Re: Freedom: Regaining Freedom In Another World

FYI

Scene/ POV

: Speech

- Thoughts

[Flashback]

"Quoting"

(Author Note)

—————————————————————————————————————

Location Of The White Whale's Defeat

I woke up to see Emilia sleeping in the chair beside me. I slowly got up.

Koji- Was I really that exhausted?

Suddenly Felix rushed into the room.

Felix: There's been an attack! The Sin Archbishops!

Emilia woke up immediately and I tried to get up but I fell onto the ground. Emilia helped me onto the bed.

Emilia: You stay here Kiyotaka-Kun. You've done enough.

I couldn't get up. I was done for the day. I took the time to rest going back to sleep to try and recover more quickly. Not long after Emilia returned.

Emilia: Kiyotaka-Kun. Please wake up.

Koji: I'm awake.

I looked to her.

Emilia: Something terrible happened.

Koji: What is it?

Emilia: Wilhelm-San he... he's lost his memories.

Koji: He what?

I got up and walked over but before that, I saw Crusch lying in some grass.

Koji: Crusch?

Emilia: Do you know who she is Kiyotaka-Kun?

Koji: You mean that you don't?

Emilia: Of course not. I've never seen her before.

Koji: I see. This is similar to how the White Whale does but she's at least alive.

Even her own men swore that they had come here under the Leadership of Wilhelm.

Emilia: Who is she?

Koji: Crush Karsten. One of the Royal Selection Candidates.

Emila: What?

I opened her jacket revealing the Insignia.

Koji: There it is.

Emilia: She really is one.

Koji: She's important so you medics treat her with care.

I walked over the Felix. Something about him seemed broken.

Koj: Felix.

I grabbed his shoulders.

Koji: Focus!

Felix: I... I...

Koji: That woman is Crusch. She is someone important to you so protect her.

Felix seemed to calm down walking over to Crusch and kneeling down holding her hand.

Felix: I know he's right but why can't I remember you?

Felix was crying.

Koji- How did it come to this after everything...

Puck came out and explained that her memories and name had been eaten.

I walked over to Wilhelm.

Koji: Are you alright Lord Astrea?

Wilhelm: Who are you?

I have to admit that after everything we'd been through that stung a bit.

Koji: I'm a student of yours though I'm sure you don't remember.

Wilhelm: Oh I see. I'm sorry but I don't remember you.

Koji: That's okay.

Wilhelm: Can I ask you something?

Koji: Yes?

Wilhelm: Where is my wife Therisia?

I was stunned. He could still remember her. Was his love for her that strong?

Koji: I don't know.

Even I couldn't bear to tell him the truth. I walked over to Barnes.

Koji: I don't want to tell him.

Barnes: He's been asking that same question all this time. I don't have the heart to tell him either.

Koji- The outcome was better this time. People still remember who Wilhelm is but...

I gritted my teeth.

Koji- This isn't the result I wanted at all.

Suddenly Reinhard arrived. I didn't even sense him arriving. he was so fast that there was almost no disturbance in Mana due to his sheer speed. it seems like someone sent word to the capital but it should have only just gotten there a few minutes ago. Is Reinhard than fast?

Reinhard: Grandfather...

Wilhelm looked at Reinhard.

Wilhelm: I'm sorry. Who are you?

Reinhard's expression was pure agony. I walked over to him grabbing his shoulder.

Koji: He killed the White Whale and avenged your Grandmother all for the sake of being able to look you in the eye again. When I get his memories back promise me you'll hear him out and give him a chance.

Reinhard: Kiyotaka... I will. Thank you.

Koji: But I need to find out how exactly to do that.

Reinhard: Any leads?

Koij: A Sin Arch Bishop.

Reinhard: I see. I'll take my grandfather with me.

Koji: He doesn't know... that his wife is dead.

Reinhard: I see. So he remembers her.

Koji: He does. I'm frankly astounded.

Reinhard: Grandfather...

Reinhard took Wilhelm and left as Felix took Crusch and left as well by Ground Dragon. Emilia walked over to me.

Koji: I failed.

Emilia: Not at all. You did your best.

