Our carriage entered the royal capital.
　The royal capital, Milgaria, was packed with people anyway. After our carriage entered the main street, all we could see were human figures. You can't see the human figures in the stalls or any other shops because they are in the way.
　The only other thing I can see is a large gate at the end of the main street.
　The only other things you can see are the big gate at the end of the main street, the nobleman's quarter and the royal palace beyond.

Martha is amazed. It's an amazing place. ''Yuki-sama.''
I've never been to King's Landing either.

　The shape of the country, the royal family, even the organization, has changed since the last world.

Feela Village belongs to a different country than this one.
　The royal capital at that time was under the control of the Sanctuary Church, so it was not a place that would welcome an immortal magician.
　Moreover, at that time, people were dying en masse from the 'death mark disease'.

"My brother told me that the Magical Guild was located in the nobleman's quarter beyond the main gate.
''Is that the entrance to the legendary City of Ancient Magical Civilization (Elysian) also located there?
'I don't know that much. Maybe it's managed by the 'Magic Guild'?
I hope Martha is somewhere she can help Yuki-sama.
'You take care of the house for Martha.

　Martha doesn't have the ability to fight.
　I don't want you to take any risks and provide support in the rear.

Martha, I want you to keep an eye on the town.
"Information?
Yeah. Information about other noble servants and gossip. I'm not very good at that sort of thing.
All right. Let Martha handle it.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
"Martha is Yuki's partner.

　My partner smiled mischievously.

　The carriage went straight into the nobleman's quarter and stopped in front of a large building.
　I heard that this would be our quarters.
　After dropping off our luggage, we are supposed to go to greet Princess Iris with our arrival.

Is Odette Slay in the same quarters?
There are a couple of entrances, so it's like they're separated in the building.
Good.
'Martha was also wondering what she would do if she passed the dukes in the hallway or something.

　Me and Martha headed to the inn, patting ourselves on the chest.

　There were two buildings in the inn. The building on the right was the dormitory for me and Martha.
　The building on the left is for Odette-Suray and her tutor.

'It's a big place. It looks like a lot of work to clean.
Just clean up where you're going to use it, okay?
'That's not how it works!　It's Yuki-sama's home, so we have to think about welcoming guests.
Okay. Okay, Remy.
'....Cu?　'Aunji?'
"Remy, I'm assigning you to be Martha's bodyguard and apprentice maid. And Martha, you'll look away.
Yes, sir.

　As soon as Martha turns her back on me, I scratch her arm with my dagger.
　I pick Remy up and bring his mouth to the wound.

'Remy, you're of the Silver Bayofox clan, aren't you?
I'm not sure.
Didn't your mother turn into a human being or something?
I would have.
Do you want to be one?
"I don't know, but I'm itching to. But I'm itching to.
Do you want magic?
Do you accept?
Good.
.....

　The fox Remy puts his mouth on my wound and drinks the "Myster Blood".
　And then...

　There was a popping sound, and as if it was obvious, she took on a human form.
　It's a girl with silver hair. Her age is less than ten years old. Wild animals can walk normally even when they are born, so they seem to have a slightly more grown-up appearance when they are human.

"...Remy, I'm a man now?
How long can you keep this up?
Well it's my first time, maybe two hours.
"Hmm.

　I brought up Remy's status.


'Remy.

　Race: Silver Bayofox
　Level: 3
　Strength: C
　Arm strength: C
　Agility: B
　Magic Power: B
　Dexterity: B

　Skill: Humanization.
　Submissive Skill: Intelligence. Fast Movement. Increased Defense. Increased Regenerative Ability'


The Silver Bayofox originally possessed the skills to become a person.
　In addition, I gave it Myster Blood, which added the skills of intelligence, fast movement, increased defense, and regeneration ability. Is the reason his level is low because he is still a child?


''From now on, I'll give you magical power every day, so practice becoming a human. Once your humanization skills have stabilized, I want you to help Martha and escort her. Can you do that?
I can do it.
Well, I guess I'll have to take a bath first.

　Lemmy is covered in sand as a human being. And he's naked.

"Martha, you can look at me.
'Yes. That's Remy right there, isn't it?
...You can be a little frightened, okay?
I'm surprised enough. Martha is just trying to act cool in front of Yuki.
For my part, I needed someone to help me with Martha.
I know Yuki-sama will stop at nothing to achieve that, so I'm not too surprised.
'I'll be helping Lady Martha today. I'm Remy!　Best regards!
'Yes. It's nice to meet you. Remy.
I'll start the bath. Then I'll wash Remy.
...it's a girl and Martha will wash it.

　Martha wrapped Remy's body in a blanket.

'Even though she's a fox, she's a girl. Let Martha handle it.
As far as I'm concerned, I didn't want to give Martha any more work.
Yuki.
Yes.
'Martha is a girl, too. So Martha can bathe Remy-chan. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to get any work done while Yuki-sama is washing Remy.
All right. Martha will handle it.
Yes. Leave it to me!
I'll get the bath ready. Remy, you and Martha will wait here.
Okay. Aruji-sama.

