Cold, that's what I felt as I lead the two behind me. Unlike the extreme coldness outside, this place harbours a gentle breeze that freshes my mind. From the carpet we steps, the vibrant walls, this place is a nice place for some walks. And seeing the state around us...
Like I thought, there was almost nobody at the lobby. Even the two sisters waiting at the table wasn't there. So far I only met one security staff who's guarding the door leading outside and someone who's been following us far behind.
(Probably Yoo-Ah not staying in her room... I should really watch out for her).
And so, as promised and in due time I brought Yoo-Gisa to where Abe lead me. A dead end filled with a single light and a pot of plant at the end of the road, the trap door in question is never found.
"It was right there! I swear! I'm sure of it!"
I shout trying to dig the floor where Abe was able to peel but to no avail.
"Ouch!"
I accidentally hurt a nail as I scratch the carpet as my arm's still blue from the wound, preventing me from exerting more strength.
(Ugh, I know it doesn't hurt much but I can move my arms well. I guess no matter how strong you are if the medium that let's it out is broken might as well be useless... Hmm...)
"Dammit! You're wasting my time! Though I have to thank you for bringing us far away from her."
"No! It was there! I'm sure of it! It was to the dead end, next to the staff room with the number P6! M-Maybe it's in another dead end?"
"Maybe we should really put you away from alcohol..."
(Is the alcohol affecting my memory? Well, she might be right).
"Hmph! Say your prayers if you have one! I ain't holding back now!"
As Yoo-Gisa takes a stance as if he is holding a sword, Juha who's standing between us to guard me pull her baton out shouting:
"Hold it! Stand right where you are, Yoo-Gisa Nim! She is under my protection!"
"Since you're not really cooperating, I suggest you leave us alone, Jade Bone. I don't need any extra casualty."
Juha trying to calm herself closes her eyes and asks:
"Tell me, Yoo-Gisa Nim. You forgot one very important fact to consider in your argument!"
"Sigh... Scrapping the barrel are we? And what would that be?"
"Isn't the Silencer yesterday a man? And the GIRL standing behind me a woman? Isn't that proof enough?"
"She? Uh, she probably used some artifact to change her voice! And she probably just use some magic to change her gender! It is a simple solution for someone from Heaven to do!"
(Woah, he knows about that?)
"Changing your voice? Maybe in those famous yodelling talent could... Probably? Maybe? But Sova certainly isn't one. And Changing Gender!? What kind of fantasy do you live in!?"
"That is the problem with you nobles! You are content and blind to what's above you! You have no idea the extent of what the people in Heaven can do! I mean, this is only the product of one sector, what would happen if the entire Heaven united!? You nobles call yourself Gods and Educated but in reality you're all but a fish in a pond!"
"Hmph! You sure have a way with words for a man prone on violent actions."
Pulling Juha back I hastily say:
"Enough, Juha."
"Sova? I think the criticism extends to you as well. What are you thinking following along his charades! Stay back, let me deal with him!"
"No! I'll handle this! Hey, Yoo-Gisa Ssi!"
I walk closer to him and not being surprised how he is taller than me, I look up and stare at him face to face saying:
"I admit I know what you meant."
"So you do!"
"Yes, but I would never do that! And you forget that. It doesn't work on Owlians! Though, I admit even if I look like this... I AM a Man!"
(I mean, if what i hear from Qiyue is true. And I may want to the truth but I won't admit it if is wrong!)
"Like I said, you're lying- huh? What did you say? And can you repeat that?"
"Sova... This is not the occasion."
Yoo-Gisa holds his head confused and Juha looks at me disappointed. He lose his footing a bit replying:
"Ah! Screw it! Either way! There's no way a child of the abyss like you is not an Owlian! In fact, give me your hands! You can't hide- Huh!?"
Yoo-Gisa with precision and speed my eyes can't keep up with somehow dash past Juha and appear before me and holds my hand when I notice his eyes widening in shock.
"That's... This is impossible! This nauseating feeling of response in magic, You're really an Owlian?"
"!!?"
Shocked by Yoo-Gisa's sudden touch upon my belly and into Solar Plexus he continue saying:
"And there's no doubt about it, your core is... Broken and with no way of restoring or starting over..."
Yoo-Gisa let's go of me and backs away and Juha swings her baton down between us shouting:
"Do you believe me now!? Sova can't be the one you after! And you can also refute his claim of being a male. So get your hands of her!"
Juha swings her baton on his hands but he pulls back in time replying:
"Dammit! This is... This is bullshit! That's it! I know your trick! You... You're one of those Traps I heard about! A fucking guy in a drag! And your power actually came from the armour you wear! More specifically the Medallion! Your Divine Regalia!"
