Our commander, Rosso-Burns, reports to you.

　The next day.
　The next day, a messenger from Rosso-san came to the village where Iris and I were staying.

Yesterday, our troops encountered a huge monster in the vicinity of the fort. They were goblins and orcs, but they were more than twice as big as normal.

　This is the village meeting place.
　Iris and I were listening to the reports of the soldiers in the building that serves as Iris' quarters.

''We ourselves had heard about it from the soldiers at the fort, but to think it was as huge as that.......''
You're scaring me too, sir.

　While sitting in the chair, Iris asked the soldier.

''Of course, I believed that Rosso-sama's troops could defeat such a demon, but...''
'Of course. Under the command of the commander, we defeated the demons. I'm sure Yuki-Grossaria's messenger was aware of that.
Yes, sir. I heard from the bats that you fought a valiant battle, Mr. Rosso.
It's just as you say. Our troops have successfully wiped out the entire demon horde.

　The soldier exclaimed in an excited tone.
　I recognized that face.
　It was one of the soldiers who had fallen when I rushed over in the 'Black King's Horseman'.
　He didn't seem to be injured. That's a good thing.

But afterwards, we were taken by surprise by a mysterious knight from the border. In his attack, some of our men were wounded.

　The soldier disappointedly slumped his shoulders and said so.

''I knew that the armor known as 'King's Rider (Lord)' existed in this world, but I guess I was careless. I can't apologize to Your Highness for that.
And yet, no one was fatally injured, was there?
Yes, sir. One seriously injured. One seriously injured, two slightly injured. The others are unharmed.
It's a blessing in disguise...

　Iris sighed.
　I'm glad there were no dead people.
　Even I was on the scene, and I didn't know the condition of the soldiers.

'So what happened to the knights who attacked you?
The one in the jet black armor knocked me down.
''You mean, if you have defeated the 'Lord of Beasts' (Lord of) Horsemen (Beast) in the 'Torrius Domain'?'
Goodbye.
...I see.

　Iris looked at me with a sideways glance.

'I've never seen that one fight but I guess he was strong, after all.
That's it!

　The soldier exclaimed excitedly.

''That gentleman quickly incapacitated the golden knight that we could not even get a hand on,'' he said. He seized his weapons and used multiple sorceries to block the enemy's movements and slammed them against the walls of the fort. He also captured another enemy knight. It was truly a matchless feat!
I wish I could have been there to see it.

　So don't look at me. Iris.
　I don't have a choice. I can't let you (Iris) get to the place where the king's horsemen are running amok.

"Did you get any information from the knight you captured?

　Then Iris turns serious again and asks the soldier.

'The one in golden armour and the knight who captured him have not yet told us anything...'

　The soldier thought for a moment, then shook his head.

'What kind of people are they?'
The golden knight was a young girl. The silver knight was a man. They are being held separately in the fort's cells.
Well....

　Iris was silent for a while.
　She closed her eyes and seemed to be thinking about something.

　After a while, Iris quietly got up from her seat.
　She put her hand on her chest and looked down at the soldier as if she had made up her mind to do so...

Can I meet with them and talk to them?
'No way!　We can't risk His Highness Iris in any way!
'I am a member of the royal family. I'm willing to take some risks in defense of my country.
"...Your Highness.
''I have already sent a quick horse to the royal capital about this incident. I expect to hear back from you in a few days, but perhaps my border patrol (border patrol) will be cancelled.

　Maybe they will.

　Currently, Iris and Prince Cain, along with a troop of soldiers, were going around the villages near the border.
　But if there was an enemy raid near there, they would not be able to continue their patrol. Because it's too dangerous for the prince and princess.
　Probably, Iris should be ordered to return from the royal capital.

　Me, Iris, and Flora had talked about it yesterday.
　But I didn't say that Iris would be talking to her captors in person, did I?

