Chapter Eighty: Identity Revealed— I Am Tracy

December 24th, 2237, 19:40

On the streets of London, Cole rode his magnificent reindeer, Remshee, holding Anne—who had since recovered—close as they sped along the ancient road. Cole remained silent, and Anne quietly enjoyed the warmth of being in his embrace.

“Cole, you told me that once we arrived, you would reveal your true identity to me. I’ve been wondering… Haven’t you always suspected me? Why is it that now…” As they neared their destination, Anne couldn’t help but voice her thoughts, for she realized they were heading toward the outskirts.

“Heh. I’ve been investigating who you are, but all I ever found were the most ordinary details—a genius in the field of biology, the daughter of a high-ranking United Kingdom official, Mr. Wellinger, leader of the England Democratic Party.” Cole’s calm words soothed her. Anne knew that her senior, Cole, had always doubted her. Even now, his suspicion didn’t feel special. “But I know that if an agent has only one handler, it’s nearly impossible to discover their identity. So I was never able to confirm if you were one. But even if you are, it doesn’t matter anymore…” Cole stroked Anne’s hair. He had given up investigating her—not because he’d found the answer, but because, after so many years, he no longer cared if his own identity was exposed.

“Cole… I… I really am not, so please don’t worry! No matter what your true identity is, it doesn’t matter to me anymore…” As Anne nestled in Cole’s embrace, the cry of the reindeer sounded. Cole rode into an estate without a name, unguarded, yet Anne sensed a different atmosphere.

“My dear Anne, we’ve arrived. Let us face the truth together, even if it proves cruel…” Cole dismounted with elegance, assisting Anne down from the reindeer with the grace of a gentleman.

“Remshee, you can head back on your own now. I’m sorry, but I need to accompany this beautiful lady tonight.” After wrapping his arm around Anne, Cole patted Remshee’s flank. The reindeer snorted in mild protest, then reluctantly circled behind the warehouse.

“This reindeer listens to you so well—just like I do…” Anne leaned against Cole’s shoulder, basking in his affection.

“Let’s go inside. It’s too cold to linger in this icy world.” Cole operated his phone, opening the warehouse doors. Because it was winter, after they passed through the first door and it closed behind them, the second door opened, revealing the true interior of the warehouse.

“Hello, you’re back? This must be Miss Anne, then? A pleasure to meet you. Cole has mentioned you countless times.” At the sight of His Highness Treshee’s return, Roger responded immediately. Having followed His Highness for over a decade and possessed of keen intuition, he instantly knew to address him by the familiar name, Cole.

“Oh? Is this… Roger, commander of the Hospital Knights? And… that is Hugo, commander of the Templar Knights, and Elman, commander of the Teutonic Knights. Taylor is here too… Cole, so you’re a member of the Welsh Party. No wonder things turned out this way…” Anne was stunned. Inside this warehouse were the top figures of the Welsh Party and the Royal Academy of Sciences. Given Cole’s own reputation, his involvement made sense…

“No need for that. You can call me by my real identity now—I’m ready to admit it,” Cole said.

“Oh? Are you sure about this?” Roger was amazed; usually, His Highness Treshee would do anything to avoid such exposure.

“It’s fine. Let Anne know who I really am. Don’t forget—who am I?”

At the look on Cole’s face, and the sudden reappearance of that once golden hair, Anne understood in a flash.

“I see now. My lord, you are the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom—Treshee Mistlera!”

——— Author’s Note ———

Because I’m especially fond of this work, I’m actually planning to finish the first season (at least up to the end of Satan) ahead of schedule. So, during high school, I might completely stop updating ‘Prey of the Alien Continent.’ However, I’ll at least finish the ‘Retrieval’ arc of ‘Memories of the Central Plains’ first, and I hope everyone will continue to support me—Roland! ‘Mecha Dynasty’—let’s open a new era together!