After Martel had exited the throne room, he closed his eyes and took deep breaths to calm the heart beating in his chest. 

“Are you so tired that you need a rest?” A beautiful voice asked which prompted Martel to open his eyes. In front of him is a more beautiful sight than what the voice would imply. 

“No, I am just trying to gather my thoughts, princess.”

“Please call me Freyja. May I call you Martel?”

“Please do, Freyja.”

“Would you care for a change of venue and some refreshments?”

“I would,” He answered with a smile. 

Freyja nodded and talked to one of the two nearby attendants.

One attendant bid a hasty retreat while Freyja turned back to Martel. “Very well. As I will lead, would you care to escort me?” She asked with a smile while she extended her arm to him.

“I am honored, though I believe I should state that I am unaware of your customs so I both warn and apologize ahead of time should I offend you in some way. Please inform me should such a situation occur.” Martel said with a smile as he linked their arms together. 

The princess had a small look of shock on her face at his touch and quickly turned her head and lightly coughed before she turned back. Many young nobles had always attempted to gain her favor, but she would always refuse them. The only reason she had taken the initiative now was to gain Martel’s favor. This difference and the physical contact made her slightly embarrassed, but she managed to keep a straight face. “I shall keep that in mind, follow me,” She said after she had calmed herself.

As they walked together, Martel could practically feel the gazes of various onlookers. The women looked a bit shocked, and the men seemed quite jealous. Worry flashed through his mind as he decided to avoid other people as much as possible. While it may not be intentional, it seemed as if he had become her shield.

“Martel is a name I haven’t heard before.” The princess said as she broke his thoughts.

“That isn’t surprising, it is from a non-native language from my world, and I haven’t met anyone who has it as their name.”

“Does it have any special meaning?”

“It is the word for hammer in that language. Although there are people of the same name, became more popular thanks to a well-known historical figure.”

“Is this person the reason your parents gave you the name?”

“No, I gave the name to myself.”

She narrowed her eyes inquisitively and continued. “So you mean it isn’t your real name?”

“Correct, though it is close to my real name, which I am not fond of, so I opted for it instead.”

“So it’s a nickname?”

“Close enough. Speaking of names, Freyja rings a bell with me. I believe it was the name of a goddess in an old religion who had ties to love, beauty, and prosperity.”

“Oh, it has no such meaning that I am aware of. I must say I find it a bit unsettling to be compared to a goddess.” Freyja denied as she shook her free hand in slight fluster.

“Oh, you have nothing to fear there. The name suits you exquisitely I’d say.”

At his words, Freyja gave him a bit of a blank expression. Martel couldn’t help but notice that her cheeks seemed to have gotten redder, though he didn’t think much of it. As he heard a noise behind them, Martel turned around. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see what appeared to be golden hair as it retreated around the edge of the door, but it was so fleeting he wasn’t sure. 

The princess cleared her throat before she continued. “B-be that as it may, I have heard that you come from another world. Is this true?”

“Undoubtedly so. The most obvious evidence I can give is that Magic isn’t something from our world. Though because of that, it may be more accurate to say I am from another reality.”

“I see. Well, we are here.” She stated as they had arrived. Water, flowers, grass, and some bushes surrounded the arbor with a stone table, surrounded on three sides by a single curved stone bench, in the center.  As he took in the artistic arbor, Freyja sat down on one end of the bench which prompted Martel to sit at the other end, so they were across from one another.

“Would it be possible to get something to write on and with?” Martel asked as he sat down.

“Yes,” Freyja replied as she nodded to a servant.

“I must say, coming from another world is something I can’t even comprehend, yet you seem very composed.”

“I have a tendency to adapt quickly, which is probably why. Many people from my world have gone to other worlds, so it isn’t something completely unexpected.”

“I don’t recall hearing about anyone else appearing as you did or who spoke an unknown language.”

“That isn’t surprising. There are no known cases of travel to the same world, though unless direct contact is made it would be hard to tell.”

“You seem well informed, are you a noble?”

