" What do you think it could be?! "
" The better question is most definitely 'who?' "
Juri and I ran at full speed around the outside of the palace so that we could wrap around toward the entrance, around where the loud crash had been. We let the girls go inside, and as if subconsciously, we both planned to get there before them so they wouldn't be exposed to any danger without us there already. Juri was a bit faster than I; each step he took felt like a whirl of power was being kicked up. However, I was no slouch; I kept up.
Grinding to a halt, Juri stopped and stared toward a scene I could only describe as a "true fantasy battle". Two men attacked one who seemed to be protecting a woman behind him. The battle was moving at such high speeds that I would've had trouble keeping up with it if I didn't have eyes that moved at nearly three times the normal person's. I could tell I would've been completely lost without them.
The person being attacked by two guards had been what looked like a Human. His features were a bit blurry due to how fast he was moving; however, he had finesse and grace. His dodging maneuvers were graceful and didn't force anything. As one of the guards fired arrows at him, he dodged them and countered by grabbing some that whizzed by him and throwing them back at the ground in front of him. AS for the other, an Elf guard with a longsword, he slipped the attacks along with the line of fire from the archer. He acted as though this were a simple game to him, guiding along the edge of the blade being used to strike him down like a matador playing with a bull.
"Whoa...He's insane... "
" Not only is his speed superior to theirs, but his evasion skill is amazing. It's like watching a master skillfully deflecting mere fledglings. "
For once, I was impressed with this world beyond just Magic. To see a fighter with that kind of aptitude for it was amazing. But my excitement to watch was nothing compared to Juri's. It was as if he had found the light, his eyes glowing with admiration at the display.
" We should stop this now. "
He nodded along with my statement, and we kicked off from the ground. My body was tense, and my muscles contracted to allow for a perfect burst of strength in my legs. Mana normally couldn't be used for bolstering strength very easily—that required Arcane Magic. However, thanks to the Vitality that flowed through my Arcane Core, my Mana had physical bolstering properties. I learned this quite some time ago with my Mana Sight.
So, wrapping my legs in Mana, I could move fast enough to be just behind the Juri who kicked off the ground with enough speed and strength that he was already right next to the guard fighting the intruder.
" Back down! "
I shouted as I slid behind Juri and held my hand in front of the Elf guard, preventing him from advancing any further. And Juri—
" Takumi? What the— "
Just those words made me snap my head around, completely ignoring the men who were yelling about the intruder. Juri just said "Takumi". That was the name of one of our friends—
" Hey, you guys. It's good to see you! "
Juri seemed to nearly have a conniption when he turned back toward me, pointing at Takumi with extreme vigor. The man in front of us was indeed him. There were some changes, differences. Such as the golden highlights or the clothes he wore. But every facet of that face was his.
" Is this a day of reunions? "
" You two have no idea. "
Takumi stopped Juri from glomping him, holding out a hand and pushing his head back as he reached his arms out to come for him. Takumi seemed more melancholic in meeting us. It was almost hard to believe that the man in front of us was him.
He was a bit taller than I remembered, though not as tall as I. Even his frame was wider.
" Well, now all we need is Ryota and we're all back together! "
Juri shouted out, raising his hands in the air. Funnily enough, we just spoke about finding our friends together, and here Takumi shows up. It's a little convenient.
" We're meeting a little earlier than planned... "
" 'Than planned'? "
" Ah! It's nothing, I just wanted to see you, that's all. "
Takumi's behavior reminded me of a few times back on Earth when he acted skittish when he wasn't telling a full story. But I didn't want to pry and bother him. Maybe he was suffering from this new world and wanted to see us as soon as possible.
" Lord Draesil! "
" Juri! "
The two women we sent ahead of us through the palace came out to see us. They rushed down the palace's stairs and came to our sides, examining the situation and seeing how relaxed everything was, they began to relax too.
" My Lord, what's going on here? Who is this man? "
" That man...is the Hero of the Human Territory. "
Takumi stepped forward, past Juri, and stood next to me, looking at the man who was speaking now. The man speaking was my father, the King of the Elf Kingdom.
" No, I am the Hero of Theatera, Takumi. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your Majesty. "
Juri's jaw dropped, and I couldn't hide my surprise either, a bead of sweat dropping from the side of my face as I had been a little slack-jawed. What was up with these positions? I was a prince, Juri had some title called the "Prismatic Scheme," and now Takumi was a Hero? And not only that, he claimed to be more than just a Hero of the Human Territory...It would've been a lot to take in for the normal person, but thankfully, I'm quite resilient mentally.
Quickly, I recovered.
" A 'Hero', huh? That's an apt name for Takumi! "
Juri skipped forward and wrapped his arm around the taller Takumi's shoulder, hanging onto him and smiling widely. He seemed to be quite happy.
" Oh? It seems the Prismatic Scheme and the Hero are acquainted...How so? "
Juri was quickly stunned, not sure of how to answer. However, Takumi was quick—
" Juri and I ran into each other a few times while in the Capital. "
The King, my father, seemed to want to say something. To object even. However, I stepped in front of both Takumi and Juri and, with my regained composure, spoke as well.
" Juri happens to be a childhood friend of mine. And Takumi and he managed to get acquainted. It's truly a funny set of circumstances. "
" Prince Draesil... "
He gritted his teeth. He had no way of verifying if this was true or not, and I knew why. King Archwood didn't pay attention to Draesil very much. If he had, he would've noticed just how bad his condition had been. He also would've noted that Advisor Duke is the only one who could've poisoned him. So, as it stands, the King is forced to take my word at face value with no further debate.
