Pyra 17, Imperial Year 1644
The Royal Palace, Valdria – Prince Orin's Chambers
Prince Orin sat at his desk, a quill in his hand, a blank parchment before him. The candle guttered. Outside, the wind howled. He had been sitting here for an hour, trying to find the right words.
He was Kenta Yamamoto. Twenty‑two years old in this life, twenty‑two in the last. He remembered the bombing. He remembered the classroom. He remembered Yuki Tanaka, Haruki Sato, Sakura Hayashi – all of them. He had watched from a distance as they gathered, as they searched, as they fought.
And now the Black Knights had appeared. Zero. The theatrics. The name. It was a message – to the world, but also to him. To all reincarnators.
He knows, Orin thought. Zero knows about us.
He dipped the quill in ink and began to write.
To my former classmates,
You do not know me by this name. I am Prince Orin of Valdria, but in another life, I was Kenta Yamamoto. I sat in the front row, second from the left. I helped you carry books after school. I never spoke much, but I listened.
I have been watching you. Not as a spy – as a friend who cannot yet reveal himself. My father is the king. I am his only heir. If I left, the kingdom would fall into civil war. Thousands would die. So I stay, and I wait, and I help from the shadows.
The Black Knights interest me. Their leader, Zero – I believe he is a reincarnator. The name, the theatrics, the scattering of evidence – it is all from our world. He is sending a message. I do not know what it means, but I know we cannot ignore it.
I invite you to Valdria. Not to the palace – that would be too dangerous. There is a hunting lodge in the eastern forest, three days' ride from the capital. It is secluded, defensible, and loyal to me. Come. We will talk. I have resources, information, and a desire to help.
I know you have reason to be suspicious. I would be, in your place. But I am not a trap. I am not a liar. I am a reincarnator who has been alone for too long.
Come if you trust me. Stay away if you do not. Either way, I will continue to watch over you.
— Orin (Kenta)
He read the letter twice. Then he sealed it with wax – not the royal crest, but a simple circle. Anonymous. Safe.
He summoned his most trusted servant, a man named Aldric who had served him since childhood.
"This must reach a halfling woman named Elara. She travels with a group – an orc, a red‑haired woman, a half‑elf, a gnome. They are in the Free Cities. Find them. Give them this. Tell no one."
Aldric bowed. "And if I am caught?"
"You will not be."
The servant left. Orin stared at the candle flame.
Yuki, he thought. I hope you come.
Pyra 22, Imperial Year 1644
The Free Cities – The Class's Camp
The messenger found them at a crossroads inn, the same Wanderer's Rest where they had heard the first rumors of the Black Knights. Aldric was dusty, tired, but his eyes were clear.
"I have a letter for a woman called Elara," he said.
Elara took the parchment. She read it once. Then again.
"Where did you get this?"
"From my master. He said you would understand."
Elara looked at the others. "It's from Kenta. Prince Orin. He wants us to meet him in Valdria."
The class gathered around.
"It could be a trap," Reinhard said.
"He says it's not."
"Trap letters always say they're not traps."
Roderick read the letter over Elara's shoulder. "He knows about Zero. He thinks Zero is a reincarnator."
"We think that too," Kaito said.
"But he's inviting us to his hunting lodge. That's a risk for him. If his father found out…"
"If it's real," Gregor said.
Elara looked at the messenger. "What's your name?"
"Aldric, my lady."
"Do you know what's in the letter?"
"No, my lady. I only deliver."
Elara studied him. He was nervous but not deceptive. His hands were steady.
"We'll go," she said. "But we go prepared. Roderick, Gregor – you scout ahead. The rest of us follow at a distance. If it's a trap, we fight. If it's not…" She folded the letter. "Then we have an ally in Valdria."
Pyra 25, Imperial Year 1644
The Eastern Forest, Valdria – The Hunting Lodge
The lodge was a sturdy building of stone and timber, surrounded by pines. A stream ran nearby. Smoke rose from the chimney.
Prince Orin waited outside, alone. He wore simple clothes – no crown, no finery. His sword was at his hip, but his hands were empty.
The class emerged from the trees. Roderick and Gregor flanked the lodge, checking for ambushes. Elara walked forward, her hand on her sword.
"Kenta," she said.
Orin smiled. "Yuki. You came."
"I almost didn't."
"I know." He gestured to the lodge. "Come inside. It's warm. And we have a lot to talk about."
End of Chapter Forty‑Three