“...... *ha ha ha ha*.” 

Freyja flinched and was taken aback by Martel’s laughter. “What’s so funny?” She asked with a slight pout in a way that was strangely girlish, slightly juxtaposed to her mature appearance.

“What makes you think I’m a noble?”

“Well, until now, your speech has been eloquent and respectful. Your manners were also above what I’d expect from a commoner.”

[Until now, huh.] He thought with an internal chuckle. It seemed he would get to enjoy teasing Freyja. “In regards to my speech, it is probably due to this ring. I spoke with, as you say, eloquence and respect in my language. I suspect it translated, and you heard my intent. I find this ring both convenient and disturbing.”

“Then what of your manners? You seem to have some training. Were you taught by a noble?”

“Where I am from, there are no nobles. I would probably be considered a commoner to you.”

“Then, do you have a ruler?”

“We have many representatives brought to their position by the people. Some of the other countries have kings and the like.”

“So your country is ruled like the merchant republic?”

“I can’t say. It’s the first I’ve heard of them, after all.”

“Ah, how easy it is to forget.”

“Speaking of government. It appears the Queen is the head. Is your country matriarchal?”

“No. The eldest, regardless of gender, inherits the throne, although there is a matriarchal aspect that is specific to our family. Typically, when married, the woman takes the male’s family name. However, because of our family fame, with rare exceptions, the men are the ones who marry into our family.”

“You must have some history.”

“Yes, Le Fay’s are known for their superior Magical talent.” A prideful smile appeared her face though it faded upon seeing Martel’s expression of cynical nonbelief having heard a name he was familiar with.

With a small chuckle, Martel rests his head on my hand. “Next, you are going to tell me the king’s name is Arthur, and the queen is Guinevere.”

His response caused Freyja to give a quizzical look. “They are.” 

*SMACK*. A loud sound reverberated as Martel’s face couldn’t hit the table any harder.

“Did you honestly not know?”

“Is there a Morgan Le Fay?”

“My great-grandmother, who was known as being one of the strongest Magicians, My Aunt the Queen of Roxburghshire, and my little sister with whom you have already met.”

“... Is there a Lancelot?”

“That is the nickname for the Knight-Commander as his favorite weapon is the lance.”

“Well, the one I’m familiar is famous for his ‘lance’ too,” Martel mumbled under his breath, “How about Excalibur?”

Freyja tilted her head cutely. “Never heard of him.”

“Well, it’s an ‘it, not a ‘him, but regardless this is weird.”

“I thought you don’t know anything about our world?”

“I don’t? The names I’ve just spoken were all from an old myth from my world.”

“Could it be a coincidence?”

“This is weird. Actually, given the coincidence, what’s weirder is your name.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. All I know is my name predates most recorded literature. Ah, the tea is here.”

Several servants showed up with tea and cakes. One of them set some paper, quill, and ink in front of Martel. “At any rate, there is something else I want to ask you. Your mother asked me if I was the Hero. What exactly was she referring to?”

“My great-grandmother, Morgan, gave a prophecy of a hero who would free the world from darkness.”

“May I hear it?”

“Of course, I know it by heart.” 

As she spoke, Martel began to transcribe it. However, he couldn’t help but be surprised as he had heard it before, while he was in the darkness in the midst of traveling to this world.

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“What have you been scribbling?”

“I transcribed it.”

A small surprise shows on her face as she stood up to come to his side.

“This is your language then? Very interesting.” She says with a beautiful smile on her face. In her interest, Freyja didn’t realize the ever-shrinking distance between them. Her golden hair nearly touched his face as a delightful scent filled his nose. Out of the corner of his eye, he couldn’t help but notice the enticing valley made from a pair of towering mountains. With a slight tinge of guilt, Martel glued his eyes to the paper in front of him. He then cleared his throat to get her attention to the situation. Freyja started to turn her head but stopped when she realized she’s close enough to touch his face. “Ohh,” she said as she stood up quickly in an embarrassed panic. “Where are my manners. I apologize.” 

