After having a meal with Ithia and Ayla, they proceeded to spend time together.
I am now back at my office, where I have organized the scroll and books regarding the tasks that need to be addressed in the area, as well as those that I will attend to soon, as we are going to the Victoria Academy today.
What Ithia mentioned was similar to what both my father and Azalea, my mother, had said.
It appears that I have grown accustomed to accepting everything. If I do not accept everything, it will only worsen and linger in my mind.
While lost in my thoughts, someone suddenly entered - it was my sister.
"Rin, how do you do?" she greeted while smiling, making her way towards me and embracing me.
"I'm doing well, how about you? Where is Istera?" I asked with a smile as I reciprocate the hug, and we let go of each other and she proceeded to go straight to the couch and sat down.
"I'm fine. ...She is already in the dormitory of Victoria Academy. Rin, please do not mind her." Her smile disappeared, and a serious expression took its place.
"Y-Yes."
I hope they are not quarreling.
"Is everything alright? You seem upset."
"...It's just that our brother wishes to marry the enemy."
She is still upset because of the situation? It is likely a characteristic of her personality as Asen tends to get angry easily and reflects on the things that provoke her anger. This is how I perceive the situation.
I observed her quietly and sat beside her, and we remained in silence. Unexpectedly, she laid her head on my shoulder, prompting me to lean my head against hers.
"Asen, I empathize with your feelings and suggest that we simply accept his wish. Overthinking this situation will only result in more pressure and ultimately a waste of time, as it is not directly of concern to you."
"I am aware that everything holds equal significance. However, the place we cherished has been destroyed."
"Yes, indeed, the place we hold dear has suffered destruction. However, we also witnessed the events and discovered the underlying causes. ...Every event happens for a purpose. Therefore, please take care of yourself and avoid thinking about this matter."
"I understand. I will avoid thinking about it, Rin. Thank you," she replied with a smile, "Speaking of the Orion Empire, I haven't informed you about the individuals I apprehended."
"I have been anticipating the update. You reported it to our father first, didn't you?" I inquired, and we both shared a chuckle.
Suddenly, a person entered the room; it was the royal secretary. Sena noticed us and greeted us with a smile.
They approached us, and Asen reciprocated her greeting while I proceeded towards the office and took a seat on the chair.
The secretary is dressed in formal attire, presenting himself as a mortal. Initially, he expressed his desire to reside in Arcadia land, but shortly thereafter, he mentioned his aspiration to become a royal secretary.
As we exchanged glances, I observed his white hair, red eyes, and red eyebrows. Additionally, he appeared to be in his middle age and sported mustaches.
"Your majesty, Prince Fort conveyed a message from me to you. He suggests that he wants to discuss the matters with you after the event at Victoria Academy. Furthermore, I have already completed the assigned task concerning the location," he informed me while Asen and Sena conversed nearby, seated by the coach.
"I understand. Thank you for relaying the message and for completing the task. I will investigate further. I appreciate your dedication and kindly remember to take some rest," I responded with a smile.
"It is my honor, and I will faithfully follow your leadership," he replied as we locked gazes. He seemed to have anticipated my order to leave and return to his office.
"Please have a seat and refer to me as Rin," I requested politely.
In the group of middle-aged individuals, priority should be given.
"Rin, as you prefer," he said before settling onto another couch.
Considering my elevated status, I presumed he would decline my request.
The significance of titles superficially matters, thus I must remove the hierarchical structure in Arcadia Land to ensure a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, where all individuals are treated equally.
I took the time of organizing the books and scrolls, a task that consumed many hours, to provide him with a sense of respite.
The person before me goes by the name Estion, a nobleman he shared, however, I refrained from inquiring about his reasons for residing in Arcadia Land to avoid being disrespectful. However, since we are in the office, may I express my thoughts freely?
"...Why did you choose to live in Arcadia Land? I apologize if I seem intrusive, I'm just curious. I want to emphasize that I am not suggesting you should leave, please don't think too much about my question," I calmly expressed, maintaining eye contact as I ceased organizing the books and stood upright.
