"So, Master Reida, what's the task this time?" I asked, following Master Reida through the main house.
"A guarding mission. But I didn't give you this one," she said, looking over her shoulder at me. "Instead, you were specifically requested."
"I was?" I questioned.
Wait… why?
Did anyone even know of me?
Wait… was it Anna from the festival?
"Yep… I think I'll need an explanation when you get back," she said as she opened the door to the meeting room.
Huh? What did she mean by-?
My thoughts came to an abrupt halt as I saw the person inside the room.
Or, rather… the three people… the three very familiar people…
"Ah, you've arrived," a bell-like voice said as its owner looked towards me. "It seems that we meet again, Vincent."
Blonde hair, blue eyes, cute face… I knew exactly who this was.
I mean, how could I not, when I had seen her just yesterday?
The girl stood up from the couch, pinching the hem of her dress as she performed a light curtsy.
"Because you already knew my name, it slipped my mind to introduce myself upon our first meeting yesterday, but let me correct that," she continued, smiling. "I am Ariel Anemoi Asura, the second princess of the Kingdom of Asura. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
It took a moment to get over my shock at the situation.
"T-The pleasure is all mine," I said, attempting my best noble bow.
Ariel simply smiled at me, as if she saw something cute.
So I guess I didn't do it properly… but more importantly, what was with this situation?
"Ah, and while you saw them yesterday, let me formally introduce you to my retinue," she said, turning to the young man at her left. "This is Derrick Redbat, my Guardian Mage. He's an Advanced-rank magician and obtained excellent grades in the Asura Magic Academy."
Derrick pushed up his glasses before nodding towards me, meeting my eyes with an inquisitive gaze as I studied him.
He had shoulder-length brown hair, and from what I could assume, he was around twenty.
I remembered this guy from the story, though I didn't have a lot of information.
All I knew was that he died from a monster during the teleportation incident, the same monster that Sylphy saved Ariel from, and his influence was what caused Ariel to take her position seriously.
While his strength wasn't anything of note, he must have been quite capable if he could change the mind of Ariel like that.
"And this is my Guardian Knight, Luke Notos Greyrat," Ariel said, turning to the boy, who seemed to be about my age, standing to her right. "He has been assigned to me since we were young, and he is an Intermediate-rank swordsman of the Sword God Style."
Hmm… Intermediate rank wasn't bad, especially for his age, but it didn't mark a genius either.
It was the rank of the weakest knight, or that of an average adventurer.
I was surprised that the position of the second princess' Guardian Knight was taken by someone so young and so… mediocre.
But then again, it was probably a political play rather than a practical one.
Anyway, Luke Notos Greyrat.
Of course, I remembered him… and he was just as I had expected.
He had perfect posture, was slightly taller than me, and overall, he held himself in a composed manner.
Though, from the slight frown he was wearing, he didn't seem too pleased with me… not that I knew why.
He had brown hair that was combed back, a sharp, handsome face, and seemed to be quite fit, which was expected of a young swordsman.
"I see… thank you for the introductions. I am Vincent, student of the Water God," I said, bowing with my introduction. "But… what do you need from me today?"
"Ah, yes… the main matter of today," she said, folding her hands in front of her. "I wish to see around the city today, but unfortunately, my position requires more protection than I currently have at hand. Thus, Vincent, I have requested your services for the day."
…What?
"Sorry… I'm afraid I don't quite understand," I replied in confusion.
Her smile widened, her eyes narrowing in amusement.
"To put it simply, I wish for you to escort me around the outer city walls," she said, extending her hand towards me. "It is rare that I have the time and ability to do this, so I hope you will accept."
As if I really had a choice… well, either way, the answer was obvious.
"Then… you may leave your protection to me, Your Highness," I said, performing another imperfect noble bow.
"Please, call me Princess Ariel," she replied happily.
And thus, my schedule for the day was apparently set.
—
When I woke up this morning, the last thing I expected was to be riding Helios with the second princess of Asura… but here I was.
"I haven't ridden on horseback many times, as I am usually transported by carriage, but I must say… this is quite pleasant," Ariel said, leaning back slightly against my chest as we continued trotting around the outskirts of the city. "I wonder… is it because of this fine steed, or your quality as a rider?"
