Re: Freedom: Regaining Freedom In Another World

FYI

Scene/ POV

: Speech

- Thoughts

[Flashback]

"Quoting"

(Author Note)—————————————————————————————————————

Capital
Koji: Pardon?
Pricilla: Join my camp. I see just from that look in your eyes that you are a man of suitable character for my camp.
Koji: I am flattered by your offer Lady Pricilla but I am already employed under another faction.
Pricilla: No matter. I will treat you far better than whatever camp you reside in.
Koji: I must still refuse. I have chosen a Lady to serve under.
Pricilla glared at me.
Pricilla: You would refuse the chance to serve someone like me?
Koji: I'm afraid so.
Pricilla's glare faded.
Pricilla: You have quite the backbone. I'm impressed. I'll give you credit for being slightly better that the peasants you associate with.
Koji: I thank you for your praise.
Koji- I can tell she's also referring to the other candidates but if I acted like I knew that it would only be problematic.
Pricilla: I propose a game. If I win you will serve under me. If you win I will allow you to caress my breasts.
Koji: Pardon?
Pricilla: To be given such an honour. Be glad.
Koji: Forgive me but even may I set the terms on the occasion I win?
Pricilla: No.
I sighed.
Koji: Very well but I won't be taking your reward.
Koji- Outright refusing her would just cause her to block us from reaching Emilia and she may bear a grudge.
Koji: Might I ask what game we'll play?
Pricilla: You may choose.
Koji: I don't really know many... games.
Pricilla: Any will do.
Koji: Alright how about Rock Paper Scissors?
Pricilla: I'm not familiar with that game.
Koji: It's simple. Rock Beats Scissors, Scissors Beats Paper and paper beats rock.
I demonstrated the proper way to play the game.
Pricilla: A simple game. It will suffice.
Koji: Whoever wins the most out of three rounds wins.
Pricilla: Agreed.
We played three rounds. I won each round.
Pricilla: Astounding. Reading my expressions so well. You are very entertaining. Now you must join my camp.
Koji: Once again I must refuse.
Pricilla: Very well.
She approached me.
Pricilla: You have earned your reward. Go ahead.
Koji: No need. The honour of spending time with a Royal Selection candidate such as yourself is reward enough.
Pricilla laughed with her fan covering her mouth.
Pricilla: Verry well.
She left as Rom and I looked to each other.
Rom: Who da fuck was that weirdo?
Koji: Dunno.
I was going to lead Rom to the Gaurd Station when Emilia showed up with a man in clad armour.
Emilia: I finally found you. I was worried you'd gotten lost.
She then noticed Rom.
Emilia: Oh Rom right? It's very nice to see you again.
Rom: Yeah yeah. Where is Felt?
Emilia: Sorry they say Reinhard-San still has her. The information on why she's still with him is unclear but a friend of mine Julius told me not to worry.
Rom: Alright I got it. Thanks for the information.
I looked at the man in the armour.
Koji: Hello. My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
???: Aldebaran but you can call me Al.
Koji: Nice to meet you Al.
We shook hands.
Emilia: I was helping him search for a lost child.
Koji: Could this child perhaps be 5 foot 5 and acting like a noble who looks down on people.
Al: Spot on.
Emilia: Ehhh!? I thought we were looking for a small child.
Al: Sorry about that haha. Did you see where she went?
I pointed him in the direction.
Al: Sorry but I got to find her so I have to leave.
He left as I walked with Emilia towards the inn.
Koji: Emilia. Is the Royal Candicy mandatory for selected individuals?
Emilia: No. You can choose not to.
Koji: I see then why are you running?
Emilia: ... I'm doing it because I want to create a kingdom where all people are equal.
Koji: ... I see. Emilia. Are you talking about races being treated fairly?
Emilia: Yes.
Koji: I see.
Emilia: I mean I want everyone to be equal as well but my goal is to...
Koji: No I'm glad you're not trying to push it to that extent.
Emilia: Kiyotaka?
Koji: This world won't thrive in such conditions. It would be more damaging than helpful. Society is and should always be a meritocracy.
Emilia: Meritocracy?
Koji: A society were your standing is determined by your achievements and contributions.
Emilia: I guess you're right about that.
Emilia- But why did he say it like that? Like he's experienced a world that was too focused on equality. Could his memories be coming back?
Koji: I'll stay in the Inn and wait for yu to come back from the Royal Selection okay?
Emilia: Alright.
We headed inside as I lay in bed remembering my father's efforts towards equal superiority.
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Morning
I was eating the breakfast that Rem was making when she asked me a question.
Rem: Why are you supporting Emilia-Sama in the Royal Selection?
Koji: Is there a reason not to
Rem: Well no but...
Koji: It's alright. The reason is that I'm just trying to survive in this world and right now she offers me a good chance at that. Although... I am a bit interested to see her journey.
Rem: I see.
Koji: Why do you...
As I was about to ask her I heard the door opening as Emilia walked inside with a dark expression.
Koji: Are you alright?
Emilia: I'm... fine.
I walked over to her and knelt down touching her cheek and feeling the tears drop from her eyes onto my hand. I sighed pulling her into a hug.
Emilia: Kiyotaka-Kun? ...
Koji: You don't need to tell me but if you want to I'm here.
Emilia: They just... they wouldn't look at me with anything but disgust.
Koji: Discrimination again is it?
Emilia: How am I going to become King when my people won't look at me with anything but disgust?
