Novel Silver Amelia - Intermission 8-10 Added (Arc 4 Soon)

Spoiler: Chapter 52: Troubled Times 3

“I-I’ll just get some cloth and water.” Hilda turned away from Kasta and left through the wooden door latched on a cemented gray wall.

After Kasta was brought to Hilda’s chamber on the second floor of the church, he was laid on the bed with the help of the paladins. After the paladins completed their task, they went back to meet the Maiden. Kasta now left alone in the chamber, moved his sight to the small arched window at about two meters away.

It’s still early. Then his eyelids fell as he confirmed the setting sun’s light.

Although Kasta was acting, genuine cuts and bruises covered his body. Painful it was, he needed to be convincing. After all, him being suspected is a case he must avoid.



In addition, he expected his wounds—at the very least—would be treated once he delivered the information about the priest and the ambush. But little did he expect that he would be given a reward of marriage. Especially to a priestess in training.

An offering huh.

Then soon, his breathing calmed.

Soon, Hilda returned with her hands latched on a tin pail’s handle. In small hurried paces, with her back reared due to the weight, she walked towards the bedside. Then careful not to spill the water, she placed the pail on the wooden floor.

Hilda sighed in relief. “Mister, um… Troy? Ah, the door!”

She raced to the door and closed it. Then after she returned to Kasta’s side, she said, “Are you awake?”



“Yes.” Kasta lifted his eyelids and turned his head to Hilda. “My clothes, right?”

“Y-yes.” Then she neared Kasta and reached her hand towards his waist. However, Kasta lifted his hand and waved it.

“It’s fine.” As Hilda backed a step away, he sat up and started removing his clothes. Afterward, he was left with only his underwear while laid down on the bed. “You can start.”

After a nod, Hilda pulled the cloth hanging on her shoulder and dipped it the pail. Then after wringing the cloth, she started cleaning Kasta’s body.

“From which village did you came from?” Kasta suddenly asked.

For a moment, Hilda froze. “I… came from a nameless hamlet.”

“I see.” After Hilda finished wiping Kasta’s right arm, she turned around and kneeled before the pail. Then while she was rinsing the cloth, Kasta spoke. “Were you forced to come here?”



As the droplets of water trickled, Hilda’s shoulders drooped. “No. I chose to be here.”

Quietly, while the ripples on the surface of the water calmed, Hilda’s childish face became apparent. Her eyes hinted sorrow, but the corner of her lips was slightly raised. Then like a torrent, she started recounting her story to Kasta.

During her stay in the church, she repressed her emotions and trained as a priestess. She wanted someone to hear her story. But her emotions conflicted with what she wanted. She did not want to speak unless she was asked. And so she remained silent during her training.

Before Hilda came to live in a hamlet, she lived in a town in Niveria. But after the result of the recent war, she, her little brother, and her mother were forced to move into Brent as refugees. Their father was a conscripted soldier that died in battle.



In response to the refugees coming from Niveria, Brent divided them and placed them under the care of different Lords. It was a bitter decision for Brent’s royals, but they needed to focus on the preparations for war. However, as a remedy, Maxwell turned to Laurel for support. Although his efforts bore fruit, the treaty had only been signed recently, and the supplies from Laurel had only started to arrive.

The refugees were welcomed by Sardon’s Lord. The Lord made a large part of the refugees to live in the town. The rest, however, were split and made to live in hamlets. Each hamlet was provided with Earth molded houses and four to five guards.

Among those who lived in the hamlets was Hilda’s family.

Although they were given resources, it was not enough. They lacked the facilities to procure food. The number of the guards was not enough to protect eight to ten families. Also, a healer or mage was not provided.



This lack of resources drove the hamlets into turmoil. It was then Hilda had the thought, The church. They’ll provide help if someone acts as an offering.

The idea wasn’t new to the believers of the church. The same was true for Hilda. In return for an offering—a human sent to the church to become its servant—the church would provide support depending on the number sent. And this time, for a hamlet, Hilda knew that she herself is enough.

Basically, for the good the people in the hamlet, despite her wanting to live with her family, she offered herself. But in truth, if her family wasn’t included in the hamlet, she wouldn’t have chosen to offer herself.

After Hilda finished telling her story, she sniffed and started chanting heal. Afterward, while she brushed her glowing fingers on Kasta’s wounds, her lips quivered. However, despite her releasing her pent-up emotions, she held back her tears.

“...” Kasta was quiet the entire time.



Kasta, a Rentian, was not a stranger to Hilda’s situation. For one, he had an older sister that was made as an offering back then. But his circumstances differed. Unlike Hilda who offered herself on her own, his sister was offered under their village’s tradition. The tradition was to send a child once every three years to retain the church’s support.

Originally, as a believer of the church, Kasta saw it as a norm, and sometimes an opportunity to get big in life. However, after he heard that his sister got pregnant with the priest’s child five years after she was offered, he started to doubt the church. The reason was his sister’s friend. He knew that her sister loved the man, and the man loved his sister. And despite the offering, the man frequented the church just for them to meet.

Kasta was in no way against the man. He himself approved of their relationship and hoped that they could live together as brothers. However, all their dreams were broken when the priest took a liking to his sister. In addition, as a believer of the church, women are to offer their lives to those who took their first. In this case, it was the priest.



At that moment, the man couldn’t take the result. He rushed to the church and tried to whisk her away. But rather than turn to a story where the man saved the girl he loved, it turned into a tragedy. The man died at the hands of the paladins. Then her sister, shattered by the sequence of events, committed suicide with the unborn child.

It was then that Kasta saw the church in a different light. And as he grew, he realized that they were all blindly following the church out of lack of knowledge.

Later on, he decided that he wanted to change his fellow’s views. Naturally, he lacked the authority and the resources. But when he heard that one of Laurel’s Royalty were openly advocating against the church, he gained hope.

Now, it was his fourth year serving as one of Amelia’s Guards after being accepted by Amelia and Maize.

“Hilda. Do you want to leave this place and take your family with you?”





At the center of Sardon was the Lord’s manor. There, in the solar, two hours and a half past sunset, was the Maiden along with four paladins and two clerics as guards.

“I believe you’ve heard of the situation?” While seated on a leather couch, the Maiden said with crossed legs. Around her neck was the necklace that controlled the slave collars.

“Of course,” Sardon’s Lord replied while seated on a similar couch opposite the Maiden. The Lord had a wavy black hair and black eyes. He wore a long-sleeved white shirt topped with a brown leather vest. And on his face, whose age was similar to the Maiden, was a gentle smile.

Around the couch were four lightly armored guards armed with swords. The Maiden had arrived to meet the Lord while the guards were preparing for battle.



“Then I believe you understand? Dear Alex.” Slightly, the Maiden tilted her head with a smile.

His smile unyielding, he nodded. “Mind it not Alessia; it’s an opportunity I won’t miss. To save the priest from the bandits is nothing but just.”

Alex and Alessia. A Lord and a Parish Maiden. These two had a history of their own, but only a select few had known. This information was something that even Kasta and the others had missed.

Alex then was still the first child of Sardon’s previous Lord, and Alessia was a humble priestess. It was nothing but a simple love at first sight. A simple encounter it may have been, it turned into something complicated. To put simply, Alex became the Lord, and Alessia became the Maiden.

Their authority had indeed increased, but the image they needed to maintain was different. Alex was the Lord, and due to this—because of the three-way struggle between nobility, royalty, and the church in Brent—both of them were forced to not be at each other’s side.



However, Alessia, though called a Maiden, was no longer a virgin. She lost it to Alex, the man she loved. But at the same time, it was a secret that must not be revealed. If chance took this secret into the priest’s ear, who knew what might’ve happened. After all, the parish priest’s authority was still greater than hers. But her own authority had safeguarded her from the priest’s lust.

That was when royalty, no, Maxwell came to play. He, like Amelia, was in no way oblivious to the situation in his own kingdom. And because he knew that the church would insist him to bring someone from the church’s side into the dialogue, Maxwell had picked the priest in Sardon.

In other words, Maxwell knew Alex and Alessia’s situation. He also assumed—knowing Amelia since childhood—Kasta would be sent to free the slaves held within the church’s chambers. Maxwell calls it an unwavering bond with Amelia. Or rather, an unconscious response between each other. Maxwell would always cover up for Amelia’s blunders, and though Amelia had only recently realized it, she had been covering up for Maxwell’s.



Back to the topic at hand, Alex, Alessia, and Maxwell needed to oust Sardon’s priest without hinting a clue to the factions that split Brent in the background.

In response to that, Alex took a part of the refugees and made them stay in Sardon while the rest was divided into hamlets. It was a move to corner the refugees into sending offerings to the church. The reason was to show that he had been successfully kept in check by the parish in Sardon. A move to ascertain Alessia’s position as a Maiden.

Alessia, on the other hand, played the role of the villain. Though merciless her image was, Alessia had always kept that image to retain her position. She needed the church, through a spy acting as a cleric, or maybe a paladin, to be informed of her competence.

However, there’s one thing she couldn’t hide even to the public. It was also something that bugged Kasta and the others.



Alessia disliked slaves.

It wasn’t a matter of personal hate to the slaves itself. It was because Alessia hated slavery. For one, she didn’t remain a blind believer after being educated. However, as a servant of the church, she could not openly tell her stand on slavery. Which is why she had been displaying the image of a maiden that despised slaves. She couldn’t fathom the reason for slavery, but to stay in Sardon with Alex, she had to act what the church wanted her to be.

It was where the disconnection occurred. Unlike Alessia, the priest loved to keep slaves. And if possible, he wanted a slave closest to a human. However, since human slaves are by far costly than Fallens, he was only able to acquire a few.

This is where Kasta and others were puzzled. The top of the parish loved to keep slaves, but the second in command hated them. It was also the reason as to why Kasta refused to take a slave as a reward. For all that Kasta knew, it was the signal for Alessia to know he was the person they were waiting for.



And hence comes Hilda.

Hilda being offered as a reward was every bit unnatural. It was something unheard-of. But the words, “If by chance the priest returns alive,” had relieved the clerics and the paladins present back in the chamber. For the clerics and the paladins knew. Her form of reward can immediately be revoked by the priest.

To put simply, Alessia made Hilda and Kasta meet. It was never been fate. It was all in order to push Kasta into thinking of taking Hilda away from the church.

“Now then, shall we proceed to retake the priest?” Asked Alessia with a charming smile.

“Needless to say.”

And so the curtains finally raised and the play began.





“Halt!” As the four of Amelia’s guards stood in surprise, another unexpected situation had bewildered them. “We came by the orders of his Highness Maxwell!”

The leader of the group of ‘bandits’ raised his arm with a gold medallion in his clutch. The medallion had the Holy Spears of Longinus engraved in it along with Maxwell’s name.

“Please put your weapons down! We came here to inform you of the situation at hand!”

Due to the four being far, they couldn’t confirm the engraving on the medallion. However, since they were completely outnumbered, they dropped their weapons to the ground and surrendered. And as soon as they did, the ‘bandit’ leader climbed down his horse and approached. It was then they confirmed that the medallion was genuine.

The leader then informed them of the plan and the actual situation in Sardon. Little by little, the script they needed to play was ingrained in them. Even so, despite the lack of time, their pride in collecting information was wounded. But because they didn’t have the time to mull over childish thoughts, they continued to play the script they were given.





Three hours past sunset. Kasta peered through the small window in Hilda’s chamber. There he saw the citizens of Sardon moving out to the street or peering through their windows. Various inaudible mutters were flung from the streets and alleys. All the while fixing their sights at the guards marching towards the east gate with torches in hand.

A few seconds after, he turned away and faced Hilda.

With her hands clasped and held over her stomach, Hilda nodded. “Please return safely.” In her eyes was a determined gleam.

Then quietly, Kasta passed by Hilda, grabbed the pail of red-stained water, and reached for the knob. “It’s a promise.” Then without waiting for a reply, he turned the knob and moved to the side.



