Rondel.
- Here, I'll give it back. Don't lose it next time. - I declared to the group of Itami in front of me.
In response, I was met with silence and stunned looks. Not only the group members, but also the passing people who wanted to rest after a day's work. At this time, when the sun had already set behind the horizon, and magical lanterns and torches were illuminating the surroundings, there seemed to be even more people than during the day. And every one of them was looking at our small group, trying to take in what was happening.
- That's..." Itami muttered, staring at me incredulously.
- Expected," Lelei said stoically, "After what he did to her, I'd be more surprised at the opposite than this.
- Uh... - the two elven women didn't know what to say, glancing at each other.
- What-" I raised an eyebrow, seeing that they weren't acting-"Are you going to take her or not? She's pretty heavy.
- Mm-mm! - The person I was handing over to Itami indignantly mumbled indignantly. She turned her head in my direction and gave me the most adamant look I've ever seen.
- I meant your weapon, girl, not you," I smirked, and got a surprised look, "Or do you think you're heavy? Notice your thoughts, not mine.
- M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m! - The personality twirled, trying to get out of the golden chains that bound her and her mouth. She shook her legs and twisted her body to somehow gain freedom of movement - M-m-m!
- Yeah, yeah, you promise to let me do ribbons and stuff like that," I waved her off and looked at Itami, "So, are you going to take her?
- Y-yes," Itami finally said, "I apologize for her behavior. Rory's a bit childish, Romani-san. We'll keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't make you uncomfortable. Now, please stop treating her like some kind of criminal. Even if she is.
Of course, in my outstretched hand I was holding Rory Mercury, who at the moment looked like a mummy. After her performance in that tavern, I decided to bring her back to the group, having previously given her another flogging session. She, of course, tried to break free and all that, but she was far from being able to break Enkidu's chains. As a result, all the way here, I was looking at Apostle Emroy's face red with embarrassment and rage.
- Mm-mm! - Rory mumbled, now directing her gaze at Itami, who chose to ignore her.
- You can let her go, Romani-san, and then we can sit down and talk," Itami said, then became enthusiastic, "I have so many questions.
- Oh?" I grinned, throwing Rory to the ground like a sack of potatoes, and the chains slowly disintegrated into particles of light - Well, let's talk.
-0-
Our group took one of the tables of some medieval version of a cafe. Itami sat across from me, and the rest of the members settled around him, waiting for the conversation to begin. Rory was also present, glaring at me with her arms crossed over her chest, pouting in frustration and glaring at me.
There were a few dishes on the table that the group had ordered while I limited myself to the mug of coffee I had created.
- So, what shall we talk about? - I decided to start the conversation, taking a sip.
- Well... - Itami hesitated and scratched the back of his head - Last time I forgot to ask about why you're here, Romani-san. I realize you're unlikely to tell me the truth, but....
- And why are you so interested in that question? - I asked.
- You are from another world," Lelei took the words, to which I turned my attention to her. She raised her hand and put out her index finger - If you consider the information from the books I read on the other side of the Gate, traveling between worlds happens for two main reasons: luck or the desire of some creature. I dismissed the first option immediately, as your world, while seemingly chaotic, is not. Root, Alaia, and Gaia provide a level of order that its local counterpart doesn't even make sense to compare. Luck just doesn't fit in, since it's based on randomness. Plus, books with the first option tend to be "peaceful" and "safe".
Then she put out another one.
- The second option is more viable in this case. I daresay you are here because you were sent here by some personality or entity to resolve some issue. Your almost elusive haste and uncertainty indicate that. And you are clearly interested in ending your stay here as soon as possible, which is hinted at by your actions. As-is, you wouldn't have hidden yourself in your first meeting with Itami, but rather attempted to talk to gain information. I would even assume that you know the reason for your stay here, but nothing more than that. Which again, agrees with the information in the books.
I raised an eyebrow.
Oh? How interesting. This girl, Lelei, is quite intelligent. Perhaps even too smart. She drew such conclusions based on 'books' that are most likely manga or earlybae with an isekai theme.
Her words really do make sense, as everything is as she described. All the transitions where the main character is lucky are overwhelmingly "peaceful". There are no warriors or deaths. Gather a harem and live however you want, in short. On the other hand, when the protagonist is flipped at the will of some creature, she gets a mission that even she herself sometimes doesn't know about. Plus, it hit the mark, which concerned me.
Impressive.
- So why are you interested in this question? Anything can be fiction, you know? I doubt there is no literature in this world based on dreams or the like. - I asked.
- But you are fiction too. Well, it was before we met," Itami said awkwardly, "And we just want to make sure there isn't some evil god you've been sent to deal with.
- No." I answered and shrugged.
- Good," Itami exhaled in relief and his posture became more relaxed, "I thought I'd never make it to the next Akihabara Festival.
I grinned to myself.
Maybe you won't, because it's not a god, it's a spirit.
The next moment, I felt movement in my pocket. Tia is hungry, huh? In that case, we should get moving.
- Well, now that we've made up our minds, I'll bid you farewell. I still haven't explored the city," I said, getting up from the table, "Good luck.
At these words I left the place, leaving them to their own devices. I think they'll calm down now, don't you?
-0-
Rory furrowed her eyebrows, seeing Romani off with a glance. Her years of experience and sixth sense told her clearly that he hadn't lied, but at the same time he wasn't telling the truth.
She thought back to what Itami had told her about Romani's world, and especially about Romani himself.
The reincarnation of the King of Magic, to whom all the magic of the world obeyed.
According to Itami, he was so powerful that he could destroy the world with just one attack. And one moment had shocked her so much that even as an Apostle, her heart had stopped for a moment - the erasure of human history itself.
Yes, Romani was a bastard who called her a little girl and openly bullied her, destroying her dignity, but what bothered Rory was that such a powerful figure had appeared here in this world.
When Lelei said that he appeared here at the will of some entity, Romani himself did not deny her words, but only repeated his question. That means he has a mission that he knows about, but hasn't said anything about. And Rory worried if it wasn't the destruction of her world.
In that 'duel', at the very beginning of it, for a tiny micro-moment she had felt his power. And that power had been immense. So much so that even her god looked weak in comparison. The amount of mana contained in this man's body would have completely crushed her if he had been even the slightest bit serious with her. It was as if she was standing in front of a mountain that was thousands and thousands of times her size.
Rory is willing to bet her life that this is not all the power that Romani possesses, for Itami spoke of Romani's "true form" when the latter takes the form of Solomon, King of Magic.
The ten rings he received from Itami, the god of the world, reappear on his fingers. Thanks to which, he gains 'Omnipotence', whatever that means.
Rory thought deeply.
She should visit her god's temple to talk to him personally and find out what she should do. Perhaps Rory could find out something that would indicate the reason for Romani's arrival in this world.
- Itami," Rory said in a commanding tone, "We need to go to the temple of my god Emroy.
- Hmm? - He was surprised. Why?
- Don't ask too many questions, this is serious. - She replied, to which she received surprised looks from the rest of the group.
- Does this have something to do with Romani-san? - Tuka asked.
- Probably.
After a few moments, Itami sighed tiredly, but still straightened up and looked around his group.
- If Rory is so serious, we should probably listen to her," he said, and placed a few coins on the table, paying for the food, "I take it we're moving out now?
Rory nodded briefly and stood up from the table as well, taking her halberd in her hand.
She hoped her assumptions were wrong, for otherwise, no gods would help this world. Definitely.
-0-
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