In a Different World with a Smartphone Chapter 347: The Discussion, and the Mystic Eyes of Recollection.

The room was surrounded in a tense atmosphere.

This place was a room within the imperial palace of Garudio Empire. The room had been soundproofed with my [Silence], and no voice from within would leak outside.

Im sitting on a chair in one corner of the room; in the center of the room, the former retainers of Lowe Kingdom, Colonel, Lieutenant and Sergeant are sitting on a sofa, while the emperor of Garudio Empire, Falchion Rig Garudio, as well as Empress Astiria and the emperors close aide, the prime minister, Lancelow Olcot, sat facing them on another sofa.

This Prime Minister Lancelow is actually the aide of the emperorthen crown princethat first discovered Prince Rufredin in the battlefield.

That was the beginning of the events that led Prince Rufredin of Lowe to become Imperial Prince Lucrecion of Garudio. It was the cause of the series of complications that led to this talk as well, but its definitely wrong to say that it wouldve been better if the prince had died there.

To think I would meet with the knight at that time again Is that eye, back then?

It was a battlefield. I hold no grudge regarding this wound. As long as Im still alive, it doesnt really matter much.

Its a meeting between two enemies who fought with their lives on the line in the past. Just what kind of thoughts could be swirling inside the hearts of the two I cant begin to guess. The two of them are speaking right now with rather peaceful expressions though.

Is that so However, we still have matters we must apologize to you about.

The emperor lowered his head deeply to show his remorse towards the three people in front of him. The empress lowered her head the same way.

Im sorry. The destruction of your home country, the fact that I couldnt stop my father, and the fact that I took from you that child whos the prince of Lowe Everything was caused by my weakness. Please forgive me

Forgive, you say!

Lieutenant stood up while clenching her fists and glaring at the emperor and empress whos still lowering their heads.

You know theres no way that can happen! Youre the ones who took away our homes! Killed our loved ones! Our pride, our hope, our happiness, you took everything away from us!

I know theres no way you can forgive us. Still, I wish to apologize. Im sorry. If I had more courage If only I had enough courage to stop father even by force

The apology couldnt reach the other side. After all, no matter how much you dress it up, the fact that their motherland was destroyed due to your selfish reasons wouldnt change. If so, what would they do

At that time, Prime Minister Lancelow who was sitting to the side opened his mouth.

The empire is planning to free the old Lowe territories from its control and make it independent.

Eh?

What, did you

Sergeant and Lieutenant opened their eyes wide. Colonel raised one of his eyebrows slightly.

By making it independent, do they mean something like Brunhild, where Lowe Kingdom would be rebuilt with the backing of the empire?

Colonel looked towards Prime Minister Lancelow.

Would the other retainers of the empire really accept that so easily? Its weird for us to be saying this, but that place is a treasure trove of resources, you know?

Since His Majesty the previous Emperor passed away, that land had always been marked as a territory under the emperors direct authority. His Majesty had only ever used the resources from that land for the Lowe territories. Theres no one who would oppose His Majestys will after all that. Unfortunately, we couldnt get Eisengard to hand over the lands around the [Azure Ruins]

Although Eisengard had taken the lands around the [Azure Ruins], the total area of that piece of land doesnt even reach 10% of all of Lowes former territory. From what Ive heard, most of the residents over there had also escaped to the empires side when they could not stand Eisengards oppressive regime.

Lowe We can take it back?

Ignoring the dumbfounded mutter of Lieutenant, Colonel brought the focal point of this discussion up against the emperor.

We are thankful for the chance to rebuild Lowe Kingdom. However, we are ones who serve the kingdom, and not ones who can stand above it. The only person whom we shall serve is Prince Rufredin, and no one else.

That is

The empress tried to speak something, but stopped. Hes saying implicitly to return the prince to them, eh? However, as expected, thats not something that the empire can accept easily

Or more like, is it okay to be proceeding with this talk even though the prince himself isnt here? Isnt this something the prince should decide for himself

As if theres a reason to refuse rebuilding his motherland. The only one who can be the king of Lowe is Prince Rufredin. On the contrary, its weird for a prince that doesnt even share the blood of the emperor to inherit the empire.

While Lieutenant shot down my interjection, the emperor looked towards Prime Minister Lancelow.

Bring that child here. Everything Will be decided by him.

But, Your Majesty

Its fine. Its that childs life. In the first place, it was our sin to have changed his destiny.

The prime minister, while looking like he still wanted to say something, looked away from the emperor and stood up from his seat.

After a while, the figure of the prince being led by the prime minister appeared from a door in the back. While he looked to be a bit shocked from seeing us who are outsiders here, he walked straight towards here without hesitation.

Colonel and the others are also watching that prince with deep emotions. They might be remembering the personage they served in the past while looking at the prince in front of them.

Father. Mother. I heard you have important talks for me

Umu. Thats right, its an important talk.

The emperor stood up, went before the prince and kneeled down to match his eye level. He placed his hands on the princes shoulders and opened his mouth.

What Im about to tell you are all true, and will affect your life greatly. Listen well.

Yes.

