14 - Unable to Rejoice in Liberation
The day after the meeting attended by the King, Ray was summoned by Julius. He was brought to the same interrogation room as before.
Thinking it was another interrogation, Ray waited for Julius to appear with a slightly tense expression.
"Hello, how are you doing?"
"You used that same greeting last time, didn't you?"
"Did I? Well, that doesn't matter. Your disposition has been decided."
"Yes..."
Not an interrogation, but a notification of his disposition. Knowing this, Ray looked even more tense.
"You are completely exonerated. Congratulations."
"...Thank you very much."
It wasn't that Ray didn't feel happy about being found innocent, but he couldn't afford to show it.
"You don't seem very happy."
"You know the reason, right?"
Even if he were released from prison, Ray had neither a place to live nor the money to secure one. In reality, he could manage such things however he liked, but he had to make Julius believe this.
"Of course. I've given proper thought to that as well."
"What is it?"
"For a while, I'll have you undergo training with the Knights. I'll provide you with a bed and meals."
"I appreciate that."
Even after hearing this, Ray's attitude didn't change. This was a genuine reaction. He believed that if an offer sounded too good to be true, there was a catch.
"You still don't seem very happy."
"Offering such favorable treatment means you'll demand a corresponding return."
"Exactly."
"Whether I'll be happy or not depends on what that is."
"True. There are two things I want you to do. One is the exploration of the Forest of Bewilderment."
"...So there really is something there, isn't there?"
This was a request Ray did not want. Exploring the Forest of Bewilderment would mean leaving the royal capital. It would be fine if he could rescue Rui and escape before then, but it would be a major problem if he were assigned to a mission without being able to do so.
"I can't tell you what it is right now. When you've acquired enough strength to go on an exploration, I'll tell you as a formal mission."
"And that's why I'm joining the Knights. When is the timing?"
He asked casually, but it was important to Ray. This might become the deadline for rescuing Rui.
"Within six months. Not a moment more will be given."
"...Those are harsh conditions. I can't be happy about that. May I ask why there's a deadline?"
"Hmm..."
Julius nodded, but he didn't speak immediately.
"I can't ask?"
"No. Six months from now is the Hero's debut party."
"What!? He's getting married!?"
To Ray, a debut party sounded like a wedding reception. Hearing that the Hero was marrying, he couldn't hide his surprise.
"Married? No. It means presenting him to the relevant parties as the Hero."
"Ah, I see. But has he not been presented yet?"
"He needs achievements that make those around him recognize him as fitting for the Hero. If we just suddenly said 'he's the Hero,' no one would take it seriously, right?"
"So the creation of those achievements was the Forest of Bewilderment."
"Correct."
Though it didn't show on his face, Ray felt a strong sense of absurdity in his heart. When he thought about how his life had been destroyed for something like that, he felt anger. In reality, there was another reason why the Laurel Kingdom sent the Hero into the Forest of Bewilderment. However, Julius would not tell Ray that at this point.
"I see. I understand. But does the fact that my deadline is linked to the timing of the Hero's debut party mean...?"
"That's exactly what it means."
"That's unfair. Do you not intend to say it out loud?"
"You should know why I can't."
"...Well, I suppose it's only natural."
Even if Ray failed, Julius could play dumb and claim he had no memory of giving such an order. Then again, even if he did give the order, if the matter came to light, he'd end up playing dumb anyway, so it was the same. This was simply a matter of Julius's preference.
"I'm glad you understand."
Julius's face looked truly happy as he said this. Because Ray reacted exactly as he expected, Julius was delighted to know his judgment hadn't been wrong.
"By any chance, were you thinking of me?"
"Regarding which matter?"
"I wondered if I could think of going to the forest as a suggestion to keep myself hidden for a while."
"Yes, you may think of it that way."
Julius's expression softened even further. He had been unsure if Ray would see through it this far, but Ray had answered his expectations perfectly.
"I see. For the first time, I feel like giving you a sincere thank you. Thank you very much."
"No, it's because I have expectations for you."
"Expectations?"
"Well, that's for later. Now, we must decide on your living quarters. I'm sorry, but it can't be anywhere you like. I've selected some candidates here."
"I don't mind. What are the candidates?"
"The prison or inside the castle. Which would you prefer?"
"The prison."
An immediate answer. Ray had no hesitation.
"Th-that was fast. Besides, normally wouldn't it be the castle? There's a world of difference in the rooms and meals."
"I don't know anything about etiquette. Living with refined people would be impossible for me."
