The next morning...
"Umm, leader, there's soone from the stadium who wanted to see you before we left", Freya spoke to Muku a bit hesitantly. She still wasn't sure how to act in front of him or anyone else for that matter.
"Oh? Who's it?" Muku replied curiously. He could see that she was nervous.
A few words from him might have cald her down a bit, but he preferred to let it happen naturally. At so point, she'll get used to her new life. There was no need to rush it.
"It's Lisa... She found out we're leaving today after I accidentally let it slip. Which I'm sorry for. After which, she asked to help her talk to you before we left. I'd really appreciate it if you went to see her" Freya spoke, shrinking back a little when she ntioned how it was her fault that Lisa found out.
Even then, she forced herself to say what needed to be said. She and Lisa had actually beco quite good friends after Lisa apologised. She was even sad to leave her behind, but she knew which was the smarter choice. Not to ntion that she would beco quite useless if she stayed behind anyway.
"Is that so?. Okay, I'll go see her. And there's no need for you to feel guilty for letting it slip. It's not like we were trying to keep it a secret that we are leaving. It just slipped everyone's mind that we hadn't talked to the stadium won about it. So, if anything, you did a good job," Muku spoke softly to Freya while patting her head. Which he had done subconsciously after the previous day's events.
By the ti he realised what he was doing, which was only because of the frozen Freya. It was too late. As to not make the situation more awkward or seem like a mistake. He continued doing it for a little longer before taking his hand back. Then he walked away from Freya while heading for the exit.
"Are you coming or not?" Muku called out from so distance away from Freya. His voice was as natural as ever, seemingly not caring about what had just happened.
"Y-yes, I'm coming" Freya replied with a stutter while looking around her. She was making sure that no one noticed what had happened. From what she had seen in one night, Muku's pats ant a lot to the girls in the group.
So it was safe to assu that she wouldn't have a good ending if one of them had seen what happened. Luckily for her, she saw no one around. So no one must have seen anything. With a little sigh of relief, she ran after Muku. Joy filled her heart; she had just casually gotten what the others had to wait for a chance to get. So she felt really lucky.
What she didn't know was that a pair of grey eyes had noticed everything from start to finish. Fortunately for Freya, the eyes were Audrey's. Otherwise, if it was soone else, she might have gotten murdered on the spot... Maybe not literally, but she would have definitely faced so pain.
On the second floor, standing at a hard-to-see corner. Audrey looked on with a neutral face. But her eyes told a different story. There was nothing but yearning in them. Subconsciously she lifted her hand and placed it on her head before taking it back down. She then proceeded with her tasks as if nothing happened.
However, for so reason. Her heart felt weird. She couldn't place what the feeling was. However, she was certain that she didn't like it...
...
Outside the mansion...
"Speak!" Muku spoke the mont he saw Lisa, who had been waiting outside the gate.
While he had forgiven her and wouldn't do anything against her. Her terrible attitude had ruined his impression of her. Which was why he didn't bother being polite to her. Even if she ca to him through Freya who was the victim.
"I uh... Right, umm," Lisa stumbled on her words, seeing his attitude. She had expected it, but actually facing it was different from just thinking about it. However, the reason why she was so nervous was not what one would expect.
Muku just looked at her, not saying anything. While he wouldn't be nice to her. He would do what he agreed to do. Which was to listen to what she wanted to say. Not to ntion that he was also curious to know what she wanted to say. After all, the last ti he rembers seeing her, she could barely look in his direction.
"I just wanted to tell you that I was nominated as the stadium's leader. Of course, if you don't want to be the leader, I'll imdiately step down. Though before that I want you to know that I have changed my ways and will do my best to keep the base safe along with the people in it. Also, whenever you need us for anything, I will even move mountains to help" Lisa spoke clearly after collecting herself. She knew that she couldn't waste his ti for too long since he had to leave.