Koji: For the first time in years that wasn't enough.

Emilia: Don't worry. Things will work out eventually.

Koji- For the first time in years I had failed. It was frustrating. This was not the type of defeat I had wished for.

I sighed.

Koji: I need some time to think before we head back to the mansion okay?

Emilia: Okay.

I walked away and stabbed myself in the throat with a sword.

—————————————————————————————————————

A Few Hours Ago

Crusch and Wilhelm were helping the injured.

Crusch: We really killed it. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Kiyotaka when he wakes up.

Wilhelm: I'd like the thank him as well... Crusch-Sama? That look on your face? Are you?

Crusch: I guess he did attract my attention quite a bit.

Wilhelm: I see.

Wilhelm laughed a little.

Crusch: But I have a feeling that he chose to serve under Emilia for a reason.

Wilhelm: Ah yes I understand what you mean.

Crusch: It's a pitty.

A man stood in the road.

???: Hello hello. Are you the group that defeated the White Whale?

Wilhelm: And if we are?

???: Oh so you are.

A sudden force hit an area killing dozens of soldiers.

Crusch: You! Who are you?

???: Sin Archbishop Representing Greed. Regulus Corneas.

Crusch: Men! Kill him!

Mana projectiles flew at him but they were stopped by a barrier of sorts.

Crusch tcched.

Crusch: Wilhelm!

Wilhelm: Of course.

Crsuch let loose several wind blades at Regulus but none found their mark. Wilhelm closed the distance slashing at him over and over to no avail.

Wilhelm: What is this?

A force knocked Wilhelm back knocking him out.

Crusch: Wilhelm!

Crusch gritted her teeth. Suddenly disaster appeared behind them as a man of smaller stature arrived.

???: We came here because we heard you killed our pet. If you really did it I thought you'd be a lively bunch. Oh, this bounty is even better than expected. It's been so long since I've been able to satiate my hunger like this.

Crusch sweated.

???: Royal Selection Candidate Crusch Karsten. Allow me to introduce myself. Sin Archbishop Representing Gluttony Lye Batainkaitos!

Crusch swung her sword at Gluttony as they fought but Crusch took a hit from Regulus as Gluttony ate her memories and name.

—————————————————————————————————————

Location Of The White Whale's Defeat

I woke up to see Emilia sleeping in the chair beside me.

Suddenly Felix rushed into the room.

Felix: There's been an attack! The Sin Archbishops!

I sighed.

Koji- This is my checkpoint? There really isn't a way to fix this so soon huh?

I repeated the day but before Reinhard left I grabbed his shoulder.

Koji: Don't do anything reckless Reinhard. Even if you could find them you have no idea which one caused this or if they can dispel it.

Reinhard gripped his hand tightly.

Reinhard: I can't just... I took his wife from him. I ruined his life. I... I need to be able to do something.

Koji: Then spend time with him. He needs you right now.

Reinhard breathed in and out calming himself and turned to face me extending his hand.

Reinhard: Thank you Kiyotaka-Kun.

Koji: It's fine.

I shook his hand and then Reinhard left with Wilhelm. I walked over to Emilia.

Koji: It's time to head back to the mansion.

Emilia: Okay.

I approached Patrasche.

Koji: Thank you for everything girl.

I put a huge bucket of meat in front of her as she began gorging on it. One of Crusch's men approached.

Man: Who's Ground Dragon is this?

No one seemed to know. I had borrowed her from a mage. I guess they were killed by the White Whale.

Koji: She's mine.

Man: Oh. Alright then.

Koji: You don't mind right girl?

Patrasche nuzzled me. I let her finish and then got Emilia as we got on the ground dragon.

Rem and Ram approached. They were riding a Ground Dragon. They had fought with the other mages.

Ram: I guess you were quite impressive in this battle Ayanotaka.

Rem: Yes you did admirably.

Koji: Thank you both for your help. Time to go home.

We then made our way back to the mansion.

—————————————————————————————————————

Felt Camp

Felt: Reinhard! You dumbass!

Felt threw a book at Reinhard who blocked it.

Felt: You should have taken me with you if you wanted to see Kiyotaka!

