"Kronos? So that's the Constellation you said helped."
[Yes, it's her. It was actually something quite good for him, since his world needed help, so she simply used that to her advantage.]
"Changing the story like this is both good and bad, because now that I know Enrico returned after entering a true dungeon, he might be harder than I thought."
[Yes, that's why you'd better be careful, because the only one who knows what happened in the world created by Kronos is himself, after deciding to amuse himself by watching it alone… if you ask me, I thought it was a pretty jerk move.]
"Yes, quite."
He heard a noise from the system, like someone had been struck on the head, before it returned to normal.
[Enrico, never again call Lord Kronos a jerk, understood?]
"I didn't call him a jerk, that was you. I only confirmed through your words that made him sound like a jerk."
He heard another hit and smiled while the system began to spin around him in anger. Ignoring everything about the system, he decided to focus on the conversation that was about to unfold in that place.
"So this is what will happen in the future… my king—"
"I know, I'm already thinking. From the looks of it, this barrier is very strong, and the only one who could break it would be your brother, but I wouldn't want this boy to die out of curiosity when we can simply ask him to speak with his own mouth."
"You're right, my lord. I don't want that either, since I'm responsible for all the students of my academy."
Virelle approached Enrico and lifted him in her arms, a decision in her mind especially after seeing his eyes. Now she understood why Enrico sometimes seemed so calm even in dangerous situations, just like Angela had mentioned, and why he always carried that excited smile whenever he managed to evolve.
'I've already made my decision… even if he doesn't win, I'll train him, but first I need to know the king's decision.'
"My lord, what plans do you have to prevent this future?"
Alaric was deep in thought. He wasn't the type of king to be one of the strongest in the kingdom, so he had to be cunning and intelligent, which was why his people considered him the greatest king in the history of Sanos.
"First, we ask him for information about the future. Second, I want all the kingdom's magic academies to take up training with ego weapons, since they seem to work. Third, develop all the students of Astrong to the fullest — for now, no class will be eliminated. We must build strength for the future…"
Alaric had always devised good plans even while knowing little. Seeing him so serious and calm, they all gave him their full attention.
"Fourth, just as Angela mentioned about Enrico wanting to form alliances, send a message to all friendly territories and continents. And fifth, send a message to all mages and knights, asking them to dedicate their abilities… the rest I'll decide when he reveals the future to me. For now, take him to rest."
Everyone nodded, and Virelle breathed a sigh of relief. She expected nothing less from the king of Sanos — as always, his decisions were careful and precise.
'Just like him, I must also be precise. I'll start training him immediately, hidden from my family.'
For a long time, she had wanted him as her disciple. Even if in the past she hadn't liked him for always seeming inferior, ever since that time he had changed, she became increasingly interested in training him, even without the potential of the rank 1 of the first year.
'It must have been around that time that he went back in time…'
Handing him over to Angela, she ordered her to take care of his unconscious body while she stayed to talk a bit longer with the king and Hao. Angela bowed and left the room, likely heading to some chamber of the castle.
'How long will my soul keep floating? And why does it still look like Enrico's even outside the body?'
[Until the true being's soul is fully restored, which will take about three minutes. As for why your soul still looks like Enrico's, I don't know either, so don't ask me.]
Looking at his reflection, he was full of doubts, especially about that appearance, maybe because he had fully fused with Enrico's body.
'Actually, now that I think about it, lately I've even fully taken on the name Enrico…'
[What, having an identity crisis?]
'I don't think that's it. It just feels like I've gotten too used to this body, and in a way I can't see myself calling me Saul in my own mind… it's strange.'
Reading the words below, they seemed to still be discussing more preparations, mainly for the academy battle that he himself had asked Hao to arrange. Noticing that the interesting part seemed to be over, he was about to follow where his body had been taken.
"…well, the discussion ends here, but I want one more thing — when Enrico wakes, have him give me information about the true dungeon he entered."
"I'll try to speak with him about that, my lord."
Great, now he would have to ask the system to question Kronos about what that world was like. It was a problem, but one that could be solved easily enough.
"Excellent. You may go now, and call my daughter to come in once you leave. She should be waiting outside as I ordered."
"You're going to tell Princess Elowyn? Will that work?"
"Yes, it will. She's my daughter and the next queen. She may not be a good person, but if it's for the kingdom that will one day be hers, then everything will be fine. So don't worry. And Hao, leave the barrier active to keep reproducing."
"Yes, my king."
From above, Enrico's face was expressionless, while his short hair seemed to sway in a nonexistent wind.
'Okay, this is a problem.'
Passing through the door, he saw Elowyn entering and even considered throwing a punch to make her retreat from the room, but gave up, especially as he saw himself fading and returning to his body.
'I hope she doesn't cause me trouble.'
[I hope she makes things more fun.]
"Tsk, that won't irritate me, system."