Ars Paulina.
Finding myself in the Mirror of Souls, I looked into the soul of the goddess, who was staring blankly into space, and now I could see a certain essence inside her. The power of the world had been cut off by the actions of the Noble Phantasm, and if that was the case, then...
I reached out my hand and was about to pull out and catch the essence for study when it began to move. Apparently, this caused the goddess herself to grab her head sharply, as if in severe pain, and one of her eyes ceased to express emptiness.
A few seconds later, a small sphere glowing with green light flew out of the goddess's cracked body and tried to escape, but I quickly grabbed it with chains and pulled it toward me.
The sphere, acting as a transmitter and containing the will of the world, naturally tried to break free from my hands, stretching and contracting, but it couldn't, because here I was the one who ruled everything.
- "So, once again, what have I done to deserve such treatment, world-kun?" I asked with a smirk, studying the sphere. "I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"
The answer to my words was silence, which, however, did not last long.
- "You are interfering, otherworldly one," came a monotonous voice, surprisingly feminine, from the sphere.
Interfering? Interesting, interesting. The world is doing something, and my actions, which consist only of helping Olga and developing my influence in Eldonia, are somehow hindering it? Heh.
- "And how, world-chan? I didn't do anything wrong, did I?" I giggled. "Why don't we talk it out and resolve our differences?"
- "Go back where you came from, otherworldly one," the sphere continued, completely ignoring me. "Or you'll face the consequences."
- "Oh? Are you threatening me?" I asked with an extremely cute smile. "You know, I can get serious, and you definitely won't like it."
- "Go back, otherworldly one, or you will face the consequences," she repeated, clearly not paying any attention to my words. "This is your last warning."
- "Oh, how scary," I giggled. "Then let's see what you can do."
And with that, I crushed the sphere, realizing that we would not come to an agreement, and then looked up to meet a rather calm gaze with hints of intrigue and concern.
- "Well, shall we get acquainted?" I smiled and relaxed on my throne. "I am Romani Archaman, Magician. And you?"
- "Serafina Renatus, reincarnation of the goddess Lorendo," she replied after a couple of seconds. "And... I apologize for the inconvenience. Like you, I don't understand the motives of this world, and I tried to resist and even received a warning that something like this would happen, but I never thought it would turn out... like this."
- "I'm actually glad things turned out this way," I shrugged, then froze. "Wait. 'Warning'? Don't tell me you heard it from some old codger with gray hair, red eyes, fangs, and a disgusting sense of humor and style."
- "That's... Your words are surprisingly accurate," she replied, causing my eyebrow to twitch.
- "Tsk. Well, of course it was that bastard," I said, rubbing my temple, then waved my hand, causing Serafina's body to return to normal. "I suppose that was uncomfortable for you. There's no point in holding a grudge against you, since your body and mind were under control, but I'd like to hear what that bastard said, as well as your thoughts on the whole situation."
-0-
Some time later.
- "Hmm..." I muttered as we left Ars Paulina and found ourselves at the foot of the castle.
So, Serafina hadn't told me anything new, really. She also didn't know why the world wanted to get rid of me.
As it turned out, she was occasionally plagued by thoughts that I was the sworn enemy of this world, a destroyer who would bring about the end of the world, and that was why she had come here from the Holy Kingdom, located west of Eldonia, to see for herself. Of course, reality did not match the world's verdict, and we would have simply had a conversation, but the world intervened. Heh.
As for Zelretch, he simply appeared before her and gave her some extremely vague parting words, which was typical of him, and that was all. And, of course, he mentioned me, telling Serafina to form her own opinion of me rather than relying on the words of the world.
Serafina, of course, didn't take him seriously, because this overgrown mosquito had "borrowed" the Seed of the Sacred Tree located in the Holy Kingdom. I suppose that's why "he" had to intervene, although it seemed to me that I was missing something.
- "I apologize for not being able to give you an acceptable answer," Serafina said with a slight bow.
