The queen of this country was killed? But how? And why… Wait.

“Did Nancy kill the Queen so they could invade Flunctus?” I was thinking to myself out loud, the two men in front of me looked worried.

“How did you reach that conclusion?” Asked Hansel.

“You told me Amanres and Flonctus were allied countries. I know for a fact that Amanres is bigger than Flonctus, so making a mayhem as a diversion to invade the country is only logical course of action. But to kill the monarch… and a very powerful one…”

Thinking back, Nancy gave me the impression she was an incredibly dangerous person, I guess I wasn’t wrong about it.

“You have an interesting way of thinking, Mister. Yes, Domitean tricked us to murder our beloved Queen, and only left chaos behind. We received news about a siege in the capital of Flonctus about six months later, but we couldn’t help them.”

“I see…”

“Enough of this, Rodrick. Mother would hate it if she heard you talking this depressed.”

Hensel was only 21 years old when he lost his mother, he also faced the person that killed her a year later, almost dying too. He might be smiling now, but the frustration he must have felt at that moment…

“You are right, young prince. I have what I need, I leave you two be. Thanks for humoring me with this, Mister Leonard.”

“It was my pleasure, Sir Rodrick.”

After saying goodbye, Hansel and I left for dinner. That… went somehow well! They didn’t ask some crazy questions, and everything went smoothly too. I’m glad things turned out this way.

The prince’s chambers were just as I expected. Big, fancy, with gold decorations. There was a table in the middle of the room and on the balcony. This place might be just as big as my former apartment…

“I’ll have some servants bring us the meals here. In the meantime, why don’t you take a seat?”

I sat down in the fluffy chair — my body as rigid as the stones that surrounded us. He left just for a second and came back sitting in front of me. Perhaps there was a maid waiting outside? I saw nothing when we came in, though.

“So, I know this is sudden, but I need to ask you something.”

N-No, prince. I’m not royalty or nobility, I can’t marry you! Isn’t that a funny thought? Still better than what he actually asked.

“You said in your paper that you were guarding the dungeons when the castle fell. The priests told me nothing about it, so I thought you might have some answers.”

Hansel asked me a few days later after I arrived at the church to make some report about what I was doing during the rescue. I asked around and found out they sieged the castle for eight month and finally broke through when I was summoned. I told him I guarded the dungeons and escaped with the servants when the caped guy took control of us and guided us to the plaza. It’s half true, I just omitted the important thing.

“And?”

“I think they might have made a forbidden spell that summons dangerous persons into this world. Did you see something strange during your time there?”

“The priests ordered us to put a suspicious person in the dungeons. They were naked, that’s the strangest thing I saw during the days I was there. I don’t know if they are the person you are talking about, though.”

I know I’m referring to myself, but as long as I can play along this soldier thing well, I don’t think I’ll have any problems.

“I see… That’s rather ambiguous, but if you were only following orders…”

“Why are you so concerned about this? You mention they are dangerous, but how?”

“I…” he seemed to have doubts in his heart, and bided his time answering back. “I need to report this to Father. Find that person. They are not supposed to be in this world to begin with.”

“Are you planning on killing them?” I dare to ask. I need to know how careful I had to be, even if right now I’m not that careful.

“That is for my Father to decide, if I’m honest.”

I guessed that much. Perhaps I could win the Prince over with my actions? If I’m recognized by The Guild as a good worker and excellent companion, maybe I can reveal my real identity without dying along the line.

“Thanks for listening to me, I know that was a scary experience. Let’s talk about nice things. I’m sorry I brought that up again.”

Now that I think about it, the Prince has been really charming to me. He’s always thinking about the others, putting them first. He was even willing to die for the citizens of another country. He is… too nice, or perhaps too naive… it’s hard to tell. In any case, I do like him...

AS A FRIEND, OF COURSE. I’m sure he has a lot of beautiful ladies in line to catch his attention.

… I kinda feel sad now. I know I’m doing all this so I can get back home but… I’m young again, I’m living a new life, and I apparently am good at magic. Do I really want to go back to my old and sick body after all the things I’ve seen so far? But I don’t want to have any regrets holding me back here…

“Leo?” I only felt his warm hand on my cheek, so welcoming and gentle. “You seemed lost in thoughts. May I help you with something.”

Wow, was he this bright? The light he emits is so blinding… I know for sure I’m not a good person — I do try to be one, thought. He kind of makes me want to be the best of me… What should I do?

“I’m good, sorry,” I don’t have the answer for that right now, and I don’t need it either. I can figure it out as I research about the summoning, so there is no point in dwelling about it. “I had some things in mind, but they are not important right now. Isn’t it about time for dinner?”

As I said that, the door abruptly opened. A girl wearing a simple dress and a lab coat rushed to Hansel’s side.

“You think you could escape this time, brother?”