Hilda moved to the hallway. Kasta followed behind and closed the door, his feet wrapped in a cloth. Then quietly, both walked down the hallway in light steps. Upon reaching the wooden stairs, Kasta placed the pail down. Promptly, Hilda fetched it. Then with a glance towards Kasta, Hilda began descending the stairs.

Meanwhile, Kasta began chanting.

Manifest, Hide.

While Hilda waddled down to the stair landing, Kasta leaned his ears near the railings. There he listened as Hilda continued to the first floor.

“G-good evening,” Hilda greeted a cleric downstairs.

“Oh, you just got down?”



“Yes.” Hilda nodded and placed the pail down.

“Ah, then, want me to carry that for you? You can get my meal in the meantime.”

Soon, the cleric vanished from the hallway with the pail. Conversely, Hilda took a glance on the stairs before heading to the kitchen.

When both left, Kasta descended the stairs and scanned the hallways. As he confirmed the surrounding presences, he nimbly ran through the hallway. Each time he reached a corner, he would stop, listen for footsteps, and peek.

This is too easy… He thought as he darted his eyes. He crouched, leaned near the shadows, then dashed with as light steps as possible.



What is this? This vigilance is too lax. They can’t be all in the mess hall, aren’t they?

As Kasta entered a large chamber, he paralleled himself on a pillar while waiting for a paladin to pass. Then as soon as the paladin turned its back, Kasta moved to a different pillar and waited a second time.

Six. Six including Hilda. Is that all? Kasta counted all the servants he sighted along the way.

Kasta moved from one pillar to another and finally reached his destination. There, while peeking from a pillar, was a cleric standing guard. To his waist was the keys to the door at his back.

After calming his heart, Kasta crouched and placed his fingers on the ground. Then lifting his rear to a start-dash posture, he canceled Hide and started chanting reinforcement. The moment he finished, he ran towards the cleric.



“Wha-!”

Before the cleric was able to shout, Kasta caught his neck in a chokehold. Unable to go against Kasta’s strength, the cleric eventually lost his consciousness. At that moment, Kasta grabbed the keys and opened the door. Then immediately, he dragged the cleric inside.

After he rested the cleric nearby, he turned around and said, “Lo and behold.”

It was the armory.





Beside the stairs leading towards the basement, Hilda approached the paladin with a bowl of soup.

“Umm… Mister.”

“Hmm?”

“Everyone has eaten already, so here’s an excess.” Then she offered the bowl.

“Thanks.”

As he received the bowl and sipped it in parts, another paladin came.

“Can I have one too?” It was Kasta wearing a paladin’s armor.

Hilda nodded in response and escaped through the hallway.



On the other hand, “What?” the paladin with a bowl said. “Isn’t there su-”

Kasta smashed his fist onto the paladin’s neck before he was able to finish. Then after the paladin banged against the wall, Kasta choked the paladin with his hands. Soon, Kasta dragged the unconscious paladin into the basement. Meanwhile, Hilda returned and cleaned the spilled soup.

After Kasta left the unconscious paladin, he headed deeper into the basement. At the end of the hallway to the left, was a door. As he approached it, he shielded his nose from the stench of urine and feces. Then without further ado, he unlocked the door and entered.

Past the door were jail cells. Inside them were the slaves shackled and collared. One cell contained five Fallens, and another contained two humans. Silently, after he unlocked one cell, he entered while dangling the keys before the slaves.

“It’ll be over soon.”



Kasta explained the situation to the slaves while he started unlocking their shackles. Gradually, out of disbelief, the slaves realized the situation. Tears ran down their sunken cheeks. Their dry lips curved into a smile. Their hands and body trembled with joy. All the while repeatedly saying, “Thank you, thank you.”

Later on, the slaves gathered, but their necks were still collared. The key, the crystal that controlled the collars, was still in Alessia’s hand. However, they couldn’t care less. As long as they get as far as they could from the holder of the necklace, the effects of the slave collar would vanish.

Little did they know that Alessia had already disabled its effects. The necklace she held was nothing but a display.

In any case, Hilda went down to the basement after Kasta informed her. After they were arranged, Kasta went ahead. Hilda followed then the rest of the slaves. However, soon, an explosion occurred. It came from the main gate. A few seconds later, the remaining servants of the church rushed to the site of the explosion.



“Quick!” They didn’t overlook the chance. Immediately, as the servants gathered at the main gate, Kasta and the group proceeded to the back. After two hallways and an open corridor, they finally reached the church’s garden. There they ran unmindful of the sound of their footsteps. When they neared the church’s back entrance, a familiar voice called.

“Hilda?!” A blonde-haired woman with similar features to Hilda stood in a large carriage for merchants. She jumped down and rushed to Hilda and revealed a boy.



“Mama?! Kyle?!” Wide-eyed, Hilda unconsciously reduced her running pace. The boy was her little brother.

Then in response, bewildered by the situation, Kasta and the slaves stopped. But after Kasta’s comrades emerged from the same carriage as Hilda’s mother, they approached. All that his comrades told him was,

“We’ll explain along the way.”

Needless to say, Kasta and the group boarded the carriage and escaped through Sardon’s west gate.





Along the way, from the west of Sardon to the north, then finally to the east, Kasta’s comrades explained the script that Alex and Alessia played. But before that, they informed Kasta that they surrendered the priest and the coachman to Maxwell’s men.

The troops from Sardon, consisting of thirty guards, twelve paladins, six clerics, and the five slaves marched towards the rocky hills. However, the number of guards that marched the streets exceed that number. It was purposely done to grab the attention of the citizens towards the east gate.

Before they marched, Alex, side-by-side with Alessia, announced that they were retrieving the priest from the bandits. They publicly announced the situation so that they could grab the citizens' beliefs.



When the troops marched, they were supposed to search the rocky hills. The supposed result was to end up with nothing. After all, there were no bandits to catch. Now, since they failed to locate the priest, they needed to return to Sardon and arrange for a proper search party, but that’s when Maxwell’s men come into play.

From the city south of Sardon, they bear the news that the bandits were apprehended. At the same time, the priest was retrieved. However, the condition of the priest’s limbs was beyond complete recovery. Nonetheless, the priest was surrendered to Sardon.

Now, since the priest was returned alive, despite the five slaves doing nothing, they were freed as per Alessia’s condition. Needless to say, the slaves were brought into the care of Maxwell’s men.

The priest on the other hand must be replaced. He was already considered invalidated in his condition. And as planned, Alex and Alessia hoped to nominate a priest that they could control. But the results of the nomination for a parish priest would be announced after the church confirmed.



Returning to the carriage, after a day of traveling passed, they reached a coast. At a distance from the coast was caravel with its masts folded, and at the banks were several boats. Around the boats were several men in simple cotton clothing, waiting for passengers before rowing the oars.

Nearby, was a man with blonde hair and green irises gallantly standing on a patch of sand. It was Maxwell.

After Kasta and the others alighted the carriage, they were led to the boats and headed to the caravel in batches.

“It’s been quite a while.” A victorious smile was plastered on Maxwell’s face.

Kasta bowed. “I have heard of it. We are indebted to you, your Highness.”



Maxwell laughed in response. “You shouldn’t be too formal, Kasta. I’ll feel bad if someone I used to train with would treat me like this.”

“Please excuse my manners.”

For a while, Kasta and Maxwell proceeded with idle chatter, but since time was ticking, they had to end their conversation sooner.

“Kasta, please send my regards to Amelia.” Maxwell waved his hand as he turned around.

“Will do.” Then again, Kasta bowed as he gazed at Maxwell’s receding back. “I wonder how things will turn out for those two in the future.”

Then they all boarded the caravel headed towards the port city of Piraeus.

 

Spoiler: Holiday Special: Once Upon a Timeline

“Hmm...” With the tip of her tongue peeking from the corner of her lips, the silver-haired girl stared at the blank paper before her. In her fair-skinned hand was a quill. Beside it was a bottle of ink. “How do I start?”

She tilted her neck from side to side and blinked her large blue eyes a few times. Each time she swayed her head, her smooth hair would brush her small shoulders clothed in a dark-green dress with a white collar. Her roundish face was a child’s. After all, she was a girl at the age of six.

“Ah! That’s it!” Then the girl began writing with gleaming eyes.

“Lara, your spelling is wrong.” Beside her, on a chair joined with Lara’s, was a blonde-haired girl at the age of fifteen. “This too.” Then she placed her finger on Lara’s misspelled words.



“Ehhh. But Lily, I’ll have to write it all over again.” Lara pouted.

“It’s fine,” replied Lily with a smile. “Just keep writing and I’ll point out what to change later.”

“Isn’t that the saaaaame?” Then Lara leaned her chin on the wooden table.

“I’ll tell her Majesty you’re being lazy again.”

Lara quickly snapped from her posture and turned to Lily. “Don’t! Don’t tell Mama!” she said while shaking Lily’s hand wrapped in Brent’s official maid outfit colored in deep-blue and white. “I can’t play with Rudolf if you tell Mama!”

Rudolf was Lara’s pet dog.



“I get it, I get it.” Lily raised her hands in surrender. “Just continue with what you’re writing and revise it later.”

“It’s a promise!” Lara glared.

“Promise.” Lily smiled wryly.

Sigh. How long would it take before Lara grows up? Did mother felt the same when she was taking care of her Majesty? Maybe I should get some advice… Lily, Erina’s daughter, thought while Lara was writing.



The year 1523, 2nd day of the first month of Spring.

Dear Mama,

Happy 25th birthday! I asked Lily and the maids around the palace what to give as a present. Oh, Papa too! But Papa just smiled when I asked. Maybe he did not remember? Maybe he does not have a gift yet? Anyway, they said that it is better to give something that you don’t have. Or just give anything that I liked. But I don’t want to give my pet! And I like cakes! So, does Mama like cakes too?



“Maybe he didn’t remember huh?” Amelia said with a gentle yet eerie smile plastered on her face. She was seated on a couch, cradling a baby with golden strands of hair to sleep. It was her third child and second son, Milton Brent.

Her body, for some unknown reason, remained somewhat slim even after her third time giving birth. But needless to say, she had grown in various parts of her body. And she was now a Queen that many envied.

“Say, Erina, have you heard of anything unusual around the palace recently?” She glanced at the woman opposite her.

“No, I haven’t.” Erina lightly shook her head. Compared to what she had looked like before, she was slightly plump. After all, she now had two children with Gust. “Anyway, what would you do about Lara’s gift?”

“Simple.” She then carefully rose to her feet and approached a nearby crib. Afterward, she shifted Milton in her hand and kissed him on the forehead. Then like holding a candle on a windy day, she laid down Milton inside the crib. “I’ll make the cake with Lara.”





“Huwaaaaah!” Like a dog who missed its owner, Lara was excitedly running around her chamber when Amelia came to fetch her. “Cake! Cake! Caaaaaake!”

“L-Lara! Don’t run!” In a panicked state, Lily was preparing herself if in case Lara trips and falls down.

“It’s okay Lily, let her burn her excitement for a bit.” Then Amelia turned to her side and said, “Go on, Randell, you can play with elder sister Lara.”

Gently, Amelia urged the silver-haired Randell from behind. “Cake too?” he asked with his green irises reminiscent of Maxwell.

“Of course.” Amelia smiled.



“C-cake!” Then Randell, a four-year-old boy, ran to Lara’s side with a wide smile.

“B-but your Majesty...” Lily glanced back and forth between Lara, Randell, and Amelia.

“Randell! We’re making a cake!” Then Lara ran to Randell and joined their hands.

“Yeah! Cake!”

After a few more minutes, rather than Lara or Randell, Lily was exhausted.





Later on, Amelia, Lara, Randell, Lily, Erina, and some other cooks and maids were inside the palace’s kitchen.

“Your Majesty,” called one of the cooks.

“Don’t worry, we can handle ourselves. You can continue with preparations for this evening.”

After Amelia sorted out the issue with cooks and maids wanting to make the cake for her instead, she made them prepare the ingredients.

