Chapter 4 - 4 - Olivia’s Realisation

Chapter 4: Chapter 4 - Olivia's Realisation

The only natural source of light, Gaia's first rays, fell on the Blue Star, dispelling the darkness as they reached one of the many continents: Heindal Continent.

Heindal, a continent often deemed the weakest on Blue Star, possessed a certain enchantment. Its landscapes ranged from lush, sprawling forests to towering mountain ranges and vast plains, each holding a unique beauty.

Yet, beneath this natural allure lay an air of mystery. How, despite being labeled the weakest, had Heindal not succumbed to destruction?

Why were the inhabitants of this continent seemingly unaware of external existences?

All of these enigmas pointed toward formidable forces at play, guarding Heindal from the shadows and veiling it in secrets.

In the midst of this varied terrain lay Selvius Kingdom, a realm that stood as the undisputed powerhouse of Heindal.

However, the rise of this kingdom was as swift as it was perplexing, orchestrated by an unseen force. This enigmatic transformation left the origins of the kingdom shrouded in ambiguity, an unsolved puzzle in the Heindal Continent.

At the heart of this kingdom's mystique was the reigning monarch, Queen Alisia Von Selvius. With her proclamation as queen, what was once a scattering of smaller realms merged into a formidable entity — Selvius Kingdom.

The mere fact that there was no Selvius Kingdom until her proclamation added to the intrigue.

Within the heart of Selvius Kingdom, a vast and grand palace stood, bathed in the gentle embrace of Gaia's morning rays.

The soft sunlight streamed through the palace windows, illuminating a room where an ethereally beautiful woman sat with poise.

Her face, a portrait of serenity, was graced by amber eyes that held a calm like a tranquil lake. In her hands, she delicately held a letter, engrossed in its content.

In the presence of this woman, three individuals knelt on the ground, a display of reverence and respect.

The air around them seemed to ripple with a dark, oozing aura, shrouding the room in a dense haze of mana as they awaited her response. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

One of them, breaking the silence, spoke, "Princess, Master awaits a reply this time."

Alisia paused in her perusal of the letter, glancing at the man who had spoken, contemplating whether to send a reply or not.

Suddenly, all four individuals turned their attention towards the door of the room, sensing an incoming presence.

In a swift motion, the woman set aside her contemplations, adorned with a graceful smile, and moved swiftly towards the door and subsequently all three shadows vanished into thin air.

"Phew... Mother," Ryuk took a deep breath, attempting to steady his racing thoughts before entering the room and calling out to her.

"Kughh!"

Alisia grabbed him, pulling him into a warm embrace. Ryuk, startled at first due to his anxious state, soon found comfort in his mother's arms, reminded of how she always cared for him.

Alisia's eyes widened in concern before relaxing as she felt Ryuk's hands reciprocating the embrace. With motherly affection, she caressed his hair and spoke gently, "Did my child have a nightmare?"

This conclusion was drawn from the fact that it was the first time he hugged her back; usually, he would try to push her away.

[Host, three people are hiding inside the room, but none of them show any hostility.]

'Is mother hiding something from me?' Ryuk contemplated, but it didn't matter to him as he knew he could trust her. Perhaps one day, she would reveal the truth.

For now, he decided to step back.

Ryuk shook his head in response to her question, then hesitated before speaking, "Mother, I need some money."

Alisia looked at her son, not entirely understanding why he needed so much money. However, she didn't inquire further, trusting her son completely—a testament to the strong bond between them.

She called for her aide and instructed him to provide Ryuk with two million gold coins, twice the amount he had asked for.

This didn't surprise Ryuk; he knew his mother well and her willingness to support him.

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.

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'I need kill points,'

Finally, I had the opportunity to meet him. He had been rejecting all my attempts to meet him. This was unusual.

Could it be that he had memories too?

I dismissed the thought, believing that even if it were true, he would forgive me, as he always did, right?

I sprinted towards the exit of the palace, seeing a line of carriages waiting. Finally, I thought, I can apologize and reconcile, act cutesy, and all will be well.

Like always, he would forgive me, hehe~.

"Wait, brother!"

I ran towards the carriage, calling out to him. Maybe he hadn't heard me. No! The carriage was moving. Had he not noticed me?

THUD

"Oww... it hurts."

My legs ached, perhaps he had noticed me falling. I looked at the disappearing carriage, uncertain if he had seen. Biting my lips, I rejected the help of the maids and made my way back to my room.

I knew that when he found out I had been hurt, he would definitely come running to help me, just like he always did.

// A Past Memory //

In the garden, a young girl giggled as she playfully chased a stubborn butterfly, her laughter filling the air.

"Her Highness, please be careful, you might fall," cautioned the concerned maids who were keeping an eye on her.

"Hehehe, I'll catch it for my brother, " she giggled and leaped, attempting to catch the elusive butterfly.

Thud

However, she lost her balance and tumbled to the ground, tears welling up in her eyes as the butterfly danced just out of her reach.

"Olivia, that's not the place for napping. If you'd like, you can rest in your room," teased a boy with amber eyes, accompanied by playful maids.

Frustrated and teary-eyed, Olivia murmured, "I hate you," without looking at the boy.

"I know you do," he grinned and scooped her up, causing her to pout.

"I hate you," she repeated, still upset.

He gently scolded, "You should take care of yourself, Olivia," as he noticed a small injury on her legs. Concerned, he asked the maids to fetch bandages and carefully tended to her wound. He continued, "What will you do if I'm not here to help you?"

Olivia, a bit defiant, folded her arms and declared, "I can take care of myself."

"We'll see," he chuckled, finishing the bandaging with a genuine smile, his eyes reflecting a sincere care for the young girl.

// Present //

"Hic...hicc... I can't take care of myself, brother,"

The small girl sobbed quietly within the confines of her room. She tended to her injuries alone, not wanting the maids to witness her vulnerable state.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, the pain from her injuries stinging both physically and emotionally.

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The carriage continued its journey towards the Goddess Frey Church, accompanied by a retinue of soldiers, drawing the attention of onlookers.

'System, purchase a slave seal,' Ryuk spoke, his mind focused on planning ahead, considering the events that needed careful consideration to avoid any potential problems.

THUD

The carriage came to an abrupt stop, causing his brow to furrow.

Ryuk was interrupted from his thoughts by a soldier reporting, "Forgive me, Your Highness. A girl suddenly jumped in front of the carriage and seemed to be c-cursing...