If I am ordered to return, I will return to King's Landing without any credit. Therefore I would at least like to see for myself why this has happened.
I understand your concern, but...
'The prisoners are being held in prison, aren't they?　Then there should be no danger. Besides, I'm also skilled in magic. I have Yuki-sama, my knight escort, with me. I can at least listen to your captors.
Still, it's dangerous. Your Highness.

　I interrupted him.

"I can meet with the prisoner of war myself. Your highness does not need to be present.
I'd like to talk to them.
Talk?
'I want to meet them face to face and have a word with them. I want to find out for myself why they have invaded the territory of the kingdom and what they think about their own organization.

　Iris stared at me.

'I know I'm selfish. Please. Forgive me──no, will you agree with me?

　You know what?
　It's just that she never listens. You know Alice.
　I guess that's just the way it is.
　There must be a reason why Iris is saying this much.

　They're supposed to be disarmed, and if they're in prison, they're not in any danger.
　I'll be there to follow him and leave the bat army outside to wait for him.

'I understand. Then may I sit in with you?　If I feel it's dangerous, I will take your highness and leave the area. How about that?
Thank you. Yuki-sama.

　Iris looks relieved.
　She wasn't sure if I would allow it.

　I'd like to pat her head and reassure her, but it's in public. Patience.

'So that's why. Would you ask Mr. Rosso if he would give us an audience with His Highness, Prince Iris, and the prisoner?
Okay.

　The soldier nodded at my words.

'I'll go back to the fort and tell the troop leader. I'll get back to you later with an answer.'
Please.
Please give my regards to Mr. Rosso.
Your courage and sense of responsibility is admirable, Your Highness. And...

　Somehow, the soldier got a kind face.

I am also impressed by the trust that Your Highness has placed in Yuki. If Yuki-sama is with you, there will be no danger to Your Highness. I will inform my troop leader of this as well.

　With that, the soldier left the room.
　After confirming that, he put his hand on me and Iris' heads.

'Don't start acting weird all of a sudden. 'Iris,'
Ha ... since I'm always making My Lord do dangerous things all the time I'd like to do what I can do, too.

　Iris took my hand, sighed, and

''Just this once. If the knights who attacked the fort were related to the 'Sanctuary Church' I'd like to hear from them.
All right. I'll follow next to you. I'll also have the bat army waiting outside, and Flora-Zamel will be present. Is that alright?
Yes, sir. I'm sorry to be so selfish. My Lord.
'Fine. I can understand why you would want to talk to me as a princess to report back to the royal family.
"...Thank you. My Lord.

　Iris took my hand and nodded.
　That put an end to the conversation.
　We'll have a meeting with Flora later.




　Later in the evening, Mr. Rosso gave the go-ahead.
　We were to take Iris and go talk to the prisoners.




　The next day. We were in a frontier fort.
　Surrounding us were Rosso-san, our guide, me, Iris, and Flora.
　Behind them were a few soldiers on guard duty.

　We line up and slowly climb the stairs.
　Our destination is the upper level of the fort. It's the floor where the prison is located.

'Flora. Can I ask you something?
'Yes. Mr. Yuki-Grossalia.
Do you think the gold armor in the warehouse is a 'replica-load'?

　As soon as we came to the fort, we stopped by the warehouse.
　There, we saw the "Replica Lord" that the "Golden Knight" had used.
　The armor was broken into pieces, but we were able to check the internal structure.
　That's why I decided to ask Flora, who had used the 'Replica Lord' before, for her opinion.

''........There's no doubt that it's a 'Replica Lord'.

　Flora replied in a small voice.

It is different from the one I used, but the concept of adding a magic conductor to the armor to increase its mobility is the same. My 'Replica Lord' is based on the 'Spiritual King (Lord of=) Phantom', but I think it's based on a different 'Lord'.......
Okay. Thank you.
No, I'm glad I could help.

　As we talked about this, we continued up the stairs.
　When we got to the fourth floor, Mr. Rosso stopped.

'This is the floor where the jail is located.

　At the entrance to the fourth floor was a stuffed room for the soldiers.
　Beyond that, there was a row of rooms with iron bars.