Koji: Emilia. I personally think you are the best fit for the throne. From my research, Anastasia Hoshin wants to be Kinng for selfish reasons which may cause the kingdom problems later on. Crusch is a militarist and while is important she is also trying to remove the contract between Luguinca and the dragon which is unnecessary. Then there is Priscilla. She's too prideful to rule properly. The second she meets an enemy superior to her she'll remain stubborn and lose.
Emilia: You're saying that I don't have those faults so I'm the best choice.
Koji: No. Right now you're the worst choice. You have no respect from anyone outside your camp, you don't have significant military strength, resources or connections.
Rem looked at me in shock.
Emilia: Then why?
Koji: You have the potential to change that all. You are open-minded and caring. You prioritize your people over yourself. Right now is not the time to base who should be King on but the future.
Emilia: The future.
Koji: Emilia. Right now everyone's words about you are holding strong. They'll call you a witch or a half-elf but actions always speak louder than words. Over time you'll become trusted and respected. be patient.
Emilia: But what if I can't do it?
Koji: I'm willing to walk alongside you on this path so take your time and believe in your own ability.
Emilia looked at me.
Emilia: Kiyotaka-Kun...
Koji: Rem. Are we ready to go home?
Rem smiled.
Rem: Yes we are.
Koji: Then let's not waste any more time here.
I stood up offering my hand to Emilia.
Koji: Let's go home.
Emilia dried her tears.
Emilia: Yeah let's go home.
—————————————————————————————————————
Two Days Later
We had made it back to Rowals estate and we were enjoying the peace and quiet while I trained when I saw smoke on the horizon.
Koji: What the?
I saw Ram walking up to me.
Ram: Let's go Ayanotaka. Irlam Village is under attack.
Koji: Go ahead. I need a weapon.
Ram nodded as We separated. I went inside informing Emilia. She quickly made an Ice sword as we rushed out with Rem following us. Our attackers? The Witch Cult.
Koji: Who are these people?
Rem and Ram looked with faces filled with rage.
Ram: The Witch...
Rem: Cult.
Koji: Either way we have to get down there.
They nodded as we worked together fighting off the Cultists when a man with green hair approached.
Emilia: Guese...?
He smiled manically as he scratched blood from his head.
???: Oh my brain! It trembles! 
Koji: Who are you?
???: I am Sin Archbishop Of The Witch Cult Representing Sloth Petelguese Romani Conti.
His head tilted unnaturally.
Sloth: Desu!
Emilia: Guese you're a Witch Cutist?
Emilia looked shaken to the core.
Sloth looked to Emilia.
Sloth: Are you a suitable vessel for the witch? We'll see.
I stepped in front of Emilia.
Koji: Lady Emilia. Retreat back to the mansion and prepare evacuations for the villagers.
Emilia: But...
Koji: You need to protect the villagers. Go.
Emilia nodded leading them away. She's earned their trust thanks to her fights with the Mabeasts.
Koji: Ram. Rem. Let's do this.
Before Rem could great a black hand reached out impaling her.
Koji: What?
Ram: Rem!!!
Koji: Get back. Ram!
Ram: Sister. Oh god no. Please.
Koji: Roswal is absent again. No, he's not responsible for this. So mere coincidence? What is going on in that head of yours? 
Ram looked at me in confusion.
Ram: Ayanotaka. Rem is... she's dead.
Koji: Don't think about that right now. I need you to focus. Did you see the hand that killed her?
Ram: What hand? Why are you so calm!? Rem is dead!
Koji: It's invisible. Then why can't I see it?
Koji swung his sword deflecting the hand.
Koji: She's dead focus on avenging her.
Ram: I... I'll kill them all.
Koji: Leave this one to me. Kill the others.
Ram rushed off in a rage.
Sloth: You can see my unseen hand!? Why!? Why can you see it? Why are you also loved by her?
Koji- loved by her. That woman did she give him these powers?
Sloth: Ai Ai Ai Ai!!! Ai!!!!
He said this while stretching parts of his skin off from his head. I fought with him slashing at him and unleashing earth pillars for defence and offence. Eventually, I deflected a hand attack and then cut his head off in one clean motion.
Koji: Done.
I went to support Ram when a hand appeared and stuck her through the gut.
Koji: But he's dead so how?
Ram's body fell to the floor lifeless.
Koji: Who are you people?
???: I am Sin Archbishop Of The Witch Cult Representing Sloth Petelguese Romani Conti.
Koji- A possession-type ability? Nevertheless the original had 10 hands. This one only has one.
I rushed in fighting with the cultist and cutting off its head without too much difficulty.
Koji- it's really a shame how bad this loop went.
Suddenly I felt a disgusting feeling in my body. Emilia had returned. I ran from the area as she followed me.
Emilia: Kiyotaka! Wait! What happened?
I turned to face her.
Emilia: Kiyotaka?
???: I am Sin Archbishop Of The Witch Cult Representing Sloth Petelguese Romani Conti.
My head twisted unnaturally as Emilia had a horrified expression.
I struggled to get control back.
Koji: What the? You can possess me as well? Why?
Emilia: Kiyotaka! Guese please stop.
Koji- I really can't hold him back much longer.
Sloth: This body. it's filled with so much love. I haven't experienced love like this in hundreds of years!
I took back control taking my sword and aiming it at my throat.
Koji: I won't be a tool for anyone! Not ever again!
Emilia: Kiyotaka!
I thrust it into my neck.
Koji- If this kills me permanently so be it!
—————————————————————————————————————
Mansion
I woke up in my bed and I walked outside to assess the timeline. This day. it was only a day prior to the attack. I had only a day before Sloth would return.
Koji- This is not good.
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To Be Continued

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