As they stood at the summit of the mountain, facing the spectacular gates of the castle, Edo turned around to glance behind him. The landscape he saw was breathtaking — the panorama of the city stretching out at the foot of the mountain seemed almost surreal. But it wasn't the beauty of the view that left him breathless; it was the exhaustion. Edo had never expected the climb to the top to be so tiring. Perhaps if he'd been traveling alone, it would've been smoother, but the company of the energetic sorceress, who practically sprinted uphill, had completely shattered any sense of comfort he might have had.
"We're here! So, how do you like the view of the capital from this height?" Leni called out, her voice full of excitement, as she glanced at him with a gleam of anticipation in her eyes.
Still trying to catch his breath, Edo looked at her with clear disapproval.
"Listen, could you slow down for once? You walk as if you're running, and running has never been my strong suit," he muttered, struggling to steady his racing heartbeat.
Leni tilted her head and scrutinized him.
"Oh, don't exaggerate. I wasn't going that fast. Besides, we're here now, so quit whining."
Edo gave the massive structure in front of him another glance. It was a castle, and although he could only see the gate and a portion of the walls, they were already impressive.
"Well, shall we go in?" Leni asked, breaking his train of thought.
"What do you think? Of course, we're going in. What kind of question is that?" Edo replied, narrowing his eyes at her.
Leni sighed deeply, as if dealing with a particularly stubborn child.
"You have to nitpick everything, don't you?" she said with irritation.
Edo smirked slightly.
"Maybe I don't look like it, but I enjoy intelligent conversations. You know, the kind that's just right — no unnecessary questions, but no overthinking either... Hey! Are you even listening to me?!" he suddenly shouted, realizing Leni had already disappeared from his view and was heading toward the castle gates.
"Hey, wait up!" he yelled, panic rising as he ran after her.
When he finally caught up, panting heavily, he gritted his teeth and said,
"Could you just wait for a second? And it's rude to walk away when someone's talking!"
Leni didn't reply immediately. She kept walking briskly, almost as if she were ignoring him entirely. Edo, nearly tripping over his own feet, tried desperately to keep pace with her.
"Hey, are you going to answer me or not?" he asked, gasping for air.
At last, Leni stopped, turning to him with a slightly mocking smile. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she said,
"Well, you said you like intelligent conversations, right? So here you go. You ask unnecessary questions, so I don't answer. Maybe you don't look like it, but you really must enjoy intelligent chats, huh?" she added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. A wide, almost sinister smile spread across her face.
Edo ground his teeth together.
—One of these days, I swear, I'll —
But suddenly, a memory surfaced — something important that he hadn't given much thought to until now because of the chaotic circumstances and his concern for Leni's safety. Although the memories of Leni he had seen were somewhat blurry, certain moments stood out with crystal clarity. One of those memories was the day they'd met. However, there were also things he'd seen that he shouldn't have — things that went against his principles. Edo had tried to erase them from his mind out of respect for Leni's privacy.
Yet now, a wicked idea came to him. He decided to use what he had seen as payback.
A sly, almost sinister smile crept across Edo's lips as he leaned toward her and said:
— Red
Leni looked at the boy, not understanding what he was talking about. Her eyebrow raised slightly in surprise, and she tilted her head to the side.
" Uhhh, Edo, I have no idea what you're talking about," said the sorceress, furrowing her brow as if trying to solve some complex riddle.
Edo chuckled softly under his breath, confident in his triumph. His smile brimmed with malicious satisfaction.
" The color of your underwear is red! Ha! So, what now?! Revenge is always sweet!"he exclaimed, looking at her with a smug expression.
He knew he was right. He had seen her memories and knew that Leni mostly wore red underwear. He was sure this single sentence would embarrass her. So, he stood still, waiting for a reaction—flushed cheeks, confusion, maybe even an angry outburst. But... nothing of the sort happened.
Leni had the exact same expression on her face as before. No embarrassment, no reaction Edo had anticipated. She looked at him as if his words were completely ordinary. After a moment, she raised an eyebrow and asked with slight confusion:
—Uhh, Edo, why are you laughing so weirdly?
Her words completely threw Edo off. He had expected anything but this. Quickly, he analyzed the situation in his head, trying to find a logical explanation.
