Chapter 3

“Thank you, Prince Lucian.” Emilia took the hand Lucian was offering and used it to keep her balance as she exited the carriage.

A soldier like her didn't need help with such a simple task, but she still smiled as she laid her hand in his.

“It's my pleasure, Emilia.” Lucian held on a bit longer than usual.

After a brief moment, he turned back to the carriage door, where Minerva was standing. He offered his hand like before, which the fairy princess took without reserve.

“Your help is appreciated.” Minerva spoke in her usual voice, sounding disinterested.

“I'll offer it anytime.”

Lucian knew the tone of her voice didn't usually convey her thoughts or feelings, so there was no disrespect intended or received. Minerva was simply detached from most of the emotions that humans have, with a few exceptions.

“Me next!” Teflyn held her hand out, even before Lucian could offer his.

“As eager as ever, I see.” He reached out, and the oni girl's hand slammed into his before he could even get it into position. “And as impatient as ever too.”

With Teflyn on the ground, Lucian reached up again, offering to help Aelia out of the carriage.

The dark elf girl eyed his hand with a slight frown. “This ridiculous custom again? Why would a warrior need help getting out of a carriage?”

Aelia walked down the single step on her own, ignoring Lucian's offer.

“It may seem ridiculous to a dark elf, but I'm still going to offer each time. Maybe one day, you'll take my hand.”

“I doubt it.”

With the four girls out, that left just one more in the carriage.

Lucian's little sister, Princess Mia, was more accustomed to proper etiquette than any of the others, Lucian included. She even delayed walking up to the carriage door simply because it wouldn't be a good look to stand there waiting for her brother to finish speaking to Aelia.

Even if she's only known Aelia for a couple days, she already understands the dark elf well enough that she anticipated their little back and forth. It's thanks to Mia's quick understanding that she was able to time her arrival at the door just as Lucian was raising his hand to support her.

“Thank you.” Mia gave the bare minimum etiquette-approved response.

“You're welcome.”

With that, all of the passengers were out of the carriage, standing in a well-kept courtyard. Just a short walk away was their home, the castle.

Lucian led them toward the doors, one step at a time. Perhaps one day, we’ll be able to come home to a more relaxing house. Somewhere a little more secluded would be nice.

Rulers often live in palaces instead of castles. But right now, I need the appearance of strength that living in this towering castle gives me.

But when the day comes that I can leave it, Emilia would definitely come with me. It feels so natural having her by my side now.

And I wonder how long Minerva plans to stay with me. She rarely gives us a glimpse into her thoughts, so it's hard to say.

Teflyn would probably get bored if we didn't fight a lot of monsters. But she's too young to send on adventures without me being there to watch over her, so I'll have to find a way to keep her entertained.

By that time, I wonder if Aelia would be living in her new territory and starting her life as a Dark Elf Lord. It's quite far from here, so I'd have to make a long journey to see her.

As Lucian pondered upon the possibilities that lay in his future, he reached the large double doors that led into the castle. They were already open, as the guards would never force their king to wait.

After stepping into the interior lit by magitech lamps, his eyes quickly adjusted to the dim light. His body wasn't just tougher and stronger from all the levels he had gained, it even performed better to changes in the environment, such as sudden changes in light levels, temperature, and even atmospheric pressure.

Though he had yet to truly experience that last one.

With his eyes adjusted, Lucian noticed some unusual activity in the castle foyer. As the first room all arrivals step into, it's not uncommon for there to be people moving around there.

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But a crowd had gathered around someone that drew their interest, with some recognizable nobles among the ones grouped up. Whoever was at the center of that crowd was important enough to capture the attention of some of the most influential people in the Almekian Kingdom.

Can't see them through the crowd. Guess I should get closer.

Lucian had a hard time figuring out who he was about to meet. A foreign dignitary was his first guess, but if someone of such high stature were going to visit, they would have sent several messengers to ensure they would be welcomed properly.

Could it be a messenger from the Esgares Empire? That would definitely attract the attention of the nobles.

When Lucian approached the crowd, the ones gathered parted, having seen him coming. That gave him a clear view of the person at the center of the gathering. And what he saw was…

A strangely dressed woman? That style is definitely foreign, but I don't recognize it.

Having been recently summoned to the world, Lucian was still missing a lot of crucial information on topics outside his focus. And his focus had been war nearly since his arrival, having only recently been given a break from battle.

Fortunately, there was someone he trusted who had a much better grasp of the world than him.

Lucian subtly turned his head and looked to his sister, Mia. She was still watching the mysterious woman in the strange dress, but after a few seconds, she also turned to meet his eyes.