"Oh? Is that so? Well, congratulations then. Also, I'm sure the people at the base know what's best for them, so if they chose you then I guess they think you're good for them. I won't interfere with that. I like how you first said you'll protect the base and its people before assisting . That shows that you've really improved..." Muku spoke calmly, a lot less cold compared to when he arrived.
"Anyway, with all that said, I will forget what you did before and give you a clean slate. So the next ti we et, you better have lived up to your words. That is, of course, if a significant amount of ti has passed from now. Still, as for being helpful to . I won't believe it until I see it" Muku continued speaking without waiting for Lisa to say anything.
As he spoke, Lisa and even Freya could tell that he ant what he was saying. This was because the way he was addressing her had beco the sa as how he addressed them when they first t. It was neither friendly nor hostile. Which was great news for Lisa. It was even better than she expected.
"I will definitely do my best. If I do, leave it up to your expectations. I hope you can take us as your knights. That is my greatest wish. To fight alongside you," Lisa, who had for so reason beco knight-like responded. She didn't shy away from expressing her desires as well.
"Hhmm... Well now, how interesting. To think a person could change so much in such little ti. Still, I'll let you know. Being my knight won't be easy. However, I will promise you this. If you really can et the criteria, along with those under you. Then I will take you all as my knights" Muku replied nonchalantly.
He didn't mind tossing around a few promises to motivate her to get stronger. After all, there was no way she or the others could et his expectations... Right? He didn't even need nor want knights. Wouldn't he have to beco so kind of base leader by then?
That sounded like work! Unnecessary work too! Look at Jack, the dude couldn't randomly get up and leave. Everything he did was basically scheduled! Who'd want such a life?
Of course, such thoughts didn't stop him from promising her. He was just living in the mont.
Freya just looked on quietly. She was shocked by what Lisa said. Lisa had only told her about notifying Muku about her new position. The rest was news to her... Just like how it was going to be news to the rest of the stadium won when Lisa tells them about it later on.
Despite all that, she was happy for Lisa and the others. If they manage to prove themselves and be taken under Muku's wing. They would basically be guaranteed a better future.
It was rare to find soone as strong as him, but he was willing to even give them a chance. Hell, it was already a miracle he didn't take advantage of them like many would have done if they had his abilities.
"Thank you for giving ... No, for giving us the chance. Also, may I ask what the criteria are?" Lisa responded great fully. She even bowed down on one knee to show gratitude.
Again Muku was shocked by how she had changed so much. It was like talking to a different person who had taken over Lisa's body or sothing...
"You, the leader, have to reach Mid Rank Two while your subordinates have to reach Low Rank Two. Just ten of them reaching Low-Rank Two is enough. Do that and I will take all of you under my wing. I will likely not return here for at least three months. So you have at least that much ti," Muku spoke confidently, as he knew how hard it was to improve after that point.
With such criteria, she will fail. Then he won't have to start a random Knight battalion or whatever, which he didn't want.
"Understood. I will not disappoint you," Lisa spoke as a weird, determined light flashed in her eyes.
For a mont Muku sensed lancholy in her tone. However, as soone who wanted to get it over with as soon as possible, he didn't think too much about it. He just chalked it up to her thinking about the past...which was correct actually, just not in the way one might expect.
"Sure. Now if you'll excuse . I have things to attend to. So until next ti" Muku mostly brushed her off before turning to leave.
Freya gave a quick hug to Lisa, whispering her goodbyes before running after Muku.
Lisa silently looked at them go. She turned around to return to the stadium the mont they entered through the gate of the mansion.
"To think that's the World Ender. He's so different from the monster to co. I definitely have to change that horrible future" Lisa whispered to herself as she walked away. Pure determination blazing in her eyes. If anyone had heard her at the mont, they would have definitely been confused since what she said made no sense.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!....
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!...
As Lisa walked away, suddenly multiple whooshing sounds were heard behind her. Before she could react, more than a hundred silver swords stabbed the group in front of her. They all radiated with power.
"For your journey"
Those were the words written on the biggest sword which had also fallen closest to her. Reading those words she couldn't help but smile.
"Yes, I definitely have to change the future now"...
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