- "It's all right, that bastard always does something like this, and what's most infuriating is that it's almost impossible to punish or kill him," I sighed. "In any case, it was a pleasure talking to you, unlike Celestine. If you ever want to visit me, you are welcome."
- "Don't be so hard on Celestine, Lord Romani. She has always been gentle and forgiving because she sincerely believes in humanity," Serafina shook her head.
- "Yeah, right," I rolled my eyes. "Except that she openly rules Eostia, unlike you. You operate from the shadows, but you are also capable of thinking clearly and assessing situations without prejudice."
- "I suppose that's true," she sighed. "In any case, are you sure this won't happen again?"
- "I'm sure," I nodded and glanced at Serafina's neck, where a pendant with a six-pointed star hung. "The divinity contained in the pendant will not allow the world to take control of your body again. And if it does, I'll know immediately and come to your aid."
- "Thank you," she smiled and glanced around the city. "The world is wrong about you. Under your leadership, Eldonia has entered a new era. Poverty, corruption, and hunger used to flourish here, but now everything has changed. The faces of the children, like those of the rest of Eldonia's inhabitants, are lit up with smiles and confidence in the future. And it's all thanks to you, Lord Romani."
- "It doesn't take much to be happy," I shrugged. "When a person knows that death won't take them at any moment, their life becomes so much easier and freer."
- "You are wise, and I am glad I met you in person," Serafina said softly. "It's time for me to go back. Before I do, may I make a request, even though I already owe you my life?"
- "Go ahead."
- "Will you help Celestine?" she began, raising an eyebrow. "I heard about your bet, and she even took a couple of countermeasures, but her lands still faced this challenge. She needs support, which I, unfortunately, cannot provide due to ancient laws. But they do not apply to you, since you came from another world. And therefore..."
- "Heh. Hardly," I smiled, gently interrupting her. "As you said, she is too soft and kind, even to the point of weakness, and that is why she NEEDS to go through something like this. Yes, many will suffer, but it will be an investment in the future. A strong ruler means a strong people, and vice versa, and Celestine... Heh. She's no good. At all."
- "But..."
- "Besides, I'm not obligated to help her, am I?" I continued, causing her to fall silent and lower her head slightly. "However, when the moment comes that Celestine realizes her own foolishness, I am prepared to lend her a helping hand, though not for free."
- "If you need anything, I..."
- "No, no, no, the payment is not from you, but from her. After all, it's her problem, isn't it?"
- "That's... I suppose you're right. Again," Serafina sighed defeatedly. "Farewell, Lord Romani. I hope we meet again in the future."
- "Yeah, me too," I nodded, and she set off.
Well, again, she was pleasant to talk to. She was more mature, more level-headed, and more skilled than Celestine. It was like comparing an adult who had seen the world to a child who had just started school.
In any case, I now have a clear goal. The world wants to get rid of me, and I'm genuinely curious as to what exactly I've done to it. Heh.
- "Sir!" I suddenly heard a familiar voice, clearly belonging to Mistiora, and turning my head, I saw her running towards me with the king. "Sir, are you all right?! I was so worried!"
- "Oh, how sweet," I giggled. "If it were that easy to get rid of me, I would have left this world long ago."
- "I... I'm glad you're not hurt..." she said with a smile on her face, running up to me and clearly wanting to hug me, but not daring to.
- "Me too... my lord..." croaked the king, whose clothes were completely soaked with sweat.
- "Yeah," I sneered and waved my hand, and within seconds the castle was completely restored. "Let's go back. I need to think about..."
But I didn't finish, freezing in place, and then a smirk appeared on my face.
- "Sir? Is something wrong?" Mistiora asked, confused.
- "It seems the time has come," I said and looked at the elf, who tilted her head to one side. "So, it's time to make a choice, Mistiora. Now or never..."
-0-
A/N: How's the chapter? Give us your opinion. You may well be able to influence future chapters.
My P.a.t.r.e.o.n: P.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m/mirzael
You'll be able to read more chapters there.