. “Okay, looks good.”

I slid the replica into the scabbard still embedded in the rock. It was locked in place with the same spell the tutor Kachel had used on the bookshelf, but I’d reinforced it with my ‘Mistel Blood.’ It would be nearly impossible for anyone but me to draw it. And if someone did manage to pull it out and realize it was a fake…

“…We’ll blame the Sanctuary Church.”

“I agree.”

We looked at each other and nodded. They’d put us through hell in our past life. A little payback wouldn’t hurt.

“Once we’re out of the cave, the orientation is back on. Time to go back to princess mode, Iris.”

“…Can I… stay as Alice just a little longer?” Iris asked, shaking her head. “We rarely get to be alone like this… Please let me blow off some of this ‘princess’ stress. Just until we get to the goal.”

“…You drive a hard bargain.”

I took her hand, and we left the cave. I called over Dick and Niil, who were waiting at the entrance, and let them land on my shoulders. I pricked my finger and resupplied them with ‘Mistel Blood,’ then drew the sigil for ‘Boosted Enhancement’ on their wings.

“Dick, Niil, expand your search radius and make sure no one is around.” I ordered. “My girl wants to be ‘Alice from the village’ for a bit. Make sure no one sees her.”

“Please, Dick-san, Niil-san,” Iris added.

“Roger that~!”

“Leave it to us~!”

The two bats circled us happily.

“We’re all powered up thanks to your blood, boss~!”

“No one’s getting near us~!”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Alright, let’s go,” Iris said. “What’s our route?”

“According to the map… we go straight down the central passage and then take a side tunnel.”

A large tunnel opened up in the rock wall a short distance ahead. It looked like the path from there was a winding, roundabout route to the goal. There was a dead end partway through… no, wait, that’s a chasm.

“The chasm that drops you straight to the third level. What a pain.”

“Should we go around it?”

“We’ll fly over. It’s faster.”

“Yay! I get to fly with you, my Lord!”

“It’s been a while. Hold on tight.”

“Okay!”

Iris and I started moving. I wondered how Odette was doing. I was sure she was fine, but…

“Dick.”

“Yessir, boss~”

“New orders. I’m drawing another sigil—”

I gave the bat an additional command.

Chapter 9 – Yuuki, Iris, and Odette Attend the Magic Guild Orientation

A few days after the incident in the ‘Black Forest’, I headed to the royal library with Iris and Odette. Our objective, of course, was to find the present-day location of Fira Village.

200 years had passed since I died in my past life. The War of the Eight Kings had happened in the interim, changing the very shape of the countries and the locations of the villages.

The only person who might know would be Rhodelia of the Grail Trading Company. But her ancestors had left the village to start their business right after I died, so it was a long shot. I’d sent an inquiry to Rhodelia, and this was the message the bat brought back:

“‘Fira Village existed only for our Lord. After our Lord was lost, we were not to cling to that land. We were only to prepare for his reincarnation.’”

I sent back a simple reply: “Sorry. I think I educated your ancestors wrong.”

…Though I have a strong feeling it wasn’t my fault.

And that’s what led the three of us to the library. We had apparently been expected; a librarian immediately brought us to a private reading room and provided us with a current map and an old one. We spread both maps out on the table. The new map was from a few years ago. The old one depicted the lands right after the War of the Eight Kings, making it about 150 years old.

“This should be perfect,” Odette said, looking at the two maps. “With your past-life memories, you two should be able to spot the village at a glance, correct?”

“…”

“…”

“…Why are you both looking away?”

“Well, for the last hundred and fifty years of my past life, I almost never left the village,” I admitted.

“You had it good, my Lord!” Iris chimed in. “I never took a single step outside it.”

Iris—Alice—had still been a child back then, so she’d never left. As for me, I’d wandered for 50 years, but after settling in Fira Village, I spent the next hundred and fifty cooped up in the old castle playing ‘village guardian deity.’ I didn’t have much confidence in my geographical memory from that time.

“It was 200 years ago. I’m sure you had your reasons,” Odette said, ever so understanding.

“…You’re a good person, Odette.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere. Now, can you remember anything?”

“Anything, huh…” I closed my eyes, digging through my past-life memories. My wandering days were 350 years ago. I tried not to think about that time, but forcing myself to remember…

“To the north, there was an inland sea. I crossed it… then climbed a mountain to reach Fira Village. And the Sanctuary Church… they came from the east. There was a major city there, where they had a branch. A river also flowed through the town at the base of our mountain, with its source nearby.”