"Rin, your thoughtfulness and concern for others has been noticed. From the moment I discovered Acadia Land and visited it promptly, it became evident to me that you prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone." He expressed this sentiment with a smile, which made me feel a deep sense of familiarity, as if I were conversing with my grandfather from a previous lifetime. It makes me happy.
"...To be honest, I relocated to this place because I believed it to be devoid of any harm. ...There are still menacing creatures lurking beyond the cardinal directions." Now, with a serious demeanor and a touch of sadness, he shared this information and we fell silent for a moment upon hearing his words.
"...Pardon me, but could you please clarify what you mean?" Sena inquired.
"Beyond the west lies a realm where mortality is preserved, a realm that falls outside the boundaries of the cardinal directions," he elaborated. The revelation stunned us, leaving our eyes widened in disbelief.
My heart raced, and I directed my gaze downward, attempting to regain composure.
I struggled to understand how this could be possible. I had always believed that the regions beyond the west were encompassed within the cardinal directions.
...Is it not just the mystical power that I am seeking, but also the cardinal directions?
"Could you kindly inform me of the specific type of monster it is?" Asen inquired.
"It is a Rogue, a black monster," he responded.
"A Rogue, the black monster? Are you sure it is not a shadow monster?" I sought clarification. Neither the Rogue, the black monster, nor the shadow monster are included in the game, and this is my first encounter with them.
...Am I once again contemplating about the game? No, this is not a mere game, but rather an alternate world, at least that is my interpretation. I must cease contemplating about the game.
I have also accepted the reality of this world. In my previous world, there existed powers solely in the realm of games, not in reality. In other words, people did not possess any extraordinary abilities, but martial arts exists, and guns.
The world was normal, everything was normal.
However, why do these power names exist? They are mere letters and definitions, assembling sentences, names of powers that are not put into use in the real world; they only exist within the game.
Then this world is believed to originate from powerful beings and possesses their abilities, essentially making it a parallel world.
This is the extent of my knowledge on the matter.
"I am aware of that. A friend of mine also mentioned it; there seems to be a monster, so it's was a Rogue, black monster."
"...You have been aware of this all along, Asen?" I said after thinking.
"Rin, even the soldiers from the NUA Association confront these monsters when fighting them. This knowledge has been passed down by my grandparents."
"You actually met our grandparents?"
"Yes, I met them when you were still a baby and you were peacefully sleeping."
Asen said, and we fell silent for a moment. I noticed Sena chuckling softly.
Indeed, it is true that babies sleep peacefully; it is an instinct.
"I-I understand. Thank you for informing me, Asen. I am eager to meet them as well... Estion, could you please provide us with all the details?" I asked, and he nodded.
"Estion? What is your full name?" Asen asked with surprise evident in her voice.
"I am Estion Gil Nerius."
"I see. What a coincidence. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am a friend of your granddaughter," she said, bowing. It did elicit a sense of panic and a smile from him when he heard about his granddaughter.
"Princess Asen, please raise your head. ...I see. Fìne has a good friend. Well, you see, we have also been concerned about her, the distance that she keeps from us is quite peculiar."
"That's strange, but she continuously assures me that she loves all of you and has even shared details about her own life."
"I'm happy to hear that, and perhaps I will make the first move to approach her."
Sena and I are just observing and listening to the current atmosphere.
"Estion, would you like to clarify if the black monster is the same entity as the shadow monster we have been discussing?"
"I too am curious about that. The shadow monster, when it comes in contact with a person of any race, transforms them into shadow monsters. They appear suddenly, seemingly originating from places with sparse populations." Sena explained.
"...The black monster is not identical to what all of you have mentioned. It possesses horns, whereas the shadow monster does not. However, the shadow monster does have black ears and eyes and glowing mouths. Additionally, they have ghost-like legs and feet, allowing them to hover instead of walking. It differs from the appearance of the black creature known as the Rogue. It lacks ears and instead has glowing eyes and a mouth. The creature possesses a humanoid body and is genderless, with its entire body being black and adorned with horns. When we come into contact with the black monster, we will not become like them, it is not the same as being one of them. There are different types of black monsters, some capable of causing earthquakes while others employ weapons and rain ash to bring about the death of people, among other things."
The serious revelation left us speechless, our shoulders sinking in shock.
