─ ─ In the aisle of the giant dungeon "Elusion" ─

"Again, the talisman has been destroyed"

Examiner's magician DeMetel said it was after we left the cave.

The other magicians are coming and checking the aisle walls. A talisman or a demon shelter item, it was stretched out in the aisle. That must have destroyed it. That's also why we were attacked by a superior ghost named 'Priest of the Sanctuary Church'.

"Elusion," which can only be included in the "Magic Guild," and being able to do so means that there are those in the Guild who are working on sabotage, which is a possible sympathy for the "Sanctuary Church".

As far as I'm concerned, I'm not surprised.

Kahle, our tutor, also honored The Sanctuary Church.

Even if "The Magic Guild" had his people, it wouldn't be a bit strange. It's a hassle, though.

"Can I talk to you for a second? Master Zilvan-Keirus."

"Me?

About the undead that attacked us.

When I say it, Zilvan gets a bumpy face.

Both me and Odette have heard that the Keels-Marquis family was trying to manipulate the undead using Gaiel-Wolfgang. Because Zilvan talked to me.

Both the sorcerer DeMetel and Mr. Barnes knew that the Count Wolfgang family was a lineage of 'Necromancers'. To them, who considered this incident to be Guyel's arbitrary, Zilvan confessed to 'what the Keelus Marquis family had requested'. It's for the pride of the nobility. Yes, but then I hope you don't interfere with it from the beginning.

"I know... you can ask me anything. Me and Guy have been disqualified from the Magic Guild and are awaiting trial."

Zilvan-Keels answered with a drop of his shoulder.

On his left and right is a sorcerer, watching him not to run away. Guyel-Wolfgang is being treated by another magician. As soon as he regains consciousness, he's supposed to ask what's going on.

"I'll ask you straight in. Mr. Zilvan and Mr. Gayer were planning to manipulate the undead to interfere with me and Odette-Sray's exams, weren't they?

"Oh...... but I didn't mean to call the Sanctuary Church Necromancer! True!!

"Just skeletons and ghosts, just stopping?

"That's right. To that end, Guyel said an acquaintance of the Count taught him a special 'ancient magic'. He didn't know it would turn out like this either... If I'd known, I wouldn't have asked for this..."

Zilvan-Keirth, with a desperate face, knelt on the ground.

"You guys are amazing. Defeated the Sanctuary Church Necromancer with" Ancient Sorcery "and saved Gaiel as well... my complete defeat. Forgive me...... Yuki-Grossalia"

"I don't care about me."

"... Really?

"Instead, find out about that acquaintance in the Count's house. And also about how many humans knew the location of this exam venue. As that 'Necromancer Bishop' is the bishop of the 'Sanctuary Church' who once died here, who made sure it could come up to the upper echelons? When you broke the talisman, who tried to make Guy use Necromancer magic... that's what you get. I am."

"If you are from the Marquis Keelus family and the Count Wolfgang family, you know our plan…"

"Then tell DeMetel the name of the acquaintance of the Earl's house, and the name of those who know about the exam."

"Wait a minute! You know what you're talking about!?

Zilvan-Keels raised his face.

"Are you saying that there are 'Sanctuary Church' worshippers (SUYAYAYAYAY) in the Marquis or Count Wolfgang family?!?

"I don't know. That's not true."

"BUT! That is an insult!!

"I wish my child could live in peace. Until now, I don't like to be bothered by the 'Sanctuary Church' mess. That's all."

"Yuki's right. Zilvan-Keirus"

Odette broke in between me and Zilvan.

"You know that too, don't you? If Yuki hadn't defeated the Necromancer, Gaiel-Wolfgang might have been counted on by the Necromancer."

"... Guyel for the dependence of the Necromancer?

"It is used as a source of magic, and at the end of the day even the spirit is eaten up. I cannot forgive those who made my fellow contemporaries come to such sight. If you have a lead on the killer, don't think you should share it as much as possible?

"........................... you guys are right"

Zilvan-Keels was supported by the magicians and walked out to the exit of the dungeon.

