That night.
　I was in my room, thinking about the future.

''I'm going to replace my brother at the 'Magic Guild' educational institution...?

　Come to think of it, I don't have a problem with that.
　Originally, I was going to know the history of this world. The 'Magic Guild' in the royal capital should at least have some history books. It's also possible to find out the detailed history after my death in the previous life, as well as what happened to Lyle and his team's Fira Village.
　In addition, if you learn about ancient magic, you might also understand the reason for my reincarnation.

　I've lived a long time.
　It's not bad to spend 2 or 3 years learning about humans in a human organization.

　Besides if I refuse the offer, I'll have to crush your highness' face in the process.
　I don't want the royal family to stare at us because of that. I'm a member of the baronial family, after all.

Well.........we can't destroy the baron's house, can we?

　If I lose my home, my father, Lumiere, and my brother Xellos will be in trouble.
　It can't be helped.
I think we should go to the capital to observe people.

"Yuki-sama. Her Royal Highness wanted to see you.

　Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

'We have let you into the remote parlor. Yuki-sama is welcome to join us.
Her Highness is here?
Yes. I think he left the party.
You're the kind of guy who likes to burglarize.
I think Yuki-sama and I will get along.
Not as much as Martha, though.
..........
What is it, Martha?
'Sometimes I think Yuki-sama is trying to stop Martha's heart,'
That bothers me. I trust Martha more than I trust myself.
'Thank you. To repay that trust, Martha has decided to follow Yuki-sama.
You want me to follow you to the 'magic guild'?
Is there anything else you need, sir?

　Martha sighed, huffing and puffing.

''I heard that those who receive the royal family's recommendation (suisen) are allowed to take their followers to the guild's educational institutions. When the Baron-sama found out about it, he asked me to do so. Therefore, I've decided to accompany Yuki-sama.
I'm sorry about that.
No. It's easier than worrying about Yuki-sama here.
I'm sorry I'm a cowardly husband.

　I high-five Martha on my way out of the room.

'Keep up the good work. Buddy.
If Martha misses her wedding, it's Yuki-sama's fault, isn't it?
'I'll take responsibility for that. Unless you're out of the house and living a vagabond life.
'Please stop giving me hope and despair at the same time. Yuki-sama.

　Martha laughed in annoyance.





　The baronet's house, in the parlor, away from the house.




Thank you for your help today.

　Me and Her Royal Highness were in the remote reception room.
　I drank the tea Martha had made for us long ago. I didn't have time to drink it, and it was gone before I could do so. I didn't know what to say to the princess.
　It reminds me of Lyle's daughter, Alice, who was my best friend in a previous life.

"Excuse me, not 'today,' "Today," I guess.
Last time I saved someone, it was Clara.
That's my cover.
Why did Her Highness use a false name?
''I occasionally help the Magic Guild with their research. It's not easy to go out as a princess. When I want to move freely, I work under the name 'Clara.'
'So that's what Her Highness was in the mountains...'
'Yes. So, that's the suggestion I made earlier, would you accept it?
'You're talking about making me a trainee for the 'Magic Guild', right?
''Earlier, I got excited too. I declared it without asking Yuki-sama's opinion...

　Princess Iris's face had turned bright red.

''But it's also true that I was impressed by Yuki-sama's abilities and that I want someone who can believe in her to be by my side. If Yuki-sama is by my side, I can study magic in the 'Magic Guild' without worrying about it.

　I understand that.
　His Royal Highness has been attacked by demons in the backwoods, and by kuffaars in the baronial estate.

''Is that why you're welcoming me to the 'Magic Guild'?
'It's strange. That a member of the royal family would be so obsessed with magic.
I'm not sure I'm willing to risk it all.
I've already told Yuki about it. I've told you why I insist on magic.

　Her Royal Highness slumped down, as if in thought.
　Then she looked me in the eye.

In fact, there's something different about me than the other princes and princesses.
No?
My mother was the bastard child of a noble family. Her mother's mother, my grandmother, who married into the marquis' family, had an unusual constitution.
You're allowed to tell me that?
Yes, sir.
Why?
I can't ask Yuki-sama to listen to my wishes while I'm hiding something from her. And...

　Princess Iris, choosing her words.

I have a feeling that Yuki-sama would listen to me seriously. Somehow, though.
Okay. I'll see you later.
'Back to the story. There were two unusual things about my grandmother. One was that she had a larger capacity for magic power than normal people. The other was that she remained forever young. I met my grandmother once, and although she was over 60 years old at the time, she looked so young that I thought she was in her 20s.
Where's your grandmother?
She died a long time ago. My mother had an accident a while ago.
Is Her Royal Highness in her 30s, by any chance?
No, no, I'm only thirteen years old.
Yeah.

　His magic capacity is large. You stay young forever........
　Come to think of it, the user demon that I gave blood to had a longer life span than an ordinary bat, right? Their magic capacity was also increased.

　In my past life, when I cured Alice's illness, how much "Myster Blood" did I give her?
　I don't remember.
　Alice's sickness was so serious that I remember giving her a lot of blood in a hurry, but...

May I ask your name, grandmother?
My grandmother's name is Rachel. Are you interested in it?
Yes, sir.

　If Her Royal Highness was sixty years old when she met him, though, she's probably not the same person as Alice.

