354. [Phase 4: Hall of Trust Cleared!!]
354. [Phase 4: Hall of Trust Cleared!!]
***
"Rin, I have never once denied the words you gave me... not for a single moment. The path you proposed was the right path, and it was the path I chose. I can say with certainty that I have never once regretted it."
Cecilia's cry, carrying such overwhelming conviction, struck Serin straight in the chest.
"..."
The eyes that met mine held a will so immense it seemed impossible to believe they belonged to Cecilia, blazing like fire, and even the grip on my hand was unlike her, clutching me tightly.
Her cry, as if determined to completely correct a misunderstanding, was unmistakably sincere. There was not the slightest trace of anything to doubt.
It was a sight I had rarely witnessed even across the long journey of the past.
After delivering her words, Cecilia stared at me with such intensity that I found myself gazing into those red eyes as if spellbound, unable to take any action, as though overwhelmed by her presence.
As if Cecilia possessed some irresistible power, as if she had cast a spell, I could only stare blankly.
How much time passed after that? Ironically, the first to look away was not me.
I had been overwhelmed by Cecilia's presence, unable to offer any reply, simply staring blankly.
Cecilia slowly withdrew her gaze from me.
Turning her eyes back to the surface of the lake, she spoke in a deliberately calm tone.
"...I understand what doubts, what confusion you carried when you came to see me. And I believe the answer to that has now been clearly conveyed to you. I would ask that you take your leave for today."
At her weary tone asking me to leave, I finally made up my mind.
The strange emotions surging in my chest. Cecilia's sincerity, which I could only now truly understand. Somehow, I had to convey at least a small answer to it.
Because that would be the smallest courtesy I could offer Cecilia, who had opened her heart to me like this.
Even as I slowly parted my lips, I hesitated at this very moment... I couldn't believe it myself.
When was the last time I had said something like this? And I had never imagined I would say it now.
"Thank you for telling me that. Cecilia."
Forgetting even my formal speech, I ended up conveying the words in a trembling voice.
If I didn't say at least this much, I didn't know how else to respond.
"..."
At that, Cecilia, who had been gazing at the lake, flinched visibly enough to notice.
Watching her, I unconsciously let a smile slip out.
The confusion I had felt just moments before. The regret over not properly thinking about the past. It felt as though my heart, which had seemed about to sink into an endless abyss, had been saved by the princess.
The princess, who had trembled slightly, still did not turn her gaze to me.
"...I do not know who planted such thoughts, such confusion in you... but to hear such words from you. It is not an unpleasant feeling."
Cecilia continued in a voice trembling no less than my own. I watched her, as if engraving the sight into my memory, and slowly stepped away.
Rustle.
Even as I slowly moved my feet, I felt a pang of regret at leaving the space where Cecilia was. But my heart felt lighter than ever.
"I shall guide you."
As the attendant bowed and began to lead the way, I followed, taking in the space of the annex.
I looked around the annex more carefully now, committing the scene to memory so I would not forget it.
The preciousness of this moment. So that I would not forget this feeling I was experiencing.
The meeting with Cecilia had certainly been brief.
I had not managed to say any of the things I had planned to say before meeting her, and instead had heard words I never expected.
But Cecilia's words held meaning beyond measure for me.
After falling into the real world. The many emotions she was only now properly recognizing about the past.
There was regret and lingering attachment in parting from her like this. There were more things I wanted to say, and I wanted to have a more honest conversation with her.
Even so, I vaguely sensed that it was impossible.
Because the numbers positioned at the edge of her vision had changed.
*
————
【Phase 4 Clear Condition: Earn the trust of key figures of the Grandelia Empire (2/3)】
————
*
Sua and Yujeong. One of the two had fulfilled the clear condition. The moment the remaining one completed the quest, this space would vanish. I could vaguely predict it.
Like a fleeting dream. Just like when I had suddenly fallen into the real world and been forced to deny everything. It would simply disappear.
So I actually felt afraid of staying in this space any longer. Because if I suddenly vanished from here, it would throw them into confusion...
Rustle.
When I had drawn close to the exit before I knew it, I turned my head one last time.
'When will I be able to see her again?'
I took in the sight of Cecilia once more, gazing at the surface of the lake.
