“Because of that prophecy, I got curious, about whether it was true or not. Are you really going to be my greatest helper? I came here to confirm it.”

“...”

Wilhelm closed his eyes and started to think. He already knew about the prophecy of the Felles Family, and he probably knew more than Iris about the Mark Of The Hero. However, in the game, there was no such thing as a second prophecy.

‘It's most likely because of me, and that Goddess who appeared in that dream is probably the one to give the prophecy. She probably gave me the weird feeling of connection then.’

Wilhelm became silent as he thought about the dreams more.

‘Speaking of dreams, what was the gift the Goddess was talking about-oh wait a minute.’

As an eureka moment happened in Wilhelm’s head, he heard a voice in front of him.

“You seem like you are in much thought even though you weren’t surprised when I said my family’s secrets and first prophecy. Perhaps, did you already know about the first prophecy, but not this one?”

“Usually a person is more surprised with things related to oneself.”

“Is that so, hmm…”

Iris frowned before she sighed.

“Well, I answered your question, so now it's my turn. You knew a lot about the ruins from before, even though it was supposed to be your first time there. Mind telling me how? I also want to know more about that form you showed me deep in that ruin.”

Wilhelm opened his eyes. He had figured out what exactly the Goddess's gift was, and it was by far the best gift for him. At first, he was planning on dodging this question but now he decided to just reveal it, of course not the whole truth though.

“As for your first question, the answer is simple. I know the future.”

“Huh?” Iris looked at Wilhelm like he had grown a third eye. Before Iris could continue, Wilhelm gestured for her to stop first.

“Hold on, let me speak. Recently, I’ve had dreams for a while. Prophetic dreams about the future through the eyes of someone. I saw that someone go on a journey to save the world, and I learned tons and tons of things about the past, and future.”

Iris looked like she couldn’t believe him. Wilhelm thought that it was understandable and that even he wouldn’t believe him if he were in her position. The story is also half-bullshit but half-true.

“I have tested my dreams, and all the information there all turned out to be true. I know you won’t believe me, but I will gradually prove it to you with my actions.”

The gift the Goddess was talking about was the prophecy about Wilhelm, and due to that prophecy, Iris would become his ally no matter what, since she trusted the Goddess’ words more than her own. That’s why Wilhelm decided to reveal the fact he knew future information so that it would erase the troublesome things later down the line.

‘Not the gift I was expecting, but it is the best gift for me right now.’

If Wilhelm could get the future strongest character’s cooperation this early on, it would make his plans much easier.

Iris clutched her head and said.

“I would’ve called you delusional, but the words of the goddess say otherwise. Well, it’s not like there aren't any future-seeing abilities. But you revealed it to me much easier than I expected. I thought you would dodge the question.”

“I changed my plans after hearing about the prophecy.”

At first, Wilhelm thought of hiding it for his entire life, but his actions from here on out will be extremely suspicious, especially since he is going to act like he knows everything about the future.

Iris would also be suspicious of him and start to distrust him if Wilhelm dodged her questions here. She would probably still work with him due to the Prophecy, however, even faint distrust could cause problems in teamwork, and it might cause a discord in the future. That was not something Wilhelm wanted since Iris is the most important person he needs to ally himself with, even more than the main character.

And perhaps…Wilhelm also wanted someone to know about it, even if it's just one person.

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is, I want to make you my ally and partner. Although you probably don’t trust me right now. I will prove that I am to be trusted and that I'm also working for the safety of this world.”

Of course, his own safety as well, in fact, that is the priority, but he will save the world while he is at it.

Iris looked at Wilhelm and smiled.

“Well, I didn't come here thinking you are an enemy or something, though I was suspicious of your knowledge. I was thinking of making you an ally as well, so this works for me, but…Aren’t you a bit too trusting of me? The prophecies and all that stuff I said could be a lie.”

“I told you I had prophetic dreams, right? I saw you there as well.”

“Hm? Ah, now that I think about it, I guess the future has me in it…That’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Wait, why?”

