In the Excendi's dining room…
"Once again, thank you all for coming. I'm aware that all of you already know why I brought you here." The head of the Excendi familia, Gabrin, greeted.
"Is this about your son?" The head of the Dainsvaal Familia, Kariyn, asked.
"Yes. It's been a thousand years since the previous Redeemer was killed. I was aware that a few years ago was time for a new one to be born…"
"Noah's not a Reincarnate." Vytria, my mother, answered.
"…" Gabrin was silent.
"Y-You're kidding, right?!" The head of the Xodimus familia, Haimer, asked as he stood up and slammed with hands on the table.
"Manners, Xodimus." Gabrin's wife, Tanquee, warned Haimer.
"What went wrong?" The head of the Rapret familia, Milian, asked.
"We don't know. But if this news ever spreads out into the public and then Hell's King find out about it, all is doomed."
"Do you think the Goddess has something to do with this?"
"Very likely. For now, we still haven't announced one of our sons as the Redeemer, until they're ready."
"The Redeemer is the only way to kill Hell's King. Either way, we're still goners, no matter if you make Noah or Kroah as a "false" Redeemer." Milian stated.
"That's why we must find the real Redeemer before that happens." Gabrin answered.
"Mari, how's the investigation going?"
"So far sir, nothing. All guards are still looking for the anomalies within the area."
"You should've gotten a smaller plot." Haimer joked before everyone, apart from the servants, started laughing.
"Well then, let's eat! Even if there's an intruder here, we have monsters of our own."
Meanwhile…
The girl left us alone after that. Naic looked gloomy. She was about to cry. All I could do was hug her as she cried quietly.
Soon after, Saria and Saira returned holding plates with their hands and… hair? They were carrying some plates with their viny hair.
How the fuu…
Naic raised her head and sat with proper posture. She looked at my baffled face and laughed. I started laughing too, and both Saria and Saira were puzzled as to why both of us were laughing our asses off.
After eating, we took a little walk outside. Next to the building was a park. Other children from other familias are playing there. Some were swinging, playing on the slides and seesaw, running around, and more.
"They changed it a little." Naic stated as she reminisced. She looked a little disheartened.
Judging by her face and my time spent with her, she's not a sociable person. She's lonely.
"Let's play!" I pointed at the empty seesaw. Her eyes glow up with awe.
"O-Okay…!"
For the first time in my life, I saw her genuinely smile. I'm happy to see Naic realize that she's not lonely anymore.
She has me.
I dragged her to the empty seesaw, and we played. We played and played for an hour before we got tired and sat on a bench, panting.
Her face was filled with nothing but joy. A joy she'd never experienced in a very long time.
I'm glad I could be of help.
I felt really relieved to see her happy.
The park was empty now. The rest were inside while the meeting of the heads was still ongoing. It was only me, Naic, and Saira. Saria was called to attend the meeting while we were playing. Saira handed us napkins as we gasped for air. Naic thanked her with a smile, which surprised Saira.
"Looks like it worked then…" Saira whispered.
"What?" Naic asked.
"Nothing, madam. Please rest while we wait for Saria."
"Will she be with mom and dad?" I asked.
"No. Their meeting will last till the afternoon. For the being, please entertain yourselves as you desire."
"Very well. I want some dessert! I'm lightheaded!" Naic said with a relieved tone.
"Wanna come?" She asked me.
"I'll stay."
"Hmm… Saira!"
"Yes, madam?"
"Stay here and watch over her. I'll take the deserts for myself."
"Very well, madam. Have a delightful break."
Naic left afterward, returning to the building.
"What would you like to do, Madam Beal?" Saira asked.
"Nothing. But why didn't Mom call you instead of Saria?"
"She's preferable."
"Even though you have a nice attitude and manners?"
"Yes."
I guess Saria is a favorite.
"Phew…" I sighed in relief.
Still, I feel proud to lighten up my sister's mood. Guessing by Saira's surprised look, that was the first time she saw Naic happy in years. Saira smiled a little early, so she must be happy.
"I wanna walk for a bit."
"Very well, madam."
I stood up and we walked to the pathway. She held my hand firmly.
After a while, I noticed that it was all quiet. There were other parks, but all were empty. Trees surround everything but the parks and roads. No residents were nearby.
"Why is there no one here?" I asked Saira.
