The new guard who arrived the next morning to pick me up seemed nice.
This one seemed gentler, though he wouldn't look at me.
He told me to stand after unlocking the metal chain binding my leg to the cell. I tried to stand up...
... But I kept falling down.
'Huh.'
'It's like I'd lost my sense of balance…'
I hadn't realized just how much my arms did for me when I still had them.
I tried scrambling to my feet, kept falling every time. I kept trying to put my hands on the floor and push myself up, but it's kinda difficult when you don't have 'em.
The guard then sighed as he finally bent towards me, and held my shoulder, walking with me at his side. Someone on our way out of the cell had dressed me in a cloak.
'I guess stumps are a bitch to look at.'
As I walked the empty halls with that guard, I couldn't help but notice how quiet everything was.
I'd expected a crowd, I suppose.
And I wanted to see Sir Hicks one last time, at the very least.
I kept my head down and let myself be led.
A few moments passed.
We were several meters away from a large doorway.
The guard let go of me and pushed the doors open, looking away.
'I could run,' the thought came, uninvited.
'Run right now. See just how far I could go...' I looked to the side. One of the tall windows—I think they're called murals—opened to the castle's garden, which was brimming with sun.
The birds chirping outside.
'Would it be too much to ask that guard to let me stand under the sun for a bit? Before I'm executed?'
'Nah' I shook my head.
'I just wanna get it over with.'
'Maybe afterwards, pfft.'
"Hrn..." The guard groaned. The door was fully open. He walked toward me, grabbing my shoulder—not too firmly—and walking me inside.
Three people were present.
The prince, Magus, who sat on the throne, sighing as he watched me enter. A summoner...
And... that's it.
Why'd I think three?
'Why'd I think he'd be here too?' I stared at the summoning circle. The very same one Makoto had stood on when he was sent to God knows where.
"That's the twerp?" Prince Magus sighed, looking away as he leaned on his elbow. The guard held me at the doorway, facing the prince.
"Yes, your majesty!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the chamber.
The prince clicked his tongue and winced.
"Fuck, you've almost destroyed my ears... Bastard. No need to shout," he said, scratching one ear with a hand covered by a sleek black glove.
The prince looked lax, as if this were but a mere Monday to him. The way he leaned on his throne reminded me of how I'd lean back in my chair at home whenever I watched a movie or a video.
But somehow... it felt forced at the same time.
Like he was performing.
'... Well. He's royalty. I guess he has to exude confidence?'
'Oh, who cares.'
The guard lowered his head and cleared his throat.
"M-my apologies, your majesty. I-I'm the new prison guard, I started today—"
The prince lifted his palm. "I don't give a flying fuck. Just get it over with already. I have a meeting soon."
"Yes, my lord!" The guard bowed before placing his hand on my shoulder—more firmly now, so much it hurt—and shoved me toward the teleportation circle.
"Stay there." The guard stepped back. The summoner began whispering to himself.
The runes glowed around me.
It's happening.
'I'm going to die. Just like you, Makoto.'
I closed my eyes. Replaying that moment. That moment where I made Kazuya bleed.
'This really was worth it.' I said with a sigh and a smile.
"Alright, ugh.... Let's see," the prince started, looking away lazily. "I am Prince Magus Aldric; heir to the crown of Henry Aldric the Fourteenth, the rightful king of Aurelia... What else..."
He tapped his chair repeatedly in annoyance.
"And I hereby condemn you to death by exile, for assaulting that hope of our kingdom, Hero Kazuya, and letting your team-member die out of malice..."
I looked down, accepting everything he said.
"Do you have any last words?" He suddenly raised his head, looking into my eyes as he spoke those words with unexpected conviction.
Oddly enough, I almost blushed. I felt flustered.
He was very pretty. I could see why the girls from our class fawned over him. I almost did, and I'm not even into guys.
Not that I know of, anyway.
"Pfft," I let out, looking away from him.
"... Something funny to you?" he asked.
"N-no... Just... remembered something funny." My voice came out weak.
"You are speaking to the prince—" the guard erupted, but the prince cut him off. "Shut the fuck up. Let him talk. I'm curious what he wants to say."
A moment of silence.
'What could I say? There were a plethora of things... weren't there? Maybe?'
"... Let me guess," Prince Magus continued. "Revenge, maybe?"
A beat.
"You can say anything you want, you know?" He smiled softly as he leaned forward, an amused expression on his face.
"You're going to die. Are you going to be a coward to the very end?"
I looked to the ceiling.
["A CHILD IS SUPPOSED TO BE A COWARD! FOR AS LONG AS THEY CAN!"] Hicks' voice echoed in my head.
"... Yes, Prince." I looked at him with a smile.
"I am."
Magus' deep blue eyes widened as he looked at me.
He shifted in his seat, a different type of smile forming on his face.
A smile... that wasn't unpleasant to look at.
"I see..." he said, more softly, signaling something to the summoner. "What a shame, then."
The runes glowed brighter and brighter. I couldn't see anything anymore...
...Ahh.
Sir Hicks.
'I really wish I could've seen you one more time.'
"Wait a moment, Your Highness." A voice cut through. Stern. Familiar.
I recognized it immediately.
"You dare interrupt me, Captain?" Magus asked, the glow of the spell dimming slightly.
"No, Your Highness. You may proceed with the execution. I simply have something to say to him first. May I?"
"..."
Magus exhaled. "You may. Make it quick."
"...Boy." Nickelson turned to face me.
I gulped.
"This is a message from someone who claims he knows you."
Magus chuckled, amused. "Like no one knows it's from your right hand..." He muttered.
My eyes went wide.
"You wanted to know what sets Otherworlders apart from us natives. It's not just your 'Status Screen.'. There's more."
Magus sighed again, muttering under his breath. "So useless..."
'Sir... Hicks...!'
"It's the fact that you can increase your stats manually. And that you gain stats with every level." Nickelson's gaze held mine. "We don't… Among other things."
'Ah...'
My eyes widened. But not from fear.
"... That's so coo—"
Everything went dark.
I was teleported away—
[TELEPORTATION MAGIC DETECTED!]
'W… What?'
{Initiating [PASSIVE: Disruption].}
[TELEPORTATION MAGIC DISRUPTED]
{Would you like to activate [ACTIVE: Disruption] to the set destination?}
As I saw it, my eyes widened.
Somehow I knew it was him.
'Sir Hicks…!'
----------
"Captain," Magus sighed, not bothering to sit up straight. "Was that really necessary? He's dead either way."
Sir Nickelson turned back to the prince and bowed.
"Your Highness, I was merely delivering a message. Please excuse my transgression."
Magus studied him for a moment, chin resting on gloved fingers.
"..."
Then the prince shrugged.
"Whatever. He's dead anyway." He waved his palm.
"I thank you for your infinite generosity, Your Highness." Nickelson bowed.
Magus's lips twitched as he rolled his eyes.
"Ahuh."
Nickelson bowed once more and turned to leave.
The prince watched his back until the doors closed.
"..."
Then Magus exhaled, alone now save for the summoner, and looked at the empty circle where the boy had stood.
"..."
"... He was cute, though. Like a helpless rabbit." Magus chuckled to himself.