Chapter 7

Alistair displayed a look of understanding. It is fortunate that he did not appear to take offense at the abruptness of his reaction.

“That's not good. Would you prefer that I obtain some books for you?”

“Just give me some spa—wait, are you sure…?”

“Certainly.”

He is surprised that Alistair is being thoughtful. It also raises some doubts.

Nervously playing with his fingers, he decided to take a chance.

“Could you bring me books about this world? Magic books would be cool too, or anything interesting for someone like me.”

“Acquiring magic books is quite challenging, even within the confines of the palace. Nevertheless, I can secure the Empire's latest Guidebook for you.”

“… .”

‘This dude is so boring.’

The books he wanted the most were magic books, he even hinted at it. The person he was hinting to either had a clear understanding of his wishes and was deliberately ignoring them, or they were genuinely oblivious to his yearning for such enchanting literature.

“The guidebook offers the most recent insights into the Empire, serving as an extensive guide to its expansive territories, accompanied by a detailed map. The immense scale of the Empire can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with its regions, which is why many travelers opt to acquire this book. It is an essential tool for navigation.”

Alistair took a brief pause, letting the significance of his words resonate.

“It is especially useful for newcomers like the young master.”

With that, the man wrapped up his explanation.

Most books require a borrowing license. Except for the Empire's history book, getting other books is quite difficult.

A borrowing license for a book? Who does that anymore? Apparently, this world does.

‘My old world doesn't even have books anymore.’

The government has decided to remove books because of their decreasing usage, thus conserving both trees and paper resources.

“Then I want to borrow the Empire's history book.”

It probably has more information than a guidebook that changes every ten years.

“The history book of the Empire may be borrowed without a license, however, the approval of the prince is still required.”

“Can't you use your position to obtain what you want?”

Alistair laughed at this.

“I am merely a servant.”

‘Servant, my ass.’

This man admitted that only a handful of people knew of his existence, as efforts were underway to keep him hidden for reasons that remain unclear. Consequently, despite the many guards and staff present in the facility, he could not hear any sounds from beyond his room. Alistair was the sole person designated to attend to his needs.

This seemingly ordinary servant undoubtedly holds a position of greater significance than the physicians, suggesting that he may belong to a prominent family or have connections to the prince. Regardless, he is convinced that Alistair possesses a degree of authority within this environment.

“Alright, I’ll accept it.”

‘Better than nothing, I suppose.’

Gaining insight into the country he is currently in is a wise decision, as it could assist in improving his escape strategy.

Afterward, Alistair departed with the uneaten meal and returned an hour later, pushing a trolley that held two books with golden covers.

“Is that actual gold…?”

He exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and awe.

Alistair donned white gloves to delicately present the book to him.

“Naturally, this is an original edition. Be careful, as it’s quite heavy.”

“Shit!”

His hands were pinned against the bed as soon as Alistair released his grip. The weight was greater than he had anticipated.

Alistair chuckled softly and lifted the book, allowing his right hand to be freed. He subsequently placed the second volume on the bed next to the first.

He shot a glare at the man while massaging his squashed hand.

“Was that done on purpose?”

“Certainly not.”

“I was using just one hand.”

You noticed but still released the book. How can that not be deliberate?

“I am not sure what the young master means.”

“Alright.”

He quietly whispered the word “weirdo” before opening the book. Instantly, a new issue emerged.

The man with long hair gave a slight smile as he saw the young master's eyes finally show a spark of curiosity. Alistair, who was about to leave, paused when the Traveler called out to him.

“What do the young master need?”

After catching Alistair's eye, he gestured to the book and said.

“I can't read it.”

“… .”

It looks like Alistair hadn't thought about that. He might understand their spoken words, but that doesn't mean he could read their books written in their language.

‘I guess that's too much of a cheat.’

“My apologies. I will find something to assist you.”

He said nothing more before he walked away. The man took his time, returning only an hour later. This time, he had three additional books. Thankfully, they weren't gold.

“Here.”

Alistair handed him a magnifying glass, wrapped in gold and featuring a detailed wooden handle. The design looked very ancient.

“This will immediately translate the words for the young master.”

“Why not use eyeglasses?”

This tool will only tire and numb his hand.

