People from Another World

Aurelian looked relieved, but Hume's eyes were filled with curiosity.

The serfs' eyes widened, and their bodies trembled. To the timid, every so-called unknown creature represented danger.

"Wuya, wuya."

The sack of wheat seeds was visibly shrinking.

"Wuwuwu—"

The sack shook violently, then quickly puffed back up.

The serfs nearby covered their mouths, their faces full of shock. They stared as if they were witnessing something unbelievable, waving their arms about.

Aurelian glanced at Hume, whose eyes were wide too, and spoke softly.

"Go calm them down, before word gets to town and causes a panic."

"Ah, right."

The fat Hume snapped out of it at Aurelian's voice and hurried over, clearing his throat. "Ahem. Don't be nervous. This is a divine beast His Lordship brought back from Spruce Forest. It's here to help us. Whether you make it through your first winter here depends on this divine beast, so quiet down!"

"Is that true? This is a divine beast His Lordship brought back? Oh, heavens, my goddess, we're saved!"

"Right, right! Hurry and pray to the divine beast. Maybe it'll bless us!"

"Praise the goddess!"

As soon as Hume finished speaking, the serfs grew excited. They prostrated themselves before the round, bulging sack, bowing over and over. The sight was downright ridiculous.

Anything with the word "divine" in it inspired worship in these ignorant people.

Aurelian shook his head and sighed. The people at the bottom of this world didn't strive to improve themselves. Instead, they prayed for the gods' protection, hoping divine grace would suddenly descend and save them. How could that possibly happen?

They didn't realize that the only ones who could save them were themselves.

To a great noble like Aurelian, the gods of this world were already a distant concept.

The rulers of this world also upheld the divine right of kings. They proclaimed themselves the gods' representatives, though each king served a different god.

There were seven such gods, known as the Seven Gods.

But these ancient gods had not shown any signs of divine power for many years. Their temples' authority was weakening, and the kings and nobles of the seven kingdoms were beginning to stir.

The Star Kingdom was different. Even the Goddess of Night's temple within its borders held no authority and could not interfere with the king's rule. The king's right to rule came from the legendary weapon, the Holy Sword of Stars.

It was proof that its wielder was the Star Kingdom's rightful ruler. Only someone recognized by the Holy Sword of Stars could be crowned king—and, of course, they had to possess the Star-Forging Bloodline.

Unfortunately, the Holy Sword of Stars had been lost after Arthur Archmond's fall, plunging the Star Kingdom into centuries of turmoil.

With no way to legally establish a king, people had to rely on force. Otto Archimonde, Aurelian's father, was one of the most powerful contenders.

This had caused countless members of the Star-Forging Bloodline families to die, and their numbers had dwindled over time.

Roundball crawled out of the sack, puffed up its little cheeks, and looked toward another sack of wheat seeds before jumping inside.

When the prostrating serfs saw Roundball, they bowed even more frantically. Two of them had already begun to bleed.

"Hume, take them away!"

Aurelian clenched his fists and spoke expressionlessly, anger in his voice.

"Yes, my lord!"

The fat Hume was good at reading people. He knew the serfs' behavior had angered Aurelian.

He didn't know why his usually good-tempered lord had suddenly grown angry, but he understood that all he had to do was follow orders.

He hurried over and, tugging and dragging, finally hauled away the serfs who had beaten their heads until they bled.

The serfs continued to plead, murmuring, "Please, divine beast, save us."

Aurelian sighed deeply. He knew this wasn't his original world, and he couldn't judge these people from the perspective of someone who had crossed time and space. That would be unfair.

But then his gaze hardened, and he clenched his fist.

This was his territory. His people shouldn't have to live like this!

He turned his gaze toward the wooden cart. Roundball had slowly crawled out of the last sack.

Its long tongue hung from its mouth, and it looked utterly lifeless.

Its whole expression seemed to say, I'm exhausted. I need a break.

"You've worked hard, Roundball. You can have as many cookies as you want tonight."

Aurelian hurried forward and gathered Roundball in his arms.

"Wuya, wuya."

In his arms, Roundball called softly and slowly closed its little eyes.

"Don't worry. I won't leave you. Go to sleep."

Aurelian's eyes softened. Because their minds were connected, he could feel a deep loneliness within Roundball.

It was the loneliness of having been alone for hundreds of years, with no one to check on it.

"So Roundball is this lonely."

He stroked Roundball's fluffy little head and spoke softly.

He suddenly felt that he and Roundball were alike. Roundball had drifted through the void, and Aurelian was just as lonely in this world. No one could understand him, yet he had to pretend to be strong.

Perhaps there was no one else like him in this world.

It was a loneliness no one could understand.

Perhaps as time passed, that loneliness would only deepen, buried in the depths of his heart.

Aurelian's lips curved slightly. Holding Roundball in his arms, he set off toward Winter City at an unhurried pace.

When Hume hurried back, the place was already empty.

He looked at the sacks of wheat seeds glowing blue and gaped.

"Mr. Will, have the head chef make a few extra plates of bread tonight," Aurelian said with a smile to Old Will, who was waiting outside the castle.

"Certainly, my lord. I'll give the order right away."

He bowed with elegant propriety, perfectly embodying the bearing of a great noble's butler.

Aurelian opened his bedroom door and gently laid the sleeping Roundball on the soft bed. Then he turned and headed for the door.

He found Jeanne standing there. He hadn't noticed when she had arrived.

Aurelian paused. She really did have a knack for appearing out of nowhere.

Among the various nations, there was an assassin sect called Assa. Aurelian strongly suspected that Jeanne had graduated from it!

"Is the problem solved?" Jeanne asked expressionlessly. She was always so cold.

"Haha, more or less."

Aurelian laughed it off and walked over to Jeanne.