'King Rosais, I will return to Lesad ahead of you.
　Alexios bowed to me.
　Maintaining an army is expensive.
　There is no reason for Rezad to maintain his army any longer after seeing the aftermath of the war, Aldo's execution.

　He wants to disband it as soon as possible.

　I see. ...by the way, Alexios-dono.
　What is it?
　"Do you intend to serve your country?　It would be a shame to end up with a talented person like you as a mere mercenary captain.

　Well, we're a small country, but ....
　I'm not very good at war.

　I've got a little experience now, so I can fight well enough against ordinary generals, but....
　As our country expands its territory, it will have to contend with the likes of General Clue on many occasions.
　We may even be forced to engage in a two-front war.
　When this happens, I need someone to take Bartolo's place.

　We've seen enough of Alexios in this war to know what he can do.
　I'd like nothing better than to have him working for me.

　"I am indebted to Lethad for taking me in. I have abandoned my home, but I am not so ungrateful as to leave the country that accepted me without permission.

　So you're not going to take me up on my offer.

　'Indeed, if I serve you, I may be able to live a richer life than I do now. You are a great king. The kingdom of King Rosais, led by you, will grow more and more. You are right, in the sense of riding a winning horse.

　Yeah?
　If that's what you think, why do you refuse to accept it?

　Rezad is a nation of merchants.
　No one should accuse Alexios of fishing for profit and leaving.

　There is a great price to pay for retaining good mercenaries and generals.
　I'm not Rezad who doesn't understand that.

　I don't think I need to worry about it.

　''The most important thing to me is my wife, and the next most important thing is my children. When you become a big family, you will have more fences. Sometimes you may have to leave your family for your country. That is the responsibility of a soldier, a general, a great man and a nobleman. It is the responsibility of those who are responsible. .... but I am not prepared to do that. I cannot put my country before my family. So I cannot accept your invitation. Please forgive me for my rudeness.

　Well.....
　Well, if that's the case, I guess I'll have to do it.

　All right. I'm sorry to keep you. You don't have to do that. But if you need anything else, you call me. I'll help you as much as I can. And if you change your mind, you're welcome to come over to my country.

　Thank you for that kindness to me after I've crippled your kindness.

　Alexios bowed deeply again and walked away.

　........How do I get that guy out of Rezad?









　So I have returned safely. Father-in-law.

　After returning to my home country, the first thing I did was to visit the former King Loseys.
　I hadn't seen his father-in-law in a long time and he looked quite healthy.

　The air and water are clean and quiet here. The air and water are clean and quiet here, and there are hot springs. I've given the troublesome task of being the king to my son in law. I'm in good shape.

　Your father-in-law laughed at that.

　'And I can't die until I see my great-grandson.
　Haha ... good luck with that.

　I chuckle.
　Being a great-grandson means that at least Anx and Fiona must come of age.
　Fifteen more years........

　You can talk about my longevity. Let me hear your story. All about the course and end of the war, from your mouth.
　I understand.

　I nodded widely.




　'What surprised you the most was that the witch Merlin was a fellow countryman with me.
　Hometown?　What do you mean?

　Your father-in-law frowned.
　'Huh?　Didn't I tell you that?

　I don't think I've ever told anyone about this.

　But just because you have, doesn't mean it's a harmless thing to do.
　Just because we didn't talk about it doesn't mean it's harmful.

　If this was a monotheistic country, I'd say, "Evil people!　He's a madman! They say, "I'm a son of God," and they kill me, but in the Adelian peninsula, they say, "I'm God's son. My mother had an affair with a god," so much so that this kind of talk is tolerated to the extent that the theory is valid.

　A quick way to explain the source of my knowledge is to talk about reincarnation.

　That's what I've been thinking.
　So I thought we were talking about it somewhere...

　The Gryphon is the one who knows all the details.
　Tetra, Ron and the others know a few things, per Master Gryphon.

　Or was it?　
　Have you talked to Julia you haven't talked to your father-in-law, so you haven't talked to Julia either.

　'I'm sorry. Let me explain it to you from the beginning.

　I explain the reincarnation one by one, carefully.
　After all, it was nineteen years ago.
　I have a fuzzy memory too, but I think I ate a centipede.......

　'As for me, I'm more shocked that you ate a centipede than I was in your previous life. Can you eat it?
　It's not good.

　It tasted indescribable.
　I don't want to eat it again.

　I was out of my mind at the time.

　'But well that explains a lot about your childhood cleverness.

　Your father-in-law muttered and then meditated for a moment to think about it.
　He immediately opened his eyes.

　''So, this Merlin guy was a reincarnation too?''
　No, I think it's a metastasis. I think my body is still Japanese.

　In fact, the face was a nostalgic Japanese one.
　The skin color is also yellowish, different from the white Gauls.

　Well, there is a Mongoloid race like Qingming, so it's possible that she was reincarnated in that direction.