“Lily, can you help Randell sift the flour? Then Lara, grease the pans for me.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

“Okay!”



They promptly split the task.

Amelia was mixing butter and sugar in a bowl. On the other hand, Erina was cracking eggs and separating the whites from the yolks. As they did their task skillfully, they watched over the three.

“Oooooh!” Randell was amazed. He was tapping the sides of the sieve that Lily held.

“Go on, Randell. You can do it.” Lily couldn’t help but smile. Little by little, the built-up flour on the sieve lessened.

“Done!” Lara raised her hand with the brush. On her face was an unfaltering smile. “What’s next?”

“Oh, that’s fast. Come here then, let’s make the icing.” Amelia then gave the mixed sugar and butter to Erina. To which Erina accepted and mixed with vanilla extract and the egg yolks.



It was but a simple time of bonding.

Amelia made the icing with Lara. Lara enthusiastically beat the mixture with the wooden spoon. It did not take long until, “Waaah! Making cake is hard!”

And so she surrendered the task to Amelia. Then while Amelia was on it, she showed how to properly beat the icing. She stirred it with enough force. All the while, Lara was fixedly staring at the icing that gradually took form.

On the other hand, Erina poured the flour into her bowl. She then passed the bowl to Lily and Randell. And of course, Randell, envious of how Lara was enthusiastically mixing her bowl, did the same. Partway, he gave up and dipped his hand into the batter.

“Randell, no!” Lily hurriedly grabbed Randell's hand, but it was too late. Randell was already licking his hand covered in batter.

While Lily was cleaning Randell’s hand, Erina grabbed the bowl with a wry smile. She then proceeded to mix the batter properly.



Later on,

“Is it done yet?” Lara asked as she peered into the stone oven. This time, Amelia was holding her shoulders from behind.

“Lara.”

“Okay...”

Meanwhile, “Randell… You shouldn’t be eating the icing alone...”

Time passed and they began to cover the cake with icing. During the process, both Lara and Randell scooped a part of the icing and ate it. At that point, they were reprimanded by Amelia.

““We’re sorry...””

But their spirits immediately lit up. It was because the cake was sliced into parts.

“M-mama.” With a plate in hand and a slice of cake on it, Lara approached Amelia. “I realized you made the cake I was giving to you… But here, you can take my slice.”



In response, Amelia turned to the side with her hand over her lips. Her shoulders trembled shortly. She was trying to repress her laughter. Lara was offering her plate while holding her tears. Snot was also peeking from her nose.

“I-It’s fine Lara. You can take it.”

“B-but, but. Your present.”

“Then.” Unable to take it, Amelia began laughing softly. She reached for a nearby fork and took a part of Lara’s cake. “Ah, now I’m full. Lara, can you eat it for me?”

Then like a light that broke through countless clouds, Lara’s smile curved into a smile. “Thank you, Mama!” She then placed the plate aside and hugged Amelia. A few seconds after, she broke free, grabbed the plate, and began eating.

“Ah! Mama’s cake is the best!”

“Best!” Randell added, his mouth smeared with icing.





Later that night, after the small feast was held, Amelia returned to Milton’s room. There, she cradled Milton and fed him through her breast. At the same time, she leaned her body on the man beside her.

“Milton inherited his hair from you, didn’t he?” Amelia asked.

“And his eyes from you,” Maxwell replied, his arms wrapped around Amelia’s shoulder. “He’s the complete opposite of Randell.”

“Right.”

“So was the cake good?”

“...” Quietly, Amelia turned her sight to Maxwell. She stared at him with an unfaltering smile while pinching his side.

“No, no, no. I’m not saying it won’t be good since you made it,” Maxwell hurriedly remarked. “It’s the complete opposite, trust me.”



“I heard you haven’t prepared anything today aside from the feast.” Abruptly, Amelia changed the topic.

“Ah, well...”

Amelia heaved a sigh. “It’s fine. It’s enough for me that you’re here rather than the front-lines.”

“Ah, no. I did prepare something, but...”

“Hmm?” Amelia tilted her head.

“It’s just.” Maxwell grabbed a small box from his waist. “It’s just that I needed your concern for it to happen.” Then he lifted the box’s lid. “Amelia, will you marry me a second time?”

Amelia closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she lifted her eyelids, she said with a smile, “So you want a fourth?”

“Ahahaha.” Maxwell laughed dryly. “Maybe?”

Again, Amelia sighed. “Fine. I wouldn’t mind.” Then she leaned her head on Maxwell’s shoulder.

Maxwell lifted his hand reached for Amelia’s chin. Gently, he lifted it and closed his lips.

However, “What are you doing?” instead of caressing Amelia’s, it caressed her palm. “The kiss can wait for the wedding, you know? Don’t be in a hurry.” On her face was a mischievous smile.

 

Spoiler: Chapter 53: Troubled Times 4

“Head Maid!” From behind Erina, before she exited to the hallway, a maidservant called. In response, Erina turned and met the servant’s call. “Was it true that her Highness had been too busy lately? She had yet to share a meal with us in a proper dining area for quite some time now. I’m worried—no, everyone is.”

“It’s true, but there’s no need to worry.” Erina flashed a gentle smile. “Her Highness has been well. However, there’s quite a number of task that needed her immediate attention and thus unable to leave her chamber for a meal. But rest assured, she’ll be free from her task sooner or later.”

“Thank you, Head Maid.” The maidservant bowed.

“Please spread this among the other servants as well. Her Highness wouldn’t want your performance to dwindle out of your concern for her.”



The maidservant nodded. “Understood.”

“Then, I’ll be off.” Erina then proceeded to the hallway. Each step she took resounded a sharp clack against the stone floor. She was headed towards Amelia’s chamber in manor owned by the Lord of Piraeus.

Recently, she had just finished giving instructions to the servants. It mainly revolved around the preparation for Amelia’s announcement of her verdict on the imprisoned family of the Lord. However, it also included the transfer of the non-humans that Kasta had arrived with. Lastly, messages to be sent to the merchants for the liquefying of the assets seized from the Lord.

While walking down the hallway, a thought struck Erina. Have I been pushing her too hard?



Behind Amelia, was Erina. She acted as someone who would urge Amelia to continue each time she failed for the last five years. After all, Amelia was never perfect. But to Erina, Amelia’s figure who kept trying despite her being treated as a child was something that Erina could never miss. She witnessed everything, from the small successes and failures to the large ones.

Despite that, Erina could not stop thinking that Amelia was nothing but a fragile girl. A girl who saved her life twice. Even up until this day, Erina had never questioned how Amelia had fought alongside Gust and saved her. It was all due to Celes’s favor to Erina. It was something that Amelia was not informed by Celes. Neither did Erina spoke about it since Amelia knew it was a sensitive topic.

At that time, while Erina held Amelia’s hand while lying in a pool of her own blood, Celes arrived and had carried the dying Amelia.



“This may sound ridiculous, but this is what Amelia had become. At least with you urging her along the way.”

Erina was still conscious despite her bleeding from her stomach. “Who… are you?”

“It doesn’t matter for now. We don’t have much time, neither does Amelia.”

Celes glanced towards the hallway where Amelia came from. There, the voice of the nine-year-old Amelia came, “E-erina! Erina! Where are you?!”

“Is she… okay?” Erina muttered.

“It’s fine. Everything is over. However, the life of your child is lost. Not even I can return it.”

“Ah...”



“You promised her you’ll become her second mother. Abide by it. See through it all. Guide her until the day she becomes the girl who risked her life to save you and herself.” Then Celes’s figure carrying Amelia started to vanish. “Trust your judgment. Be the light in her life of scourge.”

When their figure completely vanished, Erina began to feel the rush of vitality. Her body emitted a calming light that cleansed her body of blood as it healed her body. At the same time, the unborn child, Lily, turned to ash and was stored inside a box that came from nowhere.

As she reminisced those moments, she soon reached a double door. Beside it was two Guards.

Erina came closer to the door and knocked twice. “Your Highness, it’s me, Erina.” Just as she expected, silence came.

She then reached for the knob, but partway, she stopped. She closed her eyes and sighed before grasping the knob. As she pushed the door, she hoped that when she opened her eyes a different scene would welcome her. However, as she took a step forward and lifted her eyelids,



Nothing changed.

Nothing was out of the ordinary. Amelia was inside the room wearing a white blouse. She sat down on a chair while facing a wooden table. In her right hand was a small stack of papers clipped onto a flat board. Her left was pointing towards a page in a book. Lastly, she was uttering words that were not of the human language.

“Amelia,” Erina called after locking the door. But no reply came. Erina then approached and said, “Amelia, are you listening?”

Still, there was no reply. Amelia was too engrossed in what she was doing.

Erina confirmed the situation and heaved a sigh. [Maize, please tighten the security for a while.]

[… Understood.]



Erina held partial authority over the servants as Amelia’s Personal Maidservant and Head Maid. Included within those are Amelia’s Guards in a few cases. This time, Maize guessed that it was one of those events where it was almost impossible to get through Amelia.

Erina wasn’t a stranger to the situation herself. She knew it was futile to communicate with Amelia. Not unless she physically disturbs her rhythm. However, it was not something she desired, neither would have Amelia.

“Might as well finish it now.” Erina began taking a separate chair, papers, a quill, and a bottle of ink. She then began dipping the quill’s tip into the ink and began writing. As letters, then words, formed at each stroke, the contents of the letter became apparent.

She was writing a letter to Tercel, the palace in Aves. The contents of the letter concerned Amelia’s previous encounter with the imprisoned family of Piraeus’s Lord with the help of a temporary Lord sent by Diane. While she wrote the contents, she began to recall the specifics of the encounter.



“Your Highness.” A man in his late thirties clutched the slightly rusted steel railings of a cell. The man’s cheeks were sunken and bags hung underneath his delirious eyes. “Please forgive my family. They had nothing with it. Please.”

In contrast to his appearance, his voice remained composed, but the low tone hinted in his voice was evident. It was because he knew the punishment for the treason he committed. His crime was equivalent to an execution of two generations of the perpetrator’s family. In this case, it was his brother and sisters along with his wife, then his sons and daughters.

Although the punishment was indeed harsh, it has remained in the law of Laurel. Diane believed that it was a law made to give an example to those who were given the power to rule. And also, to tame a noble’s desire in sparking a civil war or similar cases.

“Please, your Highness.” The man kneeled on the dusty stone floor.



“Lord Tineva,” Amelia said coldly. She stood imposingly on the other side of the railings. Not a spark of innocence or lack of composure could be seen.

“Yes...” Tineva sunk his head closer to the floor.

“You thought of your family dearly. But did you know that the victims of your crime have their families as well?”

Tineva groaned.

“Have you thought about it? They too had a family, Lord Tineva, just like yours. A happy and satisfied family. And as a result of you and the other Noble’s actions, they lost it.”

“I’m willing to receive any punishment your Highness, please spare my family.”

Amelia squinted her eyes and looked down at Tineva. “I’m asking you. Did it ever cross your mind as you aided Libet?”



In response, Tineva hunched his back and pressed his forehead to the floor. “No. I did not.”

Amelia closed her eyes briefly. “… Lord Tineva, your actions are inexcusable.”

“Please take my head, your Highness. I’ll bear any shame, but please spare them.”

“You knew it could’ve led to this Tineva. But despite that, you still aided Libet. What was the reason? Was it power? Money? Fame? Tell me.”

Tineva remained silent. The silence ensued for a few minutes.

A sigh left Amelia’s lips. “Your willing to accept any punishment, but you’re not willing to admit the cause of your fall?” She raised her hand and placed it on her forehead. “My question is simple. What did Libet offer you? What led to you aiding their cause? Tell me and I’ll consider sparing your family. But of course, your life can no longer be saved. There’s no return for you.”

“I-it was...”

Amelia calmly listened.



It all began three years ago.

Piraeus is widely known as a port city and known to play an active role in serving as a relay station for ships. It also served as the first city in Laurel to receive incoming guests and tourists that hoped to travel towards Tervin’s Dukedom.

