The Struggle of Returning to The Other World

The day of the meeting came earlier than I thought.

I was Mr. Ordis looking unwilling to ride, but that's what I do fast.

The meeting time was instructed around noon, so I was given a day off by my fixer masters and headed to the royal palace full.

That said, the usual magic lab is ahead of us on our way. Since I, the civilian, cannot enter the office of the Prime Minister directly, Lady Frahamti, I plan to hang out with Mr. Ordis at the institute and have him transported from there by the art of metastasis, as he did last time.

Mr. Ordis still seemed hesitant to send me out.

I do not know how far he shares information with Master Frahamti. Maybe it's all what “they” intended, or maybe Mr. Ordis doesn't actually know anything about it. I've been thinking about it and that's the only thing I can do, so now I've decided to focus only on my interview with Lady Frahamti.

Then let's go.

When I thought Mr. Ordis grabbed me by the arm, my vision was grossly distorted shortly after I was ready.

There is no sudden noticeable technique, and the view in front of me has completely changed if I notice it.

- In front of Mr. Frahamti's office, during the refrain.

Although the technique of metastasis is still not familiar no matter how many times you experience it, it must certainly be convenient to be able to travel to the place of destination instantly. Think about that with a swinging head.

"I am not allowed to be present at this meeting"

As always, Mr. Ordis suddenly spoke to me like that, looking around at the flashy holding room. I look up at him standing next to me wondering what the hell started talking about.

"You know what that means?

"Uh..."

No, I don't know. I can't turn my head to questions that are too abrupt in the first place. To me, Mr. Ordis dropped a sigh of sighing as if he was in front of a badly made student.

"Lady Frahamti is coming to see you after she has eliminated someone who can protect you. I guess that means your concern isn't too far away, even if it doesn't hit you. It's not like there's nothing."

I see.

Or even though it's just horrible to be advised of that now.

But - well, I can't help it.

There is no turning back now.

Take one deep breath.

All right, I'm ready.

I lifted my hand nervously and slowly knocked on the door of the room.

"Um, it's Halutia."

"... please come in"

(1) I put my breath down and received a reply from Lady Frahamti.

Oh, I remember this feeling.

Fear and tension at a moment when you are being summoned by an extraordinarily demanding teacher at school and about to step into the staff room. I wasn't summoned. This one is pushing, but it's very similar to what I felt then.

It is a strange thing.

I had no idea that the landscape of the past, which should be too different from the status quo, would be linked here.

Finally, I opened the terrifying door.

What shall I say in the first word? First of all, thank you for taking the time. I should probably say enough. Uh, and, for now, keep me posted on this one...

I glanced inside the room nervously as I put my head around the steps of the interview...

I forgot everything and was stunned by the landscape that popped into my eyes.

In the office, as before, Lady Frahamti sits down against a large desk.

And - there's one young man holding back behind it.

It was Mr. Ars.

I stood on the spot not too surprised and looked seriously at him.

Even though the hole is under such a strong gaze, it doesn't break the floating attitude over there. Seems like I'm not in his sight or anything.

Mr. Ars wore black pants in a tight, deep green jacket instead of his usual rough outfit. I know how to dress.

- Was he a knight?

"Long time no see, Master Halutia"

Standing up, Master Frahamti welcomed me in.

"Uh, ah, yes"

Speaking of which, to much shock, the words of greeting and so on were totally flying away. Rather, so much so that I had forgotten for a moment the very existence of Lady Frahamti.

Yeah, what is this? What is this?

Why is Mr. Ars here?

Was he one of Lady Frahamti's men?

I mean, it was his instructions to follow me, too, you know?

"Please, come over."

Not being able to get out of the mess, I sat back on the couch nearby, prompted. Lady Frahamti also comes and sits across from me.

"I'm afraid you've come all this way. Oh, please don't worry about that guy. It's my escort, but I'm letting you be present because of circumstances. You may already know him."

"Ha..."

No, no more. My head doesn't work at all.

Could it be that Master Frahamti is also aiming to have Mr. Ars present?

"We were letting that protect you from the shadows. I've asked you to live in a fixer in Ichii before, just in case something should happen to you. I may have been rude to you, but I want you to understand that it was all to protect you without exposing yourself."

Lady Frahamti continues to explain lightly.

but it just sounds like an excuse to me.

