"Yes. In the days when magic wasn't as widely used, a few wizards tried to establish the country of Baltar and conquer the world."
"…."
"After a fierce war, the ancients won and erased Baltar from the map, rejecting the wizards."
"…."
"I thought it was just one of the ancient myths… but seeing this, it seems it was all true."
The Crown Prince chuckled and waved two scrolls.
"They were trying to engrave a portal to get directly from Baltar to the palace. There are limits with scrolls due to the distance."
I looked back at the skeleton with no lower body, my eyes wide with astonishment.
The Crown Prince was right. If that ancient wizard hadn't died during the spell, the Inca Empire might have been occupied and become a vassal state of the wizards.
The faces of Bouter and the animal masks he was hiding floated in my mind.
The traces of history were always truly amazing and mysterious.
That's why I loved archaeology.
It starkly showed how a slight difference could change the fate of humanity.
"…If I knew the incantation, I could have used this scroll to escape the forest right away."
I was lost in thought when he said this.
"In conclusion, this is just an old map fragment."
The Crown Prince clicked his tongue regretfully and added.
"Still, it might help us find our way. This isn't necessary."
He casually threw the ancient Baltar map on his jacket.
The system window was still floating.
I alternated my gaze between the square window and the scrolls given as rewards.
'Will this really be useful…?'
But it's better to have something than nothing.
In this crazy game, anything was better than nothing.
After some hesitation, I pressed [Yes.]
At the same time, the text in the system window changed.
〈SYSTEM〉 You have obtained 2 [Ancient Magic Map Scrolls]. Each magic scroll can be used 3 times.
〈SYSTEM〉 If you wish to use it, point to the location on the map and recite the incantation. (Incantation: Yeta Tu Tashi Pashi)
'Why is the pronunciation like that?'
I shuddered at the bizarre incantation.
But there was no other choice.
I desperately wanted to get out of this damn forest.
"…I think I can use that scroll."
I pointed to the map of the northern forest he was holding.
"…The princess?"
"Yes."
"Can you… speak ancient magic language?"
The Crown Prince looked at me as if I had said something bizarre.
'How could you, of all people, know it?' I could tell he was implying, and I felt a bit annoyed.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Isn't it true that the princess has no magical power at all?"
"I learned a few ancient magic incantations to prepare for any situation. Fortunately, the teleportation spell is quite common, right?"
I lied calmly.
Whether it was common or not, I didn't really know. I just wanted to get out.
"This is a basic skill for a noble."
But I couldn't stand his dismissive gaze.
I emphasized 'basic,' and the Crown Prince's expression changed.
"…Did the basic skills of nobles change while I was at war?"
He urged me with a dubious tone.
"Why don't you try it?"
"Where should we go?"
"It's best not to let others know about these, so a place a bit away from the entrance where people are would be good."
He carefully examined the map and pointed to a spot.
"Let's go here."
As soon as he pointed, the paper zoomed in.
Before long, a black-and-white landscape of the forest appeared.
A rabbit suddenly hopped across it.
It was a surprising scene, even on second glance.
"It's a small animal hunting area."
The Crown Prince added, pointing to the spot.
It was the starting point of all this.
I rolled up the Baltar map scroll and quickly put on the jacket I had laid on the ground.
I didn't forget to grab the crossbow.
"Then I'll try it, so keep pointing there."
Calisto nodded doubtfully.
'Know that I'm getting us out of here.'
I muttered to myself, then slowly opened my mouth.
"…Yeta Tu Tashi Pashi."
As I reluctantly recited the ridiculous incantation, a white square window appeared in front of me.
〈SYSTEM〉 Do you want to use the [Ancient Magic Map Scroll] to teleport to this area?
[Yes. / No.]
I pressed [Yes] without hesitation.
At the same time, the scene in front of me flashed brightly…
"…It really worked."
When I heard a voice, I opened my eyes again.
We were already out of the damned cave and sitting in the middle of a quiet forest.
〈SYSTEM〉 You have used the [Ancient Magic Map Scroll: Northern Forest] to teleport. (1/3)
"I didn't know the princess had such a useful ability. It's completely different from the rumors."
The Crown Prince looked at me with genuine surprise.
[Goodwill 35%]
My goodwill increased slightly.
'Is this praise or sarcasm…?'
I wasn't happy at all. I glared at his golden hair, which shimmered in the early morning sunlight.
"I need to conduct a formal investigation, so I'll take these."
The Crown Prince rolled up the northern forest map and took it.
"Go ahead."
I handed over the Baltar map I was holding, as it wouldn't be of much use to me anyway.
Looking around, I saw the path through the small animal hunting area where I had lost my way.
"Then let's head back, Your Highness."
It was fortunate that we could return quickly without getting lost.
I immediately got up, and the Crown Prince, who had the scrolls in his arms, did the same.
But at that moment,
"Ugh."
The Crown Prince, who had just stood up, suddenly grabbed his head and staggered.
"Your Highness!"
I was startled and quickly supported his arm.
The cave was too dark to notice, but under the bright sunlight, the Crown Prince's face was as pale as a sheet.
"Your Highness, are you okay?"
How long had he been in this state? Cold sweat dripped down Calisto's pale face.
Without thinking, I reached out and wiped the moisture from his face.
His skin felt chillingly cold to the touch.
It reminded me of his disoriented state when I woke him up in the early morning.
"Is it just a minor injury, right?"
"…They said not to die in front, but they don't want to clean up the body, do they?"
"Are you making jokes at a time like this?!"
I shouted.
The Crown Prince smiled faintly with a pale face.
"I'm fine, I'm not dying."
"That won't do. Lean on me. Let's go back quickly!"
"Princess."
As I hurriedly urged him to walk, the Crown Prince suddenly stopped me.
"Don't leave me like a villain. Go and tell someone to bring me back."
"What…?"
"If you don't, you'll regret it when I wake up…"
At that moment, the Crown Prince, who was trying to threaten me with a weak voice, collapsed like a broken doll.
"Your Highness!"
I screamed and fell to the ground with him.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
I shook his body hard, but his tightly closed eyes didn't open.
Terrified, I pressed my head to his chest.
The heartbeat, unlike in the morning, was slow and weak.
Even though I knew the main character wouldn't die, I was still scared.
"This won't do."
I jumped up.
"Your Highness, I'll bring people back soon, so wait a moment! Do you understand?"
Leaving the unresponsive Crown Prince behind, I clenched my teeth and started running.
'I need to bring someone quickly!'
Fortunately, the small animal hunting area was not far from the forest entrance.
Using the scroll was a stroke of luck.
Before long, I reached the fork where I first entered the hunting ground.
It took only a moment to reach the open area where the guards were stationed.
"Hey! Huh, huff… in the forest, the Crown Prince…!"
I panted and told the two knights closest to me.
But at that moment, the two knights, who were surprised by my sudden appearance, grabbed my arms.
"The princess has returned!"
The knights shouted loudly toward the tent where the hunting competition was being held.
Other knights quickly surrounded me.
'What is this? …It feels like they're arresting a criminal.'
A foreboding feeling crept up my legs.
"Hey. This isn't the time. The Crown Prince is in the forest…!"
I frowned and shouted again to the guards who were firmly holding my arms.
At that moment,
Someone quickly walked through the knights surrounding me.
It was the captain of the guard I had met the day before.
"Princess Penelope Eckart. You are under emergency arrest for attempted regicide."