'I would have loved to meet you and hear your story...'
I understand. It's not usually easy to imagine what it's like to live a life of immortality.
Do you know the cause of your grandmother's constitution?

　I asked.
　Her Royal Highness shook her head.

'I don't know. And my mother was an ordinary person.
Does Her Royal Highness know of this constitution?
'I think so. My magical power capacity is also bigger than others. ''There are very few people in the royal family who can use the 'Flame God Brenade' (Efreet Blows), right?''

　...Is that right?
　I drew the Flaming Firearms symbol on the wings of Dick and the other bats.
　When His Highness used it in the backwoods, I was able to analyze it.

It is said that my grandmother's constitution was not a problem for the princes, but for the royal family, it was. But this is not the case with the royal family. There was a lot of talk about my constitution. The reason I joined the Magic Guild was also to find out who I was.
I'm sorry you had to go through that.
It's all about getting to know your roots.

　Her Royal Highness laughed.

''I want to train in the 'Magic Guild' and become a sorcerer who is recognized by everyone. I want to become a high ranking sorcerer, study and learn who I am. That's why I'm so obsessed with the 'Magic Guild'. It's why I want Yuki-sama to be by my side.
I understand.

　I knew exactly what was going on with Princess Iris.
　And why her hands were trembling in increments.
　I've told this much to a stranger I didn't know very well. That's scary, isn't it?

''Yuki-Glossaria will come to the 'Magic Guild' as Princess Iris said.
Thank you!

　His Highness Iris grabbed my hand.

So, now, if you don't mind, would you mind being my knight escort?
Escorting knights, sir?
'Yes. At the age of thirteen, the children of a royal family can choose a knight to escort them. Most choose from among the nobles, but I would like to ask Yuki-sama to do that for me.
''Is that... different from learning together in the 'Magic Guild'?
"You will be closer together. In The Magic Guild, you'll be working with the same master. I beg you. Just for the time we study together as trainees. Will you be my student friend and my bodyguard?
'Can that be the bastard child of a baronet?
We've already seen how good you are, Yuki-sama.
As far as I'm concerned, I have no objection to being Your Highness' bodyguard.

　On the other hand, I want to help Princess Iris find her roots.
　If she's a descendant of Alice from 'Fira Village' then her 'constitution' might be because of me.
　I gave Alice the 'magic blood' two hundred years ago, and it may have affected her descendants.

''May I ask you something? ''Princess Iris, Your Highness.''
Come in. Yuki.
'Would Your Highness Iris like 'venison in a thin crust pie crust with spicy sauce'?
........yes?

　Her Royal Highness got a pouty look on her face.
　Well, just to make sure.
　Martha says that the taste of family is something that has been passed down from generation to generation. The taste of family is something that has been passed down from generation to generation.

No, I haven't eaten anything like it.
Yeah.

　It's a village dish. No one from the royal family would eat it.

But I do like spicy food.
Thank you.

　I'll hold off on deciding whether or not Her Royal Highness is descended from Alice.
　But now that I know, it doesn't mean I can tell you anything.
　It's just that this is fate. It's okay to stay with them at least as long as you are in the capital.

''Then, Yuki-Glossaria, after you go to the 'Magic Guild', I will serve as your highness' guard.

　I stood up and knelt in front of Princess Iris.

''........Is this a verbal promise?''
No, I need to get permission from my father - His Majesty the King - for the formalities.
"After you went to the 'magic guild'?
'Yes. I'll talk to my father about it, including the admission ceremony. Yuki-sama would appreciate it if you could come to the royal capital before the entrance ceremony.

　It's before the entrance ceremony, so that's about a month from now.

Very well. Then I'll go to the capital before the entrance ceremony.
'You are truly an amazing person. Yuki-Grossaria-sama.

　Her Royal Highness clasped her hands together and smiled.
　A child's smile like a child - or a child because they are the same age.

''Your quick decisions and your ability to react. You have skills in magic and a great sense of humor. What's my favorite food? With a person of your caliber, I can understand why your brother would want to teach you magic.
Is that so?
''Yes. I, too, look forward to seeing how much talent you show in King's Landing.

　Her Royal Highness rose, picked up her dress, and bowed.

''Lastly, please tell me. The 'Sanctuary Church' was destroyed, right?
He's gone.
So why did Kachel do that?
Barnes and his team searched his room and found a copy of the letter.
When you say letters, are they addressed to your mates?
'It was not addressed to me. It was just a condemnation of the 'Sanctuary Church'. We don't know where he got that amulet from. It's just....

　Her Royal Highness let herself think for a moment, and then

I've heard that there is a group of people who idealize a defunct 'sanctuary church'
...for an organization like that?
''As for the 'Sanctuary Church', it is forbidden, but I have heard that some of you are studying it. If you are interested, Yuki-sama, I can arrange to meet with the researchers.
Please.
Yes, sir. Now, then.

　With that, His Highness left the reception room.

''In other words, my job is to guard Her Highness while she's a trainee in the 'Magic Guild'?

　Conditions aren't bad.
If there's someone looking into the "Sanctuary Church", we could find out more about them.
　Considering that Kachel was a worshipper of the Sanctuary Church, there may be others just like him.
We don't know what the Sanctuary Church will do, you know. Let's take precautions.

...Well, that's also a story for when you go to the royal capital.

　I left the parlor.
　I'll have Martha bring me a snack and then I'll take a nap.