Me and Iris decided to get in the carriage and head to a nearby village.
　That's because that's where we were going to meet up with Odette and her friends.

　Me, Iris, and a woman from the "Magic Guild" are riding in the carriage.
　Her name is Elmira-Lotus.
　It seems that His Highness Prince Cain, the second prince, gave her this name as an assistant to Iris.

''We brought our soldiers to the Torrius territory on the orders of the 'Magic Guild'.

　In the carriage, Iris began to talk about why she was here.

"After crossing the Inland Sea with Natasha-Torius-sama and entering her castle, I heard about the 'Lord of Beasts' and that Yuki-sama and the others were on their way to investigate the enemy's base (Kyoten).
So you're saying that's why you came after me?
'Yes, sir. The royal family has ordered me to 'join the knights of the guard. Don't leave for a moment.'

　Who would give such an order....and Elmira-san nods.
　Was there really such an order?
　I don't understand human royalty....

''So Milo........no, Yuki-sama, why are you alone in this place (ancient battlefield)?
'Just curious, Your Highness. Your Royal Highness.

　We're talking in a distant tone.
　We have Elmira from the Magic Guild right around the corner.
　We can't call each other "Iris" and "My Lord" without being casual.

　This time, the Magic Guild has assigned two assistants to Iris's departure for Torus territory.
　One of them is Elmira-san, who seems to be under the direct control of Prince Cain.
　The other one is said to be at Torrius Castle, together with Natasha-Torius.

　Elmira-san is smiling calmly as she listens to our conversation.
　She's like an adult woman watching over her children. I'm older than her, if you count my past life.

''The ancient battlefield in The Old Battlefield of the Varal is still a barren land with no plants or trees growing. As a sorcerer, I'm curious as to how such a barren land came to be.

　With that, I concluded my story.
　Iris thought about it for a moment.

Why The Old Battlefield of the Varal became that way is still a mystery to me.
''Come to think of it, Mr. Cain was the subject of the 'Magic Guild' study. Your Highness.

　Elmira-san took over Iris's words.

''Second Prince Cain-sama is the subject of your research on the magical phenomena that exist in this world. I'm sure he's also set up a research team for the 'Ancient Battlefield of the Vernal'.
He's an amazing man. His Highness Cain.

　I honestly agree.
　He's only a few years older than Iris, but he's a B-class sorcerer and a 'wise man'.
　It's amazing how fast humans grow.

　Elmira-san's eyes sparkled as if she was happy that her boss was praising her.

''His Highness the Second Prince Cain is one of the leading researchers in the Magic Guild. The research team believes that the ancient battlefield was burned to the ground by a powerful ancient magic. Due to this, it is still a barren land.
''I see. The use of such a powerful 'ancient magic' would consume a lot of magic power. That's probably why the land's magic power has been depleted. It hadn't recovered yet, so plants and trees couldn't grow. It's just as expected of His Highness Prince Cain's research team to have thought that far. I'm sure he knows why the land attracts demons and why the magic power has been diluted for such a long time...
Well I've never heard of such a theory.
...Is that so?
''........Yes. The research team still only hypothesized that a mighty 'ancient magic' was used. To think that the magic power of the land has something to do with the fact that it has become a barren land.......it's an unexpected new theory.

　Elmira-san is rolling her eyes.

''Sa, as expected of His Highness Iris's 'escort knight'. Yuki-sama has a bold idea.''
'No, no. Just let the neophyte magician's ramblings sink in.
'Yes, yes. I forgot something important.

　Suddenly, Iris clapped her hands with a bang.

I found out something terrible about the coin that Yuki-sama obtained for me. That coin that Yuki-sama found in the Armed Ogre's lair...
Did it belong to the Empire?
How did you know that?

　I told Iris about Felipe-Gelast, the wielder of The Beast King's Rider.
　And also the hypothesis that "A long time ago, the remnants of the Sanctuary Church may have fled to the north and were involved in the founding of the Empire".

''........Yuki-Grossaria-sama.
Excuse me? Mr. Elmira.
'You don't intend to join His Highness Cain's research team?　I'm sure your boldness will be useful to Your Highness.
'I am His Highness Iris's 'guard knight'. I have no intention of serving anyone else.

　We'll keep it that way.
If you're associating with the top mages in the Sorcerer's Guild, your true identity will be exposed.
　I've learned in my past life to underestimate people, and that's why I don't need to turn red.

　So there's no need to get red. Iris.
　Don't sniffle and peek at me. Elmira, you look so strange.

"I'd rather have your permission to see you, Your Highness. I would like to ask you something.

　I ask Iris in my 'guard knight' tone.

'If the Empire is involved in this case, what happens now?
''Yes, well I think we'll have to send a messenger to the Empire first to protest about this matter. As for the royal family, we're planning to build a fort in the Torias territory, just in case, so that we can move as soon as the borders become unsettled.
'I have a suggestion, sir, but I'd like you to put a lookout at Felipe-Gelast's hideout. His associates may come to collect the remains. If we can capture them, I think we can extract the information and use them as witnesses.
...... I'll do something about it.

