The Kingdom of Arcadia, Royal Castle.

-- Sora’s perspective --

When I wake up in my bedroom, the sun is out already.

I had a terrible dream.

A dream about me being a criminal.

A dream where I saw my father's disappointed face.

A dream where I lost everything including... my dignity.

I smiled after that, I’m glad it wasn’t true.

“My daughter, you’re finally awake!”

I heard my mother’s voice.

“Aghh!”

I tried to raise my upper body but it felt painful. My back… aghh…! It hurts.

“Don’t force yourself!”

My mother was worried after she saw me in pain. She sat next to me.

“What? Why?”

“You were gravely injured when you were brought here…”

She caresses my head while smiling feebly. She’s not crying but she has bloodshot eyes. She sniffs from time to time.

When I tried to raise my arms, I could only move my right arm.

“So... it's all true…”

My entire right arm is covered with bandages while my left arm is covered with cement. Now I know why I can’t move it. I touch my face, my forehead is covered with bandages including my left eye. Did I lose my eye?! I didn’t even notice it. Wait, I can still move it, it’s still there, it’s just blocked by bandages. I touched my right eye, cheeks, and then my mouth, so far so good - I think.

“What is it, Sora?”

My mother asked while she continued caressing my head. Knowing that it was all true, I really wanted to run away from here. That mysterious woman… I don’t even have the face to meet her. I wonder if they managed to imprison her or... they might have already killed her…

“Sora, please look me in the eye… is there something wrong?”

… How should I play this one? Should I pretend I had amnesia? If that mysterious woman is still alive I would have to act like one. The dark knights might have already stopped her, I shouldn’t think too much about it. Those guys could kill wild dragons anyway.

“Why am I here, Mother?”

“You collapsed. After that, the dark knights brought you here.”

“...”

“I was worried when I first saw you. I thought I’m going to lose you... You got bruises in every part of your body. **sniff**”

“...”

“The doctors managed to heal some of your bone fractures but it would still take a long time before you could get up and running.”

“...”

“**sniff** They were surprised that you managed to get here after having those injuries.”

It must have been because of I took a lot of painkillers. I use it whenever my body starts to ache during our way here. Those were surprisingly effective!

“You could’ve been healed already with advanced potions and miracles. But after what happened, the Church of Gaia refuses to lend a hand.”

“??... I don’t get it? What happened?”

** tok tok tok **

Someone knocked on the door.

** kacha **

The door opened. Two dark knights went inside.

“They’re here…”

“?... What do you mean, Mother…?”

“Freya…”

She whispered those words while looking at the dark knights waiting inside.

“Freya…sama ordered the dark knights to check up on you every hour.”

“? Who is Freya-sama?”

“The woman you brought here.”

“She’s alive! mmhmhhmh.”

My mother immediately covered my mouth.

“Don’t say those words, it’ll get you killed.”

She got closer to my face and whispered those words while she’s covering my mouth.

“Mh mh.”

I nodded. The two dark knights didn’t do anything.

She removed her hands and moved away.

“Freya-sama ordered me to take you to her chamber once you wake up. The dark knights will carry you there.”

The dark knight unfolded the folding chair on his back. So I’m supposed to sit there. I almost thought that I’d be carried like a princess, and totally not like a backpack. This is my first time riding on one of these, so I’ll give it a try. My mother and the other dark knight assisted me to the folding chair with a seatbelt. Before we left the chamber, I saw myself in the mirror, I looked like a mummy. From neck to toe, I’m covered with bandages. But I’m glad they didn’t cut off my hair.

As we went down stairs, my mother informed me of almost everything when I was resting. I’ve been sleeping for a week. My mother thought that I would never wake up. I was surprised after I learned about Freya gaining full control of the dark knights. She has higher authority than the King. About my father, the King, he’s alive and well. Uncle Kal too is alive, though he lost an arm after the fight - I won’t consider it a fight but rather bullying...

They had a little bit of trouble addressing Freya at first because they didn’t know her name. Freya didn’t want to say it but uncle Kal managed to convince her. Since she’s been under the catacombs for a long long while, I think; she might have forgotten some basic introductions or we’re just pests in her eyes.

After that, the Kingdom didn’t change much, it remained functioning like before. Except for the Church of Gaia who demands an explanation and an apology after losing their three cardinals. A civil war might spark if the King wouldn’t be able to resolve it sooner or later.

