The Peach Spring Beyond this World

Facing this beauty who also hit his soft spot with the holy trinity of maid uniform, maid mannerism, and maid aura, Roland didn't know what to do.

He had read the story and understood that the chance which allowed his arrival in this world was most likely because of her. But it wasn't anything praiseworthy as it was done by her drugging the original Roland to death.

While he can't be sure that this world was exactly the same as the one he had read, the impression of spy cum assassin had been ingrained to her profile in his head.

Though, this prince indeed picked someone good looking at his personal attendant.

Tyre similarly looked at Roland for a moment before saying her words. "Your Highness, it's about time for your dinner."

Roland can't see much from her expression, but he felt there was something off from her.

Of course, even if he were to notice what's really wrong, he still would keep his mouth as not to rose any suspiciousness.

He always thought it was weird that she didn't just finish off the prince personally. If it was to not making people suspected her, then she should fear death to some extent. Yet, in the end, she died by suicide when caught red-handed.

Simply indescribable.

Her character in front of the prince was firm yet soft, and it had been going for a while. If she was just faking it, perhaps he should refer her to that theatre in King's City.

Blinking his eyes blankly, he then saw Tyre's expression changed subtly. Her face seemed doubtful about something, and she approached him slowly. Roland finally remembered that he had forgotten the usual prince wouldn't be this calm in front of her. It was not that he had a particular problem with her, but it was just too transparent even for anyone else that Roland desired her like a teenager with overflowing hormones.

It was not too late yet -- He stood up and with a righteous face, walked to her calmly before groped her buttocks.

Bursting his never seen before talent, he immediately put a half foolish half pervert face as he turned around. "Hahaha, perky butts."

Just as he hoped, Tyre's face flushed. Her form was precisely the same from one in his memory, and from an outsider perspective, it was a bit bizarre.

Of course, it might not be that she was faking it and it was truly embarrassing. No matter what, she was still a young woman.

With hastened steps, Tyre went out of the room before changing direction and with admirable composure, gave the additional message she nearly forgot to convey in a proper manner befitting the title of the head maid.

"What amazing woman." Roland sighed after some time she closed the door of his room.

"Roland in the story never said he could channel our predecessor." He looked at his hand that just abused his authority done so naturally with amazement.

It never crossed to his mind that it was his own doing; after all, while he might not be certified, he saw himself as a proper gentleman.

"And oh, Barov."

As expected, the earlier persuasion couldn't finish the thing off in one go. After all, he himself was in still in a state of confusion at the time.

Even now, he still couldn't thoroughly shake that all of this might be just one long dream. How could it not be? The fact he was thrown to another world was already big, but to add that the new world was actually from the story he knew of all things.

"Anna was supposed to be released tomorrow..." Roland recalled the contents of the story he read.

Speaking of which, though the order was different, the important discussion with Barov happened in the second chapter.

Stretching for one last time, he straightened his back and walked to the dining room. Although he ate in the room for lunch, the proper way was to eat at the room specifically made for it. Though, since rarely people accompanied Roland, it honestly all the same where he ate.

But perhaps it might change in the near future.

Thinking about it, Roland unconsciously took a large stride.

"Your Highness, why didn't you order the execution? It's still not too late."

In the drawing room, it was the first sentence Barov thrown at Roland after the door was closed. Not immediately answering him, Roland looked around for a moment before sitting in his designated seat.

Seeing him not taking the matter seriously, Barov raised his voice. "This isn't any trivial matter, and you cannot act as recklessly when the town in danger from this!"

Roland pondered for a second before starting to talk. "You knew about her case right? Anna I mean."

Barov creased his eyebrows from the weird question but still nodded his head. "She revealed her power as a witch slightly after the mine collapsed. A looter tried to take advantage and wanted to harm the people inside."

"Then, how do you know this much?" Roland asked with a faint smile.

"... From the people around that claim to be the witnesses later on." Barov felt something weird from the way Roland leading him.

"Right. People on the scene decided to keep quiet about her being a witch, yet she was revealed. Do you know why?"

"It's her father. The next day, he reported it." Barov shook his head as he spoke. He didn't reveal what he meant by shaking his head.

"For money." Roland made it clear; his words were icy.

Barov unconsciously gulped. "But what's your Highness point?"

They already talked about that point after the hanging.

"Let's talk about your point first. It's less Anna and about the coin right." Roland remembered that it should be not a coin from the Graycastle Kingdom, and in it imbued a witch power on top of the strange design. Calling it a magical coin wouldn't be so far stretch.

Barov hurriedly took out the coin in question as he anxiously cautioned. "A guard found it in a camp suspected to be inhabited by the witches in western forest."

The coin was becoming warmer when he pinched it. Roland was very interested in this portable heat pad. Unfortunately, the small size means it might not just be enough for winter unless it was in a large amount.

Playing with the coin, Roland saw the printed pattern. Barov explained with sweats already on his face. "The printed pattern is known as the Insignia of the Sacred Mountain and Magic Eye, which is the emblem of the Witch Cooperation Association."

He felt he had seen this kind of pattern from the internet somewhere, but didn't overthink about it and instead continued to look at the coin. He was not an antique collector, but he had seen a fair share of strange things offered to him by suspicious people aiming for his money.

The coin, the extraordinary ability to heat up on its own aside, was not much in value when it barely reached the level of heat what he would consider warm. Also, the pattern might be clean at first glance, but untrained hands obviously polished it since the lines were very crude.

"Your Highness, you might pity the witch because of her story, and it seemed she indeed didn't want to do anything since the maids said she obediently followed them to the bath and what not, but it would be still perilous if we were to keep her."

"At least you had the conscience not to kill her when I explicitly said to not." Roland casually said.

Face flushed, Barov said in a grave tone. "It was just your Highness never seen what a witch could do. That witch, Anna she..."

"Melted the person and burned the remaining black right?" Roland shrugged. "And likewise you knew why she did that."

"When did your Highness seen it?" Barov raised his brows in surprise. "But if you knew, it's easier then. If you don't want to kill her, what should we do if the witch association's witches stormed in?"

Roland wanted to say he welcomed them greatly, but he knew Barov wouldn't like the humour.

Massaging his temple, he sort of understood that there was merit in Anna showing her ability to Barov and Carter like in the original story. Now he freed her just like that, the opportunity was still there, but the impact probably wouldn't be so big.

Barov continued with his speech about the characteristics of the witch and their goal, some he could vaguely recall from Roland's own head. Still, unless the world was messing with him, he should know more things even when compared to the witches themselves.

All he did not understand was how the Church could make witches like they were the evilest of all evils.

Barov was still speaking when a finger tap to the table from Roland interrupted his speech.

"In short, you're worried about the witches came in large number and made a mess of things right?" Roland spoke plainly about Barov's concern.

"Well, yes that's about it." The former assistant of Finance Minister nodded.

"Then don't you think if they truly care for Anna or just a witch in general, wouldn't we incurred their wrath if we killed her?" Roland chuckled. "If one Anna could easily burn a district or two if she wished when we were still clueless about her existence, our tiny town wouldn't stand a chance if the witches collectively attacked. Barov, oh you, why would you press hard to make things more difficult?"

Barov was stumped. He felt the prince had a hidden motive and the words Roland spoke was just a quibble. But whatever the truth was, the logic was indeed solid.

"Then what if they really come later?" Barov was nervous from just imagining it.

Roland only laughed after hearing that.