The emperor began speaking without hiding anything to the prince. Ten years ago, Lowe Kingdom, Eisengard, the previous emperor, and his true parents

All that, he continued to listen to in silence. In fact, he was too calm about it; I noticed that and was a bit surprised.

The contents should be something pretty shocking, and yet he was calmly listening to everything. Even when he was being told something like he wasnt really the child of his parents. Could this child

When the emperor finished talking and looked downwards, the prince slowly opened his mouth.

I already knew all of that. The fact that Im not the true child of father and mother. And how the two of you thought of me as your own flesh and blood even knowing that fact.

What, did

Thats Lucrecion, you

The emperor and empress are shocked beyond words at that revelation. Not just them, Prime Minister Lancelow and Colonels group are shocked as well.

As I thought. So thats why he was so calm He already knew about the contents beforehand. Still, where, when and how?

Father, please look at this.

While saying that, the prince showed to the emperor the golden bracelet on his wrist. Thats the sealing bracelet, right? The one that inhibits the powers of mystic eyes.

The bracelet that the prince was wearing had a small crack on it. Nn? Its broken?

This is

During swordsmanship training around a year ago, I received a hit to my wrist; this happened then. Since I heard its something precious, I couldnt tell father and the others about the fact its broken; at the same time, I began to see mysterious things.

According to Prince Lucrecion, since the bracelet broke, he began to see visions of the past sometimes when he touched certain objects. Its effects were unstable: objects from which he gained visions before wouldnt activate his ability even if he touched them again, and objects which didnt react to him before would suddenly activate his ability one day.

Eventually, he realized that the source of these visions are his mystic eyes. They are eyes that see into the past. It seems that he still couldnt control this power freely, but that cant be helped. The princes mystic eyes arent very powerful in the first place, after all. Well, it was strong enough to allow him to see some visions about what happened ten years ago, though.

Psychometry Mystic eyes capable of perceiving residual thoughts left on objects, is it?

The name would be something like [Mystic Eyes of Recollection], I suppose. In the princes case, its only activating randomly at times, it would seem. Still, the prince learnt of his own secret with that random chance. It was when he went to take out his fathersthe emperors swordwhich he had admired as a boy, without his father knowing.

I was extremely sad when I learnt that Im not the real child of the two of you. I didnt want to believe it. However, at the same time, I also understood the love you had for me. I cannot deny that. I may not be your biological child. Still, I was happy being the child of you two.

Lucrecion!

While tearing up, the emperor hugged the child in front of him tightly. The empress too came up beside the prince with tears on her face.

Father. I did not inherit the blood of the Garudio imperial family. If such a person becomes emperor, it would be a betrayal to the empires people. Please give the inheritance rights to another person.

Is that, so

The emperor nodded with still-wet eyes. Fortunately (?), His Majesty the Emperor has quite the number of sisters, and theres many possible candidates for the next emperor. Now then, this would mean

Then, would you become the new king of the rebuilt Lowe Kingdom?

The prince shook his head sideways to my question. Oya?

To that silent reply, Colonels group too showed agitation in their faces.

While I completely cannot remember it I am thankful to my biological parents for birthing me. However, while I feel bad for you people, I am a child raised in this Garudio Empire. And I will continue living as Lucrecion, an imperial subject of the empire. My parents, to me, are the two in front of me; that wont change no matter what.

That cant! Then what should the people of Lowe do!? Everyone had been waiting for the prince, you know!

Im sorry, but I cant return that expectation of yours. Please elect a new leader from within yourselves. Someone who would become the foundations for a new Lowe.

Prince Lucrecion answered Lieutenants words with sad eyes.

This child has already begun walking his own path. Theres probably no one who can stop that.

Lucrecion Are you Fine with that?

Yes. I can support the empire in other ways even if I dont become emperor. Ill definitely become someone who wouldnt shame the two of you as your son.

Youre Strong, arent you

Half-laughing, half-crying With that kind of expression, His Majesty the Emperor lowered his head. Towards that father of his, the prince showed a self-confident smile.

Colonel walked towards the prince, and got on his knees before meeting the eyes of the prince. Then, his mouth curved into a gentle smile.

Stubborn and obstinate, once he decided on something he would never deviate from that path, and would throw all of himself behind it Youre exactly like your father. Theres no disputing the connection of blood, I suppose

Were my parents from Lowe Splendid people?

Yes. Very much. They thought dearly of their retainers, and were warm and trusting towards others. Thats why, please think of your parents from Lowe as you move forward as well.

Thats, right Sorry

The prince looked down from hearing Colonels words. Even if he does not remember it, its still the truth that they loved him as parents. It would be sad for him to cut all ties with them.

Well then, since the prince has made his decision clear, what would the people of Lowe do going forward

As I was thinking about that in a corner of the room, suddenly, several feather-looking things broke through the window and pierced themselves into the ground near the prince, the emperor and Colonel.

Metal No, those feathers were made of something else; as I comprehended that, Colonel who saw those feathers opened his eyes wide and pushed the prince away while raising his voice.

Get down!!

Right after those words, due to the effect of [Silence], the sound of loud explosions echoed within the room without leaking out.

-Pixel