A Grand Hatchling
While Mary was still brushing my hair on the bed, our precious moment was disturbed by a knock on the door.
“Excuse me,” Tessa said, knocking as she entered at the same time.
The morning had already dragged on. Sunlight filled the room now. When Tessa stepped inside, she stood near the doorway, and I gently pulled away from Mariada.
“Lord Krai,” she said. “Lord Zeraff wishes to speak with you.”
“Right. I’m coming…"I stood up and took one last look at Mary. "Miss Mary, I’ll see you later.”
“…”
Without hesitation, I followed Tessa out of the room. There was no time for breakfast or preparation. Throw on whatever clothes were around, since the ones I wore during the battle were beyond saving, and head into the forest.
“I wonder what Zeraff wants now…” I said.
We walked along the forest path when Tessa suddenly stopped. She was ahead of me, so I stopped as well.
She had been acting strange—unlike her usual fiery self. Almost guilty.
Without warning, she bowed deeply before me, her body bent at a sharp angle.
“What are you doing?”
I had been walking quietly, but when she bowed, I panicked slightly, my arms lifting as if to catch her.
“Please forgive me!” she shouted.
We stood close to each other, yet she shouted at the top of her lungs.
“Huh… forgive you for what?”
She remained bowed, prostrating herself, and I genuinely didn’t understand why.
As far as I was concerned, Tessa had done nothing but help us. Even her fight against Mercy had been out of necessity, and I had long since let that go.
“I hate to admit it,” she continued, “but Ice Ogre was right. The naming ritual was extremely dangerous, and I still shared that knowledge with you—knowing full well it could kill you. Please forgive me.”
Her remorse seeped into every word.
But I still didn’t understand why she was apologizing for helping save Mariada.
“That’s what you’re worried about?” I said plainly. “Tessa, if it weren’t for you, I would never have saved Miss Mary. I should be thanking you.”
“Huh… but, I acted on selfish motives and still put you in danger. I’ll accept any punishment.”
This woman really knew how to make things awkward.
“Tessa,” I said, “I told you—I should be the one thanking you. Stop being so uptight.”
She slowly raised her head. When she looked up and saw my plain, virtuous expression, it clearly caught her off guard.
As she stared at me, a thought crossed her mind:
Lord Zeraff values you for commanding a guardian spirit capable of injuring him, and because the katana recognizes you. But I think your greatest quality… is your character.
“Alright,” she said, smiling confidently. “You’re welcome.”
As if she hadn’t been begging for forgiveness moments ago.
“Huh?” I frowned. “What happened to apologizing?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She dismissed the topic entirely, and we continued deeper into the forest. Somehow, it felt like our relationship had improved because of that exchange. Even our banter felt lighter.
“I’ve only known you a few days,” I said, “but I prefer you like this.”
She smiled.
Soon, the ruins came into view. As before, we entered the hollowed hall of the cave, where Zeraff lay curled in sleep.
Tessa bowed slightly and stepped aside, allowing me to approach Zeraff, who lay near the sword.
“Hey!” I shouted. “Wake up! You said you wanted to talk, so here I am!”
“Don’t be so loud.” A scruffy voice rang.
“Tch,” I scoffed.
Zeraff’s massive body shifted. He raised his head just enough to face me, still lying down. His head alone was large enough to meet my gaze at eye level.
“So,” he said lazily, “I take it you prevailed in your outside endeavors?”
“Yes. We managed to save everyone—and then some,” I replied. “But it was—”
“Good,” he interrupted. “That means you have no pressing matters anymore.”
“Well, ah—”
I scratched my head, trying to dodge responsibility, but Zeraff suddenly stood up, his head nearly brushing the cave ceiling. Any chance of excuses vanished.
“Ryuunosuke Mitsushima,” he said. Then paused. “No. Krai Letos.”
My heart skipped.
“From this day forth, you are the ruler of this place.”
His voice thundered through the cave.
I stared at him, frozen. The words hammered nails of responsibility into my soul. And I was in no mood to accept it.
“Wha—? Wait, wait. Ruler? Me?”
“Yes,” he replied. “The sword has recognized you. Though you cannot yet draw it, the succession will occur another time. Until then, you will govern this land in my stead.”
“The sword? Succession? What are you even talking about?!”
He kept talking, every word sliding through my head without sticking. I stepped closer, craning my neck to look him in the eye.
“I will be sleeping for a while,” Zeraff continued. “If you want answers—draw the sword.”
“Wait—listen!”
The golden katana flew from its stand and landed perfectly in my hands.
“In my absence,” Zeraff’s voice echoed, “the mist barrier surrounding this land will dissipate in one month. Use that time to prepare for the outside.”
The next thing I knew, Tessa and I were standing back among the ruins. Zeraff had expelled us from the cave by some unknown magic.
His final words echoed all around us. As if part of the forest ruins.
Tessa remained composed during all this.
And I searched the sky and the forest, my face twisted with confusion.
“What the—hey!”
As surprised as I was about the situation, there was nothing I could do to get Zeraff back.
I turned to Tessa, but she only gave me a look that said I can’t help you.
What the heck was Zeraff talking about? I thought, while standing stunned like a frightened goat.
I needed answers, but there was no one to give them to me.