The golden hair that framed her seemed to shine as if it held stars within it, and draped in luxurious gold-threaded garments, she radiated a presence that would draw everyone's eyes.
Cecilia's appearance was surely the same as when I had first entered the annex. Yet now, the Cecilia reflected in my eyes looked different.
Enough to make me feel anew what the caliber of her very existence was.
Cecilia, despite clearly feeling countless emotions, was not swayed by them.
She held conviction, with a resolute will.
She could carry out that will, and she could manifest her presence through it.
And yet she had told me, with certainty, as if swearing, that she did not regret anything.
Compared to the Cecilia of the past, who had seemed to simply comply with my will, she looked like a different person.
Cecilia, who had ascended to the throne as Empress at the end of the past. Even that version of her seemed to have a weaker presence compared to the Cecilia I saw now. Because even that version had not left as strong an impression on me as the one reflected in my eyes now.
As I watched her for a moment, Cecilia must have sensed my gaze. As she slowly turned her eyes to look at me, I instead avoided her gaze and turned away.
If they kept meeting eyes... it felt like she would be left with an immense lingering attachment.
Biting my lip hard, I quickened my pace.
"Your Grace..."
The attendant hesitated, seeming to glance toward the princess far away. But soon, reluctantly, she began to follow me.
Even as the exit drew closer, I could not help but feel an indescribable emotion.
The fact that she didn't know when she would be able to face her again.
Had it ever felt this frightening before?
In Black Ark, I had tried to isolate myself, rejecting everyone who approached. And yet the one who never let go of me until the end had been Cecilia.
When I completed the main story. Even at the moment I realized I couldn't return to my original world, I hadn't properly looked at her...
And now... I couldn't deny that I felt emotions completely different from back then.
Clunk.
As the door slowly opened, I pushed the thoughts away.
"Your Grace."
Facing Leira, who had been waiting, I acted as my past self and walked out calmly.
...
Afterward, she spoke to Leira as if checking on various aspects of the current situation, and was able to obtain several pieces of information from her.
The core information among it was special, but not special.
The past I remembered, and this place, could be considered completely identical in their major course.
But that alone made me feel relieved.
If that was the case, then this place would also head toward the same ending. At the very least, I could be certain of Cecilia's safety.
During our conversation, Leira showed a slightly suspicious, puzzled attitude. But even so, she didn't voice any questions to me.
When we arrived at the inner chamber where I was staying, Leira quietly disappeared.
Clunk.
Even as I slowly closed the door and entered the room, the princess's image and words seemed unwilling to leave my mind.
As I was quietly composing myself, my gaze drifted to one side of the inner chamber.
It was the place where the tools for writing letters and recording were laid out.
"...I have to convey my feelings."
Struck by a sudden thought, I headed there.
It wouldn't take much longer for this Phase 4 to end. Probably thirty minutes at most.
Before then, I had to convey at least a little of what I was feeling now.
For the sake of my past self, who would exist in this place again after I disappeared.
...
Only a few minutes had passed since I began writing in a way only I could recognize.
Ding!
*
————
[Phase 4: Hall of Trust Cleared!!]
Hall of Trust clear rewards have been generated!
【Phase 4 Clear Condition: Earn the trust of key figures of the Grandelia Empire (3/3)】
Continue to the next phase?
[Y / N]
————
*
A clear notification appeared at the edge of my vision.
"..."
Staring at it, I deliberated... then left one final message and touched the hologram.
***
"Yujeong, still, compared to the previous difficulty, isn't this a relief?"
"Right. Compared to before, Phase 4 was strangely easy. Since we suffered earlier, maybe it's compensating us belatedly here..."
Sua and Yujeong chatted lightly.
Whoosh!
When a cluster of pure white light appeared at one side of the space, the two women stopped talking and their eyes lit up in unison.
When the light faded and a woman revealed herself, Sua and Yujeong quickly approached her.
Snow-white silver hair, and a deeply subdued expression—Serin.
Sua felt a little worried at the sight, but quickly called out to her.
"Serin!!"
Serin, turning her gaze at the loud voice, soon gave a faint smile.
"Sua."
Relieved to see Serin calling her the same as always, Sua brightened with a smile for a moment. Then she quickly spoke up.
"Serin. Hurry and turn on the stream!"
At that, Yujeong burst out laughing.