◇ ◇ ◇
As I gazed out the window of the room provided by Marius-san—the current head of the Claudel House and brother to Sophia and Selma-san—I found myself looking back on the events that had unfolded before time rewound.
In the previous timeline, I had made contact with Christopher Downing, president of the Downing Trading Company in the Hitia Duchy, in an attempt to recover my lost memories.
At the same time, I received word that Tsutrail was under attack by the Cyclamen Cult and rushed back to the city immediately.
What awaited me there were collapsed buildings, the echoing screams of the people, the metallic scent of blood, and my disciples—all of whom had breathed their last.
When I laid eyes on the culprit behind it all, "Rasetsu" Stieg, I lashed out in a blind rage, only to be swatted aside. Right before my eyes, a great number of my companions from the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky were slaughtered.
I had been defeated by my arch-nemesis, the Cyclamen Cult.
In my despair at having so much stolen from me, Grandpa sacrificed his life to turn back the clock for the entire world.
While time was rewinding, I spent what felt like an eternity in another space-time called the Hidden World. There, I lived with Shion and the Fairy Tale Hero, August-san, eventually regaining both my memories and my power.
Now the rewind has finished, and I have returned to this "Second Today."
I know what’s coming, and I know who will play what part.
In order to prevent that scene of absolute despair from repeating, I must resist. I’ll use any means necessary to reach the ending I want.
Even if every soul in this world... ends up my enemy.
As I was lost in thought, I sensed two presences approaching.
I shifted my gaze toward the door just as it opened. Fuuka and Haruto-san stepped into the room.
"I’ve come at your summons, King," Haruto-san said in a joking tone.
He had called me "King" a few times before, but now that my memories have returned, I couldn't help but crack a wry smile.
"Being called 'King' makes me feel a bit self-conscious. It’s true that I’m a direct descendant of the Hitia Royal Family, but the country abolished the monarchy long ago. Besides, I’m not a monarch myself, and I have no intention of becoming one."
The Hitia Kingdom.
It was a country founded by August-san, the man I met in the Hidden World. Because of his history, August-san is known as the King of Special Ability Users in addition to being the Fairy Tale Hero.
And I am his descendant.
It’s obvious enough, considering he and I possess the same ability: All Creation. Special abilities are inherited, after all.
That said, the moment August-san vanished from the public eye, the Hitia Kingdom transitioned into the Hitia Duchy. August-san remained the nation's first and last king. Even if the blood of that royalty flows in my veins, it carries little meaning in this day and age.
"……Orun, you don't mean……"
Receiving my response, Haruto-san froze, looking as though he’d been stunned into silence.
"Yeah, I got my memories back. One of the reasons I called you here was to tell you that."
"W-wait a minute! Even after you fought the Doctor yesterday, you didn't seem particularly strange. Why all of a sudden...!?"
Haruto-san clutched his head, clearly overwhelmed.
Well, his reaction was only natural. For him, today is merely the day after he fought the "Doctor," a cult executive. From his perspective, there had been no sign whatsoever that I was on the verge of recovering the memories I’d lost to Perception Alteration.
"I know it feels abrupt to you, Haruto-san, but a lot happened before I got my memories back. I’ll set aside a proper time to explain it all later. For now, please just bear with me."
"……Fine, I get it. So? You didn't just call me here to tell me you remember things, right?"
Haruto-san accepted my words, though his expression remained conflicted.
"……Yeah. I don't want to waste any time. Without asking any questions, could you just take my hand?"
Having regained my memories and learned the truth of this world from August-san, I can now intervene in the Principles of Magic, if only partially.
The world's time has been rewound. However, the previous events didn't just not happen; the facts remain recorded within the Principles of Magic. By making physical contact, I can retrieve the sights and sounds a person experienced in the previous world.
When I woke up this morning, I had already sifted through the information Fuuka possessed.
The series of events from the time I left Daluane until the rewind was a plan set in motion by Grandpa. Fuuka and Haruto-san had both been involved in it.
Fuuka had fought the War Ogre in the previous Tsutrail, drawing out as much information as possible. Similarly, Haruto-san must have seen things I missed. With his Bird's-eye Vision, he would have gathered intelligence on the forces the Cult deployed and their overall movements.
"……Well, I guess there's no point in me overthinking it. Is just holding your hand enough?"
"Yeah. That's all I need."
Haruto-san took my extended hand. In that instant, I sifted through the information via the Principles of Magic.
◇
After obtaining the data from the previous timeline through Haruto-san, I went to meet Princess Lucila, responding to her summons just as I had before.
I met up with Fuuka outside—she had just received the support supplies from the Downing Trading Company destined for the Nohitant Kingdom—and we headed to the Princess's quarters.
"Excuse us."
"Good morning, Orun. I'm sorry for calling you so suddenly."
As we entered the room, the Princess noticed us and returned the greeting. Lady Inora, the Princess's attendant who had escorted us, gave a polite bow and immediately withdrew.
In the previous timeline, she had been reluctant to leave.
There are slight differences here and there. August-san warned me about this in the Hidden World. I believe he called it the "Butterfly Effect."
My own words and actions have already diverged from the last time, so it’s impossible for events to play out exactly the same. I have to remember that over-relying on knowledge of the previous timeline is a dangerous gamble.
"No, I also wanted to speak with you, Princess Lucila. I'm actually grateful for the invitation."
