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The long-awaited movie never started in the end, though not for the reason one would expect…

“Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that no one is to enter the room,” came the strident voice of the scarred bodyguard.

Oh? So that’s where his bodyguard has been hiding.

“Stand aside!”

Sersan’s voice was agitated, coupled with his swift but chaotic footsteps, he was clearly in distress.

A short while later, Sersan came barging in through the room’s door, chest heaving as he yelled, “Lady Mo Na, are you all right–”

The words got stuck in his throat at that point. He was half-expecting to mount a daring rescue, but unfortunately for him, he was instead treated to the sight of me sitting down with his father for a cup of coffee. And Misseger, of course. His eyes went wide with shock, clearly not expecting this scene at all.

Honestly, I had a rough idea of what he had in mind. In all likelihood, he was expecting his father to use force on me, which he might have had I not changed the topic entirely.

“Your Majesty…” Because the bodyguard was afraid of harming the prince in an altercation, he did not dare use too much force, allowing the prince to slip through in the end. He fell to one knee under the withering gaze of Andassis the Seventh, “Your subject has failed.”

“It’s just Sersan so I’ll look past it. Baku, return to your post outside, and don’t let another through this time.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Baku rose to his feet and left, but not before throwing an unhappy glare towards the prince. However, the prince was still too surprised to notice that bit of hostility.

“My dear son, could you perhaps enlighten your father as to why you’re in such a hurry that you’ve completely forgotten your decorum?’

“… My apologies, Father, I was too hasty in my judgement.” Now that he had time to grasp the situation, his agitation quickly subsided as he fell to one knee and apologised.

“Oh?” Andassiss the Seventh raised an eyebrow. “So what was it then?”

Merciless and straight to the heart. Everyone knew why the prince was in such a hurry, but was that truly something that could be voiced out loud?

“…” Beads of sweat started to drip down the prince’s forehead. He clearly could not say that he suspected his father of nearly committing adultery. Even the messiah couldn’t save him at that point. And I still needed those two to not be at loggerheads with each other, not while I had an impending doom to avert; the last thing I wanted was for this kingdom to be embroiled in some petty family dispute.

“Ahem.”

I lightly coughed as a prelude to a timely rescue. However, that never came to pass as Andassis the Seventh suddenly picked his son up in a hug and gently set him down.

“Well, since you’re here, that saves me the trouble of seeking you out.” The king flashed an unexpectedly loving smile at his son, “Lady Mo Na was just saying how she was about to show a “movie”. Your arrival was most timely.”

That’s it? I thought you would at least give the boy a thump on his head. Not physically, of course. Just an expression. Bah… all that matters is that they hand me their treasury.

“Movie?”

Because the prince had only joined us midway, he wasn’t privy to the conversation about me being an otherworldly person, or about the movie theater.

“Movies are a speciality of Lady Mo Na’s hometown, I do not know the details myself, so let’s leave the stage to her.”

As he said that, I could faintly detect a hint of triumph in his voice, as if he had somehow taken the lead against his son. Was that why he was being so magnanimous all of a sudden?

“…”

Sersan seemed to have picked up on that fact as well, but too bad for him, I wasn’t one for repeating myself, and the movie was about to start.

“In that case, prepare to be amazed, Your Majesty, for the showing of the very first movie in this realm. I’m sure after watching this, there will be no doubt as to my identity.” Having said that, I had my electronic implant project a theatre-like screen. “Lingling, fetch me a movie about exosuits and mobile armors, have the language adjusted as well.”

A second later, the starting credits rolled on screen with resounding fanfare, startling Sersan, Misseger and the king.

“Where is this noise coming from?” Misseger looked around in confusion, unable to determine the source of the sound that was coming at her from all directions.

“This painting… It’s so real! I feel like I could almost touch it with my hands…” Unlike Misseger, Sersan was more enraptured by the CG before him.

“What heavenly craftsmanship is this?!” Andassis the Seventh gripped on the handles of his chair with shaking hands.

The actual movie hadn’t even started yet and these three bumpkins had already been awed out of their seats.

This movie was about how the Gaians discovered another mineral-rich planet during their space exploration. However, that planet was filled with all sorts of powerful Primal beasts.

In order to harvest these rare resources, the Federation constructed a mining settlement on the planet, along with several outposts.

Naturally, the native Primal beasts did not welcome these metallic invaders. Thus began a bloody, drawn-out battle between man and beast.

What began as small skirmishes finally escalated into a full-blown war where, after countless experiments and trials, mankind deployed an experimental mobile armor to defeat the strongest beast on that planet, securing the planet.

Honestly, this was about as mainstream as a film could get. The 3D effects were great, but everything else was just passable.

Yet to the minds of these technologically backward people, such a movie was no less shocking than forbidden magicks.

In just the short span of thirty minutes, countless explosions, shouts of “kill them”, and etc. filled the room. There were times when even Sersan jumped to his feet in excitement, as if he was the one riding the mobile armor to war against the beasts.

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Before the beautiful maidservant could finish speaking, the door of the apartment slowly opened. Lo and behold, Andassis the Seventh was standing there waiting for me.

Seeing her master before her, the beautiful maidservant instinctively bowed, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“Mhm, Lady Mo Na, you’re here. Misseger, have a pot of coffee ready, there are some matters I wish to discuss with Lady Mo Na.” Andassis the Seventh smoothly instructed the maid, then turned to smile at me. “Lady Mo Na, is now a good time for a talk? It’s regarding the future.”

“Very well, I just so happen to have something to discuss with Your Majesty as well.” I smiled. “It’s also regarding the future.”

“What a fortuitous coincidence.” The king excitedly clapped his hands together. “I knew we were meant for each other.”

“…”

“What’s the matter, Lady Mo Na? Your face is looking bad, are you perhaps feeling ill somewhere?”

Clearly, he did not realise how much that “meant for each other” disgusted me.

“I’m… fine… Your Majesty. It’s okay.” I shook my head and tried to force a smile at the man, albeit stiffly. “But I think the future we are thinking of might be… a little different.”

Relieved to learn that I wasn’t sick, he snuck a quick wink. “Oh, how so?”

If we were being perfectly honest right now, that wink wasn’t his only attempt at flirting since we entered; a behavior you would normally expect from someone probably half his age. Was he trying to tell me that he was still young at heart? Or perhaps something else?

But that wasn’t the main issue right now… this fellow was just so annoyingly brazen. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was rich, I would have slapped him across his face, of that you could be sure!

“While I might not know what this future Your Majesty speaks of might entail, the future I’m referring to concerns the entirety of the Western Human Realms.” I looked the man right in his eyes, and found that he was seriously listening for once. It was then that I began our discussion anew. “I have a piece of news of utmost importance: the Devils and the Undead have already begun preparing to invade the Western Human Realms. Their aim is to slaughter every human being… or simply put, the Apocalypse.”

“!!!”

Platter of coffee in hand, Misseger couldn’t help but shudder a little, spilling some of the black liquid within.

“My apologies… I will prepare two new cups.”

“An invasion by the Devils and the Undead?” Andassis the Seventh said in a half-believing manner. “Lady Mo Na, news of such gravity mustn’t be uttered in vain. Even though I truly wish to believe you on a personal basis, as the monarch, I have to exercise prudence when it concerns the fate of my own kingdom. Lady Mo Na, do you have any proof?”

“Proof… perhaps this will suffice?”

Having predicted that I wouldn’t convince the king so easily, Ferti’nier and I had already come to an agreement beforehand regarding this unique identity of mine.