"I would like to think it is both, Princess Ariel," I said.
To be honest, I was a bit uncomfortable with this situation.
After all, my plan was to lie low for most of my life, simply gaining strength and living a calm life, with my encounters with authority being limited to those that would help me get stronger.
So how was I currently guarding the beautiful princess for her leisure? Not to mention doing so while riding together.
As for how we got to this situation… well, it was quite simple.
Walking through the commoner district and outside the city was unthinkable, so we needed to use either a horse or a horse-drawn carriage so that we could easily flee any potential attackers.
But with a carriage, it was extremely susceptible to ambushes and attacks, as its manoeuvrability was poor, and my strength as a swordsman would be limited due to the confined space.
And so, horseback it was… although only Luke and I knew how to ride.
I expected Ariel to ride with her knight, while I would take Derrick, but alas… the roles were reversed.
Ariel suggested it, saying that I was only able to properly protect her if we were close to each other, which made sense… but I had a feeling that she didn't suggest it due to practicality.
And that feeling was only reinforced the more she talked to me.
"I will be honest, Vincent. I wish to learn more about you," she said.
"May I ask why?" I asked.
"What, is the interest of a beauty such as me not enough?" she asked teasingly. "Regardless, it is due to my interest. Due to my position, I do not have the opportunity to meet with many people my age. And from the meetings I have had, I have come to understand that conversation with children is usually… quite unengaging."
Right… she was extremely mature for her age.
Weirdly so.
But I knew that she was forced to be, as if she did not grow up fast, she would have been eaten up by the politics and games of the royal palace.
"But you… you are different," she said, looking over her shoulder at me. "So, Vincent… indulge me. The Water God mentioned that you only arrived at Ars less than a year ago… so where are you originally from?"
Well, if my backstory would satisfy her interest, I saw no reason to refuse.
"I'm from the Sword Sanctum… far to the north," I answered.
"That is quite the journey for a ten-year-old… were you kicked out?" she asked.
Kicked out… well, that was technically true, but I don't think that was what she was asking.
"No… I was sent here by the Sword God, Gal Farion, to be taught in the Water God Style," I explained. "In fact, Helios here was my parting gift."
Helios gave me an approving neigh as I patted his side.
"The Sword God… he personally sent you here?" she asked, surprised.
"Of course, I was his student," I explained. "I had shown promise in the Water God Style while I was there, so once I became a Sword Saint, I was sent here to make use of my talent."
I felt the girl in front of me straighten her back.
"Sword Saint?" Ariel said, her voice raising more than usual.
It seems that I had surprised her quite a bit.
She quickly got her shocked face under control, her eyes flicking back to me with a calculating gaze.
"A Sword Saint at the age of ten… that is remarkable talent, Vincent," she said. "Do you have any other particular skills to surprise me with?"
Well… just three.
"I am also Advanced rank in the North God Style, and Advanced rank in healing magic," I explained, lifting a hand from the reins and holding it in front of her, forming a small ball of water out of thin air. "And while I cannot perform any attack magic, I am able to generate it without a chant."
I knew it wasn't the smartest thing to show all of my abilities to her, as I wasn't sure if she was an ally yet… but I did so regardless.
Perhaps this was just a symptom of her charisma?
Or maybe I just wanted to show off in front of a pretty girl… either way, I did enjoy seeing her shocked face, completely shattering the facade of complete calm she usually wore.
But I also noticed it… how the gazes of Derrick and Luke, who were both riding close beside us, shifted to be even more serious.
Derrick was now wearing a calculating look, similar to the one Ariel had previously shown, while Luke had become much more visibly wary of me.
The latter didn't seem jealous or anything… it was simply the fear of being outclassed by an unknown person, not to mention one that was saddled right next to your liege.
"Healing magic, mature, and skilled in all three sword styles…" Ariel muttered, her face contemplating. "Vincent, would you… like to be my royal guard?"
Luke immediately spoke up.
"Your Highness-!"
"Luke, quiet," Derrick quickly silenced him.
Wait… royal guard… as in a knight?
Ariel's knight?
"Why… would you request that?" I asked. "You barely know me."
I know my abilities were impressive, but you needed trust alongside it.
And besides… why did she even want me?
Didn't she have no ambitions at this point?
