episode_0021

— Crotia is the principality’s viscount who runs the merchant.

— Zeon Crotia, this is the name you will use from now on, so remember it.

Just as she had assured me, Merlin provided generous support.

They provided specific information about the relics and placed a cleanly cleaned identity in their hands.

That’s not all.

— Now, take this too.

— Well, this is the address of the house where you will be staying for the time being.

— Even though it’s a bit shabby, it’s better in many ways than wandering around the inn, right?

Food, clothing, and shelter, among them the absolute priority for modern people, have been resolved.

The location is perfect too.

It’s located in a reasonably quiet corner, so it’s not exposed, but it’s adjacent to the imperial palace, the center of the capital.

‘What on earth is this?’

The help was given, but the doubts that sprouted in the back of my mind still remain.

By what route did you obtain information about the sacred relic, and what is your essential purpose in escaping this world?

And above all…

◆ Penalty

: The heroines inherit their memories before returning.

‘Fuck.’

My head is numb from the rising frustration.

How on earth is this possible, where did it all go wrong, everything is at a loss.

This is not just Isabel and Luna’s problem.

Not just one person, but heroines.

That would mean that the princess Rudine also inherited the memories from the previous episode intact.

‘It’s still okay.’

All you have to do is modify the plan.

Rather, it is fortunate that the penalty was revealed at an early stage.

Wouldn’t it be enough to gradually build up contacts with Ludine, starting with the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony?

Ludine’s coming-of-age ceremony is hosted by the imperial family, so it boasts a grand scale and tight security.

Invitations are only given to families with a direct connection to the imperial family, so being invited to the royal family’s coming-of-age ceremony indirectly reveals the family’s prestige.

Zeon Crotia, and Viscount of the Duchy.

It’s definitely a status that will come in handy someday, but at least right now, it’s far short of being invited to Rudine’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Is it possible?

I have no choice but to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony as Winfred’s illegitimate son, Kyle Winfred.

It turned out that running away at night ended up being funny, but who would have known?

The identity of the relic is the princess’s rosary, and the penalty content is all about returning together.

‘My head hurts already.’

Isabel, and Luna.

Although he will encounter the two crazy women again, this is also inevitable.

It’s not like I can ostracize them from the moment they have pre-reversion memories.

All I have to do is make up my mind and face it head on.

“Diana.”

“Please tell me.”

Diana’s face was calm as always.

You must have heard every single conversation between me and Merlin, but I don’t see any emotional turmoil.

“You must have heard everything.”

“… Yes.”

“I’m curious about your review.”

I am a stranger

One day, the moment will come when she leaves this world, and in the end, Diana will be left alone in this world, abandoned by her lord.

I can’t help but feel betrayed.

It is normal for humans to feel some anger.

No, you’re crossing a dimension in the first place. You’re talking nonsense, but how can you be so calm?

Are you stupid or dull?

If not, do you think I’m crazy?

Everything is full of questions.

“A review?”

Diana’s lips, which were silently staring at me, moved slowly.

“I’m not sure.”

“… What?”

“I guess it must have been difficult.”

Even though he was spitting out words of sympathy, his voice was dry, as if he had been drained of emotion.

The words of comfort that seemed to have been squeezed out of me made me burst into laughter without realizing it.

“Not angry?”

“Yes.”

“If I leave, you’ll have nothing left?”

“… … Does loyalty require a reason?”

Diana asked me back.

I was completely speechless.

Why, for what on earth.

Are you giving me such blind loyalty?

“… ”

“… ”

The conversation did not continue.

Diana stayed behind me as always, and I moved forward.

Why?

Diana’s calm attitude didn’t bother me at all.

Blind loyalty without expecting anything in return was a little comforting.

I thought it was extremely selfish.

****

Unlike the shabby exterior of the mansion prepared by Merlin, the interior exceeded expectations.

Of course, it was shabby compared to Duke Winfred’s, but it was still enough for the two of them to live together.

It was the first time in a long time that I had a good night’s sleep.

It was a feat achieved not just by escaping the duke’s residence.

Time passes like that.

Finally, the morning of the coming of age ceremony dawned.

I woke up early in the morning, dressed lightly, and changed into the clothes I had prepared in advance.