Let's leave the search for the killer to the 'Magic Guild'.

I have to find Alice's reincarnated body.

"We will return to earth, too."

"To His Highness Iris?

"Yes, I have to tell His Highness about the Holy Sword."

Me and Odette decided to go back to earth with the magician who picked us up.

─ ─ In the reception room at the Wangdu Hotel ─

"I have received a report. Yuki said he was the first to complete the exam."

This is the reception room at the hotel.

Me and Odette were pinching the table, facing Princess Iris.

"Of course, we want to know about the accident. That Gaiel-Wolfgang was possessed by the mysterious Bishop's Necromancer and that Yuki and Odette defeated it with witchcraft."

"I have done very little. It was Yuki who defeated the Necromancer."

"No, without Odette's help, it would have taken longer. The damage to the Gaiel must have increased."

"If Yuki hadn't stripped the Necromancer from Gayer in the first place, he wouldn't have been able to attack. That rating will not be discouraged. We must have talked about this in the cave, right? Yuki will be His Highness Iris's only guardian knight."

"I know that. But me and Odette were on par during the exam. Then I'm just saying we should give Odette a legitimate rating too"

"You're a tough guy, Yuki!

"That's our line!

"... Kohon"

In the reception room, Princess Iris coughed up.

Looking to the side, the princess somehow tingled her cheek and was looking at me and Odette.

"... you're both very close"

"Excuse me. Yuki was already an escort knight for His Highness Iris."

"No, it won't be until I'm officially awarded the Symphony Medal in front of my father... that's fine..."

In Princess Iris's mouth, I was annoyed.

"As for the Holy Sword, I would like to try to pull it out later, in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Iris"

I said.

"On top of that, if you decide what to do with the Holy Sword,"

"... right"

"I just don't want you to be too shabby as far as I'm concerned. If the common son of the Baron family were to have obtained an 'ancient object', the other nobles would make a scene. If some of them were worshippers of The Sanctuary Church, some of them might have their hands on our family. If possible, keep it confidential…"

"Okay. This is the request of Yuki, the 'Guardian Knight'. Let's keep this confidential."

Her Royal Highness Princess Iris nodded.

"It's just an important matter, too, so let me see where Yuki pulls out the Holy Sword. Then we will decide whether to study the Holy Sword alone or start a separate research team."

"Yes, sir."

"... really, Yuki is... you're amazing"

Hmm?

Princess Iris is staring at me.

Big blue eyes. Nice lips. Ear shapes-- I knew you looked like Alice. Although Princess Iris is two years older.

There are several ways to make sure she is Alice's reincarnated body.

First, blood.

The blood I gave Alice in my previous life may still have some effect, so that my "Magic Blood" can be used even when reincarnated.

If Princess Iris is Alice's reincarnated body, there is a good chance that blood similar to 'Magic Blood' is flowing.

but...... that's why I can't tell Her Royal Highness to give blood. I can't let you get hurt in front of me... and I'm in trouble.

The second way to confirm this is to make Princess Iris touch the Holy Sword Lean Kaal.

Alice is also reincarnated with that holy sword. Therefore, she can also unseal that holy sword.

Actually, this is the quickest.

That's why I'm so focused on getting the princess to see where she pulls the holy sword out. If I pull out the holy sword and 'erode (hack)' where Princess Iris touched me, you'll know if the holy sword is responding to her.

The third method is to ascertain from attitude and knowledge.

Even so... I'm teaching Princess Iris the names of Lyle, Remilia and Alice.

In a dream, I said, but if Her Royal Highness was Alice, my intentions would have been conveyed. If you still keep your mouth shut...... someone else. Or your memory hasn't come back yet......

... and then, you know, shut up, or something?

I don't want to remember anything from my previous life...... no, isn't that it?

If so, there is no reason to be reincarnated in the first place.

Because I'm talking about Alice... there's a chance she's happy to see how we react.

Either way, it's a hassle.

See if the person you're talking to is a reincarnated body you know.