Her reaction was sweet and seemed childish when compared to her sophisticated looks. Martel couldn’t help but be momentarily enamored with her flustered appearance. “Don’t worry about it. I would like to go over a few things in this ‘prophecy.’” He said as he calmed his internal thoughts. He had hung around many women, mostly when he younger but being so close to a woman he just met could still make him flustered. 

“Of course,” She said as she returned to her seat.

“Is there a way for me to leave?”

Hearing this was the first subject he brought up, Freyja couldn’t help but be taken aback by his question. It took a few seconds for her to decide what to say. “My great-grandmother built a structure on royal grounds imbued with Magic. She claimed it would allow the Hero to return whence he came.”

“So there is a way back?”

“Possibly, the Magic appears to be dormant, and we don’t have even a basic understanding of it.”

“I see. Then on to the next question. Is ‘darkness’ equivalent to evil?”

Again the questioned surprised Freyja as it was something she had never considered. “While I would define all evil as darkness, I can not do the reverse. Darkness can also refer to the night or absence of light. I don’t think one can call that evil.”

“Interesting, similar to what I suspected. The word evil is never used, meaning it’s subjective evil perhaps? Is there anything you currently attribute to this ‘darkness’?”

“About 100 years ago, a strange group of creatures appeared. These creatures seemed to be humanoid animals. According to the few scout troops that have encountered them, the extent of their animalistic traits varies. A current term for them is Demihumans. They are suspected to be the ‘beast’ described in the prophecy.”

“I assume that they have taken military action since scout troops were involved.”

“That is correct. Go get us a map.” She tells one of her attendants on standby who bids a hasty retreat. 

“I will go over the nations in more detail when the map arrives, is there anything else you would like to know in the meantime?”

“Why is it called The Hero’s prophecy?”

Freyja was taken aback again. This time, it was because she didn’t know why Martel had asked the question in the first place. 

[I don’t think the answer is as obvious as you think.] Martel couldn’t internally mutter.

“Isn’t a person who combats darkness and saves the world a definition of a hero?” Freyja replied.

“Possibly, though only in victory. The prophecy even states victory is uncertain, and only defeat is inevitable without him. The last part essentially says ‘let him do what he wants, and the middle justifies him to do things that would be considered morally wrong. Unless one has an extremely negative perception of what a hero is, I wouldn’t have called this the ‘Hero’s Prophecy.’”

Freyja narrowed her eyes while looking at Martel. “Then what would you call it?”

“The prophecy of the Tyrant.”

“... Then let me ask you this, are you a Hero or a Tyrant?”

Martel’s face turned neutral before he made a soft smile with a hint of sadness. “At the very least, I’m no hero.”

“I’ve brought the map, Milady.” The female attendant said intentionally to break up the tension. 

“Ah, yes, let’s get to this,” Freyja replied. 

The map itself was relatively basic. It showed a Pangaea continent with many borders. Mountains covered the center of the map, making it look like an upside-down J. To the right of these mountains were two relatively massive kingdoms. These two kingdoms were separated by a large river flowing horizontally, which seemed to be fed by the mountains. This same river also branched south finishing the mountain blockade of the lower right and lower left kingdoms. Above the lower-left kingdom was another kingdom separated by another river fed from the mountains. Most notably, this kingdom had a large area that appeared to be a desert. Above this kingdom on the other side of the mountains was another smaller kingdom. The left of the lower-left two kingdoms was relatively blank, interpreted as unknown. The borders all had tree-like structures indicating that it was an unexplored forest. However, there was one area marked ‘Demihuman Base.’

“This is a map of the only known landmass in Albion, our continent, Wallonia.” The princess says as Martel looked over the map “This is our kingdom, the Kingdom of-”

“Wait wait, let me guess. Camelot.”

Freyja blinked twice in surprise. “That’s correct, the same as the old myth again?”

“Not entirely, but please continue.”

