Turning their gaze, they found the servant that the plantation owner had brought earlier—the young girl named Linde had dropped a clay cup on the floor, breaking it.
She was intending to pour out cups of the wine that was meant as an "offering," apparently on her way to serve Godou and company.
"I-I'm very sorry! I can't believe I'm so clumsy!"
Linde apologized profuse with an expression as though the world was about to end.
She was a blonde girl roughly thirteen or fourteen in age, similar to Godou's younger sister Shizuka. She was a girl with an exceptionally cute face and extraordinarily pale skin.
She was dressed in what resembled a knee-length t-shirt with a belt tightly around her waist.
Simple and crude attire. She had been the one who stayed in the mansion to serve Godou's group during the past four days. How could anyone even think of scolding such a girl?
"Don't mind it. You can clean up slowly once we go out."
If Godou were to propose helping out with the cleanup, Linde would have flown into a panic instead.
Godou gestured to his two companions with his eyes. Swiftly, he stood up and left the room. Naturally, Erica and Ena followed him.
The corridor was lined with many pillars while the spacious garden even had a little pond.
The house, built in Roman architectural style, had a few dozen rooms. From the perspective of a modern Japanese, it was quite extravagant. This point was driven further home by the fact that Godou had heard that the homes of commoners only had one room.
"Oh right. Teach me how to ride a horse."
Godou recalled this matter as he walked through the corridor.
The mansion had stables and Godou had been informed that they could use them at will.
"Considering this time period, it would probably be a useful skill."
"Oh, great idea. Ena is not skilled in this area either and hopes that someone could instruct properly."
"No problem at all. But well, from the standards of this time period, I'm definitely no expert."
"Does the standard change with the times?"
"Yes. This is the era when true equestrian tribes spend most of their lives on horseback. However, I am confident that my horse riding skills are superior to a typical Roman's, so don't worry."
While listening to Erica's strangely proud claims, they arrived outside.
This area was Old Man Furius' plantation, a different place from the village where they had first met.
However, it apparently covered a vast area five or six times that of the Tokyo Dome (five hectares). Godou's first impression had mistaken the plantation for natural scenery...
Bringing out horses and riding equipment from the mansion's stables, they started practicing on a suitable plot of empty land.
Also, stirrups did not exist in ancient Rome. This was a type of riding equipment that dangled from the two sides of the saddle, allowing the rider to step on them for support. Without stirrups, the difficulty of riding was greatly increased.
"During this time period, the only people in Europe who used stirrups were equestrian tribes like the Huns. But given their ability, they were even capable of riding bareback horses calmly and shoot arrows while mounted."
"That's amazing. Even in Japanese mounted archery competitions, it'd be quite difficult without stirrups."
Listening to Erica's trivia, Ena expressed her admiration while struggling with her own unskilled horse riding. Compared to Godou who was a complete novice, she was doing much better.
As a side note, they did not have any riding equipment that could serve as stirrups.
This type of saddle, used by Roman cavalry, had horn-like protrusions on their four corners which the rider used to stabilize themselves from the unsteady rocking of their horses.
As expected, using spears, bows and arrows during horse riding was invented out of necessity.
On this day, they ended up practicing until sunset.
Part 3
Then night arrived. Just when Godou was about to go to bed...
Very unused to horse riding training, Godou had to employ many muscles he normally would not have used, resulting in a comfortable sense of fatigue.
The way to eliminate fatigue was a good dip in a boiling hot open-air bath.
"I feel so lucky to be enjoying something like this..."
Godou muttered softly, enjoying the unexpected sense of bliss.
Reportedly in cities built by Roman hands, great baths in the empire's style were nothing rare. However, they were rare luxuries on a farm like this. Due to the lack of aqueducts, simply the transportation of water already took monumental effort.
However, there was a flowing hot spring in the back of the mansion.
(According Erica, this current plantation here was located quite close to the border between modern Switzerland and Germany. This place was supposed a land of hot springs since ancient times and even the Roman army would use it as spas for recuperation.)
Thanks to these natural amenities, they were able to enjoy this simple pleasure.
However, Godou suddenly recalled something while he was soaking leisurely in the bath.
Come to think of it, didn't that servant girl mention something about how the people at the plantation would use steam baths for sweat therapy?
"It sounds quite interesting. Maybe I should try it out later."
Godou leaned back against the bath's edge as he muttered.
At this moment, Godou heard the whispering voices of his two companions who were not supposed to be present.
"Jeez, this Godou, even though he keeps saying 'it's better to go back sooner,' he's already fully adjusted to this time period."
"Well, he is His Majesty after all. His Majesty is someone who always survives no matter where."
"—!?"
Godou looked back frantically to find Erica and Ena before him.
The two girls were wearing nothing with only white cloth covering their chest to serve as bath towels—There was not even a scrap of sheer fabric over the rest of their bodies. In other words, they were fully naked.
"W-W-W-Why are you two here...!?"