I showed him the electronic implant on the back of my left hand. But before I could even explain, Andassis the Seventh had already jumped the gun. “Such intricate artwork, and on such a beautiful hand… Even the most skilled artists of the Nature Elves would find themselves hard-pressed to match the artistry of this tattoo… but the choice of purple wings…”

Hey, don’t think I didn’t catch that offhand remark about my hand, you pervert!

However, now wasn’t the time to burn bridges. Swallowing that bit of disgust in my mouth, I briskly brushed over that bit of indecency. “It’s a special tool of my world, an electronic implant. It has many features, so many that it would beggar belief.”

“Electronic… implant?”

“That’s right, an electronic implant. It’s an ubiquitous tool everyone in my world possesses. It serves as identification, a means of trade, entertainment, communication, and so on and so forth…”

I began rattling off about the multiple benefits of an electronic implant, all the while the king gave a wide-eyed look, similar to how a Gaian would react should he learn of the existence of magic.

Finally, when I had finished my impromptu lecture, the king slowly opened with this, “Lady Mo Na is from another world?”

“Yes, I’m from the planet of Gaia.” I admitted unabashedly. Technically, I wasn’t lying there.

Yet in comparison to my identity, the king was probably more concerned about this strange new civilisation he was learning of. “So Lady Mo Na’s homeworld has highly advanced magicks?”

“Not magic, but science.” I corrected him. “But you may consider science as a kind of special branch of alchemy.”

“I see, so Lady Mo Na hailed from a world where alchemy has advanced highly?” The king quickly caught on, the mental cogs in his whirling at a mad pace as he began forming his own understanding of the situation -as one would expect of a person who could serve as a monarch of a kingdom. “Then Lady Mo Na’s electronic… implant still retains some of its functions after arriving in our world?”

Just the fact that he had caught on to the crux of the situation so quickly made me reevaluate my view of this pervert. In all likelihood, my following answer was also going to prove whether or not I was actually a visitor from another world.

“Let me perform a quick demonstration,” I confidently declared. “This is one of our local specialities, the “movie”…”

“Your Majesty, your coffee… Lady Mo Na, your coffee.”

“Thank you.”

Misseger brought the newly poured cups before us, and upon returning my nod, quietly took her position behind Andassis the Seventh.

The two of them lined up before me, I could clearly see the anticipation in their eyes. Meaning… It was now time for my orator skills to shine… nay, for science to shine!

Savages of this magical world, watch and amazed. Bow before the sheer majesty of the movie theater!

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Not understanding the words was just one part of the problem. Having spent time on Earth and Gaia, reading wasn’t exactly my first choice of entertainment. A movie or animation were by far better choices.

Meaning… I couldn’t be bothered to read a book written in a foreign language, and I wasn’t about to use psychic magicks on Aivar to learn said language.

“No problem, this book was made to cater to both Human and Elvish.” Having said that, Aivar flipped open the first page, revealing two rows of starkly different words printed neatly above or below each other. Of the two, the bottom row was the familiar language of the Western Human Realms.

“Don’t you want to read it yourself?”

“I’ve read it many times, and this particular book was meant as a gift, even though I did not actually have someone in mind to gift this book to before Nana visited. Honestly, it has already been fifty years since I had this book, during which I never found a single person I felt deserved this book.”

Makes sense… why would she carry around a book with Human on it, obviously it was meant to be given to a human. Still, 50 years just to give out a book is definitely something… Elves being elves, I say!

“In that case, I’ll be sure to read through it carefully, thanks.”

In an entertainment-starved, medieval-like world, a book created solely for telling a story was definitely a luxury, let alone when this book was a product of the Nature Elves!

Throughout the entire realm, such books were basically the monopoly of the long-lived Nature Elves. After all, only they had the time required to expand on such unnecessary endeavors -even their weapons were intricately decorated with carvings… all of them!

Truly, they had too much time on their hands! But what would you expect from a race that could make their trees bear fruit just by feeding it mana? Completely different from Humans who had to walk that tightrope between life and death.

But returning back to this book, such gifts were a rarity, both for their ornate covers and just the sheer infrequency of elves actually gifting such books. On the black market, these could easily fetch hundreds of thousands of gold coins to the right buyer.

Just based on that fact, one could see how generous Aivar was. Or at the very least, she was willing to give away such a highly prized book to someone she had just met.

“Remember to come find me if there’s something you don’t know~~”

“Mhm, I will.”

“Remember to wear more clothes, the weather might still be amiable, but it would be better if you do not expose more skin than unnecessary, especially those from your neck and under…”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that, you have no idea how perverted these humans can be… I bet you didn’t know that there are some who would even… react to your hand!”

I bet you wanted to say “get off”…

Aivar ended up prattling for a few minutes more before I finally left -what are you, my mom?

However, I was still grateful for her concern.

Not long after I said my farewells to Aivar, I was in the midst of contemplating my next course of action, whether to return to my room, or just walk around. That was when I remembered I did not even know the way around the palace, and not just anybody could roam the palace.

Thankfully, rescue came just on time.

Dressed in her maidservant attire, blond hair flowing and parted, Doris popped into view just around the corner ahead.

Her breath was ragged from running, and her face slightly harried, though she swiftly collected herself when she spotted me.

“Greetings, Lady Mo Na, I’m here under His Highness’s orders to receive you.”

“Oh, Sersan told you to get me? How considerate.” I nodded to show my appreciation. “I’ll be sure to pass on my thanks when I next see him.”

Having just said that, another maidservant, roughly in her late twenties and decidedly more professional-looking popped into view. Her long blond hair was neatly tied up to give her a sense of mature beauty. Her body had just the right curves that were further accentuated with each step she took. Her bounteous chest screamed desire, cementing that impression of a beauty in her prime.

This was the king’s personal maidservant, and she seemed to be looking for me as well.

“Greetings, Lady Mo Na.” She sashayed seductively towards me, finally ending in a well-practised curtsy, a stark contrast to the harried Doris. “His Majesty, the King, sent me here to receive you. His Majesty has prepared a new room for you to use, please, follow me.”

Having said that, the mature maid threw a pointed look at Dories, who immediately lowered her head like a scared puppy.

Is this… a proxy war between the prince and his father?

In that case, who should I follow… Doris or this new maid? Which also begs the question: who holds the reins in this kingdom?

I turned to look at the younger maid who had been cowed into submission, searching for a possible answer to my question, though it seemed that answer was about to present itself anyway…

“Please inform His Highness, tell him that His Majesty has something to discuss with Lady Mo Na.” The mature maid practically ordered her junior before turning to look in my direction, as if judging me as well.

Finally, she lowered her head like her pointed gaze was nothing but a figment of my imagination. “If you would be so kind, Lady Mo Na.”

What a capricious older sister we have… I’ll have you know I’m the true winner in this battle between the prince and his father! In a certain sense…

I turned to look at the young maid who looked to be on the verge of tears and shrugged helplessly, after which I followed the other maid away.

“I’ve failed…” I faintly heard her say after we had departed quite a distance. She seemed to be beating herself for her weak showing.

Well, fret not, young lady, once your master ascends to the throne, you can be like your mature senior over here.

Still, I wonder if she’s crying right now? And would that be my fault?

The mature maidservant continued leading the way ahead in silence. As we weaved through countless walkways that left my head spinning, we finally arrived before a small, three-storied apartment.

“This is the accommodation prepared by His Majesty, it has been tidied beforehand. Your own maidservant should arrive shortly to serve you.”

