Honestly I was not looking forward to the rest of the evening. I'd just barely stepped out of the tent after dealing with Darius when the village elder had approached me.

After she said something along the lines of a god wanting me to play the role of 'villain' I replied something like 'I know', shrugged it off and headed towards dinner. I mean, I've been aware of this since I was reincarnated, and I am also aware that to ignorant modern girls and sheltered little girls, I am a villain.

Honestly I was just going to get my food until I overheard some of Felix's former squad mates commenting on Felix trying to pour hard alcohol to someone...

I fell hook line and sinker. This was the first time I had a chance to get alcohol since that party eight years ago, so of course I placed a cup nearby for him to pour... and guess what... it was sake! The mild ricy and almost floral fragrance was unmistakable, though more nutty than I am used to. It wasn't a very clear sake, so the grains had likely not been polished much, if any. I'd guess it was a sort of wild rice judging by the scent... and the taste...

As expected I'm overwhelmed by a dry and nutty taste that almost immediately seems to rush to my head. I'm overwhelmed by a nostalgic joy, and close my eyes to savor the taste and feeling of the drink. It's delicious. Far from as good as the sake I was used to, but the nostalgia makes it the best drink I've had in this life. I'm elated.

When I open my eyes again I note the looks of worry, but I don't really care. Not even the skeptical looks some have been sending me since I arrived can get me off this pedestal of happiness.

Still, I've technically drunk now... so I have an excuse for acting impolite. In a magnanimous moment that the knights should appreciate, I start a question session. What better way to spend the night and build companionship!

Of course the first question is stupid. No, beyond stupid. Still, this much was expected. Though, the next one was surprising:

"Were you a lion in your past life?"

This is a good one.

"No. The being the elder drew, has the shape of our family's ancestors. We were human though."

I take a bite of the tough and chewy snake meat. A bland and slightly earth taste, but with a fishy hint. The expressions of the knights milden and fill with curiosity instead.

"You worked in the military?" Someone cleverly drew the connection between my past life and the siege eight years ago.

"Yes. I was a... what would be comparable to a captain here. Took care of a company of a hundred men."

The small realization, that there are a hundred of these guys... these young passion filled brats were supposed to compare with the beauty of my former men... it... would be absurd to me as it was right now. They could not compare... and they could never replace what had been lost...

"How old were you?"

"20 years."

"Did you have a fiancé or a spouse?!" Someone yells up from the back rows and pulls me back to reality.

"I did," I call back and munch down on another piece of gamey snake meat.

"Was she cute?!" Another one chimes in. It is in this moment that I am vividly reminded of the changes in our worlds.

"He was not cute. My fiancé was quite a hothead too... and before you get any weird ideas, I was a woman. Military service, and everything else, was done in equal parts by men and women. Quite unlike here," I add a little half huff at the end for good measure and happily take another sip of the sake.

Things go awfully quiet for a while, and then:

"But women are physically weaker, why would they be on the battlefield?"

Yet another question appears, and I consider it for a bit. Honestly, this argument has been the weirdest for me ever since I arrived here.

"In my world, which is quite different from here. Men and women are generally equally strong. There is no big difference. In strength tests you wouldn't notice. The average height for men and women about is the same too."

A good few moments of silence spread, but I'm just waiting for the other part. The pregnancy part.

"Did you have any siblings?" Vitis turns the direction of the conversation smoothly.

"As expected of the older brother to six!" I hear cheered out, and a few laughs spread through the crowd.

"One older sister. She was very dedicated to her work as priestess though. A beauty. Golden eyes and the blackest silky hair you can imagine." I think back on her since she was mentioned. I never spent as much time with her as I should have during winter. We got a bit estranged after she married.

"...Were you a beauty like you sister too?!"

Another interesting question appears from the backlines, but judging by the voice it may be Mike.

"I was quite average," I call back calmly and take another sip. I hadn't expected them to ask something like that, but they seemed amused and filled with curiosity.

"Have you had any lovers?"

In indecent question appears. I lift an eyebrow and answer honestly. It looks like one of the fourth years.

"No."

A bit of silence.

"Have you kissed anyone?"

Another weird question.

"No."

I could hear the 'not even her fiancé?' Echoing down the lines... why are you guys so curious about my love life anyway?

"Do they have knights in your previous world?"

They change the subject rapidly.

"No. A direct equal does not exist. Nobility itself acts as 'knights' in a way, but it is not a title available for commoners."

Then deep silence. This is where some of them realize that something feels off.

"How do you become nobility?"

I consider the answer for several moments and answer with:

"You reincarnate into it, or change history to the point you become a legend. Anything less is not enough. The caste you are born into is a result of karma of your former life. If you as noble do your role well and fulfill the destiny of your soul, then you go to heaven instead of being reincarnated, where you protect the doors to heaven and keep hell at bay."

When I told Helena that commoners here have good lives, I partly refer to their ability to break the social status they were born with. For us it was locked, and divine given rights. Of course, if you misuse your rights you will go to the realms of punishment for your sins and then be reincarnated. The realm of punishment serves to clean your sins from your soul such as crimes, regrets, fears and desires if you have displayed any of these and not won over them on your own. As reincarnation is an actual thing for us, we trust the words of the gods on this. It is quite clear that the knights are not at all feeling pleasantly about this. Well, some are feeling better about it than others.

"This world, however, appears to be different. In the end the gods have different wishes for us." In the end that was all I could say to calm the discomfort of the young men.

"You said men and women were equal in terms of jobs, so there are many male prostitutes in the cities as well as women?" An unexpectedly filthy question appears... and I consider turning it down for a few moments. I did however promise to answer, so I decide to answer Felix's question. At least it is asked with a semblance of worry.

"Prostitution is illegal in most lands, however, it is exists. There are indeed male prostitutes, but I am thankfully ignorant of every other part of their business. We have male and female entertainers with whom you can talk out your frustrations with, but that is all that is allowed."

I can't tell if he is happy with the answer or not, but he appears to be considering it for a while.

"Do you like the crown prince?"

An unexpected question appears, but of course I answer it as any subject should.

"As any subject should towards their king." I confirm this with myself. I do have a sense of loyalty to the kingdom, and thus Alstair, but that doesn't mean I need to adore everything he does.

"And romantically?"

...can I even answer that honestly? ...perhaps it is fine to answer it honestly. I'll focus on something else than the biggest reasons though.

"...I believe no favor is held between us, as should be evident by the lack of poems for each other, songs and so on."

Now, some of the knights nod at this, and others perk up curiously.

"You wish for your partner to dedicate poems to you?"

The odd question makes me lean my head to the side a bit and I end up letting a slight smile curl up on my lips.

"Of course. That is the proper way of expression such affection. That or carefully written letters." It is here too. Although, in a slightly different manner. Apparently it's less of a guessing game, and more of a poem dedicated to someone... where the someone's name is said out loud. It's a... bit different... a bit more directly passionate.

I look over the guys and note a few grins crossing their lips.

"What?" I ask them suspiciously. Why are they grinning? I don't believe I've said anything amusing though. I'm asking for something perfectly reasonable here.

Surprisingly, the one to answer is Asher. More accurately, the one that sacrifices himself for the others, is Asher.

"It's just that it is unexpected to hear you wish for something so womanly as you sit in pants with a sword by your side and gulp down the alcohol Felix gave you like its water."

Asher smiles at me, and unlike before he doesn't seem to be wanting to pull the sake away from me... but...

"...don't women dedicate poems to men too?" I ask this in a moment of confusion. Granted, it hasn't been mentioned anywhere that you had to do it, but it didn't say the opposite either...

They return a 'No' to me in unison...