The whole city was in an uproar, the army was searching every nook and crook of the city, looking for the traces of the kidnappers, as well as that of Riley's.
Riley however didn't know any of this, he was sitting in a traceable carriage, heading back to the Raven Household, and he knew he needed to tell either the religious leaders or the king the content the veritas contained— well he'd preferred to tell them if they are all present.
He was pretty sure of it, that the Trial will end, if he tells the right people the tale the veritas tells. And soon, the carriage arrived in front of the Raven household. Riley broke into a wistful smile, he had always wanted to escape this place, but now he was glad he had arrived.
At least there is someone waiting for him, —to sign the document and break off their engagement—even though she was not real, it was something he had always dreamed of, to be able to go home to someone. To have the mindset that someone was waiting for him at home.
He got out of the carriage, and paid the driver. Of course, Alison and Orion provided the money, after all they knew where their boss stored his wealth.
"A shame, I cannot bring anything here back into the real world." Riley mumbled.
He had planned on stealing all of Little Riley's wealth, but he quickly discovered a problem, the money and everything was an illusion, so if he took anything, it would not follow him into the real world.
So he made Alison and Orion take the rest of the wealth, alongside other gang members—
Well Riley didn't know what to call them, they didn't seem like a gang, or some secret order. They were just following Little Riley's command like they were brainwashed.
Before Riley could enter the Raven compound, His maid ran forward and suddenly hugged him. This action shook Riley to the core, of all the things he had expected when he arrived, he didn't anticipate that his maid would hug him. Dumbfounded, he stood still, not knowing how to react.
Although he had watched movies about young masters having affairs with their maids, he didn't think he would be in the same position now, it was just like the movies. But then he figured he was supposed to act calm and collected. Maybe it's out of happiness that her master was back and that she forgot the rule. And not that there were any affairs between them.
At least that was what Riley hoped.
After several minutes, his maid pulled away, her face flushed in crimson color, she bowed and hurried off. Leaving Riley to blink in confusion.
Isn't she the one who worked with Little Riley? Why was she suddenly emotional? Was Little Riley blackmailing her? And she had somehow found out that he had died?
Of course, there was no answer to Riley's question, so he proceeded to enter the compound, immediately he entered, and the guards saw him. They rushed to him, and started their usual nonsense formalities in trying to protect their young master.
Riley wasn't impressed.
He walked calmly to the guest manor, which was now functioning as the main one after the destruction during Little Riley's team attack.
Immediately Old Hector heard the news of Riley's return, he scurried out of the manor, behind him were the religious leaders, who had a look of disbelief on their face, immediately, the Imam ran back into the building, the prayer bead swaying wildly as he ran. He sent a quick telegram to ll George SteelHeart.
"Ryan. Thank Goodness you are okay." Old Hector said. His voice was shaking.
Riley didn't know if Old Hector's voice shook because of relief, or because of the excitement that they would be able to hear the secret the veritas hold. After all, it's not like he cared for his son. He had literally sacrificed his son's life, when he made him read the veritas.
Ryan had died, and Riley had replaced him. Riley was pretty sure the Nexus Trial had influenced their memories, and made them think Riley was Ryan. Although Riley had the same appearance as he did in the real world.
Riley ignored Old Hector, he felt like killing the Old Man. But he thought otherwise. He didn't know the role the Old Man would play when it comes to the Nexus Trial. He could see the drop in Old Hector's facial expression.
They entered the manor, and Riley was offered refreshment.
None of them cared about what he went through during the kidnap, they were all just after the knowledge that resides in his mind.
After an Hour or so, ll George SteelHeart arrived with his entourage. II George SteelHeart entered the manor which was now heavily guarded.
He has a brown goatee and a short curly hair.
The Trio bowed immediately when they saw ll George SteelHeart. Who in turn ignored them immediately he saw Riley, he smiled brightly, and spoke kindly, "Ryan Raven. I was informed of your kidnap, and I am very happy to have you back. Hope you didn't face too many difficulties. And I'm sorry my soldiers are a little slow to save you."
"At least somehow had the sense to ask." Riley mumbled.
"How did you escape? Or did they free you intentionally? Did you tell them the content in the veritas?" II George SteelHeart threw one question after another, without even giving Riley time to answer.
"Stop!" Riley yelled at the emperor. "I killed them— well at least I killed their leader, and his followers let me go." He added.
"Oh…. I see." II George was not surprised.
"You seem not to be surprised." Riley asked.
"Why would I? You laid waste to the best of my soldiers in your first loop. I would be surprised if you were to die and then start a third loop." II George replied.
Riley's eyes were wide. "Why is everyone aware that I'm in a time loop?" Riley said more to himself. "Why did you have me killed in the first loop?" Riley asked.
Old Hector and the Religious leaders were dumbfounded, they didn't expect the Emperor and Riley to have such a secret, although none of them really understood what they were really talking about, they only heard loop most of the time.
"Interfering will alert Conqueror Riley, I had to act as if I know nothing, the only way I could help was to send the best assassin I personally trained to bring you a revolver and the letter I personally wrote."
"Thank you for the help." Riley appreciated II George sincerely. "But I have to ask, what do you want in return for helping me?"
II George shrugged, he didn't seem bothered by Riley's question, walking up to the fancy plush chair in the end of the room, and he sat down, crossing his legs, he placed his hands on the table, taking the posture of someone thinking deeply.
"I'm only interested in knowing what is inside the veritas," II George said. Making his intention known that he was no longer interested in the matter regarding the kidnapping and Little Riley.
Riley sighed.
Well he now knew who wrote the letter, he had thought he would have to search a little while longer before he could find his helper and know what he/she wants from him. He hadn't thought the emperor was the one behind the letter and revolver that suddenly appeared in the second loop.
Now it seems everything is solved and there's no mystery behind any incidents. No mastermind, Riley felt like he was free, so he decided it was time to share what was in the veritas.
II George sat on a specially designed seat, while Old Hector and the two religious leaders were sitting a little far away from him. Riley was sitting opposite II George. He wondered how they would react. He was pretty sure II George knew a thing or two about this world.
At least that was the reasonable explanation Riley had for II George to know about him being in a time loop.
"The veritas tell… of an evil demon, who wants to conquer the world. But to do it. He needs to learn about it first. So he creates a shadow world. A world for him to practice conquering is full of shadow people who think they are real."
The room was silent, Old Hector's breath drew ragged, the religious leaders were shocked, but they still didn't know the gravity of what Riley had just told them.
"That doesn't explain why those who translated and subsequently read the veritas committed suicide." The imam said impatiently, he wanted to know the real reason for the cause of the suicide.
"Trouble is. When stimulants develop enough independent intelligence to realize what they are, there's a risk they'll rebel. Those deaths… They weren't suicide… Those were people… Escaping!"
Seeing the confused look on their faces, Riley explained.
"It's like uhm. Super Mario, figuring out what's going on, deleting himself from the game. Because he's sick of dying."
[Aspirant! You have completed the sub-trial, you will now be sent back!]