KYOUKA CAME TO IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.

The familiar lights of civilization were nowhere in sight, but her view was surprisingly clear. A large lake stretched out in front of her. The still water looked like a polished mirror under the light of the full moon, and the surrounding woods were bathed in soft moonlight.

The fog of slumber began to clear, the gears of her mind slowly spinning into consciousness. Suddenly, a whirlwind of emotion welled up in the young girl. Her eyes watered, and her chest felt tight. Only for a moment, only for as long as it took a single grain of sand to fall in an hourglass, Kyouka understood everything—and lamented.

What have I done? Kazu—

Unfortunately, those words would never leave her mouth, and her tears would never fall. When she breathed in the crisp night air, the emotions that threatened to spill out receded like the tide. That which was most precious to her would not be obscured, but erased. Her heart cried out, but with another breath, even the thought of struggling sunk beyond her reach until finally…gone, like the memory of a dream.

Kyouka stood up in a panic, looking around in confusion. Where the hell is this!? I swear there wasn't a forest anywhere near…huh? I…where…what is this? What's going on!? She frantically searched her memory to no avail. Where she lived, the faces of her parents, her own name…nothing, she could find nothing specific about herself.

Wait, I should still have…yes, it's here! In a hurry, she pulled out her phone. Fortunately, its battery hadn't died, but there was no cell service in a place like this, and she didn't recognize any names on her contacts. Of course, she'd already expected that. What gave her a small glimmer of hope was the possibility of gleaning some personal information from her message history.

Suddenly, a sharp cracking sound made Kyouka jump. Because of this strange situation, she'd forgotten the simple fact that forests were dangerous. She was alone in the dark, far from civilization, with no idea what wild animals lived in this forest. The image of a large bear flashed in her mind. She broke out in a cold sweat.

The wind was light, but she could definitely feel it brush against her face. That meant her scent was traveling through the trees, and her location was being broadcast to every predator for miles. Now was not the time to sift through her phone for answers; she needed to get out of here, fast.

The cracking sound again cut through the stillness of the night. This time, Kyouka tried to pay attention to where it was coming from. Her head was on a swivel, and she strained her hearing. Come on…one more time.

Then, it came—crunching, rustling—from across the lake she saw a large black shadow emerge out of the trees. Its frame was imposing like a stag or perhaps a horse, but it was covered in long gray fur and had the face of a goat. What in the world is that? But it doesn't look threatening. Indeed, the beast walked calmly towards the water to drink. Kyouka heaved a sigh of relief. If that thing is comfortable walking around in the open like that, there probably aren't any predators nearby.

Just then, as she gazed upon this strange animal, fear struck her like lightning. Behind the peaceful creature, a pair of golden eyes shone through the shadows. Kyouka wanted to shout a warning but was frozen in place when she saw the golden eyes rise as if the thing hiding in the darkness had stood up. It was massive, now towering over the other animal which remained blissfully unaware—but not for long.

A piercing screech mixed with a thunderous roar shook the forest, and the golden eyes vanished. The goat-faced deer instinctively jumped into the lake and submerged its body, leaving only its hairy snout above water. Silence filled the night air once again.

The mysterious predator was nowhere to be found. The prey poked its head out of the water, scanning the area. Suddenly, a shadow fell over the lake. The predator swooped down and grabbed its prey with massive claws. No amount of thrashing and struggling could pry open that grip.

Now, the moonlight revealed the assailant's true form: massive wings, the head of an eagle, and the body of a lion. Kyouka recognized it as a gryphon, a monster of ancient myth. Then, before the gryphon could lift its prey out of the water, an unnatural ringing sound reverberated. Taking advantage of this distraction, the captured beast struggled with all its might and broke free. Scratched-up and bloodied, but not maimed, it bolted straight for the protection of the trees.

That's right, don't stop running! I can't believe that worked. Kyouka had been watching, hidden under the trees' shadow. She used her phone's alarm to distract the gryphon, allowing her friend to escape.

Now, she had to leave the scene quietly before the gryphon switched targets. As she took her first step, careful not to crush any leaves or snap any twigs on the forest floor, her phone's alarm once again tore through the trees with its high-pitched ringing. To her horror, she'd unknowingly pressed snooze instead of off the first time.

Shit! It knows I'm here! At that moment, her brain was filled with a dozen possibilities. I could throw the phone and run in the opposite direction. No, what if it tracks me by smell? I could use my phone's flashlight to blind it, use its eagle vision against it then hide in the lake like that hairy-horse-thing. But will it leave before I run out of breath? No, I have to…

Kyouka made her decision. It's all or nothing. She shouted as loud as she could, daring the gryphon to come at her. The predator locked-on to its prey and charged directly at her, gliding across the lake's surface. With great haste, it reached the spot Kyouka had been hiding at, but only her phone was left on the ground, the alarm still blaring.