“Dr. Happy recommended this approach for you, believing that increased use of your hands may alleviate the numbness you are experiencing.”

“…Really?”

Alistair shrugged, his expression showing “Doctor's orders” so he relented and took the magnifier.

He looked at the three new items on his bed. There was writing on them, but he couldn't make it out.

“What are those for?”

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Alistair indicated the first book to the last while explaining their contents.

“The first book is the dictionary of the Empire, the second pertains to the global language, and the third refers to the ancient tongue.”

Alistair's decision to bring all three of them means just one thing.

“You… want me to learn all of them?”

“Indeed, I believe it will be of significant assistance to you.”

He is right. He speaks a different language and can't read their Fidellan language. When he leaves this place, he will struggle.

“Thanks.”

“You are welcome. I have several matters to attend to at this moment.”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

Alistair departed following their farewells.

He chose to read the guidebook first.

The book was too heavy to hold easily while lying down, so he had to twist his body into an awkward position.

Initially, he read it just to kill time, but he found some interesting facts inside.

The Fides Empire has been around for at least 10,000 years, making it the most powerful nation in the world. Its wealth is immense, and its military might is unmatched.

“10,000 years!?”

An empire lasting for over a millennium!? How is such a thing possible…?

In his homeworld, previous empires and kingdoms have been obliterated, rarely surviving even 500 years! A millennium later, the monarchy was entirely dismantled, its legacy reduced to mere footnotes in the annals of history.

Yet here stands the Fides Empire, a bastion of continuity and resilience. How is it that a nation with a 10,000-year history still be rooted in a historical era?

During his entire stay, he had seen no signs of modern technology. The bathroom he encountered last night was the most outdated he had ever come across, lacking even a drainage system.

They don't even offer the most basic coffee choices!

Considering the existence of magic in this world, one might anticipate the emergence of advanced communication devices or flying vehicles yet they still depend on carriages and regular horses. This was his observation from the window.

“It's hard to accept this claim.”

The situation seemed too bizarre to be real. He decided to suspend his disbelief for now and chose to move past his astonishment to continue reading.

The Imperial Grounds are restricted to tourists, resulting in limited information available about them. In contrast, there is an abundance of information available about the city as a whole. The author, Alissa Fade, has been very forthcoming, sharing various shortcuts and lesser-known spots throughout the city.

‘This guidebook is shady as fuck.’

This situation raises concerns about the editor's choice to approve its publication. If this information were to reach the wrong people, it could lead to significant issues. Nevertheless, it is certainly beneficial for him.

‘I will gladly take advantage of this.’

The only drawback was his lack of a pen and paper to document all the crucial information, that's why he tore out the useful pages instead.

As he sifted through the pages, a surge of excitement washed over him when he discovered the map of the Empire referenced by Alistair. However, it was disheartening to see that the Imperial Grounds were still absent.

Nonetheless, he felt no remorse as he tore out the page once more and tucked it away in the pillowcase, alongside the other pages he had already removed.

‘Hope they don't inspect the pages after I return them.’

He might face trouble if they find out, but that was a problem for his future self.

When morning came, an unforeseen event transpired.

He shifted uncomfortably beneath the indifferent stare of the unfamiliar person who had entered his room that day.

After going through the latest edition of the Fides Empire's Guidebook, he took a sip of water and intended to sleep until lunchtime.

However, just as he was about to close his eyes for a brief rest, the door suddenly swung open, and the newcomer entered the room with an air of authority, as if he owned the place.

The person standing before him had striking black hair and eyes. Despite his undeniable charm, his impressive height began to stir feelings of insecurity about his own stature. While his attire wasn't as lavish as one might expect from someone of noble birth, it was certainly of exceptional quality.

‘So this is the guy…’

Upon further examination, it became evident that this person was the prince who had rescued him from the dangerous forest and brought him to the safety of his palace.

‘I completely forgot about the prince's visit!’

Alistair had told him the night before that the prince was set to arrive today. However, he hadn't expected the prince to show up at dawn. He hadn't even had a chance to collect himself.

“… .”

“… … .”

‘He hasn't said anything yet.’

He had expected the person to act arrogantly and quickly issue demands, however, he opted to remain silent instead. It didn’t seem like he was being scrutinized, as the prince’s gaze was firmly locked on his face.

