In the passageway of the giant dungeon Elysian.




I knew it. The amulet has been destroyed.

　The examiner, the sorcerer Demeter, said that after we left the cave, the other sorcerers came over and checked the walls of the passage.

　Other sorcerers have also come and are checking the walls of the passage. I'm sure the amulet is an item of protection against monsters, and it was strung up in the passage and then destroyed. This is also why we were attacked by a high-ranking ghost claiming to be a "Sanctuary Church Priest".

In Elysian, which can only be entered by the Magic Guild, the fact that such a thing is possible means that there is a saboteur within the guild, which may be a sympathizer of the Church of the Sanctuary.

　As for me, it's not surprising.
　Our tutor, Kachel, also praised the 'Sanctuary Church'.
It wouldn't be surprising if he had a friend in the Magic Guild. It's a complicated story, though.

'May I have a word with you? Lady Girvan-Keels.
It's me?
About the undead who attacked us.

　When I say this, Girvan gets a sullen look on his face.

　Both Odette and I have heard that the Marquesses of Kirus were trying to control the undead with Gaiel-Wolfgang. This is because Zirvan told us.

　Both Demeter the Magician and Mr. Barnes knew that Count Wolfgang's family was of the 'necromancer' lineage. They thought that this incident was Gaiel's sole decision, and Gilvan confessed, ''What the Marquesses of Kyrus asked for. I heard that it was for the pride of the nobility, but then I don't want you to interfere in the first place.

I know.........you can ask me anything. Me and Gaiel have been revoked from membership in the 'Magic Guild' and are awaiting judgment.

　Girvan-Keels replied with a slump of his shoulders.

　There are sorcerers on either side of him, watching to make sure he doesn't escape. Gaiel-Wolfgang's is being treated by another sorcerer. As soon as he regains consciousness, he's supposed to ask her what's going on.


''Let me ask you point-blank. Zirvan-sama and Gaiel-sama planned to manipulate the undead to interfere with me and Odette-Slay's exam, right?
'Yeah but I didn't mean to summon the dead spirits of the Sanctuary Church!　It's true!
Just skeletons and ghosts to keep you stranded?
'Yes. That's why Gaiel said that he was taught a special 'Ancient Magic' by an acquaintance of the Count. If I had known, I wouldn't have asked him to do this either.......

　Girvan-Keels fell to his knees on the ground with a despairing look on his face.

''You guys are amazing, aren't you? You defeated the dead spirits of the Sanctuary Church with 'Ancient Magic' and saved Gaiel........................I'm completely defeated. Forgive me........Yuki-Grossaria.
It's not about me.
...Is that so?
'For that matter, find out about the Countess' acquaintances. Also, about how many people knew the location of the examination hall this time. If that 'Dead Spirit Bishop' was once the bishop of the 'Sanctuary Church' who died here, who made it possible for him to come up to the upper levels? I'm curious about who tried to make Gaiel use necromantic magic at the time he broke the protective amulet........ I am.
The Marquesses of Kielce and the Countess of Wolfgang are aware of our plans, but....
'Then give the names of those acquaintances of the Countess and those who know about the examination to Master Demeter.
'Wait a minute!　Do you have any idea what you're talking about?!

　Girvan-Keels looked up.

'Are you suggesting that the Marquis Keels or the Countess Wolfgang has a worshipper of the 'Sanctuary Church' (suhaisha)!
I don't know. I don't.
But!　That's an insult!
'I'm fine with it as long as my kids can live in peace. I don't want to get in trouble for things related to the 'sanctuary church' until this day and age. That's all.
'Yuki is right. Gilles Van-Keels.

　Odette intervened between me and Zirvan.

'You know that, don't you?　If Yuki hadn't defeated the Dead Bishop, Gaiel-Wolfgang might have been left like that to be relied upon by the Dead Bishop.
...and Gaile is the spirit of death?
"They are used as a source of magic, and in the end, even their minds are eaten up. I can't allow anyone to do that to a fellow student of mine. If you have a clue as to who did this, don't you think you should share as much as possible?
You're right you're right.