"Hm… well, obviously, the biggest factor is your strength and potential. While I am confident in my political and conversational skills, I do need support for my protection," she said. "But that isn't all. I mentioned that I am skilled in politics and conversations, correct? That comes with the ability to easily read people."
Her gaze softened.
"And you, Vincent… I can tell that you're kind. Someone who I can trust to protect me, and not just because of the benefits of being my supporter," she said. "And while I was at the Water God dojo only briefly, I did ask some people about you, and there was nothing that caused me to change my decision."
Change her decision… she made it sound like she wanted me as her knight even before meeting me today.
Either way, while her reasoning may have sounded ridiculous to some… I could tell that she was telling the truth.
After all, with her upbringing, she would need to tell the true nature of people at first glance, or have to deal with the consequences.
The only time from the story that I remember her being wrong about someone was when Luke turned on her, but that was solely due to the Man God's interference rather than her being wrong.
Ah… and the Man God… yeah, no, let's not even think about that being for now.
But still… my answer was the same.
"I'm afraid I will have to decline," I said. "I still wish to progress in the sword, so I don't intend to stop my training."
"You would not need to stop training," she quickly said, looking off in the distance. "In fact, you could spend most of your time at the Water God dojo. I would simply ask that you join me for days like today, and perhaps for nights, to protect me from any possible attacks."
Her gaze returned to mine, and what I saw made me pause.
Her confident, charismatic smile was still there, yes… but there was something more.
Vulnerability… pleading… and while I knew she could easily pretend to show those emotions on her face with subtle gestures, I don't think that was the case here.
Sure, I was not as skilled as she was, but as part of my Water God training, Master Reida had taught me many things about reading people's body and expressions, both in combat and outside of it.
And Ariel, right now… she seemed completely honest about her fear.
Honestly, why did she think I was so important?
Why was she… shit, this was a problem.
I was ready to easily say no when she first brought it up, but now… now I was ready to accept.
Almost.
She really was a terrifying person… not in the sense of strength like Master Reida or Gal, and not in the overreaching, godly sense like Orsted and the Man God… no, it was the subtle manipulation that made her so powerful.
I don't even know if she meant to do it this time.
As expected of the future Queen of Asura, I suppose.
But still… I couldn't.
I wanted to see more of the world, walk my own path… and I wanted to do that while saving Lilia and Aisha.
"I'm sorry… but my answer remains the same. There are some things I wish to do in the future, that I do not wish to be tied down," I said, declining her offer.
Yeah… that was the case.
And even after finishing exploring the world and saving those two, I would not want to be entangled in the politics of the kingdom, and would rather live a simple life away from trouble.
At least… that's what I thought I would have answered…
"But…" I continued, causing Ariel's downturned eyes to perk up again. "In the future, if you still extend the offer… I might accept."
Yeah… this princess was simply too charismatic to refuse outright.
"I see… then I suppose I will have to remain patient, Vincent," she said, a sly smile appearing on her face.
It was then that Luke, who had been staring at us with a frown, decided to speak up.
"That is quite presumptuous of you, commoner," he said, eyes narrowing. "Do you think you can take such an attitude with Princess Ariel?"
Honestly, I was surprised he had been quiet up to this point.
"Yes… I'm allowed to since I am skilled," I answered calmly. "A simple issue of demand, I suppose."
He didn't seem to like my answer, as his glare sharpened even further.
"Are you saying that you will turn to her enemies-!"
"Luke, that's enough," Ariel said, silencing him. "Vincent has made his decision, and it would be improper to pressure him otherwise. Perhaps if I was like my brothers, my greed would make me do such a thing, but I simply wished for an extra layer of protection… and perhaps a conversation partner."
Right, I had almost forgotten that Ariel was not the ambitious girl I knew before.
Rather, she was just a girl hoping to live a lavish, safe life in the royal palace.
But unfortunately, I knew that fate would not be kind to her wish.
"But! Haa… no, my apologies, Princess Ariel. I may have lost my temper," Luke said, bowing his head.
With the atmosphere having become a bit tense, it was then that Ariel asked us to turn around and head back to the city.
It seemed that she didn't actually wish to tour the outskirts, and had simply used it as an excuse to talk with me and request me to join her… not that I minded, of course.