“You remember all of that quite clearly.”

“It’s 350-year-old information, so I’m not 100% sure. But if we look for those conditions…”

“Right here,” Iris said, pointing to a spot on the old map. It was a mountainous region in the northeast of a small, long-gone kingdom. To the south was an inland sea, and a river flowed nearby. The shape of the inlet… it looked just like the terrain I’d seen from the sky back then. There weren’t any other places that matched, so this had to be it.

“It was surprisingly easy to find.”

This was the royal library, after all; its collection of maps and documents was first-class. If I had tried to find the location of a 200-year-old village on my own, it would have been impossible. I had to be grateful.

“So, where does that correspond to on the new map?”

“…It’s north of the capital,” Odette noted. “This area is… let’s see.”

“It’s about a five-day ride from here by horse,” Iris added. “However, it’s very close to the border of the neighboring country. It would be dangerous to go by noble carriage. It would be better to go incognito.”

I looked at the spot she was pointing to. Fira Village wasn’t on the new map, but I could recognize the terrain. I had no idea if my old castle was still standing, but the Lord that Lyle and the others had stolen should be there. The Lord of Nosferatu, which bore my name.

I had to go. I’d been planning to visit my old home at some point anyway. It wouldn’t be so bad to travel the same route I had 200 years ago.

“Still… looking at this map really makes you feel how much time has passed.”

I compared the two. The names of the countries, towns, and villages on the old map were gone from the new one. They had either vanished or been renamed. The war the Sanctuary Church started had truly reshaped the world.

The place where the capital of Fira Village’s old kingdom used to be was now just empty land. There was a small village nearby and some noble’s territory to the north, but that was it. Further north, a new nation had formed in the last two hundred years: the Gaiul Empire, a military state. It shared a border with our Kingdom of Liestia, but things were currently peaceful. That was good, but—

“Iris, you’ll have to stay behind for this trip.”

I couldn’t exactly take a princess to a town near a hostile border. I wouldn’t even be able to come up with a plausible excuse.

“…But I… I wanted to see the ruins of Fira Village, too…” Alice pouted, her shoulders slumping.

“You must be patient,” Odette chided gently. “As a princess, you can’t be absent from the capital for a ten-day round-trip incognito. It’s impossible.”

“And the distance is too great for summoning,” I added. “Even if I could, you’d have no way back except with me. If a princess went missing for several days, it would be a huge problem.”

“…Ugh.”

“You have to sit this one out. I promise I’ll tell you everything I find.”

“…Promise?”

“Have I ever broken a promise?”

“You still haven’t made me your bride! You said you’d watch over me until I grew up, but you died first! You said you’d never make me cry, but—”

“I’m sorry! I was wrong!” I quickly stroked her head.

Iris’s cheeks were still puffed out, but she seemed to relent. “…Fine. I’ll be patient this time.”

“It’s not like I can leave immediately anyway,” I said. “The Magic Guild orientation is coming up.”

The event that had been postponed because of the Dorothea incident was finally back on. The three of us would be participating. That’s when we’d be entering the great dungeon, Elysium. I’d have to use the opportunity to return the Holy Sword, since I did summon it without permission.

“After the orientation, I’ll head out. Will you need a guardian knight for anything in the meantime?”

“Not for a while.”

“There is the early summer festival in a month, but Her Highness has no public duties until then,” Odette confirmed.

“Got it. I’ll apply for a vacation as my reward for capturing Dorothea. I’ll use that time to go to the ruins of Fira Village.”

“No fair. I want to apply for a vacation, too,” Iris grumbled, dangling her feet. “Not that I’d be able to travel freely even if I got one.”

“Things would have been simpler if I’d just asked for a noble title as a reward.”

“Brother Cain said no to that, though. My shortest route was to have House Grossalia promoted three ranks at once, have you marry me, and then we’d go to Fira Village on our honeymoon.”

“Noble rules are a pain,” I grumbled.

Odette pressed her fingers to her forehead. “Listening to you two makes noble titles sound completely worthless… You really don’t care about status at all, do you?”

“I’m just being Alice! I’m a good princess, I swear~”

“Hey. Your ‘Alice’ accent is showing, Iris.”

