Gun-ota ga Mahou Sekai ni Tensei Shitara

"I'm sorry for taking you away during our conversation," Snow's mother, Alyl, apologized.

"No, it's okay. We had a good stopping point anyway. So, what did you want to talk about?" replied Lute.

Snow's parents looked at each other, and the atmosphere was not one of "Please take care of our daughter forever."

Allil was the first to speak up. "Lute-kun, may I ask you a few questions?"

"Yes, of course," Lute agreed quickly, not wanting to hesitate and leave a bad impression.

Alyl continued, "Thank you. Well then, I heard that you and Snow-chan were childhood friends who grew up together in the same orphanage. When did you start living at the orphanage?"

"I was left in front of the orphanage on the same night as Snow, so we've been together almost since birth."

"And who named you ‘Lute'?"

"I'm not sure who named me that, but there was a silk handkerchief with the name ‘Lute' embroidered on it in the basket where I was left."

"Finally, do you have a ‘black star-shaped birthmark' anywhere on your body?"

"I'm not sure if it's black, but I do have a ‘star-shaped birthmark' on my right shoulder."

Alyl's expression changed abruptly. After answering all of her questions, she swayed as if she were about to pass out. Coola supported his wife gently.

Lute wondered if he had said something wrong.

Alyl, whose face was blue enough to be seen even in the dim light, used all her willpower to stand on her own two feet.

Coola explained to Lute while Alyl regained her composure. "Do you know why we left Snow in front of the orphanage?"

"Yes, Snow told me," Lute replied.

Snow's parents had worked in the small country of Keslan out of gratitude for saving their lives. However, they lost the war against Meltia, the largest country in the Fairy Continent. Since they couldn't run away with their newborn baby, Snow, they reluctantly left her at the orphanage.

Coola spoke in a calm voice. "Your father is none other than Shirak Noir Keslan, the last king of Keslan, who saved our lives."

"Eh?"

I can't keep up with the sudden confession.

I cover half of my face with my hand and desperately try to gather my thoughts.

"W-wait a minute! How can you be so sure that I am the son of the king of Keslan Kingdom?"

"I understand your confusion. I will explain it to you. Please calm down and listen."

After taking a few deep breaths at Coola's words, I managed to calm down enough to listen.

Coola slowly begins to speak.

My father, King Shirak Noir Keslan of the Keslan Kingdom, and Snow's parents met in the northern continent.

At that time, Snow's parents were attacked by a stray giant and were about to be killed.

Shirak Noir Keslan, who was still a prince at the time, saved them from their crisis.

His hobby was history and archaeology, and he was particularly interested in the gods and the five sealed demon kings, and the five heroic races.

He came to the northern continent to investigate the sealed demon king said to be in the depths.

Luckily, he noticed the crisis of Snow's parents and rescued them.

In return for their gratitude, the two left the northern continent and began serving the Keslan Kingdom.

Keslan Kingdom was a small country with only old history and tradition to offer.

But for my father, who was from another country, it was the best environment.

My father Shirak continued his research in history while studying to become king. Sometimes he got too absorbed in his research and was scolded by Coola and others."

Years passed and Shirak's emotions became unstable for a while.

He threw away all the historical research he had been doing for years and started drowning in alcohol.

For a time, his throne was in danger, but he was able to recover thanks to the dedication of his wife, Sari.

He became king and married her.

After a while, she became pregnant.

However, their happiness did not last long.

The powerful country of Meltia started a war.

The rest is the same story that Snow told me.

In this war, my father Shirak died.

Most of my relatives who escaped the country were caught and killed by Meltia's pursuit.

Snow's parents did not tell Snow about this part… if you want to be unkind, you could say they lied.

Coola and the others did not leave the country with just the two of them.

They fled the country with me, a newborn baby, and my mother, Sari."

However, it was impossible for the newborn baby, Lute, and the woman, Sari, who was not even a magician, to escape the pursuit of the great country Meltia with Snow.

As a result, as a last resort, we were left at the orphanage run by Eli-Sensei." Snow’s name was on her clothing, and I was given a handkerchief with the name "Lute" sewn on it.