Godou asked in a trembling voice.
Just like him, they had sweated a lot during horse riding. However, because they said they needed to do something, Godou had entered the bath first by himself.
Under Godou's stares, Erica and Ena stiffened their bodies from embarrassment.
Probably due to embarrassment and nervous tension? Their expressions were quite stiff and they were inexplicably avoiding eye contact with Godou.
However, the two girls nodded at each other as if they had resolved themselves and entered the bath together. Then Erica approached Godou's right side while Ena took the left!
They were very close. Godou's separation with Erica was 20cm while Ena was roughly 10cm away.
Then the blonde beauty frowned with severe displeasure.
As if competing with her rival on the other side, she shrunk her separation from Godou by 5cm.
Seeing her behavior, the black-haired child of nature hesitated for a moment before drawing herself closer with a rare, timid expression as she watched Godou's face.
They were extremely close to each other, their bare skin almost touching.
"Hey, Ena-san..."
Murmuring with displeasure, Erica also took action.
Naturally, she also approached so closely that their skin was about to make mutual contact. Sandwiched between the blonde and black-haired beauties, Godou began to tense up severely.
"C-Can you explain clearly why are you two doing this...?"
Godou managed to mutter his question.
He was mobilizing all of his self-restraint, dispelling all notions of wanting to make more intimate contact with these two girls. Even so, the current situation remained rather troubling.
Regardless, Erica and Ena were completely naked apart for the piece of white cloth each had over their chest respect
ively.
Of course, before Godou's eyes were the two girls' silky-white and tender skin as well as the attractive bodies he was already quite familiar with—
Godou froze his head and line of sight, only staring straight ahead.
Absolutely do not gaze left or right. Absolutely do not look. He repeated strongly to himself over and over again.
"Godou. From hereon I wish to negotiate with Ena-san to reach an 'agreement prohibiting stealing ahead.'"
"W-What stealing ahead?"
"To prohibit stealing ahead regarding Your Majesty. Ena has already discussed many things with Erica-san over the past four days."
"So we intend to decide on the specifics with you as the witness, Godou."
"What the heck, that's..."
An expected conversation was taking place between the trio in the open-air bath.
However, Godou finally managed to recover from his panic. His companions consisted of the combination of Erica and Ena who were especially prone to unprecedented, unconventional behavior. However, so long as he kept his cool and approached them with strong rationality and critical thinking, Godou should be able to resist them.
Godou warned himself to remain resolute in the face of all occurrences as he tensed his expression.
"I knew it. Umm... I must cross that line with His Majesty and become even more intimate..."
"This place is different from contemporary times and is quite a dangerous situation, yes? ...Taking into account the suspension bridge effect, I believe it is quite likely for that type of situation to develop between Godou and either of us..."
"Guah!"
As Ena murmured shyly, Erica whispered softly with a slightly worried expression in response.
Watching them like that, Godou's calm was instantly blown away.
"Particularly me, I have not opposed the idea of having children with Godou, starting a very long time ago..."
"Oh what are you saying, Erica-san? Even me, Ena, has already considered the prospects of doing that with His Majesty all the way back in the beginning."
"But Ena-san, don't you find that type of undertaking quite daunting in some ways?"
Erica spoke with the tone of a salon mistress who was worrying about a female friend.
Rather than trying to make difficulties for a rival, her tone of voice was very broad-minded and accepting; very much in Erica's style, one should say.
"Regarding this point, I believe we must venture into this unknown domain with as positive an outlook as possible... For the sake of sharing that joy with Godou..."
"E-Ena definitely has no problem too."
Although it felt a little like she was forcing herself, Ena continued to assert.
"One will always manage when the time comes to try this sort of thing for real. Nothing comes out of it unless you actually try, that's what my granny said."
"W-W-W-What the heck are you two discussing in front of me..."
" "......" "
Godou finally managed to get a word in, prompting embarrassed expressions on the two girls' faces.
As if to conceal her embarrassment, Erica coughed dryly.
"In any case, we must avoid escalating that type of competition. We are already facing a difficult crisis, so we shouldn't waste unnecessary effort and energy."
"That's why we need to make a detailed agreement."
Erica and Ena joined forces.
"Before we return to the modern era, neither of us will try to forestall each other. Then there's no problem, right?"
"Yes, no problem. Ena has no objections."
"But if Godou were to be consumed with desire under some sort of impetus and he demands on his own initiative..."
"It'll be treated as an exception. Ena thinks there's no grounds for reprimand in that case."
"Indeed. Precisely because he's Godou, I am quite confident that the possibility exists for him to behave that way."
"Then it'll be impossible to refuse..."
Hearing shocking words, Godou frantically interrupted:
"W-Wait a sec! That's kind of person you two take me for!?"
"Indeed. In that area, you'll surely toy with us thoroughly for sure."
"However, when His Majesty acts in that manner... Ena doesn't dislike it. How about you, Erica-san?"