"...However, there is an inherent capability within us. A mystical power that is available for all to harness," Sena stated.
"The world does possess power, although not all mortals are strong enough to wield it. Some perish immediately upon coming into contact with this power, while others possess only a moderate level of mana and are unable to tap into mystical abilities. Instead, they rely on grimoires. However, it is important to exercise caution with grimoires as reciting them incorrectly can lead to speechlessness and illness, with mortals being at a higher risk of death."
I am aware of the Grimoire, and it is indeed considered dangerous.
"However, the NUA Association provides us with protection through their orders to soldiers and the guardians of the sacred elements."
Guardians?
"...Are you referring to the concept of a sacred element?"
"Yeah, the guardians I mentioned earlier are not guardians of a deity but rather guardians of the elements."
"Rin, this is what I wanted to inform you earlier. The prisoners I captured claimed that their leader is connected to one of the sacred elements," Asen recounted.
"I see. ...I have only recently heard about the concept of sacred elements."
"Naturally, this topic is quite common and well-known, as it encompasses the cardinal directions.
"Then, will the sacred element not be heard in the cardinal directions? Instead, will the sacred elements be heard beyond the west where mortals reside?" Sena questioned, she nodded in response.
"These elements are considered sacred, as they were the first to be accessed by humans and played a crucial role in attaining mystical powers."
What I find intriguing is that this person speaks with utmost seriousness and confidence, without any hesitation.
Perhaps it's because he has lived in this world for a significant amount of time? It appears evident that he is an old man. I feel the need to consult him further and gain more knowledge.
"...Estion, does this mean that the mystical power is exclusive to certain races? And the sacred element is exclusive to only humanity?"
"Yeah."
I had a feeling that this was the case. He possesses extensive knowledge. I am grateful for his guidance, as it confirmed my suspicions.
"Estion, is it possible for me to grant you immortality?"
I desire for him to live a lengthy life, and I also sense that he has no desire to pass away, considering his relocation to Arcadia land.
"...Rin, are you being serious?"
"Yes, I am earnest."
"Then, I agree."
He rose from his seat and approached me. I took his hand to connect our auras, closing my eyes.
「Eternal Life」
Zoomm
A dense white light emanated from my being, completely engulfing us. As time passed by, the light gradually dissipated.
I opened my eyes and was astonished to witness his rejuvenated appearance.
"...Rin, I appears to have regained my youth," he said while smiling as he examined his rejuvenated skin.
"Thank you, Rin. It feels as though I am back to my teenage years. I am overwhelmed with happiness. I am indebted to you!" he exclaiming expressed his gratitude, and he continued to smile while absentmindedly scratching his white hair.
"I do not wish for you to feel indebted to me. I am simply glad to assist. By the way, would you like me to grant your wife immortality as well?"
"Certainly, I agree. In that case, I will make arrangements to visit the Nerius Empire. May I take leave from my duties? And can I bring her along?"
"Of course, and do not forget to bring a knight with you," I replied with a smile.
"As you wish," he said swiftly, rushing to the door and stepping outside.
"That was truly remarkable. The brightness and radiance... Rin, you are one of the─" Asen began to say but stopped herself.
"Asen?"
"I just want to ask about the nature of your capabilities."
"I harnessed them through the use of Arts. Did you not witness me utilizing them before? When we were returning from our mission in Ueno."
"...I understand. I had previously perceived your actions as mere pretense. Rin, I'll leave now, as I desire to converse with our parents as well as Ithia and Ayla."
"Yes, I'll see you later," Asen nodded, and Sena spoke to her before departing.
I derive pleasure from having the power of Immortality, because my intention is not for immediate death, but for the whole world to attain immortality. This is a more desirable result.
"Rin, I have also come here to inform you of something," she said, as I took a seat beside her.
"What is it?"
"My mother disclosed to me that mystical powers are attained through sacrifice. The sacrifice is an apostle of the gods and also one of the chosen ones. If we seek to grasp the historical context, we must seek assistance from the deity's guardian," she spoke with a grave expression and a tinge of sadness on her face.
"...Sena, w-what's his name?"
"Unfortunately, my mother's information consisted only of this secretive revelation, without mention of any names."
This news weighed heavily on me.
