Part 1.
Chapter 1. Beginning (1)
As I watched the troops going in and out of the castle with weary eyes, I let out a large sigh.
“Am I really suited for this…?”
There is no one around me. There is a reason for this but in actuality, even if I brought someone along, they would just be teared off by the forces that will be entering the castle.
That is almost a certainty so there’s no one with me. Though I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
From the balcony, I turned my back from watching the troops leaving the castle. There is a seat at the middle of the room reserved for the highest ranking person. The owner of the seat who should have been sitting there already is nowhere to be seen.
I’ll allow you to have your final break, I thought as I took off the black coat covering my body and placed it on the chair’s armrest.
The coat is not mine. A friend who said, “Return it no matter what,” lent it to me.
I sat on the chair and was seized with drowsiness caused by fatigue. ‘How did it come to this?’ I thought while I tried to fight against it, and my consciousness went towards the past.
This is sudden but I, Kurei Yukito, is not a human from this world.
I am taking up History. I have no particular attachment to it, but I thought History seems interesting when I read a book about it so I picked History.
The adverse effect of it is that I have few friends. I considered reading more interesting than talking to other people.
My friends did not increase with the mentality I have, but I was satisfied with it. That is because I am basically content as long as I have books with me.
Even though I am like that, there is one guy I can call my best friend. He’s a very cheerful and talkative guy. His stories are very interesting probably because he always searched for fun things and had various experiences.
To be frank, I longed for that. I had never met someone who could make friends with others and enjoys life like that guy, his smile was dazzling.
That’s why, I thought it was a joke when that same guy pointed a kitchen knife to me, at least until the moment he pierced my heart with it.
I am going to die, I knew this for some reason. It felt hot but there was no pain.
It may be ridiculous for the guy who stabbed the victim to call for the ambulance himself, but that guy has always been amusing.
I haven’t performed my filial duties yet, there’s still a lot of books I haven’t read. I have a lot of regrets, but the thing I regret the most is not noticing the change in the guy whom I consider my best friend. There should be hints somewhere but I only have my eyes turned to books and did not notice.
If I am someone who can understand people’s minds, I can become better at connecting with other people.
It would not end up like this.
At least, if afterlife exists, I want to be someone who can understand human beings well. I sunk into deep darkness as I strongly wished for that.
In the deep darkness, I heard a small but clear sound.
I understood that it was some kind of musical instrument. I was going to check what it was and woke up on a shabby bed.
“Where is this place?”
I do not know why but I, despite receiving a fatal wound in modern j.a.pan, woke up in a different world without any scratch. I had the same white shirt and black trousers I was wearing when I got stabbed.
The moment I said ‘where is this place?’ I knew it was a different world because it was written in the flickering screen floating in front of me.
【Parallel World・Fortuna. An oceanic world where small islands and the huge continent Rodinia floats. This place is the Territory of Earl Yuren, located further south of Veris Kingdom, at southern Rodinia.】
The screen is rectangular similar to menu screens in games, and it disappeared with a flicker as soon as I finished reading everything.
What the heck is this? I thought, and the screen came out again.
“What? Obtutus Skill. A skill able to a.s.sess various non-visible information. The embodiment of Kurei Yukito’s wish…”
What a convenient ability. A dictionary containing virtually everything.
I intended it for afterlife, but achieving it in a different world is also fine. A miscalculation is a miscalculation, let’s leave that aside.
“But what I meant by understanding people is knowing the significance of their minds’ inner workings or changes in facial expressions, like that…”
While saying that, I thought ‘I want to see my own information’. The screen appeared again. However, the method of display is different this time.
A while ago it was split into top and bottom, the top containing the question I thought the explanation is written below. This time it’s divided into four parts, with several words and numerical values written down respectively.
“Strength is 5… what garbage…!”
I understood the meaning of the words at once as I ran my eyes over them but I was shocked when I saw the numbers. It’s true that I did not trained my body but I did manual labor in my part-time job and I have a healthy body that never got cold. For my strength to be a one-digit number, unbelievable!
“Oh? You’ve woken up.”
The door of the room opened, and an elderly person with gray hair entered. A menu screen opened up right away. It’s seems like it immediately reacts to my doubts.
The old person’s Strength is 7. It’s higher than mine.
The person who opened the door and entered the room is Gordo Hazard-san. He’s 73 years old. His straight back muscles and seemingly gentle eyes are impressive. For some reason, he’s stronger than me.
Gordo-san said I was found collapsed on the roadside and he took care of me, apparently I’ve been sleeping for two straight days.
“No, I’m glad you’re awake. I was thinking you would never wake up.”
“I’m sorry to have troubled you. Thank you very much.”
I sat up on the bed and bowed deeply as much as possible. I suppose I would be dead by now if it weren’t for this kind person so it’s not enough no matter how much I bowed my head.
“It’s true that I was the one who nursed you, but the person who found you is different.”
“Is that so? Then I’m grateful to that person, too.”
“Well, meeting him is difficult. It’s because Diorood-sama is a Prince of Veris Kingdom.”
“Prince!?”
To think that a Prince rescued me. My impression of Princes is that they’re generally spoiled and selfish guys but it appears there are also exceptions. Though I never met a prince before.
“He has a weak body. He’s here in the territory of Earl Yuren to recuperate.”
“He does? Is he already better?”
“No, the Prince’s health will probably never improve. But he’s raising an army, you know? For his father. His Majesty, King of Veris.”
Gordo-san said while sadly casting his eyes down. In the first place, it’s more surprising that this world is that dangerous.
Gordo-san cannot see the screen. He should have some reaction if he can see it.
In summary, there was originally a huge country named Rodinia Kingdom in this world. Right now, this huge Kingdom is divided and in the middle of something similar to Warring States Period.
I got transported to a troublesome era. It’s basically difficult to live in a period like this. Rather than having confidence in my own abilities, my fighting power is… I feel sorry for myself.
“From your hair color, are you from the Insulae? Why are you in the continent? Didn’t you know that the continent is in the middle of wars so it’s dangerous?”
“That is… I myself don’t know that. It’s also a mystery to me why I am here.”
“Did you lose your memories? Or were you brought against your will? Either way, you need to have the basics for everyday life…”
I can’t let Gordo-san continue taking care of me. An atmosphere that makes it difficult to speak surrounded us. He already looked after me for two days. I can’t take advantage of him anymore. I tried to say that I will leave voluntarily, but I was interrupted by the sudden opening of the door.
“Diorood-sama!?”
“Excuse me. Old man. I heard your discussion. I will take him under my custody.”
He had blond hair and high-cla.s.s clothes mostly black in color. His height is probably around upper 160s, same as mine. His gentle smile is striking.
A screen appeared indicating his name 【Diorood Arkwright】, together with various stats.
“Wha–!?”
“Is there something wrong?”
“N-no, it’s just, I didn’t think I can meet the Prince. I was told the Prince kindly rescued me. I am really grateful.”
I am truly grateful, but the reason for my surprise is different. The stats are too outrageous. All are above eighty. Everything from Strength, Intelligence, Charm and others. As one would expect from a Prince. They’re too out of standards.
“I– rather, it’s was my pleasure.”
I took Diorood-sama’s hand without even knowing the meaning of accepting it. I never imagined it was the greatest turning point.