"Welcome back, Duke Verl!"
The knights outside the walls welcomed enthusiastically the return of the lord who governs this land. The gate closes and the carriage moved inside
Outside the carriage, gazes of curious people are watching this direction.
Of course, I know what they were curious about. It's obviously me.
They might be thinking along the lines of 'is that trash alive?' or 'he deserves that much, I wonder how much he suffered'
Lazily looking around towards the window, I keep ignoring the gaze of a very someone who was watching me intently throughout the journey.
'Did I do something wrong?'
For a moment, as far as I can remember, I didn't do anything weird. I didn't do anything trashy that could give me that intense glare.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Really?"
I wonder what it is… I'm so occupied right now, thinking about my future plans and also what happened at that time on the missing posts, especially the disappearance of the image as if it wasn't there in the first place.
Isaac let out a sigh and began explaining everything in a gentle tone which to my surprise, which is very weird for him to act this… kind to me. He always talks flatly, sarcastically, and even frankly at me so the change is actually terrifying.
Actually, I wished for him to talk 'normally'. If he's not talking normally, then that's something to be afraid of.
Snapping back to the thing I was forgetting, the thought finally came at me. It was about the time when I left the group, sneakily leaving a letter saying that they proceed forward.
'Telling lies and making excuses wouldn't do good as it might put distrust between each other… Is saying the truth the only way? No, Isaac wouldn't understand… Half truth then disguising as an excuse? That would be nice…'
"I want the truth."
"…"
"I'll know if you are lying. I'm sure you understand why I'm pressing this matter even if it's crossing privacy." Isaac solemnly stated, "You put us in danger. It would've been good if it was only me but you involved your siblings in it. I couldn't even tell if you are an ally or an enemy. Are you still trusted?"
As if daggers pierced through my well-being, I was unable to answer. The reply I was preparing beforehand seemed unable to be called an answer now and only he could be contented if it was the truth.
"I…"
Tak—!
Silence descended the carriage and only the horse's hooves were heard. Isaac continued looking at me without minding his surroundings while I did the same, but the difference is that my heart is pounding and he was calm.
"I…"
"..."
"I... c-can… see the future?"
I immediately looked at the window, doing some kind of whistle but it sounded hoarse and fake so I stopped. I absolutely wanted to get on Duke's Manor right now since it is necessary.
"I see…" Isaac muttered something as if everything aligned with his thoughts before revealing, "You know, I have something that is called a system. It helps me gain strength and acquires things if needed like the explosives you've requested at the maze."
Greatly confused and taken aback, I faced Isaac and replied, "W-why are you telling me this? Wait, a system?"
Of course, I know what he was mentioning. I just added the last sentence to make it not look like I really know it. There's a clear difference between the two.
Isaac then started explaining what a system meant. I knew some details but the others absolutely surprises me.
Still, it didn't change the fact that he was just exposing a secret that was supposed to be kept secret!
"H-hold up, hearing it is very… important what might it look like. You don't have to do it, really."
"I know you told the truth," Isaac replied, completely avoiding my question, "And I know it's a secret you must've hidden for a reason. To make it not look like I was forcing you or something, I gave an equivalent exchange."
He paused, "I know I'm not very good with words and I spoke what's on my mind. Of course, I'm not an idiot who'll just blabber shitty things. I think about them and relay them in a way that person could know what I was implying.
"Noelle, if you need my help in the future, please call me. Just because you know the future doesn't mean you can handle it alone. You don't have to carry the burden alone."
"That's very unlike you," I chuckled as I replied but seeing Isaac's straightforward face, I let out an awkward laugh and said, "Okay, I'll request your help when the time is right. If it's an equivalent exchange you want, maybe we could discuss it beforehand and decide what to do."
I still wonder what this guy is trying to do—
While I was thinking with my thoughts, trying to figure Isaac out, he suddenly blurted something which made my face harden.
"Noelle, did something happen to you last week? Something that couldn't be explained through normal means?"
I looked at Isaac, unable to hide my emotion.
"I see. It looks like I'm right," As if he confirmed something, Isaac continued, "Well, because I actually knew what happen. It's more like I can give you an explanation if you tell me things straight."
…
After explaining my experience, of course, removing the fact that I heard a yawn from my head since Isaac said not to mention anything related to that which was honestly surprising, convincing that he indeed knows something,
'What the… Does he really know what happened? His system has taken notice of it?'
Walking inside the manor, I had Isaac on my back, quietly following me before we entered my room and continue the conversation we left off in the carriage.
"You were almost corrupted by a… well, let's call it, on my terms, an Outer Deity. It's a piece of information that the system gave to me." Isaac assessed, "We shouldn't focus on outer deities right now since it didn't tell me much also but the power it brought to someone. And one of them is corruption."
"I don't actually know how it works but the effect of being corrupted by an outer deity is that they will take your over well-being, leaving you into a mindless person or creature. They come from outside of this world. And—"
As I listened attentively, I suddenly thought of something which somehow makes sense, at the same time, not.
'Senior mentioned that I acquire a Piece related to luck, fate, and time. But where does that power come from? Yeah, it's the person I first kill… Somehow, while strolling around, I saw the image of the person. I almost get corrupted by that deity but what is it trying to acquire or what does it want from me?
'Adding the strange coincidence that had happened on the post. No, it can't be… Does it want my Swindler Piece? Yes, it must be… Then, can I take this in the case that the person, whom I've killed and carries something that it wanted, just 'coincidentally' bumped into me? No way in hell! I was just trying to save myself there…
'Ah!' My eyes can't help but widen slightly, 'Why do I think that this is being influenced by outside factors in the first place? Right… what if it's really just pure coincidence? That man is truly being controlled by an outer deity but my interference on it somehow garnered its attention and tried to bring its anger towards me by corrupting me also…
'Then, the yawn from my head probably comes from that deity… It's the source of that terrible experience… Even a yawn is that powerful? That's unfair… I should consult this when I'll meet with senior once again.'
Looking at Isaac with a contempt look, I continued inwardly, 'He's probably asking himself where an outer deity comes from… If that's the case, then I would take it that system isn't telling him anything related to the Anomalies yet. It would be good if it's giving him clues though…'
"I think that's all I can say. If my watch on you over the past week has somehow made you uncomfortable, I apologized. I was being careful if you'll turn into a monster and I have to kill you. Thankfully, it didn't come to that point."
"Haha… Is that so?"
Somehow, I felt relieved his usual manner of speaking came back. Wait, gentle Isaac isn't bad at all either. Why am I making this in a dilemma in the first place…
I let out a chuckle as I think about it. For some reason, this is the one time Isaac and I conversed this long.
Even though I changed when I left this place to challenge the first arc, I came back here without losing control of myself. Certainly, there's change but most of me is still intact.
Will I be able to remain the same when the time comes? I decided to help this world but can I do that?
'You don't have to carry the burden alone, huh'
Remembering it, my lips quivered, realizing that I wasn't alone. Although he said it for a different reason, it makes me feel at ease, knowing there's someone who could watch my back when in need.
"What do you plan on doing now?"
Tap—!
Being asked a question, I answered while smiling faintly, "I'm planning on getting stronger."
Creak—!
It was at that moment the door of my room opened, revealing The Lady Valen, brimming with a smile, "What a great mindset you have there, Noelle! For you to accomplish it, you must've someone to teach you."
She paused while winking, "And welcome back!"
Nodding faintly, I replied curtly, "I'm back,"
"Hahaha! Of course, you are!" Valen's face turned dark upon replying once more, glaring at me one second later before speaking without any ounce of emotion, "Now stand up and picked your sword."