　Mr. Lozzo led us to the room closest to the stuffing station.
　He told us that she was being held as a dangerous prisoner of war under the watchful eye of the soldiers.

This girl is the one who attacked us, wearing golden armor.

　A dark-haired girl is sitting in a barred prison cell.
　She wears a crude prison uniform. She was sitting still on the bed with her knees in her hands.

The other one is tied to the bed because she's too violent to be touched. I don't think it's a good conversation, but I can show you later if you'd like.
Thank you. Mr. Lozzo.

　Iris pinched the hem of her skirt and took a bow.
　She is not wearing her usual dress, but today she is wearing the uniform of the 'Magic Guild'.
　This is because they didn't want their captors to know her identity.

So, Mister... no, Mr. Iris. Come in.

　Mr. Lozzo moves from the front of the jail cell.
　When Iris saw this, she stepped forward.

　Iris takes a deep breath as she stares at the girl behind the bars.
　Eventually, a quiet voice asks.

'My captors. I'm the one who's the soldier of the fort - the boss of all the soldiers in the fort.

　There was no reply.
　The captive girl doesn't even look at Iris.
　Regardless, Iris continues.

'I have four questions for you. May I?

　No response.

'First question. You have emerged from the borders of the Empire. Does that mean that you are a member of the Empire and have stepped into our territory at the behest of that country?
....

　No answer. Well, I guess so.
　The enemy has no advantage in answering this question.

　Iris seemed to have expected that, too.
　She doesn't seem particularly disappointed.
　She pauses for a while, and then, nonchalantly, utters her question.

'Next question. Were the giant goblins and orcs that appeared in the border area and the armor you wore made by a sorcerer's hand?
....

　Again, no answer.
　The girl on the other side of the bars is still on her knees.

"Don't say a word!

　The reaction came from another place.
　It came from the cell furthest away, diagonally across from the girl's cell.

　Mr. Lozzo manages to get me to blink.
　Apparently, there's another knight in there that I captured.

"They don't know what they're talking about.　They haven't developed a single piece of magic since the war 200 years ago!　I don't have to tell you anything!
I'd like to move on to my third question.

　Ignoring the voice, Iris continues.

'What do you guys want?　Defeating a giant demon?　Or are you scouting the kingdom?
....
That's good. Don't say a word!　Don't say anything!

　Ta-da!

Shut up!　I'm questioning the prisoners over there!

　There was a sound of kicking on the bars.
　The soldier on guard couldn't seem to keep quiet either.

I'm afraid you can't answer me. That's a pity.

　Iris sighed.
　I'm standing right behind her.
　Dick and his army of bats are also waiting outside the window. I'm ready to follow them at any time.

　But........why is Iris asking these questions?
　Iris could have predicted that there would be no answer.

　Iris said she wanted to talk to the people involved in the 'Sanctuary Church'.
　If that was the case, I was expecting her to prepare some more questions....

''Well then, the last question--''

　Iris looked at the girl behind the bars and told her.

'What do you think about the 'Sanctuary Church' failing so badly two hundred years ago that it was destroyed in a bungled manner?'
What...?

　For the first time, there was a reaction.
　The girl who was holding her knees behind the bars looked at Iris.

According to the lore, the 'Sanctuary Church' was robbed of its power by a certain wise man whose betrayal caused the organization to collapse. In other words, it could be said that the Sanctuary Church was defeated by that wise man.
You....
The 'Sanctuary Church' could not see through the schemes of its wise men, nor its anger, nor its sorrow. So it was defeated and destroyed in a bungled manner. That organization could only take away what was important to people!
You!　You - you insult our organization!
'Yes, I'm insulting you. It's insulting. Because of that organization, we, the people of the past, have lost something very important!

　Is this (...), is what Iris wanted to say.

　Iris is speaking to the prisoner in the prison cell with an angry look on her face.
　She's not raising her voice.
　But he's really angry.
　200 years ago, he's angry at the people who killed the Guardian God of the Village, me in my previous life.

　I'm going to ask her the question I think she's been waiting to hear.

