"Charlotte, do you mind buying a few things for mother?"
In a fine day, I was called by mother who wore an apron over her dress. Her flaxen hair tied in a ponytail and there was stains of flour on her hands and the hems of her apron. Hm... is it afternoon already?
I closed the book I was reading in the dining room and I nodded down at her. The book with the title 'Travelogue of an Exiled Mage' was placed on the table and I hopped off the chair.
"Alright, mother! What should I buy?" I asked while approaching mother who took out a few silver coins.
It doesn't seem like she intends to cook normal food. Commodities such as food ingredients wouldn't go beyond seventy five copper coins for the amount of people living in this Manor.
"Please buy three Girien fishes, four Vidoc leaves, a pound of Harito salt and some Cilin roots."
"...aren't those ingredients used only for special occasions? And three Girien fishes are a bit..."
"Well, the men in this Manor are like wolves after all."
Haa... I guess so. Fei and father often waged a small competition every time dinner arrived. Like clashing their forks, stealing a food portion from each other when one wasn't looking or eating faster than the other. Their eyes looked bloodshot sometimes and it creeped me out. Also, mother, why are you blushing?
Anyway, I nodded deeply and mother smiled as she gave me some silver coins. Well, most of them would be to buy Girien fishes and sadly, there won't be enough changes for me to buy a slice of Anfle... no, wait! If I can get a bargain then it won't be simple delusion to eat those heavenly fluffy pastry!!
"Alright! I will definitely return and buy some An—the ingredients, mother!!"
Damn, I nearly lost control over the heavenly fluffy, sweet yet balanced pastry!! Mother was staring at me with a suspicious gaze and I laughed like a broken cassette. Ugh... I forgot sweets aren't good for my diet but I just can't help it......
"...well now. I hope so, sweetie." Mother muttered with lowered brows.
...ah... aha ha ha... In any case, I left the Manor, bringing a medium-sized basket with me and jogged to the village. Despite the many misleading paths and small bridges for me to cross for, I hardly met any trouble. The area around here was under the control of the village guards so it's safe from monster threats.
Besides, I was strong enough to run but decided not to since I haven't bought anything. Including the biggest fish rarely found in Bluesnake. I hope there's still some of the freshest left...
"Hm? Isn't that..." I paused the moment I arrived in front of the village's gate.
There was a black haired boy who's talking with the guards and behind him was... A dark grey leopard with the size of a sedan lying dead. What the hell...?
"That's a good haul again, kiddo. Looks like I can look forward for a feast tonight~"
"Seriously... Although I heard from the Elder you're a prodigy born once every ten thousand years, I still couldn't believe you defeated a Dark Hunter alone..."
The guards praised the boy in black clothing but he simply shook his head. With a dry voice, he said.
"It's nothing much. This one was sunbathing and snoring so I took my chance."
...are you kidding me? Even if you tried to be humble, larger monsters meant they were extremely long lived, experienced in combat, and also more intelligent than human. There's no way he could pull a fluke without any scratch...!
My cheeks heated up and a boiling irritation appeared inside me. I approached the three and when I stood behind the boy, one of the two guards let out a sound.
"If it's not her highness the Princess. What can this humble servant do for you today?" He said with a salute.
"Good day, your highness." The other guard put his right fist on his left chest and bowed his head at forty-five degrees.
What's with these two!? Why are they calling me as if I'm a royalty and they're in a sync again! So annoying...!!
"...oh, it's the Princess..." Fei muttered after turning around but I knew there's mockery in his tone. "Shut up. I don't remember being a princess to you all."
I snarled but the guards curved their lips upward. Even Fei was smiling like a clown.
" " "But you are a Princess." " "
Noooooooooooooooooo! They combined their attack as one!! Is this what they call an arrow can be easily broken but three of them aren't!? I hugged my head as an intense wave of headache attacked me.
"Please stop it... just stop with that humiliating title......"
"Our deepest apology... it became a habit."
"Well, this one has been calling your highness as a Princess..."
"But it suits her, no? Her sickly image resembled one."
Fei glanced at the guards with upturned gaze. At the same time, they nodded and they even showed a bright local grin. Kiiiiiiiii! I had enough!! THIS IS MADNESS!!