After having a meal with Ithia and Ayla, they proceeded to spend time together.
I am now back at my office, where I have organized the scroll and books regarding the tasks that need to be addressed in the area, as well as those that I will attend to soon, as we are going to the Victoria Academy today.
What Ithia mentioned was similar to what both my father and Azalea, my mother, had said.
It appears that I have grown accustomed to accepting everything. If I do not accept everything, it will only worsen and linger in my mind.
While lost in my thoughts, someone suddenly entered - it was my sister.
"Rin, how do you do?" she greeted while smiling, making her way towards me and embracing me.
"I'm doing well, how about you? Where is Istera?" I asked with a smile as I reciprocate the hug, and we let go of each other and she proceeded to go straight to the couch and sat down.
"I'm fine. ...She is already in the dormitory of Victoria Academy. Rin, please do not mind her." Her smile disappeared, and a serious expression took its place.
"Y-Yes."
I hope they are not quarreling.
"Is everything alright? You seem upset."
"...It's just that our brother wishes to marry the enemy."
She is still upset because of the situation? It is likely a characteristic of her personality as Asen tends to get angry easily and reflects on the things that provoke her anger. This is how I perceive the situation.
I observed her quietly and sat beside her, and we remained in silence. Unexpectedly, she laid her head on my shoulder, prompting me to lean my head against hers.
"Asen, I empathize with your feelings and suggest that we simply accept his wish. Overthinking this situation will only result in more pressure and ultimately a waste of time, as it is not directly of concern to you."
"I am aware that everything holds equal significance. However, the place we cherished has been destroyed."
"Yes, indeed, the place we hold dear has suffered destruction. However, we also witnessed the events and discovered the underlying causes. ...Every event happens for a purpose. Therefore, please take care of yourself and avoid thinking about this matter."
"I understand. I will avoid thinking about it, Rin. Thank you," she replied with a smile, "Speaking of the Orion Empire, I haven't informed you about the individuals I apprehended."
"I have been anticipating the update. You reported it to our father first, didn't you?" I inquired, and we both shared a chuckle.
Suddenly, a person entered the room; it was the royal secretary. Sena noticed us and greeted us with a smile.
They approached us, and Asen reciprocated her greeting while I proceeded towards the office and took a seat on the chair.
The secretary is dressed in formal attire, presenting himself as a mortal. Initially, he expressed his desire to reside in Arcadia land, but shortly thereafter, he mentioned his aspiration to become a royal secretary.
As we exchanged glances, I observed his white hair, red eyes, and red eyebrows. Additionally, he appeared to be in his middle age and sported mustaches.
"Your majesty, Prince Fort conveyed a message from me to you. He suggests that he wants to discuss the matters with you after the event at Victoria Academy. Furthermore, I have already completed the assigned task concerning the location," he informed me while Asen and Sena conversed nearby, seated by the coach.
"I understand. Thank you for relaying the message and for completing the task. I will investigate further. I appreciate your dedication and kindly remember to take some rest," I responded with a smile.
"It is my honor, and I will faithfully follow your leadership," he replied as we locked gazes. He seemed to have anticipated my order to leave and return to his office.
"Please have a seat and refer to me as Rin," I requested politely.
In the group of middle-aged individuals, priority should be given.
"Rin, as you prefer," he said before settling onto another couch.
Considering my elevated status, I presumed he would decline my request.
The significance of titles superficially matters, thus I must remove the hierarchical structure in Arcadia Land to ensure a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, where all individuals are treated equally.
I took the time of organizing the books and scrolls, a task that consumed many hours, to provide him with a sense of respite.
The person before me goes by the name Estion, a nobleman he shared, however, I refrained from inquiring about his reasons for residing in Arcadia Land to avoid being disrespectful. However, since we are in the office, may I express my thoughts freely?
"...Why did you choose to live in Arcadia Land? I apologize if I seem intrusive, I'm just curious. I want to emphasize that I am not suggesting you should leave, please don't think too much about my question," I calmly expressed, maintaining eye contact as I ceased organizing the books and stood upright.