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“Exactly, it has only just been ten years,” mumbled a visibly confused Aivar Redleaf. “All I did was return home to handle some small matter. Are you in that much of a hurry to grow up?”

Unfortunately, while her words were meant for her only, her voice was too loud, thus we heard it all anyway…

Ten years… how many “ten years” does a human have, though? For a normal person, anyway.

When compared to a nature elf’s lifespan, a human whose lifespan could only be measured in tens was surprisingly fragile…

Still, the Prince Sersan maintained a calm, polite manner as he held his judgement towards this elf’s problematic sense of time. “I just so happened to be out when you came back, I wasn’t able to find a good time to visit you afterwards–”

“Yes, yes, you all may leave now.” The ever-talkative Aivar Redleaf curtly cut him off with a wave of her hand. “Also, don’t call me sister. I don’t have a little brother with such an awful voice and rough appearance like you. Geez, he was so cute when he was young too, what went wrong in his development to turn a lovable angel into that?”

That last bit was clearly meant for herself once more, but we heard it all the same.

Now, if I was our dear prince, I would have probably called her a beetch, but I wasn’t, and our dear prince would have to deal with having to suffer on our behalf alone.

I could already tell that this elf was a sinful fellow. Like those kids back on Earth, who constantly cried for a little bunny, only to find that it looked a little dumb and fat upon growing up. At that point, there was naught but displeasure left for little Bunbuns, in fact it might even be bound for the dinner table…

“Well, I just so happen to have official matters to attend to. Farewell, Lady Redleaf.” The king smoothly said his goodbyes despite the fact that this lady had just insulted his own son. As for the unfortunate son, there wasn’t much he could do, seeing as his own father did not even deign to defend him.

However, the pair did not forget to give me a lecherous look before departing…

With the pests out of the way, Aivar Redleaf withdrew that scalding look on her face, turning back into that caring big sister mode she had when she addressed me. “That father and son pair aren’t good people at all. Nana, you need to be on guard against them, don’t let them take advantage of you.”

“Not at all… Actually, I…”

“Actually?”

“Actually, I’m even stronger than all of them.”

I was planning to explain that I was a man, thus they couldn’t take advantage of me to begin with, but then I realised that some people didn’t mind that either, as long as I was pretty enough…

Besides, she wouldn’t have believed me either way, especially not when I’ve assumed my daughter’s name…

“Oh? I never knew our Nana was such a fighter!” Aivar declared with playful surprise, however, her voice quickly turned solemn as she said, “Just remember to come find me if anything were to happen. This garden is my territory, even they wouldn’t dare to go overboard here.”

“Mhm. I will take you up on that offer.”

Her territory? Isn’t this the palace grounds? Lady’s got balls claiming this as her territory!

After a quick round of chatting, I finally felt that it was about time and made ready to leave. I was honestly prepared for a round of verbal subterfuge with the elf, but I quickly learnt that her heart was as pure as she was talkative. Her acerbic tongue was merely a manifestation of how honest she was. In that case, it would be remiss of me to even consider plotting, thus I decided to just be friends with her, for now.

“You’re leaving?” Aivar Redleaf tugged on my hand a little. “How about Nana just stay with me instead? I haven’t even brought Nana around to see my little hut, and there’s all sorts of hidden corners to be explored in this garden alone…”

That last bit got me a little, but still…

“No, I think it’s better if I leave for now. If time will allow me to, I will come find you again.”

Honestly, Aivar Redleaf seemed like a good choice for a friend. Even if there was a couple centuries separating us, we hit it off surprisingly well… But her lengthy sense of time made her almost seem distant, and her acidic words disqualified her from any association with the word kind. Yet, she felt like a kindred spirit to me, and I never was one to be stingy with someone like that.

But, I had my plans for leaving. I needed the wealth of this kingdom to enact my grand magitek plan. While Andassis the Seventh was clearly afraid of her, there wasn’t much point either in staying here if I wanted to further my plans.

After all, how was I to claim his treasury for my own without talking to the man… I mean… humbly request that he crack his coin purse for me to pioneer the field of magitek in the Western Human Realms.

That’s right, I was going to be a pioneer! Not a gold digger!

With Aivar as my guide, I quickly found my way to the entrance of the gardens.

“Nana, here’s a book for you to read in the meantime.”

An intricate, leather-bound book suddenly popped into existence in her hands. The cover was black, embossed with the imagery of the Aivar tree and its leaves dancing in the winds.

Naturally, books did not just pop into existence, not even in a fantasy setting. Barring some sort of invisibility tool or spell, there was only one explanation for this: a dimensional storage ring!

“This is an elven tale, known as the Steps Beneath the Aivar Tree. The book speaks of a pair of lovebirds, borne of a pair of feuding families, ultimately parting because of untimely death. But death did not stop the man from waiting beneath the Aivar tree daily. His lover, too, would quietly sit beneath the tree, as if waiting for something… truly touching… it always brings a tear to my eyes to read this…” As Aivar continued explaining the plot for me, her eyes started to water from the deluge of emotions she felt.

I turned to look at the nearly two pound book with a wry grin on my lips, “But I don’t know how to read Elvish…”

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After witnessing that short, but brutal, exchange between Aivar Redleaf and the master and bodyguard pair of Andassis the Seventh and his scarred bodyguard, I was made to realise how much of an acid-tongue we had on our hands. I had steeled myself for all manner of verbal battery. Come what may, my years on the internet had armed me with an impressive arsenal of one-liners…

However, all it took was a single look from me… and she had fallen. Or rather, Nature Elves just weren’t very resistant against pretty people, if you would excuse my shamelessness. In fact, she was already busy smiling at me, edging closer as she constantly tried to pinch my cheeks. Had it not been for the fact that she was a girl, I, honestly, would have punched her already.

“Nana, is it alright if I call you Nana?” Despite the fact that I had only just given her my name, she was already acting like we had known each other for ages, tossing around the pet names as a good friend would. “Since you’re not saying anything, I will take it as a yes.”

Nana who did not even have the time to respond: …

Andassis the Seventh smiled encouragingly from the side. “Seems like Lady Redleaf and Lady Mo Na have taken a liking to each other, excellent.”

Why are you including me in that list?! And what’s excellent about this?!

“Come, Nana, let me bring you around the gardens.” Completely ignoring the king like a Passerby A, Redleaf dragged me along with her.

Honestly, I wasn’t overly fond of outgoing people like her. However, she didn’t seem like the scheming sort either, thus I wasn’t afraid that she was trying to lure me into anything. The fact that she was able to treat the king’s garden like her own home was proof enough that she wasn’t just some gardener -perhaps she might bring me some unexpected results.

At the end of the day, my end goal of saving the humans would naturally include the Nature Elves as well.

However, I never got the chance to speak at all during our tour. A quick word here and there about their race’s ability to tend to plants and she was off dragging me to the next foliage.

In a lot of ways, her words were like the garden she tended, lush and teeming… unfortunately.

“This is a Wheatbulb tree. It automatically absorbs the mana in the air, turning them into fruit bulbs. These fruits can also be ripened early by feeding the tree mana -the fastest record is two minutes. The fruit of the Wheatbulb tree is famous for its sweetness and juiciness. In fact, a certain bread is baked with only the juice of high-grade Wheatbulbs. These trees were developed by a great botanist over six thousand years ago…”

Six thousand?

