Kieth tapped his feet thirteen times before holding Serel tightly.
"Don't let go, alright?"
Serel gripped him a little tighter, nodding. As Kieth jumped down, the rush of air brushed past him, and he landed softly on the thirteenth floor. Walking briskly through the halls, he stopped at Arcellus's office and knocked.
The door swung open, revealing Arcellus. "Hey, Kieth... good morning. And to you too, Serel," he said with a nod, his expression suddenly turning serious.
"Kieth, I found it... I think. Please, follow me."
Kieth stepped inside, glancing around at the chaos of papers strewn across the room. Arcellus bent down, rummaging through the mess before pulling out a couple of sheets.
"Yeah, this one," he said, holding it out to Kieth. "Is it this?"
The document lacked any image, but the written details matched the object that had brought him here. Kieth studied it closely before nodding.
"Yes. This might be it."
Arcellus sighed in relief, a smile breaking through his serious demeanor. "Thank the gods... I was worried."
"Thanks," Kieth said, handing the papers back.
Arcellus tucked them under his arm. "Had to issue them under the Third Order. It's only available for a limited time, so we have to move quickly."
They rushed out of the office, Serel giggling as Kieth held her close. Reaching the pit, Arcellus turned to Kieth and held up a hand.
"Wait. Let me get permission."
"Permission?" Kieth asked, confused. Why would Arcellus, a head of the organization, need permission for anything?
Arcellus noticed his puzzled look and explained, "Yeah. You need the heads' approval to enter or leave certain floors. Like the thirteenth floor—you tap thirteen times to signal me, and I can either grant or deny access. If I refuse, you'd fall straight to your death with no landing anywhere."
"Oh..." Kieth muttered, the weight of that realization settling in. "But couldn't I try landing on another floor instead?"
"Not really." Arcellus smirked and tapped his foot seventeen, eighteen, and then nineteen times. "There. Let's go."
Arcellus leaped down, holding Serel securely, who squealed in delight as though she were on a thrilling ride. They landed on the nineteenth floor, stepping out into an expansive garden lit by ceiling lights.
Kieth blinked in confusion. "Why is there a garden with ceiling lights?"
Arcellus chuckled. "The head loves it. He thinks it helps keep a peaceful mind."
He glanced at Kieth. "By the way, can you tell me about your world?"
Kieth was momentarily surprised by the question, but he realized Arcellus's curiosity was natural. "Well, for one, there isn't any magic. It's not too different from this place, but without the... well, magical aspects."
"Without magic? Fascinating."
As they continued walking, the conversation flowed easily, with Kieth describing his world in more detail. But as the journey stretched on, he slowed down.
"How much farther? This just keeps going," he said, starting to feel tired.
"Almost there," Arcellus assured him. "Just keep walking."
Kieth sighed but followed, Serel gazing around the endless garden curiously. Finally, Arcellus stopped in front of a single tree.
"This is it," Arcellus said, knocking on the bark.
The tree's surface shimmered, revealing a door. A man with spectacles opened it and nodded at Arcellus.
"Come in," he said simply.
"Thanks, Zuniver," Arcellus replied, motioning for Kieth to follow.
Inside, Kieth was surprised by how organized the space was. He had expected clutter, but the books and documents were neatly arranged.
Zuniver picked up the papers from Arcellus, scanning through them. "Yeah... it exists. But there's no location listed. And no clear instructions on how to activate it, either."
Kieth frowned, his frustration boiling over. "Wait, no location? Then where am I supposed to find it?"
"Calm down, kid," Zuniver said, scratching his head.
Zuniver finished his sentence with a sharp tone. "The location depends."
"Depends?" Arcellus asked, intrigued.
"Yeah," Zuniver replied. "From what it says, it's like a vortex—a frequency, sort of like a radio."
Kieth perked up at the mention. "Wait... radios exist here?"
Arcellus frowned. "What's a radio?"
Kieth glanced between Arcellus and Zuniver, confused. Zuniver sighed. "Kid, I'm also from Earth. Judging by your reaction, yes, 'radio' is a word only Earthlings use."
"You're from Earth?" Kieth asked, startled.
"Was," Zuniver clarified. "I reincarnated. And no, I didn't come here through the vortex—I died and woke up in this world. And just so you know, you're not the first otherworlder to show up here."
Kieth's shock deepened. "What…?"
"I've got machines powered by magic that let me see the whole continent without moving. I've seen otherworlders like you. I only noticed you because Arcellus asked me to look."
"Thanks for that," Arcellus said with a small smile.
"Don't mention it," Zuniver muttered, looking away.
"So, what's like a radio about it?" Kieth asked.
Zuniver leaned back, arms crossed. "The vortex emits a frequency. Only people with highly sensitive mana can track it. And those people? They're usually really strong. The vortex is drawn to them."
"In simpler terms?" Kieth pressed.
"The vortex is with the strongest person in this world."
A tense silence filled the room.
"How the hell am I supposed to figure out who that is?" Kieth asked, exasperated.
Zuniver shrugged. "How would I know?"
"Can't you use your all-seeing machines?" Kieth's voice edged with frustration.
"Not that easy," Zuniver replied.
Arcellus, lost in thought, finally spoke up. "Well... the strongest person in our kingdom should be the king."
"Nope," Zuniver interrupted. "The strongest person is in Thelaria."
Arcellus raised an eyebrow. "How can you be so sure?"
"Most otherworlders end up heading there. Three went recently. If the vortex is here, it's in Thelaria."
Kieth narrowed his eyes. "And where in Thelaria?"
"The castle," Zuniver said plainly.
"The castle?" Kieth echoed.