I realize there are inconsistencies when my head doesn't work.

"Lady Frahamti, please wait. Well, I'd like to ask you something."

"Yes, what is it"

"Uh, did you summon me - Master Frahamti?

Greetings and reports of recent developments no longer matter.

When asked softly about everything, Lady Frahamti opened her narrow eyes slightly.

"- No, you're surprised at this. There is no such fact, but why did it seem so?"

I said what I thought slowly, organizing myself in my head.

"It wasn't long before I first met Mr. Ars in this world. Back then... Instead of Lady Frahamti, it should have been before I was reunited with Mr. Ordis. More importantly, it was when I hadn't told anyone I was a former witch. I mean, since that time, Mr. Ars has been escorting me, and you don't think the twitches fit? The only person who could do that was the one who knew from the beginning that I was coming to this world."

Ho, and Lady Frahamti roared low as impressed.

As far as I'm concerned, I was going to core it, but the other guy looks like he can afford it all.

"Indeed, it was before I could hear from you that I grasped the presence of Master Halutia. There was a little bit of a situation. But I didn't summon you."

Ask me what it is, but I could no longer trust Lady Frahamti's words at all.

"As I told you before when I met you, we are also continuing our investigation into the killer who re-summoned you. Sometimes I can't tell you everything, including about Ars, but I will always report back to you when I should, and I will protect you, so please wait a while. It's a personal favor, thank you."

Now that we're done talking, Lady Frahamti has concluded her words.

No, no, wait a minute.

"When is that supposed to happen?

"That is something that is judged by its occasional circumstances. It's not about when."

"But it's been four months since I've been here. Isn't it strange that that 'natural time' hasn't come yet? Lady Frahamti is the prime minister of this country, and the re-summons of the witch is supposed to be an important thing to rock the country...... so is Lady Frahamti convinced that she has been unclear about the situation for a long time?

"I see."

Lady Frahamti nodded faintly.

"Indeed, as reported from Ars, you seem to be a sensitive person for your age. I'm sure you have a lot on your mind about this."

No, I'd rather you answer the question than that.

Lady Frahamti keeps talking in the direction of the day after tomorrow.

"But I'm worried. I wonder if an honest Halutian who has now come here alone may one day be harmed by someone because of his diligence and candor."

"I mean, what do you mean... right?

I have a bad feeling. I have a bad feeling about this lately.

"Dear Halutia, From now on, let us protect you."

"What is protection? Do you mean imprisoned?"

"Terrible. Protection is protection. I was wondering if you could stay closer to us for your own safety."

"Wait, that's not what we were talking about right now, is it?

"Isn't your most important story safe?"

Wow, it doesn't make sense at all!

I didn't want you to listen to me originally.

If it looked like I was prying, it would have been better to imprison him even if he took some risks. Oh, so Mr. Ars is here? Personnel to confuse and constrict me and even capture.... would be too daring, Master Frahamti.

"I want to go back to the diner."

"Don't ask me that. Besides, if you're going to return to the original world, shouldn't you be too passionate about them?

I've completely moved my emotions already.

But... Oh.

If Lady Frahamti has caught my eye, no more.

If you keep shaking off Master Frahamti and go back to the fixer, you will surely be bothered by your husband and your servants.

I felt blood draw from my body.

I don't see a word for what it should be.

It seems that Lady Frahamti received such my silence as an affirmation.

He nodded satisfactorily.

"Rest assured. For a new place to stay, we are thinking of a private residence in Otuland. He will know Halutia well, and he will be forgiven."

Mr. O'Turand?

Of course, but Mr. O'Turand means he's on this guy's side, too.

Oh...... what shall I do?

"Okay, Ars. Please take Master Halutia to the house of Otuland. politely and without disrespect."

"Yes, sir."

For the first time, Mr. Ars, who had been holding back in the corner of the room, opened his mouth.

So much so that I think he's a very similar person, that he's not what I know. My eyes tend to lay low and my expression doesn't change at all. There was no futile move to throw one foot at a time, and when he came to my side and offered his hand, he was so “knightly" that he laughed.

I stood myself up ignoring the hand offered.

Mr. Ars looked slightly "ooh" but his expression soon disappeared.

"Master Halutia, please come this way. We'll have a carriage ready in a minute."

This is how I was transported to Otuland Mansion, where I was imprisoned and protected.