"I have no obligation to give my name to prospective criminals, but I shall prioritize knightly courtesy. I am Yuri, and this is my younger twin sister, Lumia."
The Holy Knight with her hair tied back in a single ponytail was Yuri, while the one with hair falling over her shoulders was Lumia. So they really were twins after all.
True to their title as knights, they clearly wanted to uphold proper etiquette as much as possible. I appreciated the conscientious attitude, but what I wanted to know right now wasn't their names.
"What was that strange power you two were using?"
"Behave yourself, and I might tell you."
Completely unapproachable.
Fine then, I'll just ask Zest~.
And so... Hey, spit it out already.
You've picked up on something, haven't you?
『...I do not wish to tell you.』
Hah?
『If my prediction is correct, it is a power that carries severe risks. Rather than relying on my speculation, it would be better for you to obtain accurate information directly from them.』
Zest spoke in an unusually solemn tone.
A power with risks, huh... I'm starting to get an idea of what it might be.
There's no reason to rush anyway, so I'll prioritize safety just like Zest said.
As I settled on a plan in my head, Yuri suddenly flashed a smirk.
"You have quite the grim look on your face....Is defeat truly so bitter to you? Unfortunately, someone of your caliber wouldn't even make it past the first round of the Advent Festival."
I-I-I'm not bitter at all, dammit!!!!
『You seem quite bitter.』
Shut up, Demon Sword.
More importantly, what's this about a first round?
"Is the Advent Festival not a simple festival?"
"You didn't know? During the Advent Festival, a tournament is held to contest martial prowess....It is the main event, you know. What did you even come to this country for?"
To chase after Reiji.
I had heard it was a festival celebrating the Emperor's continued good health, but it seems they hold a fairly extreme event.
Still, even though I held back when fighting Yuri and the others, I didn't intend to act that weak. If my level of strength back then isn't enough to pass the first round, the participants must be absolute monsters.
"What kind of people are participating?"
"If you want to see the roster, you can just check the bulletin boards located all over the city....Look, right over there where that crowd has gathered."
Following the direction Yuri indicated with her chin, a massive bulletin board stood in the center of the plaza. As I approached the board, Yuri followed behind, maintaining a set distance....Yeah, yeah, making sure not to let me out of your striking range, right?
Driven by curiosity, I scanned the bulletin board, but there weren't any names I recognized. Before regaining the memories of my past life, Claude had zero interest in other people, and after remembering, my hands were full just dealing with what was right in front of me. I'm sure there are plenty of famous figures on it, but I didn't know any of them.
However, right then.
I discovered an unexpected name.
—Reiji Wolf.
Huh?
Huuuh............!?
Reiji is on here!!
Are you kidding me!? Aren't you supposed to be studying abroad!?
Go hit the books, damn it!!
『As expected of the future Hero. He is constantly standing upon the grandest of stages...』
Even Zest was astonished.
At that moment—an electric shock ran through my head.
I see it. I see what I must do in this country.
The setting will be the finals of the Advent Festival. Beneath the watchful eyes of the spectators, I will stand before Reiji, who fought his way to the top, as a mighty force of evil.
After a fierce battle, I will be pierced by Reiji's Holy Sword, scattering in brilliant ruin—.
O-Ooooh...
It's perfect...!! Just imagining it gives me shivers...!!
"What are you trembling for? How repulsive."
Yuri cast a chilling glare my way.
Alright, now that that's decided, I need to enter this Advent Festival immediately.
"Heh... Sounds like an amusing event. I shall participate as well."
"Registration has already closed, so that is impossible."
DOOOOOM!!!!
No way... How could you be so cruel...!!
I wanted to enter the Advent Festival too...!!
On that grand stage, I wanted to be stepped on by Reiji...!!
"Don't suddenly drop onto all fours. Did you really want to participate that badly?"
I WAANNTTEEED TOOOOOO...!!
『It truly would have been an exceptional stage to be stepped upon... I feel a shred of pity for you.』
Put your whole soul into pitying me!
Damn it... I can't stay down in the dumps forever. For now, let's consider it progress that I managed to catch wind of Reiji's name in this country.
"Yuri. Do you know of Reiji Wolf?"
"I do, but... are you an acquaintance of his as well?"
"Something like that."
When I vaguely brushed it off, Yuri began to speak.