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In the end, I dragged Fei for shopping and had him carrying the basket and groceries. Hmph. Just because there's Girien fish as dinner, his eyes lit up and he showed a childish expression. Is it because men are too easily lured by food?
As a former male, I felt sad looking at him even from afar. But as a sweet scent tickled my nose, I looked up and...
"Oh, a promotion sale...? Wait, why is Mr. Pan opening a sale?" I tilted my head.
"Huh–hey?! Where are you going!?" Fei shouted.
Mua ha ha haaaaaaa! Serve you right! Even if you boasted your combat potential, you're no multi-tasks dealer! Skipping lightly, I arrived in front of the pastry shop and–my jaw dropped down.
"Ooooooohhh!? Buy two for triple toppings at 17 copper coins!?" I nearly yelled.
Amazing! How cheap!! I can't believe the price is just right for me to buy this combo menu!! Usually, a slice of Anfle is priced at 30 copper coins and it has only one kind of topping so this is more than I could bargain for!!
"Oh my? Lil' Charlotte~" A voice called out to me. "Right over here! Here~"
Hmm...? I looked to the left and there was her. A pointy eared tall woman who's dragging a man in light armors as if pulling a sack of grain...
"Eh!? F-father!? What–what happened!?"
He looked very dehydrated with pale blue face, tight cheeks and his skin was as if sticking on his bones! Now he looked like a mummy!!
"Oh... ooh...? My daughter... this... this isn't..."
Hiiiii! He fell limp! He died! Father is dead!?
"You want to know? Hmm~?"
Uwah! So annoying...! Why is this High Elf licking her lips with shiny cheeks as if she just dipped into a spring that can reduce aging? I have a really bad feeling about this...
"Well, anyway~ Lil' Charlotte, are you alone? Or..." Melinda paused.
"Fei is here too. I dragged him to shop with me." I answered bluntly.
The High Elf clapped her hands with an expression which said 'Ah, is that how it is?' without minding the fallen father. I felt bad about the man who's my parent but that's what he'd get by relating himself with this kind of person. My deepest sympathy...
"Hm hm~ So that's it. You can have him accompany you for the errand and you can also spend time with him here once you're done. Lil' Charlotte's surprisingly a grand strategist, eh?"
"No, he just happened to be in my sight... What are you implying, Melinda?"
"Ufu fu fu...! It's nothing, you precocious girl~"
Ah, here it comes... the famous patting of Melinda. Her soft hand touched my head and it rubbed me with an appropriate pressure and softness to make it comfortable. Though I was already 7 years old this year, I couldn't get used to her patting and...
Uhm. My heart skipped a beat only when she did it for the first time. Geez, why is this body so unresponsive to stimulation from women–oh, right. I'm a girl so it's impossible to get excited by someone of the same sex.
...Haa...... I felt tired all of a sudden. As I heard a heavy footstep from my right side, I saw Fei with his brows knitted together. Heh, he's upset at last. It's fun to do prank on a lump of arrogance like him.
"Oy. Stop wasting time–ah." He made a sound, then he twisted his lips once he saw Melinda who's waving her hand at him.
"Yahoo~ How do you do, Lil' Fei?"
"...shut up. You're annoying. Get lost now."
"Oh my, I seem to be hated. Am I intruding your precious date, lad?"
Fei dropped the basket containing groceries and he poised a stance. I chopped his head with my hand immediately after.
"What was that for, Princess?" He asked with a scowl.
"Don't draw your sword here. This place is a village. Not a battlefield, you dummy." I answered. “Also, no dropping the grocery!”
The black haired Adventurer went silent, then he inhaled a bit and he exhaled a deep sigh as he lowered his hand from the hilt of the sword.
Haiz... Talk about troubles. These two were in a different level when it came to antagonizing each other. I mean... Melinda often schemed something with her smooth talk and Fei despised her for doing that.
Looks like Fei hated conman the most. I couldn't understand why but he hated honeyed words to the point of drawing out his black sword. How violent but his glare was sharp and icy it somehow looked cool–
"No, wait! What am I thinking!?" I slapped my cheeks with both hands, surprising everyone.
Ugh... Why did I think of this rotten guy as cool? I'm a man! Not a woman with maiden heart! There's no way I will allow myself to be seduced by men!! I'm no homo!!!
