This is about a serious promise!

30 June 422

I was quite surprised when I found myself to face quite the dinner with the people sitting by the table.

Crusch and Felix weren't there, both having mentioned some simple reasons to skip what was supposed to be just a simple dinner, and Fourier was sitting far from where I was.

As the new crown prince of Lugnica, it was only tradition to have him sit near to where his father was, the King himself appearing fairly at ease and mirthful while softly-teasing his son around about the recent happenings at court.

The young blond sported a light blush on his cheeks, trying to keep himself from giving out too much of his usual personality because of the current predicament he was facing.

The scene would have been nice to glance at if it wasn't for the fact that the rest of the people there weren't worth of my full peace.

Miklotov had taken a seat on the other side of the table to keep the closest to the king, barely looking around as the rest of the Council of the Elders was mostly distracted by the food presented by the servants of the castle.

Some I could recognize from the brief appearance they had in Canon, while others had been a novelty to introduce myself to.

Many were calm about my presence, but I could notice some rejecting or outright ignoring my 'intrusion' in what was meant to be a formal ceremony.

And then there was him.

"So you are the young man that managed to win an encounter with Prince Ivan?" One of the Sages, a bald man with thick blue eyebrows, asked bluntly, glancing at me from two seats away from me. "You seem to be fairly untrained to be a knight."

The jab wasn't missed, but there was no malicious barb in his voice.

Bordeaux Zellgef was... someone that I wasn't sure how to truly treat.

While his 'introduction' in Canon was fairly negative towards the 'protagonists', the reasoning behind his blatant racism was hidden in two key subjects:

1) He served as a soldier for the Kingdom and his last mission happened during the Demi-human war that happened four decades ago;

2) His loyalty to the kingdom was undying, and thus any possible threat was to be meet with double, if not triple, the firepower required to deal with it.

The man was what many could consider a 'Goodish' Danzo Shimura, especially with the fact that he was the leader of a secret organization meant to keep a close eye for any external dangers aiming to disrupt Lugnica's existence.

A good person with incredibly flawed ideals over how justice was meant to exist within a nation.

But still not someone to be truly worried about.

"I've started to train in swordplay fairly recently," I replied quietly, only to receive a hum from the sage.

"By Wilhelm. I'm aware of that, yes, but I find your lack of guarded self to be the result of some sloppy appliance to his regiment," He said with a sigh. "Such a shame that a prodigious knight like him would be this soft while training a young man like you."

I had to blink twice before grasping the full comment, yet I ultimately frowned at the last bit of his words.

Wilhelm being... soft with me? It sounded hardly believable considering the many times I had to take pauses and let my sore body recover from the initial beatings.

There was no mercy in the old man's regiment, and I was certainly sure that Bordeaux was playing with me about it.

Still, I graced him with a sigh. "As I said, it's some work in progress," I muttered. "I understand that it might sound surprising, but there wasn't a necessity for me to learn more about this until-"

"All excuses, I can see that you have plenty of potential to grow with," The bald man interjected with an annoyed look. "Heck, it would be almost insulting to diminish your current magical potential."

...My what?

While I had started to experiment with Magic only recently, the magician that had checked on my Gates about two weeks ago had been fairly clear in saying my magical potential was average at best and... that was good for me.

I wasn't native of this world, thus I was expecting my capacity to make use of magic to be close to a level similar to Subaru.

While I was sure that the mean with how he had been summoned had influenced his affinity, I was pretty sure that his Gate was meant to be that wake since... he was from modern Japan.

I wasn't certainly hoping to excel in Magic and I had long planned to focus more on swordsmanship than true magical practicing.

But to receive this kind comment so suddenly? I decided to keep quiet and interrupt that conversation as I tried to think more about this development.

Maybe it had been just a mistaken sight, maybe nothing had truly changed about my Gates since last time I had checked...

What if something had truly happened to me?

Maybe it had been one of the odd encounters I had to face in the last few weeks, or maybe it was something connected to my own unique summoning.

When I asked about the magician that had been responsible for summoning me to Erindor, Oreste had been quick to mention that the strange individual had gone missing, possibly resuming his years-long trip around the world.

I was as confused as one could get from this possible revelation, but the worst had yet to come in that dinner as Bordeaux was far from done with his discussion.

