"So what's my payment?"
Vionette tilted her head slightly, crimson eyes narrowing in faint confusion.
"Payment? You're not getting a payment."
"Ah-ha. That's a good amou—"
Noa blinked once.
Twice.
"Whhaaaat?"
"You're my partner, so my money equals your money."
Oh…That's what she meant.
"But don't spend it unnecessarily," she added, lifting one slender finger as if issuing a royal decree.
"Enough of that. Let's get to the main point."
She straightened in her seat, posture shifting into something more composed.
"First of all, though it's not shabby, I don't have talent for combat like you anomalies."
Noa pointed at himself, eyebrows raised.
"Yes, you," she said without hesitation. "You are the biggest anomaly here."
Oh.
"Sigh. So you have to protect me if you do the pact."
No fighting? Then what's with the noble-but-not-noble high-class dress? And…
Noa's gaze drifted downward.
The sword at her waist.
At first glance it seemed slender—almost delicate. Like a katana, yet double-edged, honed to seamless sharpness. Its curve was subtle, only noticeable when light traced along its refined edge. Built for precision, not brute force.
The steel held a pale silver sheen, faint crimson hidden beneath like restrained heat. Mirror-polished. Near-invisible filigree etched along the fuller, elegant rather than aggressive. The narrow blade tapered into a refined tip, emphasizing speed over weight.
The guard was minimal, darkened silver brushed with crimson accents. The grip was wrapped in black leather threaded with thin lines of red, ending in a tear-shaped pommel holding a small deep-red gem.
Quiet.
Precise.
Deliberate.
What's with the cool-looking sword too?
Noticing his stare, Vionette spoke.
"Don't look so suspicious. It's made for fun."
"What?"
Where did the composed princess go? Now she sounded like someone who would throw knives at trees for entertainment.
"And I'm sure you've noticed," she continued, gesturing lightly to herself, "this dress is fantasy-like, but it's also quite modern."
"Mmm-hmm."
"That's because people from our world come here with knowledge. Of course, it's still limited. Those who want to preserve culture resist too much change."
"So inventions here aren't entirely original… they're mixed?"
Snap.
"That is the case," she said, snapping her fingers and pointing at him with a satisfied grin.
Her crimson eyes gleamed like wine catching sunlight.
"Now, are you going to accept the pact with me?"
Noa leaned back slightly.
"I just want to know one thing."
She watched me carefully.
"If someone interferes with our plans… what would you do?"
She closed her eyes.
Crossed her arms.
"I'm just going to eliminate them all."
That's it.
That was the answer Noa wanted.
He doesn't get along with the 'save everyone you see' type. Not hate. Just not compatible.
"Then, I accept."
He didn't hesitate.
"H-huh? Ah—ok."
"Don't be too surprised. I might even fall for you. That's how compatible we are."
"…Well, don't say it to my face, you idiot. It's embarrassing."
She smiled faintly, a soft tint warming her pale cheeks.
[Pact Created]
The window shimmered faintly before disappearing.
"That aside, on the note of clothi—"
"Partner, he said."
"I can almost fall for you. Hahah."
A vein pulsed at Noa's temple.
He turned slowly.
Mara and Lina stood near the doorway, clearly eavesdropping.
So they were listening.
They're going to brag about this for at least a month.
But more importantly—
Lina looked cheerful again.
To Noa, that alone was worth it.
"Hey. Were you guys eavesdropping?"
"Haahh, I thought my son was going to get a girlfriend," Mara said, pressing a hand to her cheek dramatically.
"Keep up the good work, big bro!" Lina gave him a thumbs-up, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.
Ahhh. These two.
"Cut it off!" Noa snapped, face heating.
Do they not care that she's a princess?
Then again… neither do I.
"Ahem."
Vionette gently cleared her throat, trying to pull attention back.
"Ah. Sorry. Go on."
"That's okay. So what I wanted to know was…"
She paused.
Her expression shifted.
"…why the hell couldn't you stay still in Cyradis until I came?"
Her composure shattered completely.
"Wait! Wait! I'm not the one to blame, okay?"
Before he could continue, Lina jumped in front of him like a tiny shield.
