A Journey Unwanted

[Realm: Álfheimr]

[Location: Heart Kingdom]

[Pulchritudo]

The man approaching them was impossible to mistake for anything other than a member of the upper class.

He was portly, carrying himself with the confidence of someone who had spent his entire life surrounded by comfort and privilege. His thin blonde hair was slicked back neatly, not a strand out of place, and his dull brown eyes held the expression of someone accustomed to being listened to.

He wore a carefully tailored black coat and matching shirt, decorated with a formal frill at the collar that gave him an old-fashioned look. His slacks were perfectly fitted, and his high dress shoes clicked lightly against the stone streets as he approached.

Everything about him suggested nobility.

The clothing, posture, and movements.

Yet the reason behind his approach was immediately obvious.

At least to Robert.

The moment the man’s eyes landed on Mikoto, they remained there.

Not on the armor or whoever was accompanying him.

Only Mikoto.

Robert’s expression flattened.

He could not stop the dry look that crossed his face as he watched the nobleman’s attention completely disregard everything else.

("I didn’t actually think someone would just approach us.") The thought came with a mixture of disbelief and amusement.

The man had not even attempted to hide his interest. And somehow, he seemed completely unaware that his intentions were obvious. Robert watched as the portly nobleman walked closer, practically ignoring his existence entirely.

"My, forgive me for approaching you so suddenly." The man’s voice carried a polished refinement, though there was eagerness underneath it. "But I found myself unable to simply continue walking after seeing you. I assure you, I normally would not be so forward, but ignoring such a rare sight would have been a regret I carried for the rest of my days."

He placed a hand over his chest before giving a brief but dignified bow.

"I am Baron Fredrick Anderson. I am currently visiting this fine city, nothing more than a simple traveler enjoying the sights and wonders it has to offer." The introduction was formal, rehearsed even.

Mikoto stared at him; there was no excitement or even the slightest impression that the introduction mattered.

"Is that so?" The response was flat; Mikoto did not even bother pretending to sound impressed. It simply was not worth the effort; his red eyes remained on the man for a moment before he continued. "And just why couldn’t you help yourself?"

Robert looked toward Mikoto at that; the question was almost too obvious.

("You know exactly why.") He internally sighed. ("Why play coy?")

Fredrick’s expression brightened immediately, as though he had been waiting for permission to explain himself.

"Why, because your beauty is unlike anything I have ever witnessed." The baron’s smile widened, his admiration becoming increasingly obvious. "I have seen countless noblewomen, performers, and individuals praised throughout this kingdom for their appearance, yet even among them, your presence stands apart."

He paused dramatically.

"Your face possesses a kind of elegance and delicacy that is almost impossible to describe. It is the beauty of the fairest maiden I have ever had the privilege of seeing. Second only to Her Majesty the Queen."

Mikoto blinked, then slowly folded his arms.

"Second?" There was a small pause. "That doesn’t make me happy at all."

The disappointment in his voice was exaggerated. His expression also shifted into an exaggerated look of disappointment, as though he had just received a personal insult.

A performance, a completely unnecessary one.

"I was expecting something a little more impressive than second place."

Yet somehow, Mikoto managed to deliver it all with such a straight expression that Robert could not tell whether he was joking or genuinely offended.

Fredrick, however, seemed to take the statement completely seriously as he immediately panicked.

"W-well, you must understand that the comparison itself is already extraordinary." He quickly corrected himself. "You are still young, after all. Beauty changes and matures with time. I have no doubt that, as the years pass, you may very well surpass every standard that currently exists."

He nodded firmly, almost reassuring Mikoto.

"One day, people may speak of your appearance as the greatest beauty this kingdom has ever witnessed."

Mikoto stared at him.

Then his lips curved slightly.

"You’ll make me blush at this rate." His face remained completely emotionless; not even the slightest hint of embarrassment appeared. Yet the lack of reaction somehow did nothing to lessen the effect of his appearance. If anything, it somehow only seemed to make Fredrick more captivated.

Robert once again found himself confused.

Mikoto’s personality shifted so quickly that it was difficult to follow. One moment he acted completely uninterested; the next, he played along effortlessly.

It was impossible to tell where the act ended and where the real Mikoto began.

"So..." Mikoto tilted his head slightly. "Are you done complimenting me, or was there actually something you wanted?"

Fredrick straightened.

"An offer, my fair young lady—"

He stopped because Mikoto immediately interrupted.

"Before you continue, hate to ruin the moment, but I’m a guy." He gestured loosely toward himself. "Well, currently at least."

The words were delivered casually.

As though revealing something that should have been obvious.

Fredrick froze; for the first time since approaching, his confident expression cracked. He blinked once and then twice.

Surprise briefly crossed his face.

"T-truly?" He looked Mikoto over again, as if attempting to reconcile the information with what he was seeing. "I... I must admit, I did not expect someone with such a face..."

His voice trailed off.

Realizing he had nearly said something inappropriate, he cleared his throat.

"No." He recovered himself. "That changes nothing." His expression became more composed. "Your beauty is undeniable regardless of your gender. Whether you are male or female has no bearing on what is plainly before me. A masterpiece does not lose its value simply because someone misunderstands its creation."

Mikoto turned his head slightly; he looked toward Robert.

The expression alone carried the message.

’I told you so.’

Robert immediately understood.

He had been proven correct; Mikoto looked back toward the baron.

