Watanabe woke up. To his surprise he didn’t wake up in a white void, instead finding himself in front of the cave he had just entered. His vision was blurry and he couldn’t yet see anything around him properly.

Did I just turn back time or something? No, don’t let the author bait you.

He waited patiently while his vision slowly went back to normal. He saw Rabanowicz, Vasilia, and some other woman he didn’t recognize sitting around a campfire.

The dragon… The rational explanation would be that it also has a human form that it can transform into hence the extra woman. Yet…

Watanabe had acquired another form of genre-savviness while in the cave. He knew that he was not in a power fantasy power fantasy setting. A dragon turning out to be a beautiful lady was just not in the cards for him.

“Ah, it’s that guy from… What was it you said, Schmucksville in Nihon?” asked the not-dragon lady upon seeing our hero open his eyes. “He’s still as pale as sis.”

“Don’t worry. He’ll recover in an hour or so Your Highness.” replied Rabanowicz.

No, she’s totally not a dragon princess or something. Nope. Nothing like that will happen.

“So… Doctor, who’s this newcomer?”

“The daughter of the Grand Preacher, also more commonly known as a princess, monsieur.”

Damn it! Watanabe had hoped to use reverse psychology by thinking the reverse of what he wanted the author to do.

Thusly his final attempt at genre-savviness was crushed under the heels of the powers-that-be.

Does the author not understand comedic timing? Now was the time to finally insert a dragon princess and prove me wrong!

Watanabe was finally convinced that the author of the work he was in was an enigmatic being that could not be bargained with. Even if the author could be bargained with, it was becoming clear to our hero that he was not a protagonist.

Watanabe noticed a glaring plot hole just then. “Right… If the dragon didn’t transform into another woman, then where did it go?”

In response the princess pointed to a bundle of papers painted in vibrant green that were shaped to resemble scales. The bundle of paper also contained two pieces of amber-colored glassworks that may as well look like the eyes of a dragon to tired travelers in a cave. All of the aforementioned were connected with wooden boards that made the green papers resemble a green scaly wall.

…At least it isn’t a giant fire-breathing duck.

“Her Highness apparently frequently escapes to the countryside to look for her lost sister.” continued Rabanowicz ignoring the disappointment dripping from Watanabe’s face. “Thankfully she has completed her quest so we can take her back to the macher.”

Guess that’s why Vasilia was referring to the princess as “sister” just then.

“Now that the man of Schmucksville has awoken... I think we do not need to steal any further time from the doctor.” said the princess. Everyone got up in agreement. “See you, dear sister.”

Both would be in tears if it wasn’t for the fact that they had spent all of their tears before Watanabe had woken up. “See you, dear Oleracea. They may kick me out for being a ‘servant of Vasily’, but I am glad you do not see me so.”

This tragic backstory would have had more emotional impact if I had known its participants for longer than a day or two, commented Watanabe.

The sisters bid each other farewell and parted once again in an allegedly dramatic scene that was resolved faster than a blue hedgehog. The reformed trio of Princess Oleracea, Rabanowicz and Watanabe made their way back to Brasscirom.

The trio marched quickly having travelled the same way a day ago, arriving at the gates of the city by late noon.

The same man from two days ago was the one who greeted the trio in front of the gate. “Next! Enter the second room from the right, you three!”

“‘You three’? I’ll be having a talk with His Holiness about your bad manners!” replied Oleracea. The guard looked annoyed at first; that expression changed to fear upon realizing the identity of the speaker from her looks and actions. “But Brassicus Prima commands us to be benevolent and give second chances, so here’s my deal: You let us through the gate, and I keep quiet about your grievous misdeed against one carrying the hallowed blood of Holy Theodore, blessed be His name.”

Like father, like daughter, thought Watanabe and Rabanowicz in perfect sync.

“Y-Yes ma’am!”

“It’s ‘Your Highness’ you dumfungled, discombobulated imbecile!”

The guard had to oblige without any objections, allowing the trio to pass through the city gates without anyone checking their identities.

How lovely it’d be the marry a princess and evade taxes, thought Watanabe and Rabanowicz again in perfect sync.

The trio marched through the bustling streets of Brasscirom to arrive at the gate of the palace. Thankfully the guards at the gate were less prone to princess-related faux-passes, not to mention that they had been waiting for their return since Svyatoslav had returned Betsy.

Our hero and Rabanowicz in tow, Oleracea passed through the overtly pompous gates of the palace until she reached where Theodore was, questioning servants through the way to ascertain his location. It turned out that he was in the audience chamber, waiting for their return.