　''That woman doesn't die. Even if you pierce her heart with an arrow or stab her with a sword, her body will immediately regenerate.......probably a blessing. How will she die?
　I think you'll die if you burn them to ashes. There's no such thing as immortality. Perhaps it's just a powerful regenerative ability.

　Your father-in-law considered this.
　I certainly don't think that immortality is possible either.

　Even in comics, immortal characters appear, but they have some kind of weakness.

　........but this is the reality.
　Maybe he really is immortal.

　The Gryphon master knows more about such things than I do. You tell me.
　'Yes. That man seems to know everything.

　Let's stop talking about Merlin first.

　There's still time. ...tell me about your home town.
　I understand. Ask me anything you want.







　After I finished greeting my father-in-law, we headed to the temple first.
　This is the temple I ordered to be built.
　In case you're wondering, I'm supposed to be the son of Mares, the god of war.

　I had to go to report my victory in the war to the god.

　Afterwards, I performed a triumphal return to the capital city.

　The carriage I'll be riding in is a four-horse carriage, decorated in places with gold, a national treasure of the country of King Loseys.
　The carriage will be drawn by a large, good-looking white horse.


　First, the Kingsguard, led by Ron and the others, walk at the front.
　After that, I will appear in the carriage, with Bartolo and Raimondo surrounding me on either side.

　Behind them passes a carriage carrying loot - prisoners of war, ivory, and loot - and behind it are the great families and heavily armed infantry.

　I wave my hand, and the people cheer.
　The soldiers, and the people, are proud.

　'Long live His Majesty the King (...)!
　Long live the King!
　Long live the King!

　The people chant Hail Mary, with the honorific title of 'Your Majesty'.

　The kings of the small and medium-sized nations of the Adelian peninsula do not use the title of "His Majesty".
　The kings of the small and medium-sized Adelnian peninsula do not use the title of "His Majesty" because they are, after all, allies of the great families and do not have much authority.

　Neither the great tribes nor the people place much importance on the king's presence, so they don't give him a title of respect.

　But right now, I'm certainly called by a title of respect.

　''Your Majesty (...), I'm being called.

　Bartolo said with a smirk.
　I nod.

　I draw my sword and raise it to the sky.
　The sword shines beautifully in the sunlight.


　''Your Majesty the King!　Hooray!

　Today, for the first time, I realize that my position as king is secure.






　''It's been a long time. Long time no see, Master Griffon.

　After the triumph was over, I visited the Forbidden Forest (Forest of Romalia) where Master Gryphon lives.
　Today, all the former village members are there.

　All of them are holding jars of liquor in their hands.

　Julia and Tetra were not drinking, but holding the babies.......Anx and Fiona in their arms.

　'Ron, So Yeon, get ready.
　"Yes!

　Ron and Seo-yeon place the large, shallow-bottomed bowl we both brought with us to Master Gryphon.
　We pour the drinks into it.

　''Three kinds of sake this time.
　Huh ... that's rich. But the booze alone...

　Master Gryphon complains.
　I want you to be relieved.
　I've brought a pinch of dirt.

　"Here you go, Master Gryphon. It's the deer I killed.
　I killed the boar.

　Rosward and Gram placed the chunk of meat they were carrying on their backs in a bowl.
　They sprinkled salt and spices lightly over the chunk of meat and presented it to Master Gryphon.

　We don't just have meat, we also have fruit.

　Lulu heaped up the fruit she was carrying on her back and offered it to Master Gryphon.

　Liquor, meat and fruit.
　It's a sumptuous meal.

　I'm sure you're aware of that!

　Master Gryphon smiles with satisfaction.
　Maybe he's smiling. His face is an eagle, so I can't really see the change in his expression.

　''Is that baby over there your son and daughter?''

　Master Gryphon turned his attention to Fiona and Anx, who were being held by Julia and Tetra.

　Julia and Tetra walked over to the Gryphon-sama.

　''This is my daughter........Fiona.

　Julia shows Fiona to Gryphon-sama with a slightly strained face.
　Julia isn't very close to Gryphon-sama, so she's probably nervous.

　Tetra, on the other hand, is smiling.
　''This is my son........Anx.

　Master Gryphon moved his beak closer to the two babies, who were sleeping peacefully.
　He poked them in the cheek with his beak.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. Take good care of them.
　I know, sir.

　If I live to be three years old
　You're not going to die.

　I can only pray to God for this, though.

　Now, tell me what you've been up to.






　Afterwards, we talked to Master Gryphon about our recent encounters with the Gryphon and our daily lives, not to mention the war and politics.　
　Since I'm the king, I'm not usually able to talk with Ron comfortably.

　But today, we drank and ate food and talked with Master Gryphon as well.

　We talked about swimming in the lake and having fun.
　This is the lake where I met Julia.

　Master Gryphon is a cat and a bird, so he doesn't like water.
　As a result, we're done for the day.