"The royal palace," Arcellus clarified. "But how do we even get there?"
"It'll take time to arrange carriages," Zuniver said. "And it won't be cheap."
Kieth thought for a moment before stepping toward the door. "I'll figure something out. I'm leaving now—"
Zuniver grabbed his shoulder, his expression darkening as he stared at the door. "Wait. Who's there?"
Arcellus immediately grew cautious, his hand inching toward his weapon. There shouldn't have been anyone there without Zuniver knowing.
The door creaked open, and Kieth's heart froze. Standing there was a figure draped in a veil.
"You..." Kieth whispered, breathless. Serel clung to his side, frightened by his reaction.
"Lady Komain?" Zuniver asked, his tone cautious but familiar.
She nodded, stepping into the room. "You're right, Zuniver," she said softly.
Arcellus and Zuniver relaxed, though Kieth remained tense.
She turned to Kieth. "Kieth, is it?"
He nodded hesitantly.
Lifting her veil with an arm that lacked a hand, she revealed her face. "I'm sorry," she said. "I misjudged you."
Kieth frowned. "Misjudged me? You accused me of killing someone important to you. Who was it?" he stammered.
"Forget it," she replied. "I came to tell you—the vortex is with Malric."
The room fell silent.
"Malric?" Kieth asked, stunned. Isn't Malric dead? I read Aldric killed him. And since Evelyn killed Aldric, she should be the strongest. He thought.
Komain shook her head. Her voice wavered as she spoke. "No... Malric. He's the strongest being to ever walk this world. Aldric couldn't have defeated him. It was the gods who killed Malric."
Zuniver leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Please, elaborate."
"Aldric once destroyed this world," Komain began. "No one remembers because the gods remade it, erasing all traces of its destruction. But they only did so to defeat Malric. Even after the world was remade, Malric survived—alive within the very concept of oblivion, where nothing should exist.
"The gods had to erase him entirely. Had Malric regained his senses, he wouldn't have just destroyed the world. He would've undone the concept of oblivion itself. He's a madman, unbound by any rules."
"Wait," Kieth interjected, "but you said Malric was killed by the gods. Does that mean the vortex is with them?"
Komain shook her head. "No. It's in the royal palace, just like Zuniver said. Malric already knew about the vortex. Since he had no use for it, he entrusted it to the royal palace, placing it in one of its chambers."
Arcellus interrupted, "Miss Komain, if the world was destroyed and you knew about it, doesn't that mean you also survived? Doesn't that make you the strongest?"
"No," Komain replied. "I didn't survive. I was also erased, like everything else. But I received memories of it due to my link with the planet."
"Link with the planet?" Kieth asked, intrigued.
"There are certain people connected to the planet," Komain explained. "These individuals are like guardians. They are empowered by the planet itself and can draw on near-infinite energy in situations where the planet faces collapse."
Kieth was stunned by the revelation. Though Komain claimed she was erased, he could tell she was likely the strongest being on the continent now.
"So, was Malric also lin—" Arcellus began, but Komain cut him off.
"No, he wasn't linked to the planet. I don't know why."
"Well, that doesn't matter," Komain said, waving dismissively. "You should go. Use your status as a guest of the queen as an excuse to travel to Thelaria.
Kieth paused, surprised but not pressing further. "Thank you," he said, turning to thank Zuniver and Arcellus before heading out.
As he reached the door, Komain stopped him. "Wait. I'll send you directly to the surface."
She stepped forward and removed her veil, revealing a stunningly beautiful woman who appeared to be in her 40s. Kieth could tell she must have been even more breathtaking in her youth. Though curious about her lack of hands, he chose not to pry.
Komain whispered a few words and tapped both Kieth and Serel on their chests. She looked at Kieth, her voice softer. "I'm sorry for making you see a nightmare you hated. Your mind still resents it. I truly am sorry... I thought you killed my s—" She stopped abruptly, shaking her head.
"Wha—" Kieth began, but before he could finish, he found himself standing in front of a carriage. Serel was sleeping in his arms. Without hesitation, he told the driver to take them back.
---
Back in the treehouse, Arcellus, Zuniver, and Komain remained.
"Miss Komain," Arcellus asked, "will Kieth be able to leave this place and return home?"
"Yes," Komain replied. "He will leave this place. But whether he reaches his home... I don't know."
"What?" Arcellus pressed.
"The vortex is a miniature universe—or perhaps something even greater," Komain explained. "It contains an infinite number of worlds. Finding his own among them is nearly impossible. All you can do is pray."
Zuniver, who had been quiet, turned to Arcellus. "Hey, Arc, why did you help him without any real reason?"
Arcellus smiled faintly. "Oh, I had my reasons."
As Kieth reached the manor, he rushed straight to the queen's room. Handing the sleeping Serel to Paulina, he knocked briskly.
"Come in," Raphenia's voice called out.
Bursting through the door, Kieth exclaimed, "RAPHENIA, TIME TO SHOW YOUR ART SKILLS TO YOUR HUSBAND!"
Startled, she stared at him, wide-eyed. "But... I haven't gotten good yet!" she stammered.
"Oh, that's more than plenty good," Kieth said, waving off her concerns. "What matters is the heart and soul you poured into it. I'm sure he'll love it. And besides, he's going to Thelaria. Let's go! C'mon, pack up!"
Raphenia hesitated, clearly nervous. Yet, a part of her longed for Veliern's appreciation. She blushed lightly before nodding. "Alright," she said softly.
The entire manor was thrown into chaos as preparations for the queen's sudden departure began. Servants scrambled to ready the carriages, and Kieth couldn't help but smirk at the commotion he'd caused.
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