Shujinkou Janai!

——————–<Prince of Light>, Ain Brightis.

To describe him in a few words, he is the “other protagonist” of <Brave & Blade>.

In the game, he’s involved in numerous world events, influencing the course of the world, and even outside the game, he’s a very important figure in every sense of the word, depicted extensively as “the face of the game” on the game package, in the key visuals on their website, and in many other scenes.

And he is, to my horror, equipped with enough specs to make me think he deserves such a treatment.

He has the appearance of a handsome man, with a combination of brightness and elegance.

He is kind to all, and has a great personality that is devoted to protecting the people.

He’s the first prince of a great country and the next in line for the throne, a status that is beyond reproach.

His overwhelming ability is to the extent that even calling him a genius seemed halfhearted, and it would be more befitting to refer to him as a cheat.

Among the many characters in B&B, there’s probably no character more suited to the word “perfect” than him.

No, there’s just one point I’m wondering about.

Even though I won’t say it’s something to complain about, I just have this question related to his friendships.

(—————How in the heck did such a perfect superhero be best friends with someone like Rex!!!?)

I exclaimed in my heart.

Ah, no, of course I like Rex as a character, and I think that Ain and Rex are like light and dark, a picturesque combination.

Furthermore, I know that this world has a very loose social status system, as evidenced by the fact that royalty is wandering around here by himself.

But even so, one’s the prince of a country while the other is an adventurer.

Before I point out how the two of them can get along with each other, I don’t understand how a connection between the two of them has been made.

In the game, if you met Ain with Rex in your party, Ain would talk to Rex in a friendly manner.

However, the relationship between Rex and Ain was never revealed in the game.

[————Rex?]

As I just stayed stiff at his call, Ain gave me a quizzical look.

(W- What should I do? What is the correct way to respond with him here?)

I understand that Ain and Rex were close.

However, what stance should I take when interacting with him?

As I was about to open my mouth in a desperate attempt to speak, feeling cornered……

[————–Please wait a moment, Prince Ain.]

As if to protect me, a green wind breaks in between me and Ain.

[Hmm? You are……]

In response to Ain, who narrowed his eyes at the sudden intrusion, the intruder, Rex’s sister and the only accomplice who knew about my situation, gave him a seamless bow.

[It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Resilia, the eldest daughter of the Toren Family.]

[Ahhh. Then you must be Rex’s……]

[With all due respect, I have something to inform your Highness.]

Interrupting the Prince’s words, Resilia spoke with an atmosphere a little tenser than usual.

After doing that, she glanced at me, no, to Radd and the others who were behind me, and seemingly concerned about them, she started saying outrageous things.

[In fact, “Rex-niisan” has lost his memory of the past.]

[……What did you say?]

It was a bolt out of the blue.

As both Ain and I were confused by her unexpected words, only Resilia was calmly staring at Ain.

[That was…… Could it be, back when Ash City fell?]

Ain asked, but Resilia flatly shook her head.

[No, it was much earlier than that. Nii-san touched upon unknown magic in a certain ruin, and it seems that he was able to obtain knowledge from another world that people originally couldn’t obtain. In return for that knowledge though, he had lost most of his past memories.]

Ain looked at me surprised, but I’m just as surprised as him.

Heck, I’m completely wondering what in the world this woman is talking about now.

However, the fact that Resilia came up with such a fictional story probably means that the relationship between Ain and Rex is so deep that I, who don’t know anything about Ain, would probably end up getting exposed.

I had no choice but to go along with her story.

[Y- Yeah. That’s right.]

I’m not sure if it’s thanks to the poker face I’ve maintained throughout the times I’ve been roleplaying as Rex or not.

However, I somehow managed to nod without changing my expression.

[There’s no way that could be possible…… or so I’d like to say, but with how reckless the previous “you” had been, that happening certainly is quite likely.]

It must have been a shock to him.

Holding his forehead, the expression on Ain’s face couldn’t hide his turmoil.

[Having lost his memory, does that mean you don’t remember me either?]

[I don’t remember. ……Sorry.]

Even though I’m feeling guilty, I affirmed his words.

In response, Ain weakly murmured “I see”, but as expected, it seems like he couldn’t just accept it.

Looking at me with sharp eyes, he asked.