　Ron and the others took the Gryphon's dishes on their backs and headed for the lake.
　It was only me, Julia, and Tetra who were left.

　"Master Gryphon, please tell us about that Merlin we were talking about.
　I don't mind, but are you sure about Ron and the others?

　I'll explain it to them later.
　Ron, Rosward, and Gram don't like to talk about the hard stuff.

　Blessings, fairies, immortality, immortality, other worlds...
　I don't have a good understanding of the story.

　They would be bored and it would take a long time to explain every single thing to them.
　It would be better if they were not there.

　It would be more efficient to talk about it all together later.

　'Was Master Gryphon close to Merlin?

　'Close... well, I'd say close enough. We weren't as close as you guys are. Five hundred years ago, we met frequently. Well, for my part, it was an afterthought for the boy from Etzel.

　Who is Etzel?

　The chief of the Khalifa clan. You were called the Great King.

　The Khalifa?

　I nodded my head.
　I've never heard of them.

　'They are what you call the flat-faced people. They came from the far east and conquered Gaul, Germanis, Hexpania and all of Adelunia. They are a cavalry nomadic people.

　Flat-face people.
　The ancestors of Muzio and the other Alvans, a different people who conquered the Adelian peninsula five hundred years ago, I believe.

　What were they like?
　He's just like you.
　"Oh, I see.

　Tetra and Yulia raised their voices together.
　Like me........what kind of thing is that? I have no idea.

　'Come to think of it, I heard that Merlin was the wife of a flat-faced chieftain...'
　Yeah, it was my wife. That was a very cordial turn of events. I see you never had any children.

　Hmmm....
　I can't imagine what it is.

　'But I've heard that it was Merlin who took out the flat-faced chieftain...'
　I don't want you to know what I'm talking about. I'm the one who was most confused to hear that. It was my turn to be really good friends. Just like the rest of you.

　I'm sure Master Gryphon is right when he says so, but....
　Well, you never know what can make a person fall out of favor.

　She might have had an affair.
　...Huh?　With two wives, will I ever get stabbed?

　'It doesn't matter what the lady and her husband have to say, does it?　Alms. Now it's about Merlin's immortality.　
　Yes. That's what that old woman came to ask about, how to die.

　Don't call me an old lady or an old woman.
　You looked like you were about seventeen years old.

　"That blessing is just a powerful regenerative ability. Burn it or destroy your soul and you will die.
　You mean you're not immortal?
　Of course. Such things as immortality are in the realm of magic. Those little bastards don't have that kind of power.

　...magic?
　Not witchcraft or witchcraft?

　What is magic?　Master Griffon.

　Julia asked me what I was wondering about.

　'Magic is one step beyond witchcraft it's more of a final destination. It reproduces God's work with human hands. Originally, witchcraft was a failure of magic. Merlin systematized it and made it practical. Nowadays, witchcraft is studied as a useful human technology but it was originally just a byproduct of magic.

　Come to think of it, Yulia said that Merlin made up the spellcraft.
　The world's oldest witch doctor.
　That's what she meant.

　'How can you be sure Merlin hasn't reached magic?

　Actually, I'm a magical girl, Marilyn! And for some reason, Merlin in pink frilly clothes went through my mind.

　'Oh, I can tell you. Magic is an abomination that rewrites the laws of the world. If someone messes with it, I can feel it in their skin. ........I know of only one person who has succeeded in making magic happen.

　Master Gryphon gives a faraway look.
　Distant, distant eyes.

　"The woman succeeded in 'stopping time'. Well, she succeeded and she herself died at the same time.

　So that's how difficult it is.
　Well, anyway, Merlin isn't immortal. He can be killed.
　That's all you need to know.

　Well, I guess we'll just have to...
　"Wait!

　Yulia and Tetra kept me in line with their voices.
　What?

　'Master Gryphon!　Learn more about the magic.
　What do you mean by "the laws of the world?

　Julia and Tetra have bitten off more than they can chew.
　They both have a glint in their eyes.

　'Hmm, do you mind? All good sorcerers are bitten by this story. I suppose it's the instinct of the sorcerer creature. The desire to explore the truth of the world...

　I'm not interested in that.
　What's the fun in that?

　The man who created the spell the greatest genius of all time couldn't have done it even if he'd spent 500 years working on it.
　Of course it's impossible.
　Instead of thinking about that, it would be more constructive to think about what's on the menu for tonight's dinner.


　I don't know much about it. What I do know is that to use magic, you must know the truth about the world.
　The truth, sir?
　What's that?

　Julia and Tetra seem curious.

　"I've heard that everything in the world is written in the Akashic Record, and if you can browse and decipher even a small part of it, it will open a door to magic.... That's all I know. If you want to study it, you can. I don't care about the laws of the world. It is enough that I sleep, eat, and occasionally talk to people like you.