"I was going to ask the people involved in the 'Sanctuary Church' if I ever met them. How does it feel to have the 'Ancient Artifacts' and 'Ancient Magic' and yet perish in a haphazard manner? How did they survive to this era!　What does it feel like to belong to an organization that is more corrupt than the undead?
Shut your mouth!　You don't know anything about my organization!
'That's my, my fourth question. If you are associated with the 'Sanctuary Church' you will understand. Could you please answer it?

　Iris picks up the hem of her skirt and takes a bow.
　Her body steps backwards as if she were taking a step.
　Because I held her up and pulled her back.


　Gah!


　It was in the nick of time.
　A young girl, a prisoner of war, rushed towards the bars - and reached out to Iris.

"You don't understand anything!　And the power of the imperial nobility!　You don't even know what this operation is about!
Stop...　Say no more!

　The captive girl's eyes widen and she raises her voice.
　She doesn't even hear her companions stop her, but continues to scream.

''Elysium is ours!　And the system on the fifth level!　And your lost power!　Our 'Lord' is already in your country...
I'm telling you to shut up!　Hannah-Richter!
...

　The voice of the other captive brought the captive girl back to herself.
　She glared at Iris with angry eyes - and then - returned to the bed and also held her knees.



　Iris's body relaxes.
　With my arms around her, Iris is still in my arms.

I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you. Yuki-sama.
"...I will speak with you later. Your Highness.
Yes.

　Iris looked a little pale and nodded.
　I guess it's because I was too excited.
　She walks off on wobbly legs, leaning against me.

　My last question wasn't as Princess Iris.
　It's for Alice, the daughter of Lyle-Carmine, the "Treacherous Wise Man".

　........Iris must have been holding back for a long time.

　Alice (...) lost me in her previous life - Dean Nosferatu - because of the "Sanctuary Church".
　But because of her position as a princess, she was unable to express her feelings.
　And I guess that's when I reached my limit.

I've got to end this whole thing as soon as possible.

　If the 'King's Horseman (Lord)' has entered across the border, find him and neutralize him.
　After that, I'll explore Elysium and obtain the 'Ancient Magic' and 'Ancient Artifacts'.
　By doing so, I will increase the strength of the Kingdom and the 'Magical Guild'.
　You'll be able to fight against the Empire and the Sanctuary Church.
The 'Magic Guild' has its problems, but compared to the 'Sanctuary Church', it's much more decent.
　I'll have Prince Cain and the guild members do their best.

　In the end - if we pull out the First Priest and take away the secret of immortality - then there's nothing to say.
　Once he's gone, the "Sanctuary Church" will disappear, and my child (Iris) won't have to deal with the stress.
　I'll be able to live like a human being without any worries.

　I was thinking about this while supporting the wobbly Iris.








"It's amazing........Your Highness. To draw out information........by making the other party angry.......
I'm very impressed. You're a great speaker.

　Flora and Mr. Rosso looked impressed and said so.
　After that, we went into the rest room on the first floor of the fort.

　We went into the break room on the first floor to give Iris a break.
　We also needed to talk about how we were going to handle this.

"Thanks to Your Highness, I think I understand what they're up to.
'Take the Elysian. Or secure the system on the fifth level. To that end, they tried to infiltrate their possession of the 'King's Horse' into the kingdom - no, we should assume that they have already infiltrated it.

　I took over Mr. Lozzo's words.
　Their goal is to attract the attention of the soldiers at the border.
　In the meantime, there is a possibility that another 'King's Rider (Lord)' has crossed the border and invaded the kingdom.

''The purpose of the intruder is to enter the giant dungeon Elysian?　But what are we going to do about it?

　Flora mumbles a little unsurely.
　She continues to look at me, as if waiting for an answer.
　I think for a moment and then.

'Those guys were talking about a fifth level system. Maybe their organization has the means to get into that hierarchy.
I don't know anything about magic, but I do know that they are dangerous.

　Mr. Lozzo nodded.