"And what about your presence during the Argyle scandal?" The bald man pressed on inquisitively. "I know for sure that you had been the one to subdue Count Argyle himself."

I blinked. "What about it, Sir Zellgef?"

A brief smile appeared on his face, possibly appreciating the fact that he had been addressed properly after the crap he had thrown at me until just now.

"You certainly didn't use magic to capture the man, nor you used any sword to fight him," He summarized with a calm voice. "So it would be correct to assume that you used your bare hands to neutralize the threat."

There was no questions, not a single request for my input over his words as he cracked a grin at the predicament, ignoring pretty much the overall disdainful mood the other nobles were gracing at the conversation we were having.

The King looked to be interested on the scene, same for Fourier, but Miklotov glanced at the two of us with an unfazed expression, clearly not fascinated by the topic brought up by his colleague... and subordinate.

But Bordeaux didn't care about it all for I was the sole target in this discussion.

"I would be lying in saying that I find your means to achieve your goals to be deplorable, quite the contrary if I have to be honest," The Sage resumed with a clear hint of intrigue over the matter. "But I have to ask what were you thinking while you were hitting the criminal."

...

"W-What?" I almost blurted out, stuttering a little at that unexpected request.

I was treading on some unsure footing with how little was truly known of this man, only that he probably was the spymaster of the council and... that wasn't truly ideal for me.

He didn't seem majorly surprised by my shock, actually giving a patient sigh before reiterating his question.

"Your thoughts. What were you thinking while you were dispensing a beating onto that traitorous fiend? What drove your fists into his pathetic face and-"

"For the love of Flugel, Bordeaux," Mikolotov interrupted with a stern voice. "Please moderate your manners."

The bald man looked unhappy at being recalled that way, but he complied with a nod before looking once more at me.

I blinked again, this time pondering over the words displayed by the man and... finding some genuine reason to think about back at the scene.

I was angry, furious, pissed. I was experiencing the quintessential berserking state someone put in my circumstance was meant to be dealing with.

I could remember the rotten stench of decaying flesh coming from the monsters wandering the halls of the mansion, how there were some young people among the zombies, young teens making part of the undead mob.

I was aware of what was meant to happen if I wasted too much time, my fear of failing to properly finesse that meeting with Biehn being more than enough to make me snap to take a more forceful solution compared to mere mind-games.

He was a capable individual with magic, but the old man had little to no military education to properly keep up with a physical beating. He was also an ambitious criminal with a thug like Miles doing the practical of the dirt work with the efforts to acquire slaves to experiment with the dark magic under his possession.

Sadly, the Volacchian nobleman having met his demise by Reinhard's hand while the head of the Argyle family had been subjected to my assault.

I was glad that it had worked in the end, elated even at the bruises I had left but also satisfied with the fact that I hadn't killed in the process.

Albeit the scumbag deserved that and much more for the horrible deed he had committed to many people in this world, a trial to further make his death a traitor's one was the best course of action to take.

I could remember destroying the Immortal King's Sacrament, the smoke coming from the paper that was burning under the little magical circle created by me still vividly impressed in my mind.

I sighed. "Why do you want to know that, sir?"

Not the answer he was seeking right now, but Bordeaux was still calm enough to grant me a nod without appearing annoyed by my hesitation.

"What I hate the most about young knights is their disappointing look for their careers," He replied dryly. "Their inability to detach fiction from reality, the chances of becoming heroes through the deeds and hardships only knights are aware of."

The sages were silent as the fellow elder continued.

"But you are aware of this, I can see it in your eyes as I explain this to you."

I gave a quick nod. He smiled back.

"And that is why I'm interested, if not fascinated by the driving force that got you to urge you to take those heavy steps, to hide doubt and hesitation from hindering you in these actions," Bordeaux said calmly. "I want to know what got you, a mere young man that could have simply stayed to his accommodating role as mayor of Erindor, to pursue so actively the safety of not only Prince Fourier, but also those that are dear to him."

My stare moved away as I directed my sight to my now empty plate, my face sporting not even an hint of an emotion from the turmoil storming within my brain.

I felt encircled, claustrophobic at how things were developing right from this conversation as I knew that maneuvering around those words was going to be... immensely complicated.

I sighed and glanced up from my somber sight over the mostly-clean plate.

