Journal from Another World

Author's note:

A story that took place before Ace met with the Romarias. It is in the perspective of Heid Romaria.

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愛の巣H・不幸の終わりと幸せ始まれ

“Sir Heid von Alyster Romaria, for crimes of treason and dishonesty, how do you Plea?” This was nothing but utter farce! I could feel my head in flame just by listening to this false trial.

Clearly, this is the works of the ‘Anti-Arthuria Faction’. We were not even on a regular court and yet they made it look like a court hearing.

“I plead not guilty!” of course I know this plea would never fall on anyone’s ears. After all, the members of this court of that very ‘Anti-Arthuria Faction’ that has its eyes on the throne. This very trial was nothing but a sham to degrade the power of the ‘Arthuria Faction’.

When the King, Arc Argus was in his prime years, these people were kissing up to him to get preferential treatment. However, now that His Highness has had a major setback due to the loss of his beloved Queen, these people are now bearing their fangs against him, planning to take everything from him. How vile.

“I would like to hear from the person who has filed this case.” For all I know there is probably no such person, however I must ascertain the allegations to make my stand for the king that I believe in. “I at least have that right, correct?”

“There is no need.” One of the overseers of this faux hearing suddenly got up and hand down his mallet. “Word of your treason has already fallen on His Highness’s ears and has handed his verdict.”

“What…?” I could not even utter the right words as the sound of the mallet pounded.

These people charge me made up crimes and yet they do not even present any evidence or even announce the person who has filed the case against me. To those who have no knowledge of the court proceeding, it looked like a genuine court edict. Clearly this is a public stunt to reduce my standing.

The worse thing is that it looked and sounded official as they had invited many reporters from many known magazine and news outlets. They even showed the edict with the King’s insignia on it.

“Heid von Alyster Romaria, you will be stripped from your nobility. Your rank and peerage will be handed over to your brother, Alan von Alyster Romaria.” Alan, what have you done…? “Since this treason is only associated with you only you should fall… as for your wife…?”

“I will be by my husband’s side” I did not need to ask her but Anna stood and denounced her family’s hard-earned nobility and chose to be by my side. It would have been nice if there were people who would defended us, but unfortunately, it would seem that many had defected to the Anti-Arthuria faction ages ago. Left with no choice, that night we had to pack our things.

“Alan…” In the Romaria estate, one look at my brother and I knew that he had sold me out for the position of Head. He was always so easily swayed by power, but I never thought, he would oust me… his own blood. However, he no longer bore any thought in my mind as of the moment. Right, I needed to see his Highness at once… I need to know that he is safe.

“Anna, I have to meet with his Highness.” I am sure there is no reason to doubt him. I have faith that he has not done anything to betray this kingdom. “Something must have happened to him. I need to find out.”

“Where you go, is where I will be.” Anna just simply took to my side and softly touched her cheeks with mine. “Besides, I will have to pay my respects to Eloisa’s grave before we leave for Amarante.”

Anna’s sadness was easily transmuted to me, after all King Argus and the late Queen Eloisa are dear friends to both of us. We both knew how he had loved and longed for her affection and she…

*****

The domain of the Romaria is situated at the edge of the northern part of the Fritz Dukedom. We needed to trave farther north to get to the Capital City of Esmelas to have our audience with King Argus. The late Queen’s tomb is also in the general direction we will be paying our respect before meeting with the king.

The journey there was relatively safe, as most of its domain were protected by the Knights and passing Hunters from the Hunter’s Guild. To ensure our safety I had sold some of my belongings and acquired an older model pickup truck to hasten our travel.

“Why can’t we get in, we had our request for audience days prior.” upon arriving at the Current Capital Esmelas however, we were turned down at the gates. We were not even allowed in the waiting lounge. Reception surely has definitely decline. “When did the court deny a request for Audiences?”

“The king is still devastated by the Queen’s passing…” this man is Viscount Glimour Savil, current head of the Savil house and one of the biggest supporters of the Mordredia Family here in Esmelas. “Do you think that he would want to have a visit from a treacherous friend?”

This guy! He is using the queen’s death to practically deny me audience, how did this man who was given his peerage by the same king could plan for his downfall? I can’t even think how much of a scumbag he is.

The Dukedom of Esmelas is the current capital and should be the home ground to King Argus, Viscount Glimour Savil who ascended to peerage due to the receiving King Argus’ favor should have been one of his supporter, and yet he has betrayed him… he is betraying my friend! I wanted to sludge him here and then.