　Supported by the sorcerers, Girvan-Keels walked to the dungeon's exit.
　Let's leave the search for the culprit to the 'Magic Guild'.
　I need to find Alice's reincarnated body, you know.

''We're going back to earth, too.
To His Highness Iris?
''Yes. I must tell His Highness about the holy sword alone.

　Odette and I, together with the sorcerer who welcomed us, decided to return to earth.





　In the parlor of the guesthouse of the royal capital...





I've been informed. Yuki-sama was the first to pass the test.

　This is the parlor of the guest house.
　Me and Odette were across the table from Princess Iris, facing her.

''Of course, we've heard about the accident. And that Gaiel-Wolfgang was possessed by the dead spirit of a mysterious bishop and that Yuki-sama and Odette defeated it with magic.
I didn't do anything at all. Yuki is the one who killed the dead.
'No, it would have taken much longer without Odette's help. The damage to Gaiel would have been greater.
'If Yuki hadn't ripped the dead spirit off of Gaiel in the first place, he wouldn't have been able to attack it. That reputation will not waver. I told you in the cave, didn't I?　Yuki will be His Highness Iris's only guardian knight.
'I know that. But me and Odette were equals during the exam. If that's the case, I'm just saying that we should give Odette her due credit.
You're a stubborn man, aren't you, Yuki?
That's my line!

This is my home.

　Princess Iris' coughing echoed in the parlor.
　I'm not sure why she was looking at me and Odette with a twitchy cheek.

I'm sure the two of you are very good friends.
'I beg your pardon. Yuki was already His Highness Iris's guardian knight, wasn't he?
No, you won't be until you're formally decorated in front of your father, and that's fine, but...

　At Princess Iris, she stammered and slumped.

''As for the holy sword, I'd like to pull it out later, in the presence of His Highness Princess Iris.

　I said.

'If you could then decide how to handle the holy sword.
Well, yes.
''However, as far as I'm concerned, I don't want it to become too public. If the bastard of the baron's family had obtained the Ancient Artifact, the other nobles would be upset. If one of them was a worshipper of the Sanctuary Church, some of them might even make a move on our family. If you can keep it as private as possible...
I understand. It's a request from Yuki, the "knight escort". Let's keep this matter top secret.

　Princess Iris's Highness nodded.

''However, since this is also an important matter, let me make sure that Yuki-sama pulls out the holy sword. After that, we will decide whether we should study the Holy Sword on our own or set up a separate research team.
Yes, sir.
Truly, Yuki-sama is........an amazing person.

　Hmm?

　Princess Iris is staring at me.
　Her big blue eyes. The shape of her ears - she's just like Alice. The shape of her ears... she's just like Alice. Princess Iris is two years older than me, but she's still the same age.

　There are several ways to determine if she's Alice's reincarnated body.

　First of all, blood.
　Just as my Myster Blood can be used after reincarnation, the blood I gave to Alice in my previous life might have some effect on her.
　If Princess Iris was Alice's reincarnated body, there's a good chance that the blood that resembles the "magic blood" is flowing through it.
　But.........but that doesn't mean I can't ask your highness to give me some blood. I can't let her get injured right in front of me, so I'm in a bind.

　The second way to check is to let Princess Iris touch the Holy Sword Lean Kaal.
　Alice is also reincarnated with that holy sword. Hence, she can also break the seal of the holy sword.
　This is actually the quickest way to do it.
　That's why I'm insisting on having the princess confirm that I'm going to pull out the holy sword. If I pull out the holy sword and 'erode' (hack) Princess Iris at the point where I have her touch it, we should be able to see if the holy sword is responding to her.

　The third method is to confirm from attitude and knowledge.
　That said.........I'm teaching Princess Iris the names of Lyle, Remilia and Alice.
　I said it was in a dream, but if His Highness is Alice, she would have understood my intentions. And if she's still silent, then she's not the same person. Or maybe she hasn't recovered her memory yet....

　
　I don't want to remember my previous life... no, I don't think so.
　If that's the case, there's no reason to reincarnate in the first place.
　Since it's Alice it's possible that she's just happy to see my reaction.