As a reason, this was a secondary one. The primary reason was that he wanted to be as close to Rui as possible. If he could let him escape, that would obviously be better. And Ray had no intention of giving up on that until the very last moment.
"Then, the castle."
"Why?"
"Just in case. I can't believe that you haven't been thinking of ways to escape until now."
"That's the same even if I go to the castle, right?"
"But it will take a little more time to think of something. In reality, the layout inside the castle is more complex than the prison. The security is also stricter."
"I see. I didn't know that."
It was more difficult to escape than from the prison. This was an unexpected fact for Ray.
"And in the meantime, I also hope you'll lose the desire to escape. Once you get used to it, it's not a bad life. Far from bad, it's the best environment possible."
It was true. It was the place where the people who knew the most luxury in this country lived. Even if Ray couldn't enjoy the same luxury, it was undoubtedly far more luxurious than the life of a commoner.
"I understand. But is the Hero okay with this? If I live in the castle, won't I be seen as a subject?"
"Your treatment is protection. It's the Kingdom's kindness to look after you until you recover your memories."
"But then, if I betray that... you've thought that far ahead, haven't you?"
"I am doing the work of the state. That level of thoroughness is natural."
"I'm learning a lot."
"Yes, it's a quite good environment for learning. I'll get you permission to enter and exit the archives."
Julius assumed Ray would be happy about that.
"That would be wonderful. It doesn't seem like my memories will return. If that's the case, I'll need to acquire knowledge again."
And in reality, it was something Ray was grateful for. Ray knew nothing about this world. He needed to fill the gaps in his knowledge.
"Indeed. Now that it's decided, let's go to the castle immediately. You have no time to waste."
"Yes."
◇◇◇
Then, the room Julius brought him to was inside the castle. Just by arriving at that room, Ray realized that what Julius had said was true. Not only at the gates and the entrance to the building, but there were several other checkpoints with a few knights stationed at each. The corridors inside the building had an extremely complex layout. Especially after entering the section that seemed to be the residential area, it was like a maze. He looked for something like a landmark, but he couldn't find anything resembling one.
Even Julius didn't seem to have a complete grasp of it after entering the residential area, as he asked the knights standing at the corners along the way. Those knights could only explain up to a certain point, after which they would tell him to ask the knight further ahead. It was certainly not easy to slip away.
Even so, Ray had no intention of giving up. He tried his best to memorize the corners and the appearance of the doors lining the corridors. Even if it were impossible in one go, he could manage if he repeated it several times. That was certain.
"Well, I'll take my leave now. Please ask the maid about the rest."
"Maid?"
"Yes, she should be here soon. Until then, well, just relax. See you later."
"Ah, yes."
After seeing Julius out, he checked the room. As expected, there were no windows. It seemed they weren't letting their guard down.
At the back of the room was a fairly large bed. A desk was also provided against the wall, slightly away from the bed. In the center were a table and four chairs. Even with that much furniture, the room had plenty of space. It was certainly a comfortable environment. If he were allowed to be alone for a long time.
As Julius said, Ray had no intention of relaxing. First, he began to scout the room. He examined the three walls, excluding the corridor side, from corner to corner. He checked for holes or gaps in the wall panels. Once that confirmation was finished, he tapped the walls.
(Should I be happy or sad?)
The feeling of tapping the walls was hard and heavy everywhere. There was no sign of space behind the walls. It didn't seem like he was being watched from a hidden room. However, there were no places that could serve as an escape hole.
(Just in case, I'll investigate the guards further.)
Thinking that, Ray was about to expand his Presence Detection, but...
(Hey!)
The other Ray stopped him.
(What?)
(Before using magic, check if there's a mechanism to detect it. Start with the floor.)
(Oh, that was close. Thanks for the warning.)
A mechanism to detect the use of magic—inside a castle, it certainly wouldn't be strange for one to exist. Ray got on all fours and searched the floor from end to end.
"What are you doing?"
"Eh!?"
Ray was surprised by the sudden words. Looking toward the voice, a beautiful woman wearing a maid's outfit was standing at the door. Ray thought she must be the maid Julius had mentioned.
"Did you find something on the floor?"
The maid repeated the same question with a suspicious look on her face.
"Ah, just a bit of contact..."
"Con... what was that?"
"I meant... no, I just don't have any memory of such a beautiful floor. I just felt like touching it."
"The floor?"
"Yes. I've been living in caves and prison cells for a long time."
"I have heard that. However, I believe the bed would be more comfortable than the floor."
The maid stared at Ray with cold eyes. She was clearly suspicious of Ray's words and actions.
"...True. Thank you for telling me."