"E-Excuse me?"
I can't help but tilt my head puzzled by his statement yet worry by the fact.
(Yea, he's half right. But by the whipped cream Belgian waffles, I did not choose to look like this! I mean can you call a shirt and shorts a drag? Wait... This might be it, my only chance to let Juha know as well).
"That's enough of your outrageous accusations! I don't care if you're-"
"Juha! It's fine!"
"S-Sova? Wait... No! That's enough of you as well! I have no idea what you're trying to achieve by making a fool of yourself and playing into his accusations!"
His face either boiling in anger or shame he sweep his hands shouting:
"I am not-"
"Yoo-Gisa Ssi!"
"W-What?"
I shout with all the courage and passion I can muster which soften his response. My arms, shaking for a whole another reason than pain continue asking:
"Can you promise me this?"
"Making a promise to a demon? In your dreams!"
My face heats up as I continue saying:
"Then at least if I prove to you the truth, will you leave us alone?"
"Are you stupid? If you really are the Silencer, I will cut you down right where you stand!"
"Good! I am the Silencer and I will show it! I'll prove to you I'm a man!"
"Sova! The hell are you saying by this point!?"
Juha worried for me asks for my actions while Yoo-Gisa folds his arms, hesitance and confusion shows in his face as he then says,
"Then prove it..."
As I put my hand on my pants, my thumb slips and I find it hard to push it when Yoo-Gisa kneels down shouting:
"Well? Hurry it up and pull your pants down if you're not! Or you are? Dammit! Just pull your pants down and show me! End this confusing mess!"
"Um... You'll... Act responsibly?"
His face brighten up more than an olanum replies,
"Just fucking do it!"
"Sova, wait!"
Ignoring Juha, I start pulling it down-
"YOU SEXUAL DEVIANT!!!"
*SMASH* *SHATTER*
"Urgh!"
Yoo-Ah arrives just in time wielding a broomstick. Her swing hits Yoo-Gisa right behind his hand and the broom with a steel handle bends and breaks in half.
*Pow*
Not ending there when the opportunity arrives, Yoo-Ah comes in with another swing at his jaw which push him back to the wall. Even with his superior strength and build those attack bring him to his knees. Still in her sleeping robe but wearing her guild staff hat, Yoo-Ah points and looks down at Yoo-Gisa like he is beneath an insect shouting:
"You damn pervert! Not only did you break into our room, assaulted my friend, touch her wherever you want! And now you're blackmailing her! Y-You're just the worst! Big pervert! Stupid brother! Fucking Degenerate! Go die!
I can't believe you're my brother! I'm definitely going to share the press about this! And put you in scandal! Cause I got it all on tape! Even Sui Unnie now will fight against you!"
Abe toggles at the sword medal at the guild staff beret she use to wear when in uniform. Yoo-Gisa as if those attack did nothing to him stands up like he never took the damage replying:
"I kinda felt that one- wait, Yoo-Ah?! (Was I actually distracted? Me?)"
He hastily gets up shouting:
"Y-You got it all wrong! I can explain all of this!"
"Tell that to the court! I mean, what kind of explaining can you do when you forcefully ask a girl to strip!? You big douchebag bully! And by the end of it all, can YOU take responsibility!?"
"I don't need to if she's a guy!"
Yoo-Ah points at me shouting:
"What kind of bullshit is that!? And what makes you think that is a guy!? We already took baths together multiple times! Don't you think I should've known if Sova's a guy!?"
"Y-You did!?"
(I... Wish I can say otherwise).
Stumbling on his words, Juha then points at Juha shouting:
"And Juha! How could you let her do it!? I thought you were suppose to protect her! Didn't she protect you from something similar! At least try to forcefully stop her!"
Juha who's face is also red looks away saying:
"W-Well... Well! Argh!"
Juha's pulls the sword at hip and tries to cut Yoo-Gisa but he dodges. Juha now shields me wielding both baton and sword shouting:
"Anyways! Keep your pants on, Sova! Urgh, I can't believe myself! And You, criminal! As an agent of the internal defense bureau, I exercise my right to enforce the law! I am taking you under custody for false accusations, unwarranted assault, forceful entry, and sexual harassment! You WILL comply or face immediate severe punishment!"
"Yeah! Hear what she says or I'll release the tape!"
"What is this development!? You got it all wrong! I'm not a pervert!!!"
Yoo-Ah with tears in her eyes gives me a tight hug saying:
"Don't worry, Sova! I'll protect you from that Sexual Demon! You're safe now!"