However, like all port cities that lined the coasts of Laurel, there was never a ban or limitation to impede people coming from Brent or Libet. The closest thing that limited a foreigner’s arrival is the border crossing fees and ship fees. This, in turn, allowed people coming from Brent and Libet to come and go as they please as long as they have the money to pay for it. In return, it boosted the number of tourists.

In any case, there was no indicator to assess the position of a person alighting a ship. This allowed clerics, priests, and priestesses to disguise themselves as ordinary people. As a remedy to this problem, the King from two generations prior to now had made a system. This system keeps a record of each person alighting a ship for the first time. It stores the person’s illustration done by a certified artist and details written in a proof of citizenship. Every three months, these records are copied, sorted, and stored within Tercel’s archives.



Unfortunately, there was a seam in the system. The records only referenced those recorded in Laurel. A joint reference with Brent hasn’t been fully established yet, but it was currently in process. Needless to say, it does not have a link with Libet’s roster of citizens. This made forged papers to pass through in the first few investigations. And sadly, before the investigation finished, those suspected people had usually returned to their homeland and had made the results a waste of time.

The same method was used by those people coming from Libet. They made use of that seam to establish a contact with Tineva. And that contact person changes every few months, but a single phrase known only to Tineva has been used as a proof.

Through those years, the people that came from Libet had slowly poisoned Tineva’s mind. They ingrained doubt sourcing from the false accusation of tyranny on the royals of Laurel. A single family that ruled the kingdom since its establishment.



Originally, Tineva didn’t care, but the longer he accepted meeting with those people, the seed of doubt started to grow in his mind. He came to think that it was possible that the Royals were tyrants for keeping an absolute monarchy rather than constitutional. The thought of toppling them had also slipped into his mind accompanied by the establishment of a monarchy that relied on a limited selection of Noble houses.

That aside, the reason that Tineva kept on agreeing to meet with the people from Libet was his second son. His son, since birth, had suffered from continuous pain from broken bones. It was a condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a genetic disorder that weakened a person’s bone and made it break with little to no effort.

Unfortunately, the people didn’t know that it was a genetic disorder. Their understanding of various diseases was cut short. And the reason was magic.

People relied on magic too much to the point that any form of ailment was solved healing. However, in truth, healing magic only returns a wound or condition to its previous and functional state. In the case of viruses, it was possible to lessen them and eventually eliminate them through continuous use of Detoxify. But in the case of genetic disorder, there was no cure in sight.

This lack of knowledge had made Tineva clung to the potions that the people from Libet arrived with. They claimed it as an inferior form of Elixir from legends, Elixir Tincture it was named. This tincture relieved his son’s disorder for a day or two at the start. It then grew between two to four days when a better quality of the tincture was used. The last straw was when he was offered a real form of the Elixir when he cooperates with Libet’s plan. Then Tineva, wanting to cure his son so dearly, accepted.



“That is all, your Highness.” Tineva remained hunched on the floor. A tiny puddle of tears formed underneath his face.

“...” Silently, Amelia fixed her gaze on Tineva.

“I beg you. Please.”

“Lord Tineva.”

“Yes...”

“You are to face the people, both yours and the people whom you’ve sinned against. You will face them in Piraeus’s plaza. There you would be subject to shame for a day. The day afterward, your neck will serve the guillotine’s blade.”



“I accept.” Tineva sniffed.

“Regarding your family,” Amelia paused.

“...”

“They will be spared.”

Tineva’s voice became hoarse. “Thank you...”

“However, they will be banished from Piraeus permanently. The status of your house shall also be removed. From here on, your family would live as ordinary citizens with no hope of reclaiming your status.”

“That... is fine.”



“In light of your achievements in Piraeus, a third of your possessions will be given to your family to start their life anew. They will be placed in a newly established town in the east. There, they will serve as a support and a guide to the new Noble who owned the fief. Lastly, your son.”

Tineva raised his head and stared in Amelia’s sharp gaze.

“I loathe you Tineva.”

“Wha...”

“To subject your own son with an unknown drug. you’re disgusting. You made him serve as a test subject. A live experimental subject of a drug you believed to be a cure.”

Tineva’s mouth gaped and closed repeatedly. “B-but...”

“I will take your son to the Duchy. I will have my people check his condition. If in case you had made his condition far worse than it was, you may rest in regret.”



At that point, Amelia turned to her heel and walked towards the exit. Behind her, Maize and Erina followed. They listened silently the entire time.

“W-wait! Your Highness!”

Tineva slipped his arm through the railings. But Amelia did not give much as a glance. She then left the dungeon, mindless of Tineva’s cries.

Erina sighed as she finished the letter. She then began to fold it and sealed it with a blue wax. Afterward, she stood from her chair and turned her sight to Amelia.

Still the same… Then she shifted her sight towards the clock. It’s time for her bath.



Later, Erina returned with a warm pail of water, a few cloths, and a towel. This time, rather than calling to Amelia, she tapped on her shoulder. In response, Amelia halted after a few seconds. She turned to Erina and immediately realized what she intended. Promptly, she walked towards a stool and began undressing.

“You shouldn’t tire yourself,” Erina said. She began cleaning Amelia’s body with the cloth dipped in water. “The servants had begun to worry. So be mindful of your health.”

“...” Regardless, Amelia was silent. She kept her eyelids closed.

The silence ensued while Erina moved from Amelia’s arms to her body. During that moment, her figure vanished. Erina was surprised for a moment, but the feel against the cloth remained.



“Amelia, it would be hard for me if you kept practicing that.” Then her figure returned.

“Sorry,” she muttered. In return, a ball of light manifested.

Erina continued with dancing light balls around her and Amelia.

Later that night, Amelia was bathing in the moonlight that came through the glass window. She sat on a stool with her horn manifested while the blue curtains swayed in the breeze.

On the other hand, Erina remained a distance behind her. She fixed her gaze on the solemn scene. Shortly, Amelia began reaching for her necklace and had vanished like light absorbed by the necklace. For the nth time of the day, Erina saw Amelia vanish. And each time, she felt unease.

Unable to do anything aside from waiting, Erina took a chair and stared at the stool where Amelia previously sat. A few hours ticked and she kept on waiting, but soon, sleep had visited her. And so Erina fell asleep while seated.



When morning came, Erina felt heavy. She felt a weight burdening her body. However, when she opened her eyes, she realized something was amiss. She thought that she’d be either seeing the floor or the room’s wall, rather, the ceiling welcomed her.

Soon, a warm and gentle breathing entered her ears. She shifted her sight towards her body and found a familiar figure.

To think that she could carry me all this way… Nevertheless, she smiled. She lifted her hand and caressed Amelia. I guess it’s fine to rest for a while longer.

 

Spoiler: Chapter 54: A Hero's Answer 1

“What do you think of Heroes?”

“You’re asking me that after showing me this?” I said as I leaned my back on the twisted-tree-bench. “Please give me time to re-evaluate them. The fact that you asked while I gaze at these countless tombs is… unnatural? Or at least I think.”

Beside me was Celes. We were sitting on a tree twisted and formed into a suitable bench for two. Regarding how it happened, or how it was done, I had no idea. In any case, it was useless for me to mind such mind-boggling event. After all, it was made by none other than a being that far surpassed my logic—no, a being that far surpassed the logic of this world.



Before us were countless grave markers, or tombs. What lied beneath were the bodies of dead Heroes and their companions. And the reason why I was gazing upon this unnatural sight was caused by—obviously—Celes.

I intended to hide in that room in order to give my horn some time to grow, but when I clutched the necklace, this is where I ended up. In front of these graves, and in front of the massive tree that pierced through the sky in the distance. Its gigantic roots slithered across my field of vision, leaving small patches a land for the graves. It was a sight to behold.

At first, Celes asked me what I thought about the tree. I answered with: Tree of Life, Yggdrasil, and World Tree. However, just as I suspected, I was wrong. Although I based my answer on the books I have read thus far, there was never any evidence or claim what the tree was. It remained as an unknown tree throughout history. A tree accessible only once in every five years. A time when portals around the continent manifest to invite beings to unravel its mystery.



However, perhaps, I was the first partially ordinary being to know its true name. It was called Tree of Origin. But its mystery stayed the same, how it worked and what it was for was unknown. I tried asking Celes, but she refused to give me an answer other than, “It doesn’t concern you right now.”

“So?” again, she said. “Isn’t it a sight to marvel at?”

“If I were to consider these countless weapon-turned-markers, which each had their own uniqueness, then I guess it is a sight to marvel.”

The countless weapons were different from each other. Some had veins pulsing on its blade, block-like and root-like. The types also varied. Knuckles and claws, spears and halberds, great swords and long swords, bows and crossbows, staves and rods, all the types of weapons I could think of. Lastly, some weapons emitted a glow while some were somewhat translucent. The only similarity they shared was the vines that entangled itself on the weapons as it reached out to the black marbles resting on top.



After a few moments of trying to appreciate the sight before me, I answered, “A civilian? A civilian or a stranger dragged into a world waiting to become a place for their graves.”

“I see.” She smiled. A breeze passed by and rustled her silver hair, carrying away the pink petals that fell off of her horn. It was another sight to behold.

“Why ask?” I shifted my sight to the group of gryphons soaring the sky. It was the complete opposite of the night sky where I had previously been.

“Nothing. I just wanted to know.”

“...” In my silence, I thought, Is she trying to check whether I will change my mind on how I would treat Hero Meiko?

“Maybe? Maybe not?” She answered. She then stood and walked a few steps forward.



“I forgot you could read my thoughts...”

“There’s no need to sulk.” She giggled. “And to answer your question on why I brought you here, come, I’ll let you meet someone.” She turned around and offered her hand.

Needless to say, I grasped it. By the next moment—as opposed to my expectation of being transferred to a different location—my perspective changed.

“Wha?!” I yelped. I blinked my eyes a few times, no, it wasn’t the eyes I owned. It was different. The view was different. The range of colors that I could see and detect was entirely different. There were also a few lights of different colors swirling from one place to another.

“Surprised?” Despite my view changing to that of an unknown creature, Celes’s voice was clear as day.

“What is this?”

“I’m letting your consciousness borrow one of my puppet’s body.”



I tried moving around, and she was right. The body moved just like I willed.

“Amazing...” I muttered. A warm sensation was circulating throughout my real body. It felt unreal, illogical, but excitement welled inside me. It was similar to the time I figured out how magic tools worked.

A thought then quickly struck me. “Celes, is it possible to transfer your consciousness to a golem?” I asked like a child with gleaming eyes. The thoughts of how I could use a golem that had my consciousness was endless. Just the thought of a golem working without care for stamina was exciting.

“Yes, it is. But it’s preferable if the golem had a mana source of its own.”

Dasbalite and a Crystal Thread. If Mola and Glasses manage to work with the Dasbalite and the Crystal Threads I brought back, then it’s possible. Yes. It’s possible. The only problem now is how to get raw mana from those Dasbalites instead of energy.



This time, Celes remained silent as I go over the ideas that came to mind. But after a few moments, “Come now, Amelia. You can rummage through those ideas later.”

I snapped from my delusions and said, “Ah, right.”

Afterward, I followed after Celes—or at least an illusion of her. The place was the same, but we were on the opposite side of Tree of Origin. It was a wonder as to why Celes made me have my consciousness transferred into a puppet if she could have just transferred me completely.

Nevertheless, we walked through an aisle in-between the graves similar to the opposite side. Shortly after, a silhouette of a large white wolf entered my vision. It was waiting at the end of the aisle, sitting up as tall as a two-story building.

The moment we arrived before the wolf, it spoke.



[So this is Amelia.] Its jaws didn’t move even in the slightest.

“She’s a bit similar to Elena, isn’t she?” Celes smiled, unbothered by the size difference before her and the wolf.

[True.] The wolf turned its golden pupils towards me. [But it’s a wonder why you had brought her just now.]

