By Zephyria 
He didn’t seem willing to reveal his identity, no matter how much I probed. I left Aska alone and continued the conversation with the others.
“Is there a specific reason you’re not returning to Actan? Getting help from the Imperial Family would be much better for my injuries than you guys taking care of it yourselves.”
“When I found Kyle, you told me we had to leave the Empire immediately. We didn’t know the cause of your injuries, so we couldn’t rashly ask for help from anyone. You said other things as well, but I couldn’t hear them properly…”
So, he made his own decisions and acted on them? I obviously didn’t remember, so it was hard to say anything. Feeling lost, I closed my mouth and pondered for a while before turning my gaze to Aska.
He looks like he knows everything… Maybe if I’m left alone with him, he’ll tell me something? I sighed and said, “Does even the Crown Prince not know my location?”
“The entire mountain where we were staying is under magic that prevents detection, so he probably doesn’t. The location is also in the northeasternmost wasteland, which isn’t marked on any maps.”
“Ah, damn…”
At that moment, Aska, who had been silent all along, muttered a small curse. Glad to see him react, I seized the opportunity to speak to him.
“Have you ever been there?”
“I went there once, but it was so barren that I just took a quick look and left. It was impossible for humans to live there… Hah.”
His voice was full of annoyance, as if his anger hadn’t subsided. I chuckled and asked Abyss, “How did you know to go there? Was there some herb that only grows there? I heard there was something like that.”
The sticky, thick medicine naturally came to mind. I shuddered at the thought, and Abyss said, “I heard it from Zero. Do you perhaps remember?”
“No, I don’t. It’s the first time I’ve heard that name.”
“When Kyle was in Talim, you sent a letter to Zero. It was about the Ruins and the Relic you found there, but you don’t remember?”
It seemed like an important story, so I tried to think calmly, but of course, nothing came to mind.
“Although it’s not certain, Zero speculates that it’s deeply related to the dimensional gate that suddenly opened in Actan. I’ve also heard stories about you discovering something during the Ruins exploration.”
I stared blankly at Abyss. If this was true, then the mess that happened was because of me?
“…”
What on earth was I doing?
“Sakira said he entered the country today, so he should arrive in a day or two at the latest.”
I nodded at Sakira’s words.
“So, until my memories return, I’m stuck in a situation where I can’t do anything? Since I don’t know why I was injured, I can’t rule out my loving Crown Prince brother as a suspect.”
Abyss and Sakira didn’t respond, feeling it was disrespectful to agree.
Why did I tell Abyss to leave quickly back then? I put my past self in the position of a third party and tried to think of all the possibilities.
“Is there a chance that I intentionally opened that dimensional gate? Maybe I was trying to destroy the country or get revenge… Maybe I was trying to succeed in my plan and escape. What was my personality or disposition like when I was a prince?”
“You were very wise and virtuous. You couldn’t stand injustice, you were always worried about the safety of the country, you always looked at the lower classes first, and you were wary of evil…”
Watching Abyss spew out flattery, I instinctively knew it was a lie. Was I such an idiot when I was a prince that I kept such a smooth-talking sycophant by my side?
“You achieved many feats from a young age, especially the capture of the Gaulaprum cliff fortress…”
“Stop it and be honest. I don’t remember anyway, so I won’t be moved whether you praise or insult the prince.”
Abyss looked bewildered as I sighed.
“Why would I lie when my safety is at stake? I’m telling you the truth.”
He even seemed a little wronged. If this was really flattery, Abyss could have sat in the position of the prince’s closest aide with his tongue alone, not his sword.
But it was hard to believe him outright. How could the first prince become the Crown Prince, leaving behind the outstanding second prince who had achieved so many feats? If it was simply because he was the eldest son, how could the two of them be so close?
Sakira carefully added when I frowned and remained silent.
“Abyss’s words are all true. Although the process was a bit rough…”
“Process?”
Sakira nodded at my question.
“Kyle did not ignore those in difficult circumstances, regardless of their status. It’s also true that you couldn’t stand injustice, and it’s true that you were quick to learn and wise. And you were very clear about rewards and punishments, but some people thought it was a bit excessive. I never thought so, though.”