We soon arrived at the Water God dojo, with me having dropped Ariel off at the main house before bringing Helios to the stable, as Derrick joined me with the horse that he and Luke had ridden.
"I could have taken both of them back, you know," I said as I removed the saddle from Helios' back. "After all, you don't know how to care for horses, do you?"
"No, I do not… my apologies, I joined you here so that we could talk in private," he said, smiling.
As I expected… he had been looking at me quite intently since I revealed my actual strength to Ariel, and not in the cautious way that Luke had been.
But rather… it was like he was pondering something.
"Well, what is it?" I asked, crossing my arms as I leaned against the post.
He didn't seem angered by my lack of manners.
"I… wish to reiterate Princess Ariel's request, but from a… different perspective," he said, going so far as to bow his head.
I see why this guy was so influential for Ariel… despite being a noble, an accomplished academic, and the Guardian Mage of the second princess, he was still humble enough to bow his head to a commoner for a request.
It was honestly impressive.
"A different perspective? How so?" I asked.
He took a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Princess Ariel… politically, she is in a poor position, having already been beaten out by her two elder brothers," he explained. "With more time due to being older, they have gathered many more allies than us, with Princess Ariel's main ally being the Notos Greyrats by proxy of Sir Luke."
"I see… and what of it?" I asked.
"Princess Ariel… despite not even trying, she has already gathered supporters. So if she really tried… truly used her effort… she could easily become a force to unite this entire kingdom," he said, clenching his fist. "But not only does she lack the will, but also the safety… or perhaps, more likely, her lack of will comes from the knowledge that if she began pursuing ambitions for the throne, then her enemies would more actively attempt to remove her."
That still wasn't a request, but I could see he was building on it… I suppose this was the 'different perspective' that he wanted to show me.
One that expressed the benefits of supporting Ariel for the throne, rather than just being her guard.
I raised my hand to my chin, my silence allowing him to continue.
"The current state of Asura is unstable. It is stagnant, filled with greed and selfish ambition, and could easily be taken advantage of by the other nations if they knew the extent of the rot," he said, his face showing some anger. "I can already picture it. An invasion from the Strife Zone, desperate for a stable homeland… and while the borderlands are being pillaged and burned, the nobles are too busy arguing over gains, asking for favours while withholding their military, even colluding with the enemy to increase their influence… and before you know it, the enemy is inside these very walls, destroying this so-called most powerful nation in the world."
He looked almost fanatical with the amount of anger he had, his fists tightly clenched at his side as he ground his teeth.
It was obvious he cared a lot about this kingdom and its future. It was admirable.
To think this guy would die in a simple side chapter… I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
Regardless of my thoughts, he continued.
"But Princess Ariel… she could change it. No, she would. She just… needs support," he said, looking at me once again. "You would be strong enough to ensure her safety. At least more than me and Sir Luke. And I have heard about your intelligence from the Water God, so I am sure you could support her in those ways as well."
He then bowed his head lower.
"That's why… please. Join us. Support Princess Ariel," he asked.
No, begged would be more accurate.
Dammit… why did he have to do that, and make me think over the same offer once again?
This Derrick Redbat… he really was an influential bastard.
"Haa… I agree that Princess Ariel would be a good ruler… and I believe she can become one if she truly wished and had the proper support," I said.
I was sure of that. I had read about the future, after all.
Derrick's gaze snapped up, his eyes full of hope.
"So-!"
"But… I still have to refuse," I said, cutting him off. "It has nothing to do with Princess Ariel, nor the position itself. I simply have other priorities at the moment."
His expression instantly dropped.
"So… is it really impossible?" he asked, saddened.
"Unfortunately, for the immediate future, it is," I replied, heading out of the stable. "But, either way, I dislike the thought of forcing her into such a position, even if she would be good for it. So, in the future, if she asks me of her own volition… I would likely accept."
Derrick perked up at that.
"Her own volition?" he asked. "Why, might I ask?"
"Because, while this may be rude, I do not see Princess Ariel as a princess… or at least not only as one," I said, turning back to give him a smile. "Rather, I simply see a girl put into quite the difficult position."
His eyes widened, too stunned to speak as I left.
And with that, my odd encounter with the second princess came to an end… but I had a feeling this would not be the last time that we met.