“Hehe. It’s my strategy to get you to call me ‘Alice’. I’m a maiden, you know~”

“You…”

“It’s your fault I died a maiden in my last life, my Lord! You’re going to take responsibility this time. I’ll make sure of it!”

“Don’t just announce things like that…”

“…Hmph.”

“I know, I know. I’ll keep my promise in this life. Is that good enough, Alice?”

“…Ehehe.”

“This is getting embarrassing to listen to…” Odette muttered. “Should I… just go home?”

“No, we need you here.”

“Master and servant across time, parent and child in a way… and yet also fiancés. Your relationship is just so… complicated.”

Is it? As far as I was concerned, Iris was Alice’s reincarnation, so I would protect her and stay by her side. That was it. Seemed pretty simple to me.

“Right, Odette, you’re also getting a reward from Prince Cain, aren’t you? What did you ask for?”

“The right to explore Elysium, the Capital of Ancient Magical Civilization,” she declared, puffing her chest out with pride. “It’s the same right you received for defeating Alex Kielce: permission to delve to the C-rank levels. If I can conquer the third level, I’ll officially become a C-rank mage.”

“Skipping right to the intermediate ranks, huh.”

“I have you to thank for it, Yuuki. Without you, it would have taken much more time.”

“‘More time,’ not ‘impossible.’ That’s so like you, Odette.”

“But of course. I do not underestimate my own abilities.”

“If you had a Lord, you wouldn’t misuse it,” I mused.

“I agree,” Iris added. “Odette would use the power of an ‘Ancient Artifact’ for the good of the people.”

Iris and I leaned in and whispered.

“In that case, we should probably help Odette get promoted.”

“I agree. If Odette becomes the head of the Guild, we can stay in touch even after we… go missing. We’ll be able to get information from the capital and the royal family.”

“Alright. I’ll come up with a plan later.”

“Let me know when you do.”

“I can hear you! Stop plotting such outrageous things!!”

We got yelled at.

But I meant it. Aside from Iris, I trusted Odette more than anyone in the Magic Guild. She knew about Iris’s condition and chose to stay by her side. On top of that, she had tried to yield the ‘Guardian Knight’ position to me during the trial. She was loyal, had a strong sense of justice, and was a skilled mage. A world run by people like her would be safer for “less-than-human” people like me and Iris.

I explained all this to her (with Iris nodding along enthusiastically).

“…”

Odette just turned bright red and fell silent. She stared at me for a long moment, then said just one thing,

“…I think I understand now… why your villagers adored you for 200 years.”

After that, we left the private room and returned the maps to the librarian. The three of us exited the library together. Odette’s face was still red. Iris, on the other hand, had immediately switched back to her princess-mode and climbed into the royal carriage waiting out front. This had been an official, approved outing. She headed back to the western villa.

“Guess we should head back too.”

“Y-Yes, quite.”

Odette and I started our walk back toward the noble district. The sun was already setting, staining the sky a deep red. We were both in our Magic Guild robes. The setting sun was too bright, so I pulled my hood down low. When I glanced over, Odette had done the same.

“…You know, Yuuki,” she began quietly.

“…What’s up, Odette?”

“I… I’m truly glad I met you. Even if you weren’t Iris’s Lord, and not a reincarnated guardian deity, I’m sure… I’m sure we would have become friends.”

“Thanks, Odette.”

“Even when you and Iris one day disappear from the human world, you will always be my precious friends. Please… don’t forget that.”

“We won’t. I’ll never forget.”

Feeling a little embarrassed myself, I kept my hood low and said, “I don’t know how long my life will last, but until the day I’m gone, I’ll be sure to pass on the story of our dear friend, Odette Sley.”

“That’s far too much, so please stop!”

We laughed, making small talk like that, and returned to our neighboring lodgings.

“Welcome home, Lord Yuuki. A letter has arrived from the Magic Guild.”

“Dinner is ready too, Master~.”

Martha and Remy were there to greet me. Remy grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward the dining room. Chiding her softly, Martha handed me a rolled-up piece of parchment.

It was sealed with the Magic Guild’s crest. It was the announcement for the trainee orientation, to be held in a few days.

Trainees would be split into pairs to navigate the first level of Elysium. The course was open, and the first pair to reach the mages waiting at the goal would be commended for excellence.

As expected, I was paired with Iris. Odette was paired with some count’s daughter I didn’t know.

