A week has passed since I returned to Aisha.
The battles with the Empire in various countries have subsided, and I’ve been spending a rare period of peaceful days.
I’ve been going to work as usual, having idle chats and laughing with Claire and the others.
After all, when the fighting continues, you truly appreciate the ability to live ordinary days.
You can savor the joy and happiness of peace.
However, there was something that bothered me.
“…D-Don’t get cocky… we are not the only enemy…”
“Inside you too… kukuku… ku…”
I recalled the words Gouras spat out at his last moments.
What did he mean by that?
Was it just a bluff uttered on the brink of death?
Or was there genuinely someone within Aisha colluding with the Empire?
If so, who could it be?
Since the conversation happened high up in the sky, I was the only one who heard those words.
I reported it to Ashe, but she looked troubled and told me to “keep this quiet for a while.”
Does she have any suspicions, or is she planning a secret investigation?
Either way, it still bothers me.
An internal enemy…
The first person that came to my mind was Minister of Internal Affairs, Irvin.
A man full of ambition, holding a stance opposite to the Queen’s.
A man seeking power, who seemed to have more than a few things hidden up his sleeve.
If he were secretly in league with the Empire, it wouldn’t be terribly surprising – or so I felt.
– Before I knew it, I was in a pitch-black space.
“Eh…!?”
Startled, I looked around.
Was I in some room?
Or perhaps another dimension?
In front of me, something resembling a faintly glowing orb was floating.
A powerful pressure emanated from it as it flickered dimly.
Enmity.
Rage.
Indignation.
And murderous intent.
– Suddenly, I heard screams and cries.
They were all voices I recognized.
“!? Everyone…!”
It was the screams of Claire and Racine.
An image materialized before me.
A colossal shadow was descending upon them.
The Third Squad is in danger…
Damn it, I have to go help them!
Panicked, I looked for an exit, but couldn’t find one.
I started running frantically.
Just get to them, somehow—
“Are your comrades that important?”
The voice echoed from the orb.
Magic bullets, fired from all directions, exploded around Claire and the others.
Screams and groans grew louder.
Stop it! Stop it!
“Why do you care? With your power, you don’t need companions.”
The image before me shifted.
A sea of red.
What is this—!?
As I wondered, I immediately realized it was the color of flames.
Aisha— no, the entire world was engulfed in flames.
When the flames subsided, a city reduced to ruins stretched as far as the eye could see.
People knelt on the ground, attending to someone.
“That’s—”
Standing at the center of the people, receiving their reverence, was—
“Me…!?”
Furthermore, stunningly beautiful women were clinging to me.
“Women and power, or perhaps wealth and glory—you have gained it all.”
The voice boomed.
Annoying.
“This is one possible future. If you desire it, this possibility will become reality.”
The voice boomed.
Annoying!
“Your power is enough to rule this world.”
Annoying, I don’t care!
“Become the king of this world.”
Annoying! Annoying!!
What I desire.
What I truly want—
– It was then that the scene switched back to the original view.
“…Huh? Was… was that a dream…!?”
I let out a deep sigh.
I’d seen similar scenes in dreams several times before.
Experiencing future events in a dream—a so-called precognitive dream.
It was similar to the time Claire and I had our first experience in my hometown village, or when I fought with Origa, the Elf elder.
What I just had felt like that.
Though it felt more like an illusion or a daydream than a dream.
“…I should get changed soon.”
Pushing down the rising anxiety, or perhaps to forget it, I muttered to myself.
The sunlight streaming through the window was gradually getting stronger.
It was already morning.
I had to go to work.
I was walking down the main street leading to Headquarters with Claire and Racine.
It was our usual commute together.
The Royal Capital has visibly regained a brighter atmosphere recently.
When I first came here, there were robberies and an unsettling air, but I don’t feel even a hint of it now.
Perhaps it’s a slightly premature war-end mode.
The Six Great Nations have repelled the Empire’s forces one after another, and the only thing left is when they will invade the mainland and launch a decisive battle.
“Speaking of which, Abel has been staying at that inn for a long time,” Claire said, walking close to my right side.
“Isn’t the Knight Order’s lodging ready yet?”
“Something like how they wanted to prepare a special mansion to celebrate my past war merits… that’s what the country said.”
It was from Minister Eliza, as usual.
She also offered an option with many beautiful maids.
Well, it’s a tempting offer in its own way…
“But I refused. I like this inn.”
The food is delicious, and the innkeeper is a good person.
He’s currently abroad for studies and not at the inn, but his daughter treated me well too.
“Though I do think it’s a very kind offer.”
“A special mansion… that’s amazing,” Racine, walking on my left, smiled brightly.
“It makes me happy to see Abel-sama’s achievements being recognized more and more.”
“It’s truly incredible. That my childhood friend is now a hero who saved the country… it feels unbelievable,” Claire murmured, gazing into the distance.
Victory after victory.
Praise after praise.
Glory after glory.
Everything was going smoothly.
It was almost too smooth, to the point of being frightening.
Though I’m a little uneasy after this morning’s precognitive dream—