“Above our kingdom is the kingdom of Roxburghshire. Above that, is the Merchant Republic. To the right is the kingdom of Celliwig. Bellow that is the kingdom of Carlisle, the kingdom on our easter border. Is there anything specific you want to know?”

“Go over each nation and their political standings with Camelot as well as any other pertinent information.”

“Very well, let’s start with Roxburghshire. It has marital ties with our kingdom. My maternal aunt is married to the ruling king. She and my mother were inseparable growing up, so we have extremely stable relations with them. They are the ones spearheading the war against the Demihumans as they are the closest military support. Originally it was two different kingdoms, but, due to the war, they decided to unite.”

“Was the northern kingdom in this desert area?”

“Yes, it made up about three-quarters of the old northern kingdom.”

“What is the Casus Belli?”

“The public statement is the subjugation of darkness.”

“And the private statement?”

“... The war had been unofficially going on for the last forty years or so. But then the current king’s younger brother, Tom a Lincoln, was killed in action around 18 years ago which sparked an official declaration of war. I suspect that the lack of troops until the kingdoms merged kept the battles as occasional skirmishes. On top of this, the forest seems to be protected by what we call spirits. They appear to be capable of Magic and prevent most entry. They use tricks that make those who enter lose their way. The next thing they know, they are back outside the forest.”

“So the spirits aren’t harmful?”

“Only if you try to burn the forest.”

“As I assume you are allied, what has Camelot contributed to the war effort?”

“Because of high tensions with the kingdom of Carlisle and the distance, we are reluctant to send troops. Some of our people find work as mercenaries. Manpower isn’t needed. Our kingdom is known for its agriculture. Due to the climate and fertile soil, we end up with an extreme surplus. We sell it to Roxburghshire at a minimal profit to help with the war effort.”

“Anything else?”

“Roxburghshire is well known for its production; specifically, metalsmithing and arms making.”

“Next.”

“Above Roxburghshire is the Merchant Republic ruled by the Round Table It consists of ten representatives. The various companies are responsible for the governing of the country.”

“And all of these representatives are elected by the people?”

“No, five of the members are, or are appointed by, the five largest company leaders. The other five represent different companies and small business interests and are elected.”

“So it’s like a hybrid Oligarchy and Republic.”

“By the way, it’s called the ‘Merchant’s Republic, but not all of them are merchant companies. For example, the largest five companies are Naval transport, land transport, city guards, mercenaries, and a trading company.”

“I see, what are their relations with the other nations.”

“That can be a bit hard to say. Technically the companies are autonomous, so one’s benefit doesn’t necessarily carry over to the entire republic. However, even if a nation didn’t like them, I doubt they would hinder them in any way. Once they start trading with any country, it prospers.”

“That makes sense. Any good merchant would provide what’s needed so I can see how it can help a country’s deficit.”

“Are you understanding all of this?” Freyja asked after a short pause.

“Yes?”

“And you haven’t had any training under a noble?”

“Perhaps the level of general education in my world exceeds what you expect. Anyway, what’s next?”

Martel could clearly see the questions in her eyes, but she suppressed them and continued anyway. “To the right of the Merchant Republic is the kingdom of Celliwig. While we are not on good terms with them, we are also quite safe. Their location makes it impractical to attack. Going west would cause them to engage with our allies, the Kingdom of Roxburghshire, who are known for their powerful military. They have most of their military stationed north. On top of this, doing so would expose their south to the Kingdom of Carlisle. They are unlikely to do this as they are on even worse terms with them than us.”

“Is there anything they are known for?”

“No, they are such a large kingdom they have the extensive manpower and are quite self-sufficient, so nothing stands out.”

“And the final kingdom, Carlisle?”

“Same as Celliwig more or less. They aren’t known for much though they have the massive manpower. Our relationship is the same except that they share a border with us. If the mountains weren’t so treacherous, the river crossing, and the chokepoint between the mountains and the coast, they probably would have invaded by now... And, that’s about it.”

“I see… Then I’m going to ask some questions which I hope you don’t take the wrong way.”