At that point, I’m sure even these long-lived elves would call that long…

After three to four minutes spent lecturing on a diminutive-looking tree, Aivar Redleaf turned her attention towards a white orchid-looking flower. “This is the Manarite flower -looks like a piece of jade, doesn’t it? It’s actually a flower. If you eat its nectar on a long-term basis, it will boost your mana… It’s a highly prized product, and only we Nature Elves know the method of growing it… Quick, over there, see that bee? It’s in the process of gathering its nectar…”

Following that, she continued leading me to a bunch of other strange and wondrous plants. Unknowingly, we actually completed a whole round of the garden and came back to the Aivar tree.

As if welcoming the elf that had the same name as itself, its fiery leaves danced in the air, gently circling around us before falling to the ground.

“Nana, do you know why I’m called Aivar Redleaf?” Aivar Redleaf pulled me intimately towards her and against the trunk of the Aivar tree. Then without a word from me, she closed her eyes and began reminiscing.

“That was because, in the year of my birth, we had a devil invasion. Still bearing me, my mum hid in the shadows of the Aivar trees. Aivar trees, upon reaching the age of five thousand, would automatically evolve into Aivar treants. It was these treants who slew the invading devils, rescuing my mother. As a sign of her gratitude, she named me after her saviors… In actuality, there are many other elves who took this name. Thankfully, we can still distinguish each other using our surnames…”

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect Aivar Redleaf to have such a tragic past, yet before I could even reach to comfort her, she suddenly reverted back to normal. Her normal talkative self, anyway…

“But that’s all under the bridge, over two hundred years ago.” She giggled in my direction, almost in a smitten way. “Nana, were you worried about me for a second there? Don’t worry, I’m fine now. I wasn’t even born then. The one who was truly affected was my mum.”

Well, that’s rather heartless of you… I almost feel sad for your mum… she is still alive, isn’t she…

Suddenly, her face took a turn for the worse, as she had spotted unwanted company. “You lot, why are you still here? Can’t you have the decency to leave before I notice you? Geez. Spoil our alone moment, why don’t you?”

Ah… I was wrong for siding with her… but I guess the ones who should really be speechless should be that king and his entourage.

Andassis the Seventh and his men had actually been following us from the start to end, however, it was only now that Aivar Redleaf noticed their existence… a degree of absent-mindedness that even scatterbrained wasn’t enough to describe…

Even the tolerant-to-a-fault Andassis the Seventh was black-faced, let alone his bodyguard who was on the verge of pulling his sword.

It was in this awkward atmosphere that Prince Sersan finally found the opportunity he had been looking for. “Sister Redleaf, we were just about to leave, I just thought now would be a good time to say goodbye.”

“You are… little Sersan?” Redleaf tilted her head quizzically. Finally, after a few seconds, she asked in an unsure voice, “How did you get so big?”

“…it’s been ten years since we last met…”

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Beneath the Aivar tree I pace – will you be here today?

My thoughts ever a mirror, constantly reflecting the anxiety and anticipation I feel…

The winds blow through its fiery red leaves, like a swirling dance of ups and downs -just like my beating heart.

You come, waltzing through the leaves, their crackling like a joyous herald. Once more you sit upon that branch we shared.

Even though your face mirrors your worries, you remain ever radiant.

My eyes fill with tears as I stand before you. A scant two days have passed, I reach forth to touch your sallow face, but my hands find no purchase…

Only the red of the Aivar can bear you tight…

From <> ————-

The autumn’s Aivar tree boasted a red hue akin to fire. As they blew in the wind, their vibrant colour danced like flames. Of the numerous legends the Nature Elves had of this beautiful sight, most had to do with love.

The Nature Elves had always put the pursuit of love foremost in their lives, partially because they were afforded the luxury to do so. Unlike humans and their fraught lives, they spent their days in freedom, sensitive to the emotions of those around them. They were a race of romance.

Under the leadership of Andassis the Seventh, I was treated to a tour of the royal gardens, where all sorts of strange flowers awaited me at every turn, each more breathtaking than the other.

However, they weren’t just for show either.

Some were medicinal. Some were edible… a very strange word to be associated with the royal garden, but they were definitely edible, though not often consumed.

Finally, the king brought me to a tree that resembled a maple tree from Earth. The season was just right for admiring it; its leaves red like the flames of passion. As I stepped on the crimson carpet of leaves beneath, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm flow over me.

Andassis the Seventh pointed proudly at the beautiful tree and said, “This is the Aivar tree. In this world, only the Nature Elves know the method of growing them. It’s known as the Tree of Love, because it was said that those who made a wish under it would forever be wed together. I hear it’s very effective.”

So you say… but has anyone ever told you how weird it is for a monarch to be waxing on about love… and why are you winking at me like that…

The king had finished his introduction, yet he continued looking at me with expectant eyes. I flatly ignored him, electing to devote every ounce of my attention to that lovely sway of the tree before me.

Seeing me so unmoved, the previously silent-like-a-shadow prince breathed a sigh of relief mentally, though he quickly resumed his silent vigil.

Awkward…

At this point, I was about ready to bring up the matter of the Apocalypse and the corresponding plan to produce those magitek armors. Yet before I could even speak, a most surprising person showed up.

It was a long-eared, blonde female nature elf with a mature, yet beautiful, bearing. She wore a green dress, tailored for ease of travel within a forest. Upon closer inspection, one would realise that it was laced with intricate gold embroidery. Her flowing hair was neatly crowned with an equally golden tiara, sporting an eye-catching red jewel as its centerpiece.

“Andassis the Seventh?” The female elf greeted the king in a slightly confused tone. Her tone was casual as a normal person’s, lacking in any sort of formality or respect. “What are you doing here?”

“Lady Redleaf, I was just taking a stroll when I decided to have a look at the Aivar tree.” The king didn’t seem to mind her disrespectful behavior. In fact, he smiled at her as if all was normal. “I see the royal gardens have flourished under your long labours–”

“Right,” she cut off the king curtly. “Well, you’re free to have as much of a look you like at the gardens I’ve tended so well, but don’t make it a habit of coming.”

“Impudence!” Finally, the king’s scarred bodyguard could no longer stand idly by and watch his master get insulted.

Chest puffed up, he took a couple of steps in front of his liege, his right hand poised to draw the sword on his waist. Yet why was he sneaking glances my way…

“I’m surprised your short lives are even capable of comprehending a word of such prodigious length.”

Short lives? Is she calling him short-lived? That guard has to at least be an Eight-star, judging by his aura. Humans have a lifespan of about a couple hundred to three hundred years at that point. The variance, mostly to do with how well they look after their lives. That doesn’t seem very short to me?

But, I guess, when compared to the average lifespan of five hundred of a normal nature elf, three hundred isn’t much. A powerful nature elf can even live up to a thousand easily. Calling him short-lived must be how they flaunt their pride as a long-lived race…

Still, that was just toxic… Seems like that lady is trouble, in a number of ways.

“Baku, you mustn’t be rude to the lady.” Before the situation escalated any further, Andassis the Seventh finally stepped in to break the two up. Faced with a direct order from his liege, the scarred bodyguard had no choice but to swallow his anger and retreat behind his liege.

However, that didn’t stop the female elf from showing her disdain even further. And to my great surprise, the king did not seem to mind at all… this definitely wasn’t just any old elf.

After placating his irate bodyguard, Andassis the Seventh exchanged a few more words with the female elf, though she did not care very much for his words.

At that point, the almost-masochistic king turned around and smiled sheepishly in my direction.

“Lady Mo Na, let me introduce you. This is Lady Redleaf, the tender of this garden.”