Wilhelm and Iris chatted for a bit, and the tension loosened down.

“I guess the reason you suddenly changed is because of those dreams of yours.” Iris said while she drank a cup of tea.

“Changed?”

“You’re not like what the rumors said.”

‘Well, I am not fully Wilhelm right now, after all.’ Wilhelm smiled bitterly and responded.

“Rumors are generally unreliable.”

“Not mine though.”

“What do yo- ah?”

‘Must be spies in the Emerald Palace under her.’

Wilhelm frowned. It was a reality check that right now he was truly a prince and a noble.

“That’s unpleasant.”

“Hahaha, sorry, sorry.”

Iris didn’t seem sorry whatsoever.

“What about that form you showed me back in the ruins?”

“Sorry, I also don’t know much about it. However, the form itself is called the [Sword Fiend] and the First Emperor also has it as well.”

“[Sword Fiend], what a fitting name. But geez, the First Emperor also has such an ability? That is surprising…As for being able to read ancient texts, what about that?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“That is something I don’t know anything about, I thought it was the Goddess’s blessing but i’m also not quite sure about it.”

‘If it was the Goddess’s blessings then shouldn’t Iris also be able to read it as well? After all, she also has that feeling of ‘connection’ but on the other hand if it was not the Goddess’s blessings then whose is it?’

It was a question with vague answers.

“I see…”

“...You’re not curious about the contents of the book?”

“I am. But there is no need to talk about that now.”

Iris said before she dropped her head with her hand on her chin. Wilhelm waited for her to organize the information, and soon Iris spoke up while clapping her hands lightly.

“Alright, the questions I'm curious about have been answered, and I also wanted to make you an ally so no problem there. But how do we start working together?”

“What do you mean how?”

“Do we just share information and stuff like that?”

“We can do that, also just help me whenever there is a fight against the Cultists. That’s enough, isn’t it?”

“Hmm, well I have another proposal.”

“What is it?”

Iris grinned. It was a teasing smile.

“Marry me.”

“Marry, what?” Wilhelm's mouth gaped open. He is generally a calm person, but even he will blank out when he is proposed to all of a sudden.

“Bwahahah! Nice face you got there. I meant an engagement. It will help your political position quite a bit no? It will also make it less suspicious when we meet each other a lot.”

Wilhelm repressed the urge to pinch her smug-looking face and responded as calmly as he possibly could.

“Right, Of course.”

“Or what, were you thinking of marrying me for real?”

“Let’s save that for after the turbulent times are over.”

Iris grinned, and Wilhelm sighed. Talking with Iris is more exhausting than he had thought.

‘Our personalities don’t match well with one another.’

“But don’t you need your parents’s permission for an engagement like this?”

“Of course, but beside that. There is also another thing I need you to do for the engagement. That’s why I need you to go to my house.”

“...Then shouldn’t we have met in your house?”

“I didn’t know it would be this fast to get your cooperation.”

Iris shrugged.

“So, do you agree with my idea?”

Wilhelm nodded. For him, it was a no-brainer since he would be able to get support from the Felles Archduchy Family, which is the strongest family except for the Royal Family. They would be very helpful in many things.

‘Especially the Rebellion arc.’

“Great! Then I shall have Natasha prepare the carriage and tell my father you are coming with me back home. Is that fine with you?”

“Sure.”

Wilhelm had no complaints about doing things fast.

“Then I suppose I shall take my leave,” Wilhelm said.

“Huh? You’re going to leave your fiancee here?”

“We are not engaged yet and preparing the carriage would take hours, right? I can squeeze in one training session.”

Iris looked at Wilhelm with an exasperated face.

“...I guess one of the rumors is right.”

“What’s that?”

“You damn workaholic.”

“???”

Wilhelm didn't know why he was getting insulted all of a sudden, but just as he was about to leave, Iris also stood up with him.

“It’s no fun being here by myself. I will join you in the training.” Iris said as she scowled.

“Oh dear, your face will get early wrinkles if you scowl like that.” Wilhelm grinned as he said it.