“I will send the visitors to the gates.” But before I could ready my fist, a polite maid stopped me at my thoughts and ushered to guide us outside after denying us entry.

“Hmm. That would be nice, a lowly maid sending a former Baron out the castle.” There was so much barb in his words I was shocked how he could still speak, but there was not much I could retort to, so we heeded the maid’s guidance and left the castle.

“His Highness is still safe…” while the gates closed behind us, a low voice reached my ears.

“Anna, we need to leave for Amarante fast.” There was no evidence that His Highness is really in danger but we need to find a way to help him… “Argus, are you safe?”

*****

This was the start of our misfortunes:

First, we were striped-off from nobility, shamed, and branded as traitors. My own blood who should be backing me up succumbed to the power given to him by the Mordredia Family and ousted me.

Secondly, on the way towards Amarante my wife -Anna’s hometown, we were almost killed by bandits. ‘For all I know, they were probably hired to silence me and my wife.’ Now that I think about it, although we were riding a car, there was not much that could have warrant the bandits to attack us, and yet we still gotten their eyes… The likelihood of them sent to silence me and my wife definitely seemed logical.

Lastly, when we arrived at my wife’s hometown. We were cast aside by the people who should have known us… by the people who should have believed in us. I could still remember how my Anna’s saddened face when the people who received the good will of her family before ascending peerage easily accepted the nobles’ made-up crimes about us and treated us like we were outsiders.

Even in Amarante, we could not find allies. How was I to help Argus, when I could not even protect my own wife. All this misfortune racking up had almost made me was to abandon this kingdom… abandon my oldest friend Argus…

If we had one lucky star left for us it that would be meeting Ace. He was a strange fellow, at first, we thought he was weak, illiterate and homeless guy who just happened to have found us in our most time of need.

Weak is not a work I would describe him afterwards though. His strength was astounding. In all my years seeing knights, the local militia and Hunters train I have never seen I was able to see magnificent swordsmanship. Upon seeing him fight that day, I could easily compare his strength to a Master Knight or Diamond Rank Hunter or probably higher. Where did he come from…

He did look homeless when we saw him, but the way he carried himself, he looked almost like a noble.

What baffled me the most, is inability to read and write and yet he was able to eloquently respond to us. He was tact and is able to use the right words for situation. Maybe… just maybe he is…

It did not matter where he came from though, thanks to him we were able to overturn our misfortune to one great fortune.

The day we meet him, he not only showed his great skills, he had chosen saved from the bandits even though it did not merit him anything.

During our most low, he had helped us overcome our grief, he urged us to create a diner which help slowly but surely regaining the respect and confidence from the residents.

To top it all, just a few months after arriving Amarante, we found a way to help my liege... my old friend.

“I would like to set a condition for me to allow the Guild to make use of this mansion as a base.” Ace who had used the knowledge we had given him, contacted the Regional Hunter Guild for us and proposed the usage of the old Seviles mansion as an outpost for the Hunter Guild.

By asking for their help, not only did Ace help alleviate the rumors of our betrayal but also reaffirmed my worth as a true friend of Argus… the King of Levantis.

“Oh, I thought you had already agreed. But judging from your voice there must be some underlying reason… yes?” Albia Folbes the Regional Overseer of the Hunter’s Guild was a bit hesitant at my request, nevertheless she asked calmly. “So, what is this so-called condition?”

“I would like you to investigate the whereabouts of King Argus.” I gave her my honest, one, and only request.

“You know that the Guild does not pry on political strife, right?” but she too must know that if the current King losses its standing, the Guild would also lose its right to function properly. “Hmm, I see so the reason you left for Amarante was to make preparation for the King’s rescue.”

There was no need to answer her. That was definitely not a question. I am guessing that they had already investigated my connection with the king together with my case. Well in truth, my case and the king’s safety were a bit connected.

“As of the moment, the king is not within the castle walls.” That was the only thing they could report. Apparently, they had conducted a thorough search in the castle, but could not confirm the king’s current whereabouts. They even went and sent spies on the Margott and Jillian domains which are considered safe houses of Argus but still could not see him.

Argus where are you? Are you really safe as what the maid had said?

“Can you continue your investigation?” I urge the old overseer.

“This is where you will get to see how scary the Guild is when gathering intelligence.”

Now, I can finally help my King –my friend, and all of this became possible due to Ace.

‘Thank you’