“The circumstances right now are different.”

[Nevertheless, you boasted Elena in front of me and the True Divines as if nothing concerns you. That in its own sense is ridiculous.]

Celes tilted her head with a finger pressed on her cheek. “Well, Elena back then had no ties to any race so it was fine. However, this time, Amelia is tied to humans.” Then she turned around and met my eyes. “At the least, you’d save your kingdom when faced with a disaster, right?”



“… That’s obvious,” I answered. “I’m a Royal. It is my duty.”

“See?” Celes turned her eyes to the wolf. “Unless she cut off any ties she had with any race, I can’t help her. And right now, her circumstances are completely unrelated to the rule I’ve set. In case I help her despite everything,”

[You’d go against the rules set by the pact formed in the Divine Assembly.]

“Right. And it won’t be fun seeing the kingdom Elena worked hard to build destroyed in mere seconds.”

“… But didn’t you help Elena in any case?” I asked puzzled.

“Yes, I did, but that’s as my daughter. The day I’ve set her free, and to love like all the other humans desired, I stopped meeting her.” A reminiscent smile floated on Celes’s face. “Ah, I could still remember Elena getting curious about a man adventuring in the mountains. I shouldn’t have let her meet him.”



“Then… why didn’t you made her attain the same state as me?”

[Impossible,] the wolf unexpectedly answered. [Celestia had never let a single scratch reach Elena. That’s how protective she was. Not even death dared approach someone under Celestia’s careful watch.]

Celes laughed. “You put it like I was a doting parent.”

[Weren’t you?]

Perhaps, maybe, the history of our family having numerous doting parents sourced from Celes herself?

“Oh, so you’re blaming me now for your overprotective father?”

I shuddered the moment Celes turned to me. “It’s just a thought. Haha… Anyway, why am I here for?”

“Right, then, Fenrir, I’ll leave things to you.”



“Eh? you’re leaving already?” I asked Celes.

“There are things I need to quell for that three months I gave you. I’d be busy for a while so Fenrir here will play with you for some time.” She then waved her hand and vanished like smoke.

Then her voice resounded through my mind.

Oh, another thing. The next time you come here, it’ll be through this puppet, but I won’t assist your movements the next time. That aside, your body would still be transferred to the same room you always end up with the necklace.

[Now then, where should I start.]

“Uhm… Wouldn’t it be a problem if you taught me? Doesn’t that amount to Celes indirectly helping me through you?”



[No, it doesn’t. Although I’m originally a divine made to protect the elves, I’m not part of the pact. Besides, the other divines don’t know I’m still alive aside from Celestia and the True Divines.]

Humans had the Angels and Elves had these White Wolves?

“Then it’s fine if you teach me directly instead of giving hints like Celes did?”

[Indeed. Celes is part of the assembly, and thus have limited capabilities to teach you. Another reason is if the other divines considering you as Celestia’s direct kin.]

“Why?” I tilted my head, or in this case, the puppet’s head.

[Celestia have numerous enemies outside of the group of the True Divines. If they knew you were her kin, an infant Divine at that, you might become the target of their hatred.]



I heaved a sigh. “… How many times does my life have to be in danger.”

[You shouldn’t mind the problem with the Divines for now. You’d only be peeking your head in unnecessary danger.]

“You’re right, but I already have.”

[Partly. Be thankful you have guardian willing to break a few rules for you.]

“Yeah, I really am.” I laughed dryly. “But at the same time, it makes me feel powerless...”

I can’t live my life with Celes lending a hand every time it gets far worse.

[Anyone is like a powerless child to Celestia. You shouldn’t mind it.]



“Somehow, that makes me feel a bit lighter.” Then after a deep breath, “I have a lot of questions on how you ended up here and vanishing in the face of the elves, but I’ll put it aside for now,” I said.

[Maybe after you grew up to face an Angel barehanded, then I’ll tell you.]

“That’s too much to ask. I don’t think I’m that good enough to face Divines like the Angels. The last time was lucky. And right now, there’s no trick up my sleeve to deal with them—and so I have to get stronger, better, faster.” I gazed at Fenrir with burning ambition.

Things have been heading south for me. But that doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t just stand and let the waves push me to whenever it wanted. I shouldn’t let the wind dictate where I should be heading. For the people I care for and for me, I should keep moving forward.



[Then let me tell you, though Angels are Divines, they aren’t as strong as you think individually. Angels work with numbers, but the thousands they used to be are now in the hundreds. But numbers itself have an advantage, but at the same time, a disadvantage. Pick them off one by one, and they’re a goner. And the fact that they signed the pact is a sign they’re conscious of their number. It is an act of shielding themselves from needlessly depleting themselves to extinction.]

“Are you saying a Divine’s abilities is inversely proportional to their number?”

[Yes. The more they are in number, the less powerful they are. But be careful, though Angels are weak individually, the higher stratum is in their choir, the more powerful they are. The highest is Hayots followed by Ophanims and Erelims.]



Fenrir continued to explain the ten stratas of the Angel choirs. And so far, it seemed the Angel I defeated last time was ranked sixth, a Malakim. Nevertheless, me having to trade off the rapier wasn’t pleasing.

Our conversation went on as Fenrir explained things to me one by one. Calmly, I listened and noted what I heard. It didn’t take long before time drifted and had made me remember Erina still waiting in my room. At that point, I cut-off my studies with Fenrir and went back to my room.

When I arrived, at around three in the morning, I saw Erina asleep on a chair.

I went overboard…





A messy and curly brown hair dangled at a girl’s back laden with a white coat. She wasn’t tall, but she wasn’t too short either. However, her slightly roundish face bore a charming smile. It was Mola, and she looked several years younger than her actual age of twenty-one.

“Where are you going, Mola?” Kanna asked. Her feet were playfully kicking underneath a chair like usual.

“Academia,” she answered. She grabbed another one of her writing implements and placed it inside a leather bag. “Orders from above.”

Kanna suddenly stood from her seat. “Oh! Then did Lia say anything for me? When would she arrive?” She barraged Mola with one question after another. Her questions revolved around Amelia’s late arrival.



“Nothing in particular, but she said you and Meiko can come with me to Academia. The papers for your entry had also been prepared so things would go smoothly in our transfer.”

Kanna pouted. “So Lia won’t be back soon huh.”

Meiko, on the other hand, raised a question. “I thought I should wait for her to hear my answer?” She wore a puzzled expression.

“Well, right now, Her Highness Elaine is within the Duchy. Soon, His Majesty and his Royal Mistress will arrive. So if you want to keep on concealing your identity, it’d be best to leave now. In any case, if you stay behind, you have to keep your creed of shutting yourself in this room firm. The moment you leave this room, the risk of—”



Knock! Knock!

“Coming!” Kanna walked to the door and opened it. The figure that appeared behind the door was the least that Mola expected.

“Y-your Highness.” Mola bowed. Sweat immediately formed on her body. “What brings you here?” she said with a strained smile.

It was none other than Elaine, a girl wearing a frilly blue dress laced with white. Her short brown hair was neatly tied to the side of her head with a black scrunchy.

“Pleased to meet you, Hero Meiko.” She curtsied, wearing an innocent smile. “Don’t worry, I had Elder Sister’s permission to come here. Though I may not be as worthy as Sister, I’ll hear your answer in her stead. But please rest assured, I didn’t come here to spark any needless battles.”



Elaine’s eyes gleamed with excitement. The great stories regarding Heroes that Amelia used to tell her flashed inside her mind. And right now, she was facing a real one.

 

Spoiler: Chapter 55: A Hero's Answer 2

The scent of chalk lingered around the silent room. Pastel colors of white, blue, and pink were smeared across the dark-green blackboard. On the board was an illustration of a party popper with the words of ‘Farewell Party’ written in a bold and striking lettering.

On the ceiling, fluorescent tubes remained lighted. It shone over the neatly arranged pairs of wooden desks and chairs. Underneath the desks was a waxed cement floor streaked with a few black marks.

There was nothing out of the ordinary, but all the chairs were unoccupied.

Save for one.

Save for the chair I sat on.

It was the chair I used to immediately head to every time I arrived in the morning. The chair which I used to carry along with the desk, lining it beside my classmate’s desk during lunch. The desk which I used as a chair to chat with my friends.

But now,

It would belong to someone else. It would become another person’s home or base. It would be someone’s memory.

“Haah...”



I placed my hands on the desk—the desk which I thought that was nothing but ordinary—and propped myself up. My chair rattled in response. It felt like the numerous rattle of chairs each time the bell rang in the afternoon.

“I guess it’s time to go.”

My lips curved into a nostalgic smile as I peered through the window, viewing a small oval. Along the pathway drawn in white, the school athletes ran while being timed by a coach.

A step.

My fingers brushed the side of my desk until it reached the edge. My hand then fell beside my hips covered in a long dark-blue skirt.

A step then another. I chuckled.

Images of me climbing up and down the wooden platform flashed. I also remembered the time when my classmates were forced to answer a question on the board due to them being caught asleep. But I recalled I was one of them. What a sad fate. It was the same for those who were in cleaning duty.

My leather shoe clattered a sound of steps. I then reached for the edge of the sliding door.



It felt foreign that I reached that place without a bag slung or hung on my back. I missed the weight of the strap that clamped on my white uniform. It reminded me of the books and notes stored in my bag.

My feet took me to the corridor. The setting sun’s light streaked through the windows on my right.

Not long before I started descending a flight of stairs after passing through the corridor, leading me to one of the building’s exit. Beyond the exit was the school gate. And in front of the school gates were a few familiar figures. They were my friends.

“Meiiiikooooo! Don’t forget to mail us! Let’s keep in touch!”

“Let’s set-up a reunion too.”

“Why don’t we visit Meiko during summer break?”

“Ahaha.” I chuckled. “That’d be fun.”

Each of my friends shared their opinion. They encouraged me that everything would be fine. That everything, our friendship, would stay the same—unbreakable, fun, and simple. Though our circle was small, it never felt lacking. More than anything, it felt almost everything to me. It felt more of my home rather than my real home.



At that time, phones were starting to boom in existence. In that regard, we, neither rich nor poor, had our own. We exchanged e-mails and promised to contact each other at least once a week. Though we haven’t gone our separate ways, we already started planning for a get-together.

In the end, “I will miss you guys,” I said, shedding a tear. Each of us hugged one another with a tight squeeze.

“Meiikooo! Don’t!” My friend tried to struggle, but it was futile. She could no longer escape from my grasp. “It will get squished! Don’t stunt its growth!”

“There’s nothing to squish,” I replied.

“Take that back! And look who’s talking! Yours aren’t even that big!”

“At least I have them.”

We shared a laugh. We shared a giggle. We teased one another, trying to urge each other to confess to our school crush. We exchanged banters like we used to. Charms and pairing key-chains were passed between us, serving as a remembrance of our friendship.

“Meiko, have a safe trip.”

“You guys too.”



And so we parted ways. Or at least, I parted with my friends.

It was inevitable.

I had to move with my Grandmother living in the province. My Father had to work overseas to earn a living for both me and my Grandmother. Although Father had apologized to me due to the lack of money, I never blamed him. I understood his situation. It was hard for a single father to raise a daughter. And so, even if it pained me, I had to move to the province and leave my school behind.

Aside from him, my Mother was alive. But… she was living under a different roof. She lived with a different family. A different husband, and different children. My Father and I were left alone. I never knew why, but I never dug deep into it. I just wanted to make my Father proud, and to reduce the burden that he was carrying. The thought of questioning her did not pass my mind because I grew up recognizing Father as my only parent.

I tried encouraging my father to look for a different wife, but he refused. He said that it was enough for him to have me as a family. He said that he would feel like he was betraying me if he did up and found a different wife. He was stubborn, but I understood. It was my Father.



And so I began living in the province with my Grandmother.