　Iris nodded with a serious face.

''Your Majesty and my brother both believe that our priority right now is to ascertain the true intentions of the Empire. No one wishes for a repeat of the 'War of the Eight Kings'. I hope that this is the work of the remnants of the 'Sanctuary Church' and that all we have to do is catch them.
I consider the opinion of Her Highness to be the most precious.

　Me and Iris look at each other and nod at each other.
　Our tone is polite, but we're saying things like, "The Empire is in trouble," "We need to gather evidence and catch the real culprit," "We don't want to get into trouble like in our previous lives," "We need to take action as soon as possible," and "Alice is smart.

　We both had a lot of trouble in our past lives because of the 'Sanctuary Church'.
　I want to take action as soon as possible so that we don't have to go through the same thing.

''There's no need to fear the Empire any more than necessary. We've got two 'King Horsemen' in our possession.

　Suddenly, Elmira-san said.

''The 'Spirit King (Lord-Of-)Horseman (Phantom)' and the 'Beast King (Lord-Of-)Horseman (Beast)'... if we can fully master these two, we can counter the Empire. Besides, there's also the mysterious 'Black King Rider (Lord)'.
'The Black King's Horseman'?
I don't know what the hell it is.

　I replied with a sigh, and Iris answered with a barb.
　But Elmira's eyes sparkled.

''That may be the 'perfect royal horseman' His Highness Cain is hoping for. I intend to remain in Torrius territory from now on and gather as much information as I can. I would definitely like to talk to Yuki-Grossaria-san as well.
'That's fine, but does His Highness Cain want 'the perfect royal horseman'?
Yes, Your Highness. His Highness Cain intends to make it personal to himself.
...for the exclusive use of ...
''The 'King's Horse' is the most powerful 'ancient artifact' left by the ancient magical civilization. The only person who has the right to own it privately is His Highness Cain, who is of noble blood and skilled in magic,
Huh.

　Me and Iris couldn't help but sigh.
　Miss Elmira didn't even notice it.

I would like to give His Highness Prince Cain a special royal horse. In order to do so, I want to gather information and eventually explore the depths of the huge dungeon 'Elysian' and present His Highness with the strongest Royal Horseman. That's what I'm thinking about.

　........He said that in an excited tone.






　Later, close to the evening, we arrived at the village where we were to meet up.
　At the entrance of the village, Odette and the people from the survey team were there...

'Yuki?　Why are you in the carriage........I mean, why is His Highness Iris here!
'So, Your Highness!　His Highness Iris is here!

　Odette, I'm surprised.
　The soldiers of the survey team are kneeling on the ground all at once.
　Well, the arrival of the 8th princess is a surprise.

Please raise your head. I was ordered by the royal family to 'meet up with the knight guards. I have received an order from the royal family to 'join up with the knights who are escorting you and don't leave for a moment' and that's why I'm here. I have no intention of disturbing you all.

　With the expression of a princess, Iris calls out to each of the soldiers in the survey team one by one.
　Her manner is a princess whose manner is unquestionably unquestionable.

I'd like to ask for a formal report on the enemy's base later. But for now, we'd like to talk to our guardian knight Yuki and her friend Odette first.
Ha! Yuki-dono and Odette-dono have a place for you to stay!
Then I'll take that one. Yuki. Miss Odette.
Yes, sir. I will now take you to the front. Your Highness, let's go.

　Me and Odette stand ahead and walk away.
　Then we pass through the soldiers to the inn that Odette and I are renting.
　We go into the room and make sure that there is no one in the corridor, and then...

...phew.

　Iris sat down in front of me, as if she had lost her strength.
　Then she looked up at me with tears in her eyes.

'My Lord you're not hurt, are you?　You're okay, right?　It doesn't hurt, does it?
No. Of course not.
''As expected, I'd be worried if I heard that you fought a bunch of ogres and the 'Beast King Horsemen'...'''

　'Huh,' sighs Iris.

'But you did get the 'Lord of Nosferatu' that your father left you, didn't you?　Isn't that the 'Black King's Horseman' you were talking about?
Yeah. As expected, I found it in the old castle's hidden room.

　I told Iris about what had happened to me since I left King's Landing.
　The battle with the armed ogre and the meeting with Natasha Torrias.
　I told her sister, Ophelia Torrias, the diva, who told me her true identity.
And that I obtained the Jet-Black King's Riders at the site of the Feela Village and defeated the Beast of Beasts.

''Well it's a pity I can't disclose it.''

　It's a good thing that you're not the only one.

If Yuki's accomplishments were made public, the Glossaria baronial family would have three or four more titles at once.
I can't. I can't risk my identity being exposed.
I don't want to be used for research purposes again.
I've got that Jet Black King of the Road.

