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.
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