Vol. 1: Chapter 1 - Part 2

Volume 1: Chapter 1 - Part 2Author: Geraint

After last night's ordeal, we decided to leave the village and head back to the main road, munching on crunchy insects again for our meal. Lilith, walking beside me, looked exhausted and was breathing heavily, so I decided to carry her on my back.

"Sorry, Lilith. If I'd recovered my magic faster, we wouldn't have to walk this far—"

"What are you saying, Seir-sama? You're just as tired as I am, and I'm the one burdening you right now. I should be the one apologizing!"

"It's fine. We only have each other."

Suddenly, a strange white vehicle slowed down beside us. A window slid open, revealing a young girl with shoulder-length dark brown hair tied in a ponytail, amber eyes, and fair skin. She seemed very friendly when she spoke to us, but I couldn't understand her words because of the language barrier. We just stared back, clueless.

Her eyes welled up from the awkward silence. Then she turned to the old man beside her, who had black hair and brown eyes, gripping a steering wheel. He tried speaking to us too, but it was just as futile. After a sigh, he smiled and pointed behind their vehicle.

Looking back, we saw a carriage attached, carrying a few supplies. He gestured for us to hop in.

Seeing Lilith's condition, I had no choice but to accept their kindness. I climbed into the carriage with Lilith as the vehicle sped off, and I watched the passing scenery.

When rain started falling, the vehicle stopped briefly and they invited us inside. The young girl was very talkative, trying hard to communicate despite the language barrier. Thanks to her, I gradually began to grasp a few words. Lilith slept beside me, her head resting on my shoulder, while the girl moved to sit next to me.

"What's… your… name? My name's… Nishimiya… Riko." She pointed to herself, then to me, speaking slowly so I could understand.

"Nishimiya?" I pointed at her, then at myself, saying, "Seir."

"Seir?" She repeated, and I nodded. Her smile brightened when she realized she'd said my name right.

"It's… Riko… Please… call… me… Riko."

"Riko?" I echoed, smiling.

She nodded, beaming. "Mhm… That's right."

I enjoyed learning Japanese from her, not noticing that we had arrived at the next town — the one I had told them we wanted to stop at. The vehicle stopped — what they called a car — and we got down, thanking them for the ride.

"Thank you very much."

Riko waved enthusiastically, tears in her eyes. Though we'd just met, she acted close to me, and I was glad — otherwise, this would have been much harder.

"Seir-kun!"

"Thank you for helping us, Riko. I hope fate will let us meet again, and I'll gladly repay you." I smiled at her. Her eyes widened and cheeks flushed at my fluent reply in her language. I wasn't sure why, but it made me happy.

"Then next time we meet, if you don't recognize me and ignore me, I'll punch you straight in the gut! Don't forget me, okay?" She punched the air energetically.

"That sounds painful, but I don't mind, since I don't forget kindness."

"See you again, Seir-kun! Bye-bye!" she waved.

"Yeah, until we meet again." I waved back, and Lilith beside me copied us.

The car slowly drove away until it disappeared from sight.

"Amazing, Seir-sama! You learned their language so fast! As expected of a genius prince — truly exceptional!" Lilith praised.

"Well, I have bad news."

"Huh? What is it, Seir-sama?"

"We're in a country called Japan. It's not part of the human territory in our world."

"What does that mean?"

Lilith tilted her head. I had already studied maps of our world's continents and territories, but I'd never heard of Japan — a place with such advanced artifacts. Riko told me names of other countries outside Japan, and none matched anything on my world's map. I only had one conclusion.

"I think we've been transported to another world."

"Eh?" Lilith froze, speechless.

"Lilith?"

She dropped to her knees, bowing deeply.

"Because of me, we ended up like this! I'm sorry, Seir-sama! Please execute me immediately! A failure like me doesn't deserve to be by your side!"

"Then what will happen to me? Would your execution solve anything?"

"Seir-sama." Lilith raised her head.

"You have to make up for it and serve me until the end. You're the only subordinate I can trust!"

"Seir-sama!" Lilith hugged my waist and cried.

"Our priority now is to secure food and shelter for tonight!"

"Yes, Seir-sama! I won't let you down—" Lilith suddenly collapsed, and I caught her before she fell.

"Lilith!"

Her face was flushed and sweaty. Placing my palm on her forehead, I realized she had a fever. I needed to get her to a physician quickly. I carried her on my back and headed to the town.

Thanks to Riko's lessons, I could communicate with the townspeople, who led me to a clinic. Though Lilith is a half-demon, she's not too different from humans, so a human physician should be able to help.

Inside the clinic, an assistant greeted us and led me to a ward where I laid Lilith on a bed to rest. The assistant checked her condition, measured her height and weight, and told me Lilith had caught a cold. She gave us prescribed medicine.

I woke Lilith to help her take the medicine. After an hour, her condition improved. I thanked the assistant before she left.

Lilith rested while I watched over her. Suddenly, a young man with black hair and blue eyes, wearing a white coat, entered the ward. He looked very familiar.

"Is this the new patient—"

His eyes widened when he saw me.

(To be continued.)