"Well... didn't you hear what I said? Your underwear is..."he began, wanting to rattle her.
Leni interrupted him, clearly tired of the situation:
— I'm not deaf, Edo. My underwear is red. So what about it?
Her tone was calm, though now there was a hint of irritation in it. Edo froze. His grand plan had fallen apart.
"Don't tell me this was supposed to be some form of revenge?" Leni suddenly asked, a smile appearing on her face.
Edo, feeling growing embarrassment, blushed to the tips of his ears. At that moment, Leni stepped closer to him, her smile widening.
"I expected you to be interested in such things, but to the point of spying? Naughty, Edo. Very naughty" she said with feigned indignation, giggling at the same time.
Edo froze. He hadn't expected Leni to draw such conclusions. She had no idea he had used her memories and was convinced he had somehow spied on her. Panicking, he began frantically searching for words that could salvage the situation.
"It's not like that! It just happened! Listen, this is a misunderstanding, you have to understand!" he finally blurted out, but his words sounded more like babble than a convincing explanation.
Leni laughed even louder, seeing his complete helplessness. Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Relax, I understand. I know boys your age are into things like that. I never quite understood this fascination with underwear... What's so interesting about it?"she said nonchalantly, turning toward the castle.
Edo, still blushing furiously, muttered under his breath:
— You really don't understand anything...
But Leni didn't hear him anymore, as she was already heading toward the gate, leaving the embarrassed and confused Edo far behind.
***
— Hello, Leni!
" Oh, hey, Leni! Good to see you again!" said two guards almost simultaneously as they stood in front of the gate.
Both were tall, though they looked completely different. One had light blond hair and a friendly expression, while the other had brown hair and a more stern, almost intimidating look. However, his calm demeanor completely contradicted his appearance. They were dressed in heavy silver armor that gleamed in the sunlight. At their sides hung swords, and the breastplates bore the distinctive emblem of the Kingdom of Ero.
"Who have you brought with you, young one?" the blond guard asked curiously, shifting his gaze to Leni's companion."Judging by his hair color, he must be one of your friends, huh?" He added, clearly referring to the boy's black hair, a characteristic trait of demons.
Leni raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest, responding with a slight smile:
— First of all: not "young one," Dermi! I'm older than you, but thanks for the compliment. And second... this boy is... well, let him introduce himself!
Before Edo could react, Leni stepped behind him and gave him a gentle push, moving him forward toward the guards. Surprised, the boy didn't hesitate for a moment. He nodded respectfully and, in a calm, confident voice, said:
— My name is Edo. I am... a demon, and I wish to join the Fourth Court Knight, Nolan's unit. It would be a great honor.
The guards exchanged surprised glances.
— Well, well, quite the well-mannered boy, — said the brown-haired man, glancing at Edo's hand. — But I assume he'll need an examination by our medic, given the state of that hand.
"You bet, Ujot! — Leni laughed, responding to the brown-haired guard. —But you've got to admit, I've got an eye for people, don't I?" She laughed again.
""So, will you let us through?" Leni asked, smiling innocently.
"Of course" they replied almost in unison, signaling to someone standing behind the gate.
Suddenly, the massive wooden and metal gates began to open with a loud creak. The sound was almost deafening, but after a moment, Edo was greeted by a sight that left him speechless.
In front of him stretched a fortress—monumental and powerful—a true pride of the Kingdom of Ero. Warriors were training everywhere, craftsmen toiled away, blacksmiths forged weapons, and thick walls encircled the entire area. Nearby stood barracks where the troops were stationed, and at the very center of it all stood a magnificent, ornate castle, towering proudly over the entire region.
"Enjoy your stay, Edo! And see you later, Leni!" Dermi called out as the gate closed behind them with a thud.
Edo still couldn't take his eyes off the view before him. What Leni had previously described to him now looked even more incredible.
"So, Edo, how do you like it?" Leni asked with a wide grin, amused by his reaction.
"Y-yeah... Pretty...much"he began, but trailed off, unable to find the right words. He had never imagined he would see something like this with his own eyes.
However, his awe was interrupted by a thought that kept nagging at him.
— Hey, Leni... Don't you think that was a little too easy? I mean, they just let me in like that. What if I were an enemy? Don't you think that's a bit careless on the part of the authorities?