"Rin, your thoughtfulness and concern for others has been noticed. From the moment I discovered Acadia Land and visited it promptly, it became evident to me that you prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone." He expressed this sentiment with a smile, which made me feel a deep sense of familiarity, as if I were conversing with my grandfather from a previous lifetime. It makes me happy.
"...To be honest, I relocated to this place because I believed it to be devoid of any harm. ...There are still menacing creatures lurking beyond the cardinal directions." Now, with a serious demeanor and a touch of sadness, he shared this information and we fell silent for a moment upon hearing his words.
"...Pardon me, but could you please clarify what you mean?" Sena inquired.
"Beyond the west lies a realm where mortality is preserved, a realm that falls outside the boundaries of the cardinal directions," he elaborated. The revelation stunned us, leaving our eyes widened in disbelief.
My heart raced, and I directed my gaze downward, attempting to regain composure.
I struggled to understand how this could be possible. I had always believed that the regions beyond the west were encompassed within the cardinal directions.
...Is it not just the mystical power that I am seeking, but also the cardinal directions?
"Could you kindly inform me of the specific type of monster it is?" Asen inquired.
"It is a Rogue, a black monster," he responded.
"A Rogue, the black monster? Are you sure it is not a shadow monster?" I sought clarification. Neither the Rogue, the black monster, nor the shadow monster are included in the game, and this is my first encounter with them.
...Am I once again contemplating about the game? No, this is not a mere game, but rather an alternate world, at least that is my interpretation. I must cease contemplating about the game.
I have also accepted the reality of this world. In my previous world, there existed powers solely in the realm of games, not in reality. In other words, people did not possess any extraordinary abilities, but martial arts exists, and guns.
The world was normal, everything was normal.
However, why do these power names exist? They are mere letters and definitions, assembling sentences, names of powers that are not put into use in the real world; they only exist within the game.
Then this world is believed to originate from powerful beings and possesses their abilities, essentially making it a parallel world.
This is the extent of my knowledge on the matter.
"I am aware of that. A friend of mine also mentioned it; there seems to be a monster, so it's was a Rogue, black monster."
"...You have been aware of this all along, Asen?" I said after thinking.
"Rin, even the soldiers from the NUA Association confront these monsters when fighting them. This knowledge has been passed down by my grandparents."
"You actually met our grandparents?"
"Yes, I met them when you were still a baby and you were peacefully sleeping."
Asen said, and we fell silent for a moment. I noticed Sena chuckling softly.
Indeed, it is true that babies sleep peacefully; it is an instinct.
"I-I understand. Thank you for informing me, Asen. I am eager to meet them as well... Estion, could you please provide us with all the details?" I asked, and he nodded.
"Estion? What is your full name?" Asen asked with surprise evident in her voice.
"I am Estion Gil Nerius."
"I see. What a coincidence. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am a friend of your granddaughter," she said, bowing. It did elicit a sense of panic and a smile from him when he heard about his granddaughter.
"Princess Asen, please raise your head. ...I see. Fìne has a good friend. Well, you see, we have also been concerned about her, the distance that she keeps from us is quite peculiar."
"That's strange, but she continuously assures me that she loves all of you and has even shared details about her own life."
"I'm happy to hear that, and perhaps I will make the first move to approach her."
Sena and I are just observing and listening to the current atmosphere.
"Estion, would you like to clarify if the black monster is the same entity as the shadow monster we have been discussing?"
"I too am curious about that. The shadow monster, when it comes in contact with a person of any race, transforms them into shadow monsters. They appear suddenly, seemingly originating from places with sparse populations." Sena explained.
"...The black monster is not identical to what all of you have mentioned. It possesses horns, whereas the shadow monster does not. However, the shadow monster does have black ears and eyes and glowing mouths. Additionally, they have ghost-like legs and feet, allowing them to hover instead of walking. It differs from the appearance of the black creature known as the Rogue. It lacks ears and instead has glowing eyes and a mouth. The creature possesses a humanoid body and is genderless, with its entire body being black and adorned with horns. When we come into contact with the black monster, we will not become like them, it is not the same as being one of them. There are different types of black monsters, some capable of causing earthquakes while others employ weapons and rain ash to bring about the death of people, among other things."
The serious revelation left us speechless, our shoulders sinking in shock.
