Return

This… other world, it seemed like it would take more than a passing glance to understand its complexities. 

From what he experienced within the imperial palace so far, Ryujin thought that compared to Earth, Valtheris was merely a backwater nation, its level of culture and technology probably similar to the medieval times. He thought that the superiority this place has was their knowledge of the Rifts and the magic to counter them.

But it's not.

Gazing at the scenery outside the horse-drawn carriage, Ryujin felt his heart unexpectedly flutter, like a young boy experiencing his first school trip. 

There were elongated mechanical rides flying above, a series of connected vehicles that run along an invisible railway track. They could only be described as magic trains traversing over the residential houses and commercial buildings against the laws of physics.

There were also vast infrastructures with strange shapes yet pleasing architecture, but even Ryujin could not make heads or tails what they're built for.

Not to mention the strange rifles being openly carried by the city guards, there were also people holding devices with holograms appearing above them like touch screens. 

As if that wasn't weird enough, he had even witnessed some aristocratic ladies summon mystical-looking animals with a wave of their hands, their actions seemingly not that out of place based on the reactions of the passers-by.

A world where science, faith and magic not only coexisted, but highly developed as well.

The capital of Valtheris was a place with a kind of flavor and aesthetic Ryujin had never seen nor expected, making him have the illusion that he'd been transported inside a steampunk-historical fiction-romance fantasy novel instead. 

And this much, he gathered from observing within his carriage.

What more could he discover if he were to truly investigate this world in depth?

Unlike his brother, Ryujin had neither an adventurous spirit nor a carefree soul, but towards this strange unfamiliar world, what he felt was curiosity rather than fear of the unknown. 

An emotion that was closer to excitement.

However, are there no other races?

Ryujin had only seen humans strolling about. No other intelligent life forms were spotted.

Are there no other elves aside from that guy?

Soon enough, the carriage slowed. They must have arrived at his destination. 

Ryujin felt it was a pity. The thirty-minute ride was both too long yet too short.

One glance was enough to inform him that this part of the city ought to be the residential district meant for high-ranking palace officials. 

It was thanks to his amazing memory. 

Along the way, he recalled seeing gatekeepers with armors that bore the exact same insignias donned by some of the ministers that pestered Ryujin the past couple days.

Does this mean that I'm being sent back home..? To Rio de Carvalho's residence?

Ryujin was brought to a villa several times larger and more luxurious than his previous lodging. The ride from the gate to the entrance of the mansion alone was a good five minutes.

When the door of the carriage opened, a familiar-looking man welcomed him. 

Blue eyes, common to the people from this area, turned towards Ryujin before lowering to the ground. He bowed his head politely while brown hair fluttered. 

He bears striking resemblance to Ahl, that boy who's been attending to his needs since he woke up.

With his glasses, neat attire and well-groomed hair, he looked more like a young scholar than an attendant.

"Welcome back, Your Grace," the man said. "It is an honor to see you return safely."

Short and concise, not a fluctuation of emotion.

Ryujin only understood the two words 'Your Grace'. However, he could still guess the man's intention despite not reading his mind.

Was he the butler?

Behind him, attendants in neat black and white uniforms as well as knights in armors were lined up on two rows like they were all part of the military. They also repeated the words of greeting spoken by the scholarly man.

It was unexpected. After surviving an assassination and a monster attack, Ryujin thought he would be welcomed with more warmth and sincerity, maybe a little fuss or worry.

This…it was too professional. Too impersonal. 

The man took his coat as he led the way inside the mansion, speaking words Ryujin could not catch. It sounded like a report of sorts. The maids they passed along the way all bowed subserviently. Ryujin did not even need to offer them perfunctory nods because none dared to look up and meet his eyes.

Everyone was perfectly polite, but Ryujin felt a wall between them.

Does Rio de Carvalho have no family members? No parents? Siblings? Spouse?

That eased some of Ryujin's worries. It would be difficult if he had to pretend to be intimate or considerate towards strangers. Even if he could act, he could not act 24/7.

That reminds him, the butler had been speaking for so long, but the man was unfazed by his lack of response. 

Did the palace people inform them of his condition? Or was the real Rio a taciturn person?

It appeared that none of them knew about his 'loss of speech, treating him as they normally would their real master.

Or maybe they know, but it doesn't matter.

This was the Carvalho residence. In this place, Duke Carvalho naturally had the highest authority.

And that Duke was Ryujin's current identity.

Even if he were to act suspiciously or out of character, no one would point fingers at him. 

Ryujin was brought to the master's bedchamber to rest. He casually dismissed the servants and the guards with a wave of his hand.

After the butler whose name he's yet to know excused himself, he was finally left alone. Ryujin let out the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Fuck. That was suffocating. I thought after I escaped the palace, I could take a breather. Turns out, I just entered another pit."

Well, at least, the situation improved. 

Without his permission, those ministers, priests and physicians wouldn't be let in to bother him. Even if they dare try to barge in, they should ask if those knights patrolling outside would let them.

Ryujin steeled himself.

It was time to execute the plan he concocted in the imperial palace.

The first step? He must learn the language of this world.