Elysium was where the specter of the Sanctuary Church had appeared. I had a bad feeling about it. But Iris and I had my ‘Mistel Blood’ and her ‘Quasi-Mistel Blood,’ so we should be able to handle any minor trouble. I’d bring Dick along, just in case.

“…Better get prepared, just in case.”

I thought to myself as I headed to the dining room with Martha and Remy.

Chapter 8 – Interlude: The Magic Guild’s ‘First Lord of Phantoms Activation Experiment’

Kingdom Calendar Year 155. Lindbell Magic Guild Archives.

First Lord of Phantoms Activation Experiment

• Supervisor: B-Rank Mage, Cain Liestia
• Observers: A-Rank Mage, Zamel Kartus; Three C-Rank Mages
• Pilot: C-Rank Mage, Demeter Springal

—Report from B-Rank Mage, Cain Liestia—

With the capture of Dorothea Samuels, the Magic Guild made an unexpected acquisition: one of the legendary giant armors known as the Lords, the Lord of Phantoms.

At the time of discovery, a captured mage was piloting the ‘Ancient Artifact.’ It is believed she was in a hypnotic state induced by drugs and was forced to attack other mages under Dorothea’s orders. She is currently weakened from severe mana depletion, but her life is not in danger.

Furthermore, she had been taught the activation sequence for the Lord of Phantoms. It is likely Dorothea Samuels planned to kill her afterward, as there would be no merit in granting such knowledge to a Magic Guild mage.

Interrogation of Dorothea Samuels revealed the existence of three other Lords. (It is believed others still exist, but as Dorothea took her own life, further information is unavailable.) The names of the confirmed Lords are as follows:

• Lord of Beasts
• Lord of Paladins
• Lord of Nosferatu

This information confirms that remnants of the Sanctuary Church Elysium Temple are still active. It is almost certain that they possess two of the other Lords.

In light of this, the Lindbell Magic Guild has decided to conduct an activation experiment on the Lord of Phantoms. Given that Church remnants possess other Lords, we must ascertain this one’s capabilities. This experiment was proposed by B-Rank Mage Cain Liestia and approved by A-Rank Mage Zamel Kartus. The experiment will be held at the capital’s ‘Magic Proving Ground.’ Observers will be B-Rank Mage Cain, A-Rank Mage Zamel, and several C-Rank mages.

Addendum:

After her initial interrogation, Dorothea Samuels took her own life. As a result, the identity of the individual who defeated her remains unknown.

According to her testimony, her attacker was “young, yet possessed the air of an old man.” This person allegedly used a holy sword and referred to the 200-year-old “Traitor Sage” as “my child.” This testimony is so absurdly fantastical that it is likely misinformation intended to confuse us.

We shall tentatively refer to this individual as the ‘Holy Sword Mage,’ but as a senior member of the Magic Guild, I can only pray they are not an enemy.

Kingdom Calendar Year 155, Month of the 5th Moon, 13th Day.

B-Rank Mage, Cain Liestia

—Magic Guild Proving Ground—

“We will now begin the experiment, Demeter Springal. Have you taken the mana-enhancing potion?”

“Yes, Cain-sama.”

This was the Magic Guild’s Proving Ground, also known as the Colosseum—the very same place where Yuuki Grossalia and Alex Kielce had dueled just ten days prior. Compared to that day, the spectator stands were nearly empty.

In the center of the arena stood the massive, one-armed suit of armor. Beside it were Demeter, dressed in casual clothes, and Prince Cain, in his robes. Demeter had forgone her usual robe for a shirt and short trousers, which were easier to move in and allowed for a clearer reading of her mana flow.

“I apologize for rushing this, Demeter,” Prince Cain said, looking up at the Lord of Phantoms. “We have very little information on the Lords. We shouldn’t be experimenting so hastily, but…”

“It cannot be helped, my lord. Not when remnants of the Sanctuary Church may possess others,” Demeter replied, shaking her head. “I have heard the reports from the senior mages who were in the forest. It fires a strange light from its back that drains both mana and life force.”

“And on top of that, it repels all offensive magic…”

It was too dangerous. The Magic Guild had to develop countermeasures for when they inevitably encountered the other Lords. That was why this experiment was being fast-tracked.

“If you feel your mana is nearing depletion, get out of the armor immediately. Understood?”