　Either way, it's a pain in the ass.
　Confirming that the person you're talking to is a reincarnated entity of someone you know.

...How can I help you? Yuki-sama.
It would be rude to stare at Her Highness' face.
Excuse me. I've been thinking about something.
You've just arrived in the capital, so it's natural for you to have many thoughts.

　Princess Iris laughed.

''But I'm sure that you will soon be able to adjust to King's Landing. From now on, Yuki-sama will be my sole guardian knight and will always be there for me.
Yuki.....

　Odette poked me in the elbow.

The first thing that comes to mind is that this is the scene for you to say something clever. It's a good thing that His Highness Iris is so happy to have you as a knight escort.
Okay.

　Witty line.
　I couldn't think of a clever line.

　Come to think of it, I was the village guardian in my previous life and in this life I'm the second son of a country nobleman. I've never been in a social circles, and I've never been a knight. I've only read about it in books. It's a clever line in this kind of situation, if you ask me.

"I, Yuki-Glossaria, promise to be a knight to protect Your Highness, and I promise to serve Your Highness with all my might.
Thank you!

　His Highness Iris took my hand in hers.
　Odette sighed next to me and said a few words.

''Well that's just about as close as you can get.

　I'm sorry.

"Your tea's gone cold, isn't it? I'll have to make you a fresh pot.

　Princess Iris rings the bell and the door opens and the maids come in.
　They lower the cup in front of us and re-brew the tea in a new cup. There are a few cookies on a small plate. If we have any left over, we'll sneak some back to Martha and Remy.

'I was happy. Yuki-sama.

　Princess Iris said, holding a cup of tea in her hand.

'The other day ... you told me in a dream that you were told to protect me.
Was it?
Was it?
Well that's right.

　It was the day after I came to King's Landing.
　I was summoned by His Royal Highness, and I asked if Lyle, Remilia, and Alice were the princess's ancestors.
　In the end, I didn't know if they were Princess Iris's ancestors or not.
　As the story goes, I decided that I had been told by the three of them in a dream to protect Princess Iris.

''........The one in Yuki-sama's dream was Lyle-sama, Remilia-sama.......?''
You have a good memory.
It was a memorable story.

　Princess Iris, with her cup in her hand, looked at me.

...Perhaps those people were important to Yuki-sama.

　'Quietly,' he said.

'Maybe so.'

　I replied, slowly.
　Princess Iris smiled kindly.

Could it be that one of them is Yuki-sama's former lover...?
I don't think so.
...Is that so?
I've never had a girlfriend.
But, but I'm sure there's someone important in there, right?

　Princess Iris leaned toward me.


　Peck, peck.


　Odette was poking me with her elbow again.

"........Don't you understand how Your Highness feels?

　Odette whispering in my ear, whispering in my ear.

　Your Highness' feelings........
　I knew Princess Iris was Alice's reincarnated body, so I thought she was asking if there were any important people among me, Lyle, Remilia and Alice.

　But Odette's line was different.



　Odette looked at me seriously.

His Highness is the most important person in the world. His Highness is trying to make sure that you are ready to do so.
"Thank you for that. Thank you. Odette.

　You're right, Odette, you can count on it.

　Whether or not Princess Iris is Alice's reincarnated body remains to be seen.
　Our position now is that of the princess and her potential knight.
　We should answer accordingly here.

''Of course, I - no, the most important thing to me is Princess Iris-Lestia's highness. Even if you have a lover or someone you once had a crush on, you are nothing more than His Highness Iris. I have forgotten the past and I am aware that I am here for Your Highness.

Huh?

　Princess Iris reacts bluntly and Odette makes a strange voice.

''Hey ... hey Yuki, stay here.
What?
'Your Highness Iris no, Iris. Would you give me a moment to talk to you as a childhood friend?
'Well, uh, yes. Of course. Odette.
Well, I'll just take another room for a moment. Yuki, you stay here. It's nice. It's a maiden's conversation. Do not overhear it!

　With that, Odette took Princess Iris and moved to the other room.



　Odette's point of view



　This is the second reception room in the state guest house.