Frustration boiled over. I clenched my fists—and felt the katana still in my hand.
In that instance, remembering Zeraff’s words, curiosity overcame fear.
I gripped the katana with my left hand and stared at it. A sheen of sweat marking my hesitation shone on my cheek. Then I swallowed my spit and drew the katana with my right hand.
The crushing pressure I felt the first time returned instantly.
I gritted my teeth, holding on longer than before… then released it.
I couldn’t handle it.
Breath escaped my lungs and my face was sweating from all the pressure.
I was in disbelief.
The situation was slipping out of his hands, and I couldn’t even wield the key to the answers I needed.
☆
“He was joking, right?” I asked.
“No,” Tessa replied.
We returned from the forest and sat in the dining room. I stared at the ceiling as if it might explain everything to me.
“What did he mean by succession?”
“I don’t know.”
“I need answers. Is there a way I can get them?”
“Yes. Draw the sword.”
“Argh!” I groaned, standing abruptly.
I then stared at the katana—the thing holding all my answers.
Tessa, sensing my frustration, wanted to comfort me. However, she opted to make me face reality and accept the responsibility.
“My lord,” she said carefully, “for now, focus on ruling this land. In one month, this country will be exposed to outside forces.”
“This is all too sudden,” I said, raking my hands through my hair.
My normal life was unraveling fast. And things were quickly turning into a mess of things.
Reina, Asahi, and Mariada entered the room.
“What’s with the long faces?” Reina asked.
Tessa had her eyes closed as if she had no right to answer that question herself.
Then, when Reina focused her gaze on me, I said in a casually dejected tone.
“Apparently,” I said flatly, “I’m the new lord of this place.”
“Really?” Reina grinned. “Congratulations!”
She slapped my back enthusiastically.
Why is she not surprised? I thought.
Asahi gave me a thumbs‑up with a creepy smile.
I shot him a glare.
“I get Asahi's behavior,” I said, turning to Mariada and Reina. “But you two—why aren’t you surprised?”
“I figured something was up,” Reina said, glancing at Tessa. “Firecracker kept calling you Lord Krai. And your clothes screamed high status.”
“I knew you were destined for greatness the moment I found you in that forest,” Mariada said warmly.
They weren’t just unsurprised—they were happy. Everyone in this room was more enthused about the news than me. The person who must bear all this responsibility.
“So… what now?” Mariada asked.
“This is new to me,” I admitted. “I don’t know how to rule a country, but I guess we must assess its condition first.”
“You’ll figure it out,” she said.
Her faith in me was dangerous, and it made me feel more willing to take on the task. But beneath it all, still lingered some hesitation.
Asahi stepped forward.
“You’ve got your work cut out for you, buddy,” Asahi said, clapping my shoulder. “But hey, I’ve got your back.”
His condescending tone got under my skin.
“Whatever,” I shrugged him off. “At least now I can work you to the bone and all you have to say is, as you wish.”
He laughs, thinking I was joking. And I was not.
But I let him enjoy his moment.
I turned to Tessa.
“Tessa!”
“Yes… My lord.” She responded with haste and stood up as well.
I was quickly getting into the mood, but then I paused for a beat, experiencing overwhelming cringe.
“…First order of business. Stop calling me my lord. It makes me feel weird and old.”
“Understood.”
“Second,” I continued, “aside from the barrier, what protected this land before?”
“The barrier only isolated it,” she replied. “There is no standing military.”
“I see…”
A country will not survive without any military, I thought. What shall I do? I don't have any military training.
We were at an impasse that I created in my head, but then—
“If it's military you need,” Reina said confidently, “just build one.”
I stared at her, brimming with confidence.
She posed with her right hand on her waist, and the ice one was removed.
I guess the ice arm was temporary.
Setting aside the removed ice arm, I pondered for a moment before continuing with the conversation.
“…Master Reina, you’re in charge of assembling our military. Work with Tessa.”
They locked eyes—sparks practically flying.
“Try to get along.”
I turned to Mariada, anticipation and satisfaction written on my face.
“So… how was that? Was it kingly?”
"I wouldn't say kingly per se,” she said. “More like bossy.”
She deprived me of the motivation and compliment I was anticipating from her.
Then she smiled. “But you’ve changed. It makes me happy.”
Now the roles were reversed. The dignified, closed-off maid who never shows her emotions was now spitting joy and happiness at the ready, while I simply turned around in fear of showing my soft side.
“Alright, one part down,” I exhaled. “Next—food and shelter for the refugees. Miss Mary, ask Bradsby to handle it.”
“Yes.”
“Ask Airi for help.”
I stared at them, agreeing to my commands so willingly. It made me think that maybe, just maybe, ruling this land would not be so bad as long as I have them.
I'd better not run it to the ground. I anxiously thought.
The coincidental encounter with Zeraff turned me into a lord just after a few days. This was something I never expected, and without even putting up a fight, I was roped into taking on the responsibility of ruling the country.
Once a young aspiring high school scholar, I Krai is now the ruling lord of the Mist Country. Responsibility that got magnified in just a few months of reincarnation.
A lot of things were happening, not just in the Mist Country, but also on the outside, but we wouldn't know about them much later.