“Greetings, my name is Mo Na.” I was more than ready to be insulted as I unflinchingly gave out my daughter’s name. It wasn’t like my gender being mistaken was anything new at this point. Why fight the inevitable?

Yet to my surprise…

“Greetings, I’m Aivar Redleaf.” Her eyes practically shone as she proclaimed, “What a beautiful girl! Even amongst us Nature Elves, you wouldn’t easily find such a pure and beautiful girl…”

Eh? Did I miss something?

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The first rays of the morning sun creeped through the window, waking me up from my slumber with its warm caress -the sheer bliss of being alive.

Doris, the maidservant, had already prepared an exquisite platter of morning delights even before I had awoken. All I did was wash up, and I had breakfast already laid out on my table with Doris waiting nearby.

Even if I did not fancy this well-prepared meal in the style of Andassis, I still ate it with care, all in a bid to appear more human. After all, I could very much live without ever taking food.

I took a sip of the coffee in my porcelain cup – it was sweet, clawingly so.

Thus, I took a stab at a plump strawberry nearby. However, any tartness it could possibly have was overwhelmed by the sheer sweetness of the coffee I just had.

Next were the cupcakes, which turned out to be tasteless anyway, all thanks to that coffee.

I lowered my fork, creased my brows and declared, “I’m full.”

“My apologies, Lady Mo Na.” Doris fidgeted as she stood by me. “You don’t seem too pleased… Was the cooking not to your taste?”

“It was too sweet.”

“Hmm?”

“It was too sweet, I prefer something more bitter.” I pointed at the coffee with what must have been a deep frown on my face, given how troubled Doris looked.

“My apologies, I had the kitchen specially prepare it so… The sugar used by the palace is the finest created by our alchemists. I thought Lady Mo Na would like it…”

“Forget it, I wasn’t all that hungry to begin with.”

Before sleeping last night, I told Doris my name was Mo Na, seeing as I would most likely be in the kingdom till Ferti’nier plan was complete.

“It’s fine to clear up, I wish to have a walk in the garden.” I paused at that point. “That’s fine, right?”

My concern was that I was under some informal house arrest. Thankfully, that notion was quickly dispelled.

“Definitely, His Highness has already given the word that you have free rein to wander as you please.”

It was just about when we had decided what was next on the agenda, and Doris had started clearing the dishes, when we heard a knocking on the door.

“Lady Mo Na, it’s Sersan, may I enter?”

Prince Sersan politely awaited my answer outside. Technically, this was his home…

Judging by how much time had passed, the prince must have rushed over right after his own breakfast.

I nodded towards Doris who was quietly seeking my permission, after which she promptly put down the platter and hastened to open the door.

A while later, the prince stepped through the door, his attire neatly pressed like his well-combed hair. Nary was there a flaw to be found on his beaming face, nor in his dressing, which had clearly gone through painstaking effort to plan. His gait spoke of long hours spent in high society, commanding both an air of elegance and authority. This was a man on hunt, and he wasn’t to be denied.

Unfortunately, I was a man, and I did not swing that way, so tough luck.

Upon entering the room, Sersan first noticed my unfinished breakfast.

“Has Lady Mo Na not had a chance to finish her breakfast?”

“I did, I just wasn’t very hungry – I was about to go out for a walk, would Your Highness like to accompany me?”

“Please, Lady Mo Na, do not call me Your Highness, my name is fine. As friends, I would prefer it if you address me as Sersan.”

“In that case, Sersan, would you like to accompany me for a walk?”

“My pleasure.” Sersan smiled, nodded and extended a hand to me.

Wait… is he actually expecting me to hold his hands?

I duly ignored him.

Seeing me ignore him, the prince’s smile went a little stiff, but he smoothly changed that extended hand to a wave. “Then allow me to show you the way, Lady Mo Na.”

Considering that I hadn’t actually told the prince my name, I would wager that Doris was the one who informed him of this fact.

But that was all to be expected, seeing as she was his servant; some communication was par for the course. Besides, I had every intention of making her my intermediary, that way I wouldn’t have to do it myself.

Yet just as the both of us were about to leave, three sets of footsteps could be heard rushing down the hallway.

The ones to bar our way were His Majesty, a middle-aged, guardsmen-looking man, dressed in magical armor, face sporting a blade scar across his left face, followed by a beautiful maidservant.

“Good morning, Father.”

“Mhm.”

Andassis the Seventh nodded at his son in an offhand manner, as if the boy wasn’t someone he knew at all.

Oh? Did they quarrel? I thought they were getting along just fine last night.

As I was mulling over that juicy bit of supposition, Andassis the Seventh turned towards me and beamed in a harmless manner, completely different from how he treated Sersan.

“Lady Mo Na, are you planning to head out for a walk? What a coincidence, I was just about to invite milady for one myself. How about the palace gardens? The air is crisp and the environment lush. You will find hundreds of never-before-seen plantlife, including the elvish Aivar tree.”

“I’ll be in your care then, Your Majesty.”

Having said that, I snuck a look towards Sersan. His face was as black as my coffee was sweet.

Seems like the two of them had a falling out in just the span of one night… as for why… who knows…

However, this tense atmosphere only lasted a second before Sersan smartly chose to back down.

He lowered his head and quietly stepped behind me to avoid his father’s gaze.

For a second there, I thought the king was going to order his guard to kill his son.

Really… What happened to these two?

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Wait… did Ferti’nier bring those mobile armors over from Gaia? No way, we share the same body, even if she did so stealthily, there’s no way I wouldn’t know… Or not… I guess if she really wants to do so without my knowledge, I couldn’t do much either…

Alright, no more beating about the bush -what are you planning, exactly?

“Well, since my little brother is being so direct, I guess I will have to respond in kind. Your big sis is actually planning to create her own mobile armors.”

Create? Isn’t that just magic armor then? Are you sure? When did you even become our resident scientist?

“In the words of a cultivation light novel, strength, regardless of its source, draws from the same roots. Science is strong in its own rights. Even Magic has its own limits, whether we are talking about its adaptability or accessibility. While not everyone can be a scientist, their inventions are made available to the race as a whole. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this.”

That’s true, both science and magic look to understand the mysteries of the world and its laws. The combination of these two forces would only be an enhancement, perhaps even multiplicatively. The two are equal branches of development.

“Honestly, your big sis learned quite a fair bit on Gaia. Like the knowledge Lixiang possesses has already been completely assimilated by your big sis. Whatever she knows, your big sis knows as well. In fact, your big sis has already come up with a rather interesting concept, combining both alchemy and mechanical engineering, to create a whole new breed of exosuits. Perhaps calling it an exosuit is no longer suitable, given that elemental magicks have been imbued into it. Calling it a “magitek” exosuit would be more appropriate.”

So you’re saying what Lixiang and her family have spent decades learning has already been assimilated and replicated by you?

“That’s right. Not hard, really. Do you want a copy as well? But take care not to overwork your tiny brain, or you will have hell to pay later.”

Are you calling me dumb? Actually, don’t answer that… And, you know what, I will take back what I said earlier.

“You mean the bit about magic and science being equal?”

That’s right.. The fact that you can replicate decades of hard work with just a simple spell is just… unfair…

“It’s actually not as bad as you make it out to be. The two branches are fundamentally different, but the same outcomes can be achieved. Memories can eventually be replicated, albeit with some additional steps. And immortality isn’t a dream, once healthcare has progressed to a certain point. The process would just take longer, that’s all.”