Two years flew. Each year, at least twice or thrice in every six months, I traveled back to the main city and met with my old friends. At times, they visited me and took a few days of vacation in the province I lived in. Sometimes, I think it’s because they still had not found themselves a boyfriend that they have enough free time to hang out with me. No, I was pretty sure of it, because we usually avoid places where couples publicly displayed their affection to each other. Damned normies.

I was happy. I was satisfied.

My interest shifted into tea ceremony. It was the influence of the limited channels that I was able to watch on the television.

My Grandmother, who used to prepare tea in the traditional way, had begun teaching me the ropes. In addition, she granted me the kimono she used to wear during the ceremony. For some reason, the kimono was a perfect fit.

But on a sudden occasion, I found the world different from the last time I blinked.



“Welcome, O’ Heroes.” A sweet voice echoed.

I tried blinking a few more times, hoping that it was just a dream. But nothing happened. Nothing changed. The same flickering torches illuminated the dim room that seemed to be made by large slabs of stone.

I searched my mind in hopes of understanding the unfamiliar situation. Heat started to rise within my chest. My breathing became erratic.

When? Where? I still have my kimono on, so perhaps something happened before, during, or maybe after the tea making? But why? What did I do? No, this must be a dream. This can’t be real.

My mind was a little hazy, but my panicking forced me to think. I pinched my thighs with my nails. But despite the pain, the figure of the white haired-girl dressed in a thick white gown remained.

The same was true for what seemed to be knights standing beside the girl. They wore simple plates of armor. Same for the robed men standing around the circumference of a large circular inscription glowing beneath my feet. No, our feet. It glowed in a solemn white.

What’s happening? Where am I? Who are these people? And the people beside me?



I shifted my sight while my lips remained parted. There I saw two boys and one girl. One of the boys had a similar black hair and black eyes like me. The remaining two had platinum blonde hair. But the difference is that the girl had green eyes while the boy had blue. And just like me, it seemed that they were trying to comprehend the situation.

Again, the sweet voice of the white-haired girl resounded. “I know you have a lot of questions, but please bear those questions for a while longer. There is someone else more fitting to answer them.” She had a gentle smile plastered on her porcelain-white skin.

As the girl ended her speech, the black-haired boy flicked his hand in the air. Then a wide smile erupted on his face.

Similarly, the other two copied the boy in a somewhat different fashion. The boy snapped his fingers. The girl darted her eyes. And in the end, they both sighed and flashed a satisfied smile. Since I found their expressions far calm than before, I tried copying the gestures they used.



I flicked my fingers, nothing happened.

I snapped, still, nothing happened.

I darted my eyes from one corner then to the center, then finally, nothing happened.



Nothing changed. Nothing appeared. And so I fell into a deeper series of questions.

What are they doing? What’s going on? Please tell me. It’s not fair if I’m the only one here who doesn’t know anything!

The moment I finished rumbling with my thoughts, they turned to the white-haired girl.

“It’s a standard, right? Please take us to the King.” The blonde-haired boy flashed a cheeky smile.

“Are you a Princess?” the black-haired boy asked. He showed an obvious interest in the girl.

“...” Likewise, the blonde-haired girl remained silent. She observed how the other two acted. But unlike me, she was somewhat relaxed and a tad serious.

In response to the questions, the girl curtsied. “Yes, I am Madeleine de La Montagne, second daughter of Libet’s current King from the house of Montagne.” Her movements were elegant and refined. It felt like she was a character from fairy tales.



However, things were beyond me. I balled my right hand into a fist and raised it into my chest. “Uhm… I don’t think I understand any of this...”

“Do not worry, your questions will be answered in time. Perhaps later, perhaps tomorrow. But rest assured your questions will not remain a question forever. But in the meantime, His Majesty would like to meet you. In that regard, please follow closely behind. I’d like to give you a simple tour around the capital’s castle.”

With nothing else to do, and with nothing in mind, we followed. We followed behind Madeleine as we passed through a series of hallways lit by similar torches fitted on the sides. The hallways were old, rustic, and dark. And as we turned from one hallway to another, it started to get confusing. Somewhere inside me thought that we were going in circles. But not long before we reached a large door fitted with iron locks.

As the door sounded an eerie clacking, light filtered from the other side. It took us a few seconds before our eyes adjusted. But once it did, a flight of stairs welcomed us. Promptly, we climbed the stairs and reached a vastly different scenery from before.



Stone archways lined the long and curved open corridor. On the left side, beyond the archways, a series of balconies made of stone and marble flaunted itself. Further beyond were extensive structures laid out. They were made from stones and wood, but primarily of gray stones.

A sparse number of spires reached out to the sky. They neatly lined in-between the outer wall that protected the city, and the inner wall that protected the castle. Thin bridges extended from the inner wall and passed through the spires until it reached the watchtowers and the ramparts of the outer wall.

“Wow...” I muttered. Although I have seen modern structures in my life, the sight of an older type of architecture gave a strong impression.

The other three were in a similar state as me. They held their breath as they took in the grand scenery.

“This is some top-class graphics. The amount of details is pretty damn impressive.”

I could not remember which of the boys said those words, but I was sure that the other two agreed in unison.



Graphics? Do they mean a game?

Though I knew games, the point of applying the term graphics was far too removed from the scenery. And because of that, more questions piled inside my mind. But in the end, their mutter did not give me even the slightest of hints.

Giving up trying to search for the answer on my own, I heaved a sigh. I then gazed beyond the city, where a silhouette of a mountain range was topped with ice caps.

Alaska?

Another moment passed peacefully. It went on while Madeleine explained to us a few details on what we were able to see. But in summary, all she talked about was Libet and their belief in a single God. That belief sourced from the Angels which served as the human God’s messengers. And all throughout Libet, that belief was the only religion. It was called Liberian Faith.

In the end, we reached the throne room. Libet’s King sat on the throne decorated with gold. Gems were encrusted at the head of the throne. Beside the King, to the left, was the Queen. Both the King and the Queen bore white hair. On the other hand, Madeleine remained standing beside us.



To the right of the King was a man in a priestly white robe. He stood with his plump body and observed our faces. To the sides of the throne room, in-between twisted pillars, men, and some women sat on lavishly painted chairs. They seemed to be the Noble’s summoned to the King’s presence.

“Your Majesty, I have brought the Heroes.” Flashing a gentle smile, Madeleine curtsied.

In response, the King nodded. Briefly, he glanced at the man on his right and stood.

“Greetings Heroes.” His voice was low yet powerful. He spoke again after he struck the marble floor laden by a red carpet. “I believe you are exhausted and puzzled of your situation, but rest assured. We of Libet are on your side. We will support your endeavors as you live in my kingdom.”

“Oh, it’s one of those long and boring speeches,” the blonde-haired boy muttered.

“To be precise, you Heroes were summoned into this world. You are the chosen ones handpicked by God. The chosen ones to save humanity. To save humanity from extinction. To fight against our enemy—the hateful and deceitful demons.”

Summoned Heroes? Save humanity? Fight demons? What the hell is going on?!



Maybe because of the unfamiliar situation or maybe due my mind overloaded by unanswered questions, I was not able to have a deep impression of the King’s presence.

“For saving humanity, and for protecting us, you Heroes would be rewarded. I will give you my permission to take my son’s or daughter’s hand in marriage. You can even become the King yourself. Other than that, I can give you wealth, honor, and fame. I will give you land. I will give you a status befitting of your name. Everything, anything you ask for—as long as it is within me and my kingdom’s capabilities—I will grant it. I will give it. It is the reward for saving us. The people. Our race.”

After he finished his speech, he returned to his throne and urged the priestly man.

In that moment, I and the other three tried to raise a question, but the priestly man proceeded by himself.

“You will be led to your quarters. There, you will be given time to contemplate and to sink in your duties as Heroes. Any further questions will be answered on the day after tomorrow. However, a servant would be visiting to try to answer your questions beforehand. So in the meantime, please have some rest. The servants would also be pleased to serve you, Heroes, so please order them as you will.”



Shortly after, we left the throne room. We were then led to our quarters. But I didn’t expect that each of us would be given a different room. At that time, I thought they were just giving us some time alone, but I guessed wrong.

 

Spoiler: Chapter 56: A Hero's Answer 3

A few hours after I was led to my quarters, Talcott, along with a servant dressed similary to a Victorian Maid, entered after a few knocks. Upon entering, Talcott expressed a sudden greeting with a hug. To which I immediately responded by pushing him away. It made be back a few steps, thinking I would be assaulted. Fortunately, it was resolved after Talcott apologized and explained that it was Libet’s custom. Even then, I thought it was not comfortable for me to suddenly receive a hug from a stranger.

Talcott was a man in his early twenties. He said he was knight serving under Libet’s fourth order of Knights—the Cataphracts. He had a handsome face coupled with a slightly spiky brown hair and brown eyes. His skin was on the light-brown side.

From that point on, Talcott, along with the maid, started answering the questions I had in my mind. Though some were redundant, I wanted to confirm everything I heard from the King and Madeleine for a second time.


The kingdom I was in was Libet. And the crown city, or sometimes called simply as The Capital, was named Issenheim. According to the map brought by Talcott, there are four other kingdoms aside from Libet. Academia, Brent, Laurel, and Niveria. But sadly, Talcott told me that Niveria had already fallen into the hands of the demons. At that time, he gnashed his teeth and scrunched his face into a visible anger.

“They take the lives of us humans so easily.”

There was another place on the left side of Academia, but it didn’t have a name. The maid told me it was composed of small city-states which lacked unity to form a kingdom of their own. Aside from that, they were scattered between Academia, Niveria, and the extensive desert at its west.

Nevertheless, the moment the map was laid out to me on a low table, I realized that it was far too different from the one I knew. It was not a place that reminded me of a place on Earth. To be exact, there was never a continent named Randia on the world map that I knew.

So… I’m really in a different world?


I didn’t know whether I should be happy or not. Because for one, I did not understand the reason why I was picked or chosen. And as a person who never knew how to wield a weapon aside from kitchen knives, and as a girl who liked to relax with tea in hand, fighting was beyond me. But I would be lying if I said that excitement for the unknown did not well up inside my chest.

That aside, there was another thing I realized upon seeing the map. The letters, or perhaps characters, were completely unknown to me. However, for some reason, I could understand their meaning. I could make up the words inside my mind like some sort of automatic translation. It was rather convenient, but at the same time, scary.

I had never expected such a thing. Because, since the time I met Madeleine in that room, the words they uttered were the ones I knew from the country I was born in. They spoke in my mother language. But now, I had confirmed that it was different.


Since I was already on the topic of language, I tried asking for a pen and a paper, but they gave me a quill, a bottle of ink, and a slightly thick piece of paper. Again, based on the architecture they used, I was reminded that they were far from the modern day I was used to. Anyway, I started writing the letters I knew, but in the end, the letters I drew were the ones I was familiar with. On the other hand, Talcott and the maid could not read what I have written. They told me that they have seen the characters before but the exact meaning was still unknown until this day.

So that weird translation doesn’t work on writing?

The fact that I could read, listen, and speak, but not write was uncomfortable.

“Hero Meiko, I believe that it was through God’s blessing that you could read and understand what we are saying. The same is true for speaking.” Talcott said.

He was sitting across the low table in a similar wooden chair. To my left was the maid that visited with Talcott. She stood there with a gentle smile on her face.

“A blessing?”


“Yes, a blessing. A blessing is granted to each and every Hero summoned. Those blessings come in different forms, but we have confirmed some similarities. Included among those similarities is the ability to communicate except for writing.”

“Why? Isn’t written communication crucial?”

“Please forgive me, I myself don’t know.” Talcott chuckled. “It might have a relation to Heroes sharing advanced knowledge to hasten our era’s development. But there was one philosopher that gave a possible reason as to why Heroes are forbidden to communicate and share advanced knowledge with us. The reason he gave was, ‘The people might end up not relying on Heroes if our technology is too advanced, hence the barred communication’. Although he said that, I’m not sure if that is the case.”

“… I think that philosopher has a good point.” I nodded with a finger over my chin.