"He is a man the Saint takes a great liking to, and I have spoken with him a few times myself....He is a swordsman with fine promise. It is customary for a few students from the Academy to participate in the Advent Festival each time, but that man was chosen despite being an international student. He must be quite popular."
It's terrifying how that guy Reiji already seems to have crept into the heart of this country.
A swordsman with fine promise, huh....It's surprising that Reiji of all people is settled with an evaluation as modest as just having "fine promise." The Holy Knights I defeated at first were nothing special, but the overall standard of this country might be unexpectedly high.
"Excuse me."
From behind me, Chesa chimed in with a grave expression.
"Could you please tell us about the Saint?"
I wanted to know about that, too.
Without dropping her guard, Yuri began to explain with pride.
"The Saint is the symbolic existence of the Empire, and the only human capable of communicating with the Second Mythos, Eternity. We Holy Knights are a unit under the direct command of the Imperial Family dedicated to protecting the Saint."
A human who can communicate with a Mythos, huh. There was no one like that in the Kingdom of Militail.
No... could there actually be one, just not made public?
A human who can freely communicate with that Fate...
A human who has seen that Humanoid Loom other than me...
...If I ever get the chance, I'd like to ask them.
What it feels like to communicate with a Mythos.
"If you are knights under the direct command of the Imperial Family, wouldn't you normally protect the Imperial Family itself?"
"I know not the common sense of the country you hail from, but in this nation, there is a saying: 'The throne does not abide in the Imperial Family.' The members of the Imperial Family each blend in among the common folk and act under their own power. Furthermore, their true identities are never revealed."
"Never revealed? Then in this country, all members of the Imperial Family conceal their status?"
"Indeed. Though I hear they reveal themselves in times of emergency....Because this nation is ruled by His Majesty the Emperor, who is immortal, an heir is unnecessary. It is also said that the reason they blend in among the common folk is to protect the royals, who would otherwise be placed in an unstable position."
Immortal... Now that's another outrageous term that just popped up. That's entirely different from merely having a long lifespan.
Still, I'm less surprised than I thought I'd be.
I'd already heard that the average lifespan in this country is around one hundred and fifty years, and that His Majesty the Emperor is eight hundred years old. I had figured the citizens of the Empire received the divine protection of Eternity, and that only the Emperor harbored an even more specialized power.
Setting aside what immortality actually entails for a moment... Releasing royals who have no future as heirs into the wild is quite a bold concept. There should be plenty of things they could do, like strengthening ties between noble houses through political marriages, like Celestia and I used to have...
It's a bit late to say this given that they hold martial tournaments during festivals, but this is a rather stoic country.
The throne does not abide in the Imperial Family... Taken at face value, it might be a noble sentiment. In short, royals shouldn't indulge in their status, but instead blend in among the people and work by the sweat of their brow.
"The Saint possesses the divine miracle of granting humans immortality. Eight hundred years ago, ever since the Saint granted His Majesty the Emperor immortality, the governance of this nation has remained stable."
Huh.
Apparently, the relationship between the Saint and the Emperor has been going on since eight hundred years ago. Which means the Saint is also eight hundred years old.
Hmm.
An old ha—
『Hey.』
My apologies.
"Therefore, we protect the Saint."
Yuri concluded her explanation.
I now understood the respective positions of the Saint and the Holy Knights.
"In other words, this so-called Saint is being targeted by those who seek immortality."
"Yes. At first, I assumed you were one of them as well."
Too bad!! The only one I'm targeting is Reiji!!
While I was feeling triumphant inside, Chesa spoke up.
"Is it not possible to meet the Saint?"
Come to think of it, Chesa was the one who brought up the topic of the Saint in the first place.
I don't know the reason, but Chesa seems to have an extraordinary interest in this Saint person.
"Due to security reasons, we cannot allow outsiders to meet her."
When Yuri shook her head, Chesa said nothing further.
I'm curious about Chesa's objective, but... there's only one person I need to meet.
"In that case, take me to Reiji."
"To Reiji?"
Yuri showed a brief gesture of contemplation.
"Very well. I had planned to take you two to the barracks anyway, and it happens to be on the way."
Having made her decision, Yuri turned her gaze toward her sister standing beside her.
"Lumia, go rendezvous with the Saint."
"Big sis, will you be alright on your own?"
"Hah, I won't lose to ruffians of this level."
Yuri said, lightly slapping her own bicep.
This woman... I oughta smack her!!
『Endure it until you meet Reiji.』
Ghiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!