Prince from a Foreign Land
"Holy shit. Did I really regress?"
The scene before his eyes was identical to the one from ten years ago, when he'd first arrived in this world. A barren rocky mountain under a clear autumn sky, and on the dry grassy field, the massive traces of a magic circle etched into the ground. It was undoubtedly the mark left by the mysterious 'gate' that had allowed him to cross dimensions.
Just like ten years ago when he'd first come to this world, he was alone, abandoned on a remote mountainside.
"That's right!"
He hurriedly looked around. Fortunately, the Secret Book and Cycnus's leather bag were right there beside him.
"Phew."
A sigh of relief escaped him. But despite the chilly weather, a bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. Just how deep in shit had he gotten himself? He'd finally started to settle in, and now this.
"Alright…."
Steeling himself, he first opened the Secret Book. Grasping the situation took priority.
Soon, new letters floated up over the book's black pages.
Regression to 10 years ago successful. Proceed immediately with the bonding procedure for the Secret Book.
"Kinda bossy, huh?"
I held back earlier since it was our first meeting and protocol demanded it. Now that you've regressed, no need for pointless courtesy. In the hierarchy, this body outranks you, so I'll speak freely.
More brazen than I thought. But now wasn't the time to bicker over pride. He had too many questions.
"Bonding? What the hell is that?"
The process by which the Secret Book and the Executor of the End become one.
"Ugh." Sounds creepy as hell.
He grimaced openly, and the Secret Book seemed offended too.
You think I want this? For I, created directly by the great god Harpocrates, to merge with a lowly human like you? In this emergency, it's unthinkable otherwise. It's like a noble aristocrat merging with a filthy mutt.
"Did you just call me a mongrel? You goddamn book, rude from the jump. I'll burn you to ash!"
At the threat of burning, the Secret Book seemed flustered. The faint black smoke emanating from it twitched.
Ahem! It was just a metaphor. Anyway, hurry up. Disobey, and nothing good will come to you.
Merging with a book? Still gives me the creeps.
"Do I have to?"
Got the balls? Try it. How's a puny thing like you gonna hide from the gods without me? Be honest. Right now, do you have anything worthwhile besides me?
He had no retort to that.
"Heracles' Jewel…."
Laughter erupted instantly.
Kahahahaha! What good's brute strength? And that jewel? You know it's worthless against gods. Without my power pre-regression, you and the High Priest would've been torn apart by Cycnus—limbs dancing separately in that old temple's basement by now.
"……."
You were borrowing others' power and rampaging wildly, huh? Thrilled beating on gods? If you think that's your own ability, big mistake.
Every word hit home. Reluctantly, he nodded.
"Fine. Let's do it, this bonding bullshit."
This Secret Book guy's gonna be an exhausting neighbor.
Best to hurry. It's the only way to hide from the gods' eyes. Those gods… scary bunch. Just look at Cycnus.
A sudden chill ran through him at the mention. And Cycnus was just a lowly errand boy from Olympus—still vicious as hell. If big names like Apollo, Ares, or Athena stepped in, it'd be world-shattering. Back on Earth, reading Greek myths, he'd seen how gods' whims crushed humans like flies. Apollo, that prick—killed plenty with arrows out of pettiness. No reason it couldn't be him.
"Alright. Let's do it."
Smart choice. Even that thick skull of yours can make useful decisions. Put your hand on the book.
He placed his hand as instructed. The cover was ice-cold; he flinched. Fear surged, urging him to pull away, but it began immediately.
Whoosh!
The book burst into flames, turning to black smoke that sucked straight into his nose and mouth.
"Gaaahhh!"
Hot smoke scorched his throat like melting flesh. His sinuses screamed pain straight to his brain, mind blanking out.
"Keh! Kek!"
Tears and snot pouring, he rolled on the ground for ages before coming to. The Secret Book was gone.
"Cough! Cough! Hey, where'd you go?"
As if waiting, the Secret Book reappeared, floating translucently in the air.
It was semi-transparent now? He reached out instinctively—no solid form. Like a hologram display? Or a game stat window?
"Kekeke, surprised? That dumbstruck look is priceless."
The sudden gravelly voice startled him.
"What? You can talk now?"
The Secret Book's voice was deep and rough—feral, almost.
"Bonding complete. We can converse now. Of course, for necessary times, I'll display text on the book."
According to it, 'objective info' appeared on the book pages. Subjective thoughts via voice. Made sense for a sentient being—separating info delivery. Annoying personality, but logical.
"From now on, only you, the Executor of the End, can see this body. Gods won't notice. Though not foolproof—be cautious. Exceptions exist."
Special cases were rare, no real worry.
"Simply put, no more fretting about gods snatching me."
Good—no weird side effects. Just the book floating like a stat screen. Could vanish on command.
"Lucky. Anyway, Secret Book, time for questions?"
He had a ton. Everything too sudden—waking up ten years back. Needed answers.
"Figured you'd be full of questions. I need to tell you what's necessary too."
Even this prickly thing obliged on key info. Finally—Harpocrates's intent, why him as Executor, etc.
"Alright, what first…."
Arms crossed, sorting questions mentally—then the Secret Book shouted urgently.
"Shit!"
"What?"