"To witness such beauty preserved forever..." Fredrick continued, his enthusiasm returning. "That would be nothing short of a blessing." His eyes lit up as he spoke. "I happen to have an old acquaintance who is an expert with a brush. A true master of his craft."

He smiled.

"He would undoubtedly cherish the opportunity to capture such a rare sight." A pause followed. "Of course..." His smile became more businesslike. "There would be compensation involved."

Mikoto considered it for only a moment.

"Sure."

Robert looked surprised.

That easy?

Mikoto continued.

"Where’s this guy at?"

Fredrick immediately answered.

"The old church far west from here." He raised a hand slightly, pointing in the general direction. "You will pass a statue of the Queen holding a spear before reaching it. From there, it should be impossible to miss."

Mikoto gave a small nod.

"Thanks." And that was it, no further conversation or farewell. There was no interest in continuing the interaction. "See ya."

With those words, Mikoto turned and walked away.

Fredrick opened his mouth.

Clearly, he had more he wanted to say.

Perhaps another compliment or another attempt to keep Mikoto’s attention for just a little longer. But nothing came out; he simply watched as Mikoto left, still seemingly unable to fully process the encounter.

Robert quickly moved to catch up, walking beside Mikoto.

For a few moments, he remained silent.

Mostly because he was trying to figure out what exactly he had just witnessed.

Then he looked toward Mikoto.

Again.

And wondered how someone could be both so completely aware of their effect on others and so completely indifferent to it at the same time.

"That man was quite smitten with you."

Robert finally broke the silence after they had put some distance between themselves and the baron. His tone was calm, but there was still a hint of disbelief hidden beneath his words.

He glanced sideways at Mikoto.

"Could you not have simply asked him for information?"

It was not that Robert doubted Mikoto could get answers from people. If anything, that was the problem. Mikoto had a strange ability to draw attention, whether he wanted it or not. The baron had practically approached them himself, completely captivated before even knowing anything about them.

Mikoto continued walking, his gaze drifting across the unfamiliar streets around them.

"Maybe." His answer came casually. "But those dragons are probably considered a rather sensitive subject around here."

He paused briefly.

"They may as well be taboo topics because of all the problems they’ve caused. People don’t usually like talking about things that remind them of disasters, especially when those things are powerful enough that ordinary people feel completely helpless against them."

Robert nodded slowly.

"Ah, I suppose that is true." He looked ahead thoughtfully. "Even mentioning them could potentially draw suspicion. You may simply be branded as someone dangerous merely for asking the wrong questions about them."

Mikoto gave a small nod.

"Exactly." His tone remained relaxed, but there was understanding behind it. "Something like Deseruit Beast Progenitors already have their own followers. People who worship them, fear them, or believe there is some deeper meaning behind their existence."

His red eyes moved slightly, observing the city around them.

"The same is probably true for things like Albion and Ddraig." He folded his arms. "So it matters how you approach the subject. Ask the wrong person at the wrong time and suddenly you’re not just someone looking for information. You’ll be someone people start being cautious about."

Robert glanced toward him.

"And the right moment being some random stranger painting you inside a church?" His tone carried a slight edge of amusement. "That is your chosen method?"

Mikoto looked back at him without much reaction.

"Whatever works," he said as though the answer were obvious. "I don’t really care how I get the information as long as I get it." He continued forward. "I could just read someone’s mind and skip all of this, but I don’t like using magic that way."

His expression became slightly more annoyed.

"Besides, those wards around the city make it a pain. Trying to force my way through them would only attract unnecessary attention, and I’m not interested in making things harder than they need to be." He glanced around once more. "So for now, this is the easiest option."

A brief silence passed before Mikoto looked toward Robert.

Though his expression remained neutral, he had noticed something.

The slight tension.

The way Robert’s eyes had changed when the church was mentioned.

"But..." Mikoto tilted his head slightly. "What’s with that reaction?" He studied him. "Not a fan of churches?"

Robert’s expression shifted slightly; it was small, but Mikoto caught it.

"I suppose..." Robert began carefully. "I simply cannot understand why so many place their faith in the Goddess Iofiel." His voice remained composed, but there was clear frustration underneath. "People pray to her, ask for miracles, and wait for salvation as though their problems will disappear if they simply believe hard enough."

He looked forward.

"Many would rather wait for her to solve every difficulty placed before them instead of taking responsibility themselves."

Mikoto listened quietly.

For once, he did not immediately dismiss the thought.

"Humans like relying on their faith." His words came softer. "Not because they are necessarily weak, but because having something to believe in gives direction to lives that would otherwise feel meaningless."

A small smile touched his rosy lips.

"When everything feels uncertain, faith gives people something to hold onto." He looked toward the passing streets. "Free will is complicated."

His smile remained, though there was something strangely distant about it.

"Everyone wants freedom, but freedom means making choices. Choices create conflict. Conflict creates suffering." He gave another small shrug. "It’s kind of funny when you think about it."

Robert looked at him.

"Funny?"

Mikoto’s expression did not change much.

"Humans spend so much time wanting to control their own lives, but the moment they’re given that control, they look for something else to guide them." His eyes moved back toward the city. "Maybe that’s why faith exists."

A small pause followed.

"People want to choose their own path, but they also want someone to tell them where the path should lead."

He said nothing more, leaving the thought hanging between them as they continued walking.