Though I realized time had rewound, panic still held me in its grip.
Caught in that whirlwind of confusion, I dealt with the Revenant wearing Namia's face. By the time I regained my composure, I had already labeled her an impostor. Exposed, the fake Namia vanished from my sight with a mocking laugh.
While I stood there dazed, one singular thought pierced through the fog.
—I have to save Nyau.
If I did nothing, Sage Nyau would be slaughtered alongside Second Prince Diluecca. Worse, her killer would be Demon Beelfegor—an entity of terrifying power.
I couldn't just sit still.
I dashed out of the house, borrowed a horse, and set off for the Royal Capital where Nyau should be.
If my memory served, Second Prince Diluecca was scheduled to depart the capital with an escort of over a thousand guards. Sage Nyau was part of that detachment. If I could join the escort before they left, I could get close to her. And if I were with her, I could protect her.
I threw together whatever justifications I could, but the truth was simpler: I just wanted to see her again.
I never imagined I would have the chance to meet Nyau again in this world, a century later. I remembered now that she was an Elf. I had heard they were long-lived, but I hadn't realized their lifespans spanned quite that many years.
Even on horseback, the journey to the Royal Capital took a full day.
Taking only the briefest of rests, I eventually reached the city. I went straight to the Adventurer's Guild to inquire about the Second Prince's escort.
According to the receptionist, Diluecca had not yet departed. The military was actively recruiting additional guards; as long as an applicant had combat experience, the process was relatively simple.
I was currently using a robe to hide my silver hair. As long as my true identity remained concealed, joining the army seemed feasible.
"Also, do you know anything about Sage Nyau?" I asked.
"Sage Nyau? Yes, of course. Everyone knows her."
"I heard she’s joining the Prince's escort. Is that true?"
"Yes, it is. With her there, no one has to worry about bandits or monsters. After all, Sage Nyau is a Living Legend. As a veteran of the Hero-Demon Great War who contributed to the Demon King Subjugation, she’s been invited to the Demon King Subjugation Commemorative Festival. That’s why she’s traveling to Kataroff Village with the Prince—to serve as both a guest of honor and a guardian."
So, she wasn't just there for protection; she was a celebrity guest. Her presence would undoubtedly send the festival into a frenzy.
"I see. Thank you."
I handed the woman a small tip and stepped back out into the street.
◆
"Uuugh, this is such a pain... I seriously don't want to do guard duty. Is it really too late to back out?"
Sage Nyau was the picture of exhaustion. She was slumped in a chair within a guest room filled with opulent furnishings, her upper body sprawled across the desk.
"Master, if anyone saw you looking this pathetic, they’d be heartbroken. You’re a Living Legend; you need to act the part."
The girl standing before Nyau spoke with a cheeky grin. Nyau didn't miss the way she snickered when she said 'Living Legend.' It was obvious she was being mocked.
"Just who was it? Who came up with such a ridiculous title for me?"
"Kyahaha! The world just overestimates you, Master. In reality, you're just an over-the-hill juvenile Elf. Honestly, I had such high hopes before I became your apprentice. If I’d known you were like this, I never would have signed up."
"Listen here, Ryune! You're my apprentice, so show some respect! I could kill you with a single spell if I felt like it!"
Nyau jumped to her feet, fuming.
"Kyahaha! Are you actually mad? If you don't want to be treated like a kid, you should try getting some life experience like me. It’s your own fault people look down on you for having zero experience at your age."
"Ngh... guh...!"
Despite her master's rage, the girl named Ryune continued to laugh. Nyau bit her lip. Whenever the topic of her 'zero experience' came up, she found herself completely defenseless.
"Ny-Nyau used to be quite the catch back in the day!"
"Heeh. I’d love to hear about when Master was a 'catch.' Though I find it hard to believe any man would fall for someone with a loli body like yours."
Ryune’s snicker was sharp. She was clearly enjoying this.
"That’s it! You’re dead! Prepare yourself!"
"Eek! Master’s scary when she’s mad!"
The two of them began a chaotic scuffle, bickering all the while. Consequently, they failed to hear the knock at the door.
When the second knock came, they were still making a racket.
"Sage Nyau, excuse me!"
The door swung open, and the pair finally fell silent.
"Um... what business do you have with Nyau...?"
The man who had entered was one of the soldiers assigned to the mission. Nyau hurriedly and awkwardly lowered her legs from the desk. She wondered how much he had heard. If their conversation had leaked, her reputation would be in tatters.
"Well... there is someone who insists on meeting Sage Nyau. Normally, we would have driven such a suspicious individual away, but he said something rather specific. I thought it best to confirm with you, just in case."
"What did he say?"
"He claimed to be a thief named Kiska. He said if I told you he was the one who guided your party through the Kataroff Dungeon a hundred years ago, you would understand. How should we proceed?"
"...Bring him to this room."
Nyau spoke with a sudden, chilling calmness. The soldier offered a quick "Understood" and closed the door to fetch the visitor.
Nyau couldn't find it in herself to speak normally. She was more shaken than she cared to admit.
"Oho? What’s this? Now I’m interested. Is he like, Master’s ex-boyfriend?"
"It’s nothing like that."
"............Master, are you nervous?"
Ryune's expression had shifted to one of genuine curiosity. The playfulness was gone.
Nyau realized she was so tense that even her brat of an apprentice could feel it.
"So, who is he? This Kiska person?"
"Someone from a hundred years ago. A lot happened. But he was supposed to be a mere human. I can’t imagine how he’s still alive."
"Maybe he’s an impostor?"
"That’s the most likely explanation."
Yes, he was probably a fake. Yet, a part of her felt it wouldn't be impossible for him to be the real thing. He had always been a man who defied common sense.
"If he is the real Kiska, what will you do?"
"Well..."
Nyau paused for a long moment before answering Ryune.
"If he’s the real deal, I’ll denounce him on the spot. After all, he’s the villain who betrayed Nyau and the rest of the Hero’s Party."
A thin, sharp smile touched the corners of Nyau’s lips.