347. Childhood Ep – Depare

“Our Aisel Kingdom is somewhat peculiar, isn’t it? Did you encounter anything else interesting?”

Princess Elika chuckled in agreement. As soon as they met, the couple, bound for marriage, had an audience with the king and then shifted to casual chitchat, trying to learn about each other.

He seems like a decent guy. But… can he really save me and my younger sister?

There’s no way he can. Elika buried the secrets she had to take to the grave deep within her heart and greeted the prince with a feigned smile. In the meantime, Eric said politely, “Um~”

“I hope this isn’t a rude question, but I find it unfamiliar yet amusing that several families reside within a single royal palace.”

“…I’m aware it’s unusual, but why is it amusing?”

“It means that anyone who inherits the royal lineage of the Manjamon Imperial Family can become a king. Practically speaking, only the House of Isadora and the Kyrgis duchy take turns holding the throne, though.”

Hmm. “Anyone,” huh?

He seems ambitious, but… does he actually have what it takes?

Elika picked up on the accent in Eric’s words. For a moment, a sense of loneliness washed over her, but isn’t this what royal marriages are? A relationship where both parties consume and are consumed.

Love?

It’s been long since I’ve stopped expecting that. Elika returned a somewhat foolish-looking smile.

“That’s right. You haven’t been here long, yet you seem to know a lot about our kingdom. You’re truly wise.”

While wondering how to manipulate this guy to her advantage, she noticed a strange expression on the prince’s face. He seemed a bit flustered or perhaps disappointed, somehow…

“He must not like obvious flattery.”

Seems he’s fond of acting all high and mighty. Well, I’ll just go along with it. Elika hurriedly tried to change the topic. Then he said,

“Then, Your Highness…”

“Elika Princess.”

Eric leaned forward, his face serious.

“I’m sorry for interrupting, but it seems we have many heartfelt discussions to have before our marriage.”

“…What kind of discussions?”

“Topics we can’t discuss in front of others. Sir Reb, I’m sorry, but could you step outside for a moment? Princess, you should also dismiss your knight.”

The dazed knight with messy hair immediately faced the exit.

Elika stared at the prince, who had effortlessly sent her guard away, and his gaze unwaveringly met hers.

“Quickly.”

As if there was genuine intent behind it.

*

I’m dizzy.

Having stepped outside, Reb was still lost in thought while suppressing the overwhelming flow of information.

Iina de Isadora and Gilbert Forte, Elika and Eric de Yeriel.

I understand there’s something I need to do here. But… what exactly? Reb thought deeply and shook his head.

There’s still about a week left until the prince Vivian departs. So, I have time to think it over.

If needed, I could contact Lean for advice. I would need to borrow communication authority from Eric, though.

Lost in thought, Reb finally looked around. The space was filled with red wood, and fiery flames were intricately carved all around…

Where am I?

I remembered boarding a carriage alongside Prince Eric after the audience.

I felt like I had been riding along the Ranhara Avenue below the palace for quite a while, and as I fumbled for my memories, Reb managed to discern his exact location.

I was in the southeastern area of the Ofrontis Palace, which was claimed by the Kyrgis Duchy.

The royal palace means the dwelling place of the king. However, in this Aisel Kingdom, where many self-proclaimed royalty claim rights, one king couldn’t occupy the palace alone.

Because everyone asserts their claims, the royal palace has been endlessly expanded, and over a hundred nobility, backed by Cornus’ golden documents, proliferate within a single palace.

Thus was born the aerial royal fortress of Ofrontis. The entire city, crushed under the palace’s weight, became ‘Ranhara,’ where commoners reside, while nobles disguised as royalty lorded over it. Reb looked down at the lower levels, common to everywhere he went.

Peering below.

Starving children came into view beneath the red embroidered wooden railings, almost shameful.

It’s needless to say, the disparity in status and economic conditions was immense.

The children gazed longingly upwards at a place they could never reach. Especially since they seemed particularly fascinated by Reb, who appeared to be a commoner.

“…Hello.”

Not knowing quite what to do, Reb timidly waved his open palm.

Kya! The children laughed.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Connie and this is-”

“I’m Derry! Mister! Is it okay for you to be up there?”

“Whoa. Mister? I’m just a young man who’s not even married. There’s not much age difference…”

“Kya! He’s a young man.”

The children burst into giggles, their age showing as they kidded around about ‘mister.’ But the innocence of their laughter was endearing. Reb thought about where his own youthful innocence had flown off to.

Should I bring them some snacks…?

Just as Reb was about to call a maid to get some treats,

“Ah!”

“Connie! Kids! Come inside!”

A gray cloud had spread. The parents, who had been watching the children chat with Reb, called out urgently as a sorcerer made a grand entrance.

Clack clack.

The silhouette walking down the corridor was long. Soon, Reb faced an incredibly tall female sorcerer.

“Lady Angelica Lydia Kyrgis. Have you arrived?”

Lady?

The princess’s knight who had come out with Reb welcomed the sorceress. Reb was taken aback by the title that seemed ill-fitting for a sorceress, but quickly regained his composure.