"I, on the other hand, hope that he could control that bold and unrestrained side of his somewhat. Of course, it's quite refreshing to be treated that way on occasion. I can't deny that it doesn't feel bad at all."
"Oh, Erica-san doesn't hate it either. Sure enough..."
"Ena-san, this is quite unladylike. Please choose your words carefully before you speak!"
"Uh... How should I say this? I'm very sorry in various ways."
Stuck in this girl talk, Godou could no longer bear staying any longer. Of course, he deserved all this for what he had done in the past so there were no grounds for him to complain.
Just as the discussion was getting underway, a fourth person arrived.
"S-Sorry to disturb everyone in your enjoyment..."
Godou did not expect the new arrival to be Linde.
Furthermore, she was wearing nothing apart from a loincloth. A young maiden's smooth skin and delicate body was displayed in full view. Fortunately, she was carrying a small jar in her arms, thus barely obscuring the front view of her upper torso.
"W-Why have you come to this place!?"
"I-I was thinking of serving you all in the bath... Oh, here is the perfume the master ordered me to bring to you. He said it was for the two princesses to use..."
Linde bowed her head as she spoke as though avoiding eye contact with Godou.
Her body kept trembling. It was clearly fear. Godou could not help but reprimand.
"Entering the bath the way you're dressed is unacceptable! Men and women should bathe separately in a place like this!"
"Godou... Even if you say that now, it's completely unconvincing."
"The way it looks now, you're just having Ena and Erica-san serve you while you enjoy the pleasure."
"Th-That's because you two suddenly intruded. Uh, no matter what, if I'm overcome with impure thoughts and end up doing something wrong, it'd be bad, right?"
"No, not at all. Should that situation actually arise... I have already prepared myself."
"Eh?"
Watching this ancient girl declare as she bowed her head down dejectedly, Godou was rendered speechless.
He stared at Linde in dumbstruck shock. Quick on the uptake, Erica spoke on Godou's behalf.
"Your duties are done here. Please go prepare dinner next."
"V-Very well. I understand. Princess!"
Given instructions by Erica, Linde swiftly disappeared from the bath like a puff of smoke.
"What on earth was that child thinking..."
"Godou, please understand your current situation. Now is a good opportunity to explain things for you."
Erica explained to Godou as he went limp in exasperation.
"Listen well, Godou? You have been mistaken for Uldin who is no simple invader. He is the military leader with the greatest power and influence in these lands. His position is that of a king and a chieftain's."
"A king, you say?"
"Yes. Furthermore, this isn't modern society. Given a tyrant of the ancient world, illegal and immoral acts are condoned for the most part. Presumably, violating that child is also not a problem."
"What!?"
"Although it's quite unpleasant, it does occur frequently..."
"However, I must make one thing clear to you. Should that type of situation arise, you must suppress yourself absolutely. You must limit your lust only towards me or Ena-san."
"Erica, how could you say something like that as an unmarried maiden!?"
Godou scolded the Diavolo Rosso loudly for what she proposed with a blush.
However, Erica continued with a face full of embarrassment.
"But it's very important. Although it also includes disallowing y
our affections to stray, the main worry is that you might leave descendants behind in this era, you know?"
Godou stared wide-eyed at the sudden mention of "descendants."
Then Ena commented with deep feeling as if explaining things further.
"It was the same with my grandfather. Great men with illegitimate children. If Your Majesty were to sire children in this era, it could end up doing something like changing history."
"When saving someone, there is also the terrifying possibility you are consigning someone else to death."
Erica sighed listlessly.
"How about a better description? The effects occurring a century or a millennium later cannot be predicted at all. Stemming from one incident, people who were supposed to be born may end up not existing. People who should have played great historical roles becoming nonexistent, ultimately causing changes to both history and the future..."
"Ah, you mean the butterfly effect?"
Realizing what his companions were getting at, Godou nodded.
"A tiny butterfly flapping its wings could end up causing a hurricane to form elsewhere faraway. It has been mentioned in movies about transcending time and space. However, is it really that easy to change history?"
Godou could understand Erica's suggestions. However, he was still only half-convinced.
Compared to this issue, he considered male and female sharing an open-air bath, conversing while essentially nude to be a greater problem.
As if suggesting to himself as he endeavored not to look towards the sides, Godou spoke:
"There are limits to what a human can do."
"If you really were a normal person, then you wouldn't need to be so neurotic."
"A person capable of even slaying gods. Even alone, most wars could probably be won single-handedly. With a little more effort, establishing the boundaries of one or two kingdoms should probably be a piece of cake."
Faced with the girls' successive accusations, Godou went "...", rendered speechless. Come to think of it, Saint Raffaello had mentioned before:
'Most people would have trouble sleeping peacefully at night ever again if they heard the full story.'
'This is a dangerous matter that could change the world completely. In actual fact, it has already started.'
What if humans who had traveled through the corridors or Madame Aisha herself, more than anyone else, were to change past history?
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