Freya would have taken the entire Kingdom already but instead she remained neutral which is creepy. She only holds two dark knights to watch over me and a chamber for her to use. Since then, no one has entered her chamber except for her minions and she never bothered going out.

When I was about to enter Freya’s chamber. I was told by my mother to always call her “Freya-sama” and address her with utmost respect. She gave me a kiss on the cheeks before leaving. My mother used to be strict as hell before, but right now, I like her way of taking care of me, though I’m not entirely used to it.

** tok tok tok **

The dark knight knocks before entering. They removed me like a backpack and put me on the sofa and stood guard near the entrance.

“Freya… sama. Aren’t they going to unbind me from this folding chair?”

I saw her standing and looking out the window.

“Why? Are you going somewhere?”

She didn’t look at me. She crossed her arms and remained looking out the window.

“Sounds… logical...”

She has a point though.

** tick.. tock.. tick.. tock.. tick.. tock.. **

The grandfather clock fills the silence.

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“You pests... may not know it, but me and Bell-sama used to stroll in the royal garden. He would talk to me about politics, innovations, discoveries and so on. Even though he knew I didn’t understand all of it yet he remained talking to me in the same manner every single day.”

Her words are a bit insulting yet serene.

“I have nothing much to share with him, but whenever I talk about small matters, he’s always there to listen.”

“...”

“I can heal you, you know...”

“...”

“I could even regenerate your limbs if you lost one.”

She glanced at me for a moment and looked back out the window..

“But if I rush everything now, I will lose everything, even... Bell-sama. Bell-sama would remind me of those words whenever he sees me act on impulse.”

“...”

“『The world doesn’t revolve around you, even if you’re strong.』 Bell-sama would often scold me with those words.”

“...”

“Bell-sama becomes disappointed after that… He doesn’t shout nor hit me, he just stares at me... And my heart aches whenever I see him like that.”

“...”

“He then reminds me again, that if I want something to happen, I must properly wait for it... Wait for the right opportunity.”

“...”

“And this… might be the right opportunity he was talking about...”

My stomach is rumbling. I was just summoned here the moment I woke up on my bed. She’s been living for more than a thousand years, and I might die from hunger if I keep on listening further. I must find a way to get out of here.

“Uhm… Freya-sama.”

“Yes...?”

“My apologies, but I have to go now. I need to carry out my promise for you to revive the…”

I look at the lifeless body of the Demon King lying on the table with a red tablecloth. He lies there just like King Arthur. Leaning his head on a white pillow.

I continued.

“... the Demon King.”

She nodded at me and looked back out the window. She really likes to stare. I should make a staring contest and invite her.

I bowed my head and thanked her afterwards.

The dark knight carried me again like a backpack and walked out of the chamber. I saw Freya one last time, her face is filled with sadness and loneliness as she looks out the window.

“So, you’re going to do it?”

“Yes, mother.”

I couldn’t read my mother’s face right now, I don’t know if she’s displeased or what.

“It’s already lunch time. We should go to the dining room, your father is waiting.”

We began our lunch. My mother fed me herself, even though I could use my right arm. She looks happy every time I take a bite. The last time I saw her like this was ten years ago. Is she happy because I’m bedridden right now? I’m starting to doubt my mother’s actions towards me.

Siegfried was there, standing behind the king. It felt awkward after what happened. Siegfried still couldn’t look at me. I understand that he’s just doing his job.

When I ask why my father didn’t protect me from the accusations of the cardinals. My mother answered on his behalf. She mentioned that my father signed some suspicious contracts with the Church of Gaia in exchange for lending their sacred weapons. They claimed that their sacred weapons could kill the golem in the catacombs, since it has already destroyed a dark knight in a single shot before.

About the false accusations, they didn’t know about it. They might have had an interest in Freya and just dragged me along just because I’m a princess who doesn’t hold any political power in the Kingdom. I just always ask my father for a favor and I’ll go on a mission I’ve picked. My father trusts me since I always come back alive.

But if I were to become guilty, even if it is a false accusation, my punishment would just be house arrest. My mother showed a reassuring smile at me, I didn’t smile back. Aren’t they supposed to be ashamed? That their daughter is falsely accused of working with a demon! My companions just f*ck*ng died seeking some lost treasure! Sir Alfred would have defended me if he was still alive.

--

The next day, our preparation for the revival of the Demon King begins.

--

The Dark Knight who carried Sora like a backpack.