"… what is it? Yuki."

"It's rude to look at Her Royal Highness's face."

"Excuse me. Just thinking."

"Yuki has just arrived in the king's capital, and I can't help thinking about it."

Princess Iris laughed.

"But I think I will soon become King's Capital as well. From now on, Yuki will be on my side as my only escort knight."

"... yuki"

Odette stuck me with his elbow.

"… this is a place to say some thoughtful lines. His Royal Highness Iris can't help but be glad that you've decided to be an escort knight."

"Okay."

A thoughtful line?

I can't think of anything at all.

Come to think of it, I've been the patron saint of the village all my life and the second son of a rural aristocrat in this world. I've never been in the social world, I've never done a knight or anything. As much as I read in the book. Careful lines at times like this, even if they say so.

"I, Yuki-Grossalia, will be the knight who protects Her Royal Highness, and I promise to serve you with all my labor."

"Thank you!

His Highness Iris held my hand.

Odette sighs next to me, a word.

"................................................................................................."

I'm sorry about that.

"Your tea has cooled down. Let's re-brew it."

When Princess Iris rings the bell, the door opens and the maids come in.

They lowered the cup before us and rebrewed the tea in the new cup. There are several cookies on the small plate. Sneak away when you have extra, and let's take it home to Martha and Remy.

"I was, I was happy. Yuki."

Grabbing a cup with tea, Princess Iris said.

"The other day... in a dream, you told me to protect me, you told me"

"Was I?"

"You were, weren't you?

"... you did"

It was the day after I came to Wang Du.

I was summoned by Her Royal Highness the Princess, and I asked if Lyle, Remilia and Alice were the Princess's ancestors.

In the end, it was not known whether the three were the ancestors of Princess Iris.

In the course of the conversation, I decided in a dream that the three of us would tell me to protect Princess Iris.

"... If you came out in Yuki's dream, was it Master Lyle, Master Remilia..."

"You remember me well"

"It was an impressive story."

Princess Iris kept the cup in her hand, looked at me,

"... maybe they were important to Yuki."

Quiet, that's what I said.

"Perhaps."

I slowly answered that.

Princess Iris had a tender grin.

"Could there be an old Yuki lover in there...?

"I don't have that"

"... Really?

"I never had a lover"

"So, but wasn't there someone important...?

Princess Iris walked out on me.

Hang on, hang on.

Odette was sticking me in the elbow again.

"............... Yuki doesn't know how Her Royal Highness feels?

In my ear, whisper, Odette.

How does Your Highness feel...?

I figured Princess Iris was Alice's reincarnation, so I thought you were asking me if there were any important people in me, Lyle, Remilia, and Alice.

But Odette's line was different.

"... you will be the knight of Her Royal Highness the Princess"

Odette looked at me seriously,

"I'm in a position where I have to take care of Your Highness the most. Your Highness will see if you are prepared for it."

".................. helpful. Thanks, Odette."

That's Odette, I can count on you.

Whether Princess Iris is Alice's reincarnate remains unclear.

Our position now is the princess and her knight candidate.

You should answer accordingly here.

"Of course, I-- no, the most important thing for me is Her Royal Highness Princess Iris-Leastia. Even if you have a lover or someone you once thought of, you are no better than His Highness Iris. I'm going to forget the past and realize that this is for His Highness."

"..................... Really?"

"Is that it?

Princess Iris with a dull reaction and Odette with a weird voice.

"... stay here for a moment Yuki"

"Huh?"

"Your Highness Iris...... no, Iris. Could you give me some time to talk to him as a childhood friend?

"Oh, yes. Of course. Odette."

"Okay, I'll rent you a separate room. Yuki stay here. That's good. It's a maiden conversation. Don't listen to me!

That being said, Odette took Princess Iris and moved to a separate room.

─ ─ Odette viewpoint ─

This is the second reception room at the hotel.

In that place, slightly narrower than the room where Yuki is, Duke's Lady Odette and Eighth Princess Iris were opposite each other.

