'A total of one month, huh? That's too long. So, I spent the first week questioning my transmigration. Spend two weeks on Duke's Land, traveling and planning on the kidnapping. One week inside Frenzy Maze but with the time difference in the outside world, it is two weeks.
'One week plus two weeks plus another two weeks is equal to five. Earth and this world are the same when in terms of days converting to weeks and to months and converting them to years. Wait, why am I doing math in the first place?'
I scratched my head and lie down on the pillow which was provided for someone like me. Thankfully, they didn't bring me to a prison cell since I would surely be enraged, instead, I receive what seems to be 'okay-level' hospitality.
Right, last night, the knight who had taken me had urged to me stay in the hospital. Since this was a big kingdom and my family is somehow situated in the capital to visit His Majesty but hearing the news I survived, they are currently rushing here.
It's afternoon now. I wonder how long it will take.
Tak—!
'Ah, speak of the devil.'
Those footsteps, though they could belong to everyone, my intuition knew whom those belonged to. It became much clearer and soon enough, the door of the room opened, revealing familiar people.
'Verl, Klein, Isaac, Drake, Lori, a few servants and maids and… eh? Oliver and Hans from the seventh unit? There's also Kingsguard on their back… How extravagant.'
Verl, who was unlike his usual self, his eyes tired, softly spoke, "Noelle, is it really you?"
'Should I make a joke about it, tell him that it's both me and not me? No, I don't want to be labeled crazy… I should just do a normal reunion look and situated looks like.'
With that thought in mind, I nodded and smiled, "It's me, sir. There's nothing like trash like me—"
It was at that moment I felt a warm hug happened. Verl lunged forward and silently did it and I could feel his slightly trembling hand lessened that soon disappeared.
I was embarrassed by this and tried to see what others' reactions were, only to see that we were alone in this room and they moved out, trying to give us space.
After a while, Verl stopped, seated down on a chair available, and looked at me. His expression that was worried earlier couldn't be seen.
'That's not so bad,'
Smiling faintly, I waited for Verl to start the talk, stopping my lips from widening more, 'That's really not so bad. Seeing your son in this poor state, even though you might hate him, would give you a shock. Come on now. Let's see what I'll get. Keke—wait, why am I laughing the same as that devil? Have I been infected?'
"Son, you must've suffered greatly."
I have my urge to nod but it wouldn't look convincing at all. Preparing my answers beforehand, I weakly smiled and spoke in a hushed tone, "Everyone who was at that time has suffered, not just me. I'm just glad I survived and did not become one of those people who didn't escape,"
The reason I had to walk in here was that no one had been left behind when I escaped from the Frenzy Maze. In actuality, The Justice had their people stationed on that place on every passageway that leads towards the exit.
With almost one week of no results, they had the urge to send the sixth unit of the organization but just as they were about to do it, the victims started moving out, and an hour later, everyone got out, receiving the same comms regarding the other parts of the exits.
But some people who knew me urged the personnel to wait for a few days which they did as they gathered information on what happened inside the maze. Four days passed and to no avail, the people in charge have no choice but to move everyone back to the kingdom.
Three days passed and still, no information regarding me marked me as one of those people who died, and just a day after that, I came back to death.
News regarding that specific information is not really confidential since it involves people who have been missing the exact same day!
Yes, the reason why many people are in that prison and they were rather new, except for the people who had lived or been imprisoned there for a long time, was the kidnapping happened on that day throughout the whole kingdom. Some were in the morning, some were in the afternoon, and some were evening.
My knowledge regarding this matter clicked with that news together, understand some things along the way.
It was planned by The Saviours!
And I heard everything from the knight that rescued me after he brought me here. Well, we would've even conversed with each other if I hadn't asked.
"How did you survive?"
Here it comes…
Actually, I've read this in the book. When Isaac fled the maze with Noelle's siblings, he swiftly come here and report it to the knights and made it passed through the ears of The Justice.