“Go on.” Freyja prompts with a slightly confused look.

“Given the poor relations, isn’t political marriage the best route? Forgive me for my impertinence, aren’t you at a marriageable age?”

“Oh, is that all?” She says with a small laugh. “I have been at the marriageable age for a little while now. Noblewomen are considered marriageable at the age of sixteen, though some situations may call for marriage even earlier. As to why I am not married, there are a few reasons. Firstly, I’m next in line for the throne. This gives me some say as to whom I think is appropriate as they will hold some political power. Secondly, the only persons of power in other countries who would warrant a marital alliance have too much of said power. They wouldn’t be willing to even live in our kingdom as they would most likely have to give up their territory, which would null the purpose of the marriage. Thirdly, anyone outside of the kingdom would try to follow their agenda.”

“I see, then what about your little sister?” Martel continued to ask. After he did so, he couldn’t help but overhear the bushes rustle behind him as Freyja’s eye momentarily fixed on something behind him.

“I won’t lie that the situation is a bit grim with the current balance of power. If we announce marriage with Celliwig, Carlisle will attack us before it could become official and we have no faith in Cellwig to help us. If it were with Carlisle, Cellwig would attack them. Knowing this, Carlisle would insist in a defensive pact before the announcement that would give them justification for us to help with the war effort. The problem is we don’t trust them enough to put our troops in their territory, saying nothing for the costs mobilizing the military would incur.”

“So Camelot has elected to keep the status quo?”

“Exactly… Is there anything else?”

“I’m sure there will be at some point, but this has been enough for now. I want to talk to that old lady that I met. I have some questions for her.”

“Ah, that’s fine. We were going there anyway to check your Magical affinity and your Ki type.”

“Ah then it’s all good, we can head to her now, but first. This conversation technically wasn’t private, but…” Martel turned his head over his shoulder and continued in a louder, sterner voice. “THAT DOESN’T MEAN I’M OKAY WITH EAVESDROPPING.”

“My my,” Freyja says while covering her mouth to hide her smile. “you seem to have been discovered, Morgan.”

*tich* The little princess came out of her hiding place and clicked her tongue before she walked over to them. Her displeasure with Martel was apparent on her face. Having seen this, Martel couldn’t help but try and lighten up the mood. “If you wanted to listen, you were more than welcome to join us.”

“Humph, someone like you doesn’t deserve to be graced with my presence.”

“Says the girl with twigs in her hair. *Thump* Ow.” Martel says as Morgan promptly kicks him in the shin.

“Shut up, you sleazy pervert,” she says as she kicks his shin again.

Martel lowers his face to her, partly to go to eye level and partly because of the pain. With a slightly twitching eyebrow, he made a forced smile. “There’s one problem with that statement. If you assume I’m attracted to you then I wouldn’t be a pervert, I’d be a pedophile you little brat.”

Silence ensues as Morgan looks down with reddening cheeks of anger. “...Sixteen.” She says softly.

“Huh?”

“I’m sixteen you pervert!!!” She loudly proclaims as her fist slams into Martel’s face.

“Morgan!!!” Freyja stepped in and pulled her away from Martel. She then bows while forcing Morgan to do the same. “I apologize for my sister’s behavior.”

Martel doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, which caused Freyja to look up at him. In her eyes, he could see fear. Whether it was fear of him or fear of turning him into an enemy, he couldn’t say. 

“Morgan, apologize to him.”

“Why do I have to apologize to a pervert like him?”

“Morgan.” I can see her squeezing down on Morgan’s shoulder.

“ow ow ow, I’m so-”

“It’s fine.”

““Huh?”” they both look at Martel with a bit of a shock.

“We both said some rude things, so let’s just call it even and drop it.”

“Huh? Who do yo-'mugh’.” Morgan began before Freyja covered her mouth.

“Are you sure it’s alright?”

“Naturally.” [I just don’t want you to look at me like that again.]

“Very well, let’s go to Grandma.”