The philosopher’s words were not far from the truth. Or so I thought. But if in case these people were given guns, planes, artillery, ships equipped with cannons, trains for transportation, bombs that have large destructive consequences, the people might focus their resources in those things instead of Heroes. But because it was not possible, the people believed in Heroes who received God’s blessing.


Next.

I asked them about demons. Although I was not interested in fighting them, I wanted to avoid them as much as possible. So it was better for me to know what they looked like. However, Talcott and the maid’s answer was vague. They pointed out that the demons varied in appearance, but most of the time, they bore animal-like features. In some cases, according to them, some are almost identical to humans, but they still had features like horns, a tail, or sometimes, clawed fingers.

While I was deep in thought regarding their vague answer, Talcott interrupted me.

“Hero Meiko, perhaps you have an idea about magic?”

“Magic?” I returned a puzzled expression.

“Yes, magic.” Talcott smiled.

“You mean magic tricks, right?”

“Magic tricks?” Talcott was bewildered. “No, I don’t think so. Anyway, it’d be better to show you instead.”


Shortly after Talcott sang a weird chant, a ball of light appeared a few inches above the palm of his hands. It was at the size of a balled fist.

“See?”

“...” I was dumbfounded. There was not any sleight of hand from Talcott but a ball of light appeared in thin air. “T-this is magic?”

I wonder if I can—

Suddenly, I reared myself in surprise.

“W-wha!” I threw my arms in a panic as I lost my balance. Then, along with the wooden chair was sitting on, I fell to the floor with a clatter.

“Ow!” A slight pang struck my back and my head.

“Goodness!” The maid hurried to my side.


The same was true for Talcott. “Hero Meiko, are you okay?”

I blinked a few times while I stared at the ceiling where a small chandelier hung. The worried faces of Talcott and the maid peered from the side of my vision. They were offering me a hand while supporting my back to sit-up.

“I’m fine.” But rather than reach out to their hands, or lift myself up from my somewhat awkward position, I contemplated on the words that appeared inside my mind.


Light Ball—summons a ball of light on a specified location. It illuminates its surroundings. It is possible to move the ball at will. Possible modifications: scatter, size, and intensity.


“What the hell is this?” I muttered. Again, Talcott and the maid expressed worry.

“What do mean, Miss Meiko?”

“Are you sure you’re okay, Hero Meiko?”


Light Ball—a basic level light magic.


It seemed to respond to the thoughts I had. That aside, various other explanations were listed underneath. Or at least how I imagined it since it felt like it was a book that was deeply ingrained my mind.

Anyway, it consisted of things such as the required chant and its mana consumption. But rather than numbers, the mana consumption showed a bar which I was able to compare to another bar that indicated ‘Mana’. It was a familiar bar from the Role-Playing Games I played on a console that I was able to borrow few times from my friends.

“I’ll try something, please wait a moment.” As soon as I resolved myself, I started singing the chant. While I was chanting, the guide disappeared and was replaced by the words I needed to say. I tried imagining how the ball would appear with the modifications provided.

Manifest, Light Ball.


Then just like Talcott, but different, the Light Ball appeared. It appeared like scattered candle lights surrounding the small chandelier. It was little off, but I succeeded in making the magic appear.

A smile erupted on my face. “I did it!” I raised my arms and grabbed Talcott’s and the maid’s hands. They promptly lifted me up. “I did it! Look!” Like a child, I pointed at the chandelier.

“My, what a talented Hero you are Miss Meiko.” The maid gave a light giggle.

“Ahaha. This is quite a sight. To succeed in your first try, that’s true talent.” Talcott scratched his cheek.

“Eh? I just uttered the words that appeared in my mind. I don’t think it has anything to do with talent. Besides, maybe it was my blessing? In any case, it gave me the requirements needed for the magic. In the end, I just followed the instructions that seemed to be stored in my mind. But mostly, I just coupled it with—what’s wrong?”

Partway, I stopped with my explanation due to Talcott and the maid wearing knit eyebrows.

“Miss Meiko, I’m sorry but, if you were explaining about your blessing, I believe we won’t be able to hear it properly.”


“Yeah, the words you spoke seemed broken. I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Well, I guess that just proves that a Hero’s blessing is something private or confidential.”

This time, it was me who wore a knit eyebrow. “Do you mean that, like explaining or communicating an advanced form of technology, I can’t tell anyone about my blessing?”

““Yes,”” Talcott and the maid answered in unison.

“Well, how to say this in another way. Err… It felt familiar. Or more like—it felt like a game guide.”

That was when a thought struck me.

Wait. Is this why they mentioned graphics? A game?

I recounted the mutters of the other Heroes I was summoned along with. But still, the graphics they mentioned was removed from the ones I knew. It’s completely different from the jagged pixels that I enjoyed.


So this means this isn’t a game… In that case, the blessing is replicating a game I knew? But why? To make it easy to comprehend and be comfortable with it?

Maybe I was lucky. Lucky that I was the first to realize that it wasn’t a game. That the blessing was making things convenient.

I have to tell them. They might get in trouble if they keep thinking this is a game.

Although I had no idea why they thought of it as a game, I felt the urge to tell them.

After a few praises and a few more exchange of questions and answers, Talcott left along with the maid. But after a short while, the maid returned with a service cart similar to those found in hotels. Then promptly, she served me my dinner.

“Please enjoy your meal.”

While I went through the answers I received that day, I started eating.


“Hmm… Won’t we Heroes be allowed to meet? I would like to talk to them.” The cutlery I picked up with the guidance of the maid clattered on the porcelain plates.

“Please don’t mind it for now. Tomorrow morning, everyone would be given free rein to roam the castle. You could use that time to meet with the other Heroes.”

“Okay.”

While I was eating, I tried looking for an appropriate magic that I could use to locate the others using the blessing I called Magic Rule Book. There were various recommendations that came to my mind, but the most appropriate seemed to be Clairvoyance—a magic that allowed me to scout a location. However, the mana consumption was tremendous. It would leave me with less than an eight of my mana. But for me to freely look around the castle without moving an inch, it felt like it was a proper compensation.

But I did not finish there. Since I had this nagging feeling of my grandmother being worried sick due to my absence, I started skimming through the Rule Book with the word ‘transfer’ in mind. The magic recommended were:


Short Transfer.

Long Transfer.

Sigil Teleportation.

Dimension Rift.

?????


From the ones I found, only Short Transfer was available for me to use. The rest indicated that I lacked the mana to use them. Aside from those, the ????? was far too suspicious. And because of that, I checked the details regarding the magic.


?????—a magic that enables the user to create a tunnel through the realm of the Gods. Possible uses: Hero Summoning, World Transfer, Soul Reconstruction, Vessel Destruction, and Invoke Deity.

Requirements unmet. Soul requirements unmet. Insufficient mana.


“... What?” I could not remember how long I stared at the wall on the other side of the table with a blank state of mind. But one thing I was sure of, the ????? was the one I needed to return.

“Is something the matter?” The maid asked.

“No, it’s nothing.” I shook my head.

Unhesitatingly, I checked the requirements.


Requirements:

A Sacrifice of 200 lives.

Soul Requirements:

Soul and Blessing’s complete merge.


“This is...” I muttered. Impossible.

I shuddered at the thought of sacrificing 200 lives for me to return home. The amount of guilt would be impossible for me to bear. Just the thought of taking one life was already taxing for me. What more if it was 200? I have to be insane if I could shrug those 200 lives like nothing happened.

Wait… Didn’t it mention Hero Summoning?

A heavy and laborious thought dawned on me. Cold sweat peeked from my pores.

If that’s the case, then, lives were sacrificed when we were summoned?

I slumped forward and hid my face from the maid. She tried calling my name, but I stared at the unfinished food on my plate, ignoring her call.

I swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Four. Four of us were summoned… If I were to base it from that, then… 800 lives… eight-hundred lives!


The urge to puke welled in my stomach, but I resisted.

No, it’s different, right? The one listed needed a chant. And besides, that Soul Requirement is not possible for that inscription, right? That sacrifice requirement is probably an isolated case for that magic, right? That inscription was different from that unknown magic, right? It should be. It must be. There’s no way they’d sacrifice that many lives to summon Heroes. Right. Calm down. Nothing is proven yet. There’s no evidence. Calm down.

“Miss Meiko?”

“Sorry, I lost my appetite; I feel exhausted too. So I’d like to sleep early if possible,” I replied while my sight remained on my unfinished dinner.

“If you’re feeling unwell, I could call for a healer.”

“No, it’s fine.” I waved my hand in dismissal. “I just need some rest.”

“… If that is your wish, then it shall be done.”

I should forget about that magic and look for another way.

 

Spoiler: Chapter 57: A Hero's Answer 4

By the next day, “Uhh...” I wearily propped myself up on the bed.

I sifted through the white sheets covered in numerous pleats and sat on the bed-side. My head nodded occasionally. My mind was light, my thoughts muddled. I began stretching my limbs as I yawned. As my arm plopped back to my side, a sense of drowsiness rushed to my heavy eyelids. I almost fell back to the bed, but I resisted. Until then, I found myself staring at the cuckoo-clock on the opposite side of the room.

Six in the morning… So this world has twenty-four hours a day too huh.

The thought passed my mind in a half-asleep state, but I recognized the time I usually rise from bed. Six in the morning, or sometimes earlier. It was what my body-clock was accustomed to. After all, the day starts earlier in the province.

A few minutes after, I stood and approached the wardrobe. I reached for the handle to check for the kimono I wore yesterday. Upon seeing the neatly folded tea-green cloth, I heaved a sigh.



“So it really wasn’t a dream.” The sense of disbelief still lingered inside me. I could not fully accept that I was suddenly brought here, to a world I knew nothing of.

Soon, the white night-wear fell onto my toes. I began undressing the clothes given to me by the maid. Then I reached out for my kimono. Although it was not appropriate to use a kimono as a casual wear, I began wrapping myself in its embrace.

The kimono was the only thing I have left of me that reminded me of home.

It was my only link to home.

A memento.

It took a while before I was able to fix myself—just like how I arrived in this world. But then, I stood there frozen in my feet. I stared at my sock-covered feet with a wooden sandal. I was lost.

“What should I do...” I pinched the sides of the kimono, hoping that various ideas would come to mind. However, there was none. No solution came to mind as I think about the current situation I was in. A situation that I could call impossible.



They are hiding something. From me, From us.

I bit my lips. I furrowed my brows and recalled what I saw last night. It was supposed to be a simple peek. It was just a peek, but some pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

Late at night, Madeleine visited the blonde-haired Hero in his room. It was puzzling. It was Odd. I never imagined a Princess could casually visit a man’s room unguarded. She pulled herself up on the door and shyly knocked. She seemed like a maiden-in-love as she entered. At the same time, a sense of guilt welled inside me as I spied on them.

They exchanged a few greetings before they started their conversation in earnest.

“Hero Clark. Perchance, would you like me to join you in your party? I could provide support from the rear with the magic I’ve learned from the academy. I’ve also learned Light magic so I can tend to your injuries at any point in time. Other than that—I could help ease your worries when dealing with persons of authority.”



Simply put, Madeleine requested Clark to let her join his party. It was one of the things Talcott explained to me. A Hero should form a party of their own rather than a party of Heroes. It was meant to provide support to the Heroes and to divide the task among us four. But then, I was starting to doubt it.

After listening for a few more seconds, I began to move. Or in a sense, I moved Clairvoyance's scope with my will. It enabled me to pass through walls and listen to conversations. It also gave me a lighted view of a room despite the darkness of the night. It was fairly convenient, but the duration of eight minutes won’t last that long.

Soon, I found the next male Hero. However, just like the situation with Clark, a girl was inside his room. She was not familiar but judging from her pure-white dress and ribbon, she was a priestess. A priestess with a light-blue hair and a somewhat mature face. Her body was, in every sense, well-proportioned. Even by my standards, she would easily pass for a model or an idol.

