"...the Imperial princess. Then perhaps you should use it to negotiate with the Empire.
I agree.

　That was the conclusion I reached after discussing it with Odette.
The one who wore the "Lord of Paladins" was the fourth princess of the Gaiul Empire, Naira Gaiul.
　She is the Imperial Family.

　It would be good to capture her unharmed and use her as a bargaining chip with the Empire.
　However...

''Release all the information you know. Otherwise, this 'Holy King's Rider' will be destroyed without a trace.

　I retrieved the head and torso of the 'Holy King's Rider' using 'storage magic'.
　It was because the magical system was in the head and chest area.



　Princess Naylara starts to tremble with a very pale face.
　I continue.

''You will be handed over to the Magic Guild. But remember," I say, "I will hand you over to the Magic Guild. If you refuse to testify or say anything else about me at that time, this 'Holy King's Rider' will be erased from this world.
No, no. No, no, no, no!

　Princess Naylara sobbed and fell to her knees.

''The legacy of the 'Ancient Magical Civilization' - it is the property of humanity. To lose it forever is unbearable. Please, please don't do that. Please don't do that........
Then tell me what you know.

　I look down at Princess Naylara, clad in the Black King (Lord of) Horsemen (Noir).
　The forest is quiet.
　It's about time old Zamel and the others realize that the battle is over.
　I want to finish the interrogation before they arrive.

First of all, you will tell us how to enter the fifth level of the Elysian City of Ancient Magical Civilization and what's in that place.
Okay.
Honestly, just make this quick.
I know!　This one is being held hostage.

It's probably the Holy King's Rider.
　If it's so important, you shouldn't have brought it here.
　Maybe you should hide it or keep it at hand.
　.... I don't know what the humans - especially the royal family - think.

''In the fifth underground level of the 'Ancient Magical Civilization (Elysian)', there is a barrier that feeds on magic power.

　Princess Naylara began to speak.

''To break through - you'll need the power of the 'King's Horse' (Lord) or a replica Lord.
''Do I have to put on the 'King's Rider' and go through the barriers?'''
''No, you must deploy the 'Anti-Magic Barrier' while clad in the 'King's Horseman' or Replica Lord. That will weaken the effect of the barrier. It's difficult to use 'Ancient Magic' while clad in the 'King's Horseman' but hopefully the magic power will hold until we get through.
'That would be a problem for you to get out. I don't have any magic left.
'I heard that you can remove the barrier from within the fifth level. This is from the 'Sanctuary Church', though.
All right. So, what's on the fifth level?

　I continue my question.

''You guys went all the way across the border to King's Landing. What's worth it is on the fifth level of Elysian, right?　What's that?
Well that's not...

　Princess Naylara's shoulders slumped dejectedly, as if in contemplation.

The system is designed to make the demon... bigger.
Giant demon?
''There's a legend that the 'Ancient Magical Civilization' used demons as their labor force. Perhaps they used 'ancient magic' to control the demons. Therefore, in order to increase the efficiency of their work, they made the demons huge - that's the common belief in the empire.

　I see.
　That would explain why the 'Ancient Magical Civilization' was able to build a huge underground facility.
　If they were able to make giant monsters work together, they would be able to dig huge holes underneath the ground.

''In other words, you're saying that 'armed ogres' and the like are also artificially created giant monsters.
'Yes. And to make the demon huge, you have to make it drink the potion.

　Princess Naylara sighed a little, then

"The 'Sanctuary Church' guys had the potion. But after two hundred years, it seems that they have indeed run out of stock.
You're here to replenish it.
...Yes.
I'm sorry to hear that; after two hundred years of usefulness, you've had enough.

　If you make a demon huge, it's not going to be used for anything good anyway.
　If you ran out of potions, you could just give up at that point.

''Yeah, there's more to it than that.
What else is there?
They were going to create a replica of a system that would make the demon bigger.
That sucks.
"...but in order to do so, we'll have to take some of the original system away from you.
''No, wait. The entrance to the City of Ancient Magical Civilization is controlled by the Magical Guild. How were you planning to enter it?
They say there's a secret passage. I don't know much about it. Ask the Sanctuary Church.

　With that, Princess Naylara let out a long sigh.
　At the same time, a communication came in from Odette.


''Yuki, how is the interrogation going?
'I'm getting pretty stressed out. But once I heard Odette's voice, I calmed down. Thanks.
"What do you mean by that?

　Because Princess Naylara can talk to me, but I don't understand the way she thinks.
　Hearing Odette's voice like this calms me down. Really.

'Well, whatever it is, I have something to report.

　Odette changed her tone.

Old Zamel and his men are heading for the forest. They will be arriving soon.
Did you know the battle is over?
Yes. I ... can't move. You can't stop me.
'Odette's worked hard enough already. Get some rest.

　Odette is taking the most dangerous job this time around.
　I just don't want her to do anything else dangerous.