"You're welcome."
"So, do you have some business with me?"
"I've come to greet you. I am Cecil, and I will be taking care of Kamui-sama. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise. Though I'd prefer you not use -sama."
"I'm afraid that's not possible. Kamui-sama is an important guest."
"As expected, that's how it goes. How cliché."
Ray slightly enjoyed the interaction with the maid, who seemed typical of a summoning story. Setting aside the matter of Rui, he was a bit elated to be in a proper room for the first time in a while.
"Cliché... what is that?"
"It's nothing. Anything else?"
"Your schedule for today."
"Ah, I should ask about that. What is the schedule?"
"Lunch will be in one hour. Is there anything you dislike?"
"Nothing. I'll be having my meals in the room, right?"
"If that is your wish, I shall do so."
"What are the other options?"
It wasn't that he wanted to eat in the room. Rather, it was the opposite. He thought it would be better to eat in another place to increase the areas where he could walk freely.
"In the dining hall with the Heroes."
"In the room, please."
"...Yes. After that, you are scheduled to visit Bacchus-sama of the Royal Knights for greetings."
"Is he the one in charge of my training?"
"I believe that will be someone else. Bacchus-sama is in charge of the Heroes."
"...Then, let's find out who the person in charge is and go straight to them."
Ray simply did not want to face the Heroes.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. Bacchus-sama has also arranged for Ray-sama's training. First, greetings to Bacchus-sama are necessary."
"I see. Then it can't be helped. What after that?"
"There is nothing in particular for today. Dinner is scheduled for the ninth bell."
"Ninth bell?"
"My apologies. In the castle, we use old ways of speaking. The ninth bell is, as the name suggests, the time when the bell rings for the ninth time. The bell rings once every two hours."
"Once every two hours. I wonder if it'll be bothersome? Until how many bells does it ring at night?"
"The last bell is the tenth bell. It rings until 22:00. It might be bothersome at first, but you'll get used to it soon. Besides, in the morning, it doesn't ring until the third bell, 6:00, so it won't keep you from sleeping."
He couldn't exactly say that he had lost his memory to the point of not knowing how many hours are in a day. Since it was an indirect way of asking, he didn't get a definitive answer, but it seemed safe to assume a day is twenty-four hours. He decided to be satisfied with that for now.
"...I understand. In that case... will I be able to enter the archives this afternoon? I was told permission would be obtained."
"I will confirm with Julius-sama."
"Please... anything else?"
Ray felt a bit irritated by the maid who wouldn't leave the room. He had been feeling a slight discomfort since earlier due to the maid's probing manner.
"No, nothing in particular."
"Since I've lost my memories and there are so many things I don't understand, I want to research various things in the archives as soon as possible."
"My apologies. Then, I shall confirm it immediately."
"I appreciate it."
Ray breathed a sigh of relief once the maid finally left the room. Being able to sense people's emotions was convenient, but it was also exhausting.
(Contact? Are you an idiot?)
(Sorry. I panicked a bit. That was the worst possible cover-up.)
(Did she notice?)
(Who knows? She shouldn't know the meaning of the word. But it'll be bad if it reaches their ears.)
The word 'contact'. The Heroes should understand it.
(I guess we leave that to luck. Be careful. She's a guard.)
(I know. Now, I have to hurry and finish checking while I can.)
Cutting off the conversation in his mind, he crawled on the floor again and began checking from corner to corner for any reactions resembling a magic circle.
(I think it's fine, though?)
(I think so too.)
(Then, exploration.)
When that was finished, he used Presence Detection to search for the presence of people around the room. He did so cautiously, expanding the range little by little.
Ray still hadn't grasped his own true strength. He had to be careful not to let the opponent realize it through some clumsy magic.
(No one behind the walls. That's a relief for now.)
(One person in the corridor. No sign of movement at all. We can assume they're our guard.)
(They aren't letting their guard down, but the security isn't that strict.)
(They haven't fully measured our abilities. Well, that's a blessing for us. However...)
(I can't afford to be careless. This is likely to be mentally exhausting. The prison really was better.)
The prison seemed strict yet lax. Because they were inside the prison, they felt secure, and guards were only constantly present in a few places leading to the exit. They only came to see him directly during periodic rounds.
(But being able to get information is also attractive.)
(True. I hope I can get into the archives soon. Until then... well, the usual daily routine.)
While lying on the floor, he began his daily routine of mana circulation. At the same time, he cut off the circulating mana and diverted it to Presence Detection and Concealment.