What could he possibly be waiting for?

‘Should I extend a greeting?’

He felt unsure about the proper etiquette for addressing royalty. Was kneeling necessary? That would be impossible, as his legs still trembled despite having regained some mobility.

His gaze shifted past the prince to Alistair, who stood guard at the entrance. Alistair made no move to assist him and remained completely still. What drew his attention was the clothing he was wearing.

‘Is that a butler's uniform!?’

His assumption turned out to be correct. Alistair looked more like a butler than a soldier, which was, in fact, his true role. The only notable feature of his uniform was the green brooch that decorated it.

It wasn't until Alistair signaled for him to address the prince that he managed to regain his composure.

“Um, hello?”

The prince showed no interest, opting to ignore him completely.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you?”

He made another attempt. This time, the prince finally spoke, though his tone was flat.

“It is customary to extend a proper greeting to the prince of the Empire.”

A vein pulsed at his temple, but he held back, knowing that striking a prince would be a serious mistake.

“Sorry dude, but I'm just a commoner.”

Alistair, positioned at the back, stifled a laugh. It appeared he had anticipated this reaction and chose not to intervene. Meanwhile, the prince raised an eyebrow at the bold comment.

In that instant, it struck him that this individual was indeed a prince, capable of ordering his execution, which sent a surge of panic through him. All traces of his earlier irritation vanished in the presence of such a formidable figure.

“B, before you take any action, it's important for you to know that I cannot move my legs and am unable to kneel before you! Were you not aware that I have been in a coma?”

“And?”

“…Please have mercy?”

He looks at the prince's face beneath his long white eyelashes.

“… .”

“… … .”

The prince crossed his arms, but instead of looking threatening, he exuded an air of playfulness.

“I have a strong dislike for being mistreated. It is quite regrettable. Would you prefer that I resolve this matter swiftly for you?”

While his tone might not sound serious, there was a subtle intimidation woven into his words.

‘What should I say?’

He felt trapped, worried about making things worse.

When he stopped talking, the prince also fell silent, and the tension in the room became almost tangible.

‘He's like an NPC.’

Well-designed but only responds when asked.

Fortunately, Alistair managed to convince the prince to drop his playful attitude and participate in a more serious discussion. He was surprised when the prince actually complied with his butler's plea.

“I became a bit distracted. I was merely trying to cultivate a more cheerful ambiance, my apologies.”

‘How does “shall I grant you a swift demise” improve my mood!?’

It's clear that this individual is not entirely stable.

The prince unfolded his arms and shifted his position. The chair he occupied seemed more opulent than he recalled.

When did Alistair replace the chairs? He hadn't noticed the change, despite being in the same room.

Alistair stepped forward to introduce the Imperial Prince.

“I would like to present His Imperial Highness, the 14th Imperial Prince, Konstantinos de Fides. He has a proposal to present, and I respectfully request your time and attention, young master.”

Alistair's demeanor was more formal than usual, which contributed to his sense of unease.

“…What is it?”

He considered suggesting a more straightforward approach, but it didn't seem like the right time for such boldness, especially with someone of clear authority present.

“Prior to that, Alistair mentioned that you were unable to recall how you arrived at this location.”

Of course, that person had already shared all the details with him.

“Do you really believe that? Who's to say I was being honest?”

He felt Alistair's gaze locked onto his face.

The prince paused for a moment before a chuckle broke the silence in the room. It was Alistair, trying to regain his composure as if he hadn't just found the situation amusing.

‘Why is he laughing…?’

Despite the humor, an unexpected wave of anxiety washed over him. He had never seen Alistair laugh like that before.

“Young master, I have already mentioned that magic is very much real in this world. Using a lie detector on you would pose no challenge.”

Alistair calmly explained why deceit was not an option.

“… .”

One might anticipate magic to be more flashy. Why had he not seen any magical circles!? Anyhow, he can't get out of this predicament by lying.

He started to fidget with his fingers anxiously.

“…When did you cast a spell on me…?”

“I wonder.”

It seems that Alistair won't reply.

‘Did they truly cast me a lie detector spell on me?’

They might be trying to mislead, but they could also opt to use that strategy later if they find his claims to be untrustworthy.