"Anyway, I intend to buy Anfles. Do you want some, Fei?" I glanced to him.
"Sweets aren't my thing." He answered without batting an eyelid.
Eeehh... Why? Does this guy hate sweets?
"Wait a moment, Lil' Charlotte~ Look here." Melinda pointed at a sentence below the advertisement.
"Hmm....? Lovers only...?" I read the sentence out loud.
"Well, it might be a sale only for couples." Melinda theorized.
......huh? So that means...
"You have to find a boyfriend before you can order this menu, Lil' Charlotte."
"No waaaaayyyy!?"
"Ha! Serve you right, Princess!!"
"...what... boy...friend...? I... I cannot... allow... Gufu."
I fell to my knees with my hands on the ground. Impossible! How could this happen!? Why!? Oh gods, whhhyyyyyyyyy?!! Even though I have never tasted an Anfle with three different toppings, why can't I buy it when there's a golden opportunityyyyyyy!?
Fei grinned widely at my despair and Melinda didn't even try to console me!! I think I heard father saying nonsense but anyway!! This is plain impossible!! Why do I have to be forsaken by luck at this kind of timing!!?
"I'm in despair......!" I cursed with sorrowful wail like a certain teacher who often thought up suicide.
Then–Melinda made a short gasp.
"...Why don't you pretend as lovers with the lad?"
...
.......time had stopped only for an instance.
*GRAB!* I clawed Fei's shoulders right in the next moment. I didn't even use a fraction of my mana reserve but I zoomed in to him as if teleporting.
"Let's go, Fei!! We're going to buy those Anfles!!" I commanded.
"Why?!" He shouted as he tried to pull away from me but it's no use!!
I have exerted all my power to stop him and there's no route to escape as long as his legs tangled with mine! The boy went wide eyed at my anticipation for his escape and he looked back and forth from me to the store then to Melinda. For over three times.
His lips trembled. His head lowered. Then...
"CU-CURSE YOU, DAMN EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLFFFF!!!!"
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I hopped from one spot to another like a butterfly gliding from a flower to another flower. My smile was wide and my heart fluttered lightly like my legs. Shortly behind me was Fei who's face was pale blue and he dragged his feet like a snail. Not that snail has any foot.
"...damn. Damn it..."
"Knock it off, Fei. That was inevitable."
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"Shut up, Princess. This is all your fault–umph."
"Don't vomit in the middle of the road. We're going to be late, you know?"
Shut up... The boy muttered as he swayed to left and right. I had no idea he was allergic to sweets until I saw him vomiting in the village after taking a bite of Anfle.
What a waste. How unfortunate for a prodigy who could win against Dark Hunter without a scratch being unable to eat the tastiest sweet in Magnis. Oh well. I heard Mr. Pan is going to open a branch store in some other towns so I could look forward to buy Anfle when adventuring...!
Still, it would be dangerous for Fei to stay this way. Hm... ah, that's right! The river is nearby so I pulled the worn out boy who had become so easy to drag around.
Once we arrived on the riverside, I had Fei drank the river water and we settled down the groceries and basket nearby. I wouldn't want them devoured by wild beasts after all.
"So you do have a weakness." I muttered as I sat next to him.
My knees were at the same level as my chest and I hugged my legs with a smile plastered on my face.
"Shut it. You're a horrible princess, you know?" Fei said as he gulped down a handful of water.
Hmph. All you can do is complaining at the same thing. I don't know if I'm really that horrible but I had a lot of fun today. Let’s ignore that remark and…
"......Thank you, Fei."
The boy lifted his eyebrows, staring at me in a breakneck speed. His eyes looked as round as saucers and he spoke without a shred of shame or hesitation.
"That's creepy. Did you hit your head somewhere?"
"Oh, pipe down! Can't I at least show my gratitude for once!?"
"I didn't do anything worth of your thanks, Princess."
Ha! I was certain he didn't believe he did something for me. I really have to drill some screws into his head.
"You saved my life, Fei."
"If it's that, we're already even–“
"Even so, I want to thank you."
"..........For what?"
