Chapter 41

"What's this party for? We already had a welcome home party a while ago," Jade complained as Orsted dragged him to a party with their whole squad, and both their families.

"It's something I've been working on for the past few weeks," Orsted said as he dragged him over to the tables to grab a drink from a waiter. "It took quite a bit to get everyone to agree to it, but it's hard to say no to me."

Jade raised an eyebrow as he accepted the drink. "What in the world are you going on about?"

"I had Arnid working on a plan, where we can keep the witch in a permanent frozen status while simultaneously draining her of her magic. We've turned her into an infinite source of magic."

"A bit inhumane for you, but considering how many horrible things she's done over the years, I can't complain. That still doesn't explain this party. Why are my parents here? And what's with the bag of luggage displayed at the front?"

"So many questions..."

"And no answers?"

"Well, it's hard to explain, but this is a farewell party."

"For who?"

"You."

Jade frowned. "Me? Are you firing me and celebrating it?"

"No, I'm not firing you, but I likely won't see you often anymore. I do hope things will work out, and I will see you again, preferably regularly."

"What are you blathering on about? Where am I going?"

"Back."

"Back?"

Orsted cleared his throat. "Back to her and to that other planet you told me about."

Jade's eyes widened. "What? Why? I came back for you, for all of you."

"And we're not really at war anymore. We'll be signing the agreement soon."

Jade frowned, arms crossed, as he tried to process everything. "Not only do we not know if I can travel back, why would you send me away? I don't belong in that world."

"Because you're miserable here. You met a girl, fell in love, and were torn apart. I don't want to be a part of a tragic love like that. I'd rather my best friend, brother, companion, and royal guard, to be happy with the woman he loves. That's why I've been working on a plan to send you back, with the hopes you can travel back and forth."

"That would take too much magic... Emerald?"

"Yes, Emerald."

"That feels a bit far for you to take it."

"Not after everything she's done. It's not like she'll be awake for any of it."

"You realize the role I play within the royal knights, right?"

"Of course I do. We're training someone to take your place as we speak, but you'll still be our knight, taking foreign relations to the next level."

"Is that how you're trying to play it?"

"Yes."

Jade sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't even know what to think right now."

"For once in our lives, I've stumped you?"

"So it seems. But why did you set all this up without asking? You're blindsiding me, and it feels like you're kicking me out."

"Because I know, because all of us know, that you wouldn't take the opportunity otherwise. Please keep in mind, I'm hoping you'll be able to travel back and forth, and maybe I'll even meet this magnificent woman you've fallen for one day. I'll even grant her a citizenship here if you want."

"You realize she doesn't know our language, right? And not only do you not have my family's ability, but I wouldn't allow you to use it on her to learn her language."

Orsted gripped his shoulder. "But you can teach it to me, and you can try to teach her ours."

"Easier said than done."

"It's just a new challenge for the future. Accept it, Jade; I'm ordering you to go back to the other world, to that girl of yours, and to not only make a happy life, but to also do your best to learn about their world, and bring helpful info back here."

"So foreign relations and research and development?"

"Exactly. A perfect job for you."

"I thought my perfect job was leading the royal knights?"

"For the past you, sure. For whom you are now, no. Admit it; you've changed."

"I suppose."

"Now, enjoy your party with all your friends, family, and my parents, who also wish you the best."

"This... I never expected anything like this. You understand that all of this could fail, right? I can try to go back, but who's to say I'll end up in the right place?"

"I trust your connections to both worlds will be enough to make this work. Also makes you the only one who can do this job."

"What if it doesn't work, and you never see me again?"

Orsted froze, his eyes darting around. "I... I've been assured it's possible, especially considering your return in the first place."

"Does that mean runes are a part of the way?"

"Yes; the runes help focus and direct her magical power. Now, enough of this." He pushed Jade towards his parents. "Have a nice chat with everyone before your first trip back."

"I stand by saying it feels like you're kicking me out."

"I'm pushing you towards the one you love."

"But—"

"No buts."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"That's more like it."

"Jade!" his mother called out to him, her arms wide open.

Jade lay down in his bed after the party, staring at the grey ceiling as he waited for Orsted to retrieve him. "Would she even want me to come back and burden her family again?" Jade sighed and turned onto his side.

"She'd be crazy if she didn't. Besides, you can return home again. We've even got some ancient runes with extra juice to make the process easier. Helps that you found out what runes to use to get back already," Orsted said, standing in Jade's doorway. "So..." He took a deep breath. "Are you ready to go back? Said all your goodbyes?"

"You make it sound like I'm leaving for good."

"We know you're not, but we also don't know how often you'll return. I've requested at least once a month for a couple of days each time, but I have no way to stop you if you choose to defy my orders. Sure, I could try to follow you, but since I've never been to this planet Earth, it's likely I'd end up somewhere else completely. I'd rather not chance it. Not until we've figured out a way to teleport people alongside you."

"I have to ask, what is it you expect me to do in her world? Knights aren't commonplace—"

"Go to school, learn a few skills, come back, and teach us. The theory behind it isn't complicated, Jade. All of this will work out in the future."

"How do you seem so certain?"

"Because you made it back once, despite everything. And maybe I don't think it was an accident you appeared in her backyard. Arnid set everything up in our newly made teleportation chamber in the basement. We're hoping your return trip will be directed there because of the runes we're going to station there, and because of the magic we'll be funnelling in. It seemed like your thoughts of home are possibly what dropped you close by, but in case it was a specific spot in the forest, we've sent people to check on the area and test it."

Jade stood and looked around his room, unchanged from when he disappeared.

"Don't worry; it'll stay here, too, and I won't go snooping."

Jade nodded and followed Orsted to the new chamber with runes imprinted on every brick in the wall. He touched one, and it lit up.

"Yes, they're all real runes. They've had great advancements in the time they were searching for you."

"I can feel the immense amount of power in this room."

"It may be used for other things in the future, but for now, it's for you." Orsted turned to him, took a deep breath, and pulled Jade in for a hug. "I know you hate hugs and all, but if you see me as a brother, you'll hug me back."

Before Orsted finished what he was saying, Jade hugged him back. "Goodbye, Your Highness."

"Orsted or brother at a goodbye like this."

"Until next time, brother."

Orsted broke out in a wide smile. "Until your return, brother."

"Are you two done yet?" Arnid asked.

"Yes." They both cleared their throats and separated.

Jade stood in the centre of the runed circle on the ground.

"Please place your hand on the console in front of you and recite the incantation."

Jade followed his instructions as Orsted stood off to the side, clenching his fists with his eyes glued to Jade.

"Please work," Orsted mumbled. "Make sure you return to us again," he said, as Jade glowed.