Leni raised an eyebrow and looked at him, clearly amused.
" Don't worry about it! The authorities trust the royal knights and mages enough to let them bring in whoever they want. They just believe in our judgment and... our eye for people. That's how amazing we are, hehe." She laughed, clearly pleased with herself.
Edo frowned, looking at her in disbelief. Her answer didn't satisfy him at all.
"Judgment and an eye for people? Sure... what else?" he muttered irritably, following Leni, who was already heading toward the castle entrance.
***
As soon as they passed through the massive, intricately carved castle doors, Edo was greeted by a grand, ornate hall straight out of a fairy tale or legend. The space was overwhelming in its opulence. Majestic chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystals shimmering in the light streaming through tall, arched windows. Everywhere he looked were richly decorated pieces of furniture made of dark wood, people dressed in clothing that spoke of high social status, and portraits that seemed to gaze curiously at anyone entering. The walls were adorned with intricate bas-reliefs, and the floor gleamed with marble in shades of gold and white. Everything about this building seemed unreal, as if it were taken from another world.
To the right stretched a spacious dining hall, where long tables were set with silver dishes and crystal goblets. Chairs with velvet cushions stood neatly in place, and smaller chandeliers hung above the tables. To the left was a library, its shelves reaching all the way to the ceiling. Hundreds, if not thousands, of books in bindings of various colors and textures tempted Edo for a moment to step closer, to touch them, to uncover the secrets they held. Straight ahead, directly opposite the entrance, a grand staircase unfolded. Covered with a red carpet that seemed to absorb every step, it led to a mezzanine where more mysterious rooms of this impressive castle likely awaited."
Leni paused for a moment, glancing at Edo before gesturing toward the bag that held his severed hand. "So, Edo? We're heading straight to Adam, right?" she asked with barely concealed impatience, then turned toward the stairs.
"Hey, wait a second, woman!" Edo shouted, panic creeping into his voice. His heart pounded wildly as he imagined Leni disappearing from sight. In an unfamiliar place filled with strangers and potential dangers, he'd be left to fend for himself—a fear he dreaded above all else. Edo had always struggled with navigating new environments, the uncertainty of unfamiliar spaces paralyzing him.
Trying to catch up with Leni , Edo collided with someone, the impact sending him crashing onto the marble floor. The dull thud of his fall momentarily silenced the chatter of other guests in the hall.
"Hey, kid, watch where you're going!" came a loud, gruff voice. Edo lifted his head, his eyes immediately locking onto a figure that seemed familiar. Standing before him was a lizardman—the very same one he had encountered two days ago, when he first found himself in this strange world.
The tall figure was clad in a black robe adorned with delicate golden patterns, and a sword hung at his side. On the lizardman's shoulder, Edo noticed the number "8" etched into the fabric. Drawing from the knowledge he'd gained through Leni's memories, Edo instantly realized he was facing the eighth royal knight.
"You... You're a royal knight?!" Edo stammered, unable to hide his astonishment.
The lizardman stared at him with a mix of disbelief and curiosity, his golden eyes glinting in the light of the chandeliers. "Listen, kid, maybe you should apologize first, huh? And by the way, who are you? I don't recall us ever meeting."
Edo scrambled to his feet, feeling painfully awkward. "I'm sorry... Really, I'm sorry. It was my fault. But... we *have* met before. Two days ago. I was that weirdo acting like a fool in the middle of the street..."
The lizardman furrowed his brow, scrutinizing Edo more closely. His gaze hardened, and his posture shifted, exuding an intensity that made Edo feel even more uneasy.
"You... That's impossible..." the lizardman muttered, struggling to conceal his shock.
"My name is Toru," the lizardman interrupted curtly. "And that's how you'll address me. But that's not what matters right now..."
Edo swallowed hard. "Look, I don't know what your problem is. Can you explain what's going on?"
"Your eyes..." Toru began slowly, his voice barely above a whisper, trembling with genuine fear. "You're not the same person. I don't know how it's possible, but if it weren't for my memory of voices, I would never believe it was you..."