“Danao Dynasty outfit. But…” Mia took another peek at the woman. “She's not a native to their nation.”

“Someone from the Danao Dynasty. But not born there? And she's this popular? Hmm…”

Lucian was far from finding the answer to who the woman was, but at least he had some information. Even though it just ended up raising more questions.

The Danao Dynasty was another of Almekia’s largest rivals. But while the Esgares Empire lay to the north, the Danao Dynasty was to the southwest.

The people there were known for their darker complexion, as if they had a constant tan from the sun. But the woman wearing their fashion was as pale as anyone else in Lucian's kingdom.

Having reached the mysterious woman, Lucian had no time left to ponder the many questions that still lingered in his mind. Instead, he could get them from the mouth of the woman herself.

“Your Majesty.” She gave a rather shallow bow. “Congratulations on your sudden rise to the throne.”

“Thank you. I didn't obtain it in the circumstances that I would have liked, though.”

“Of course not. The death of nearly your entire family is certainly not something that the Lucian I knew would enjoy.” The mysterious woman looks to Mia. “It's good that you escaped the disease, little Mia. Though I guess you're not so little anymore.”

Just who is this woman? She speaks like she knows us, but I studied everyone close to the royal family who would have such obvious authority.

If this woman last saw Mia when she was too little for her to remember, then that had to have been 7 or 8 years ago.

Mia was 11, with a birthday coming up soon. If she were only four years old when this woman was around, then even the studious princess would have a hard time recalling her.

Was there anyone? Anyone among the people I studied who left around that time?

The many late night study sessions flashed in Lucian's mind. He had crammed so much knowledge into his head after his summoning that he felt like he should have earned an entire college degree.

Among that information, something pulled at his mind. Or rather, someone.

Could it be her? But this woman looks too young. If it really is her, then it's almost as if she hasn't aged a day since she left.

His instincts were telling him that he was right. But the age discrepancy was difficult to explain.

Let's just go with it. If I'm wrong, I'll deal with it afterwards.

“It’s been 7 years, Archmage Vera. What brought you back to the Almekian Kingdom after abandoning us to go on your journey?”

“I happened to be in the area when I heard about all the troubles your kingdom was in. Thought I'd drop in and see it for myself.”

“See it? Not help dig us out?”

“You know I don't stick around for long. The world's too big to sit around a castle all day.”

“Understandable. But then why did you take the title of Archmage at all? That position comes with a few responsibilities, you know.”

Vera waved her hand. “I told your dad I'd disappear one day, but he said he wanted me as an Archmage for as long as I was in his kingdom. Never really cared for the title, but I got what I wanted out of it.”

Archmage Vera, the most powerful spellcaster in the Almekian Kingdom. The title of Archmage is only given to those who stand head and shoulders above even the best casters, making it quite a rare and coveted title.

It was supposed to tie the Archmage to the kingdom, giving them authority and wealth in the process. But Archmage Vera managed to obtain the title without many of the strings that would have bound others.

Lucian didn't study much on her, since she had disappeared 7 years before his summoning. But now, he really wished he had spent at least a little more time reading about her.

“The coin and prestige of being an Archmage would help in preparing for a 7-year journey,” Lucian said. “But now that you're back, I wouldn't mind having a long discussion about recent events, if you'd like the details. I've also got some questions for you, so prepare to do some talking, too.”

“Sure, I'll join you. But I just got back, so let's meet up later. I need to change clothes, at least.”

Lucian once again noted her Danao Dynasty style outfit. She didn't have to wear it into the castle, but she did anyway. Whether she was making a statement or was simply eccentric, Lucian had yet to decide.

With yet another meeting on his schedule, Lucian bid Archmage Vera farewell until both of them were ready. This time though, he was a bit excited about what she would have to say.

Like Vera, Lucian had to freshen up after his trip out to the city. So, he led the girls to the royal quarters without a single detour. There, they could change clothes, drink refreshments, and take care of any other personal tasks.

It was a well-guarded section of the castle, as one would expect for the place the king sleeps.

That was why when Lucian saw a mysterious man standing in the middle of the hall, he stopped his steps. The man's back was turned, making it difficult to identify him.

However, even with so little to go on, Lucian knew who he was looking at.

That unruly, brown hair. It has to belong to…

“If you're here,” Lucian said. “Then there must be something important happening.”

The mysterious man turns, revealing a youthful face a couple years younger than Lucian's. “Hey. Been a while, huh?”

“This voice…” Aelia relaxed her guard a bit. “You're…”

“Bingo.” He used a phrase that Lucian understood well. “The ‘young immortal’ here in the flesh.”

The immortal that often stayed in the Divine Realm gave Lucian and his group a casual wave.

What an eventful day.