However, in the end, they were caught up by Meltia’s soldiers and unfortunately separated from my mother Sari. Without time to search and with danger looming, the two of them immediately fled to the Beast man continent. Sari’s whereabouts are unknown. And the two of them have been living a life of constantly evading the pursuit of Meltia until now. They relied on the White Wolf tribe of the northern continent because they were tired of running away and had no way out.

Coola and the others were considering the possibility that Toruo North Borden Smith offered a reward to the White Wolf tribe under the pressure of Meltia thinking that Lute might be the "Prince of the Lost Country." They said that they were sorry for involving the tribe, but there was nowhere else for the two of them to rely on.

I listened to the story and countered, "I understand the story, but it's not enough evidence for me to be the ‘Prince of the Lost Country.' There may be other possibilities, right?"

I knew it was painful to deny it myself. However, the story was too absurd, and I couldn't help but question it. Coola's expression didn't change as she presented the evidence.

"You have a black star-shaped birthmark on your right shoulder, right?"

"Yes."

"All Keslan Kingdom’s royal family members have a ‘black star-shaped birthmark' on them. It is a tradition that those who do not have this mark have no right to become a king – a secret known only to royalty or those close to them. It is said to be a measure to prevent impersonation by magic, etc. Your father had a star-shaped mark on his left hand, so he always wore gloves."

With my left hand, I unconsciously pressed the star-shaped birthmark on my right shoulder. There was no way to escape this.

Coola continued, "If it is known that you are the legitimate successor of the Keslan Kingdom, a person with royal blood, Meltia will not keep silent. They will send pursuers who will take your life. We don't want our daughter, Snow, to go through the same thing as we did."

"In other words…"

"That's right. I'm sorry, Lute, but I want you to separate from Snow…please."

Both of Snow's parents bowed their heads. They did not frown when they heard that Lute and Snow were married, not because they had multiple wives, but because Lute was the prince of the lost country.

Allil opened her mouth…

"We certainly received help to save our lives. That's why we've been working hard all these years to repay that debt. But I don't want Snow-chan to experience the harsh life of being chased for decades. To live a life where she's always being hunted down… we've already repaid our debt enough. So please, withdraw from our lives… I beg of you…"

"As for me…"

Although it was for the sake of surviving for each other with their newborn daughter, they abandoned her at an orphanage. And for over ten years, they lived a life on the run without being able to retrieve her. They probably never had a day of true peace of mind. I understand the feeling of not wanting to make the daughter they had finally reunited with experience such thoughts. But even I would feel nauseous at the mere thought of parting with Snow. However, as they said, it might be better for Snow to live with her parents among the White Wolf tribe than to live a life of being targeted for the rest of her life. As long as the White Wolf tribe continues to live in the deep parts of the northern continent, no matter how skilled someone is, they cannot easily lay a hand on them.

If you were to compare it to Earth in my past life, it would be like being targeted for life in the United States. Just thinking about it makes one's feel uneasy.

"…I'm sorry. I don't intend to part with Snow. But honestly, I can't make up my mind so suddenly. Please give me some time to sort things out."

Because I was confused by the various shocking information I had just been told, I could only ask for time to gather my thoughts.

"…I understand. I did tell you too much suddenly. Let's leave it at this for tonight."

Coola embraced Alill’s shoulders and began to walk back to the village. However, his feet soon stopped.

"Oh, that's right. Your father, King Shirak, entrusted me with a memento." He took out a leather bag that he had been carrying around his neck and handed it to me. When I opened it, there was a ring inside.

It looked very plain. It was a silver ring with no jewels, and it looked like a coin had been attached horizontally to the ring. The outside of the coin part was engraved with fine notches. A beautiful woman's image was carved on the surface.

"What is this?"

"The item is called the ‘Guardian’s Ring'. It was entrusted to us by the king when we escaped the country. We were told, ‘If the need arises, take it and go to the Demon Continent.'’

Snow's parents went to the Demon Continent during their escape, but apparently, they left within 10 days because the demons were too strong. Therefore, my father, Shirak, didn't know what he wanted to convey, and Snow's parents returned to the village together.

 I was left alone in the depths of the forest.

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