"Well, well. I was also trapped in the Lost Forest for a long time."
Claire generously forgives the guard as he kneels and bows his head.
"This is the wizard who brought me out of the Lost Woods."
"My name is Sodro."
The man next to me solemnly removed his hood, revealing a masked face.
The guards look puzzled, but when they hear that he is a wizard, they understand.
"I see, Lord Sodro. Thank you for helping the princess this time!"
As the guard expressed his gratitude, Sodro laughed to himself.
The reason he wears a mask is because he had visited the place in the past as a fortune teller, and had spread word of Isere's curse, so his face was well known.
Judging from what I saw of the town, the rumors of the curse had died down, so I didn't think there was any need for a mask, but as expected, the castle was a place with a lot of people coming and going, so they seemed to be on guard.
After all, in the past, his face was cracked and he was discovered by the Time Patrol.
"Princess Claire, the King and Queen will be very pleased. Welcome back."
Once the guards realize that it is the real Claire, they let their guard down.
And so Sodro manages to sneak into the castle with Claire...
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*
The throne room of Attoria Castle. The two walked side by side through the spacious room with its high ceiling.
The king and queen, who had been sitting there, stood up while the soldiers watched.
"Oh, no way, so true."
"Claire... are you really Claire?"
With tears in their eyes, the King and Queen rush to Claire's side.
Claire also smiled at her parents, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
"I searched long enough to count the number of lush plants and flowers in bloom."
"Father, it tickles."
After the gentle embrace, the King gazes intently at Claire, as if to confirm her face.
There was no mistaking the eyes there, they were Arturia blue.
"Those eyes, that sparkle. It's definitely Claire. I'm glad you're safe... I'm glad."
The entire Principality of Arturia had searched for Claire, but she was nowhere to be found.
He had no idea that he himself had gotten lost in a space-time hole.
The King's deeply moved expression was no surprise.
"What can I say to Sodro... I thank him."
"Hehe."
Under his mask, Sodro struggled to hide his grin.
I don't think Sodor was the one who caused Claire's disappearance.
On the contrary, the word spread throughout the country that it was a curse from the devil Isere, and they bowed their heads in gratitude, unaware that the person responsible for all this chaos had suddenly appeared again.
"Tonight is a banquet. You're called Sodor. You're a national hero. Let's treat you with great hospitality."
"Haha, I'm so grateful and happy!"
He acts like a clown, without any remorse.
Just like when he sneaked in as a fortune teller, this time he was a hero.
This rapid change of heart is a testament to his toughness as a time hunter.
Apart from Sodro's excitement, Claire casts him a suggestive glance.
He had a sweet, melting look in his eyes that made the pit of my stomach flutter.
Her hands are somehow seductive, and she looks as if she wants a reward.
Without anyone realising the intention behind it.
Claire is freed from the demon Isere, and the hero Sodro appears, breaking the curse.
News of this great event quickly spread throughout the Principality of Aturia.
This will bring more vitality back to this peaceful land that does not like conflict.
There is a big fuss over Princess Claire, who was kidnapped by the demon Isere, having returned alive.
While the people were rejoicing, Sodro's plan was secretly underway.
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It had been some time since Princess Claire returned to the Principality of Arturia. The festive atmosphere had faded away, like a passing fad.
At Arturia Castle, the atmosphere was beginning to change slightly.
Perhaps it's because a wizard named Sodro has taken up residence in the castle to prevent Claire from being cursed by the demon Isere again.
The atmosphere was tense and the security measures had been strengthened compared to before.
Considering the king's doting love for the princess, this seemed only natural.
However, recently the king has become a completely different person, and has begun to adopt more radical policies.
The king, who was supposed to be a peace-loving man with no connection to war, began to strengthen the armaments of Attoria Castle, and what was originally a natural fortress surrounded by a lake was transformed into a real fortress.
Until now, the country had been pursuing a national policy of importing art and culture from other countries precisely because of the country's peace, but now it has reached the point of importing it almost like plunder, and the country's economic situation has also been declining significantly.
It's as if they don't think about the future.
Things are starting to look increasingly ominous.
All of this was thanks to the hero Sodro's good offices and his daughter's request.
There were many occasions when it seemed as though the King himself was not making the decisions.
Almost no one has realized yet that Sodro holds the real power in this country.
Of course, no one said anything.
Anyone who becomes suspicious or approaches Claire or Sodro carelessly is imprisoned underground.
In some cases, they were executed by being thrown into Jigokudani.
The castle, which had previously been easy to enter and exit, is now difficult due to the strict security measures in place.
Even his favorite art dealers and court painters are no longer allowed to enter the area.
Voices of resentment from the people were growing day by day, and this was becoming a headache for the kings.
Perhaps this is the reason why paintings start to be stolen one after another from Arturia Castle.
Similar incidents were occurring frequently around the time Claire was kidnapped by Isere.
Some say this is a curse placed on Arturia, known as the country of art.
How could a painting have been stolen under such strict security? Is it a curse? Such speculations are growing, and the king himself is increasingly unable to make sound decisions.
If his daughter Claire were to say, "The eastern tower looks suspicious," the tower would collapse that very same day.
If you say, "I want something sweet," whole fruits will be bought from all over the country.
The king's madness continues to cause unrest among the people.
How did this happen?
The people, the soldiers, and even the king and queen have no idea.
The only ones who know the answer are the time hunter Sodro and the appeased Claire.
Yes, all of the suspicious activity occurring in the Principality of Arturia is the work of Sodro.
Sodro gives instructions on areas of the facility that need to be guarded, and Claire agrees.
No one would dare oppose their opinions, and even if they did, it would be a terrible thing.
Above all, it's convenient because there's no way the King would doubt Claire's words.
There is nothing easier to manipulate than a stressed-out king.
This is especially true because he does not want to let go of his beloved daughter, whom he has rescued from the devil.
Sodorro sneaks into the gaps in the king's heart like a thief.
The Principality of Arturia was now under Sodro's control.
No one can enter from outside, and no one can suspect anything they do inside.
Every time a painting is stolen, vigilance increases, but it's pointless since Sodro is in charge.
If you intentionally set up a security presence in an unrelated location, it will only make it easier to steal.
In this way, Sodro can continue to steal Arturia's paintings as much as he likes, and Claire fully cooperates with him.
This created a situation where the Time Patrol could not act carelessly...
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*