If Julius saw this, the level of surveillance on Ray would immediately increase. Ray was doing it casually, but this was the simultaneous activation of magic. Among the human race, no one, including the Heroes, could do such a thing.
In the end, it continued until the maid returned to the room. Detecting a human presence heading toward the room, Ray immediately stopped the magic and activation and lay down on the bed.
"Excuse me."
The maid entered the room, opening the door without knocking. Ray couldn't tell for sure if it was intentional or if the habit of knocking didn't exist.
"...Yes."
Moreover, he didn't even know how he should respond. For now, he decided to just give a reply.
"I have brought your meal."
"Ah, is it lunch already?"
"Yes."
The maid began placing the food she had brought on a wagon onto the table one after another. Ray, who had moved from the bed to a seat at the table, stared intently at the food laid out before him.
A fresh-looking vegetable salad, warm soup. The main dish was steak. Bread that seemed freshly baked was also placed there. Come to think of it, this was the first proper meal he'd had since coming to this world. The meals in the prison had been sufficiently satisfying for Ray, but compared to this, they seemed extremely meager.
"Wow, this is amazing. Is this special?"
"Pardon? No, that's not the case."
"Is it always like this... it certainly is a better life compared to the forest or the prison."
"I believe so."
"Then, I'll—"
(Hey!)
The other Ray hurriedly called out. The habit of saying "Itadakimasu" before a meal didn't exist in this world. He had known that from his life with Kamiira and the others, but facing a decent meal that reminded him of his original world, it almost slipped out.
"May I eat?"
"Of course."
"Then... ah, I see."
"What is the matter?"
"No, it's nothing."
He reached for the salad in front of him. Fresh vegetables that he didn't have to worry about being poisoned. That alone made a voice of admiration leak from Ray's mouth. Next was the soup. He hadn't been without warm soup in the forest, but the rich flavor that spread in his mouth made him want to gulp it down all at once. Soft bread was also something he hadn't had since his original world. The bread served in the prison was rock hard, and he would struggle to chew it unless he dipped it in soup. It was an indescribably happy time. However, Ray forcibly stopped that happy time of his own will.
"It was delicious."
"...I was told you had no dislikes?"
All Ray had eaten were the salad and soup. And only a slice of bread. He hadn't touched the main dish at all.
"No. I can't afford to get used to luxury. I'm sorry for being selfish, but from next time, salad and soup will be enough for my meals."
"But..."
"I have a reason. I haven't had proper meals for a long time. I feel that suddenly eating heavy meals would be bad for my body."
"Then, shall we say we'll increase it gradually?"
"No, keep it as it is. There's another reason, but I can't explain it. I think Julius-sama would understand."
He would eventually return to the forest. He hadn't been told specifically what he would do in the forest, but it was certain that it wouldn't be finished in a few days. If he got used to luxury here, he would only suffer more later. That was his reasoning.
"I see. I understand. I shall do as you instruct."
"Sorry for being selfish."
"No. I have tea prepared after the meal, how would you like that?"
"Tea... that's tempting. But I'm fine. Instead of tea, could I have some water?"
"Yes. I shall prepare it immediately."
Though she said prepare, it seemed the water had been prepared in advance. Water poured into a glass was immediately placed before him.
"............"
Ray ended up regretting not choosing the tea a little. Regarding water, the water in the cave was far more delicious.
"What is the matter?"
"No. By the way, how did the matter of the archives go?"
"My apologies. It seems Julius-sama has proceeded with the paperwork, but approval has not yet been granted."
"I see... around when will it be?"
"The talk is that it should be fine by tomorrow."
"I understand. The remaining schedule is the greeting to Bacchus-sama. Is that immediately?"
He wanted to get the decided schedule over with all at once. Ray needed as much of his own time as possible, and preferably in large blocks.
"No. I believe he is still in the middle of his meal. It will likely take another thirty minutes."
"Until he finishes his meal?"
"Yes. I believe the actual greeting will be in one hour."
"...I understand. Until then, may I rest?"
A one-hour gap was an awkward amount of time for Ray. It was too short to train his body or practice magic, but still, having free time was better than none.
"A nap, then. Of course. I shall come to wake you when the time comes, so please rest comfortably until then."
"...Yes."
Ray was appalled to find that napping seemed to be a normal habit. Lunch was taken slowly, over an hour. And then a nap on top of that. The sense of time was far more relaxed than in his original world, and even compared to his life in the forest. It seemed he had to discipline himself not to get used to it. Ray didn't have the luxury to spend his time leisurely, getting swept up by those around him. He already began to resent Julius for the castle life, which was more troublesome than he had expected.