“Understood, Cain-sama.”

Demeter nodded. Cain stepped back, away from the giant armor.

From a distance, the Lord of Phantoms looked like a one-armed golem. Its total height was about twice that of an adult man. Its legs were short, but its one remaining arm was bizarrely long, capable of touching the ground even while standing.

Unlike typical armor, which is equipped piece by piece, the Lord of Phantoms was different. Its entire front panel opened, allowing a person to step inside. Once they were in, a magical connection was established, allowing the pilot to move it with thought alone.

“Now then—I will begin.”

Demeter said with a bow before stepping inside the Lord of Phantoms. With a heavy clank, the front armor sealed. Inside, Demeter began the activation chant. With her small murmur, lines of mana began to race across the armor’s surface.

“—Activation complete.”

With Demeter’s voice, the Lord of Phantoms slowly raised its enormous fist. The observing mages let out a collective “Ooh.” The activation of a Lord, the strongest of the ‘Ancient Artifacts’—for mages dedicated to mastering their craft, it was like watching a legend come to life.

“…It is a deeply moving sight,” Zamel murmured from the stands. “However, I still believe this experiment is premature, Prince Cain.”

“I am here as a B-Rank Mage. Please, call me Cain, Elder Zamel,” Prince Cain replied with a wry smile, not turning to face the old mage behind him. “Besides, if you felt it was premature, why did you approve the experiment?”

“Because even if I had refused, you would have simply secured approval from someone else, would you not?”

“…Who can say?”

“That is the kind of man you are. In that case, I am more at ease having the experiment conducted where I can keep an eye on it.”

“I am humbled by your insight, Elder Zamel.”

“Hmph.”

“…It’s starting.”

As Cain spoke, several C-Rank mages advanced into the arena. Staffs in hand, they began to chant.

“O, crimson sphere from the stars”—”Engulf my foes”—”And reduce them to cinders”!!”

“Activate: Burning Meteor!!”

Two mages launched their fireballs. The carriage-sized orbs of flame rocketed toward the Lord of Phantoms. As per Cain’s instructions, their aim was off. If Demeter just stood still, they would miss. But—

—Hmph!

The Lord of Phantoms extended its single arm. Its massive fist collided with the fireballs.

BOSSHUUUUU!!

“Ooooh!!” “It shattered it in one blow?!”

Cain and Zamel cried out in spite. Upon striking the Lord’s fist, the fireballs had simply disintegrated and vanished.

“Demeter! Did you feel any impact? Any pain?!”

“—None at all.”

A calm voice replied from within the armor. As she said, she seemed completely unharmed.

“Even an Anti-Magic Shell would transfer some of the shock,” Cain mused.

“No, to my eyes, the magic itself was extinguished the moment it made contact,” Zamel said. “Is the armor itself inscribed with a defensive formula? One perhaps far beyond our own technology…”

“Your eyes are sparkling, Elder Zamel,” Prince Cain said, hiding a smile. “You know the danger, yet you cannot help but be excited to see an ‘Ancient Artifact’ in motion. You truly are a mage to the bone.”

“I don’t need to hear that from you. More importantly, you’ve kept the general public away from this test, I trust?” Elder Zamel fixed Cain with a sharp glare. “If anyone without magic knowledge saw this… they might get strange ideas. They might try to weaponize it, or decide that mages who wield such things are a threat. The ignorant are beyond help.”

“Attendance is restricted to high-ranking mages.”

“And you have sworn your sister, the duke’s daughter, and her guardian knight to secrecy?”

“Of course… However.”

“…However?”

“To be honest, I find my sister’s guardian knight to be… unfathomable.” Cain said, his gaze still locked on the Lord of Phantoms. “He fought a C-Rank mage, Alex Kielce, and won a head-on victory. And when I offered him a reward for capturing Dorothea, he seemed utterly uninterested. It’s possible he sees the world from a different dimension than we do.”

“Iris’s knight… Yuuki Grossalia, was it?”

“Yes.”

“Hmph. You’re overthinking it. He’s just the illegitimate son of a barony.”

“…Perhaps you’re right.”

Prince Cain dropped the subject. In the arena, Demeter’s Lord had just deflected a third spell. The mages were aiming at its arm to avoid harming the pilot. Fire, earth—all were ineffective. Ice magic seemed to work, but only to slow it down slightly.

“Hmph. That should be enough for today.”