Then she saw Wilhelm through the open door.

Felt: Who's that?

Reinhard: My grandfather. He... He's lost his memories.

Felt: Reinhard... alright. let's set up a room for him to stay in.

Reinhard nodded as they got to work and Reinhard led Wilhelm in.

Reinhard: Grandfather this is your room.

Wilhelm: I'm being told by everyone you're my Grandson. I'm sorry for not remembering you.

Wilhelm looked regretfully at Reinhard.

Reinhard: It's alright. We have all the time to spend together making new memories.

Wilhelm: I... I would like that.

—————————————————————————————————————

Roswal Estate

We returned to find a maid waiting for us with teeth that looked like that of a beast.

Koji- A demihuman?

I got off of Patrasche a the woman guided her to the stables. She bowed to us.

???: Welcome home, Lady Emilia.

Koji: And who might you be?

Ram and Rem walked over.

Ram: This is Frederica. She was a maid formally employed here and Lord Roswal requested for her to return.

Koji: I see.

We headed inside the mansion and I laid my knight's uniform on the bed.

Koji: I suppose it's time I start wearing this on the regular.

I changed and stepped outside with a sword at my hip. i felt strange to see myself dressing in such formal attire. I walked over to everyone else.

Emilia: You look great in the uniform.

Koji: Thank you, Lady Emilia.

Frederica: Oh you were a Knight?

She bowed her head.

Frederica: I'm incredibly sorry for not addressing you when you came.

Koji: I'm not an official knight yet.

Frederica: Oh. Right. Those robes. They're worn by those who have been accepted into the academy.

Koji: Now I want to discuss what is going on with Lord Roswal.

Emilia: Roswal?

Koji: The constant disappearances during times of great danger. Forgive me but I find it highly suspicious.

Emilia: What?

Ram: What exactly are you trying to insinuate Ayanotaka!?

Koji: I'm just saying I have suspicions. I'll investigate this thoroughly when we see him again. Ram. Tell me where he is.

Ram: The Sanctuary but you shouldn't doubt Lord Roswal in such a manner.

Emilia: He is my top supported Kiyotaka-Kun....

Koji: I don't know him all that well so it's natural for me to have suspicions due to these events. Whether they are coincidence or orchestrated. I will know after the investigation.

Emilia: If you say so.

Koji: If he's in the sanctuary I'd like to go meet him and talk with him. A proper conversation.

Ram: Very well.

Frederica: if you want to know more about Lord Roswal then you should go to see Lady Beatrice.

Koji: Hm... I guess that is a good idea.

I walked over to a door and opened it to see the library.

Beatrice: How do you keep doing this I suppose?

Koji- She's willingly allowing me to find the entrance every time I look for it but she refuses to admit it. It's like she wants... to be saved.

Koji: Lady Beatrice. I want you to look at something for me.

I held out Sloth's gospel.

Beatrice: Why do you of all people have that I suppose?

Koji: Took it off of the corpse of the enemy.

Beatrice: You... defeated a Sin Archbishop?

Koji: Sloth.

Beatrice: So you have left Betty as well Geuese.

Koji: Hm?

Beatrice: It's nothing I suppose.

Koji- Is see so they're acquainted. Perhaps before he was a Sin Archbishop.

Beatrice: What happened to his witch factor I suppose?

Koji: I'm not aware of what that is.

Beatrice: You really don't know?

She sighed.

Beatrice: Why did you even bother killing him then?

My face twitched for a second.

Koji: Could he come back to life again?

Beatrice: No that's not possible I suppose. As long as you killed all his fingers but the Witch Factor had to have gone somewhere.

Koji: I see.

I calmed myself.

Koji: I want to know what exactly Roswal is thinking about the actions he has taken so far.

Beatrice: That's what Betty wants to know as well I suppose. The Sanctuary will have all of your answers.

Koji: I see. Thank you for everything Lady Beatrice.

I left the library and met with Emilia.

Koji: Let's go to the sanctuary.

Emilia: Alright.

Koji- Roswal L. Mathers. Who are you?

—————————————————————————————————————

To Be Continued

—————————————————————————————————————