No great effort was put into decoration.

No matter how much I decorate it, the people looking at me won’t be pretty.

I had Diana, who followed me, wait at the mansion.

This is because it would not be good for the princess to see Diana, the best knight in the empire, walking around with me at this point.

I arrived at the imperial palace on a horse-drawn carriage that I had rented with a large amount of money.

As I got off the carriage, holding the driver’s hand, the pure white stairs leading to the imperial palace unfolded before my eyes.

As I climbed the stairs, the servant waiting in front of the door came running at a brisk pace and confirmed my identity.

“The second son of Duke Winfred, Prince Kyle Winfred, please eat!”

Squeak—

With a thunderous shout from the attendant, the door to the ceremony hall opened.

The attention of the nobles enjoying the ceremony was all focused.

As I ignored it and moved on, the murmurs directed at me spread out like ripples.

— Kyle Winfred? That bastard who is said to be committing evil acts?

— I heard he broke off his engagement with Lady Isabel… How crazy can you be…

The facial expressions are very worth seeing.

This is a part where you can feel Kyle Winfred’s deep notoriety again.

In an obviously hostile atmosphere, I smiled as if it was no big deal.

I walked into the ceremony hall without hesitation.

There is no time to waste with extras.

Because my business is solely with Princess Ludine Eckhart.

‘Where the hell are they?’

I turned my head several times and passed the center of the ceremony hall.

When I finally came to my senses, I found myself in front of the hallway leading to the interior of the imperial palace.

It was then.

“… Kyle?”

A girlish, innocent voice came from behind me.

I slowly turned my head.

“Kyle! That’s right Kyle!”

Her silver hair was curly, as if it had been covered in midwinter frost.

Golden eyes that look like they were made of pumpkin, a symbol of the royal family, and that disgusting naive smile.

“How long has it been since this!”

Imperial Princess, Rudine Eckhart.

And, Kyle’s childhood friend.

She ran towards me in one step, her eyes sparkling.

I could barely control my distorted expression.

You must not forget.

The fact that Ludine retains the memories of the previous episode intact.

“… Rudine?”

“Kyle! You really came!”

“Someone’s coming of age ceremony. Of course you should come.”

When I barely managed to squeeze out an answer, Rudine smiled brightly.

“I already heard the story. I heard you broke off your engagement to Lady Isabel?”

A sharp question caught my ear.

I smiled and answered as if it was no big deal.

“It just so happened that it happened like that.”

“Really… Do you know how surprised I was when I heard the news?”

Ludine stuck out her lips innocently.

Soon, he put on a gloomy expression, as if he was wearing a mask, and lowered his head to look up at my face.

“Are you okay? Was it very difficult?”

Rudine was crying and worried about me.

I could barely swallow the admiration that was rising to the tip of my chin.

If I hadn’t known the details of the penalty, I would have been fooled.

It was then.

“… !”

The necklace Rudine wore sparkled under the light.

I finally found it.

Rosario, this is the relic I have been looking for.

“Oh my.”

At that time, a frost-like voice filled the air.

“Kyle?”

Luna Winfred.

She appeared before I knew it, looked at me and smiled brightly.

“Oh.”

Ludine’s soft voice followed.

“What is the princess doing here?”

Rudine asked with a smile on her face.

While Luna was at a loss for words due to the sudden situation, she bowed gracefully.

“Luna Winfred, meet the Sun of the Empire.”

“Raise your head.”

Luna raised her head.

Soon, he answered Rudine’s question in his characteristic laughing voice.

“The child the princess is talking to is my younger brother.”

Fuck.

Who is whose brother?

I was swallowing my anger and choosing my words.

“Hmm~”

Ludine tilted her head as if she was interested.

“That’s unexpected! I didn’t know that the princess regarded my close friend as her younger brother.”

“Is that so? It’s fascinating.”

Luna walked slowly.

“I also never thought that the princess considers my younger brother a close friend.”

“Hehe, is that so?”

“Oh, please forgive me if I offended you in any way.”

The air was as frozen as the North Sea in midwinter.

The breathtaking atmosphere is also temporary.

“Ka, Kyle… !!!”

A sickening voice struck my ears.

“You were here… !”

It was Isabel Justia.