Just from those words alone, I could tell Ferti’nier had gained a fondness for science, and had even done well in it. Now that we were back in the Western Human Realms, it was time to show her results. Namely, by getting this kingdom to create some exosuits for us.

“Not exosuits. “Magitek” exosuits. The “magitek” is important since they combine both alchemy and science. You need to be more sensitive to the locality you’re in.”

As if a devil king like you needs to be sensitive. Enough sidetracking, why does it have to be done in this kingdom?

“Well. The materials required are many and varied, so your big sis plans to use the resources of a kingdom to overcome that problem. Besides…”

“This is your big sis’s first attempt at creating such a magitek exosuit. The chances of failure are high… There’s no heart pain if the materials aren’t ours to begin with.”

What a cheapskate.

“That’s only because you don’t know how truly difficult these materials are to obtain.”

Start by telling me what they are.

“In order to have the best effect, I would first require the skeleton of a pure, Overlord-class dragon. Next, we need large quantities of mithril, three psychic meditation gemstones…”

Say no more… I approve of this plan… Just the first two alone are enough to bankrupt me… But why an entire set of dragon bones? Are you sure this won’t end up being mistaken for necromancy?

“Not at all, the bones of a creature is one of the basic ingredients of alchemy. Dark alchemy is only forbidden because it uses materials such as human bones and flesh. In other words, every other creature is fine.

So that’s why… I learnt something new today.

“For the time being, we have to be patient, at least till your big sis is done creating those magitek exosuits. At that point, we can just hand over the method of creating these weapons to the Kingdom of Andassis, along with every other human kingdom. Once the humans are able to mass-produce these weapons, the Apocalypse should roughly be upon us as well. See, Little Brother, your wish to protect the humans is going to be fulfilled as well.”

What you said… makes sense, but why does it feel like something is off?

“Not at all. Just get some rest first, you will need it when you turn your charms onto that king and prince. Only when they are obedient can we…”

Stop, right there! I don’t swing that way!

“Whatever. Just improvise.”

You can forget about me ever charming some guy! But I approve of this magitek exosuit plan, though, the details will have to be worked out tomorrow. I just hope they won’t say no.

“They won’t. Your big sis guarantees it.”

And that’s precisely why I’m worried.

Overall, my little chat with Ferti’nier was enlightening. In a massive war for the world, small fries like me barely had an impact at all. But since Ferti’nier was the one who personally came up with this plan, it was worth a shot. At the very least, increasing the overall strength of the humans would mean that they won’t get overrun by a tidal wave of devils…

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Ferti’nier’s protestations gave me a start -she was right!

Well, what do we do then?

“That’s a question for you to answer, my dear little brother.”

What? So you’re okay with me just dictating the terms?

“But of course. Since the day we were bound together, has it not been you who has decided where we go? Your big sis is just the kind old grandpa doing her job assisting you, that’s all.”

I mean… if you’re going to put it that way, big sis… I just didn’t expect you to treat me so well…

“You are my favourite little brother, after all.”

Since I’m your little brother, about that pee pee…

“If you don’t mind being exposed, your big sis is more than ready to return it to you. But if that prince and his father were to ever find out you lied to them… heheheh…”

I… I didn’t mean to. And even if my identity is exposed, they were the ones who didn’t believe me when I told them I was a guy! That’s not my fault!

“There are many things in this world that can’t be explained with logic. Just like how a drunkard bumps into a person, but not only does he not apologise, he even tries to stab the guy and gets stabbed to death by his own knife instead. Somehow the blame gets laid on the person defending himself instead by some self-righteous moron. See, there are plenty of examples of people acting without regard for others and the facts.”

I knew what she was referring to, it was a famous case on Gaia about how a drunk driver turned off his self-driving on purpose and almost knocked a pedestrian down. The driver and the pedestrian ended up in an argument, at which point the driver got so mad he pulled a knife. Unfortunately, his grip wasn’t tight enough due to his inebriated state. The knife ended up being snatched away, and the fight ended with the driver being stabbed to death.

But… that wasn’t the main story now.

How do I leave this kingdom, was the question of the day. I still planned on visiting my daughter in Purgatory, and if possible, visit the girls near Plateau Village. Jezsere, too… Maybe Nicole… so many people I had to see.

“Oh, our little brother wishes to return to Sable Radiance, correct?”

Mhm, I want to look for Mo Na. Sis, you have a plan?

“Well that won’t do at all. Have you forgotten about Lucifer’s seal? We have no way to enter freely.”

I remember, but I thought we didn’t have any trouble last time?

“That’s because you were summoned while inside Sable Radiance. It’s easy to leave that place, hard to enter. Even if your big sis has a dimensional marker there, it doesn’t change the fact that the seal was created by the clone of Lucifer, and your big sis hasn’t reached the stage where she can do as she pleases.”

But… When are we able to return then?

“When the seal comes undone.”

And…

“When the time for the final battle arrives, the seal will undo itself.”

So, I have to wait till then to see my daughter? But isn’t one of the prerequisites for the Apocalypse the destruction of Gaia?

“Not at all. From the moment we got swept away into that dimensional rift, Lucifer should have sensed what was going on in Gaia. Given that the Undead have proved unreliable, there’s a high chance he might push forward the plans for the Apocalypse.”

Huh. So he’s just going to go at it alone? Hold on… how does he know about the situation on Gaia? Don’t tell me…

“Have you finally realised? That’s right. Ever since you fused with that feather, you are basically His flesh and blood. Because of that, every move you make is under His watchful eyes. Why else would the Spider Queen suddenly show favour to you? She sensed the link between you and Him.”

The plot thickens… in fact, my whole life is rife with plots…

Then…

“Worry not, your big sis has managed to learn a great deal about the laws of the world while on Gaia. If nothing goes wrong, a few more years on Gaia and your big sis should be able to ascend to divinity. That is why your big sis pulled a little trick while we were in the dimensional void. She hid you away from His eyes. He might even still think that you are stuck in the void somewhere.”

That’s a relief… Honestly, I don’t think there’s anyone who enjoys being watched 24/7, barring perverts. But if I can’t go back to Sable Radiance, I guess I’ll start with finding Ancarin, then we can talk about the Apocalypse. Hopefully, I will be on the Human side.

The Western Human Realms was home not just to humans, there were other races as well. The Nature Elves. The Dark Elves. The Dwarves. The Halflings.. And a whole bunch of other races like the Beastmen.

Those Dark Elves, especially, were basically stuck on the same boat as I was. As for the Nature Elves, I liked them too, pretty faces, and all that…

That was why I had to do something for this world, if not for them then for Nicole!

“Speaking of the Apocalypse, your big sis has an interesting proposition.”

What kind?

“The Apocalypse restricts actual divinities from participating, meaning demigods are the highest combat strength possible. In order to survive this massive tidal wave, our side has to have the goods to deliver. And that’s where your big sis got an idea. We will need a lot of resources… but you see, since we are already in this kingdom, and that king and his son won’t let you leave, why not use them?”

Use them? How?

I had to admit, “using” someone still did not sit well with me, even as a devil. I wanted to be the good guy, though, “good guy” as a devil was a little confusing…

“It’s not really “using” them. Little brother, have you already forgotten where you just came from?”

Gaia, of course, it’s not like I lost my memories.

“That’s right. And what strikes you deepest about your time there?”

Zombies?

No… More like science, or rather, exosuits and mobile armors!

If we can bring those two technologies back here, then our odds in the upcoming battle will improve significantly!

