From what Ehthan can surmised, Florea acts outside the capabilities of NPC script function. Although NPC-AI can reacts to different player input; but it still limited by their pre-programmed routines and functions. Even from this rather limited conversation, he believe that Florea is more like 'Human' than 'NPC in a game.' The NPC he knows won't suddenly do dogeza or pouting at least.
First, the sensory experience and now this realistic NPC reaction, somehow, this is less and less seems to be dream-like or game-like.
"Now, Florea. It's unusual for a NPC to greet a player when they logged in. Is it related to our circumstance now?"
He stop pondering and decided to ask Florea directly trying to find an answer.
"This one is sorry, Lord Highness. But this one didn't understand what Lord Highness implying to. This one only fulfills the Sir Marshal request to greet the High Lords."
Florea speaks with her 'serious' tone again.
"Is that so…"
So it seems Florea didn't know the reason why he is in this game-like reality. But maybe, she doesn't understand the terminology he used? Therefore he needs to dig how much this NPC knows on this issue.
"Florea. Do you understand what are 'NPC', 'player' and 'logged in' means?"
"This one do Lord Highness. NPC referred to Mortals that lived on Mortal Realms. Player is deity-like High Lords that came from High Heaven. 'Logged In' means that the High Lord is Incarnating to Mortal Realms in an Avatar of blood and flesh."
She seems to be familiar with the phrase although the meaning is rather off. Let's test again.
"Do you know that you are in a Role Playing Game?"
"Apology, Lord Highness. This one didn't understand. What is Role Playing Game?"
So, she didn't know. Is she means she didn't know she was in a game?
"It's better if you don't know Florea. After all, you can think it as a forbidden knowledge for your kind, so forget it."
'No one will takes the fact that they are only part of game features well, so it's better stay hidden…' Ehthan surmised.
"This one, understand Lord Highness."
"Then, do you know who you are?"
Here comes the existential question that had been asked by billions human before…
Florea seems confused but she still faithfully answered.
"This one given name is Florea d'Printemps. One of 12 『Guardian』 of 『Holy Land』 Castle who receives Divine Blessings and is the loyal servant of Heaven Lords of Wolfsmund's 『Holy Land』."
"Nice answer."
If only people in real life can answers that question easily.
*smile* Florea presents a refreshing smile. She seems happy to be praised.
Ehthan think the initial information gathering is sufficient for now. Now, Back to square one question.
"Now… Why you come to greet me in the first place, Florea?"
"This one is sorry, Lord Highness. This one almost forgets. Sir Marshal Jin had prepared Lord Highness' reception ceremony in the Grand Hall. So if Your Highness had no any activity, please attend the banquet with the other Lords."
So there are some other players than myself? Ehthan can't hold back his surprise. He needs to find out more about this.
"The other Lords? Can you please give details about it?"
"Yes, Lord Highness. Other than Lord Ateijuk, there are also three other High Lords than had descended at the same time. The other 『Guardian』 had already gone to greet them. Does Lord Highness need this one to tell Lord Highness the whereabouts of the other High Lords?"
"Thank you Florea. No need for that, I can found it out by myself."
Ehthan touch the floating information window to open the Friend List and Guild Member roster. It seems that what Flore said is true. There are 7 other people that logged in than him. He read the glowing text. Shin, Zetta, Talwin.
They are all Wolfsmund guild members and had been in a party with Ehthan for several occasions. But the other guild member name is dimmed which means they are offline. His friend list also filled with dimmed name. The usual raucous global chat log is eerily quiet, empty from sales pitching, party invites, or random babbles.
The system message log only show the login report of four people. It feels like the whole BFOD is only played by those four people. Using his Guild Vice Leader's prerogatives rights, Ehthan left a message at Guild Announcement.
〖Meet me at the Round Central Hall. URGENT! We need to talk.〗
He was at first wonder how he will write the message since he can't type using 'real world' keyboard anymore. But then a transparent flying keyboard conveniently suddenly appeared. This feature is not existed in BFOD before, but at least it's convenient.
After he closes the information windows, he turns his attention to Florea that observing him carefully since sometimes ago. Seeing that Ehthan looks at her, Florea face started to pale once again. But before she performs her flash dogeza, he speak first.
"Florea, I had new order for you. Relay to Jin to hold the ceremony at later this evening, maybe at 17.00. There are things I need to discuss with the other Heaven Lords first, so tells the other 『Guardian』 to guide them to Central Round Room."
"As Lord Highness' commands."
Florea then use spirit conversation 『Whisper』 to convey the message. When she turns to find her Lord, the Lord had already gone to somewhere. She had did her job splendidly right? The Lord doesn't angry with her right? She won't receive any punishment right?
Since she hasn't seen a Heaven Lord for quite some time, she was very nervous. She was really worried that she would shame the 『Guardian』 name by doing something that displeased the Heaven Lord, or more frighteningly she could receive punishment from the Heaven Lord for her conduct.
High Lord is an existence that could slay God-level Beast with just a flick of their finger (not that Florea had seen it), leveled a Mountain Range just by waving one hand (not that Florea had seen it), or part the sky by slicing it with one arm (not that Florea had seen it) so one can only wonder what limits a Heaven Lord can do. That's why she had been warned by her Sisters to watch her manner and don't offend the High Lord.
'I'm succeeded right, Sisters?' Florea silently gaze at the empty ceiling.
The Timid Maid 『Guardian』, Florea, once again pass the wonderful day safe and sound...