"I... I think I only want to do the right thing when possible," I said with a quiet tone. "I guess it's odd for me to say, especially with my role as a mayor, but I don't think that it would be right for me to truly detach from the truth that is human reality."

...

"Can you elaborate, Lord Bukharin?"

This time it was Miklotov to inquire, finally showing some intrigue over my reply and possibly wondering what I was trying to truly say with that mess of an explanation.

It's never easy to bring up the complexity of my morality, something conceived beyond theory and tempered by experience itself.

But I complied to the query and I nodded.

"Pragmatism is the logical key to achieve success in the world. Many would easily assume that the world is actually divided between the poor and the rich people, yet that would be a serious misunderstanding of how the world truly works," I continued with a tenser tone. "There are those that exploits, and those that are exploited. The people that are aware of the limits of humanity, and those that believes that there is a need to hope in everything and everyone."

The sages were now silent, they were all looking at me as I continued.

King Randohal was staring at me with a curious look, while also edging in some minor realization over where I was going.

Fourier... he was merely watching me, unsure of what I was doing with this. Why I was delving deeper in what looked to him to be a maddening subject.

But I couldn't just pull away now, not after what I had just said in front of so many important people.

The smallest of mistakes was going to see me hauled in hell if I thought of backing away now.

"I thought myself that I was one of those meant to be exploited by others, to be used for my qualities and ditched for my flaws," I said with a little hint of nervousness. "Yet the more time passed with me acknowledging this conception of life, the more I realized how easily of me it could be to truly exploit those around me and... it disgusted me to the core."

...

"Continue," Bordeaux commented with a stern voice.

"If there is something that I'm glad to have gained from my father's unique perspective of the world... it's his moral integrity over the harshest of the situations," I complied with a sigh. "The mere incapacity to pursue something that is meant to hurt people that aren't truly capable of holding up against the injustice some are so eager to bestow to them. I despise it, to even think that I could end up even so indirectly cause this to people."

"But how does this connect to your true drive, Lord Bukharin?" Miklotov pressed me to continue.

"When I look at Fou- Prince Fourier, I see someone that is truly meant to rule. There is no doubt in my mind of his high chances to become a great king when it will be his moment, that he will be able to muster up enough bravery and intelligence to carefully solve the issues riddling the nation," I persisted with a hum. "That he will safely lead the kingdom out of this period of uncertainty."

"Like a proper king should," Randohal agreed with a nod, then the royal turned to Bordeaux. "I think this should be more than satisfying as an answer to your own doubts, Lord Zellgef. You should administer him the antidote."

I merely blinked at the old blond's words, my lack of grand reaction being the fact that I had long been aware that something had been off about the food when I started to reply so truthfully to the bald man's question.

Said elder gave a calm nod as he took out from one of the pockets in his robe what looked to be a small vial containing a dark-orange liquid.

He stood up from his seat and walked close enough for me to pick up the small glass container and down the antidote to the truth serum that my food was latched with.

I felt the strange hold over my mind starting to already ease up, yet the quiet of the room was interrupted when Fourier himself stood up, slamming him closed fists on the table while looking at the entire table with a furious look.

"W-What is the meaning of this?!" The young man exclaimed angrily, face burning a bright red while addressing what had just happened.

"Your Highness-"

"A close friend of mine was dosed with truth potion behind his back, in front of this esteemed council that is meant to represent the proper administration of this kingdom," The prince lashed out without restraint, ignoring Miklotov's pleas "I thought that there was some integrity within this group, yet I find myself stating that I've just witnessed the opposite of proper composure and-"

"That's enough, Fourier."

His red eyes widened in shock at the stern order, yet the young man looked back at his father and... Randohal was no longer smiling. He looked incredibly saddened, but also serious over this development.

"While you are rightfully angry at this seemingly heinous deed, I can assure you that my decision to approve this gesture wasn't one of distrust," The king explained with a tired tone. "But one born from the need of me to make one of my last royal decrees as the King of Lugnica."

...

"W-What?" The prince asked, surprised if not terrified by what his father was alluding with his words.

"John Bukharin, you truly are an admirable and unique individual, and I'm glad that my son cares for you as a friend the same intense way you do for him," The man continued, ignoring for now the fellow blond's question. "And this is why, by royal decree, I bestow you with the title of Protector of the Northern District."

