Volume 6 - CH 1

It was just before noon on a clear spring day.

The carriage carrying me and Amiyu was driving along the Imperial Highway to the northeast.

As I sat on the coach and held the reins, the cool breeze felt good as it caressed my cheeks.

The horse seemed to be in good shape.

“Hey, Seika.”

From the back of the carriage, Amiyu speaks to me.

“Are you ready to switch?”

“What?　I’m not tired at all.”

“……, you’ve been sitting there all day, haven’t you?”

Amiyu says, slightly taken aback.

“Why do you already love horse-drawn carriages so much?”

As Amiyu said.

After being taught how to roughly move the carriage, I spent most of my time on the driver’s stand.

I answer honestly

“It’s a lot of fun. And I don’t feel so bad when I’m moving the horse by myself.”

“You’ve even started to take care of the horses.”

“I’ve always liked horses. Besides, I used to take care of the cows myself …….”

“Cows ……?　Did your parents have a cow?”

Amiyu says quizzically.

Of course not, it was a story from a previous life. When I was in Japan, I usually rode in a bullock cart.

Although they didn’t go very fast, they were not that uncomfortable to ride in. It would have been much quicker to use a spell to transfer or ride an Ayakashi, but unfortunately, it was not suitable for visiting people at all, and lacked any sense of elegance.

I couldn’t answer that, so I let my words slip and silence fell over the carriage.

It is not uncomfortable.

I feel that way because I can now face this girl with a somewhat more honest heart.

“I wonder what’s going on at …… school right now.”

Amiyu said quietly.

I keep looking forward and hesitate to answer.

Just the other day — I invaded the imperial castle to rescue Amiyu, who had been kidnapped.

After the rampage, I was able to get her out, but… of course, I couldn’t go back to the academy.

I think it was unavoidable because there was a possibility that this child would be killed if she got caught up in a political dispute. But… it’s true that it’s become a big deal.

It was good that princess Fiona had interceded, but what would have happened without it?

After some hesitation, I replied with an answer that seemed to just connect the conversation.

“…… I’m sure the new school year has started by now.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s about us and …… Ifa and all that.”

“…….”

Indeed, it was worrisome.

Many people knew that Amiyu had been taken away by the knightly order of the Marquis, since it was during the entrance ceremony.

Of course, my disappearance would have been noticed as well. I, with my various achievements and having served as valedictorian this year, am as famous at the school as or more than Amiyu.

I wonder what kind of rumors are circulating now. ……

I’m sure I’m still okay, but I’m sure I would have been expelled at some point.

Well, that doesn’t matter now that she’s left the school. It’s more about Ifa.

Since she’s a slave, I don’t really know how she’ll be treated when I’m gone. Even if I remembered the imperial law and the rules of the academy, a clear interpretation seemed difficult. 

Well, at worst she’ll be sent back to the Lamprog territory…  Even though she’s got good grades in school.

I’m a terrible master.

But in fact,……, I’m thinking that it won’t turn out so bad.

The headmaster is not the kind of person who follows the rules and deals with things quietly. The actual fact is that the rules are not that bad.

And …… Fiona, too.

That scheming Holy Princess seemed to have a certain degree of grasp of my powers from her own vision of the future. Now that all that had just happened, I can’t imagine letting go of something that would hurt my mood even a little bit. It would be unbearable if Rodonea was destroyed this time.

No, ……, I don’t think so.

The first time I saw her, I wanted to believe her, even if only a little, because of the friendly conversation she was having with those girls.

“It’s going to be okay.”

When I replied after a long silence, this time Amiyu fell silent.

Not long after that, she opened her mouth.

“Hey, Seika.”

“……Hmm?”

“Well, can I ask you something?”

With a little tension, I closed my mouth that was about to open to ask back.

Amiyu speaks regardless.

“Why are you …… so strong?”

“…..”

“You tore down the walls of the Imperial Castle, didn’t you?　And you put it back afterwards. …… How in the world did you do that?”

“You beat all the guards at the castle and came to me unharmed. Fiona told me that even her Holy Knights are no match for you.　Who are you ……?”

“…….”

I answer after a short pause.

“When I was little, I was told that I didn’t have magic in a magic measurement ritual.”

“…..”

“But I couldn’t give up on magic no matter what. So I studied hard in the mansion’s library…I learned modern magic, which is rare in the empire. I can’t use normal magic even now. The reason I’m strong is because I was desperate back then… I wonder if this explanation is enough.”

“I’ve heard that one before.”

“……”

“Stop lying to me.”

I let out a small sigh and closed my eyes.

This girl is a good judge of people and sensitive to the subtleties of emotion.

She may have believed me when we were just schoolmates, but I don’t think she will believe me anymore for this kind of misleading speech.

I need to be honest with her.

Let’s talk honestly now.

I open my mouth with determination.

“I… it seems like I’m a genius.”

“……Huh?”

Amiyu sounds dumbfounded, and I continue with a reluctant look on my face.

“I know I said I was desperate,…… but now that I think about it, from the very beginning, I was able to do it much better than others. …… I was able to learn new techniques quickly, and I had a good memory to begin with, so I was able to study. I didn’t realize it until a while after I started learning. Well, I guess that means I had it, talent!.”

“……”

“The art of spells itself, of course, was invented by our smart predecessors and systematized through the efforts of many people. …… But in fact, about half of the techniques I use today were invented by me. I combined my knowledge of natural history and other things besides spells,…… and it became fun along the way, so it didn’t feel so desperate at the time.”

“……”

“And then, here we are.”

After I had finished my explanation, Amiyu looked at me with dismay.

“… what is it …. you’re proud of? Did you have that kind of self-confidence?”

“You asked me, didn’t I? There’s no other way to explain the reason for my strength.”

“……what’s with that”

“Does that sound like a lie?”

“… I can’t hear you.”

After a little while, Amiyu sighs and says.

“Is that really true? ……It’s disappointing. I feel like I’ve lost my mind. I thought there was a great secret. I was prepared for what you would say, you know?”

“…that’s a terrible way of saying it. I didn’t want to talk about it either.”

In fact, this is the first time in my life that I have ever said such a thing. Even in my previous life, I had never said it before. I felt embarrassed and self-conscious.

I told the truth.

Everything I just said is the truth.

Of course, there are things I haven’t told —-.

I was reincarnated in a different world. Yin-yang techniques, demons and ghosts. I’ve got great secrets, too. But …… I’m not going to answer the questions that haven’t been asked.

The reason for my strength is as I explained.

My ability has nothing to do with reincarnation.

Amiyu mutters.

“But …… strength may be such a thing after all. If I wasn’t a …… hero, I probably wouldn’t have been so good with swords and magic.”

“…..”

“Come to think of it, how did you know I was a hero?”

“…Two years ago, on the day of the entrance ceremony, you said you went looking for the magician who summoned the demon, didn’t you? You said you couldn’t find him, but in fact I did. I heard about that attack… Actually, it was aimed at you.”

“Hmm… I knew it.   So you defeated him?”

“… Ah. I haven’t told anyone.”

“Well, …… it’s been over two years, but I’ll put it together on the last minute.”

Behind me, Amiyu shyly says.

“Thank you, Seika.”

“…”

“Somehow, you always help me.”

I answered with a faint sense of guilt without even looking back.

“……you’re welcome”

There was one more secret I didn’t tell you.

Amiyu at first I was trying to take advantage of you.

Just like the other day, I wanted you to play a role that would attract the eyes of the rulers and be executed.

For me, the strongest, to stay in the shadows.

Now that I’ve ruined it myself――――I don’t know what to do anymore.