" I see...Well, it's good to have you here, Hero. Though your entrance is...wild...It is not unexpected, judging from the personality the King of the Humans has told me about. "
" And enlighten me, what did he tell you? "
The King paused. Was Takumi also putting pressure on him? The more I examined it, the easier it would be to snatch the throne away from my father, given the opportunity.
" He calls you very... boisterous. "
" Of course. I do have high spirits. "
There was a moment of silence and tension in the air. It was palpable. Flora and Santa were quiet, nearly subdued completely by the tension present.
" Hey! Takumi! Didn't we come here for some people? "
A loud voice yelled out from behind all of us. It was a woman with crimson red hair and a figure that could only be described as a true woman. She had features even I took note of. Was it similar to the previous instinctual reactions this body had? Or was it me who liked how she looked? I turned slowly to fully face her and was taken aback by her beauty.
" T-Takumi...Who is that? "
" Oh, right! This is Elise, my companion! She's one of the people I trust with my life! "
Elise. That name was wonderful.
Wait, did I have a crush on a girl? That was unheard of—I'd never felt the emotion of love before. It had to be a carnal lust coming from this body Draesil has left for me.
" R-Right. "
I turned away from her and looked back at Takumi.
" You're here for someone? "
Juri spoke up toward him, curiously asking.
" We should speak inside, it'd be much more comfortable. Besides, we should catch up anyway! "
. . .
There was a moment of confusion and tension from the King and Takumi, considering his sudden entrance and the accompanying Elise. However, I soon learned that Takumi and Juri's titles and positions weren't simple flash. Takumi truly was regarded as the Hero of the Human Territory and had been summoned to this very world by the King of the Humans. And Juri held a power that was prophesied about in ancient Elf legend and lore.
Takumi, Juri, and I decided it would be better to speak alone, away from the girls. Flora, Santa, and Elise all stayed outside the room, waiting for us to finish. And were left in a room to our own devices, a fancy conference room that had two couches across from each other with a long coffee table in the middle. The decor was much simpler than some other parts of the palace and was actually quite close to my own chambers. Though still, the white and green palette persisted. Across from me were my two friends, Juri and Takumi. And I couldn't help but think...
Of course, these two are so important.
Takumi was a beacon in an ocean of the bland. A man who made you feel like you had a solid foundation. You couldn't help but try a little harder when he was present, even me. And Haruo had always been like a flashing star, capable of melting away all your agitation and frustration.
Whereas I had been a simple floating cloud. Just a guy in the sky.
" You're getting lost in your thoughts again, Draesil! "
Takumi called out to me, making me snap forward and listen again.
" R-right...sorry. "
We had been speaking about how each of us got here. My incarnating into Draesil's body, Juri's zombie-like possession thanks to that '"Celestial"...And Takumi's sudden summoning.
" Considering that the three of us are here, it's fair to assume Ryota is as well. "
Takumi looked off to the side as I spoke. His face—
" Yeah! He's gotta be! And we have to find him! "
Juri was a bit loud and excited, but it was to be expected. He wanted to see us all the most. I thought about what it would be like to have them here; however, I was far more occupied and absorbed in my desire to grow a bit stronger, learn more about Magic, and take my revenge.
" You're right...We should look for him. "
Takumi leaned forward, interlocking his fingers and seemingly thinking for a moment. His usually steadfast eyes were more somber, as if he had much to think about. Thanks to the woman he brought with him, we learned he was looking for us. Juri and I. However, I wondered how he knew about us.
" Hey, Takumi, how'd you— "
" I think we should prepare first. "
" Hm? "
" If we plan to look for Ryota...we'll need to prepare. Because as it stands—Juri, Draesil...You're way too weak to do anything here. "
What was that? Takumi's words sounded condescending, but his tone was serious, and his face told us all we needed to know.
" So, judging from how you're talking and your purpose here, I'm assuming Ryota could be wrapped up in something big, right? "
Juri gulped.
" Is he in trouble? "
Takumi shook his head. It was as if he was trying to dismiss our worries; however, with how grim his face looked and the shadow that hung over it, it was kind of hard to just drop our concerns.
" I have no real way of knowing...but what I do know is both Juri and I are here for a reason. While I'm not calling your presence here a coincidence, Draesil, Juri, and my appearance here spell nothing but trouble for the future. "
" Are you telling me you're strong enough to weather the storm then? "
" No, I may be stronger than both of you...But I'm sure what's to come is beyond all of us combined. And that's why...I need you two to get stronger. Much stronger. "
Juri and I both looked at each other. If this were Ryota, we could write it off as him being cocky. But Takumi never talked this way without being dead serious about it. Juri popped up off the couch, clutching his fist tight.
" I made a promise to become the strongest. So it's only natural that I'll get stronger! Even stronger than you, Takumi! "
Juri's words were inspiring in their own way. The old me would've simply scoffed at his words and waved them off. But here, in this world...I could feel it. Even down to the palm of my hand and the tips of my fingers...I wanted to progress.
" Yeah...I'll get strong too. You guys aren't leaving me behind. "
And with those words of affirmation, for the first time since the first meeting with us here, Takumi lightened up and smiled truthfully.
" Right! "
CHAPTER 36 END