"I'll finish my interrogation before old Zamel gets here.
'And also, old Zamel and the others seem to think that the one wearing the Black King's Horseman is His Highness Prince Cain, the Second Prince.
"Wait. How did that happen?
'He thought it was not surprising that His Royal Highness Cain should have the mysterious "King's Rider" in his possession.
I'd better get this straight.
"Cheating on the royal name is a crime, isn't it?
"I didn't mean to cheat on your name. They just misunderstood it on their own. Well, if it's available, I'll take advantage of that misunderstanding.
Oh, my God.

　Odette seemed to laugh over the communication.

''I think it's that kind of freedom that you have...''
Odette?
Nothing, ma'am. Anyway, please be careful!
"Okay. Thanks.

　The transmission has gone dead.
　The old Zamel and his men will be here shortly.
　In the meantime, I'll ask them everything I want to know about them personally.
　The information obtained by old Zamel doesn't always end up in my hands as a C-class magician.

''──Do you know the First Priest of the 'Sanctuary Church'?

　I asked.

"I've heard of the First Priest transcending life expectancy. Are you sure about that?
"...the First Priest?　What about him?
Yeah. You're in the Empire, right?
'There are those who call themselves that. But I've never heard of anyone transcending their lifespan.
...Is that so?

　A ghost from the fourth level said. The First Priest, he said, had transcended his lifespan with his ancient technology.
　So I thought that if we could get the First Priest, we could figure out how to make Alice and Martha immortal.

'There is indeed such a thing as the First Priest. It's someone who has served the emperor for generations. I don't know the details. But I'm sure he hasn't transcended his life span. Whenever the emperor is replaced, the first priest is also new. Though few of them wear hoods and have seen their faces.
...I see.

　Is the first priest also being replaced - or will the same person change his name and serve the new emperor?
　We don't know for now.
　But it's possible that the First Priest is immortal. That's all I need to know.

Last question.

　We don't have time for this.
　We can't risk old Zamel and the others finding out. Let's get this done.

I have two questions. Are you familiar with Lyle Carmine the Betrayer?　Where is his grave?　Also, tell me the name of the rest of the 'Wangki'.
"──The 'Treacherous Sage' I only know his name. The rest of the 'King's Horsemen' - I only know 'Dragoon' and 'Berserker'.
The Dragoon and the Berserkers.

　The name sounds strong.........
　I especially hate berserkers.
　You don't know what kind of damage a belligerent like the princess would do if she were to wear it.

I think we've had enough of this. Now, kill me.

　Princess Naira closed her eyes. She turns her body to me - to be precise, she turns her head towards the 'Black King (Lord-of-) Rider (Noir)'.

''I'd love to be killed by someone as powerful as you. "I'd love to be killed by someone as powerful as you.
I don't care about the glory of the Samurai.
Why?　You are also attracted to the voice of the "King's Horse" to fight, aren't you?

　Princess Naylara looked enraptured and held her arms up to the sky.
　What is this expression? It looks familiar.
　It looks a lot like the holy knight from the Church of the Sanctuary I saw in my past life.
　Also, it looks just like the expression of the sick person who has a high fever and is having a nightmare. Especially one who has nightmares.

I can hear the voice of the Holy King (Paladin). "When I was little, I saw it in the imperial treasury and it enthralled me. The Holy King's horseman said to me, "Let me out. The Holy King's Riders, I heard them whispering, ''Let me out.
You don't look so tired by now, do you?
With the struggle for the throne going on in the Imperial Palace, the time I spent in the treasury was my only comfort.
'Yeah. You must have been under a lot of stress.
I stared at it, I gradually understood what the Holy King's Horseman wanted. I'm sure you're not the only one who's interested in this, but I'm also interested in the will of the Ancient Magical Civilization. What a silly thing for my brothers and sisters to do, vying for the next emperor's seat! I am the one who is right, and I am the one who follows the will of the Ancient Magical Civilization.
Get some rest. You can sleep well if you take a drink with roots of "Tomato Grass". I recommend it.
What do you mean by that?
What are you talking about?

　I'm........glad I didn't reincarnate as an Imperial.
　Looking at this imperial princess, I can clearly see that it's a bleak country.

''In other words, you heard the voice of the 'Holy King Rider' in the treasure room and you wanted to use that thing?

　I said.

"Is that why you came all the way into the kingdom?
Yeah. He who fights and wins wins everything, that's the way it is. The person who wears the "King's Horseman" is the representative of the strong. The person who is used by the "King's Horseman" must fulfill the "Holy King's Horseman's" wish to fight!

　Wait a minute. "Used by the king's horsemen"?
　That's strange.
　The Black King's Rider I'm wearing has a strange message, but it doesn't have any kind of will. It's the same with Odette's "Spiritual King's Rider". I've confirmed that with the "hacking" process.
　And yet, the will of the "King's Horseman"....
　Is this guy a bad person? Or does the "Holy King's Horseman" really have an intention...?

　You are a pain in the ass. It's so bothersome.
I was going to smash the "Holy King's Rider" into a million pieces and throw it into the sea later, but.......
　But it's no use. I'll have to "erode" it later to check it out.

''───Is it time to run out of time?

　I can hear the footsteps of old Zamel and the others.
　I was about to leave.