"It's been a long time since you two talked like this alone. His Highness Iris."

"Call me 'Iris'. Odette."

"Then sweeten to your words... you know, Iris"

Odette, Kohon, has been a pain in the ass ever since.

"Isn't the attitude from earlier a little strange? Yuki-Grossalia completed the Knight Candidate exam and became your knight. The knight forgets the past and declares he cares about you the most. As a princess, I shouldn't give back my blessings."

"... I know. Odette."

"Then why?"

"… these days, we have weird dreams"

"Weird dreams?

"You told Odette about the fever a few days ago, didn't you? Then I started having strange dreams."

"What kind of dream is that?

"I'm in an ancient castle, and one of my students teaches me how to study. He's lived a very long time, and he's lived a long time since my parents were children... like a patron saint of a village."

"Hmm. It is immortal," he said.

"Yeah. My parents loved that better, and I, too, loved that better since I was little. But... I called him My Lord... because of the Church of the Sanctuary, he lost his life."

"... strangely specific dreams."

"Right...... Besides, it was my father who killed Mylord. My father was acclaimed by the 'Church of the Sanctuary' for killing Mylord, and he circled the Holy Sword. But when I studied it, the sword had the effect of destroying the evil and reincarnating the good."

"Okay, I get it."

Odette slapped his hand, pounding.

"Could that myload be, brunette, black eyes. Weren't you the one who blurted out but was gentle and oddly friendly?

"How do you know!? Odette."

"I mean, you look just like Yuki-Grossalia. I see. Nah, ha, ha."

"And anyway... dreams are so clear, it's like another reality... and there are some subtle matches with history"

"Say?

It's an epidemic of Death Tattoo Disease.

"Oh, you did have it. Two hundred years ago, there was a lethal disease called Death Tattoo Disease (Shimonobi), which became endemic twice (...). Of all the records lost because of the Sanctuary Church, the medical community and therapists kept records for the future..."

"I'm in a dream. When Death Tattoo Disease did it the second time, I gave blood for my newborn sister... the sight of my father Lyle and my mother Remilia using the magic of 'purification' on two sides..."

"Okay. Okay, I get it."

"Do you understand!?

"The 'My Road' that comes out of your dreams looks just like Yuki-Grossalia, and you in your dreams, you were in love with that person. Isn't it?

".................. eh"

Poop, and Princess Iris' face turns red.

She held her face with both hands, as if she had been unwittingly thrust by the fever.

".................. yes. Yes......"

"I understand. Let me tell you who that dream is."

"Yep, this is still... in the memory of a previous life..."

"Not at all. That is a disease of love!!

And Odette pointed to Her Royal Highness the princess, and proclaimed,

"Iris, you fell in love with Yuki."

"So how do you explain your dreams? Who are the people Yuki said are going to dream about?

"Because you want to think of your love for Yuki as destiny, right?

"Fate?"

"Yeah, you fell in love with Yuki at first sight. But even if my heart as a maiden is in love with him, I'm not convinced how that happened with my head. That's why I created a reason to care about him. From Yuki...... I heard about someone who came out of his dream and wanted to have the same dream. That's why the same characters came into my dreams."

"Wouldn't that be a little different!?

"Really?

"Yes! Because in my dreams, I liked Yuki so much... that everyone in the village sent me out."

"But there's no way to be sure, is there?

"... No, I do"

Iris took the ink kettle and pen from the desk.

Then put the parchment on your desk and run the pen slowly.

"I in my dreams... the villagers told me. If you ever meet 'My Road' in the future, look for this crest. Everyone in the village, make sure it helps us in the future... so"

"Is this crest...?

What was depicted on parchment was a crest mimicking bats.

Behind me is something like the shadow of an ancient castle.

"... find this crest and visit with My Lord... that's what they said"

"May I borrow this parchment for a moment, Iris?"

Odette took Iris' hand and told him.

"I recognize this crest. You may soon be able to ascertain if your dreams are true"

"... Odette?

"Pfft. It's been fun."

That's how Odette smiled invincibly.