"...However, there is an inherent capability within us. A mystical power that is available for all to harness," Sena stated.
"The world does possess power, although not all mortals are strong enough to wield it. Some perish immediately upon coming into contact with this power, while others possess only a moderate level of mana and are unable to tap into mystical abilities. Instead, they rely on grimoires. However, it is important to exercise caution with grimoires as reciting them incorrectly can lead to speechlessness and illness, with mortals being at a higher risk of death."
I am aware of the Grimoire, and it is indeed considered dangerous.
"However, the NUA Association provides us with protection through their orders to soldiers and the guardians of the sacred elements."
Guardians?
"...Are you referring to the concept of a sacred element?"
"Yeah, the guardians I mentioned earlier are not guardians of a deity but rather guardians of the elements."
"Rin, this is what I wanted to inform you earlier. The prisoners I captured claimed that their leader is connected to one of the sacred elements," Asen recounted.
"I see. ...I have only recently heard about the concept of sacred elements."
"Naturally, this topic is quite common and well-known, as it encompasses the cardinal directions.
"Then, will the sacred element not be heard in the cardinal directions? Instead, will the sacred elements be heard beyond the west where mortals reside?" Sena questioned, she nodded in response.
"These elements are considered sacred, as they were the first to be accessed by humans and played a crucial role in attaining mystical powers."
What I find intriguing is that this person speaks with utmost seriousness and confidence, without any hesitation.
Perhaps it's because he has lived in this world for a significant amount of time? It appears evident that he is an old man. I feel the need to consult him further and gain more knowledge.
"...Estion, does this mean that the mystical power is exclusive to certain races? And the sacred element is exclusive to only humanity?"
"Yeah."
I had a feeling that this was the case. He possesses extensive knowledge. I am grateful for his guidance, as it confirmed my suspicions.
"Estion, is it possible for me to grant you immortality?"
I desire for him to live a lengthy life, and I also sense that he has no desire to pass away, considering his relocation to Arcadia land.
"...Rin, are you being serious?"
"Yes, I am earnest."
"Then, I agree."
He rose from his seat and approached me. I took his hand to connect our auras, closing my eyes.
「Eternal Life」
Zoomm
A dense white light emanated from my being, completely engulfing us. As time passed by, the light gradually dissipated.
I opened my eyes and was astonished to witness his rejuvenated appearance.
"...Rin, I appears to have regained my youth," he said while smiling as he examined his rejuvenated skin.
"Thank you, Rin. It feels as though I am back to my teenage years. I am overwhelmed with happiness. I am indebted to you!" he exclaiming expressed his gratitude, and he continued to smile while absentmindedly scratching his white hair.
"I do not wish for you to feel indebted to me. I am simply glad to assist. By the way, would you like me to grant your wife immortality as well?"
"Certainly, I agree. In that case, I will make arrangements to visit the Nerius Empire. May I take leave from my duties? And can I bring her along?"
"Of course, and do not forget to bring a knight with you," I replied with a smile.
"As you wish," he said swiftly, rushing to the door and stepping outside.
"That was truly remarkable. The brightness and radiance... Rin, you are one of the─" Asen began to say but stopped herself.
"Asen?"
"I just want to ask about the nature of your capabilities."
"I harnessed them through the use of Arts. Did you not witness me utilizing them before? When we were returning from our mission in Ueno."
"...I understand. I had previously perceived your actions as mere pretense. Rin, I'll leave now, as I desire to converse with our parents as well as Ithia and Ayla."
"Yes, I'll see you later," Asen nodded, and Sena spoke to her before departing.
I derive pleasure from having the power of Immortality, because my intention is not for immediate death, but for the whole world to attain immortality. This is a more desirable result.
"Rin, I have also come here to inform you of something," she said, as I took a seat beside her.
"What is it?"
"My mother disclosed to me that mystical powers are attained through sacrifice. The sacrifice is an apostle of the gods and also one of the chosen ones. If we seek to grasp the historical context, we must seek assistance from the deity's guardian," she spoke with a grave expression and a tinge of sadness on her face.
"...Sena, w-what's his name?"
"Unfortunately, my mother's information consisted only of this secretive revelation, without mention of any names."
This news weighed heavily on me.
