Chapter 4 - Part 4 (Book 1 - Fantasy World)

Managing to pull herself together and not be drawn to the women, who seemed like succubus with how they pulled at her thoughts, Valessandria took a deep breath before she ordered, "Identify yourselves!"

Slowly the fog that had grown in her mind began to fade as she started to put things together.

Valessandria's eyes went back to the carriage. She noticed how well-designed it was, the material far better than what anyone she knew would use. Even nobles would have a difficult time commissioning someone to build such an expensive vehicle. Such a carriage came from the entrance where the Empire was approaching the Kingdom on a night that a strange structure appeared.

This was on top of the likely noble ladies that emerged.

As Valessandria tried to piece everything together, a leg emerged from the carriage to indicate another passenger.

Valessandria's eyebrows raised, seeing the three women bow to the person. Just from the leg, she could determine that the outfit was designed for a man.

As the man stepped out of the carriage, revealing himself, Valessandria felt even more confused. Aside from the outfit, which was more elaborate compared to what the women wore, the man's face and build were average. She didn't recognize anything about him that would indicate how women of such pedigree would acknowledge him as their social superior.

The man had medium lengthed brown hair with brown eyes, though his facial features were foreign. Valessandria tried to think of any nations that had similar people but failed.

But the fact that such a man with such a plain facial appearance was accompanied by elite women made Valessandria cautious.

"Who are you, and where did you come from?!" Valessandria raised her voice.

The woman with the sheer fabric and lewder outfit compared to the other women frowned at Valessandria's tone. If looks were able to kill, she'd have been incinerated immediately where she stood. Feeling the killing intent, her brow became wet with sweat.

Instead of answering her, the man raised a hand like some dog trainer commanding his pet to stand down.

The man smiled at Valessandria.

As though someone had walked over her grave, Valessandria shivered. Though the smile was childish, the man's eyes looked far older than he appeared.

Valessandria raised her guard, no longer thinking the man was some simple noble accompanied by beautiful women.

He bowed slightly, "You may address me as Yi. These women are employed by me."

Hearing the man's name, Valessandria was further convinced that the man wasn't from the Kingdom. The name Yi wasn't one she had heard before. But, at the same time, she hadn't heard of anyone else called by such a name in any of the nearby nations. If it was a family name, it was one that no one on the continent on this side of the desert would've heard before.

This made Valessandria feel a little calm, though it raised more flags in her mind. It was enough for her to not raise her visor -- though she had a sense that her armor would offer protection from any of the mysterious people, let alone the monster.

"What business do you have here?" Valessandria asked.

The man may not be part of the Empire, but it didn't mean he had any legitimate business in the Kingdom.

"I am sure you, like the villagers, are concerned about the invasion force," Yi continued showing an unsettling smile. "But you have no need to concern yourself about such matters. They have been dealt with."

"His eyes and that smile," Valessandria didn't enjoy how the man made her feel, like some child that had stepped into something far beyond her comprehension. "What does he mean about no longer needing to worry about the Empire's forces?"

The man calmly stood there as though waiting for something. Then as if remembering, he asked, "You mentioned something about an Academic City?"

Valessandria tried to ignore the feeling that she was a rodent being played by a cat, only alive due to keeping the interest predator's interest.

“Wait!" Valessanria attempted to gain some control of the conversation. Things felt too much like she was dancing on the man's palm. "What do you mean I don’t need to worry about the soldiers? Where did they go? Did they change directions and head to another town or village?!” Her voice raised slightly in pitch.

After the last question and what she knew about the Empire and Leaf village, Valessandria started to hope that the Empire had changed targets to some other nearby village.

The chances that the Empire would change targets at the last moment wasn't something she believed, even for a second. Compared to other villages, Leaf Village was a significantly large one that had a steady stream of merchants. It was even possible that after some time had passed, the village would be upgraded to a town or a small city.

Leaf Village may not necessarily have the resources to defend against the Overflow. Still, Valessandria imagined that it had a higher chance of survival than those nearby.

The implication that the soldiers changed their minds was beginning to be preferable compared to what she sensed was the case. Valessandria's eyes were again drawn to the pyramid looming over her as though hiding the truth of what had occurred, deeming her unworthy of knowing.

Valessandria's mouth went dry upon reaching her own conclusion, not wanting to even consider the idea due to how horrific it would be to give them form. The thoughts were like the incomprehensible depths of a massive ocean, hiding nightmarish knowable beings waiting to be invited into their world. Locking them inside her mind without acknowledging them was best for the moment.

"I assume you will need to verify the situation yourself. And after you gain something akin to an answer to your question, I imagine you will need more responses for the additional questions that will undoubtedly emerge from deep within your subconscious." Yi's eyes pierced into her soul as though already aware of the growing tendrils of fear slowly branching throughout her mind.

Talking to the young noble made Valessandria feel as though she stood at the edge of a cliff, the waves below crashing against the rocks and waiting to embrace her into their frigid depths. At any moment, the edge could crumble, and she'd fall into the inky void.

"It has been quite a journey for me. After you find your answers and desire more clarity, I will be resting in the nearby inn. Ask the woman at the counter, and I assume someone will lead you to my quarters." The man slightly tilted his head, apathetic towards the idea of being dismissed by her.

Turning back towards the carriage, Yi casually entered without bothering to look at her as though already knowing they would meet again before the night was over.

The three other women followed after their employer, only the last woman with red should-length hair turning her head to look at Valessandria. The glare given by the woman was all the warning Valessandria needed, fully aware of what would happen if she were to cross the young noble.