In this world, there are countless people living, each with their own purposes and goals. From my point of view, anything that distracts you from your goal must be removed, no matter what it is. In this world, everyone has the potential to be strong, but it is in those moments when you succumb to distraction that you lose sight of yourself.
That is why I will never stop pursuing strength.
I hear the sound of carriages coming and going. The people of this great city, so lively and bustling, fill me with joy. I turn my head to appreciate more, to think a little about my path forward.
Everything around me is the result of our efforts as a civilization. It was achieved by us, not by others. The two-story houses, the carriages coming and going, the shops in the middle of the square.
'Why do people find it hard to accept the magnificence of their achievements?'
"Let's work hard today!" exclaims a demihuman to his companion, who responds with an energetic gesture.
Everyone lives their life in their own way, with their own principles. Each has a duty to fulfill, a dream to achieve. Our responsibility to ourselves is not to stray from our goals, to fight for what we believe is right.
"We should go out for a drink today," says someone passing by, holding hands with their partner. Their partner nods, and they hug affectionately.
Everyone makes choices, each lives according to their own goals. The goal and how you fight for it will determine how high you can go. I watch the couple leave my sight, then close my eyes.
To achieve my goal, I need to forget myself as an individual.
'Your sense of duty is so demanding!' I look up, appreciating the beautiful blue sky, filled with clouds as white as delicate pillows. It is a sky he can no longer see, a sky that fate took from him.
I am my purpose, and until then, I have no right to think of anything else.
I feel someone tugging at my hand, pulling me out of my cloud of useless thoughts.
"Miss Crusch, nyan, look!" My knight points in a direction, but before doing so, I think about the person in front of me.
His cheerful gaze always contrasts in my mind. The first time I saw him, the first time I took his hand. The world is always changing, and the cruelty of this world goes hand in hand with the purpose each one has.
"Miss Crusch?" Felix asks, his eyebrows raised and his worried eyes looking at me. I turn my head in the direction he pointed and stare at that fountain.
'I'm acting too strange today.'
I sigh for a few seconds and see a crowd approaching that fountain.
"It's nothing, don't worry," I reply, avoiding the topic. Yet, deep down, I still feel that sense of danger; something is going to change today. The wind feels strange, but I can't identify what it is.
'I feel like something bad is going to happen today.'
Looking closer, I see someone lying on the ground. The square is a place for all kinds of people, so at first glance, it seems like just another drunk.
However, many more people than expected are gathering. Normally, such behaviour is ignored, and some knight would take care of maintaining order.
We approach, but there are so many people that it's impossible to pass. I focus on listening, to get a bit more information.
"They say he appeared out of nowhere..." they start talking to each other, and I realize it's not something normal.
"I saw him appear by myself!" exclaims a demihuman, pointing in the direction of that man.
His companion shrugs, sighing and mocking him. "Ha! How can I believe that? He must have used some magic to hide or something," he states.
'A magic of that sort is very powerful, but it could be possible.'
"Isn't he dressed strangely?" asks Wilhelm Van Astrea next to me. He looks at him piercingly, as if ready to attack at any moment.
'I suppose he feels it too.' I try to get closer, but I quickly notice a figure rushing past me.
Her silver hair catches my eye for a few seconds, and she walks quickly toward the person on the ground. Her look indicates she is going to help him. The people, seeing her, start to move away, distancing themselves from her and looking at her with fear and disgust.
I close my eyes for a few seconds and turn around.
"Nya, isn't that the half-devil?" asks Felix, making me turn to look at him with a serious expression, letting him see my disapproval.
"You can't speak ill of a candidate, especially behind their back." After scolding him, he shrugs, pouting and looking away.
We move away from the place, determined to follow the established rules. Wilhelm looks at me for a few seconds but then looks away. He seems to be thinking about something, but rules are rules.
"Nya, aren't you curious?" asks Felix, taking a few quick steps forward and looking at me intently, pointing at the sky. "It seemed quite curious. Although I couldn't see his face, his way of dressing was strange."
Certainly, I also felt something strange.
"Candidates should not interact with each other; it's forbidden," I respond, thinking about the words of those strangers.
