One month had passed since the attack.
The assault had been massive in scale, but the people of the Holy Theocracy were incredibly resilient. The city was already vibrant once again, and only a few scars remained.
I pondered this as I took a stroll.
"The cityscape really is beautiful."
"It is, isn't it?"
Yuka, walking softly at my side, gave her usual cool response. Still, her expression felt somehow softer than before.
How many years had it been since I started spending time with Yuka?
In terms of time spent together, Elysia and Yuka were the closest to me after my family. Both were kind, and both were beautiful girls no matter the angle. Just having them around made me feel that my otherworld reincarnation was worth it.
Well, I was quite the handsome guy myself, wasn't I? If anyone was feeling down, I was more than ready to offer a shoulder to lean on.
"Lord Luka, where shall we head today?"
"...Let's see. I only intended to take a walk, but maybe we should do a bit of shopping while we're at it."
Naturally, I couldn't actually voice those narcissistic thoughts out loud.
I would be able to return to the Royal Capital in just a little while longer. Just wait for me, Fia. Big brother is coming home.
I bought souvenirs while imagining the stories I’d tell her. This was the true pleasure of traveling.
By the time we returned to the dormitory, the sun was beginning to set.
"Welcome home, darling."
"...I'm home, Nana."
The one who greeted me was the silver-haired Lady Saint herself.
"Hey, why are you here? What about your work?"
"I don't have any work. Besides, I'm your wife, Luka. My true calling is housework!"
Yuka, standing silently beside me, cast a suspicious look her way. I guess I’d have to be the referee here.
"What is it, Yuka? Why are you looking at the mistress of the house like that?"
Right—Yuka was my maid. Therefore, Nana's logic was: I am Luka’s wife. That means Yuka is also my maid. I am the mistress!
"...Very well. Since I will be taking over the household chores, would you be so kind as to step aside, Lady Nanalicia?"
"Oh, fine. Luka—I did the dishes today. Please praise me."
My room was always like this now. I wanted to do something about the situation, but...
"Lord Luka, don't you think it's time you stopped spoiling Lady Nanalicia so much?"
"I wouldn't say I'm spoiling her... not that much, anyway..."
"You are spoiling her. Just like that."
Yuka pointed at Nana and me as we sat on the sofa.
"Hehehe..."
Nana was clinging to me with practically zero distance between us, and I found my hand stroking her head... Wait, when did I start doing that?!
"S-Sorry. You're right, I guess I am..."
"Wait, is it really proper for a maid to lecture her master?"
"I share that sentiment, but Lady Nanalicia is being excessive."
This was bad. A fight was brewing. And for some reason, I found myself instinctively pampering Nana. Was my past self's ego really that strong?
Even as the thought crossed my mind, my hand was already stroking Nanalicia's head again.
"Yuka, it's complicated, you see?"
"..."
Yuka let out a small sigh. Nanalicia gave a triumphant smile and leaned even more of her weight against me.
...Yeah.
It was peaceful. Extremely peaceful. A bit noisy, sure, but this kind of daily life wasn't bad. The fact that I was starting to feel that way meant I had grown quite accustomed to this lifestyle.
...Wait, where did the book I bought go?
"Nana, did you see where I put that book I brought back?"
"A book? The one you brought back just now?"
"Yeah. I just bought it. It had a white cover."
"...No. I haven't seen it, nor did I see you carrying it."
...That was strange. I was certain I’d bought it.
"Yuka, do you know?"
"My apologies. I do not know, either."
What in the world? This was getting creepy. Was there really a book that could just disappear? I'd bought it because it looked interesting; I’d fallen in love with the cover at first sight.
What was the title again?
It was the 〈Original Tome of Light〉. It seemed... interesting?
Was it, though? The cover was simple, and the content hadn't really registered with me. To begin with, I wasn't even much of a reader.
And besides, I’d heard that name somewhere before. An "Original Tome"...
"...Hey, Nana."
"Yes?"
"What exactly is an Original Tome?"
"...If you're referring to an Artifact, they are terrifying things. They are items capable of overwriting the very world itself."
The man who had attacked the Royal Capital... he had possessed one. In that case, that white book was—
Authority of White activated.
Target has been granted the right to challenge the "Trial."