Now... then... I wonder. If it's my illness, even Melinda raised her hands up so his presence had nothing to do with it. I have no other option but to live with it even though I will suffer a lot thanks to this illness so...
I wonder why? I think I have never seen Fei's good side. He's blunt, a jerk and he had no delicacies. Not to mention he's a closet pervert for seeing me in negligee and he... well, he beat me up too often.
To sum it up, he's a powerful adversary who did all I couldn't do.
I gazed up at the blue sky above me. Cloudless, and vast unlike Earth. There's no tall skyscrapers, no man-made infrastructures, and there's nothing to support my daily life in Magnis.
It's bothersome to reel up the bucket thrown into the well. It's tiring to walk around without any vehicle like car or bicycle, and there's no electricity or kotatsu. What's more, the toilet is in the form of a chamber pot. Very classic but it's really humiliating, also outdated.
There were so many inconveniences for me who had been living with luxury granted by modern technology. At some point, I believed I could just invent something to ease my life but... I don't want to change this world for my selfishness. One’s freedom is restricted by another’s, after all.
The people here were lively and vibrant with vigor to live. They interacted, fought and drenched in sweats as well mud for their families. Even though living for another day wasn't guaranteed yet they could still smile in full spirits.
I don't know why, but I feel this is the thing that can be called properly as 'living.' For me, everyone here looked dazzling it blinded me. So much I'm afraid of harming them. So bright I didn't think I have the right to be with them.
And–Fei was the first one who showed my fear as the wrong thing.
Despite denying help, he didn't push me away from granting my own selfishness. Despite telling me to give up in catching up to him, he never tried to deny my challenges or interfering me. Yeah... he never treated me as strange even though I was a reincarnated person.
One of my problems living in this fantasy world is simply that. How many people would expect their child have lived a past life? How will they treat them if that were the case? What will other thinks when one is given the chance to live two lives? And will they even fit in their circle?
I admit I was worried. I don’t want to cause any trouble with my family and people that treated me with kindness. But showing the other side of my life… as in, opening up fully to someone who’s in that group is hard. It’s very hard that I’m scared they would find out my lies.
But Fei? Fei is… different. He does as he please around everyone. He lives as he want, doing what he likes to do and saying ‘no’ if he doesn’t like it. Although his tongue is vicious, he didn’t care about how he was viewed as by his surroundings. And this kind of person didn’t even stay away from me whenever I’m acting unlike a child, or like a girl at all.
I was recognized by him.
That's why... Hugging my legs even tighter, I placed my cheek on my knees and gazed at Fei.
"I'm grateful you're here. Thank you, Fei."
"........."
My cheeks heated up and my heart started to beat a node faster. Huh... What's this feeling...? Somehow, I felt as if there were butterflies fluttering in my belly...
"......Why. Why are you thanking me?"
"Huh–"
The black haired boy stood up. I couldn't see his expression and he took off while taking all of the groceries with him.
"Ah, hey! Wait for me!!"
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[b]-???'s POV-]/b]
At that time, I was still a novice. I have yet to see how small my existence was in this vast wasteland which bred savages. I have yet to see my equal, and I have yet to discover anyone who could put me down below their feet.
"Well, well.... if it'sssss not the lizzzaaaarrdd." A wretched voice accompanied by a hiss echoed in the darkness.
I gazed over the blood red pillars around me. Without moving my body, I could feel the menace which chuckled at my strength as if sneering. The thought alone made my blood to boil and I spoke out.
"Come out or I will obliterate you and adorn your scales for my armor, Vladimir."
My voice amplified with mana reverberated throughout the dark hall full of red pillars. It was an instinctual ability I learned for the first time the moment I hatched out from my egg. A skill limited to me and my kin who's the highest immortals in this small, broken realm.
"Why ssssssshhould I... have to pressssent myssseeelff to you?"
"Are you saying you dare to not show yourself in our king's audience?"
"The king... hasssss not preeessseeeented himssssseeellf, fool. I have no need to be sssseeeen by lowly creaturreeessss who dared to challenge hiiissss marvelousssss might."
Had this place not the sanctum of his majesty, I would have unleashed my wrath infused roar to destroy him. Alas, the Astral Serpent laughed for he knew that my current strength--no. Nobody other than his majesty could touch him.