''But we can't let ourselves leave this place. We must defend our borders until reinforcements arrive from King's Landing.''
So I would like to ask a favor from His Highness, Prince Iris.

　I looked at Iris.
　Iris is sitting quietly in her chair.
　She's pretending to be a princess, but I can tell that she's pushing herself.

''We need to make sure that the royal capital is informed. Apart from Hayama, I also want to head to the king's capital, will you give me permission?''
Yuki-sama.
'What?　Ah, yes. Right. I'd like to talk to you in private in another room. Okay.

　I put my own lines over Iris' lines.
　Then I stand first and head to the other room. Iris gets out of her seat and follows behind me.
　We go straight to the other room.
　I close the door and make sure that I can't hear the voices on the other side of the room...

''I'm sorry. My Lord.

　Iris bowed her head to me deeply.

'I was going to ask my captive a question as a princess but I lost myself.
'You don't have to apologize. I know how Iris feels.　
"When I saw the people involved in the 'Sanctuary Church', I couldn't stand it anymore. When I thought that those people's friends - the First Priest was still alive, and that he had killed My Lord and wrecked the 'Feela Village'... I couldn't hold it in.

　Iris's voice was trembling.
　As if she was trying to hold back tears.

'It's okay. You can be mad at me.

　I took Iris' hand.

''Whether it's as Alice in 'Fira Village' or Iris in 'Liestier Kingdom', you're getting in trouble with the 'Sanctuary Church'. So it's okay to be angry.
But ... but ... but!

　Gyuto, Iris squeezes my hand back.

'But ... My Lord is holding back his anger, isn't he?
Me?
''Yes. My Lord is calmly fighting the 'Sanctuary Church'. And yet, this is my wife.
You're not my wife yet.
I'm my future wife and I'm not going to...
Don't get hung up on...
It's important!
And you're wrong about me not being mad at them. I'm mad at them too.
But you don't cuss those people out like I do, do you?
"I'm your 'guardian angel'.

　I put my hand on Iris's head.
　Just like I used to do to little Alice.

'Ever since my last life, I've been the 'guardian' of the villagers and my family. That's why protecting Iris, Martha, Odette and ... the Countess of Glossalia's family is my first priority. Then we can get angry.
...My Lord.
So, Alice. You have the right to be angry.
...even if it doesn't seem like a princess?
I'll follow up on that.
What happens when you can't follow through?
We'll get out of here together. I'm not gonna hurt you. Alice.
Yes.

　Iris hugs me.
　Just like she used to do, she put her ear to my chest and checked my heartbeat.

　I feel like she did the same thing in a previous life.
'My Lord lives a long time, so the pace of your heartbeat may be different. Let me check.''
　According to his mother Remilia, though, he simply wanted to hug her.

''My Lord is going to King's Landing, isn't he?''
I think the 'King's Horseman' might be headed that way. We need to get that information to Odette and the others.
Please be careful.
You are.
I'll be fine. I'll be holed up in the fort until I'm ordered to return.
And then what?
You're a worrier.
Whose fault is that?
'There was one large town on the way to King's Landing. We'll stay there and wait for word of my lord. There are many soldiers there and the walls are strong. Even if the 'King's Horsemen' come, we should be able to defend it.
Well, that's a relief.
You really are a worrier.
If the 'Sanctuary Church' hadn't survived in this era, I would have been able to live a little more comfortably.
I'll complain about it later.
Don't do it because I'm on the edge of my seat.
'Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

　Iris finally looked up.
　Then she lets go of my body and takes a step back.

''I would like to ask you, 'Guardian Knight' Yuki-Grossaria-sama. Please go to the royal capital on behalf of me, Iris-Lestia, and pass on the information you have obtained from your captors.

　Iris gave her formal bow as a princess.

'Yes, my lord. 'My lord, Your Highness Iris.'

　So I also kneel down and return the thanks as an 'escort knight'.
　Then I stand up, and Iris and I high-five each other with a 'Supa'.

I'll be right back. You just stay put.
My Lord. My lord.

　We decided to get ready for our respective departures.