Even if those weapons are easily damaged by magicks, we just have to alter the designs to better fit our fantasy setting. The odds of victory would surely tilt in our favour then!

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Since the day this she-devil made herself known to me, nay, even before that, I had always been made to play to her whims. Her slyness made her unpredictable. The only constant was that when she winked, someone was going to get scammed.

Now, this scheming she-devil said she wanted to replenish herself. With what? Souls? But I did not want to start a massacre, that was my red line.

I never condoned killing people, not good people, anway.

That was something I made abundantly clear, right now, before she could even make any unreasonable demands of me.

“No killing, no killing. We are good people, after all. Why would we kill people?”

Hmph.

That was all the response she was getting. She knew I wasn’t going to bite this time, thus she changed tact entirely.

“Ah, but little brother, do you know how much your big sis has suffered all for your safety? Do you know how hard it is to pierce through that tiny crack in the dimensional barriers? I bet you do not, all you know is to faint. Faint. And faint. What else are you even good for…”

Well, it’s not like my uselessness is anything new, my dear big sis.

Hmph.

Same as before. However, I had to admit that I was a little caught off-guard by her airing her grievances like that. And her grievances weren’t without merit.

BUT! It’s not like she wasn’t trying to stir up a storm. I knew her better than anyone else -that was the kind of devil she was.

In fact, me fainting probably helped her… seeing as she couldn’t actually beat me in a battle for control over my body. If it wasn’t for that, I would be relegated to being a mere spectator in my own body by now.

Just like… Hold on… why is my pee pee missing again?

Don’t tell me just because I was in a different world, I was a man, but now that I’m back in this world, my little elephant trunk is gone?

That can’t be right, I’ve never heard of a dimensional rift performing a gender swap.

It must be Ferti’nier’s doing!

All right, come clean.

This time, I was very clear I wasn’t going anywhere till I got my answers,

“Well… the truth is… your big sis just repossessed your little toy, that’s all.”

Repossessed? So it was her!

Why?

“Because you happened to meet a human prince when you fell down from that tree.”

Huh? Speak clearly.

“If you had encountered a princess instead, your big sis would have left it there. Get it?”

Get… it… so you’re playing to his tastes…

Basically… this was the gist of my current situation.

Because of Karlston’s spell, the dimensional barriers tore open, and I was exiled to the void between dimensions.

Being a demigod living within the Chaos Crystal, she was able to survive this dimensional travel. That was also how she managed to transport me safe and sound, twice, without preparation, as she penetrated…

Thus, she brought me back to the Western Human Realms.

In her own words, the situation was so abrupt that she couldn’t find the opportunity to drag Karlston down with us.

My first entry into the Western Human Realms was what the dear prince remembered…

As for their warm welcome, that was just par for the course for a lust demon.

Initially, Ferti’nier did not retract my pee pee, keeping it in its complete state. The tipping point was when the Prince mistook me for a girl, and with that in mind, had his maid, Doris, give me a bath…

It was at that exact moment that I became a “girl”… apparently that was to better make use of my natural advantages.

How absolutely kind of her…

But there wasn’t much choice except to take her words, for now…

So that’s why Prince Sersan looked at me with such pity… because Ferti’nier had my pee pee taken away, thus I really did not have anything down there… To Doris, I couldn’t be any more of a woman… and she dutifully told Sersan. It all makes sense now.

I guess this is for my self-protection again…

I swear… sometimes it feels like things are proceeding so fast I can’t keep up… like a speeding train… choo choo…

And is it really all right for me to be travelling through worlds like this?

The situation in Southern Plains hasn’t been resolved yet and I’m already back here… I’m happy about it, but I have people I care about over there…

“Don’t worry, that side will be fine for now. Even though Karlston isn’t completely dead, he shouldn’t have the ability to stir up more trouble. We should handle our current situation first.”

What do you mean?

“Little brother, don’t tell me you wish to stay here forever? To become his consort? Your big sis doesn’t mind helping you. It’s just making a hole, after all…”

No thank you! I’m still a man, so I’ll have to pass on being a consort.

But if what you’ve said is true, and Karlston isn’t an issue for now, then I guess the first priority would be to search for my companions.

My daughter should still be in Purgatory. But Nicole’s situation is a little special… Looking for her would be problematic, however, yet I can’t just give up either.

Hmm… I wouldn’t mind dropping by Plateau Village if things turn out well. Ancarin, Regine, and their daughters are all there…

And Jezsere too. I wonder if our resident tsundere, Aishael, has finished building up her settlement. Or that fanatical Zurnalin who is always out to bear my child, is she okay?

Since I have Ferti’nier’s help this time, I might even be able to take some time off to visit Abaddon to find Numilia and the others…

There’s really so much to do, huh.

“One step at a time. One step at a time. Before all that, however, let’s talk about your big sis.”

You? What’s up?

“Your big sis is hungry.”

What do you mean “hungry”? Haven’t I been feeding you always?

All those “points”… all that faith, where did you stash them all?

“Into the void, of course. You really think traversing the void is so simple? Those are two separate worlds!”

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“Honorable Andassis the Seventh…”

“Please, my fair lady…” The man interrupted me before I could continue. “There’s no need to stand on ceremony here, you may call me Kasinsan, that is my name. It is my wish that we interact more as friends, let not such petty things as social standing come between us.”

He kept going on without a care, finally ending with a smile and a wink… I won’t lie… that was a very charming smile, and probably would have won over any girl, but I’m not one…

“…”

Really… I’m at a loss for words right now. But he’s still my savior, after a fashion. Even if I’m not planning to repay him, I shouldn’t go overboard either.

But he’s really getting on my nerves… he’s just so pushy… so pompous… Anyway, there’s just so many parts about him I want to criticize.

“Right, my fair lady, may I have the honor of knowing your name? I believe a steadfast friendship begins with an introduction.”

I knew he had completely mistaken my gender, that couldn’t be more obvious at this point. Yet I could have just kept quiet, arguably that would be more advantageous to me, but I decided to speak up. “Actually… I’m not a girl at all, there’s been a mistake here…”

“…”

For the briefest of moments, I could see a hint of pity flash across the prince’s eyes. The king, however, chuckled, but even that was quickly hidden so as not to offend.

“My lady, you jest.” The king straightened his face. “We are all good men here, no one will try to harm you.”

“That’s not what I mean… I just…”

He probably thought I was hiding my gender to protect myself… but I really was just a man…

“Father, perhaps it would be better if we leave the lady to rest now. She just awoke from a spell of dizziness, feeling wary is only to be expected. I feel a little time for everyone would be best, we can reconvene again when she’s calmer.”

“Hmm, then we will continue tomorrow morning.” The king nodded my way before turning around to leave. However, he only took a couple of steps when he turned around and said, “This is my palace, you may rest easy and recuperate.”

“Yes, no one here will hurt you. I promise, my lady.” The prince basically said something in the same vein as his father before leaving as well.

The remaining followers all did a cursory round of introductions before bidding farewell not long after.

The heck was that? What’s with those strange looks they gave me? They clearly thought I was out of it, and do I really look so pitiful?

And he didn’t even give me time to explain myself fully… Bah…

Yet just when I thought it was all over, the prince stopped at the doorway, turned around, then said with longing in his voice, “Doris, I’ll leave her care in your hands, I will return tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The lady who I first encountered when I woke up curtsied in response.

Now that my visitors were well and truly gone, Doris, the maidservant, turned to face me. “Milady, is there anything Doris can help you with?”