　The second reception room of the guesthouse is a little smaller than the room Yuki is in, where Princess Iris and Odette, the 8th princess, are facing each other.

It's been a long time since we've spoken alone like this. ''Your Highness Iris,''
Call me 'Iris'. Odette.
So I'll take you up on your offer but you know what, Iris?

　Odette paused to pester him.

'You've been acting a little strange, haven't you?　Yuki-Grossaria became your knight after passing the knight candidate exam. That knight has declared that the past is forgotten and that he will take care of you first. As a princess, I shouldn't have to return your blessing for that.
'I know ... I know. Odette.
So why?
I've been having strange dreams lately.
Strange dream?
'I told Odette that you had a fever a few days ago, didn't I?　And then I started having these weird dreams.
What's the dream?

I'm in an old castle, and I'm studying with a man who's been teaching me. He has lived for a very long time, and has been around since my parents were children... He is like a guardian angel of the village.
Hmm. Immortal.

'Yes. My parents loved that person, and I loved that person since I was little. But that person...that person...I called him 'My Lord'...that person lost his life because of the 'Sanctuary Church'. sir.
It's a strangely specific dream.

'Yes......... Moreover, it was my father who killed My Lord. My father was recognized by the 'Sanctuary Church' for killing Mylord, and he was given the Holy Sword. But when I studied it, I found that the sword had the ability to destroy evil and reincarnate good things.
I understand.

　Odette clapped her hands with a plop.

'Could it be that this My Lord had dark hair, dark eyes. Wasn't he blunt but kind and strangely familiar?
How do you know?　Odette.
That means you look exactly like Yuki-Grossaria. I see. Na-na-ho-do.
And anyway... the dream is so clear, it's like another reality... and it's also in some ways subtly consistent with history.
What do you mean?
It's an epidemic of 'death-crisis'.

Oh, there was indeed an epidemic of a deadly disease called 'shimon disease' that occurred twice 200 years ago. Most of the records have been lost due to the sanctuary church, but the medical community and the healers have kept a record of it for the future...''
I had a dream that the second time Mortality Syndrome struck, I was giving blood to my newborn sister and my father, Lyle, and my mother, Remilia, worked together to use the magic of purification. ...
I understand. Yeah, I get it.
Can you tell?
'The 'My Lord' in your dream looks exactly like Yuki-Grossaria, and in your dream you were in love with him. Isn't that right?
...e....

　Pop, Princess Iris' face turned red.
　As if frightened by the heat that suddenly surged in, she covered her face with her hands.

''..........Ha, yes. That's right........''

I see. Let me tell you what the dream is.



Yes, it's still a memory from a previous life...
'Not at all. It's a love sickness!



　'Boldly,' declared Odette, pointing to Her Royal Highness.

'Iris, you've fallen in love with Yuki.
'Then how do you explain the dream?　The people Yuki-sama mentioned, the ones who come to you in your dreams?
It's because you like to think of your love for Yuki as fate, isn't it?
Destiny?
'Yes. You have fallen in love with Yuki at first sight. But even though your heart as a maiden is in love with him, your head isn't convinced why you are so in love with him. So I created a reason to care about him. From Yuki I heard about the people in his dreams and I wanted to have the same dream. So I had the same characters in my dreams.

That's not quite right!
Really?

'Yes, sir!　Because in my dream - I was very fond of the person in my dream who looked like Yuki-sama... and that's why everyone in the village... sent me out.
But there's no way to be sure, is there?
No, I have.

　Iris picked up the ink pot and pen from the desk.
　Then she placed the parchment on the desk and slowly ran the pen over it.

'In my dream I was told by the people in the village. If I ever meet 'My Lord' in the future, I was told to look for this sigil. They said that everyone in the village should try to help us in the future.......so.....
What is this...?

　Painted on the parchment was a coat of arms in the shape of a bat.
　In the background, something like the shadow of an old castle floated behind it.


May I borrow this parchment for a moment, Iris?

　Odette took Iris's hand and told her, "I know this coat of arms.

'I think I recognize this sigil. We may soon be able to ascertain if the dream is true.
...Odette?
'Hmmm. It's getting fun.

　Then Odette smiled wryly.