　I went to the bathroom, drank some water, and rinsed the bath.
　As I lit the fire and waited, Dick the bat flew in and called out, 'Hey, you're welcome. Dick, Gail, and Neil are all around the house now, and they are in charge of security.

　By the way, here's the status of Dick and the others.


Dick, Gail and Neil.

　Species: Forest Bats
　Level: 12
　Strength: B+.
　Arm strength: C+.
　Agility: B+
　Magic Power: B+
　Dexterity: C+

　Skills: ultrasound. Flight.
　Dependent Skill: Diurnal. High Sight. High-powered ultrasound. Fast Movement. Increased Defense. Increased Regenerative Capacity'.


　Dick and his friends are at a much higher level due to the fact that they fought "Dark Bear", "Gryphon" and "Dark Wolf". They've almost reached the limit of the bats. They are no longer a match for goblins.
　They'll be able to do the reconnaissance of the capital that I asked for and assist Martha and Remy as well.

"So, who do you think we have as guests?
"It's a man in a crappy dress.
Is it the princess, or did Odette, the duchess, send you?

　It was as expected.
　When I went out the door, His Highness had sent a messenger to me.
　You will be able to find out more about the fact that you are able to get the most out of this article.



　At the same time, in Odette's lodgings...



I'm here to deliver a letter from your father, Gilas-Slay.

　When Odette arrives at her quarters, a soldier from the duke's family is waiting for her.
　Holding up an armband to indicate that he was a messenger, the soldier handed her a letter.

'From your father........well, I can imagine the contents.
Then I'll be off.

　When Odette received the letter, the soldier with the message left quickly.

''I'm not feeling very well.

　He and Yuki-Grossaria had been having a good time talking to each other earlier.
　Odette entered her quarters and opened the letter in a disgusted mood.



'To my daughter, Odette.

　You know what I mean.
　You know that if you are to live free as a sorceress, you must fulfill the conditions I have laid out for you. If you don't, I'll recall you to the Duke's house.

　The real role of a duchess is to live only for her house.
　I hope Odette is aware of her father's intentions and comes back with an open mind.

　Gilas-Sley



Miss....

　I noticed that the governess and the maid were looking at Odette with concern.

'It's all right. It's just the usual.
I'm aware of the conditions the Duke has set, and there's no way I could be a C-level magician in a year.
''The E class is to master the three higher levels of the Ancient Magi, and the C class is to step through the third level of the Elysian City of Ancient Magi Civilization.

　The least a guild trainee can do is walk through the second layer at best.
　I know it's impossible. But that doesn't mean I won't have the opportunity.
If you get to the highest-ranking master in the 'Magic Guild', you can enter the lower level of 'Elysian' as an attendant. If you learn the structure of the ruins there.......even if you're just a trainee......

''In order to do that, I have to become Iris's escort knight at all costs. Besides, I made a promise to Iris. We would be together forever. Even if she is...

(Even if, unlike me, you remain much younger.)

　It was a promise made to her when she was a little girl.
　Odette took Iris's hand, which had been creeped out by her half-sisters when she was told that her grandmother was immortal, and said, "I'm going to be there for you. I'll always be there for you. I will never, ever be creeped out. We may not live the same amount of time, but we'll always be friends.

　Princess Iris nodded to me with tears in her eyes.
　She trusted Odette enough to tell me, as if in trouble, that my grandmother was not immortal, even if she was immortal.
　That's an important promise and a vow to Odette, who was raised by parents who saw their children as nothing more than political tools. That's why Odette aimed for the same 'Magic Guild' as Iris.

　In truth, Odette didn't care about guardian knights.
　As long as she could protect her best friend, she didn't care in any way.
　The only reason she became a candidate for a guard knight was because of the duke's vanity.

''But if Iris has someone she can trust as much as I do...''

　Maybe that's something to celebrate.
　But I'm not going to give up the road quietly either.

'This test will show you if you're worthy of being an Iris. I'll show you if you're worthy of being Iris. Yuki-Grossaria.

　Clutching the letter from her father, Odette murmurs with determination.




　The next day, at the state house in front of the royal palace.




　Odette and I were standing in front of Princess Iris.

　This is the guesthouse in front of the royal palace. This is the parlor.
　Odette, Odette and Princess Iris were standing across the large table from each other.

First of all, I'd like to apologize to you. Yuki-Grossaria-sama.''

　Her Royal Highness said.

'If it were true, I would have asked Yuki-sama to be my guard knight and Odette to learn with me as a friend. That.........
It's not Your Highness' fault. It was my father who recommended me as a guardian knight. If it were true, Yuki-Grossaria was supposed to become His Highness' knight as it was.
''If it's Duke Gilas-Sulay's recommendation, then His Majesty the King will have no choice but to move.

　Princess Iris said and gave me a detailed explanation.

　When a royalty turns thirteen years old, they can appoint their own guard knight.
　In the barony, Princess Iris appointed me as her own guard knight, and I was recognized by Mr. Barnes (who was one of the generals) and the soldiers around me.
　All that was left to do was for His Royal Highness to get the king's permission and that would be all that was needed.