“Nothing, for now.” I subconsciously reached to scratch my hair in frustration.

“Milady has been unconscious for a day, perhaps Doris can get some refreshments?”

“No, I’m fine.” I shook my head firmly. “I’m not hungry.”

“But milady hasn’t eaten for so long…”

“I’m not hungry, thank you. I just wish to be alone right now.”

“Milady, are you alright?”

More like am I sane… Of course, I am.

“I’m fine, you may leave.”

“In that case, Doris will take her leave… may you have a good rest.”

Under my withering gaze, even Doris knew that her continued presence would only serve to worsen my mood, thus she left without a fuss.

A short while later…

Doris came into the room once more bearing a platter of fruits and desserts, except she was decidedly stealthy about it… and that was when she saw it…

I was currently in the midst of inspecting my body… inspecting, in the literal sense of the word… Thankfully, I hadn’t taken off my pants yet…

“My–apologies! I forgot to knock…” In a panicked flurry, she slammed the platter of fruits down onto the nearest table, then without even looking, fled without ever closing the door…

“My–apologies! I forgot to close the door…”

Then with an equally loud bang, she slammed the door shut… I guess she did close the door…

But more importantly… I really was just inspecting my body… And even more important than that… why is it missing?!

Ferti’nier!!

Get out here this instant!

Why is my pee pee missing again? I demand an explanation! Do you know how much grief this is causing me, as a man. I’m better off dead, if I have to live life without it!

“Yahoo~~ Little brother, I see you’re awake, at last. And here your big sis was, thinking she could get a few more winks of sleep.”

As always, her silky smooth voice echoed melodically in my head. Caressed in its warm embrace, it was akin to bathing in the warmest of hot springs in the coldest of winters. Thank the stars… she’s still here…

“As if. Do you know how much your big sis had to suffer just to get us all back here?”

Hmm? Are you okay?

“At least you have the decency to ask. Don’t worry, your big sis is fine, just a little weakened. A round of nourishment and your big sis will be right as rain.”

The moment I heard her say that, I immediately went on high alert. Knowing what kind of devil she was, that was just a precursor to her demands.

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An unknown ceiling…

An ornately decorated room, a bed lined with the softest of pillows, attended to by a beautiful maidservant…

I could feel the air brimming with pure magical energies…

I’m no longer in Gaia, I take it… After all, Gaia doesn’t have this sort of decor.

So, where am I then?

What happened after Karlston fired off his forbidden spell?

Even though I couldn’t be sure if this was the case, but I vaguely remembered Ferti’nier mentioning that she had a marker set in the Western Human Realms.

The Western Human Realms? But what about Karlston? He doesn’t seem to be the type of villain to just croak from a simple spell. Is he still in Southern Plains? Or has he returned to the Western Human Realms as well?

“Milady, you’ve awoken? I will inform His Highness, right away.” Just as I began mulling over the multitudes of questions I had, the maidservant before me greeted me with a jovial smile. “I’m sure His Highness would be delighted by the news of your awakening.”

Having said that, she left before I could even respond.

However, she did not leave for long before the sounds of an argument filled my ears from outside my door.

Said door wasn’t soundproof. An odd choice, but probably deliberate, given there was magic to set a room’s soundproofing from soundproof to non-soundproof.

Naturally, the twenty-odd year old maidservant was privy to that argument. She turned around and gave me a cheeky wink. “Don’t worry, it will be over soon.”

From the sound of things, such an occurrence wasn’t rare, and it often took place outside a door; she seemed more than accustomed to chuckling at the heated argument.

“Father, I’m already 25, I know what I’m doing! She is my future Queen! I know it!” A youthful voice shouted.

“I will never acknowledge some strange woman from god-knows-where!” A stern voice replied.

“She’s not some unknown woman, I’ve made sure to have her checked, I checked everything…”

“Oh? And what was the result?”

“She must be an angel!”

“My child, perhaps Bishop Rokla should have a look at you, have you been under a great deal of stress recently… Perhaps I’ve been too harsh on you…”

“I’m fine, father! She is an angel, I saw her fall from the heavens!”

“I heard she fell from a tree.”

“She fell from the heavens first, then fell from a tree.”

That logic… you just can’t win…

“Fine, fine, your father doesn’t wish to argue with you on this matter. But you have to know, not every girl who falls from a tree is an angel.”

“But she’s so beautiful, and I’ve already used her likeness to search the entire realm, there’s nothing to suggest she even exists. Father, do you know what that means? She’s not of our kingdom, perhaps not even of our world! She is an angel, my angel…”

“Oh… my child, are you sure you’re alright? I think you’ve been a little under the weather recently.”

“No, I’m fine, father.”

“Regardless, I need to have a look at this girl, first… You’re my only heir, your candidate for Queen must never be chosen so haphazardly!”

“I know what you’re planning, father. But I do not want to marry the daughter of some prominent noble. They are just so fake, they give me goosebumps.”

“Barbara has the blood of the imperial family in her. Not only that, she is perfect in every other way, you should reconsider. Rather than devote your attention to some unknown woman. I don’t even know what she looks like. How do you know she’s not some spy from another country?”

“How could she be a spy?! She’s too beautiful for that! Father, you’re reading too much into this, I’m sure you will agree with me once you’ve seen her. I guarantee it!”

“I just hope so…”

Following those few minutes of heated debating, the door finally opened.
A group of three men and two women stepped through the doorway. Their elegant gait spoke of their long hours of practise, giving each an aura of nobility. The two men at the head were clearly influential, based on their exquisite finery. The older of the two was the very definition of authority.

The maidservant beside me bowed deeply, no longer frivolous as she was before.

However, the man’s aura did not bother me in the slightest. Absolutely not… I was just a little put off by having five people barge into the room all of a sudden. That’s why I wrapped myself in the blanket.

That was actually more of an instinct, on my part. Upon awakening, I immediately checked my being, and found that I was wearing a skirt… Still in shock from my appalling state, that bunch marched right in… Judging by that exchange just now, the middle-aged, well-dressed man was probably the “father”.

“You woke up! Great!” Seeing my confused state, the handsome blonde youth standing behind the middle-aged man quickly stepped forward to comfort me. “Be at ease, you’re safe here, I will protect you.”

“Hold on a moment, Sersan, my dear son. I will have you step aside first, I need to have a few words with this lady.” The middle-aged but still handsome man eyed me for a second. His eyes narrowed and his face jumped a little, but he quickly hid that.

Still, that expression was all too familiar to me… and it left me with even more goosebumps than before…

All I have to say is: no thanks…

“Ahem.” The middle-aged man brought a hand up to cough before revealing a warm smile. “Greetings, fair lady, I’m the king of Andassis, King Andassis the Seventh. You’re in my palace right now, it was my beloved son, Sersan, who brought you here. It was said you were comatose when we brought you in. How about we start with some self-introductions? Oh, right, this is my son, Sersan.”

Having said that, he gestured towards the blonde youth beside him.

Prince Sersan immediately nodded in my direction. Of note was the undisguised affection he showed in his eyes as he stared at me. Honestly speaking, I was a little creeped out… Can I just get out of here already?

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Announcement: I’ve re-opened my Patreon in case anyone wants to sponsor more chapters. Every end of the month, those chapters in early access will be released for free for all to read. If you sponsored a chapter, you will gain permanent early access to these chapters. Essentially, everyone gets more chapters to read, but those who donated get to read earlier. More chapters will then be translated at the start of the month. Explanation on the Patreon itself.

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