'So, that guy, I take it he was your friend from the other world?"

"I... wouldn't say that exactly. He was my classmate but I never thought of us as friends. He's too annoying for my taste."

"Hmm, true. He's too... cheerful."

"Ha, that's a nice way to put it."

"You know, I thought you'd be happier to see someone from your own world, a classmate of yours even. "

"Y-yeah. about that..."

Her words hit me. I think I'm now enjoying living here more than when I lived on the real world. Isn't this my ultimate fantasy? To live in an exciting world full of adventures?

And besides, the girls here are nicer I think to myself as I glance at Lilia's bouncing boobs caused by her horse's gallop.

"W-what's the matter, Akira-sama?"

"N-nothing. Just checking whether you have any wounds on your body."

"O-oh, Akira-sama does not need to worry about that. I barely got any damage through the whole thing."

"Then I'm glad. I can't let my precious princess be harmed after all." I smile my usual gentleman smile, causing her cheeks to redden.

"E-hem."

I hear Eleanore giving a really obvious fake cough.

...Oh boy, I think I just got myself into a love triangle.

"A-anyway," I nervously change the topic of the conversation, "How about we talk about the empress instead?"

"The empress?" Eleanore responds.

"Yeah. I don't really have any information of her. Hell, I think that was the first time I am aware of the existence of the Human Empire. No one has ever told me about them before."

That's a lie, of course. I perfectly know the Human Empire is a thing that exists. I've done many, many quests there after all. Even quests from the empress herself.

But I wish for a fresh information, for the change to the empress' personality bothers me somewhat.

"Well," Eleanore answers. "I don't really know much about her myself, other than she's the current empress of the Human Empire. She's that young since her parents mysteriously perished a while ago, so she became the empress as a result."

So far what she says matches with my knowledge.

"Do you ever meet her in person?" I ask.

"No, not really. We Royal Knights aren't usually stationed in the capital. But perhaps Lilia-sama has already met her."

"W-well... I-I suppose I have met her once."

"Oh, really?" My ears perk up.

"Y-yeah. It was a long time ago though, back when I was still a little child. Back then, our two countries had a fine relationship, and Father brought me and Lilac to her castle since he had a meeting with the former empress there"

"So, how was she back then?"

"W-well, I remember her being quite childish and timid, throwing a tantrum if she didn't get what she wanted. Oh, I also remember how her and Lilac-neesan ended up fighting because of that."

"Oh, really? Your sister sounds like quite an interesting person, I must say."

"Y-yeah..."

Her face turned sad as she ended her tale. Argh, if only I have an inkling on where she might be right now.

So her story confirmed that the old empress used to have the same personality as the one I know from the game. So why is it that her personality turned almost 180 degrees (I say almost since she seems to keep her brattiness)?

Could it be it had something to do with her parents' mysterious death?

...Oh, I see. Since she couldn't rely on her parents anymore, she became tougher as a result. And there's always the classic story of a palace intrigue setting her up for the empress so that they could manipulate her, thus controlling the country from the shadows. That factor can also make her wanting to become stronger.

That didn't really happen on the game though. But I suppose when this world became "real", the NPCs in it became "realer" as well, so we could have character growth like this.

Fascinating.

"What's up with the smirk?" Eleanore asks, returning me from my thoughts.

"Oh, just figuring out something about the empress," I respond cheerfully, earning a raised eyebrow from her.

***

Meanwhile, in a different place but not so different time, two figures are kneeling in front another figure seated in a throne of some sorts.

"So, the city is lost then?"

"Y-yes, M-Maou-sama. We are very sorry for our incompetence!" the taller figure speaks.

"Oh, don't worry about it. It's not like we can't just take it over again at a latter time. You've made the right choice. If you let Norn-chan to transform there, she will surely end up dead right now, what with the hero and the second hero there."

"I... I can take them! I can take those ugly ones!" the shorter figure shouts.

"Hahahaha, I know you're very enthusiastic to fight them, but you have to remember, you still don't have mastery of your full power yet, Norn-chan."

And then, with a flash of red light, another figure appears in the dark room.

"Maou! Permission to chase after the empress! This time, I'm going to go all out on that brat!"

"Ho? Finished your training?"

"Of course! Now, I'm more than strong enough to crush that cheeky bitch with one hand!"

"Hmm, very well then. So, I assume you will refuse Maria-chan's assistance again this time, right?"

"Obviously!" The figure punches her right hand to her left palm. "My pride as the strongest dragon would be tarnished if I ask assistance from someone else to help in my hunt!"

The figure called Maria sighs. She really finds her stubbornness irritating.

"Very well then. I'll make sure I'll rescue you when the empress defeats you once more."

"What did you say? You're saying I'm gonna lose again to that wimpy psychic?"

The two of them shares a sharp glare.

"Now now, there's no need to fight. I want to see what my dear strongest dragon is capable of after all."

And with that, the shadowy meeting is adjourned.