　That's something only I can use.
　Moreover, it even contains information on the names and aircraft numbers of the other 'King's Horses'.
If the Magic Guild finds out about it, they'll definitely try to get their hands on it.

　But that's Lyle's legacy.
　What my son left for me, I can't give it to someone else.
　Also, "How did you know about that Wang Hui? I don't want you to ask.

'That's why. I need Iris to set up a place to hide that royal horseman.
Okay. I'll take care of it.
That's easy.
The problem with My Lord is my problem.

　Iris puffed out her cheeks.

''It is my job to use my status as a princess and my influence on the 'Magic Guild' to help My Lord. If possible, I'd like to fight alongside My Lord like Odette...
Patience. You are your "guardian knight". If anything happens to Iris, it will be Yuki's fault.

　Odette laughed in annoyance.

'Leave it to me to help Yuki. But I'm just walking with Yuki.
Please. Odette.

　Iris took Odette's hand.

'As a thank you, if one day I have to leave the human world with My Lord I will arrange for my assets to be given to Odette properly as well.
''We don't want the princess's assets to be given to us out of the blue!
''Well, I'll see if I can't make it exclusive to Odette next time I find the 'King's Horse (Lord)'.
Who do you squires think you're going to make of me?

　No, I'm indebted to Odette.
　And one day I'm going to return the favor. And as much as Iris and I can.

It's true. You never cease to amaze me with you guys.

　Odette held her chest and sighed.

'That's right, Iris. The person is called Elmira.
You mean Miss Elmira-Lotus?
Yes, sir. I'm told that you are the trusted confidant of His Highness Prince Cain, the Second Prince. Yes, why is he here?
'It's like being caught up in a faction war. I was actually planning to come here on my own. But Zamel-sama, the A-class sorcerer, insisted that I bring my own people along with me...

　A Grade A sorcerer named Zamel, eh? I've heard of him.
It's a high-ranking magician who holds the title of 'Sage' in the 'Magic Guild'.

"Brother Cain, who heard about it, said he couldn't let the 'Zamelites' go alone, so he followed Elmira-san to me.
Is it a faction war in the 'magic guild'? It's complicated.

　Odette shrugged.

''Is there such a thing as faction warfare in the 'Magic Guild'?'''
Yes, there are two factions: the 'Cain faction' that pushes my brother, the second prince Cain, and the 'Zamel faction' that is led by Old Zamel, a class A magician. There are the 'Cain faction' that pushes my brother, the second prince Cain, and the 'Zamel faction' that is led by Old Zamel, an A-class magician. Of course, they aren't openly fighting with each other. They are fighting over differences in the direction of magic.
What party is Iris in?
"I'm brother Cain's sister, so I'm ostensibly a 'Cainist'. But I'm actually a 'Yuki' fan.
There is no such faction.
That's good. Then I'll be a 'Yuki' man myself.
Well that's okay. Just try to keep it under wraps.

　I'm more concerned about the 'Magic Guild' faction.
I know that Elmira-san of the 'Cain Faction' is looking for the 'Royal Horseman of His Highness Cain'.
　Then what is the 'Zamel Faction' looking for...?

　As I was thinking about this, Dick tapped on the window with a thump.

'Goshujin. Someone is coming to your room!
"Wow. That's Elmira-san from earlier.

　At the same time, Garm howled at our feet.
　Me, Iris, and Odette stopped talking and listened closely.
　A dozen or so seconds later, there was a knock at the door.

'Your Highness Iris. Odette-sama, Yuki-sama. This is Elmira-Lotus. May I be allowed to interrupt you?
Come in. Come in.

　Iris said, and Odette unlocked the room.
　On the other side of the door was an out-of-breath Elmira-san.

''I apologize for the absence. A fast horse arrived from Torrius territory and reported to His Highness Iris and me.''
"Report?
''Yes. The 'Zamelite' sorcerer you left at Torrius Castle claims ownership of the 'Beast'.
"You own the 'Beast King's Rider'?

　I couldn't help but scream.
　Elmira-san looked at me and nodded with a serious face.

'No wonder Yuki-Grossaria-sama is surprised. That was defeated by you, Odette-sama, and the mysterious 'Black King Horseman' working together. In the Magical Guild, the ownership of the ancient artifacts found belongs to the person who obtains it. ''The 'Beast King Horseman' is an invader, and if he defeated it... then it should be attributed to the one who defeated it.''

　Iris and Odette nodded at Elmira-san's words.
　It seems to be that kind of rule.

''Since the identity of the 'Black King's Horseman' is unknown, the ownership of the 'Beast King's Horseman' belongs to Yuki-sama and Odette-sama. To try to make it personal.......please, in the name of Your Highness Iris, please remind the greedy 'Zamelites' of this!

　Kneeling on the floor of the room, the sorcerer Elmira-Lotus said something like that.