The rooftop of the furnace.
I stood there, gazing at the srizing sight of the ever-burning logs intertwined with the incessantly falling snow, lost in thought.
It had been a week since the Inquisitor's invasion. Thanks to the near-flawless strategy of the Deputy Commander and the Captain’s efforts, the residents of Londan were largely unhard. However, there were casualties within the order, and several buildings had been destroyed in the process, leading to significant resource expenditure.
But as with any hardship that does not kill, it strengthens. I firmly believed that Londan would erge even stronger from this event.
Since that day, I hadn't seen the Hunter. I tried asking around to clear up the misunderstanding, but no one had seen him. I wondered if he had left Londan, but I rembered his fondness for Agarta, so I doubted he would leave just yet. Likely, he was rely hiding from , frustrated enough to erase any trace of his presence.
It was a troubling situation.
"Raydan."
Lost in thought while watching the rooftop, I turned at the sound of a voice. It was Asti, now inhabiting the Inquisitor’s body.
"Hm?"
"You don’t look at ease."
"I need to find the Hunter soon. It weighs on my mind."
"If it’s you, Raydan, you can resolve anything."
I had given Asti her freedom so ti ago, yet she hadn’t changed her routine. Every morning, she woke up, prepared my breakfast, and followed everywhere. The only difference was that now, without the Inquisitor’s chains, she didn’t attack . Instead, she often watched with a soft smile, particularly when she greeted in the mornings.
In the past, Asti’s youthful form had allowed to affectionately pat her head. But now, with the Inquisitor's alluring physique, it was far more complicated. And as her hair gradually turned a strange shade of brown, it beca harder to convince myself that it was rely the Inquisitor’s body.
No matter her motives, Asti now called Raydan, a shift from the previous “Master.”
"Sir Tanton!"
A passing Knight spotted , eyes lighting up with delight before snapping a salute.
That, too, had beco a problem. After my recent exploits against the Inquisitor, I’d been promoted to Knight. Yet, my fellow Knights treated as if I were of a much higher rank.
The Knight lowered his salute with a beaming smile. "Have a great day, sir!"
This was starting to feel like the kind of treatnt a veteran might receive back in Arica. It occasionally sent shivers down my spine.
Ti to head to the Deputy Commander’s office and then to the library. Defeating the Inquisitor had afforded so breathing room. I had acquired her ability, absorbing pain to grow stronger. Now, I needed more information for my final target: the Giant of the Snow Mountains.
I stood before the Deputy Commander’s office, knocking gently on the door.
"Deputy Commander, it’s Raydan Tanton."
For so reason, there was no response, only strange clattering sounds coming from inside. Concerned, I grabbed the door handle.
"Deputy Commander! I’m sorry, but I’m coming in!"
"No, wait!"
"I can’t wait if you’re in danger!"
The Deputy Commander’s voice sounded frantic, but I pushed the door open, prepared for anything.
"Deputy Commander, are you—"
The scene before left speechless: an overturned chair, a pile of scattered papers, and the Commander, looking flustered with a biscuit stick between his lips, nearly atop the Deputy Commander.
"Oh."
The Deputy Commander shouted, "Enough of that look! Help get the Commander off!"
I almost wanted to back out, feeling like I had walked into a very private mont. But this was none of my business.
"Enjoy your ti together, Deputy Commander. I’ll be heading to the library."
"Stop right there!" he yelled, but I closed the door behind and left, granting them their privacy.
At the library, I went straight to the Saint, who seed curious about Asti. After explaining her situation, he looked thrilled.
"So the Inquisitor swapped bodies with the child to survive, and now the child’s soul inhabits the Foreign Entity’s body, creating a half-Foreign Entity state?"
"Yes, as you can see, Asti’s presence doesn’t cause any ntal corruption."
The Saint leapt up with excitent. "A half-Foreign Entity created this way? Incredible! I’ve never heard of such a phenonon!"
"Quiet down," the librarian scolded, prompting the Saint to sit back down sheepishly.
"Sir Tanton, would you allow to docunt this for my theories?"
"I don’t mind, but you should ask Asti first. She’s no longer bound as my maid."
The Saint looked over at Asti, who, though a bit confused, t his gaze.
"Asti, right?"
"Maid… is fine."
Asti’s quiet response caught off guard. Despite no longer wearing a maid’s uniform, she still identified herself that way.
The Saint clasped her hands in his, barely containing his excitent. "Please, may I include your story in my research? It’s a discovery that could advance humanity!"
"If Raydan says it’s okay, then yes."
I could only hope Asti would develop more self-assuredness soon.
"Fine by . It’s common knowledge among the Knights of Londan now, anyway."
The Saint nearly wept with gratitude. I shrugged it off. It was an honor for , but to others, it was likely a passing curiosity.
"Sir Tanton, what brings you to the library?"
"I’m looking for information on the Giant of the Snow Mountains."
"I have excellent resources on that! Co by tomorrow, and I’ll have them prepared for you."
It’s good to have connections. Without them, I’d be buried in books on my own.
"Thank you, Saint."
"It’s nothing compared to the information you’ve given ."
The Saint’s gratitude was almost tangible. As he turned, I noticed a heavy red aura around his lower back. It looked quite uncomfortable.
"Hold on, Saint."
"Yes?"
I placed a hand near the aura, absorbing it as he looked on, bewildered. The familiar searing pain traveled up my arm, invigorating . When I was done, the Saint stood up, moving his back with newfound ease.
"Wha—Sir Tanton! How did you do that?"
"It’s a secret," I replied, hastily leaving the library to avoid further questions. “It’s the power of Foreign Entities” wasn’t exactly sothing I could say.
Back at the Deputy Commander’s office, I found the Commander and the Deputy Commander with markedly different expressions. The Deputy Commander looked a bit sour, while the Commander seed absent-minded.
"You’re writing a whole novel in your head, Raydan Tanton," the Deputy Commander muttered.
"So you enjoyed it then, Deputy Commander…."
"Ahem! Let’s drop this subject."
Blushing, he handed a piece of paper. "I ant to tell you this before you dashed off. We have news of a rebellion."
My grip slackened as I read the words. "A rebellion? Led by the Hunter?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)