“Oh Hero, please take me with you. The temple is not enough for me to reach out my hands to the poor, the weary, and the sick.” In her eyes, the embers of determination flickered. “But with your help, I could travel and offer help to the people we pass by, save the people in dire need.”



The Hero, Charles, was taken aback by the priestess’s words. “The journey will be dangerous. And hard.”

“If the need to offer my life arrives, then it shall be. For better, and only for the better.” She held a silver staff to her chest. The rings at the end of the staff clinked.

It did not take long before Charles gave in. He buckled his knees and fell to the bed-side and agreed to let the priestess join his party. He wore a smile of both worry and joy. It was easy to see that he was pleased with his very first companion.

Just like Charles—while I listened to the priestess’s speech—I too was taken aback. It gave me a sense of relief that I was overthinking my thoughts based on the unknown magic.

Ah, not good, not good. I listened for too long and wasted a minute more than I intended. On to the next.

The walls of the castle flashed by and soon, I arrived in the room of the last Hero. And just like I began to expect, a person was inside her room. But similar to my case, it was a handsome young man.



However, by the time I arrived, Evelyn, the Hero, had already concluded their conversation with, “Fine. Do whatever you want.”

The knight saluted while expressing a light smile. “My gratitude, Hero Evelyn. On this day on, I pledge my loyalty to you.”

“Whatever, leave me be for now.” Evelyn gestured him to leave. “I want to be alone.”

Tick!

The sound reminded me of Clairvoyance’s duration; I only had a minute left. Thus, I began to move towards the tall structure where we were summoned. I followed my memory of the vague path we took. Then soon, I found the stairs leading down to the dungeons.

As fast as I could urge Clairvoyance to move, I went through the walls. I grimaced at the glances I took at each room I passed through. Weapons leaned on numerous racks. Hammers, sickles, chains, maces, and more. Most weapons were for bludgeoning.

Aside from that, there were customized tables fitted with iron cuffs. They were tables smeared with black stains, and at times, maggots squirmed on the small chunks of meat left on the table. The sight of it slowed my pace as I resisted the urge to hurl.



Don’t tell me…

Shortly, with a heart pounding like a drum, I reached the room where we were summoned.

Huh? Why is it still glowing?

Other than the glowing inscription on the floor, the large room was empty. No blood, no flesh, no dead bodies. It was just a simple room made of slabs.

That point aside, it was too odd for the inscription to keep on glowing.

Are they going to summon more? But the robed men aren’t present. Maybe… It’s glowing because it has a mana source?

My knowledge about magic was lacking, but it wasn’t that hard imagining mana functioning like electricity. And so, with that in mind, I passed through the floor.

Huh?



Or so I tried. But the view would not move any further than the floor. I tried moving upwards and the view changed. But whenever I tried to pass through the floor, I get stuck. I tried it several times, within and outside of the inscription, but nothing changed.

Tick!

And before I was able to figure out anything, Clairvoyance’s duration ran out.

Immediately, my sight returned to that of my room’s ceiling. Now that I no longer have enough mana, I couldn’t do anything else but sleep. However, the room beneath the floor kept on circulating in my mind. It bugged me. It made me more anxious.

But then, I remembered my Blessing. Right, I was capable of searching through a list of magic.



Barrier (Advanced).

Domain.

Sanctuary.

Seal of Space.

Dimension Lock.

Nesoi Isolation.



Various others were also listed in my mind. They were the list of magic that is capable of interfering to fully blocking Clairvoyance. Among them, Sanctuary was the minimum to nullify Clairvoyance.

As I reviewed each of the magic listed, I fell to my side and buried my head into the pillow. I pulled the pillow close to my body like an infant and trembled. My breathing became deep and slow as I realized the difficulty of achieving at least Sanctuary. In more ways than one, Domain was already above my full mana capacity to maintain it for more than two hours. For Sanctuary, I was only capable of maintaining it for a minute or two.

Just who… Just who could maintain such a thing… Do they really need Heroes? What are the Heroes are for? Where would they use us?

Thoughts crashed like a torrent. It made me question the reason I was summoned yet again.

If there are beings more powerful than we Heroes, then what are we for?

My new set of unanswered questions kept me at night. It left me muttering until my eyelids fell on its own. Until then, I was sound asleep.



“What to do...” again, I muttered. “Maybe I should just bring this up to the others and find a way.”

I snapped from my frozen feet and strode towards the door. Once I opened it, the figure of Talcott sitting on a chair opposite the hallway welcomed me.

“Err...” A wry smile rose on my face. “What are you doing here?”

He flashed a gentle and reassuring smile. “I heard you weren’t feeling well last night so I took up the duty to guard the door. Well, just in case you needed some help with anything. Or in case something happened.”

“Ah, sorry to worry you.” I bowed. How do I deal with this?

“Anyway, you’re up early. Do you need anything?”

“I want to visit the others so I woke up earlier than expected.” I laughed dryly.

“Is that so?” He stood at his feet and approached. “But you look a bit tired. You should rest for a bit more.” He turned the knob of the door and offered me to enter.

I shook my head. “No, I’m fine. I’m just not used to sleeping in a place like this. Anyway, I have to go.” I waved my hand and turned away.



“Then I’ll accompany you.” He ran to my side and adjusted his pace.

Please leave me alone.

“Don’t you have any other duties?” I asked.

“There is none as of the moment.”

“Training? Or something else? I might be bothering you if there’s anything.”

“Don’t worry. All is well.”

Partway, I gave up persuading Talcott to leave. He was too persistent. Consequently, we met the priestly man from yesterday.

“Ah, Hero Meiko,” he greeted in the middle of the hallway. “Going for a tour?” His presence was somewhat oppressive.

“I’m… on my way to meet with the other Heroes. I want to speak with them and confirm a few things.”

“I see.” He smiled. “Then it would be best to head to the throne room for now.”



“Eh? Why?” I furrowed my brows in confusion.

“There’s an emergency summon from the King. The servants would arrive a few minutes from now to inform you and the others. But now that you’re here, I might as well lead you there.”

“I guess.”

I had no rebuttal or any appropriate reason to refuse, and so I agreed to head to the Throne room first. After all, it would be easy to speak with the others once we have gathered.

Along the way—Talcott still on my side—the priestly man started speaking.

“I have forgotten to introduce myself, have I?” He chuckled. His white garb brushed the cement floor. “I’m Bishop Aurelius, a substitute for the busy Pope.”

“I see.”

There wasn’t much to talk about, but the Bishop brought up the topic about the Demons. He spoke in a reverent tone, hoping that the Demons would perish through God’s salvation. He recounted the times the Demons breached a few forts and fortresses and took the lives of the people. He also told me about the brave soldiers who fought and took back what was lost from Libet.



“Here we are,” Aurelius muttered. “Well then, I’ll take my leave, Hero Meiko. May God guide you through the night.”

“T-thank you.” I shuddered. Did he… know? It can’t be him, right?

I recalled the details of Sanctuary and anything above it. Other than a barrier, it worked as an alarm if something or someone meddled with it.

So it was at least Sanctuary… My blood ran cold. I quickly checked my remaining mana—only to find out I have a little over two-thirds of the full capacity. In a panic, I started searching for a magic that I could use to escape.

“Hero Meiko?” Talcott stood beside the open door, urging me to go inside.

“A-ah, err… Sorry.” I replied a little absentmindedly.

I walked through the door at a slow pace and restarted my search. Numerous results appeared. But I filtered them based on my mana capacity, duration I could maintain the magic, and the number of usages before I ran out of mana.



Neutral

Body Reinforcement. Body Exceed. Short Transfer.

Earth

Mold. Stone Steps. Pitfall. Tunnel. Earth Wall.

Wind

Fleet Foot. Silence. Air Cushion. Soar.

Dark

Hide. Shadow Clone. Dwell. Night Shroud.

Light

Flash. Blind.

Fire and Water

Mist Cloud. Fog.

Earth and Water

Vine Wall. Root Overgrowth. Mire.

Light and Dark

Illusion. Cloak of Concealment. Dance of Shadows.



Then suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist.

“Hero Meiko,” Talcott called with a worried expression. “Are you sure you’re alright? You seem pale.”

“...”

In response to my silence, the King sitting on the throne cleared his throat. “Hero Meiko.”

I hurriedly turned to the King, sitting on his throne like I saw yesterday. “Y-yes! I’m sorry. My mind was flying around for a bit.” Then I forced a laugh.

“Hmm… It seems you have some concerns. In case you’re willing to speak, I will lend an ear.”

I release my hand from Talcott’s grasp and waved my hand in dismissal. “No, no, it’s fine. It’s nothing. Really. I’m just panicking since I thought yesterday was just a dream.”

“… I understand. It may not be believable at first, but you will soon be able to grasp reality.”

“I hope that I do. Ahaha.”



From then on, a seat was prepared for me near the steps of the throne. I hesitantly took a seat while I waited for the others to arrive. While waiting, I tried to formulate an escape using a sequence of the magic available to me. Then, after several minutes of waiting in silence, the time came. At that point, I moved towards the others and line myself beside them.

“Heroes, you have my gratitude for answering my call.”

“Well, we’re still around the castle, so that’s obvious,” Clark commented in a mutter. However, this time, Charles and Evelyn responded.

“Keep it down, please,” Charles said.

“What a rude person,” Evelyn said.

Clark silently knitted his brows, displeased.

“Well then,” the King continued after observing our figures. “The reason behind my sudden call is to trouble you with a task. I want you to form a party of at least four for each of you. This is—as you were informed yesterday—due to the outbreak of small skirmishes against the Demons.”



Then the King stood from the throne and took a step and another down the platform. He then stopped a step higher from the floor we stood on.

“Each of you would be given a personal instructor in the art of fighting. There’s an available instructor for Great Swords, Long Swords, the Rapier, Daggers, and several more. And with that, I hope that you can extend your patience before moving out of the castle on your own.”

“...” I remained silent. It was logical enough for us who have not handled a single weapon to train before risking our lives.

Clark raised his hand. “If I could prove myself worthy enough to be on my own without the training, can I leave ahead of time?”

“If the instructor does indeed deem you worthy, then yes, you may.”

“Yes.” Clark pumped his fist.

“That goes for every one of you.” The King added. “Later this day, the instructors will arrive. You may each pick one instructor you are willing to be under. I advise you to focus on a single weapon to make things easier. Other than that, consider picking your party members down the courtyard.”



Sometime after we left the throne room, I closed in on Evelyn and asked.

“Say, do you think is a game?”

“Huh? What?” Evelyn replied in surprise. “Oh, it’s just you.”

“...”

“Are you a troll or something?”

“Troll? By that you mean?” I furrowed my brows.

“Oh, so you’re one of those. Acting like some nuts who have only experienced VR for the first time.”

“That’s…” a little more than plain rude. “Ahehe. Can you explain to me what a VR is?”



“Virtual Reality,” Charles responded. I didn’t notice that he had already lined beside me while Talcott remained a few paces from my back. “That’s rare, for you not to know a wide-spread tech. Are you perhaps at the pit bottom of the society? Anyway, you’re experiencing it now. You could stay put and let your mind do stuff six times faster than your average day.”

“… I don’t get it.”

“Don’t mind her. She’s probably trolling on purpose. And anyway, six times? Are you joking? That’s the lowest setting there is nowadays.”

“Really, she might not be what you thought she is. And what are you on about? Six times is currently the latest.”

“In your country maybe. Your gear is too outdated.”

From the exchange between the two, I started to lag behind. I watched them exchange terms that were foreign to me. “Umm… I really think it’s our Blessing that’s replicating a game we saw at least once.”

Both Charles and Evelyn turned to me with a puzzled look.



““Did you say something?””

“Err… I said, our Blessing is replicating a game we knew, trying to make things appear as if it was a game.”

“Your voice is weird,” Charles replied. “It’s like a garbled sound from a corrupted recording.”

“True.” Evelyn nodded.

“Eh?” And so I realized. It’s impossible to inform them through words.