In confusion, the beast poked the source of the unnatural sound with its massive beak. Gotcha! Suddenly, the timer she'd set-up in advance went off and the phone automatically took a picture. The bright flash bombarded the eagle-eyed monster from up close, sending it into a frenzy.

Kyouka, who'd climbed a nearby tree, jumped down onto the creature's back and held onto the base of its massive wings for dear life. The beast jumped, instinctively looking for safety in the air as it screeched and growled.

Her gamble had paid off. Judging by the gryphon's body structure, she got the impression that it couldn't reach the back of its own wings with its most dangerous weapon: the sharp claws. Now, don't miss the timing to let go. Her aim was to wait until the rampaging beast flew over a tall enough tree that could break her fall.

The gryphon betrayed her hopes, however, and continued to ascend well past the treeline. What? Hey, where is this thing going!? While panic began to set in for Kyouka, the beast had calmed down. It moved with purpose. There was nothing for her to do but hold on and pray that her arms wouldn't tire before its wings. Unfortunately for her, the surprises weren't over.

At some point, she forgot about watching the ground and focused all her attention on not losing her grip. That was until, shockingly, she heard voices. She snapped to attention, and beneath her were lights and moving figures. It was a city, but unlike anything she'd seen before.

Nothing she could see was made of concrete. Brick, stone, and wood dominated the scenery. There was not a car in sight. Where is this place? Her ride was flying surprisingly close to the ground. A fall from that height could be survived, if barely. The lack of concern from the people below despite the presence of a massive, flying predator intrigued her, and her sense of urgency abated.

The gryphon's body blocked her view of where they were going, but could see the ground and watch carefully for the moment when it would be close enough to let go. Finally, the beast flew over a large gate.

They'd crossed over into someone's property, but she could hardly concern herself with trespassing. The ground has gotten closer…my arms are killing me. Seeing a large flower bed that could break her fall, she took the chance to jump off. She rolled forward, trying to distribute the impact as much as possible. Still, her joints took a beating.

Kyouka looked up and saw that she was surrounded by a crowd of sharply-dressed people looking bewildered, though not threatened, by her sudden intrusion. This is some kind of party, isn't it. I figured as much from the buildings, but nobody looks Japanese. Will they understand English? I'm not very good at it, but I have to try.

“Hello, everyone…uhh…nice evening?”

She never could've anticipated the crowd's response.

『＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊』

What the hell!? A wave of static assaulted her ears as the crowd started talking amongst themselves. She'd expected to hear a foreign language, but these sounds weren't even human. Covering her ears did nothing; the static wasn't through the air—it was in her head. The people in the crowd appeared to be talking at a normal volume, but the static was so head-splittingly loud she thought her eyes might pop out of their sockets.

『＊ho＊a＊＊＊y＊＊?』

Huh?

A voice, no, fragments of a voice shone through the noise like rays of sunlight. The crowd looked behind them and slowly parted. Out of their midst emerged a girl who looked to be no older than Kyouka but had a magnetic presence and a piercing gaze.

She's…beautiful.

Her eyes were lightning. They shone as if swallowing the pale blue moonlight. Fiery red hair framed the soft features of her face which contrasted her commanding expression. It was clear to all onlookers that the strange uninvited guest was in danger, but the person in question was completely oblivious and speechless, captivated by the sight in front of her.

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『W＊＊＊＊re＊＊＊＊?＊＊hat＊＊r＊＊y＊u＊＊＊ing＊＊＊＊e?』

As the girl continued to call out to Kyouka, bits and pieces of her speech started to become intelligible. Wait, is it just me who can't understand them? What do they hear when I talk?

“Sorry, I can't understand what you're saying.”

Kyouka gave up on using English, believing they probably wouldn't understand her either way. Upon hearing this, the girl made a complicated expression. It doesn't seem as though she's getting a headache like me…

『What＊＊＊＊you＊＊＊＊＊? If＊＊＊＊＊can't＊＊＊＊＊＊＊tand＊＊＊, why are＊＊＊＊＊speaking the＊＊＊me＊＊＊nguage?』

I could almost understand that! Does she understand Japanese? No, this static—it's like a filter…in that case, is it actually helping me?

“My head's all fuzzy from falling. I have no idea how I got here. Please, I'm not looking for trouble.”

Kyouka theorized that the static would completely clear up and soon she'd understand them perfectly, so she pretended to have hit her head and kept quiet about the static.

『＊ho are y＊＊? Wh＊re are ＊＊＊＊f＊＊m?』

Kyouka understood what was being asked through the gaps in the static. Who am I, huh. She thought back to when she was looking through her now lost phone for answers. In the few messages she was able to skim through, she was able to catch just her first name and nothing else.

