Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Epilogue [Part 2]
Though the invitation was sudden, Ren assumed Radius had something important to discuss.
“That’s fine. Where should we talk?”
“How about the room the organizing committee used?”
“All right.”
Licia, who had been listening, happened to notice Fiona nearby.
Fiona noticed her as well and approached. When she saw Radius, she gave a small nod. After exchanging a silent look with Licia, she spoke.
“Licia-sama, would you care to have tea with me? I hear the cafeteria’s new cake is delicious.”
“Gladly. I’ve been curious about it too.”
The two girls moved away from Ren and Radius.
They were being considerate, intending to hear the details later. Before leaving, they looked back at Ren and smiled softly, silently mouthing, “See you later.”
Grateful for their thoughtfulness, Ren turned to Radius.
Together they headed for the room the organizing committee had used.
They arrived after only a few minutes and entered for the first time in several weeks. Nothing inside had changed. Documents from the committee’s work still remained on the table.
“Very few people know the truth of what happened at Roses Caitas.”
As Ren expected, Radius intended to discuss the recent incident.
The matter was too serious for its details to be shared widely.
That was especially true of Ren and Licia being drawn into the Cage of Time and their battle with the Sword Demon.
“At present, the official belief is that the Cage of Time disappeared because it completed its purpose. The sudden collapse of most of the mountain is being attributed to time beginning to move again.”
“Does that mean—”
“The Cage of Time had been suppressing the tremendous power of the Demon King’s army. That much is evident. The investigators already assume that something comparable to the Sword Demon was sealed within it. We therefore have no need to reveal that you and Licia fought and defeated the creature. Nor should the matter create any concern from the standpoint of national defense. We have already taken the necessary measures.”
The Emperor and Estelle, for example, had been informed of those general conclusions. What remained known to only a select few was the fact that Ren and Licia themselves had been caught inside.
“Leomel’s knights have also been mobilized for the investigation. Their conclusion will most likely be that the Cage of Time vanished after fulfilling the ancient purpose for which it was created. It will agree with the stories passed down through history.”
“So there is no tension between Leomel and the Elfen Church?”
“Fortunately, no. Personally, I could find any number of reasons to complain, but—”
“…Leaving it alone is probably better for us.”
“Yes. If pressing the matter might bring unwanted scrutiny upon the two of you, silence is the wiser course.”
The Cage of Time had simply finished its purpose and vanished. The mountain collapsed because time began moving again. If the affair ended with that explanation, it suited Ren and Licia.
Radius had his own objections, but those were separate from the more important issue. It was better to hold his tongue.
“That is one reason the last several days have been so difficult.”
“Because of the investigation?”
“No. Because I had to restrain Ulysses.”
Ulysses was furious that Ren and Licia had been endangered. Radius had apparently remained nearby because he was worried about what the marquis might do. Ulysses understood that silence was best, however, so he probably had not taken any drastic action.
“I investigated other matters as well. To be direct, there is no indication that the Elfen Church was hiding anything inside Roses Caitas—such as deliberately concealing the Sword Demon.”
“So it doesn’t appear that Licia and I were set up.”
“Correct.”
They had questioned the Elfen Church without explicitly revealing the Sword Demon’s existence.
Leomel had asked numerous questions, searching for inconsistencies and assessing whether the answers were truthful. If the church had knowingly concealed such a threat, it would risk open conflict with Leomel, so the possibility had always been low.
After making many inquiries, Radius had reached the conclusion he had just given.
“I also spoke with the knights assigned to guard the area around Roses Caitas. There was no sign that anyone used magic to mislead the visitors that day. In those circumstances, it would have been extremely difficult to cast a spell aimed at only the two of you.”
The likelihood that the Elfen Church had deliberately targeted them was almost nonexistent.
The reason Ren and Licia had been pulled into the Cage of Time had to lie elsewhere. The problem was that no one knew what that reason was.
“Ren, do you have any idea why you became involved?”