Ten minutes had passed. Cain stepped forward to signal the end of the test.

“Wait, Prince Cain.” Elder Zamel stopped him. “There’s no point in only testing its defenses. We must see its power.”

“This is its very first activation. We shouldn’t push it.”

“If you wish for a sparring partner, I will lend you my golem.”

“Weren’t you the one who said this experiment was premature, Elder Zamel?”

“If we are to experiment, we should get it all done in one go!”

Without waiting for Cain’s reply, Zamel’s staff began to trace a sigil. He scattered magical crystals on the ground and began his incantation.

“In the name of A-Rank Mage Zamel Kartus, I command you! My servant! Come forth!!”

“Elder Zamel!”

“The more we repeat this test, the more likely the information is to leak,” the old mage said, his beard shaking with a smile. “To protect that secret, let us be thorough on the first try. We must be perfectly prepared, so the Sanctuary Church cannot gain an advantage.”

A magic circle appeared at Zamel’s feet. From it emerged a stone golem, one size larger than the Lord of Phantoms.

“Stop this, Elder Zamel! Any more will be too much of a burden on Demeter!”

“All I must do is prove that my golem is stronger than that oversized suit of armor! Then we will have no need to fear the Sanctuary Church!”

“GUOOOOOOH!!” The stone golem roared. Shoving aside the other mages in the arena, it lumbered toward the Lord of Phantoms.

“Demeter Springal! The test is aborted! Get out of there immediately!”

“You will not flee! That is an order!” Zamel bellowed.

The Lord of Phantoms‘ ‘gaze’ darted between Zamel and the approaching golem. While its pilot hesitated, the golem closed the distance.

“GUOOOOOOH!!“

“Now, Demeter! Let’s see you stop my golem’s might!”

“—Y-Yes, sir!”

With Demeter’s voice, the Lord of Phantoms raised its one arm. The stone golem reared back its own and brought it down…

DOOOOM!!

“…It didn’t even last three minutes,” Zamel whispered, his voice thick with emotion. The giant armor had caught the stone golem with its one arm, stopped it cold, and then simply toppled it.

“My golem… it was no match at all! This… this is the legendary Lord! Haha! Hahahahahahaha!!”

“That is quite enough! Let’s end this!”

“Not yet! Not yet, not yet…”

“That is enough, Elder Zamel!! We are not the Sanctuary Church!”

Prince Cain’s shout cut through the old mage’s laughter.

“You were the one who proposed sealing Elysium out of caution for the Church! What are you doing, losing yourself to this?!”

“…Ah… no… I was…”

Realizing he had been on the verge of losing control, the old mage cleared his throat. “…My apologies. You are right. That is enough.”

“Yes. We have confirmed the Lord is powerful. That is sufficient.”

“No, you are right. My apologies. I was… overwrought.”

“Demeter. The test is over. You may come out.”

In response to Cain’s command, the front of the Lord of Phantoms opened. Demeter emerged and immediately dropped to her knees.

“Are you alright, Demeter?!”

“…My mana… it’s all gone. Even with the potion…” Pale-faced, Demeter collapsed onto the ground. “This… is not something humans should wield. This should not… exist…”

“Demeter?!”

“I… I was fighting just to suppress the urge to attack… My fellow mages… even you, Cain-sama, and Elder Zamel… I started to think of you all as… insignificant. That… is what this ‘Ancient Artifact’ is…”

“It seems we have acquired something truly troublesome…”

What was most terrifying was that this Lord wasn’t even in perfect condition. And that, somewhere out there, was a person who could defeat it easily.

“I propose that this Lord of Phantoms be designated a First-Class Sealed Ancient Artifact,” Prince Cain announced to Elder Zamel. “All information regarding it should be managed by the Guild’s Sages, and it should be placed in a vault that can only be opened with the unanimous consent of all Sages.”

“I have no objection. But I have one condition.” Elder Zamel stroked his long beard. “Appoint me as its head administrator. I have no desire to use it, of course. But I wish to study it. To see if our technology can replicate it.”

“As you wish. But you will share your research findings.”

“Of course.”

“And you promise not to use it.”

“I understand.”

Worker golems entered the arena to haul the inert Lord of Phantoms to the vault. It would be managed in the Magic Guild’s deepest storage. Its existence and its research would be known only to the high-ranking mages known as Sages. The next time that armor would be used… would be if another Lord attacked.