“My name is Kyouka. I'm from…”

She thought hard. Based on everything she'd seen and experienced since waking up without her memories, a certain hypothesis had grown in the back of her mind like a seed. It was ridiculous; she wanted to deny it, but she decided to go with her gut.

“I'm from Earth, a different world.”

The crowd's bewildered expressions didn't change, but the girl in front of her looked like she was trying to contain a scream. To Kyouka, that reaction was more confusing than anything. Could it be…

『Kyouka of…Earth, is that right?』

“You know Earth!? Where is this? Can you help me?”

In her excitement, Kyouka had failed to notice that the static had almost completely disappeared. To her disappointment, however, the girl didn't answer her questions.

“Rena.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Wha—”

Kyouka jumped when a voice came from behind her. Standing there was another girl with an even more striking appearance. Blue hair, golden eyes, a maid outfit, and…pointy ears? This really isn't Earth.

“How long have you been there?”

“As soon as I became aware of the presence of an intruder.”

“Rena, have the carriages brought in for our honored guests.”

“Understood…and the intruder?”

“It goes without saying; she stays here.”

The maid, Rena, was hesitant to leave and glared at Kyouka with suspicion.

“Rena.”

She reluctantly did as she was told.

“Do forgive Rena, she can be overprotective. I'm sure you two will get along well in time.”

“Hey uhh lady? Madam? What should I call you?”

For the first time since they met, the girl's well-crafted expression crumbled, unable to control her laughter.

“Madam? Seriously? I must be no older than you. Kyouka, you are a silly one.”

“Ahaha…sorry I just…it seemed like you were the lady of the mansion or something.”

“Hmm well I suppose you're not entirely mistaken. This mansion belongs to my father of course, but yes, I currently serve as its master. You are a special guest; there's no need to be so formal. Please, call me Henriette.”

“…Gotcha.”

Kyouka stood silently by Henriette as she greeted her party guests on their way out. Seeing carriages for the first time piqued her curiosity. They're bigger than I imagined, the inside looks more spacious than the average car. Henriette noticed the wonder in her gaze and smiled.

“Do you not have carriages on…Aerth, was it?”

“It's Earth, and no. I've only seen them in movi—books.”

“Were you about to say 'movie' by any chance?”

“…Huh?”

So she does know about Earth!

“Your surprise at that intrigues me. I see there is much for us to talk about, but your clothes are quite dirty. Just how did you get here to end up in that state? Come, let's get you cleaned up and I shall answer whatever questions you may have somewhere warmer than out here. Oh, and we must get you something to eat!”

“Thanks, but I think I'll pass on dinner…too much adrenaline stole my appetite.”

After all the guests had left, a pure-white carriage appeared in front of them—with Rena the elf maid holding the reins. She bowed but avoided making eye-contact with Kyouka.

“Please allow me to take you up to the mansion.”

Kyouka excitedly turned to Henriette. She smiled back.

“Our earlier conversation got off-topic, but I originally wanted to tell you that you'd soon be able to ride a carriage as well; it's much too cold and dark to return to the mansion on foot. Let's leave the leisurely strolls for spring and summer, yes?”

Only then did Kyouka notice the nip in the air; the night's events had been much too harrowing. In the back of her mind, she sensed faint traces of spring, as if the scenery on her last day on Earth had been filled with sakura petals. Upon closer inspection, it was clearly already fall in this world. I guess there's no reason for time in this place to be synchronized with Earth's.

Rena escorted Henriette into the carriage, and Kyouka helped herself in. The interior was covered in a deep crimson velvet with incredibly soft seats. As she thought, it felt more spacious and comfortable than the average car. From the garden where the party took place, the mansion was about a mile further into the property. They weren't in a hurry, so Henriette had Rena take them down the scenic route.

Through the window, Kyouka saw the carriage pass carefully-managed woods, servants' quarters, some smaller gardens, and even an artificial lake—beside which slept her old friend the gryphon. She couldn't help but make a wry smile. So that thing is probably Henriette's guard dog, huh…well, thanks to that it instinctively brought me to its master instead of deeper into the woods. Silently, she offered thanks to the beast.

“Forgive me, Kyouka. I know I said we'd talk in the mansion, but I cannot hold back my curiosity.”

“Oh no, it's fine. I couldn't really get some things off my mind either.”

“Thank you. Please, go first.”

“Where are we?”

“I don't suppose you're asking what city or what province this is, yes? Let's cut to the chase, then. Kyouka, this is not the world you know.”

“…How do you know that?”

“Because others like you have come before.”

Kyouka instinctively stood up in shock but hit her head on the carriage roof.

“Ow! Sorry…”

“No, I understand. There is much we don't know about your world—about Earth, but I am aware that nobody who has come from Earth in the past came with the awareness of why and how they got here. I assume Earth itself has never experienced the arrival of visitors from another world. Would that be accurate?”