'He appeared out of nowhere.' I understand it's possible; there are spells that allow you to move so fast it seems like teleportation. But appearing out of nowhere is something entirely different. At the very least, it would require an immense amount of mana or be someone with great knowledge.
Some glintstone matrix or a very powerful spell.
Felix turns around, coming back to my side. "I didn't care anyway! Nya!"
Saying that I'm not curious is lying. After all, I feel something strange about that man. However, my hands are tied.
Time passes, and soon dusk reaches us. It's time to eat, as well as time to fulfill the purpose for which I decided to go out. We arrive at the designated place, and I stand in front of it, looking at it.
"Are you sure about eating here, Miss Crusch?" Wilhelm looks ahead, and all that can be seen is a simple tavern, a small welcome sign, and swinging doors.
"Yes, I am sure," I reply, glancing at the note in my hand, a note I found under my pillow.
"Come to the address in the letter. If you want to achieve your goal, you need to go." I thought it was a simple joke, but then I had a strange dream. Since then, I've been distracted, so I decided to put an end to that feeling once and for all.
'I'll see it's nothing important and go to work.' I'm not afraid of an ambush; I really don't think it's an attack.
We enter, and I look around in slight amazement. The interior is much less spacious than I expected, with all kinds of people talking and drinking, and a strange smell in the air. Felix and Wilhelm look at me, but I shake my head.
'This is part of what I must do.'
A waitress attends to us and directs us to our table. She tells us the menu, and I name a normal dish with few ingredients. I don't trust this place, but it's unlikely anyone will recognize us.
"Lady Crusch is acting strange today, nya!" exclaims Felix, making me think. "You decided to leave out of nowhere, you're pensive, and now you decide to come to this place." Felix makes a terrified expression, looking at me while covering his mouth. "Did Lady Crusch come to see her lover?!"
Her words churn my stomach. Right now, I'd like to hit her to stop her from saying such nonsense.
"No, just stay alert." I sigh, slowly looking around, trying to notice anything unusual.
That dream was weird, more like someone was trying to tell me something, as if they had entered my mind just to tell me to come to this horrible place. It was strange, too strange.
"I wanted to experience the commoner's life, nothing more..." A valid excuse, I was also interested in seeing it. This will help me as a future ruler.
Time passes, and we leave the restaurant. The streets are dimly lit and lonely. The silver moon in the sky and the twinkling stars. I feel the wind on my skin and take a breath, trying to forget the bad taste of that restaurant.
"It was horrible, nya!" exclaims Felix, and I can only nod in silence.
The meat was burnt on the outside and raw on the inside, plus it was salty. I didn't even dare to drink the water. It was an experience I don't think I need to live again. I look at Wilhelm's face, who, despite having had a tough life, also makes a grimace of disgust.
I sigh, seeing that today was a waste.
I guess it was just a joke, a simple coincidence. I must have misinterpreted my dream, and because of that, I've wasted valuable time. Besides, the food was horrible, today has undoubtedly been a completely wasted day.
I sigh, lowering my head.
'I was at least hoping for something interesting.'
"I really don't know who you are; I only know that it seemed important."
I turn my head, seeing her for the second time today. I can remember her name well: Emilia, a half-elf who probably hasn't had a good life. Her appearance, though it makes me uncomfortable, isn't really of interest to me.
She's talking to a man, and by his clothes, I can see it's the man from the square. His face is curious, though I can't detail it due to the darkness; he doesn't seem unkempt. Although his clothes have large stains of blood and dirt.
'I must not interfere.'
"Thank you for everything, I guess fate connected us in some way. I don't know you, but I hope we meet again." Her words are cold and dishonest, the wind of lies blowing with all its might. It seems he's trying to pressure her to ask for something.
'Disgusting, but I must not interfere.'
"You must protect who and what you are as Crusch Karsten, the duke's daughter, not as a member of the duke's family."
I take several steps, quickening my pace. I don't like people who only seek to use others. I don't like people who lie for their own benefit. The truth should always be known.
Then, for the first time, I do it.
"Enough of your lies." I stand in front of her, and I can see her eyes wide open in surprise.
