Ripples in the Air

"The first step is to leave Deeproot Sanctum and take control of the Spirit Realm," Lirilien proposed as she rose to her feet, followed by Merite and Coletto. "From there, we would have access to every corner of Ameritia."

"To be honest… I’m not sure what to think of that idea."

"Your lordship is right… We can’t simply abandon the guard over the gates of Endalor." Lirilien crossed her arms, which accentuated the harmonious curves of her bust, and rested her cheek against her delicate hand. "But who would have imagined that the gates guarded by the sanctuary belonged to the mythical sacred city… Why didn’t my mother ever tell me?"

"Veilkeeper, there is no secret better kept than the one hidden even from your own allies," Coletto remarked.

Both Coletto and Lirilien turned their gaze toward a particular point in the room.

"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" Merite asked, intrigued. "Ah! I can keep secrets!... This time!... If I try!..."

"Wait, wait!" I exclaimed, raising my hand to get their attention. "I wasn’t talking about leaving someone behind. No matter how many secrets it may keep, I don’t want anyone risking their life to protect an empty city. Besides, there’s nothing to worry about, the barrier protecting it is strong enough… (I think)."

"It’s true that my lord is already here with us, and that is what matters most… The best choice would be to dedicate all our resources to your service. But then, what exactly is it that troubles you?" Lirilien asked.

"I don’t think I woke up in this world just to start wars left and right. Besides, aren’t the inhabitants of the Spirit Realm your own people? Do you really want to start a conflict with them?" I asked, doing my best to keep the weariness from my voice.

"You have nothing to worry about," Lirilien reassured me with a calm, confident smile. "Humans may have memories as short as their lifespan, but the spirits of Ameritia have not forgotten for even a single moment that you are our lord."

"Even though I just asked you moments ago to keep my identity a secret?"

"Of course. As long as you maintain that policy, I will be the one to take control of the Spirit Realm. But don’t worry, think of me as nothing more than another of your own limbs."

"Something tells me it’s not as simple as asking for control of everything…"

"Of course, a conflict of interests might be inevitable, but Deeproot Sanctum was already on the path to disappearing. We would have had to go through this sooner or later if we had decided to return anyway."

"My lord, the Veilkeeper, Lady Lirilien, is the legitimate heir to Queen Guindelair. For the Spirit Realm to end up under her control is only natural," Coletto stated with complete confidence.

"I’ve been saying from the start that it’s about time Lady Lirilien returned to the Spirit Realm and took the place that rightfully belongs to her," Merite added, hands on her hips and chest puffed out.

And here I was thinking the possessive urge that hits me from time to time was strange… Could it be that everyone in this world is like that? Or is it just natural in a world straight out of the Middle Ages…? Well, a fantasy version of it.

"Look… For now, my priorities are understanding my current situation, why I woke up in an abandoned city, and what I should be doing next. All these matters of conquests and claiming what’s due to each… we can deal with them later, alright?"

"Tch, boring," Merite grumbled, clasping her hands behind her head.

"Merite! How many times do I have to tell you to understand whose presence you’re in? Mind your manners!" Coletto scolded her.

"It’s alright, Coletto. To be honest, I prefer to avoid formalities, at least when it’s just us."

I’m not sure if they actually understood what I meant, but for some reason both Merite and Coletto seemed to blush slightly…

"But then, what are your intentions for the near future, my lord?" Lirilien asked, stepping closer to me. "Do you plan to focus on piecing together your memories? I would like to help you, but I don’t think anyone should see what you keep in them."

"You mean having someone use magic to get into my head? Do you think they might find something dangerous?" I asked, starting to feel uneasy.

"I only mean that some things should be known by you alone," Lirilien replied with a mysterious smile. "Besides, from what you’ve told me, I believe you have memories of countless experiences, different lifetimes, struggling to overpower each other, so to speak. A normal being couldn’t endure coming into contact with that, not even a spirit."

"Alright, let’s leave this conversation here," I said, trying not to get nervous. "In the first place, I had no plans to take any specific action about it. I’m in no rush, after all. What interests me most right now is exploring this world of fanta—this world. I won’t be able to tell exactly what has changed, but it won’t hurt to have explored it already by the time I sort out my memories. And to be honest, I miss the sky… going to the surface is my first priority."

"The surface? That’s quite far, Zendal," Merite said under Coletto’s angry gaze as if she were talking to a lifelong friend. "But don’t worry! With me by your side, nothing will happen to you!"

We’re that deep?!

"It’s not as if my master would have trouble with mere Abyssal Spawn, but of course, with us by his side, he won’t have to lift a finger," Coletto stated.

"But this is a problem…" Lirilien sighed. "If my lord doesn’t want us to take control of the Spirit Realm, the other option is to follow him in a caravan… The sanctuary’s magic has been waning for years, and in any case, without my lord, Deeproot Sanctum no longer has a reason to be."

Honestly, I’d prefer to travel a little lighter…

But just as I was about to give that opinion, the space above our heads trembled, alerting the three women, though for me it was a sensation I knew all too well.

Suddenly, a familiar glowing sphere emerged from nowhere, sending ripples through the air as if it were water, and descended toward us.

Before I could say anything, Merite had already stepped in to shield me with her body, while Coletto and Lirilien, for their part, began activating skills.

Honestly, I would have sworn Merite would step in to shield Lirilien rather than me… Ah! This is no time to think about that! I need to clear up this misunderstanding!

"Wait! Don’t worry!" I started shouting, but at that moment the light began to shine with such intensity that it engulfed all of us.

"Lady Lirilien!"

"Veilkeeper! Are you alright?!"

"What’s happening?!"

The shouts of the Stella stationed outside the room grew more and more distant, but I couldn’t focus on that. In her attempt to shield me from the light, Merite had started hugging me, and so tightly that I was struggling to breathe.

Fortunately, the pain ended with what sounded like another bump on the head from Coletto and the whimper of my protector.

"It’s incredible…" I heard Lirilien say beside me.

When I finally managed to open my eyes, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing…