Alright, sorry for being late. A lot happened lately because of my relocation and my new job.
I moved in a week ago but I'm still adjusting, I'm still a bit rusty because it has been a while since I wrote an entire chapter but I will try to upload 1-2 chapters a week as per usual, it might be more if I pick up the motion quickly.
In any case, just as I stated before, I will be adding a Patreon link here and on my profile (In case you want to copy it): https://www.patreon.com/cw/UlirecThe1st
This is also the discord server link, you should also find it on my profile description: https://discord.com/invite/NJusDyMb2E
I will say it again, you don't have an obligation to donate if you don't have money or you don't want to. I will be grateful for anyone who does but I appreciate you all for just reading this story.
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"Young master..."
The voice was gentle, carrying the quiet patience of someone who had repeated those words many times before.
There was no response.
The room remained silent, save for the faint rustling of paper and the occasional creak of the old wooden furniture. Pale light filtered through the windows, stretching long shadows across the floor. A plate sat untouched on the desk, its contents gradually losing their warmth.
"Young master Tanaka? It's me. I've brought you your lunch."
Still, nothing.
The elderly man stood by the doorway for a moment, watching him seated at the desk. Tanaka's posture was stiff, his shoulders slumped beneath an invisible weight. His gaze remained fixed on something beyond the window, though there was nothing outside that could possibly have held his attention for so long.
The old man let out a quiet sigh.
His footsteps sounded unusually loud as he crossed the room. In the oppressive silence, even the soft tap of his shoes against the floor seemed to echo.
"Young master, you really must eat something."
He stopped beside the desk.
He was a man in his mid fifties, with neatly combed gray hair and a well-maintained butler's uniform. The years had left fine lines around his eyes and mouth, but there was a kindness in his expression that time had never managed to erase.
He placed the plate of porridge on the desk.
Then, after a moment's hesitation, he rested a hand on Tanaka's shoulder.
"I will never say that I understand what you're going through."
His voice softened.
"Because you and I both know..." He paused, his fingers tightening ever so slightly against the boy's shoulder. "What you've been through is something no child... No person should ever have to experience."
For a moment, he said nothing more.
Tanaka slowly turned his head to look at him.
His eyes settled on the old man's face, but the elderly servant wasn't looking back. Instead, he seemed to be gazing at something far beyond the room, something buried deep within the distant past.
"I've been here since the day you were born, young master."
A faint, bittersweet smile appeared on his face.
"I watched you take your first steps. I watched you grow up. And I... I have always thought of you as my own son."
His hand gave Tanaka's shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"I've always wanted you to live a happily. But life doesn't always give us the choices we want."
The old man lowered his head, his expression growing solemn.
"Sometimes, we're only see two roads."
He looked toward Tanaka again, though his eyes still seemed distant.
"You can go left, where nothing is right... Or you can go right, where nothing is left."
Neither road offered salvation. Neither promised happiness. One meant living in a world where everything had gone wrong; the other meant walking away from everything that remained.
There was no good choice.
Only different kinds of loss.
For the first time since the old man had entered the room, Tanaka looked back at him.
"...What should I do Benson?"
The words came out quietly, almost hollow.
The old man regarded him for a long moment, then he gave Tanaka's shoulder one final, reassuring pat.
"Stay put."
The old man leaned closer, his voice dropping to a soft whisper.
"Eat your porridge, Master Tanaka."
___
____
_____
"Tanaka... Tanaka... Wake up, I suppose..."
A soft voice called to him from somewhere nearby.
The voice gradually grew clearer, gently pulling him out of the darkness.
Tanaka stirred.
His brow furrowed, and he shifted beneath the blanket, trying to hold on to the fading fragments of the dream.
Something nudged his arm.
"Come on. Wake up."
He slowly opened his eyes.
The familiar sight of a small blonde girl greeted him.
Beatrice stood beside the bed, her golden curls framing her face, her blue eyes watching him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Sunlight filtered through the curtains behind her, bathing the room in a soft afternoon glow.
Tanaka blinked several times.
"...Beatrice?"
"Who else would it be, I suppose?"
She folded her arms.
"Betty has been calling you for a while now."
Tanaka rubbed his eyes and pushed himself upright. For a few seconds, he remained quiet, trying to piece together the remnants of his dream.
Beatrice tilted her head.
"What was it about?"
Her expression became thoughtful.
"Was it another dream about your past? Are you finally starting to regain your memories, I wonder?"
Tanaka stared at his hands.
Then he shook his head.
"No. Not really."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"There was an old man in a butler's uniform. He kept calling me 'Young Master Tanaka.'"
He paused, trying to recall the man's face.
"I think I called him Benson and he seemed... worried about me.."
The issue didn't lie with that. The whole atmosphere of that dream left him with a hollow sensation, he didn't what it was about but...
He was miserable.
His expression grew distant.
"But I don't remember him at all."
For a moment, Beatrice said nothing.
She studied Tanaka's face, as though searching for some sign that might help her understand what he had seen. Since arriving at the mansion, he had occasionally mentioned strange dreams, fleeting images and unfamiliar voices.
Beatrice eventually brought a hand to her chin.
"Hmm..."
She examined him from head to toe.
"Tanaka is very good looking so Betty wouldn't be surprised if he was a nobility before, I suppose."
Tanaka glanced at her.
"...What?"
"He called you young master, it's natural assumption in fact."
Tanaka stared at her for another second, then a grin slowly spread across his face. Before Beatrice could react, Tanaka leaned forward and scooped her up with both arms.
"If I'm a noble then you are a princess, no doubt about it hahaha."
He lifted her into the air, holding her securely as she flailed her arms in surprise.
Beatrice's cheeks flushed bright red as she tried to wriggle free.
Tanaka continued laughing for another moment before finally lowering her to the floor.
"Alright, alright. Sorry."
He gave her an apologetic smile.
Then he seemed to remember something.
"Oh, right!"
His expression changed.
"You came to wake me up because you wanted to tell me something, didn't you? Sorry, I got carried away."
"It's fine. Betty doesn't mind all that much anyway."
A brief pause followed.
Then she cleared her throat.
"Ahem."
Tanaka looked at her expectantly.
"Emilia wants to talk to you about something, I suppose."
"...Emilia?"
Tanaka tilted his head.
"What does she want to talk about?"
The question came naturally, but he couldn't help feeling a little curious.
It wasn't that he and Emilia were on bad terms. Quite the opposite. Ever since his arrival, the two had grown surprisingly close. She was kind, easy to talk to, and never seemed to mind his occasional bluntness. If anything, their conversations had become more frequent over the past few days.
But there had been a time when things between Emilia and Beatrice were far less friendly.
At least, that was what Puck had told him.
Their relationship had improved considerably since Tanaka arrived, and seeing them spend time together was no longer unusual.
Still, the fact that Emilia had apparently spoken with Beatrice about something before coming to him was a little strange.
Tanaka glanced toward the door, then back at Beatrice.
"Did she say what it was about?"
Beatrice shook her head.
"She did, but..."
She paused, choosing her words carefully.
"Betty thinks it's better if you hear it directly from Emilia, I suppose."
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Tanaka and Beatrice made their way toward the garden, their hands intertwined as they walked.
Tanaka wore his usual carefree smile, occasionally glancing down at her as they strolled. Beatrice, meanwhile, maintained her usual dignified expression, though the faint sway of her twin curls betrayed her contentment.
Emilia was waiting for them beneath the shade of a small wooden pavilion.
She sat on the raised platform, her silver hair spilling over her shoulders as she watched the garden. A gentle breeze occasionally lifted a few strands, which she absently tucked behind her ear.
The moment she noticed them approaching, she straightened.
Tanaka's smile remained, but he soon noticed something peculiar about her expression.
At first, he thought she was simply serious. But as he looked closer, she was nervous.
Her fingers were clasped together in her lap, and her shoulders seemed slightly tense. Even when she smiled at them, there was a hint of hesitation behind it.
Tanaka glanced at Beatrice.
She seemed to have noticed it as well.
Something was going on.
And judging by the fact that Beatrice had already been informed about it, whatever it was, the two of them wanted to discuss it with him.
Rather than waiting for them to awkwardly bring it up, Tanaka decided to take the initiative.
"So, Beatrice told me you wanted to talk to me about something."
Emilia flinched slightly.
"Huh? Ah, yes!"
She quickly nodded.
"That's right. There's something I wanted to discuss with you."
She gestured toward the pavilion.
"Come on. Please, sit down."
Tanaka and Beatrice took their seats across from her.
"It's something regarding the royal selection... You are aware of what it's all about, and my position, right?"
"Right. I know about it. Beatrice explained the basics when I asked her about it."
"That's right."
Emilia hesitated.
Then she looked directly at him.
"Well... every candidate participating in the Royal Selection has a knight they've chosen to serve as their protector."
She paused, carefully gathering her thoughts.
"I've already discussed this with Roswaal, and... I've been thinking about who I should choose."
Her fingers tightened together.
"And I was hoping..."
She looked at Tanaka.
"That you would become my knight."
"...Me?"
Tanaka blinked.
For a moment, he seemed genuinely caught off guard.
Tanaka scratched his head. "But I'm not a knight. I don't even know how to use a sword properly."
"That's alright, you are really strong with magic, besides... You and Beatrice saved Rem, and the entire village last time."
Her voice grew a little firmer.
"I can't think of anyone better suited to protect me."
Tanaka fell silent.
He wasn't sure what to say.
His gaze slowly shifted toward Beatrice.
The moment their eyes met, she immediately spoke up.
"Betty wasn't planning on entertaining such a request, in fact."
She folded her arms.
"But Bubby asked me to at least let Tanaka hear her out."
Then she raised a finger and pointed directly at Emilia. "However, let Betty make one thing perfectly clear."
"If Tanaka decides to accept your request, then Betty will be going along with it as well." Beatrice lifted her chin proudly. "And she will always be Tanaka's number one. That goes both ways, in fact."
Before Emilia could respond, Puck floated over and settled near Beatrice's shoulder.
"Thank you, Betty."
He gave her a warm smile.
"Once Tanaka and Lia start studying together, we can spend some time together too."
Beatrice turned her head.
"Betty wasn't doing it for that specific reason..."
Then she gave a small nod.
"But that's fine, I suppose."
Emilia couldn't help but giggle.
"Thank you, Beatrice."
"Hmph."
Beatrice looked away.
Tanaka, however, had grown quiet.
He was still thinking about Emilia's request.
After a few moments, he raised his head.
"Can I ask you something first?"
Emilia immediately nodded.
"Of course."
Tanaka leaned forward slightly.
"From what I understood before, the reason you didn't want to come with me and Beatrice to the village was because of your appearance, right?"
Emilia's expression changed.
She lowered her eyes for a moment before nodding.
"...Yes."
Tanaka leaned back.
He had heard about it before.
Emilia's resemblance to the Witch of Envy.
Satella.
It took some history lessons but Tanaka finally came to an understanding as to what the fuss was all about.
If the people of a small village could react so harshly upon seeing Emilia's face, then there was little reason to believe the larger cities and nations would treat her any differently.
It was a cruel reality.
And one that Emilia had to face every time she stepped outside.
Tanaka looked at her.
There was something he couldn't quite understand.
"So..."
He tilted his head.
"Why exactly do you want to become the king? Despite everything..."
The question hung in the air.
Emilia's lips parted, but no words came out.
She looked down at her hands.
For a while, she remained silent.
Puck watched her with a gentle expression, while Beatrice quietly observed from beside Tanaka.
Eventually, Emilia took a deep breath.
"I..."
Her voice was quiet.
"I have one wish."
She raised her head.
"I want everyone to be equal."
Her violet-blue eyes met Tanaka's.
"I want to create a country where everyone can live as equals."
She paused.
"That's why I want to become the queen."
Tanaka stared at her.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then, with a genuinely puzzled expression, he muttered—
"...Isn't that communism?"
Emilia blinked.
"...Huh?"
"Nothing."
Tanaka waved his hand dismissively.
"Anyway..."
His expression became serious again.
"Emilia, we both know that's not the whole truth."
Her shoulders stiffened.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm saying that might be something you want to accomplish once you become queen."
Tanaka leaned forward.
"But it doesn't explain why you want to become queen in the first place."
Emilia's expression faltered.
"..."
She looked away.
Tanaka noticed her hesitation.
He sighed softly.
"Look, I'm not trying to pressure you."
He scratched his cheek.
"But if I'm going to do this..."
His gaze met hers.
"If we're going to do this together, then I need to be able to trust you."
Emilia's eyes widened.
"No!"
She immediately shook her head.
"That's not it! It's not that I don't trust you!"
Her hands tightened in her lap.
"It's just..."
She struggled to find the words.
"The reason I want to become queen is... really selfish."
Her voice grew smaller.
"And I..." She lowered her head. "I don't want you to be disappointed in me."
"Silly girl, you are stalling too much, you are making things mmmph..."
Beatrice's muffled protest came from beneath his hand.
Tanaka quickly reached over and gently covered Beatrice's mouth.
"Hey, hey. Let's be nice and not put too much pressure."
His expression softened.
"Besides... I don't think I could ever be disappointed in you."
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"...Elior Forest."
Tanaka tilted his head.
Emilia clasped her hands together, her gaze drifting toward the distant trees beyond the mansion grounds.
She began to tell him everything.
About the forest where she had grown up. About the elves who had lived there alongside her. About the day everything had been swallowed by an unnatural cold, leaving the entire village frozen in time.
Her people, the animals. Even Emilia herself.
They had been trapped in ice for countless years, unable to move, unable to age, unable to awaken from their eternal slumber.
Only Puck had managed to free her.
But even his power hadn't been enough to save the others.
Emilia explained how she had spent years searching for a way to undo the freezing spell, only for Roswaal to eventually approach her with an offer.
A chance to save her people.
The means to accomplish it lay in the Royal Selection.
By ascending to the throne of Lugunica, Emilia would gain access to the divine dragon's blood, a miracle capable of undoing the curse that had frozen Elior Forest.
Tanaka listened quietly, occasionally nodding along.
When she finished, he leaned back slightly.
"Elior Forest, huh?"
He scratched his cheek.
"So, let me get this straight. The dragon's blood is supposed to thaw out the entire forest?"
"Yes."
Emilia nodded.
"That's what Roswaal told me."
Tanaka's expression turned thoughtful.
"Is it confirmed that this dragon blood thing would actually work?"
Before Emilia could answer, Beatrice spoke up.
"There's no reason to doubt it, I suppose."
She folded her arms, her twin curls bouncing slightly as she lifted her chin.
"Betty has read countless books in the Forbidden Library that describe the divine dragon's power. Its blood possesses extraordinary properties. Even a single drop is said to be capable of restoring a barren land, in fact."
He turned his attention back to Emilia.
"Honestly, when you told me your reason for wanting to become queen was selfish, my first thoughts went straight to money or power."
Emilia blinked.
Tanaka shrugged.
"Hey, I'm just being honest. If that had been the case, I would've tried to talk you out of it. There are plenty of ways to obtain those things without putting yourself through something as troublesome as becoming a ruler."
He paused, then continued.
"But the way you kept emphasizing how selfish your reason was got me thinking. It couldn't be something completely awful. Even if it had been money or power, there would've probably been some deeper reason behind it."
He looked directly at Emilia.
"And, well... I was right."
Emilia lowered her gaze.
"...You don't think it's selfish?"
Tanaka shook his head.
"Not in the slightest. There's no reason for you to feel guilty about it. Wanting to help others can never be a bad thing, and it certainly doesn't make you selfish."
His smile softened.
"And there's something else you're overlooking. Elior Forest might be your hometown, but it's also part of Lugunica. You're not just helping the elves. You're also helping the people of this kingdom by doing so."
He paused, his expression turning a little more serious.
"So long as you don't accomplish your goal by trampling on other people, there's absolutely nothing wrong with pursuing it. And no one has the right to look down on you for wanting to save the people you care about."
Emilia's eyes widened slightly.
For a moment, she seemed unable to respond.
Then her expression softened, and a small smile gradually appeared on her face.
"...Thank you, Tanaka."
"Don't mention it."
Tanaka waved his hand dismissively.
Then, seemingly having decided that they had spent enough time discussing serious matters, he abruptly stood up.
He stretched his arms over his head, rolling his shoulders before bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet.
"Okay, okay!"
Puck floated over, giggling.
"Well, I think you'll manage just fine, Tanaka."
Tanaka shrugged.
"Anyway, there's something I want to make clear first."
He looked at Emilia.
"Me, Beatrice, and you are friends. Maybe Puck, too."
Puck's ears perked up.
"Maybe?! What do you mean, maybe?!"
Tanaka held up a hand.
"That's not the point!"
He grinned.
"The point is, my friend asked me for a favor."
His expression became a little more earnest.
"I don't know the first thing about how a knight is supposed to behave. So, obviously, I'll do some research. If there's a ceremony we need to attend, or some formal etiquette I need to learn, I'll make sure I'm prepared."
He gave Emilia a small nod.
"I'll do my best to help you whenever you need me. That's what being your knight means, right?"
Then his smile returned.
"But when it's just us..."
He glanced at Beatrice, then back at Emilia.
"I want things to stay the way they are now."
Emilia tilted her head.
"I mean, I don't want us to suddenly start acting all formal around each other."
Tanaka scratched his cheek.
"I don't want to start calling you "Emilia-Sama" and you calling me something ridiculous like 'Sir Tanaka,' either. It just feels wrong..."
He turned back to Emilia, then straightened his posture.
For once, he seemed to be making an effort to look somewhat proper.
"My name is Tanaka. Just Tanaka."
He extended his hand toward her, his smile warm and genuine.
"If that's okay with you..."
He paused.
"I'd be happy to become your knight."
Emilia looked at his outstretched hand.
Then she smiled.
A bright, heartfelt smile that seemed to wash away the last traces of her earlier nervousness.
She reached out and took it.
"Yes. I'd be happy to have you."
Tanaka gave a small, polite bow. Not too deep, but enough to show that he understood the significance of the moment.
Then, as though he couldn't help himself, he immediately ruined the atmosphere.
"Although, seriously... are you sure about me? I mean, I've literally never held a sword before."
Emilia stared at him.
Then she let out a sigh.
"Tanaka, I told you to stop worrying about—"
Suddenly, a brilliant light flooded the pavilion.
Tanaka squinted.
"Huh? What's going on?"
A swarm of tiny spirits appeared out of nowhere, their luminous bodies swirling around the three of them.
The spirits gathered together before Emilia, then gradually changed direction.
Toward Tanaka.
He barely had time to react before the light converged in front of him.
Something materialized within the radiance.
A sword.
Tanaka stared at it.
"...A sword?"
The spirits gently lowered it into his hands.
He instinctively reached out and grasped the hilt.
The moment his fingers closed around it, the light faded, leaving behind a beautifully crafted blade.
Beatrice's eyes widened.
"That's...!"
She rose from her seat, staring at the sword in Tanaka's hands.
"That's the Spirit Sword!"
Her voice was filled with disbelief.
Before anyone could answer, the spirits began to move again.
This time, a smaller object appeared within the light.
It drifted down and landed neatly in Tanaka's other hand.
He looked at it.
"...And a pocket watch?"
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Note: The plot for the original chapter used to be different. Tanaka was going to refuse Emilia's request at first after hearing her reason (Because she lied) making the atmosphere awkward between them until Emilia finally tells Tanaka the real reason, Tanaka then apologizes and asks her again (Formally) to become her knight.
Then the spirits deliver the spirit sword to Tanaka.
- I know this is a different timeline but let's make things clear. The answers we are getting in this timeline also apply in the actual story. Tanaka being "that person", Beatrice's book of wisdom, the fact that his memory loss might be because of "Missing Od" which also implies that Tanaka in the real world might be forgetting some things.
And the last thing so far, Tanaka being the rightful owner of the spirit sword. The reason as to why he didn't get that sword in the actual timeline is because "A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL" is constantly fucking him over.