I blinked at the sudden proclamation, my wide eyes giving sign that I was shocked by the detail and prompting Randohal to continue.

"Your role shall be to make sure that safety and stability is guaranteed in the north section of the kingdom, the farthest point of the realm, and your power might be compared to one of a duke... without the noble regalia bestowed to a normal duke."

I frowned at the last limitation, confused over his disinterest from enobling me after what I had done for the kingdom. Not because I wanted it myself, but because I expected a reward to be a little more 'conspicuous' than mysterious.

"While I've tried to fiercely to commit Fourier to become the king once I passed away, I had to ultimately concede to the Council of Elders that it is best for the survival of the kingdom to announce a Royal Election two days after my death."

I stood up from my chair, now more panicked than surprised. "What?"

"While we both are sure of Fourier's abilities to be a monarch, the people of this kingdom are not," The king replied with a sad voice. "They only know of a silent member of royalty, someone that was either too shy or too uncaring to make appearances around the nation and-"

"You want to solve this with an electoral campaign," I interjected quietly. "By having Fourier work for his role, people would see him more as a proper ruler and... pick him as the rightful king. This is still a gamble-"

"One that I'm willing to try my hand out," The prince mumbled with a quiet tone, making me frown at him. "Father is correct in his evaluation, I've never spent too much time mingling with other nobles except those that were at court... and you since I visited Erindor."

I gave him a slow nod, still unwilling to swallow this bitter pill but... what choices did I have at that time?

I had waged my best efforts to prevent the happening of the Royal Election, yet I had been so dastardly ignorant of the true state of the people's interest in Fourier.

He was barely mentioned in Canon, only referenced when Crusch would have been the topic of a conversation and...

Oh boy, I was going to face a Royal Election with Fourier and...

No, Crusch shouldn't technically become a candidate. It was one of the few things that were quick to perceive from her character, that her interest behind the acquisition of the highest title in the kingdom being connected to her lover's dying wish.

Fourier hadn't died, and the Lady Karsten had no real purpose to become the newest ruler.

But now Fourier could count on both me and the Canon Karsten Camp for his campaigning.

I was pretty much aware of the events that could happen during this crazy two years, stuff that I could move around for the sake of creating the best outcome for our combined efforts and...

I was still going to face people like Priscilla, Anastasia and... Emilia.

To be fair, I wasn't threatened by the half-elf... but I was seriously worried by the degree I could interact around the world once RtD started to be present in this world.

I hadn't contacted for a long time Satella, but if there was something that I wasn't willing to risk my current friendship with her was about having her to not summon goddamn Subaru to this world.

It would solve many problems, it would weaken some of my current and future opponents, but said course of action would only end up getting the annoyance of the kinder version of the Witch of Envy.

The young woman was still in love with Flugel despite whatever reason could have driven the old figure to seal her away... and, for some reason, Subaru was connected to the old sage.

"This is why I wish to ask you to be Fourier's closest confidant for this upcoming situation," Randohal continued with a calm voice. "You will not be his knight as you lack the means to fit as the proper protector for my son... but I wish that you become his advisor and, possibly, his Prime Minister when he succeeds with this election."

...Say what?!

I could understand helping the prince around with this burdening tasks and the weight behind some of the decisions he might have to take... but the Prime Minister? Wasn't Miklotov already.

"'If', your Majesty," Said elder commented with a long sigh. "But yes, Mr. Bukharin, I think the intent behind the request is as clear as the sky. While I understand where your past praises for Fourier are coming from, I find myself compelled to believe that the best way of action would be to have you help him and support him through his reign if he manages to win the elections."

"But what about-"

"I will keep my post if he fails... and I will concede the position if you prove to be correct once again, disproving this notion I had been having for decades now about the kingdom."

I closed my lips, unsure how to reply to this and... I looked at Fourier.

The blond was staring back at me, his red eyes showing some concern about the important question.

I blinked, feeling my own doubts dwindling away as I knew what I had to do.

"I... I will accept the request, your Majesty," I ultimately replied with a serious voice. "I will help Fourier to become the greatest King possible-"

"If he wins-" Miklotov tried to point out, only for me to smile.

"When he wins, Mr. McMahon."

Afterthoughts: Thousands of apologies for skipping regular updating. Things here have been quite troubling over Covid-19 (no infections, just the messy measures being messy to understand) and I had to help my sister over his school's online lessons and exams. (P.S. I got her to get a 10/10 in a History of Art English exam, yay.)