　I'm hiding behind the Black King's Mount, but my opponent is a class-A magician.
　If they find out who I am, they'll be in trouble. It would be a problem if someone asked me where I got the Black King's Horseman, and if they found out that he was an immortal magician reincarnate.
The result of defeating the Holy King's Horseman - Odette will get the reward for defeating the Holy King's Horseman.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. Why?

"I've heard what I have to say. I'm done with this.

　I spread the wings of the 'Black King Rider'.
　I kicked the ground and lifted my body to the ground.
　Seeing this, Princess Naira's face turned blue.

''Wait!　You're not going to kill me!
It's not my job to judge you.

　I reply.

"You're an intruder in the Kingdom of Liestia. "You are an intruder in the Kingdom of Riestia and you'll be handed over to the Magic Guild. The rest is a matter of state.
'No!　Fighting and competing with the strong is the legacy of The Ancient Magical Civilization!　I am defeated, and it is my destiny to be the fruit of a strong man's battle...
Those are your rules. They're not mine.
Oh, no. I want the hand of the victor to be mine. The end result of the war is everything.
"You will live and tell all the kingdoms.

　Princess Naira's eyes are similar to those of the 'Sanctuary Church' people she saw in her previous life.
　Those people don't know the limits.
　Even if they are captured by the kingdom, there's a chance they'll commit suicide before being interrogated.
　That's why...

When you're a prisoner of the Magic Guild, you'll tell us everything you know. And don't tell anyone about me. Even if you return to the Empire, you will not tell anyone about me. That is all.
Well, we're not obligated to follow that.
"Or I'll throw your precious 'Holy King's Rider' into the volcano's crater.
What...?
I'm in the Kingdom. It's only a matter of time before I find out if you're alive and if you're telling the truth. So if you die or withhold the information you need, your precious "Holy Grail" will be lost to the world. Do you understand?
You bastard!

　Well, I am.
　I'm a reincarnation of an immortal sorcerer, and I'm the guardian of the village. I'm not a person.
　My job is to keep people alive, and killing them is - with a few exceptions - outside my jurisdiction.
　That's why this princess is going to live and serve you well.

''I'm begging you.......don't kill the 'Holy King's Horseman'!　I'll tell you everything!　When one half of the twin 'Holy King's Horsemen' is gone, the other - sad and out of control...

　Wait a minute. What did you just say?

''There are two 'Holy King Horsemen'?''
''I was using the 'Holy King's Rider A (Alpha)'. The other one I used was the 'Saint King's Rider B (Beta)'. The 'Saint-Ohki' was a prototype of the mid-term version of the 'King's Horse'. That's why it's said that two of them were made. I'm not sure if I'm right.

'Oh!　Amazing!　Is that His Highness Cain's black 'King's Horse'?!

　Oh, you're already here. Old Zamel.
　You could have been slower.

'Your Highness!　It's not fair. If you've got a new 'King's Horseman' in your possession, you can tell me about it!　Flying in the sky alone, clad in the 'Royal Horseman' and taking down the enemy - of course you want to do that as a sorcerer!

"Oh... Your Highness Cain.
...what a graceful, handsome figure you have for a deformity.
This power and dignity... None other than His Highness the Prince of Cain could have done it!

　You're all blind.
　Well, that's all right.

The one who wore the platinum King's Rider, the Lord of the Rings, was the fourth princess of the Empire, Naylara Gaius. Treat her with respect, and get her to reveal information. Perhaps they will no longer resist.
Uh-uh.

　Princess Naira is trembling with her hands on the ground.
　I'm holding the 'Holy King Rider' hostage.
　As long as she's attached to that thing, she won't disobey my instructions.

''And then... I'm not Cain-Liestier.
Yeah. I know!

　Old Zamel nodded.

'I know. I know, I know!　You are not His Highness Cain, are you?!
''Yeah. And the "Holy King's Rider" was destroyed. You can do what you want with the remnants.

Except for the head and body, the rest of the "Holy King's Rider" is lying on the ground in pieces.
　Its parts have been crushed and its original form has not been preserved.
　If you examine it in detail, you might discover that it's missing parts, but... but whatever.

　All I want to do is protect Odette. I don't want the enemy to get anywhere near King's Landing, where Martha and Remy are.
　I want my baby to feel safe until I can leave the human world.
That's why I crushed the remnants of the Sanctuary Church.

Well, now, if you'll excuse me.
"Thank you for your help. Cain - oops, that was a secret!

　Why do you have a very nice smile? Old Zamel.
　I don't know. The look on your face.
　You have the look of a child who has found the location of a friend's prized possession.

Farewell, Your Grace. Not Your Highness Cain-Lestear!　
'I'll see you around!　The one who is not His Highness Cain!
'Thank you, sir. You are not the second prince!

　You know what I'm talking about, don't you?
　I didn't steal the name of His Highness Cain, did I?
　You won't be able to complain about that later.

　And so the battle that began at the border is over.
　I sneaked off to meet up with the bat army and then headed for the border where Iris was waiting.