“I have never thought that way either.”
“…”
No, I don’t even remember, so why are they being so careful? Was I a very scary person? I still felt uneasy, but I continued to speak.
“Rewards and punishments were excessive, and what else?”
This time, even Sakira couldn’t open her mouth. Abyss glanced at Sakira, moved his lips, and stammered, “You had some difficulty controlling your anger…”
“Was I a psychopath?”
“You were definitely not a psychopath. Just sometimes, very occasionally…”
So, there was a flaw after all.
Abyss made it sound like it wasn’t a big deal, but considering he bothered to mention it, wasn’t it serious? Then it made sense why they were being so careful.
They’re probably afraid that I’ll get angry when my memories return.
“Did I use violence or commit murder indiscriminately?”
“Not indiscriminately. However, it is true that you did not show mercy to criminals or bandits.”
The second prince, Kyle, who had no qualms about violence and murder and had a terrible personality.
Taking a step back, this was my past self that I had concluded.
“…”
At this point, it wouldn’t be strange if the first prince tried to eliminate me during the chaotic situation. Especially if I had trouble controlling my anger, I must have caused accidents without people knowing.
To prepare for any possible situation, I assumed the worst-case scenario as much as possible, even if it was a bit of a stretch.
After roughly resolving all my questions, I belatedly felt tired. Unless I regained my memories or that person named Zero came, further conversation was meaningless.
“Let’s just decide on a name for me to use and rest today. What’s the most common name? The one that people use a lot.”
“Names like Jake or Peter are common, but… if Kyle used them, it would be too obvious that it’s a fake name.”
Why? Because it’s too common? I tilted my head, and Abyss said, “It doesn’t suit the name at all.”
“Is it because of my skin color? Come to think of it, Andrew knew right away that I was an Actan.”
“It’s not a skin color problem…”
Sakira, who had been hesitating, sighed.
“To be honest, Kyle, you look too noble even if you’re wearing rags. Even if you don’t reveal your name, anyone who sees Kyle will think you’re at least a nobleman.”
Is he flattering me like a sycophant again? But looking at his serious expression, that didn’t seem to be the case. I raised my hand and stroked my chin before saying, “Even if I look sickly?”
“That just makes you look like a nobleman with a story. You don’t even look like a patient right now. It would be better to say that you’re a nobleman hiding your identity and adventuring, like the Magical creature researcher said earlier.”
“Then let’s do that and think of a name that suits a nobleman who’s hiding his identity.”
It didn’t really matter what name I chose, and it wasn’t an urgent issue.
“Yes, I’ll think of a name that suits you as much as possible. Shall I prepare the water for you to wash now?”
I was about to nod at Sakira’s words but stopped. I pondered briefly and then said, “Aska will help me bathe today, so just prepare the water separately.”
All three of their gazes were fixed on me. I couldn’t see Aska’s expression, but it seemed like he had a bewildered face, just like the other two.
“Is that okay?”
I deliberately looked at Aska and asked. It couldn’t be helped if he said no. But I had a strange conviction that he wouldn’t refuse.
As expected, Aska, who had been hesitant for a moment, nodded slightly.
I stopped Abyss and Sakira, who were about to say something, and sent them outside. Sakira, who returned shortly after and quickly finished the preparations, looked at me with uneasy eyes until the end.
I waved my hand as if to tell her not to worry, and we were left alone. Finally, Aska took off his stuffy hood. He also took off the robe that covered his entire body.
I didn’t know because he kept wearing the robe, but his hair was quite long, reaching down to his waist. The turtleneck and long pants that covered his long neck, and the gloves were all black, and not a single inch of bare skin was visible.
“Are you going to wash right away?”
Aska asked as he took off his gloves. His smooth back of the hand was in contrast to his black clothes, making it look even more transparent and white. It was even to the point where I felt like it was glowing.
When he slightly rolled up his sleeves, the black string that I had seen before was wrapped around his wrist.
“What’s that?”
I asked because he didn’t seem like the type to wear accessories, but Aska didn’t answer and just stared blankly at me.