Re: Freedom: Regaining Freedom In Another World

FYI

Scene/ POV

: Speech

- Thoughts

[Flashback]

"Quoting"

(Author Note)

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Mansion
After a long rest, I found that we were being visited by emissaries. An Old man waited outside next to the carriage while Emilia went inside the mansion.
???: Hello young man. Might you be a knight in training?
Koji: No. I'm a butler.
???: You're a butler? I find that hard to believe.
Koji: I do have experience with the sword but I'm currently working as a butler.
???: I see... oh forgive my rudeness. My name is Wilhelm Van Astrea.
He offered his hand which I shook.
Koji: Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
Wilhelm: Might I interest you in some sparring?
Koji: Sure
Wilhelm: Excellent.
I entered the mansion and brought out two practice swords handing Wilhelm one.
Koji: Should we start?
Wilhelm took in a breath.
Wilhelm: Let's begin.
I took a stance as Wilhelm quickly closed the distance and swung his sword I deflected it to the side using a pulling motion and swung my blade counterattacking as Wilhelm jumped back.
Wilhelm: Very nice Kiyotaka-Dono.
Koji: Thank you very much.
Wilhelm, this time, got into a defensive stance. I circled him, analysing his stance, as I made a rush at him and thrust my sword. Then, I pulled my blade up and cut at him downwards as Wilhelm blocked it.
Wilhelm: That was a very effective play Kiyotaka-Dono.
Koji: I thank you for the praise but I'm sure you're holding back so as not to injure me.
I rushed in once again binding our sword as I grabbed his arm pulling him to the side and attempting to hit him on the shoulder but Wilhelm broke free of my grip with little difficulty and jumped back.
Koji- He really is incredible. Even with all my sword training in the White Room, I'm sure I could learn a thing or two about swordplay from him.
Wilhelm then dashed towards me unleashing a flurry of attacks attempting to unbalance and strike me. Even though they were fast, I could perceive them well enough to block them and dodge unsavoury powered attacks. Wilhelm seemed shocked to see me able to block the attacks, which was reasonable, but then, in the next attack, he put in more strength, knocking the wooden sword out of my hand through brute force. The sword fell to the side with a thud.
Wilhelm: That was excellent Kiyotaka-Dono. I wouldn't be surprised if you were training to be a knight or at least were a nobleman's child in the past.
Koji: I see. Thank you for the praise Astrea-Sama.
I bowed my head in respect.
Wilhelm: I must say your swordplay was perfect. If there were any errors I wasn't able to perceive them. However...
Koji: I lack the physical strength to contend with you.
Wilhelm: Yes but if you were to train your body you would be more than qualified to enter into the Knights of Luginca after some training on etiquette that I believe you would pass with flying colours.
Koji: I have no intention of doing that. I'm afraid joining the knights would be very restrictive to what I could accomplish. I would have to follow orders from above and that would limit what I could do to assist Emilia-Sama.
Wilhelm: I see. However, if you ever decide you want to join I'll put in a good word for you.
Koji: I appreciate that. If the time ever does come that it's required that would be a big help.
Wilhelm smiled.
Koji: However if anything I'd be honoured if you would take me under your tutelage.
I bowed to him again.
Wilhelm smiled brightly.
Wilhelm: Of course. I'll spar with you any time you like. I'll teach you a few forms as well along with integrating mana into your muscles and swordsmanship.
Koji: Thank you Astrea-Sama.
Suddenly a cat boy approached us meowing and observing me from within my personal space.
???: I see. I see. So this is him? The one Emilia-Sama was talking about.
I extended my hand to him.
Koji: Ayanokji Kiyotaka. nice to meet you.
??? shook my hand.
???: Same to you. My name's Felix.
Felix turned to Wilhelm.
Felix: I't time to go.
He then turned back to me.
Felix: See you in the capital.
They then left and I walked into the mansion to meet Emilia.
Koji: So you're heading to the capital?
Emilia: Yes I have important business there.
Koji: I see. Is it about the Royal Selection?
Emilia: Yes it is.
Koji: Then I will attend to the mansion while you are gone.
Emila smiled.
Emilia: Thank you.
Ram stepped up.
Ram: Seems that before you were holding out on us with your abilities Ayanotaka. You've given me and Rem a lot of rest thanks to your diligent work these past few days. You were also a great help during the Mabeast incident. Honestly, I believe you deserve more respect than you give yourself.
Emilia: Ram?
Ram: Take Ayanotaka with you. 
Koji- She's just saying this because slacking off while I'm doing all the work and showing her up irks her.
Emilia: Well Kiyotaka?
Koji: If it is your desire I'll accompany you.
Emilia: Alright. We'll head out tomorrow.
Roswal stepped into the room.
Roswal: Oh? We're taking Kiyotaka-Kunnn with us?
