The Holy Kingdom

Novas Aetir, Higashino Makoto idly played with a six-sided die in his hand.

However, instead of numbers one through six, each face of the die bore a different word.

They read: "Kingdom," "Dragon Kingdom," "Holy Kingdom," "Empire," "Theocracy," and "Elves."

Though Higashino Makoto, who had a bit of trouble making choices, had already decided to go out and show off while hunting for beauties...

No, that was wrong. He was going to save humanity from the depths of suffering!

But for the moment, he had not decided where to go first.

After thinking for a while, he ultimately chose to leave everything to fate.

Whichever country appeared face-up would be the first to welcome a powerful and righteous Holy Knight, along with his maid, Rita Rossweisse.

Higashino Makoto lightly tossed the die in his hand.

The six-sided die spun through the air, the words on every face flashing beneath the light—"Kingdom," "Dragon Kingdom," "Holy Kingdom," "Empire," "Theocracy," and "Elves."

He made no effort to catch it.

The die landed on the table, bounced twice, rolled half a turn, then finally came to a steady stop.

The face pointing upward was—

"Holy Kingdom."

Higashino Makoto lowered his head to look at the result and fell silent for a moment.

"The Holy Kingdom, huh..."

He leaned back in his chair, information about the country surfacing in his mind.

The Roble Holy Kingdom was ruled by Holy Queen Calca Bessarez.

It was a theocratic nation centered around faith, possessing a powerful Holy Knight Order and priesthood that had long battled the threat of demi-humans.

"Faith... Holy Knights..." Higashino Makoto murmured, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. "It does suit the role I'm about to play."

He rose to his feet, walked to the other side of the room, and lightly knocked on a door carved with rose patterns.

"Rita."

The door opened almost immediately.

A maid who looked as though she had stepped out of a classical oil painting stood within—short ash-blond hair, crimson eyes, and an air of elegance. Her hands were folded before her lower abdomen as she gave a slight bow.

"Lord Higashino, did you call for me?"

"Get ready. We're heading out."

Higashino Makoto said.

"Our destination is the Roble Holy Kingdom."

A faint, almost imperceptible gleam flashed through Rita's eyes.

"Understood."

She asked softly.

"How much luggage should I prepare?"

"Don't make it too troublesome."

Higashino Makoto thought about it. Most things could be stored in the magic backpack anyway; the only items they needed to carry were those meant for others to see.

"A decent set of knight's armor, a maid uniform, and for the rest... just bring a few changes of clothes. After all, our identities are those of ordinary people."

"Yes."

Rita nodded, then asked again.

"Should the other guardians accompany us?"

"No."

Higashino Makoto waved a hand.

"Just the two of us."

Rita froze slightly, but quickly regained her elegant, composed expression.

"As you command."

She turned and returned to her room, beginning to pack their luggage.

Meanwhile, Higashino Makoto stood by the window and gazed beyond the underground city through the glass made of magic crystal.

The Roble Holy Kingdom.

It was a nation that had been at war with demi-humans for years.

Blood was shed along its borders every day, and people died every day. The Holy Knights fought desperately on the front lines, while the priests did everything they could in the rear to heal the wounded. Yet the demi-human assaults continued in wave after wave, as though they would never end.

"A righteous Holy Knight..."

Higashino Makoto quietly repeated those words, his tone carrying an emotion even he could not quite explain.

He had seen far too much so-called "justice."

In his original world, justice was an excuse written by the victors.

In this world, justice was a fantasy weak people used to huddle together for warmth.

Yet the role he wanted to play now was precisely that of a "righteous holy knight."

"Interesting."

He let out a soft chuckle.

Rita quickly finished packing her luggage.

She changed into a neat, clean maid outfit and carried a modestly sized suitcase in one hand.

A slender rapier hung at her waist—

It was one of the most convenient weapons to carry, and one of the most suitable for a wanderer.

"Lord Higashino, everything is ready."

"Mm."

Higashino Makoto nodded. "Let's go."

He raised a hand and lightly traced it through the air.

A pitch-black spatial rift silently appeared before them.

On the other side of the rift lay sunlight, grassland, and faintly visible city walls in the distance.

It was the border of the Roble Holy Kingdom.

Higashino Makoto stepped into the rift first, with Rita close behind.

Once they had passed through, the rift quietly closed without leaving behind a single trace.

Novas Aetir returned to silence.

And a thousand miles away, in the Roble Holy Kingdom, a man calling himself a "holy knight" and his maid set foot upon this war-torn land in the most inconspicuous manner possible.

The demi-human army was gathering along the border.

The Holy Kingdom's knight orders were preparing for their next defensive battle.

No one realized—

The history of this nation was about to be completely rewritten.

In the distance, the Holy Kingdom's banners snapped loudly in the wind.

Higashino Makoto stood on the grassland and took a deep breath.

The air was thick with the scents of earth and fresh grass, along with a faint trace of blood—the smell of the front lines.

"Lord Higashino."

Rita stood half a step behind him and asked softly.

"What do we do next?"

Higashino Makoto did not answer at once.

He watched the Holy Kingdom's banner fluttering in the wind, the corners of his lips slowly curving upward.

"First."

He paused.

"We need an 'entrance.'"

"An entrance?"

"That's right."

Higashino Makoto turned to look at Rita.

"An entrance that makes everyone remember us."

Rita blinked, then revealed a knowing smile.

She asked softly.

"Then how does Lord Higashino intend to make his entrance?"

"What do you think?"

Higashino Makoto asked in return.

"This is the Holy Kingdom, and the demi-humans are preparing to invade. Shouldn't a true holy knight appear in the most dangerous place at the most dangerous time?"

Rita's smile deepened.

"I understand."

Higashino Makoto nodded and turned his gaze toward the distance again.

Up ahead, beyond those city walls, the demi-human army was gathering.

Ahead, countless lives awaited salvation—or harvesting.

And he would step onto that stage as a "savior."

"Let's go."

Higashino Makoto set off toward the city wall.

"Let's go save the world."

Rita carried the suitcase and quietly followed behind him.

Sunlight fell over them, casting two long shadows across the ground.

One straight and resolute.

The other elegant and composed.

Behind them, the door leading to Novas Aetir had already closed as naturally as if it had never been there.