But let us focus back on the plot now, shall we. The ripples have indeed ruptured some bits of the future... but some decisions aren't going to never change.

While many are surely going to be confused with my decisions, I remind you that only King Randohal was most known to the people of Lugnica and that Fourier was one of the least known because of his reclusive nature.

The Elections aren't going to start anytime soon as... someone will be discovered only two years after this point. (CoughFeltCough) So... next chapter is the return to Erindor and the resuming of some proper administration. First some affection with the kids and to see how things are faring with the new 'housekeeper'.

P.S. This doesn't mean that Felix, Fourier and Crusch aren't going to appear until two years from now. Since the election is still far from beginning, there still will be some visits from them (even individual ones) and I can assure you that a 'new' character is going to join the messy group that follows this strange Mayor.

Lastly, I've started some stories (Fate Last Heaven (Sassy OC lead in the HF route/possible Illya route?), Tales of Two Kings (Dude is sent in Fateverse Londinium and becomes King... among Kings.) and Learning: Affection (If you loved The Golden Month, then you might be delighted with the Learning Curves story I have out now!).

...

And now some Omake!

Omake 5: It's just a sleepover

Maybe I should have expected something like this to happen... or maybe I shouldn't have.

Fourier didn't seem to be having any trouble with this situation. Actually, I was pretty sure that this is what he had truly planned to do.

At first I had thought that his request was a simple and innocent one, to have what I knew as a sleepover inside his room.

He wanted to have some company. To spare some words with someone trustworthy.

And now I was stuck to face this odd predicament in this incredibly silent room.

There were no words, there were no hints of sleepover.

There was no makeshift bed and... Fourier was currently resting his head on the pillow beside mine.

We were sharing his large bed, the ample space of the mattress allowing the two of us to stay there without getting too close to each other.

There wasn't much contact between us, but we were fairly close to one another. Enough to not create some awkward situation from what was initiated as a mere sleepover.

I let out a quiet yawn as I continued to calmly stare at the dark ceiling above, unsure about what to make of this circumstance and... the young man seemed to be far from sleeping.

His snoring was just far too light to be the one of someone sleeping and I knew that he was pretty loud when he was truly resting so... what was he planning to do? Wait for me to go to sleep.

I wasn't in the mood of seeing where this was planning to truly go and thus I let my own thoghts, those born from the recent serious discoveries, keep me up for a little longer than my usual time to go to sleep.

I managed to stay perfectly awake for about an hour before starting to get a little bit tired and... and I was still far from falling asleep.

I was annoyed by my worries for keeping me up for so long but just as I pondered over the simple action of merely close my eyes a little to let myself rest for a while, I felt something press on my feet.

Eyes widening up in surprise, I stared at the other end of the bed and I noticed a fairly noticeable bulge hiding below the covers of the bed.

It soon moved and I felt the familiar touch slowly making its way over my upper body and towards my face as... I moved the covers up to reveal a familiar smiling face.

A pair of yellow eyes glowed back at me.

"Hello there," I half-whispered to Felix as the Demi-human carefully settled his chin on my chest.

"Hi~."

"So... why are you here, Ferris?" I inquired tiredly, the cat-eared knight humming quietly.

"Heard Fourier saying something about you sleeping in his room and I guess this really is a sleepover, right?"

"It seems so," I replied back to him, glancing at the blond and... I found him staring back.

The young man blinked as he glanced at Felix. "Oh, Ferris is here?" The prince asked with a note of surprise, some sleepiness in his voice too while he addressed the intruder.

"Yep, I'm here nyow~," The brunet answered back as he let out a soft yawn. "I'm sorry that I was late, Marcus was keeping me for a late shift."

"It's... It's alright, I guess we can discuss about 'that' later."

So Felix was meant to join the sleepover too? And what was Fourier talking about?

The second question was quick to solve as there were very few things that the blond might be needing some advice about and only one where Felix was the most useful to listen to.

"We could talk about 'that' now," I proposed while staring up at the ceiling.

The prince huffed at my words.

"You don't even know what I want to talk about-"

"It's about Crusch, isn't it?" I interjected with a quiet voice. "Look, we've been through this for a while and-"

"He is trying to ask her out for a date."