Since the incident, Ren had considered two possibilities.
There were at least a few clues from which to begin.
(I still don’t know for certain.)
The first possibility was that the Cage of Time, unable to purify the Sword Demon completely, had sought the power of the White Saint. Because Ren had once obtained power from Licia’s magic stone, he had been drawn into the disturbance with her.
The second was that Ren had been affected by Fiona’s power as the Black Shrine Maiden in the Baldor Mountains. That power was connected to the Demon King. If even a trace remained within him, the Cage of Time might have identified him as something that required purification.
Even if either explanation were correct, however, there was no proof that it could cause the seal to pull someone inside. The second theory also failed to explain why Licia had been caught with him.
There might be other answers, but for now, those were the two Ren considered most plausible.
(It’s possible both factors were involved.)
Perhaps when Ren and Licia first approached Roses Caitas, the Cage of Time sensed both of them and caused the strange visions they saw.
That explanation felt strangely convincing to Ren.
The Cage of Time was an exceptional seal. Something of that nature would not be impossible.
“Hmm… It appears you do have some suspicions.”
“A few.”
“Then tell me once you are ready. This is merely intuition, but I suspect you believe the matter concerns not only your own power, but the White Saint as well. If so, speak to the appropriate people first, and then explain it to me.”
Ren smiled ruefully and thanked Radius for his consideration.
The difficulty was that his theories involved Licia and Fiona’s unusual constitutions. He could not betray their trust by discussing them without first speaking to the girls and their fathers.
Radius did not want him to do that either. Hearing the explanation later, after Ren had handled matters properly, was enough.
When the time came, Ren also intended to tell Radius about Magic Sword Summoning.
“Is there anything you wish to ask of me, Ren?”
“From me?”
“Yes. As one of the people caught in the Cage of Time, tell me if there is anything you want investigated. I will assist you.”
“I’ve already relied on everyone so much… Hmm…”
The list of things that required investigation seemed endless.
Still, Ren could decide which mattered most.
“I want to learn more about Sacred Magic.”
“I see. How do you intend to proceed? Frankly, I have no desire to recommend the Imperial Capital’s Grand Temple to someone who was just swallowed by a seal.”
“I don’t particularly want to go there either.”
“Then… perhaps there is another place where reliable information can be found.”
Ren wanted to investigate Sacred Magic because he could not stop thinking about the wings that had appeared on Licia’s back.
They had troubled him ever since the battle, making the subject his highest priority.
He hoped to find some way to learn more, but another question interrupted his thoughts.
“Radius.”
Ren felt slightly guilty for cutting in.
“What is it?”
“Have you ever heard the term ‘Divine Child’?”
“Divine Child…? No, I don’t remember hearing it. Why do you ask?”
Ren did not know whether the Sword Demon’s words referred to the Ashton family or to Licia. Even so, he decided to explain them.
He had previously spoken with Radius about the Ashton family’s ancestors, which made the subject easier to raise.
“Before the Sword Demon died, it called either Licia or me a descendant of the Divine Child.”
“A descendant of the Divine Child… I know nothing of it either. Judging by the words themselves, however, it may be worth asking someone knowledgeable about Sacred Magic. The academy dean is one possibility, but consulting another expert could also prove useful.”
“Could you introduce me to someone discreet enough to keep what I say confidential…? Or is that asking too much?”
To Ren’s surprise, Radius answered almost immediately.
“It may be possible.”
Hope filled Ren’s expression as he waited for the prince to continue.
“You will have to leave the Imperial Capital to hear what they know, but I believe I can grant your request.”
“Really!? Where would I have to go?”
“You should understand if I say the White Crown.”
“The White Crown…? Don’t tell me—”
Ren’s mouth remained open in surprise as the famous metropolis came to mind.
“The City of Water—Eupheim!?”
It was the domain of the mighty Ulysses Ignat and the largest city in the empire after the Imperial Capital.
The black invitation Edgar had once left with the Clausels still rested in the desk in Ren’s room.