The Princess's expression softened at my words. Conversely, Fuuka gave me a frosty look from the side.
"I'm going to tell Shion you were acting all lovey-dovey with the princess," Fuuka muttered. Her voice was as cold as her gaze.
"I wasn't being lovey-dovey. And don't say that to Shion; it'll just make things a pain, alright?"
"I have no intention of covering for an affair. I'll just report the facts."
"An affair…… I'm not being flighty at all……"
"In other words, you’re serious about me! I see, so Orun has finally noticed my charms. Your feelings make me happy, Orun. However, since I am royalty, I cannot give you an answer on the spot. I'm so sorry……"
Princess Lucila hopped onto our banter. Her eyes were sparkling with the joy of teasing me.
"Please, spare me. You’re only making the conversation more complicated……"
I raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Fufufu, my apologies. I went a bit too far. I was surprised because your aura is entirely different compared to yesterday, Orun, but I’m relieved to see your essence hasn't changed."
The Princess wore her usual smile, but I could see a flash of genuine relief behind it.
Something else, huh. ……I suppose that’s true.
It was only natural for me to feel like a different person after everything that happened in Tsutrail and the Hidden World. I have my memories back, after all.
But as Princess Lucila said, my essence hasn't changed. I am still me.
While I was processing that, the Princess’s soft expression suddenly sharpened into one of absolute seriousness.
"That aside, regarding the 'Shion' that Fuuka mentioned just now—are you certain you're referring to the 'White Demon' of Amunzaas?"
"…………"
Silence filled the room as I weighed my response.
……How does she know about Shion?
The "White Demon" is a famous figure within the criminal organization Amunzaas. However, very few people should know that her real name is Shion.
I plan to move conspicuously from here on, but I don't intend to widely publicize names other than my own if I can help it. I want a cooperative relationship with the Nohitant Kingdom—or rather, with Princess Lucila—but it's also true that there is something unfathomable about her.
Besides, the enemy has Philly Carpenter, a special ability user of Perception Alteration. I need to keep my cards close to my chest.
"Orun, Lucila already knows a lot. For example, she knows about the relationship between Amunzaas and the Hitia Duchy."
Fuuka spoke up, sensing my hesitation.
"…………Does that mean the other high-ranking officials in this country know as well?"
At my question, Fuuka looked toward the Princess.
"No, I am the only one who has delved that deep. As far as the rest of the country is concerned, they only know that you aren't originally from here."
"……So I've been investigated."
"Yes. After your performance last year, the state had no choice but to look into you. Though I must say, the investigation hit a wall. There is absolutely no record of you before you arrived in Tsutrail."
I suppose that’s to be expected. There’s no way a nine-year-old child could travel from the Hitia Duchy to the Nohitant Kingdom alone. Back then, Oliver and I traveled from the Village of Dawn to Tsutrail via long-distance teleportation.
A normal investigation would never be able to trace my steps back that far. And yet, she had reached the answer anyway.
"Is it alright to tell me that so directly?"
"Yes. I've gathered enough from your conversation with Fuuka. From here on out, the country—the people—will be forced to choose, won't they? Whether to side with you, or with the Cult."
Princess Lucila looked me straight in the eye.
……How much does she see? This woman is truly formidable.
"The possibility is high. But are you sure? If you can see that much, don't you also realize that the number of people willing to side with us will likely be close to zero?"
"……Yes. I am aware. Naturally, I haven't let my personal feelings dictate this choice. To be honest, it's a decision born of cold calculation. If we don't choose now, it feels as though we’ll lose the right to choose at all."
"Are you talking about the war with the Empire?"
"I am. We are doing everything in our power to win, but unfortunately, our chances remain low. ……I must protect my citizens by any means necessary. That is my mission as royalty."
Her words were heavy with conviction.
The mission of royalty, huh. She truly puts her people first. Perhaps that is something I am still lacking.
"……I appreciate the offer. I was also hoping to secure your help, Princess Lucila."
"Does that mean our feelings were mutual!"
The serious atmosphere vanished instantly. Princess Lucila beamed with joy at my response. Beside me, Fuuka's expression soured again.
"No, it's a coincidence of interests."
I cut her off bluntly, realizing it would be dangerous to let her control the pace of the conversation any further.
"Muu…… you don't have to deny it that strongly……"
Pouting, the Princess puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction. I couldn't say it to her face, but with her baby face, the expression looked incredibly childish. Then again, I remembered she was the same age as Selma-san……
"My apologies. ……Well then, I look forward to working with you."
I extended my hand. Princess Lucila’s face lit up as she took it.
In that moment, I accessed the Principles of Magic again. I gathered the records of what Princess Lucila had seen and heard before the world rewound.
(A "Hero" attacked the Royal Capital to coincide with the strike on Tsutrail, huh……)
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—the information I retrieved contained exactly what I was looking for.
"……Thank you."
I released her hand and gave a small nod.
"It was nothing. So, shall we try a hug next?" she asked, her voice bouncing with amusement.
"Your proposal is very charming, Princess Lucila, but I’d appreciate it if we could save it for another time. Right now, I need to talk about something serious."
"……I was trying to lighten the mood, but judging by your face, Orun, this isn't going to be a happy story."
"No. Put simply, if things continue as they are, the war between the Kingdom and the Empire will end in the Kingdom's total surrender."
At those words, the smile vanished from Princess Lucila's face.