"Yeah! It's not big bro's fault! And why are you shouting at him?"
Vionette froze.
Not because of the accusation.
Because Lina looked adorable standing there with fierce determination.
"This kid…" Vionette whispered. "When I helped her earlier, I thought she was cute… but this… this is adorable."
She pressed both hands to her cheeks, crimson eyes softening.
"That's right, brother," Lina declared dramatically, hugging Vionette. "It's your stupidity that got you into trouble. Look at this beautiful lady and learn!"
"Hey! You switched up way too quickly!"
"Bleeeh."
Vionette blinked, regaining composure.
"So… something happened in Cyradis?"
"Yeah. Things took an unexpected turn."
He kept it serious.
For three seconds.
"Mmmm… we'll hear that while traveling."
"Traveling?"
"Yes. Crimvane is quite far. It will take time."
How did they even get here?
"Ah! I nearly forgot what I was going to say. Let's go shopping!"
"…What?"
Noa looked at her with one eye wide open, the other narrowed.
"Don't look at me like that. If you're going to live in a castle, you need better clothes. And a weapon too, right? You don't have a sword."
She wasn't wrong.
He was still dressed like a countryside orphan.
"Well… alright."
As Noa brushed the back of his head, Lina and Vionette had already begun chatting.
"Hey cute girl~ what's your name?" Vionette asked, gently patting Lina's head.
"Lina!" she replied brightly.
"Okay then, Lina. Get your mother's and your things. We're going somewhere far."
She crouched to Lina's height, smiling warmly.
"We're already done."
"Eh?"
"Yes. We were planning to move tomorrow anyway."
Mara entered with luggage.
How did you two decide this so fast?
"Oh! Then let's go shooopping! I know the best place—they made my clothes."
Why is she so excited?
"Yayyy! Let's go!" Lina cheered.
You too, Lina?
They pushed Noa from behind.
Mara gave him a proud smile.
What is this atmosphere?
---
Two carriages waited outside.
Apparently, Vionette had come prepared.
My senses were so numb earlier I didn't even noticed the carriages.
Vionette and I shared one carriage.
Lina and Mom rode in the other, guarded by a knight and the green-haired doctor.
As the carriage rolled forward, wheels humming against the road, Vionette completed her story.
Though called a princess, she was technically a queen.
Her parents had been assassinated by a rival kingdom years ago.
Crimvane lay in the north-central region—smaller in military power compared to Thalaor, but strategically positioned.
After listening to her story, I told her everything that happened in Cyradis four years ago.
"…Darius Corvain from Cyradis? So it was him."
She crossed her legs elegantly, crimson eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"You know him?"
"Not personally. But he rose suddenly—power, knowledge, influence. And judging by your story…"
She looked at me.
"…he's a regressor."
A bomb detonated in my mind.
"What?"
"Sudden rise in knowledge. The attack on your first day. Aoyama's betrayal. And if we assume he brought the analyzing device… he knew you had no system."
Silence filled the carriage.
"So the hero Aoyama. The antagonist Darius. The anomaly Leon. The story was meant to unfold like that."
She looked out the window, watching the landscape blur.
"But another anomaly named Noa shattered it."
"What is this? A power fantasy novel?"
"I'm not joking."
Her voice lowered.
"In the past few days, while analyzing Vionette's memories, I noticed strange phenomena. I think…"
She gave me a side glance.
"This is a world where stories unfold."
My thoughts raced.
Leon.
The church incident.
Clichés stacking unnaturally.
The more I considered it, the more it made sense.
"Don't overthink," she said gently. "It's just a theory. We move forward."
Sigh.
She's right.
Free man.
Go with the flow.
clop… clop…
The carriage slowed.
"We're here."
"We're already in Crimvane?"
She stared at me blankly.
"Are you crazy? No. This is my favorite clothing shop. We'll forge your sword in Crimvane. I recruited a blacksmith recently."
Recruited? Is she building an Avengers team? What is she, Nick Fury?
"Hey," Lina whispered after jumping down from her carriage, "did you two enjoy the ride alone together~?"
It would've been great if it was romantic with the most beautiful women.
But sadly that never happened.
Ignoring Lina,
"Well then, let's get some outfits."