“Good work, Demeter Springal.” Cain took out a mana recovery potion and handed it to her. “I’m sorry. We truly needed to confirm the power of that armor.”

“…No, I…”

“It is truly dangerous. For now, simply knowing that is enough.”

Cain stared blankly as the giant armor was carried away. “The return of the Sanctuary Church remnants must be kept secret from the populace. If they knew, it would cause a panic. For now, the Guild and the Royal Family must gather information on them.”

“Cain-sama…”

“Now… I wonder where the other Lords are?” Prince Cain murmured.

His voice was so soft that even Demeter, sitting right beside him, could not hear.

“…Somewhere out there, perfect versions must exist, not this incomplete one. The Lord of Beasts, the Lord of Paladins… I want to see them with my own eyes. And if possible… as my own ‘Ancient Artifact’…”

Muttering this to himself, Prince Cain left the proving ground.

After that, I regrouped with Iris and Odette. This time, the three of us officially found the senior mages and administered first aid. I ‘borrowed’ an ID from one of the conscious mages, hurried back to the village, and reported the situation to Demeter-sensei. Then, I led Demeter-sensei back to the ‘Black Forest,’ where, with her as a witness, we formally apprehended Dorothea Samuels.

“I have contacted the main search party. We will wait here for their arrival,” Demeter announced, standing deep in the ‘Black Forest.’

In front of us, the listing Lord of Phantoms sat motionless. Dorothea herself was bound, blindfolded, gagged, and currently tied up in her own carriage, watched over by the senior mages we had rescued.

In the end, Iris, Odette, and I had agreed on our story:

“We were passing near the ‘Black Forest’ when we found the collapsed senior mages. Worried, we looked deeper inside and found Dorothea Samuels alongside a giant, broken suit of armor.”

We decided to stick with that.

I’d seen Dorothea again after that, but she hadn’t recognized me. I had hidden my face during the fight, and when I was with Iris and Odette ‘apprehending’ her, I made sure to stay in the back and keep my mouth shut. She hadn’t suspected a thing.

“I’ve never seen an ‘Ancient Artifact’ this massive…” Demeter’s eyes were wide as she stared at the Lord of Phantoms. “The Lords were written about in the history books, of course, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen one. To think they intended to use these in the ‘War of the Eight Kings’…”

“When we arrived, the person who defeated Dorothea had already left,” Iris said, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. “Who could it have been? Do you have any idea, Sensei?”

“I have no idea.”

“I can hardly believe it myself. To sever the arm of an ‘Ancient Artifact’…”

Odette, you can stop glancing at me too.

“Truly, we have witnessed something remarkable.”

“The one who captured Dorothea Samuels was supposed to receive a noble title, wasn’t she? What happens in a case like this, Sensei?” Iris asked.

“Are you curious, Your Highness?”

“As a member of the royal family, I believe that person should be rewarded. However, if our only lead to finding them is Dorothea’s testimony…”

“Searching for this individual to grant them a title will be difficult, I’m afraid,” Demeter said, shaking her head.

“However, this is your achievement. If you had not come here, no one would have even known the senior mages were down. You apprehended Dorothea and preserved the scene. I am certain you will receive a suitable reward for your efforts.”

This was probably the best compromise. If I stepped forward, the unauthorized use of a Holy Sword would become a problem.

Incidentally, I’d already had the bat squadron carry the Holy Sword back to my lodging in secret. It should be hidden under my bed right now.

“Still… to think there are eight of these things.”

The Lord of Phantoms, missing one main arm and its two auxiliary arms, was frozen, its remaining hand dug into the ground. When I hacked it, I saw it even has a self-regeneration ability. If the arm was just re-attached, it would apparently heal. How terrifying, this ‘Ancient Magical Civilization.’ Were things like this just walking around in the ancient world?

I could understand why Lyle and Remilia sealed the ‘Ancient Artifacts.’ If the Sanctuary Church had used these dreadful toys, the world might have been destroyed.

Amazing, Lyle, Remilia. If I ever find out what happened to you, I’ll be sure to praise you. If by some miracle you’re alive, I’ll tell you directly. If not, I’ll tell your graves. You are my children, and I’m proud of you. I wish I could pat your heads, just like in the old days.

“…The real problem is where the one they did run off with is.”