Edo frowned, confused by Toru's cryptic words. But before he could say anything, Toru continued. "We lizardmen recognize people by their eyes. Faces all look the same to us. But you... Your eyes are different. Terrifying. You're not the same man I met two days ago. And yet, your voice... Your voice says otherwise. No human can change so much in just two days... What have you been through... or what have you *become*?"
Suddenly, Toru's hand moved to his sword, gripping its hilt tightly.
"Whoa, Toru, what are you—hey... hey, hey, HEY! WHAT THE HELL?!" Edo shouted, stumbling back a step. Silence fell over the room as all eyes turned toward the unfolding scene.
"I don't know what you are, but I must eliminate you immediately..." Toru said, drawing his sword.
All eyes in the hall turned toward them as Toru raised his weapon.
Terrified, Edo froze, unsure of what to do.
"Shit, this is bad... He's actually going to kill me! What the hell is going on?! I have to... I have to..." he thought, his mind racing in panic. A wave of disgust washed over him. "I'll have to use the power of the eye. Not the left one—I'll start with the right. I need to analyze my chances first."
Focusing his right eye on the lizardman, Edo felt a sharp, searing pain.
~| Chance of death – Unavoidable: 100% |~
~| Cause – Precise strike |~
What...
Cold sweat drenched Edo's body. He couldn't find any words.
"Is this... Ha... Ha... No... This has to be some kind of joke. Will the first being I encountered in this world really be the one to kill me?"
Despairing, Edo watched as the lizardman slowly prepared to strike.
"No... There's no point in using the left eye. There's no point... 100%? Even if I could reduce the chances, how many deaths would it take? Ten? Twelve? My body wouldn't survive that... This is the end."
"Die," Toru whispered coldly and lunged to strike the boy.
"Edo! What's taking you so long down there... Pleeeeaaassssseee hurrrrryyy! How much longer do I have to wait, huh?!" Leni's impatient voice echoed from the mezzanine as she leaned over the balustrade, glaring down at him.
Her voice broke the tension like a spell. The sword that was just inches from Edo's throat stopped mid-air. Toru's golden eyes, once filled with murderous intent, suddenly softened as if a fire within him had been extinguished.
Edo, drenched in sweat and trembling uncontrollably, looked up at Leni. She stood there, arms crossed, visibly irritated.
"Toru... Seriously? Are you testing another rookie? Again? How long is this going to amuse you? Grow up already! What are you even doing?!" she said sharply, her voice booming through the hall.
Toru turned to face her, his threatening demeanor melting away into a playful, almost sheepish grin. "Well, you know, I had to see what he's made of! Haha!" he replied, laughing as if the situation was nothing more than a harmless prank.
Leni sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. "If Nolan hears about this, you're in trouble, Toru. Stop messing with Edo already. He's got an important meeting with Adam. Now get lost. Edo, hurry up, I'm waiting upstairs." With that, she disappeared behind the balustrade, leaving the two alone.
Toru's grin vanished as quickly as it had appeared. His face grew serious, and his gaze returned to Edo.
"Edo, huh..." he muttered, as though testing the name. Slowly, he sheathed his sword. The murmurs in the hall resumed, and the crowd returned to their conversations, dismissing the incident as another of Toru's bizarre games.
Edo, paralyzed with fear, couldn't utter a word. He stood rooted to the spot, too shaken to even process what had just happened. All he could manage was a small, hesitant nod.
Toru let out a long sigh, glancing briefly toward where Leni had been moments earlier. "So, she trusts you, huh?" he said, more to himself than to Edo.
Still pale and trembling, Edo nodded again, unable to find his voice.
"Ugh..." Toru ran a hand over his face, as if trying to wipe away the weight of the moment. His voice softened, and a hint of guilt crept into his eyes. "I know this might sound absurd coming from me now... but I'm sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me... but... I've never seen anything like this before. Your eyes..." He paused, struggling to find the words. "Your eyes are terrifying."
With that, Toru turned and began walking toward the exit.
Edo, drained and barely able to stand, knew he needed to check one last thing. Activating his right eye again, he focused on Toru to assess the odds.
~| Chance of death – Improbable: less than 1% |~
~| Cause – Insufficient probability to determine a direct cause |~
"Heh... I've learned something really useful," Edo muttered to himself.
Stumbling, he forced himself toward the stairs to follow Leni.