“Shut up.”

“Argh.”

Iris lightly punched Wilhelm’s arm, and Wilhelm faked getting hurt. Iris and Wilhelm talked and laughed on the way to the training grounds. This brief exchange made Wilhelm quite happy since it had been a long time since he could joke around with a friend like this.

***

The carriage departed immediately after it was prepared. One thing he noticed about carriages in this world is that they are uncomfortable. No matter how expensive a carriage is, they shake a lot, especially on badly maintained roads. He prefers a car much more than this medieval abomination.

“Ugh.”

Wilhelm groaned as he patted his butt. It felt like his butt was going to have another crack at it by the time Wilhelm finished his journey.

“Excuse me.”

He then heard a voice that had begun to become familiar, and another figure entered his private tent. It was Iris.

“We will soon arrive at my house so I want to explain a few things but…What are you doing?”

“Nothing.”

Wilhelm stopped patting and massaging his butt as he gestured to another chair inside the tent. Iris grabbed the chair and sat down face to face with Wilhelm. Currently, they are camping at night and will arrive tomorrow after a few days of travel.

“Well, first, can you use that magic tool of yours?”

“Sure.”

Wilhelm didn’t think that it was necessary since the knights had been weirdly considerate when it was just him and Iris, they would stay away even though Wilhelm had never given the order, with that said, he still thought it wouldn’t hurt being cautious.

Wilhelm activated the sound-blocking barrier as she started explaining things.

“Do you know about the Heinberg Felles Marriage Vow?”

“Not really.”

Wilhelm felt like he had heard about it somewhere but he didn't know about it. He didn't really remember all kinds of minor world-building settings.

“Wait, really? Well, Ahem, basically, it's a rule where there can’t be a marriage between the Felles and the Heinberg.”

At least he didn't care before she dropped a bombshell like this.

“Huh, then why did you-!?”

Iris stopped Wilhelm with a hand gesture as she continued.

“However, when the time comes and the 2 fated people meet and be engaged, the Marriage Vow will recognize them and they are allowed to be engaged and marry.”

“...Sounds like a third-rate romance novel plot.”

“Right? But we can use this to our advantage.”

“How? Are we the chosen people?”

“We are both chosen by the Goddess. If we are not the chosen one, then no one else will be.”

‘Makes sense.’ Wilhelm thought.

“But why are you telling me this now?”

“I thought you knew already. Anyway, if this engagement goes through, then it will raise your authority through the roof.”

“Well, I did just get engaged to the Felles Family and if your words are right then I assume there is still no marriage between a member of the Heinbergs and Felles until now right?”

“There have been some who tried, but all were rejected.”

Wilhelm’s noble faction is currently the weakest, therefore despite him being the Crown Prince which makes his position quite unstable. However, if he gets the support of the Felles Family, forget merely stabilizing his position, he will be the undisputed Crown Prince.

That’s just how big the Felles name is, and if the Marriage Vow went through, his name would get even bigger due to having the grand chosen one trope on it.

“I could guess why our ancestors did this,” Wilhelm said.

“Me too.”

It is to prevent undisputed power and authority from falling to the wrong person.

“If we do this, then your position will pierce through the roof and a lot of people will be unhappy about that. Especially your two brothers with a shitty personality.”

“Right, I doubt they will just watch from the sidelines. But honestly, I would be fine from those two.” Wilhelm shrugged. He doubted they would resort to assassination when Abraham was with him 24/7, it would change when he was in the academy but he should be fine for now. As for poisons, he would have a measure for them later.

He knew a lot about those two and for Wilhelm, those two brothers are not much of a threat. It would be more productive for him to think about the Thalion Cultists instead of those two.

“...You can still turn back, you know? It's going to be a dangerous road from here out.” Iris said in an uncharacteristically gloomy voice.

“Don’t be stupid, I will not do that.”

If Wilhelm ran away, he would die and the world would end.

“...I see.” Iris smiled lightly.

The next day they arrived at the Felles Family Mansion located in the Capital of the Felles Family, City of Storma.