The Lord that shared my name: Lord of Nosferatu. According to Dorothea, Lyle and Remilia stole it from the Church and fled. Knowing Lyle, he probably stashed it away for the reincarnated me and Alice. It’s likely somewhere in this world.

And I have a pretty good idea where. I know how my children think. I was their parent and their teacher, after all.

“…Lord Yuuki?”

“…I got some information from her. I’ll tell you later, Your Highness,” I whispered.

“…Yes.”

Odette was watching us with an expression that said she knew exactly what was going on. I’d have to fill her in later, too.

“—Prince Cain has arrived!” Demeter suddenly shouted.

A number of lights were approaching from the forest entrance. They soon resolved into a group of over a dozen mages: the main search party. At their head was a young, blond man.

I heard Iris murmur, “Brother Cain…”

So that was him. B-rank mage and Iris’s older brother, Cain Liestia.

“Good work, all of you. Thanks to you, we avoided any casualties. That’s due to your first aid and your preservation of the scene, Demeter.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. If not for the courageous actions of Princess Iris and the others, I would never have even realized the situation. Please, save your praise for your sister.”

“You’re right. You all did well. Iris, Lady Odette, and… you are?” Prince Cain’s gaze landed on me.

“Yuuki Grossalia, Your Highness. Illegitimate son of the Grossalia Barony.”

We were currently colleagues in the Magic Guild, so there was no need to kneel. I simply met his gaze and answered.

“So you are Iris’s guardian knight. It seems you’re doing good work.”

“Lord Yuuki is always a great help to me,” Iris chimed in.

“And he is a friend I am proud to know, Your Highness,” Odette added.

“You’ve all been a real help,” Prince Cain said, shrugging. “The mages who were taken down by Dorothea, it seems, were trying to jump the gun. While I was conducting interviews in the village, they acted on their own. They must have gotten a tip somewhere and tried to claim the glory for themselves, without informing the rest of us.”

“Compared to them, you didn’t leap at the chance for glory and instead relayed accurate information to us. That is worthy of praise.”

“The decision was theirs. I merely received their report,” Demeter said, gesturing to us. “If you are giving praise, it belongs to Princess Iris, Lady Odette, and her knight, Yuuki.”

“Of course. In the name of Second Prince Cain, I promise you a reward. Without you, Dorothea’s discovery would have been delayed. It’s possible her allies could have arrived first and absconded with this armor. In that sense, you could say you’ve successfully recovered an ‘Ancient Artifact.’”

Prince Cain looked at Iris, Odette, and then me.

“What do you desire?”

“Nothing in particular for me. Please give my reward to Lord Yuuki,” Iris said.

“The same for me. I yield my share to Yuuki,” Odette added.

They were both looking at me, trying to hold back their smiles. I had a feeling they’d say that.

“This was a group effort. I cannot accept a reward for all three of us.”

“I see. Then I shall reward all three of you equally. However, since they both insist, I would like to hear your request in particular.”

“In that case, please grant me the right to view maps. Modern maps, and the oldest maps you have available.”

“Maps? I have no objection, but why?” Prince Cain looked at me, his interest piqued.

“Seeing this Lord made me want to research the era of the ‘War of the Eight Kings.’ If this machine had been used in that war, history would have been changed forever. I’d like to look at maps from that time, just to appreciate the fact that such a catastrophe didn’t happen.”

I decided to lie.

My real goal was to find the location of Fira Village. By comparing current maps with old ones, I should be able to find where it used to be. And there, I would find what Lyle and the others had left behind. According to Dorothea, Lyle and Remilia hid a Lord. And its name was Lord of Nosferatu. That name was a message for me. Knowing them, they must have calculated that the name would eventually reach the ears of the reincarnated me and Alice. They probably chose a name that would reveal its location.

—The Lord of Nosferatu is in the old castle in Fira Village.

For Lyle and Remilia, that was just common sense. The Lord they left behind was almost certainly in Fira Village. In the very castle I used to live in.

“Very well. I accept your request, Guardian Knight Yuuki Grossalia,” Prince Cain said after a moment. “In my name as the B-rank mage Cain, I grant you permission to access the Magic Guild’s archives.”

“Thank you very much, Your Highness.”

I bowed to Prince Cain. Then, along with Demeter-sensei, I began to walk toward the forest exit. Our work here was done. I’d leave the rest to Prince Cain and the senior mages.