Felix's comment was good enough to give me a glimpse of the real problem the young man was experiencing, and while I ignored the prince's effort to appear annoyed by this 'betrayal', I decided to press for more.

"What is exactly the issue?"

He opened his mouth and then closed his lips before saying anything.

This silence lasted for a couple of seconds before he actually tried to convey some explanation about the matter.

"I... I want to court her," The young man answered nervously. "It's been years now and... and I want to really try to create something meaningful between her and I."

I hummed at his words and nodded. "So you want to form a romantic relationship with her... and you don't know where to start, right?"

...

"Yes."

I had a small smile on my face. "Then I will give you a little advice about something I've noticed about her... but you have to promise me that you will never told her that I'm saying this to you, okay?"

Ferris frowned. "Something important about Lady Karsten?"

"Quite."

Fourier yawned, eyelids half-closed as he gave me a tired nod. "Tell me."

"Crusch is a very intelligent woman with a good friendship with you and Ferris-"

"And you too, Johnyah," The Demi-human piped in while snuggling on my chest. "She actually wanted to talk with ya tomorrow morning."

I blinked. "Business-stuff, I suppose."

The cat-eared knight gave a curt nod and I returned to the main topic of the conversation.

"A-Anyway," I said while drawing a quick yawn. "Lady Karsten is not good in emotion-related circumstances such as... love."

The prince frowned. "I think I was aware of that already."

"-Because she doesn't have someone which she is intimately trusting enough to get some answers about her own doubts about her emotions," I interrupted with a huff, glancing at the blond. "She doesn't have her mother to ask about these new feelings, possibly bottling those up to question about those alone and in private... which is a terrible idea."

"So you mean to tell me that... Lady Karsten might be in love with His Highness already?" Ferris inquired with a curious tone, slightly confused about this development but I shook my head.

"Not truly. I believe that she might see Fourier as a close friend, far 'closer' than friendship should allow," I explained properly. "Crusch has taken a shine for him and I've noticed this by how easily she conceded about the first-name basis she now shares with Fourier-"

"B-But she call you and Ferris by your first name too and-"

"I'm slightly below her rank, Fourier," I interrupted the prince back. "And Ferris is a knight loyal to her that she had known for a long time now. You are the crown prince and... someone that is way higher in the social pyramid. To quickly submit to the opportunity to address you as 'Fourier', despite her overly-polite mannerism, I would say that she is indeed interested in you."

He blinked in surprise at my words, yet he didn't seem truly convinced. "What if she considers me just as a... sibling?"

"Improbable," Felix answered with a quiet humming coming from his throat, it sounded similar to a purr. "Lady Karsten would have been less tense about it if it had been the case. I know that for sue and... what if Johnyah is right?"

"You could try to go out with her on a date."

...

"A what?"

I blinked as I realized that in a sleep-induced daze I had forgotten that courting was far stricter than dating. And that dating wasn't a thing yet.

"A generally friendly hang out," I reiterated swiftly. "You spare some time together maybe for a walk on a place you know she likes, talking to her until lunch and have some time there too to enjoy each other company. Then, once things are done, your answer will be over how she will react when you will say 'It was a lovely day to spend with you, Crusch, and I hope that we can share this once again in the near future'."

"W-What kind of reaction?" The prince pressed on, clearly interested by the matter and ignoring the soft amused hum coming from Ferris.

"If she merely smiles and gives you a nod, then it means she only sees you as a friend," I started to answer, the first scenario deflating the blond a little. "But if she actually blushes and perhaps stutter even lightly something like 'I am flattered by your kind words, your highness', then that means she is interested on you."

"T-That's it?"

"Well, that would be the beginning," I replied quickly. "From there it will be up to you to plan out how to nurture the seed of love to produce the fruits you can truly enjoy... with your possible lover."

He blushed at the mentioning of Crusch as his lover and, while he seemed ready to press for more, I decided to slowly let go of my awake state.

Ferris was quietly snoring on my chest, a mix of human noise and cat-like purring making me slowly lose my grasp over my consciousness as I slipped away in the dream world.

Fourier had to surely waste some time pondering over my words, but he eventually fall asleep as...

The next morning, I found his head resting on my shoulder while his arms were wrapped around my right arm.

What a curious predicament I found myself into.