“Yeah…though maybe I'm not the most reliable source. I woke up with no memories. Well, no memories about my life at least.”

“Fascinating! In all the records I've studied, there's never been a case of memory loss.”

Wait, really? It's just me? Why?

“Those other people from Earth—can I meet them?”

“I'm sorry, Kyouka. You're the first arrival in more than a century.”

Kyouka felt her heart sink.

“However…nobody has ever come alone. There should be others like you, but there's no telling where they could be.”

“You seem familiar with the topic.”

Henriette hadn't bothered to hide her excitement since the conversation began.

“Yes, well…I've been fascinated with stories of legendary heroes and their great deeds from a young age.”

“Heroes?”

Suddenly, Henriette gave off a serious air. Kyouka fixed her posture.

“I'd like to converse at leisure about life on Earth another time. For now, there are important matters you must be made aware of.”

Could it be?

“Please keep in mind that much of what I am about to tell you is tertiary knowledge of things that happened a very long time ago, and there is far too much that is yet shrouded in mystery.”

“I understand.”

“The first Travelers, as they are often known, are estimated to have arrived about a thousand years ago. To this day, nobody knows how…but we think we know why. You see, the arrival of travelers is always accompanied by unnatural calamities. The last time they came, a plague of Revenants rampaged through the land—killing millions.”

Millions!?

“I'm sorry, Revenants?”

“Yes, I believe The Sage's records called them zombies.”

There's too much information. If I ask her to clarify every little thing, there won't be an end to it. Just take what she's saying at face value and worry about the details later.

“I assume the reason why someone of your stature is treating me so well isn't because you're an Earth-otaku, err…enthusiast, I mean.”

“You're quite sharp. No, unfortunately. As you suspect, it is my duty to secure your well-being. The safety of Astre, no, Arkadia as a whole depends on it.”

I'm guessing those are names for this country and the world, respectively.

“But I'm not a hero. I wasn't given any special powers or legendary items.”

“Not at first glance. But I cannot be the judge of that. We must bring you to someone more knowledgeable. Until then, will you cooperate with us?”

“Of course. I want answers more than anyone.”

This is starting to feel like the plot of a light novel. Light novel…yeah, I…I read a lot of those didn't I? Wait, why could I remember that but not my name?

“Oh, it looks like we've arrived.”

Henriette pointed out the window, where Kyouka could see the looming silhouette of a gleaming white palace rise in her view. It gave off the impression of a manor house from the Victorian era, but the exterior stone was white like marble.

Once they alighted the carriage, Kyouka beheld the monument in all its glory. Massive walls of polished white stone scattered the moonlight, bathing the surroundings in a soft, ethereal glow that reminded her of the lake in the forest.

“Shall we go?”

Henriette stood before Kyouka, inviting her into the mansion. Only through an improbable series of coincidences did she end up falling into Henriette's backyard to put it crudely, but at this moment, seeing the noble lady's otherworldly figure beckoning her to cross the threshold, she felt in her heart that her fate would from hereon be tied inextricably with Henriette's—for good or ill.

Kyouka resolved herself, and bid farewell to the world she knew and the life she could not remember. With heavy steps, she walked towards the outstretched hand and fell into Henriette's arms like a stringless marionette.

“Oh, my.”

Once Kyouka finally allowed herself to relax, the adrenaline wore off, and the effects of pushing her body and mind past their limits quickly caught up with her.

“She must have had quite the journey. Shame, there was so much more to talk about. Say, Rena, you were listening, yes?”

“…I apologize.”

“Oh there's no need for that; it's your duty to keep me safe. And in light of that, how do you evaluate Miss Kyouka over here?”

“She seems harmless, not at all like the image of a traveler.”

“Well, neither of us have actually met one before.”

“Of course. But there was one point that bothered me…”

“Allow me to guess, then. It's the fact Miss Kyouka never asked about whether she could return home, correct?”

“As expected. Yes, I believe it would be strange for that not to be her top priority.”

“She did say she has no memories of her life. I understand your concern, but if she is a traveler, we cannot afford to leave her be.”

“In that case, please allow me to take charge of her. I already sent word to have the bath, a change of clothes, and a spare room prepared.”

“Can't she stay in my room? I'd get anxious if she were out of my sight.”

“I understand how important her existence is to the kingdom's future. Please, entrust me with her protection.”

“Very well, then. No one must know of her origin. Officially…let's say she's another apprentice sent by The Tower. Have that information reach the ears of those empty-headed nobles who saw her tonight. If they believe I'm simply indulging in my eccentric hobbies, nobody will care to report such things to the capital.”

“Understood. Should I send word to your brother?”

“…Don't. This may be my only chance. Do you believe this to be a foolish ambition?”

“No, I could never deny Your Highness' dream.”

“Thank you, Rena. I leave Kyouka in your hands. Good night.”

“Good night, princess.”