“Lady” is usually a title attached to knights. It’s a respectful way of addressing those who protect royalty or noble families, but in the Aisel Kingdom, most sorcerers are ‘adopted’ by specific families.

Lady Angelica Lydia Kyrgis.

So, this woman must be a sorceress adopted by the Kyrgis Duchy and a protector of that house, hailing from the ‘Lydia’ faction of the Cornel Academy.

It’s theoretically possible for a noble from a duchy to be born a sorceress and take on the Kyrgis surname, but such cases are extremely rare due to how uncommon sorcerers are.

Count Soarel Demetri Ogerton of the Orun Kingdom and Prince Oscar de Isadora of the Aisel Kingdom are the only examples of such improbable luck in being sorcerers.

But Angelica Lydia Kyrgis? That name sounds familiar…

Reb stared intently at the woman before him.

She was incredibly tall (still not as much as Ray), wearing a flamboyant outfit, and her skin was so pale that her bluish veins were prominent. Gray. Yes, it was gray.

Holding a fan, she didn’t even glance at Reb and said,

“I came to see the princess. And the prince as well.”

“Um… it seems you might have to wait a little while. The princess has asked for some privacy.”

“I’m busy. I’m going in.”

“?”

Reb’s expression turned into confusion.

Whose idea was that? Didn’t she hear what the knight said a moment ago?

The princess told the knight to step outside. Inside, there’s also Prince Eric de Yeriel from the Conrad Kingdom. How dare a mere sorceress act like this? But Reb was even more shocked shortly after.

“Then you can check with him.”

“???”

“Are you Prince Eric’s knight? Well, I have business inside, so I’m going in.”

The princess’s knight seemed to have already given the go-ahead. Reb smirked in disbelief and said,

“I don’t even know where to start. Follow the order. No matter how impressive you think you are, you need permission from the prince first, and if you don’t get it, you can’t enter.”

“…”

The princess’s knight looked taken aback, and the sorceress looked down at Reb with disdain. She snorted and playfully tilted her head.

“Then perhaps you should ask for permission, knight. Lady Angelica Lydia Kyrgis wishes to see the prince. Though you’ll grant it, anyway.”

“…Just wait.”

Reb shot an irritated glance at the sorceress, then knocked on the door to seek understanding. The sorceress stepped aside and slightly entered to relay the situation.

“Excuse me. It’s about Lady Angelica Lydia Kyrgis wishing to have an audience. May I tell her to wait for a moment?”

“…Let her in. Your Highness, please give permission.”

Reb secretly hoped Prince Eric would refuse. However, the princess interrupted, wiping her eyes.

What? Eric looked back and said,

“Let her in.”

“…She’s a sorceress. It could be dangerous, so I’ll also go in.”

“No. Sir Reb, please prevent anyone from entering. I have matters to discuss with Lady Angelica.”

“…Understood.”

Reb turned the doorknob and looked back. He noticed Eric presenting a handkerchief to the princess, then opened the door, and bam! Angelica Lydia Kyrgis was standing right at the door, as if she had been waiting.

Seemingly confident that permission had been granted, she shoved Reb aside and entered. Reb internally cursed, “Damn,” grumbling to himself.

“Who does she think she is to be so audacious? Just a sorceress.”

“Just? That’s quite impressive. You might not know since you’re a foreigner, but she’s among the most renowned sorceresses in our kingdom. She’s also been granted full authority by the Duke of Kyrgis.”

“Full authority?”

“At least in the capital. It’s not that surprising; Lady Angelica is the only archmage in the continent.”

……Ah!

In that moment, Reb involuntarily exclaimed.

It wasn’t the innate impressive nature of that pretentious sorceress that struck him, but rather something he suddenly remembered.

Angelica Lydia Kyrgis. The Archmage.

I still don’t know what I’m supposed to do here or when to leave, but at least I realized there’s one task I need to handle directly. Originally, this was supposed to be a task for Lean, but why should I leave it only to him?

What I do is what Lean does, and what Lean has done is what I’ve done, isn’t it? Hahaha!

Reb finished his tasks with a creepy smile. He waited for Prince Eric to come out, escorting him back, and as soon as they arrived at their lodgings, Leah dashed toward him. She waved her arms frantically.

“Reb! I found out something huge! Come here.”

“Ouch! What is it?”

“Well… there was a master above Cornus’ golden documents! I heard it from the cardinal, so I’m sure. It’s Princess Iina de Isadora! She’s the rightful heir to the imperial throne of the Acaian Empire!”

“What? …As expected! Then…”

Light-faded autumn leaf-colored eyes.

Despite wearing rare spectacles and having terrible eyesight, this time she had surely stuck ‘Depare’ in her eyes to obscure the dazzling golden hue.

Reb recalled the {Rules of the Back Alley} information and the pain that felt like fire in his eyes. Searching for his sister, he stumbled through it all, even remembering Lean’s third memory of wandering the entire continent.

Indeed, this was a place meant for those beggar siblings, not for me.