Rondel.
A satisfied smile shone brightly on my face. It was almost as bright as the summer sun in a cloudless sky. I walked back to the tavern to ponder my next steps, and at the same time, I remembered how the meeting with the Japanese man's group had gone.
Itami Yuji, as he introduced himself, introduced me to his entourage some time after the "duel". Yao Haa Dushi, a dark elf, Tuka Luna Marceau, a wood elf, Mimosa la Mel, the Great Sage, a mage and one of the elders of Rondel, Lelei la Lelena, a young mage, and, most importantly, which, in fact, I already recognized, Rory Mercury, the Apostle of Emroi.
The last one glared at me with a look that promised death while the others asked a bunch of different questions, mostly about the Nasurverse. They were interested in the structure of the universe, the levels of powers, the concepts on which the Root operates, and all that sort of thing.
Of course, I was either silent or vague, which made it impossible for them to get reliable information. And there was no need for that, since the Japanese warrior-otaku had already told them everything. Although in general terms.
Itami himself was very eager to know how true what was written in the wiki, or what was shown in the anime. The elven girls insisted that I tell them how 3rd magic works, and Lelei and Mimosa asked about the concept of magic itself. But as I said earlier, they didn't get any answers.
By the way, if at that meeting in the torture hall, they were looking at me with suspicion, that's not the case now. The reason is very simple. With that duel, I showed that I was not Goetia or Solomon, but myself. Itami, in spite of his not very mature character, understood perfectly well that whatever I said could be both true and false, and equally so. And having finished the conversation, we went our separate ways, remaining "strangers".
To me, that seems like the perfect outcome to what could have happened. That way, no one owes anyone anything, even if one of them is going to die right in front of the other. Plus, I had a good laugh at the expense of the loli-apostle. I think I should visit Ama-chan to pull the same thing.
It didn't take long for me to reach the end of the tavern. And upon entering it, I would have just gone to my room, however, the state of the people inside caught my eye.
Their eyes were completely blank, just like the ones in that torture chamber. They were all just standing there doing nothing, staring, it seemed to me, into the void. But there was an exception.
In the center of the first floor, which was reserved for the dining hall, there was a table where two people were sitting. One was the familiar Anma, whose serious gaze was drilling the man across the table. The other was a woman, as plain as could be. It was impossible to say anything about her except that she was a woman. Nothing memorable or unusual. Just "woman."
After a couple moments, their eyes shifted in my direction, which looked eerie given the atmosphere around them.
- 'We meet again, otherworlder,' the woman said in a calm and neutral tone, almost resembling a machine, 'Or better yet, Romani Archaman? Have a seat. We've been waiting for you.
I stood for a few more seconds, and then sighed tiredly and headed for the table.
After all, I need information.
- When I said we'd meet often, I didn't think it would be this often," I said to Anma, sitting down on the magic chair and looking around at them, "So, why were you waiting for me? I remember you didn't want me to interfere, did you?
- That's... - Anma muttered, but didn't add anything more.
- You're right," the woman nodded, and then continued, "But that was then.
- What has changed? And why did you give my full name?
- There is life everywhere. - The woman stated and smiled. Her smile did not express any emotion - it just was.
And at first I didn't understand why she said it, because there was no continuation or explanation. Just one phrase of three words. But after a minute or two, the essence of the phrase came to me.
"Life is everywhere." The spirit of life in front of me is practically omnipresent, which means.....
- I repeat the question, what has changed? - I asked, creating a cup of coffee and sipping from it.
- My brother has probably already told you about my goals, right? - If that's the case, why don't you join my side and do what you came here to do?
- What!" Anma was horrified, looking at me, "Did you-
- "The 'Age of the Gods', as the man in green called it, was forcibly ended due to the intervention of an outside... god," the woman interrupted Anma, smiling and looking at me, "This god destroyed all the local gods, bringing the 'Age of the Fairies' to another world. An era where fairies and spirits restored the world from the harmful influence of these pests. The outer god came completely unexpectedly, and even the combined forces of the local gods couldn't do anything about it. I wouldn't call this external god a "god," but rather... "a phenomenon of nature itself."
I raised an eyebrow.
Technically, what he says is true. The White Titan symbolizes the most basic rule of nature - survival of the fittest. The gods of the Age of Gods were simply weaker, so they had to fade into oblivion. But I still don't understand where he's going with this.
- And?
- Doesn't that sound like your situation, otherworlder? Our situation. You come from another world that is different from this one. And you have the power to crush the gods of this one. Wouldn't your mere presence mark the end of the Age of Gods?
Huh?
- But he's not a god! - Anma exclaimed - He said so himself!
- I wouldn't be so sure. Now, a seed had sprouted in him. A tiny, faintly perceptible seed, just taking root," the woman grinned, showing something other than a neutral smile on her face, and Anma stopped breathing at the horror that pierced him. "Gods are born of faith. And you, my brother, planted it yourself and watered it abundantly.
Then the woman looked at me.
- Didn't you feel it? - She asked with interest, "The divinity is already within you. Inside your essence. Don't you hear the prayers of people who believe in you? Don't you feel the emotions they send to you?
I did not believe him, for the only one who can know me best is myself, and so I focused on my soul. The 3rd magic only helped this process, making it even faster and easier.
In my mind, having the form of Ars Paulina, I sat on my throne with my eyes closed and listened.
A second, two, three. Nothing was happening... Until I heard Aria's voice. Distant and muffled, like she was whispering to me from a kilometer away.
- God, please take care of my father, bring him back to his family alive and well. We love him and look forward to his return, even if he can be secretive and moody at times. Please, God, watch over him.
And she was followed by more. About ten different voices repeated after her, asking me for the same thing. And it made my back and palms soaked with sweat, and my hands began to shake.
W-what? H-how did this basically happen? What was this strange feeling that pierced my heart and soul?
I just couldn't understand it. It happened so suddenly and unnoticed that I just don't know how to act. It was as if I had become something more than I was before. More important. All those prayers that the people of the destroyed village offered up to me...
They needed me. Not Solomon, the wise king of Israel, not Romani Archaman, the Chaldean Security Officer, not Goetia, the Demon God King. But in me personally. It's hard to describe something I've never felt before. It's just... unthinkable.
- As I see it, you need time to accept this part of yourself, otherworldly. We'll continue this conversation later, when everything falls into place," the woman said contentedly, bringing me out of my stupor, and then looked at Anma, who had grabbed her head. "And you, brother... I suppose there's no point in trying to persuade you now, for you've already done what you need to do. And more.
The next moment, the people in the place came to their senses as if nothing had happened. Each of them looked around and tried to remember what had happened.
- Had I... fallen asleep?
- How did I end up here?
- Why am I sitting here? - Asked herself the woman who had come to her senses, whose body was being used by the spirit.
But I paid no attention to them. Neither did Anma, for that matter. I was trying to realize what I should do. How I should feel about the situation I was facing. But at some point, I decided one thing.
Zelretch would answer my questions. Even if I have to kill him.
-0-
A/N: How's the chapter? Give us your opinion. You may well be able to influence future chapters.
My P.a.t.r.e.o.n: P.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m/mirzael
You'll be able to read more chapters there.