"This entire center of the capital is bought by the Excendi familia. Only the Excendi familia lives here. It's also protected by a barrier that prevents anything but those permitted to enter, so it's overall safe."
"I see."
"Madam."
"Yeah?"
"You're quite mature for someone who is 5 years old."
S-Shit…
"Usually, 5-year-old children would want toys, eat delicious food, and more. But you, you ask questions beyond your knowledge."
"Is it bad to wanna know much?" I asked sarcastically.
"No. Curiosity is good. It's just-"
Saira paused and stood still. Her grip hardened, and it started to hurt.
"Ouch! That-" I yelled, but she covered my mouth before I could continue speaking.
Oh! Shit… So that's what it is…
I stood still, trying not to make noise.
"Madam, I will let go of my hand, but please whisper." She ordered.
We stood still. I can see Saira looking around us. Her eyes were darting everywhere.
"Are we being watched?" I asked. She was momentarily astounded by my question, but then quickly realized she needed to focus.
"Yes. When I say run, run as fast as you possibly can."
I trembled as she said that. I knew the situation was dangerous, but I couldn't help but feel excited about it.
Suddenly, Saira stopped.
She was only looking in one direction.
She was looking at a bush.
She was focused only on that bush.
It was still.
…
It was silent.
…
And then,
…
When all was quiet,
…
When the leaves were breezing,
…
A shadow emerged.
"RUN!!!" Saira yelled.
She held my hand as tight as possible. It hurts, but I didn't care. We had to escape.
I looked back, seeing more shadows emerge from the bushes. They were running at us, but they were faster.
At this point, they'll outrun us!
"HEEEEELP!!!" Saira yelled. She yelled more and more, crying for help.
Then, a massive, 6ft muscular man emerged from the trees in front of us.
We immediately stopped, and the men in black cornered us.
I took a good look at them. Their clothes were like a mix of ninjas and bandits. However, the man in front of us had no top. His chest was showing. His abs looked so defined that he could probably grind wood with it. He had a battle axe resting on his shoulders.
Wait! I need to stop looking and start assessing a way out.
Everything was silent again. The men were still yet cautious.
"All of you, kill the gorgon! Leave the child in one piece!" The man ordered.
The men went for Saira at the same time. But Saira was unfazed.
"Madam! Close your eyes!" She said as she took off her blindfold and did a full 360, looking at the men ready to jump her. I closed my eyes and went she stopped, I opened to take a look.
As I opened my eyes, blood was spilling down my hair. I looked up to see her eyes bleeding.
"AAAGGGHHH!!!!!" she screamed. The man with the axe sliced her face where her eyes were. It kept bleeding on and on as she screamed. Yet with all that pain, she never let go of me.
"S-Sai…" I tried to speak, but I couldn't utter any words. But then… I remembered.
I remembered the way they slashed my eyes. When I saw Saira crying, I felt a resemblance to when I was killed.
"Madam… Please… make it out safely!" Then, she held me by her hands and threw me deep into the forest.
The man yelled and ordered his men to get me.
I landed on a branch soon after.
It hurts! My left ear is ringing… But that doesn't matter right now. I'm in danger, and I can't do shit about it.
I lay down on the branch, still and quiet. It had been a long day. I want to rest but…
Saira's in danger… FUCK!!!!!
DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMN IT!!! YOU'RE NOT UPHOLDING YOUR WORDS, YOU DAMN GODDESS!!!
IF SAIRA DIES…
IF SHE DIES…
I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!! I'LL END YOUR NEVER ENDING EXISTENCE!!!
"Waam." Out of nowhere, a screen popped up in front of my eyes. It's the same as the quest window 3 years ago. But this time, it said:
AWAKENING…
Awakening?! This better be good!
Now, I was determined.
Whatever kind of powers or anything I gain from this, I'll use it to my full advantage to kill them all!
"I'll kill them all… SO FINISH UP ALREADY AND GIVE ME IT!" I yelled.
And then, the screen changed. It turned from blue to gray, and read out:
MANIFEST AWAKENED.
CONGRATULATIONS.
TAKE YOUR REVENGE.
It was like a message given to me by the Goddess. It changed again, showing my status window. It's the same as the ones you'd see in an isekai manga. Down to where it'd usually say "Powers" or "Abilities," It said:
MANIFEST
"GAME ZONE"