He seemed displeased by this. But it didn't seem to bother him for long. He seemed to become content with it in only a few seconds.
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The Next Day
It was a long carriage ride but eventually, Emilia, Rem, Roswal and I reached the Capital where we were walking around and see bought Appas from that vendor I met when I first came to this world.
Vendor: Thank you for your business.
We left.
Emilia: I'm frankly still a bit worried about Felt so let's go stop by a guard station and ask about it.
Koji: Of course.
The two of us headed there when a knight with purple hair approached.
???: Well if it isn't Emilia-Sama. How have you been since last we met?
Emilia: A few scares here and there but everything seems fine. You seem to be doing well Julius.
His eyes looked at me with suspicion.
Julius: The mere fact that you remember me is an honour. You've only grown more beautiful.
He approached getting on one knee and taking Emilia's hand and kissing it.
Koji- For a second I thought he was going to propose.
Emilia: Thank you. Sorry for asking so abruptly but could you act as my agent? I have some business here.
Julius: Of course.
His eyes turned to me. He had looked into my eyes. Seems it wasn't possible to deceive him into thinking I was normal.
Julius: Can I ask who this young man is?
Emilia: This is Kiyotaka-Kun. He's a butler at my mansion.
Julius: Forgive me Emilia-Sama but a butler? That look in his eyes suggests otherwise.
Emilia: Oh right. He lost his memories so it's possible that his past was a bt different.
Julius- So this is the man Reinhard was talking about. I should be cautious around him and observe him closely as he suggested.
[Reinhard: That man told me he had lost his memories but I could tell he was lying.
Julius: Is he a threat to Lugia or the Royal candidates?
Reinhard: I don't think so but he's genuinely uncertain about his surroundings. it's strange. I'd be cautious around him and observe him closely but I wouldn't go as far as labelling him an enemy of the state.
Julius: I see.]
Julius: Kiyotaka. Do you have experience with the sword?
Koji: Yes I do.
Julius: How about a mock duel?
Emilia: Julius!? Why?
Julius: Don't worry Emilia-Sama. It'll be with wooden swords and I'll make sure not to hurt him.
I bowed to him.
Koji: I'm sorry but regardless of my previous standing, as a butler in the Emila camp I have no right to duel a knight such as yourself. More importantly, I would like to not cause trouble for Lady Emilia as she is here on official business.
Julius smiled and Emilia looked at me appreciative of my manners.
Julius: Despite being a butler you seem more like a swordsman to me and with your polite manner you could certainly pass as a knight.
Koji: Thank you but I don't deserve such praise.
Julius: Very well. Emilia-Sama. Might we head inside?
Emilia: Kiyotaka. Feel free to explore a little. I'll be in there for a while. Just don't get lost.
Koji: Of course.
She nodded as Julis opened the doors Emilia walked inside and I walked away from the building and found myself at a familiar alley where I found a girl being cornered by several familiar thugs. I walked over.
Koji: Oh it's you three again.
They looked at me with mailce.
Thug 1: You bastard! I'll beat the shit out of you for what you pulled last time.
Koji: Do you want me to pull the same trick again?
They glared at me before leaving as we were approached by Rom.
Rom: Huh? You're...
Koji: Hello Rom-San.
Rom: Ah no need for Honourifics with me. It feels weird.
Koji: Okay Rom.
Rom: Do you have any idea what's happened to Felt? She hasn't returned in a while.
Koji: Emilia-Sama was looking into that at the Gaurd Station. I'll lead you over there. Maybe she has some information.
Rom: I see. Alright.
I turned to the girl.
Koji: Are you alright?
???: There was no need for your assistance.
Koji: Is that so? Let's go Rom.
The girl looked at me with a glare.
???: You dare to ignore me, commoner!?
I noticed the insignia she was carrying.
Koji: I apologise for my behaviour. It was unbecoming of a lowly peasant in the presence of a royal selection candidate.
In bowed while saying this.
Rom looked at me as if I was a suck up but really I just didn't want to waste time bickering with this woman.
???: Hah ha. That's more like it.
She observed me closely.
Koji: Might I ask for your name?
??? I am Pricilla Barielle. The Future King of Lugunica.
Koji: I see. Please forgive my prior actions Lady Pricilla.
She took a look at me.
Pricilla: Hm... Now that I take a closer look at you you're no commoner. A nobleman's son perhaps? State your name.
Koji: Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
She used her fan to raise my head.
Pricilla: Ayanokoji... join my camp.
I was stunned by this offer. Why would she offer me that? She took one look at me and determined I was a valuable asset.
Pricilla smirked.
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To Be Continued

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