Chapter 9

The day after Elicia became my familiar and maid.

I was at the racetrack.

"Holy Shadow!? It's Holy Shadow!! Holy Shadow is entering from the outside!!"

Such voices echoed from the wind-powered megaphone.

I was completely captivated by the horses galloping on the grass.

A black horse was now overtaking the leading group.

That horse is Holy Shadow... the least popular horse in this race.

A cross between a bicorn and a regular horse, it was also a horse that was despised even more than it was unpopular.

Today was Holy Shadow's debut race.

It was also a day that would go down in Lusia's racing history.

In Lusia, where unicorns were both popular and strong, a horse born from a regular horse and a cursed bicorn achieved an overwhelming victory.

"Holy Shadow is accelerating! No one can catch up – Holy Shadow!! Holy Shadow, crossing the finish line!!"

A scream-like commentary and a roar of mixed anger erupted.

The spectators shredded their losing tickets and sent them flying like confetti.

"...I did it."

I confirmed the ticket in my hand again.

There, in first place, was Holy Shadow.

Moreover, it was a trifecta – the second and third places were also correct.

Before coming here, I had sold the ceramics in my room to get money.

I used that money to buy the ticket...

It turned out to be an amount that could buy several houses in the capital. An amount that would allow me to live as a commoner in another country for the rest of my life.

I couldn't help but shout, just like when I had a big win before the reset.

"I did it!!"

"Congratulations! As expected of Master Alex! To foresee something like this!"

Elicia, in her maid uniform, clapped and praised me.

"Well, I did have some knowledge."

In the years before the reset, I was particularly obsessed with horse racing.

I was so enthusiastic that I even researched past races.

Of course, I remembered this historic race.

"Still... I saw something even better than the prize money."

After this, Holy Shadow would dominate for a year.

However, a year later, it would be killed by someone who didn't like it being a bicorn's offspring.

"Even though it's so lively..."

As a dark emblem bearer, I had various thoughts about this Holy Shadow that had died.

A fleeting thought crossed my mind: Could I save Holy Shadow now?

I knew what would happen in the future.

Of course, if my actions changed, the events could change as well.

"When the time comes... I'll do my best."

While thinking about this, I exchanged the ticket for prize money at the cash desk.

A barrel full of coins... I couldn't carry it, so Elicia easily took it for me.

Her appearance had changed, but she was still strong, thanks to her orc blood.

"Such a large amount..."

"Yeah. We won't have to worry about money for a while. We can't carry this back, so let's store it."

"Store it?"

"Here."

In a secluded place, I stored the barrel of prize money in the *Pandora Box*. This way, it wouldn't be stolen. It was a safer place to keep it than a bank.

"Did it... disappear? Is it okay?"

"It's fine. Look."

I piled up coins from the *Pandora Box* in my hand.

Money is the most important thing.

I won't be able to earn this much again, but I'll come back and bet on Holy Shadow again.

While putting the coins back into the *Pandora Box*, Elicia was amazed.

"Even magic like this?"

"Make sure not to tell anyone."

"Of course! I have pledged absolute loyalty to Master Alex... I will serve you until my body withers. Your word is absolute!"

Elicia said this with a blissful expression.

She used to be a demon of the same height as me.

But now, she is an impeccable beauty in every way.

The long skirt of her maid uniform suits her well.

I thought she might be mocked at court, but because of the [Holy Knight] emblem and the fact that I had arranged for her to be treated as a human, she wasn't ridiculed.

In any case, Elicia seems to feel grateful to me.

I can't reveal the reset, but I have talked to her about magic.

"Thanks. Let's head back to the palace."

"Yes... huh?"

Elicia noticed the approaching footsteps.

"Over here! The big winner is over here! It's just a kid, so it's easy."

"Hehe! And the girl is super pretty. Let's take her too!"

It seems they were trying to steal the prize money I had received.

"Elicia, let's teleport."

"Yes, but wouldn't it be better to give them a lesson?"

"True, it might be better if they learned a lesson."

From their tone, they were likely repeat offenders.

"Leave it to me."

"Are you sure?"

"There's no need for you to use magic."

With that, Elicia drew the sword she had hidden under her long skirt.

Five men appeared from around the corner.

"It should be this way... Ah, there they are!"

"This kid is carrying a sword."

"A thin sword like that is useless. Let's get it over with!"

All the men drew curved swords and daggers from their waists and approached us.

I got ready just in case.

But Elicia rushed into the men and quickly knocked their weapons away.

"What, this... Huh!?"

The men, turning around, were all struck in the face and groin with the sword's hilt.

Thud, thud, thud – the five men were quickly knocked out.

She's strong...

Elicia's emblem [Holy Knight] not only grants benefits in holy magic but also in combat skills.

Moreover, her experience in the cemetery has made her battle-hardened.

Elicia, now fifteen, was entrusted to the monastery at the age of five. She has been fighting undead in the cemetery since she received her emblem at seven.

For me, she is a powerful bodyguard, which is very reassuring.

Elicia sheathed her sword and bowed before me.

"I apologize for the unsightly display."

"No, it was impressive. Let's head back."

"Yes. Um..."

"Let's teleport back."

"Y-Yes... Excuse me."

Elicia gripped my hand tightly. Being tall, I had to raise my hand a bit.

I had already confirmed that I could teleport between the palace and the racetrack.

I had also proven that I could teleport with someone who was touching me.

Conversely, I could teleport Elicia somewhere if she was nearby, but I couldn't send her back.

In any case, Elicia's hand was sweating a lot...

Looking at her, I saw that her face was red.

"Elicia? Are you feeling unwell?"

"N-No! Nothing like that! It's just that... Master Alex is... Nothing!"

Elicia shook her head vigorously, her face bright red.

"If something's wrong, tell me. Let's teleport – arrival."

In an instant, we teleported from the racetrack to my room in the palace.

"I was surprised on the way there too..."

"I was surprised too. I didn't expect it to be so quick over this distance."

The distance from the palace to the racetrack is about a thirty-minute walk.

"Maybe I can teleport even further... This means I can go to many more places."

I have the funds and a strong bodyguard.

I don't intend to live in this palace forever. It's just not a comfortable place for me.

So, even if it's not a fief, I want to buy a house in a quiet place and live freely there. Maybe go on trips occasionally.

For that, I need money. I might get a fief if I renounce my right to the throne... but in any case, it's better to have more money.

On the other hand, as a royal, I'm a frequent target. I need to build up my strength.

So, I should focus on dark magic.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Prince Alex! The Emperor requests your immediate presence!!"

An event that didn't happen before the reset was about to unfold.