[However, it seems that that story of you losing your memory hasn’t circulated to the public. I hadn’t even heard a rumor about this. You didn’t think to make it public?]

Before I could respond, Resilia answered his question.

[I stopped him from telling the others. If the story of Nii-san, an A-Rank Adventurer, losing his memory were to become public, it could cause people to become concerned. Moreover, I can support him to some extent, as I am his sister.]

[Is that so…… I see, so that’s why.]

I wonder what kind of feelings he had that sorted out his thoughts?

Ain, who seemed to be pondering about something, nodded, while Resilia, standing in front of me, was watching him with a tense look.

[……Yeah. I suppose this being the case would be better.]

Raising his head, Ain spoke with a hearty, refreshed look on his face.

[I don’t mean to sound cruel, but you losing your memory might not necessarily be a bad thing.]

[Eh……?]

My eyes opened wide at Ain’s unexpected words.

[I think the you back then had this part of you that was bound by some sense of mission, and you have been pushing yourself too hard. Compared to that, the you right now, well, you seem to be having fun.]

[Ah……]

At his words, a reaction came from the nearby Reslia.

I suppose I had some idea what he meant by those words.

Rex gives off a blunt and unsociable atmosphere, but if you only look at his actions, you can even say that he is rather devoted.

At the Opening Event, he saved a rookie party he had no connection with, and for their sake, he even gave up his life. Even if he had survived that event, he would keep on doing difficult Quests from various places, sometimes for a cheap price, sometimes even without compensation, to save those in need.

I don’t know what was driving him to do all that.

However, Ain’s description of “Rex being bound by some sense of mission” strangely fits enough.

[Thank you……!]

I guess Resilia, who knows Rex better than I do, had something on her mind about Ain’s words.

Resilia deeply bowed her head.

After waving his hand in embarrassment, stopping Resilia from bowing, Ain laughed.

[Of course, as your best friend, it feels unfortunate that you have forgotten about me too. However, it’s not like this ends our relationship. That’s why, I’ll say this.]

Stepping forward, Ain holds out his hand to me.

[—————Nice to meet you. I’m Ain Brightis.]

From his unclouded eyes, I could tell what Ain’s intentions were.

Shaking off my momentary hesitation, I held his hand.

[—————Nice to meet you. I’m Rex Toren.]

Our hands tightly clasped together.

[……”Rex Toren” huh. That’s a nice name.]

[I see. I think my name is nice too.]

It’s an irreverent way of talking to a prince.

However, those words somehow slipped out of my mouth, as if the Rex within me was the one saying it.

Ain looked stunned for a moment, but he immediately showed a happy smile from the bottom of his heart.

[As I thought, I think you and I are going to get along just fine.]

Ain cackled in a manner that’s unlike a prince, and then, as if to replace the dampened mood, he began to speak in a cheerful tone.

[Even so, knowledge from another world huh? That’s interesting. I’ve heard about it too. Did you learn from that information about the “Class Change Requirements” and “Manual Arts”?]

[Y- Yeah. That’s right.]

As I was unable to keep up with the switch of his thoughts, Ain’s eyes shone happily towards me.

[I knew it! I’ve especially heard about <Manual Arts> from the stories General Sergen had told me. I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time!]

[General Sergen? Ahh, you mean that guy from the Tournament for the World’s Strongest huh.]

General Sergen defeated Radd, who wielded <Manual Arts>, in the finals of the Tournament for the World’s Strongest after a fierce battle, and then lost in an exhibition match against Nirva when he used Manual Arts.

He would certainly be someone who would know the power of <Manual Arts> firsthand.

[That’s right! Since you’re here, it’s fine as long as while you’re around, but can I ask you to teach people?]

[Eh?]

I involuntarily asked back at his abrupt suggestion.

However, it seems like I really didn’t mishear what he said.

[Of course, the country will take responsibility and pay for your teachings. I’ll make sure you won’t regret it.]

[Wait a moment. What do you mean, the country? Who in the world am I supposed to be teaching……]

Sensing that this was going to be a big deal, I hurriedly interjected.

However, it seemed like it was already too late.

[Who, you ask, isn’t it obvious?]

Thereupon, Ain winked mischievously and spoke.

[—————-The best force of the Royal Capital, the Sword of Brightis Kingdom, the <Holy Light Order>.]