　But the other nobles came in to side-step the situation.
　What a bastard of a baronet's bastard son by the princess's highness's guardian knight!　And then I got angry. She was so excited that everyone was recommending her child.

　I heard that Her Royal Highness tried to push it through, saying that she had already made her decision.
　But the royal family would not allow it.
　It was decided that they should choose a few from the list of nobles who were recommended by the nobles and hold an examination to determine the guardian knights.

　As a result, Odette-Slay, a childhood friend of Princess Iris, was chosen. And a boy from the Marquess family and a boy from the Count family.
　Including me, who had originally been chosen, the four of us were to vie for the position of the princess's guardian knight.

''I have been really rude to Yuki-sama,''

　Princess Iris also bowed.


"Fever...is that okay?　Your Royal Highness.
Yeah, I'm fine. It's okay. Odette.

　Princess Iris smiles as she reassures him.

'I just had a lot of fever I had a lot of dreams. But because of that, I couldn't get in touch with Yuki-sama. When I woke up after my fever had gone down, I found that I was prevented from sending mail to Yuki-sama.
You don't want to give me the benefit of the doubt, do you?
''Yes. We all know that Yuki-sama is the original candidate for knighthood.

　Princess Iris took my hand and told me.

''Since the selection of a knight escort has become a matter for the royal family, I can't push through my opinion alone. However, even if Yuki-sama is not chosen as a knight escort, she will still be by my side. As your schoolmate, I will make sure that you have the best master of Ancient Magic. Please forgive me. Yuki-sama.
I understand.

　I still don't mind.
　The reason I was appointed as Princess Iris's guardian knight is because I wanted to learn more about her relationship with Fira Village.
If I can stay by her side as a trainee in the 'Magic Guild', that purpose is accomplished.

''I'm fine with that too. ''Thank you for your consideration of Princess Iris.''
Thank you. Yuki-sama. And Odette, thank you so much.

　Then Princess Iris also bowed to Odette.

Thanks to your presence, I was able to talk to Yuki. If you call for two candidates at the same time, you won't be patronizing Yuki.
'I'm pleased to be of service. Your Highness Iris.
'Don't be a stranger. Odette was originally going to have you follow the same master as me, even if you didn't become an escort knight.

　Princess Iris closed one eye mischievously.

'But I'm surprised. Since when did Yuki-sama become friends with Odette?
I was walking down the street when I happened to be approached by someone.
'Hmph. It's the same as mine. Could it be that Odette wasn't saved by Yuki-sama, too?
''I will not be making any comments. Your Highness Iris.
'What?　Your face is like a figurehead. Wasn't Yuki-sama's fighting ability amazing?
That's why I won't be making any comments.
Oh, dear.

　His Highness Iris and the Duke's daughter Odette seem to be enjoying themselves.
　They really are childhood friends.

Princess Iris, may I ask you a question?
Come in.
Are there any ancestors of Your Highness named Lyle, or Remilia, or Alice?
Lyle Remilia Alice.

　Her Royal Highness Princess Iris repeated the name, and then looked at me intently.

'I didn't know anyone like that until my grandparents' generation but I don't think there was anyone like that.
Well....
Why would Yuki-sama do such a thing?
Um.

　I didn't think about that.
　As the guardian deity of the village, you can't say that you're worried about what happened to them.
　Or that Princess Iris looks exactly like Alice, the woman who was my family 200 years ago.

"...in a dream.
"Dreams?
In a dream, the three of them spoke to me. They asked me to protect Her Royal Highness Princess Iris.
Well.

　His Highness Iris clapped her hands with a plop.

''Perhaps those people were the ones who guided me and Yuki-sama's meeting.
Maybe.
It's like fate. Hmm, maybe it is.

　Sorry, Lyle. I borrowed the name at random.
　I'll pay a proper visit to your grave when I find it, so you'll have to miss it for now.

'But ... unfortunately, there is no record of anything that happened before my grandparents' time. Even if those people are indeed my ancestors we have no way of knowing.
That's because of the "War of the Eight Kings.

　Her Royal Highness' words were succeeded by Odette, the duchess.

'A muddy war, with eight kings fighting each other. Because of that war, most of the old records have been lost. Most of the ancient artifacts have been lost and the ones that remain are still sealed up.
That reminds me.

　His Highness Iris clapped her hands again. It seems to be her habit (habit).

''It's about the exam to choose a guard knight. The 『Magic Guild』 has decided on a venue for the exam. The place is the cave where the holy sword is kept on the shallowest floor of the 'Elysian'...
You're not supposed to be here!

　A guard at the door shouted

At this moment, your son Girvan-Keels, son of the Marquis, and Gaiel-Wolfgang, son of the Count, are here to greet you. How may I help you?
I guess this is it for the three of us, then.

　Her Royal Highness Princess Iris returned to her seat and took one deep breath.

'Please let me come through. Let's talk about the exam in the company of all of you.
Yes, sir.

　The guard answered and the door to the parlor opened.
　On the other side of the door stood two boys about my age.