It could even be said that Vladimir was the strongest after his majesty. At least for now, that is.
"Even so–I will not tolerate you to display not an ounce of honor as the Third Demon General, Vladimir Blooddusk. Show yourself!!"
"Aaah... Sssooo, you wisssshhh to die, George Chromedawn...!"
[i]"Silence, you bunches of lowlife...!!"]/i]
Chill ran down my spine. It didn't even take a moment for me to kneel down as a large black mist gathered at the center of the sanctum. The mist became dense, and a figure darker than night glowed with freezing blue light.
He emerged right in front of my eyes. Like an illusion. Like a silhouette at the end of a horizon unreachable even if I devoted all of my eternity to become as strong as him. Yes, it was a majestic presence detached from all and it possessed the true right to dominate over everything, even the Evil God said to slaughter the majority of the Arcane Gods in a distant past.
Cloaked with silver black mantle. His arms adorned with gauntlets resembling the claws of a creature sharper than dragon's. His torso wrapped with armor crafted from a Black Dragon fought one-on-one for hundreds of nights and days. His magical robe capable of dispelling even the mightiest spell of the strongest elf emperor, and his presence exuded 'Absolute Annihilation' no matter what one would do when confronted by him.
Even so, his true power lied not in the accessories worn over his body. His might which was the profound symbol of the strongest stemmed not from the foes who had fallen by his hands. Not even the exceptional 'Gifts' wrapping his entire flesh could even be called as his pride.
It was his own strength, his undying determination, and his resolve which surpassed any predecessors of ours who were said to have crossed stars and shattered other worlds.
"Milord...!" Emerging from thin air, a Serpent yelled as he coiled his ruby red body which possessed no limbs yet having fatherless wings.
The serpent lowered his head in front of the majestic figure and he said.
"We have been waiting for your presence, Milord...! What is your order?"
His tone was joyous. His eyes trembling in delight and fear. He who honored his majesty the most shivered as a cold voice lacking any intention said.
"I heard it from Ivory. Why have you failed to recapture the Halfling, Vladimir?"
Halfling...? I glanced to the Third Demon General and he made a yelp full of panic.
"My... my deepeeeessssst apology! Even my death will never be enough to atone for my missssstake but… there were traitorssssss. Thus, I prioritized them firssssst......."
The king did not question any further. I knew for I have served him way before he had risen in power. It would've been easier for Vladimir to choose suicide...
"No matter. I have already sent Ivory to hunt him down. Such disgrace of our lineages is not needed for the new era."
...what...? Ivory was chosen? How... how could this be!
"Y-your majesty! Is-is it alright for you to send out that–“
My words stopped right at that moment. He who stood above all demons gave a gaze which petrified me solid in dread, and he muttered.
"Your words are not what I want to hear, George. Know your place."
...such... such might..! Even though his words contained no shred of arrogance yet it was certain I would have my head lopped off once I spoke any more. No matter how strong my regenerative power and scales were, this being could easily kill me if he intended to...!
"It is about time for the era to change. We have had more than enough time to wait for those lowly creatures to run rampant and build their own small castles."
"Then... then... is it war...?"
There was no confirmation, but a gulping sound could be heard. That was the trigger and my blood started to boil. Not out of anger, but excitement. Of joy and thrill. Of maddening lust for bloodshed.
Even Vladimir knew as his serpentine pupils narrowed. The two of us knew what would happen and we were delighted for the Promised Time has arrived.
"What I desire is an army. Use all of the slaves we have. Force them to birth soldiers capable of overthrowing our enemies, but know that I tolerate no failure such as rebels. Make them submit and if they died, I allow you to capture more, Vladimir."
"Aaaassssss you command, my king...!!"
The Astral Serpent instantly vanished as if he was not there. Awaiting my order, I was still lowering my head and—
"George, go forth and conquer the Neutral Sovereignty by yourself. Show me the new power you have acquired."
I immediately raised my head. What was in front of me was his back. The back of the Great Demon King whom I have sworn my loyalty for eternity. Being tasked with the duty to ignite the war... What pleasure!!
With delight, I lowered my head and I shouted out.
"YOUR WILL IS MY COMMAND, YOUR MAJESTY ASCHLAZUL ASHENSKY!!"