Like a cauldron being mixed by all the emotions that don't melt together, I feel... Like a mess.
"Dammit! So he(?) has all of your hearts too?"
(No, one more try, if I say something they think I shouldn't know. This will bring the truth).
"Everyone please, let me say one more thing."
"No more, Sova! You'll just cause a lot more-"
"My name is Sova Anmao! I am the Silencer of the Phoenix Sector under the direct command of the Empress, Yuwei Zihuang!"
" "Huh?" "
"..."
They all quiet down and then turn to look at me. Using this chance I continue saying:
"I admit, I am lying to you by hiding my true identity! He is speaking the truth! I admitted it! I don't know where you learned the truth but I knew I couldn't hide it for long!"
"Hmph! I see, it's good you're honest. Now mind telling us how you arrive here? And your mission? Tell us your motives! Everything in detail!"
Yoo-Gisa asks and I nod readying to summon my halberd replying:
"I arrive here by sea on a boat the Empress help lent to me, I'm on a mission outside Heaven given to me by the Empress herself in secret. But honestly, it is actually a personal mission I ask of her so that I can find my missing and scattered family.
It was going great until... Well, my ship suddenly got shot, exploded and I got stranded somewhere unknown with nowhere to go. I lost almost everything and the only few keepsakes I have is relics of home... As for the medallion, the divine regalia you told me... I lost it when I woke up on shore, but worry not! I have definitely recovered it! After all, how do you expect me to go home and identify myself without it!?"
I bow my head down and continue saying:
"And I'm sorry for deceiving you all, but once I'm done repaying all of you and get back on shape, I'm definitely going to complete my personal mission and return home somehow! And when I'm back and prepare myself again, I'm sure the Empress will be happy to know I'm alive and well! Maybe I could visit you again if possible when I'm done like we agreed! I could introduce you all to my family."
"That's...!"
"Oh Sova..."
Yoo-Ah and Juha looked at me with sadness and pity which infuriates me as I continue shouting:
"Don't pity me! I'm still an active member getting updates! I'm definitely NOT what you think I am! Even if I can't use qi, I can still use my unique powers! Behold!"
I raise my arms and is about to summon my weapon while unleashing my magic but noticing the saddened Yoo-Ah being so close to me and what my [Origin] does I can't help but hesitate...
*Gulp*
Swallowing my breathe, Yoo-Gisa dash past Yoo-Ah and Juha again arrives infront of me. Even from so close, I find it hard to look at his upper face as darkness envelopes them.
"Oppa! Have you no shame!?"
"Just wait, I'm going to show my power soon! And we can have our duel!"
(Alright, I could just summon my halberd or maybe one of those tiny spells? Dammit, if only I write what I spit!)
*Grab*
Ignoring Yoo-Ah and me, he grabs my hands and soon I can feel his qi pouring in before I could do anything.
(He's truly quick, I can't follow- huh?)
The deep blue wound soon disperse and the colour return to my arms as I can finally feel them again.
*Crash*
As he lets me go, he went to his knees and plant his head to the ground as I see cracks on the floor.
"I'm sorry! I'M TRULY SORRY!"
"Excuse me?"
"Once again, I am proven wrong! I have no words to express my wrongdoings!"
"Wait, no you're not wrong! And why are you sorry? You're right, I'm a Silencer! I am meant to do something for the Empress here, or maybe the chancellor? Either way, that night, I was definitely there! We even fight and all!"
"Enough, I'm... Just sorry to hear you speak anymore. I deserve all the hate. Go ahead Yoo-Ah, release that video if you want, that'll at least show who I am. A gigantic failure..."
"Ew! What's happening here? Actually seeing you honest is creeping me out. What's going on with you!?"
"I'm sorry our reunion is like this but even with no more allies left, there's still someone I need to meet and help. Being able to see both you and Sui Unnie is a blessing and a gift already."
"Uh... Oppa?"
Yoo-Gisa digs his head out of the ground as I see a saddened face imprinted to it.
"I'm going to leave early. I'm sorry we can't really catch up... But, I promise I'll return and save you when the time comes."
Yoo-Gisa pulls out his long blue scarf from thin air and soon it wraps around him as he runs out of the dead end and into the corridor.
"Wait! Oppa!"
Yoo-Ah runs to him and stops as she reach the corridor and looks left and right as if she lost him. Wondering if we resolve the situation, I felt a weight lifted off my chest as I am able to tell them the truth. I approach Yoo-Ah and say,
"Um... I'm sorry again for keeping it secret. I thought if you knew, you wouldn't-"
"Are you stupid!?"