"Gods noticed the dimension shift. Already? Faster than expected! Olympus bastards aren't pushovers."
Speaking like Olympus had nothing to do with it.
"Snap out of it!"
Warning him, the Secret Book displayed white text on its pages. Text, not voice—objective info.
The god of sun and music, Apollo, takes interest in you!
The god of wine, Dionysus, takes interest in you!
The goddess of wisdom, Athena, takes interest in you!
The virgin goddess Hestia takes interest in you!
………
………
……
Starting with Apollo, messages about a dozen gods taking interest scrolled up.
What the—? Why gods all of a sudden? Had it been like this back then too, on first arrival? Without the Secret Book, he wouldn't have known. They had no clue he'd regressed—just curious about some weirdo from another dimension. Probably noticed his dimension hop back then too, but he was so ordinary they lost interest quick.
"Gods watching me… more than one or two…."
The Secret Book kept displaying info silently.
The smith god Hephaestus ignores the dimension traveler and focuses on his craft.
Classic Hephaestus. Guy'd forge a sword even if the world ended.
Others reacted differently.
The war god Ares is pleased with your sculpted physique. He highly evaluates your warrior potential.
Ares, ever the fighter, dug his Heracles' Jewel-enhanced body.
Gods varied, some ambivalent.
The supreme god Zeus decides to observe for now.
The sea god Poseidon decides to observe for now.
The underworld god Hades decides to observe for now.
The Big Three of Olympus—strongest, highest-ranked—opting to watch like elders.
What now? Gods' attention right after regression. Frowning, the Secret Book whispered urgently.
"Recall what happened in the past quick! Gods'll test you now, intrigued by the otherworlder. You must've been tested back then too."
Come to think of it, weird memories from before. He'd chalked it up to local customs.
"This could get fun…."
Handled right, tons of opportunities. But the Secret Book pointed out a key issue.
"Now decide."
"Huh?"
"Draw the gods' attention—or not."
"Big deal…."
Gods were double-edged. Favor brought boons; ire, doom.
"Act incompetent like before, they'll lose interest. But your path'll be thorny. Heracles' Jewel or not, this world's full of heavy hitters. It'll hinder your Executor duties."
No risk, no reward. Wait—couldn't he just rely on Harpocrates like before?
The book went silent at his question.
"Hmm…."
The heavy, somber quiet bred unease.
"What's up?"
"Not weird, right? Hide from other gods, start under Harpocrates…."
The Secret Book cut him off.
"He's gone."
"What?"
"Don't make me repeat. Gone…."
"Not twice—three, four times maybe?"
What? Harpocrates, god of secrets and silence—gone?
Suddenly recalling, he checked the 'objective info' on the book.
The god of wine, Dionysus….
The goddess of grain, Demeter….
The goddess of retribution, Nemesis….
And so on.
Scanning the interested gods, he spotted it.
"Huh, he's not here?"
Harpocrates truly absent. If he existed, he'd surely notice.
Cold sweat poured. Like suddenly orphaned.
"…Must be a reason. Head to the village, temple's still…."
"Probably not."
"What?"
"Whatever replaced Harpocrates's temple, the village won't be as we knew. In this regressed world, he never existed from the start."
"Explain properly."
The Secret Book had been briefed pre-regression: post-regression, Harpocrates gone.
"Time-reversal miracles demand huge prices. Harpocrates deemed himself fitting."
"What?" Fuck! So the god backing me's toast?
"Dead?"
"Watch your mouth, worm! He's no mere mortal like you!"
The Secret Book revered Harpocrates deeply.
"But he's gone, and you're here."
"……."
"So what happened?"
"Don't know…."
"You don't know? He's your master."
"I said I don't know!"
It snapped, pained by ignorance of its master's fate.
"Fine, calm down."
"Grr… Our post-regression task includes finding missing Harpocrates. Without him, nothing concludes."
"Conclude everything…."
Still vague on duties—'conclude my ass.' But to question Harpocrates, had to find him. Personally curious too.
"Plan step-by-step, Secret Book. Anyway, no choice—gotta draw gods' attention."
"So you'll do it?"
"Can't rely on Harpocrates. Don't like it either."
Damn moody immortals.
"Will's fine. But can you handle gods?"
"Don't worry. I get shit done when I must."
"What happens next, per your past?"
"Gods won't appear directly—send humans for a welcome feast for the otherworlder."
They'd probe him there. Past him, panicked, disappointed them.
"I'm seasoned now. Let's do this."
"Ho, nice glint for a moment. See why Harpocrates picked you, wretch. Fine, I'll back you fully. Peleus."
"O? Used my name?"
"Sh-shut up. Don't think it means approval!"
"What's your name? Can't keep calling you Secret Book."
"Er, well…."
Chatting with the Secret Book, he headed east. That way led to mighty Mycenae. En route, 'chance' encounter with nobles inviting him to a Mycenaean estate—fooled the bewildered otherworlder perfectly. Past him thought luck; now, all planned.
Tomorrow night, lavish feast; gods' agents weighing him.
"No playing their game this time."
No feast for him. That night, a major palace incident. He'd exploit it.
"Knowing the future's OP. Heh heh heh."
"Peleus, that evil grin? Act decent. We're not villains."