He's trying to deceive her, his clothes stained with blood, looking exhausted and injured. In contrast, Emilia looks fine, not appearing to have suffered significant damage. Anyone would say the one in need of help is that man. I can see his face better, though dusty, it looks fine; one could say he's not a peasant just by his appearance.
"Huh?" I see Emilia looking at me out of the corner of my eye, but I don't speak to her.
I stare at that man intently, and I can see the surprise in his eyes at my appearance. He tries to get closer, but I release mana, making him step back.
He doesn't seem able to say anything, instead, he looks around, knowing I've uncovered his plans. He must be a scammer; that's why he's taking advantage now. Though I can't shake off that feeling of bad omen.
'Is this what the letter means?'
"Cru..." He was about to say my name, and as he covers his mouth, I pounce on him. I know many people can know me, but his lies and his gaze are not those of someone with good intentions; the wind around him tells me this man isn't simple.
I get in front of him in an instant, and when I'm about to grab him, I'm interrupted.
"Stop!" exclaims Emilia, addressing me. I stop, and the person in front of me just keeps looking at me, pale with fear.
"He was helping me; he got hurt because of me and wanted to compensate him." She tells the truth, but the words of this liar no longer hold any prestige. He says nothing and turns his head as if he already knows I know his lies.
He seems to know me more than expected, but before I can decide...
"I helped her, I risked my life." I open my eyes in surprise, seeing that he tells the truth. "I wanted to be cautious, and about my words..."
He's not lying, but I feel his words have something hidden. He keeps avoiding looking at me as if he fully knows my power, what I can see. My ability allows me to sense part of someone's mental state, but there are so many sensations in the wind that I can't say what it is. That response was directed at me, telling me what I want to hear.
I can't let him go; if he knows so much about me, I must find out who told him. It could be a trap they're setting for me, but I must investigate further. After all, the letter told me to come to this place.
'It can't be a mere coincidence.'
"Lady Emilia, I'm very sorry about the current situation." I close my eyes for a few seconds, then open them forcefully. I've already broken it; it doesn't matter anymore.
"Take this man for questioning." I turn around, looking at him seriously. She looks at me with a worried expression, but I remain calm. I can't let him go; that feeling inside me won't allow it.
She seems surprised; I suppose my interference is truly unexpected. She tries to say something, but I don't let her.
"I know he's your saviour, and I, Crusch Karsten, understand that very well." I nod, trying to calm her. "That's why I promise that once I get what I need, if he wishes, I will personally send him back to Mathers' mansion safe and sound."
Her face shows doubt, and her words are filled with disappointment.
"I understand... I suppose it's for the best." She narrows her eyes, then turns her face to the man. He looks at her and then nods, agreeing with me. "Marco, I promise that the next time we meet, I'll pay you for helping me."
An unchanging truth, it seems she at least recognizes when someone has helped her. It's true that I don't know her, I suppose it will be in the future. For now, she doesn't seem dangerous, nor does she have bad intentions.
I like her.
She turns around, saying goodbye to that man and to us. She made the decision faster than I expected; I guess she didn't want to cause problems due to the treaty between the candidates.
Wilhelm and Felix stand beside me. With the cold wind brushing my skin, I feel my heart beating. I'm calm, but at the same time, something is pricking it, as if warning me about my decision.
"I think you already noticed," his words are direct, affirming my suspicions.
He could read me perfectly, which means he knows me well. I don't remember him at all, so he must be a spy for one of the candidates or one of my enemies. I really can't define the state of this man in front of me.
I don't like him.
Wilhelm walks towards him, determined to follow my orders to escort him. Marco extends his hand and bows.
"I have no intention of hurting anyone." The truth appears, bringing me some peace. "I would like to..."
I step in front of him, raise my arm, and in a matter of seconds, I hit him in the neck, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious. I look at him for a few seconds, and his face goes from pain to entering a deep sleep.
A cloud stops covering the moon, illuminating the four of us.
"That was strange, nyan, and he smells like blood." Felix approaches the man, looking at me for a few seconds before using magic to clean him.
I don't know why I acted so quickly; I guess I'm still uneasy from that dream.
As if someone had moved the strings of fate.
It's the first time I feel something like this.