Yoo-Ah cuts me off and turn to face me with tears in her eyes.
"This is all a stupid mess! Of course I knew you are special! I mean who else could be as strong as you if you didn't have some complicated background or history! Plus you got that expensive sword with you, educated on multiple language and literacy, and you even told me where you come from and some stuff that happened there!
Of course I knew you gotta be connected to some powerful people or at least have some influential backing! Even a kid can tell that! So don't worry about it, I took you in knowing the risks! And besides, you accompanied me and follow along with my wishes too! So call it even!"
"Oh... Um... Thanks?"
Yoo-Ah wipes her eyes and puff her cheeks and folds her arms saying:
"No problem! More like, it's not like I know what's a Silencer is anyways! Besides, my Sis has keen eyes on people when our parents left this world, so if she doesn't warn me about you when I bring you in, then you're definitely safe!"
(What kind of reasoning is that!? And wait, so what Abe said is true... Her parents died during that coalition war?)
"R-Really? So... I know it's hard to pretend nothing will change but can we still be friends?"
Yoo-Ah smiles and give me a big hug replying:
"Don't say that! Of course we'll always be friends! Whatever goes in Heaven, stays in Heaven! That's what my dad told me! Though if you ask me, I'm more sad about your situation, Sova..."
"Sad? Why!?"
Juha walks past me and enter the corridor replying:
"Abandoned, crippled, and not only that, targeted for assassination as well. You had a rough life."
"Huh? Y-You must be mistaken! I haven't been abandoned by anyone! I mean that must've been an accident! I mean your were there when I use the technology to call back home, Juha."
(Or what did Ptelophy said back then? I can't remember donuts!)
"Yet, here you are. Stop it, Sova. Seeing you denying it is even more miserable. Since we got out of that mess, shall we return and rest a bit?"
"I'm not! Rrrgh!"
Wondering if I trapped myself in an even bigger misunderstanding, I wonder what to say and change the story but,
"Sigh... I hate this! I'm suppose to be happy I drive him away! Here he ruined our vacation day yet somehow I can't be angry at him!? What's wrong with me!"
Yoo-Ah still holding me release an arm to take her beret off and stomps the ground before she then looks at me and hug tightly saying:
"Either way, you're more than welcome to stay with me! You're more like family now to me than that stupid pervert who's somehow my brother!"
"Hmph! It seems he has an ability that let's him teleport as well. Catching him will be troublesome."
"Enough talking about him! He gives me some bad creeps now! Anyways! Sova, your arms! Is it okay?"
Yoo-Ah grabs both my a hands to look at my forearm where the mark is and I nod replying:
"Yup! It seems he healed it back up."
"Even so! Let's bring you to the infirmary just to make sure! Let's go!"
Yoo-Ah grabs her hat and went behind me and push my back, forcing me to follow along while Juha walks beside me saying:
"Let's follow what she says, Sova. And just in case, if you somehow got no place to stay and got kicked out of that wench's house, you can always come to me. I'll gladly provide a room for you since we have many private residence across this kingdom."
"Woah, really? So wherever you go you have a place to stay? That's amazing!"
"Hmph! Don't be amaze dumbass! It's but a simple solution all nobles have in this kingdom. It is common for all nobles to do so after all."
"Hey, there's no way she'll end up like that when I'm giving her hospitality! Our inn has more than enough rooms and anyone trying to kick her out will have their asses kick first! Even then, she'll still just return back to us whenever she finish adventuring!"
"Hmph! What is the point of competing about this? It just makes you sound conceited."
"C-Conceited!? Are you listening to yourself!?"
Juha turns her face away replying:
"What could you ever be talking about? How dull."
"Urreee! Faster, Sova! Let's leave that bitch behind!"
"W-Wait!"
"Oh right! You're hurt! Then let's move at a reasonable pace!"
As I look up at the passing lights, the small shine that looks small seems pretty as I look from afar. Just like my dreams and conscious. Why do I got involve in such a misunderstanding? Is telling the truth the wrong way? Or maybe this is for the best since I got to keep my relation with both Juha and Yoo-Ah in a positive light?
"Oh yea, and mind if I carry the gifts I got from the room I was recovering?"
"Of course! But I'll be the one to help you carry it! You just watch me do it!"
"Hmph! She's right, you stay back Sova, since your arms hurt let us carry it. I am partially to blame as well."
"Eep! She's catching up!"
(Yea maybe this is... Alright, since circumstances is giving me such a blessed outcome, let us roll with it! Lucky huh? I'll abstained from that word since everything can be considered luck it seems.
It feels like the main weight has been left on my shoulder yet somehow it feels heavier than before).