I mean, it wouldn’t be bad if I got rewarded by the king for saving his duck and his princess. Maybe he’ll let me marry the princess as a reward? That’s what’s usually given as a reward when one saves the princess.

Our hero had lofty dreams, but by now he had accepted that they were dreams nonetheless. He entered the room knowing that the author was just going to deny him any substantial rewards.

The trio were greeted by Theodore, who was sitting at the end of an enormously long table. On the table was a feast fit for the grandest of Grand Preachers, filled with meals that were mostly prepared with cabbage. Several servants buzzed around the table, still preparing the feast.

“I welcome ye, o gallant heroes!” exclaimed Theodore upon seeing the trio enter and greet him. “Ye hath saved the royal duck of this realm…” Theodore suddenly noticed that the princess was with the trio too. “…and my daughter of the realm! Oh, how was your outdoors trip my dear?”

Oleracea took a seat next to her father. “It was fine, father. I got the chance to see some exceptional folks. Like, did you know that this one village near the capital makes cheese out of horse milk?”

“Horse milk?! It’s not a sin, but it feels like it should be one. I’ll definitely discuss this with the High Preachers soon, dear!”

Watanabe and Rabanowicz too slowly took a seat at the table. Why does everything have to be cabbage in this setting, thought Watanabe while digging in. He was still hungry; the not-so-pleasant smell of cruciferous veggies was beaten by his need for sustenance.

“So, travelers from lands far and queer, where do you intend to go next?” asked Theodore. “I am most curious as to your further goals.”

“I’m mostly following the doctor. Depends on what she’ll do.” replied Watanabe. It’s not like I have the ability to traverse these lands by myself.

“I intend to contact the lord from the east whom has made research on these so-called ‘otherworlders’.” replied Rabanowicz. “If people truly are intruding from completely different worlds to our own, which from my observations with Monsieur Watanabe it seems true that such a thing is happening, then I believe it’s a topic that warrants further research.”

“Indeed. Such people could be of great danger or boon to the realm.” said Theodore as he nodded in agreement. “It’d be great if there was someone else to observe them and compile information about them. Yet, I’ve heard you’ve had difficulties traversing the gates of this city and others due to taxes and whatnot.” Theodore handed Rabanowicz an envelope. “I think this should help you on your journey. I expect you to report your findings to me.”

Rabanowicz opened the envelope, to find a royal decree inside. On it was written that those concerned should allow her and her companions to pass without hindrance or taxation. “Thank you, Your Majesty. The Divine willing, I shall fulfill this mission and report what I find directly to thee.”

The table then directed itself towards conversation, with Theodore asking them of how the journey was and the situation outside the capital. Oleracea also asked Watanabe about his previous life in Japan along with interrogating Rabanowicz about her life in Lahanezy.

The mood was surprisingly genuine and cordial, as if Watanabe wasn’t dining with the absolute ruler of a sovereign state that could execute him at any moment. The meal ended with quality food and conversation being enjoyed by all.

“Hwatamabegh, that was your name, right?” said Theodore who had concluded dining and decided to butcher Watanabe’s name as his next meal. “Since you’ve saved Betsy, and provided company and otherworldly information crucial to the commonwealth of the realm, we’ve have set apart a reward for you too.” Upon him saying this a servant came to Watanabe’s side, carrying a brick-like object covered in silk.

The silk cover that laid upon the object was quickly removed before Watanabe could react, revealing a fancifully decorated book bound in leather. “Your dedication to the faith has amazed me, Hwatamabegh. Thus, to help you in your journey to reach the peak of faith, we award you with this hand-written copy of the Cruciferous Codex.”

Great, thought Watanabe. Preachers handing out bibles to me for free. Never gets old. Our hero accepted his reward nonetheless, adding some words of flattery in thanks so that Theodore wouldn’t be offended. “Thank you greatly Your Holiness, I’ll make sure to read it in full whenever I learn how to read.”

“May Brassicus Prima and Holy Theodore, blessed be His name, guide you to delve deeper into truth.” replied Theodore. “It is getting quite late. If you do not have any other reservations, then we’d be glad to host ye tonight.”

Watanabe and Rabanowicz had no objections, they didn’t want to try their luck in another inn. Theodore commanded some of the servants in the chamber to escort the duo into the guest rooms.

Thusly concluded our hero’s quest to slay a dragon and save the royal duck.