What happened is that he was taken into custody, interrogated, and released weirdly. Yep, just like that. After that, The Justice came through the maze and rescued the people left there.
The only difference is that almost everyone had died, causing a huge commotion on the continent.
Thankfully, many powerful and important figures survived because of my ploy. I don't know who are those people I rescued but, heh, should I be proud? I wouldn't sound narcissistic, right?
"How I survived, huh."
I actually died…
"I received help, I guess?"
As if he understands what it meant, Verl nodded gently as he began speaking about some matters that pricked my heart with joy. Soon, he let Drake and Lori inside. Klein was next. Soon, the seventh unit captain Hans and vice-captain Oliver came in.
When everything was done, and their visit was finished, Isaac entered and looked at me with an expression that is hard to discern what the person was thinking.
"Yo,"
"Welcome back," Isaac replied without much emotion in his tone as he seated down, crossing his arms while watching me.
"Not surprise?"
"No."
'At least be honest just this time. I remember your face twisting when I was being dragged,' Nodding with that thought, I said, "Any news that rather piqued your interest?"
Isaac shot a glance at me, slightly raising his hand as he snapped his fingers, "An occasion is about to happen in three days. We'll most likely stay here for a week before venturing out once more. Every noble family from Grandiff, Heyna, Fordent, Borilatter, and Viscenzo kingdoms are invited. It will last for three days."
Nodding my head, I smiled, 'Oh? What is that snap? Is that some sort of power from the system? Heh, what happened while I was gone? Seeing that your strength is below average, you now seek the system's help? I guess that's called character development.'
Thinking about everything that could happen in the future, I felt delighted.
The sooner he realized his strength is lacking, he accepted to join hands with his system. Though I can't be sure that they had no ill intention, it's better to have some sort of cooperation with him, especially that less than a year till the Anomalies would happen.
"What's the body count to our side?"
Isaac knew what my question meant hence he thought for a few seconds, remembering some news that circled around and even came from the mouths of the personnel of the Justice and then said.
"Nearly fifty. Most of them are the victims. We hadn't done a full counting since this event had to be pushed sooner, which is also the reason why you couldn't see anyone near the entrance of the maze." He paused, "Two Ruiner from The Justice is dead. Five are injured. All of them have been reimbursed and their remains are in the king's palace, placed in a coffin while people came to visit every time."
"I see… I will pay my respects to them,"
Isaac had a looked of contemplation on his face, finally asking the questions on his mind, "Now, you talk. How did you survive? I watched you… fall,"
'Oh, are you not going to ask why I know what would happen? No, looking at your face, you wanted to but you are being careful. Right, you can't fully trust your power since it's in the beginning stage so it's only obvious that it's weak. Someone might interfere with our conversation and listen hence you asked something rather normal and is just right to be asked,'
Already having rehearsed the reply, I answered with a faint smile, "I received some help,"
As if he heard it wrong, Isaac's brows furrowed as he can't help but repeated, "You received some help?"
He swiftly stands up, "What do you mean by that? Why are you trying to be vague—"
Creak—!
The sound of door creaked and knights wearing shiny iron-clad armor entered the room.
Isaac quickly snaps his fingers while the knights surround my bed, completely leaving confuse Verl and the other people outside.
"We entered since we can't hear what you are talking about inside. We are afraid that 'accident' had already happened hence we apologize for the intrusion,"
The knight who just spoke nodded at the soldier on his front and brought out chains. That knight put it on my wrists while the captain knight spoke once more.
"Noelle Portnner, you are under arrest by the order of His Majesty. We have a warrant here and I would like you to come with us for interrogation."
Shocked expressions appeared on everyone's faces. After a while of silence, the one who broke the silence, to my surprise, was Klein.
"Remove the chain on young master's hand or the one that will be removed will be your heads."
This assassin just magically appeared right beside captain knight, giving him a cold demeanor that is unsuited for a butler.