"Bye, Sasa!" Luna still couldn't hide her surprise when she realized Darren could talk to that woman. The music livening up the pop-up market echoed again, as did the people who resumed walking as before. From time to time, Luna felt pushed and realized that the game was back.
"What was that? You could talk to that woman? What was her name? Sasa? I just found out that—" Darren walked off, leaving Luna full of curiosity. "Hey! Damn it, I wasn't finished talking!"
Luna ran, trying to catch up with Darren, who ignored her even though she called out to him repeatedly. But she suddenly stopped when Luna stretched out her arm to block that man.
"What are you doing?" It was hard for Darren to hold back his smile seeing her act like a child. Sometimes angry, but more often making him nearly laugh. However, he quickly turned his face so Luna wouldn't see that smile.
"I'm still curious about how everyone suddenly stopped," Luna replied, displeased that Darren wasn't paying attention to her. "Darren?"
"Oh, Mierre-Park would look great with lots of lanterns covered in paper like this." Luna placed her hands on her hips—rather than talking to her, the man seemed more interested in looking at the lanterns. "What were you going to say?"
"First, why did everyone stop?" asked Luna.
"Second, how could you talk to that woman?" Luna asked again.
"Third—"
"Enough, it seems like your questions are too many, Luna. I'll wait over there, quickly grab all your things, and let's head to Rich's house." Luna saw the place Darren pointed to—a horse lodging not far from where she was staying.
****
"How did you know that I came from the same world as you? Did someone tell you? Or did you just guess?" Inside Rich's living room, Luna asked with such curiosity.
She even had to stand right in front of Darren, who was busy watching the bustling celebration on the first night.
"Do you remember when I saved you and your three siblings?" Luna nodded slowly, but she listened carefully to Darren's explanation. "I heard Sasa say that one player had entered the game world. At first, I thought it might be someone else, but I remembered that you were unconscious. So, I concluded that you were the one who entered the game world."
"You know what happened at that time?" Luna responded to Darren's words. Darren, who had been focused on the crowd through the living room window, turned to look at Luna standing in front of him. "I went back to my world."
"Really? Then that means we all can go back to our world?" Luna wasn't so sure either, so she didn't answer. "But I think only you and Richard have the chance to return. I've never done it myself."
"So you can't return to your world?" Luna patted Darren's shoulder gently, encouraging him. "The responsibility of being the main character is heavy."
"That's why I don't want you to return to your world," said Darren bluntly. "I'm looking for many people who could become our allies. So I think you and Richard are the right people to continue this game."
"Why are you so ambitious about finishing this game?" Luna asked seriously. Honestly, she wasn't so sure they could finish this game, which she believed would take a lot of their time.
"Because I have no other choice except to continue this game till it finishes. If there's only Richard and me, I'd struggle. But with you added to the team, I believe all the tasks will be easier to carry out." That answer sounded logical. Luna was also convinced that if she had acted recklessly earlier and killed Finn, Darren would have been in serious trouble afterward.
"But I won't help you that easily. I want a fair price. How will I get my revenge for Rhea's death?" said Luna, now folding her arms in front of her chest. "Pay me with something that can make Finn suffer."
A knock on the door made the two people in the room turn around. They could see Rich, who had just arrived home after going who knows where. Behind Rich, Darren saw Richard and Max arriving together.
"What were you doing running off to Mierre-Park by yourself, Luna?" asked Richard as he had just entered the living room.
"Just enjoying the harvest festival. Rich said the festival would be very crowded, so I decided to come," she replied.
Darren knew that someone like Luna wouldn't be open with everyone. She must have a specific reason, but judging from her behavior earlier, Darren concluded that her reason for coming here was to kill Finn.
"Did you all wait long for me?" This time, it was Richard speaking from the sofa in his own living room. Everyone moved closer, sitting on the sofa to talk. "Sorry I'm late, today was really busy because I had to handle tax payments to Mierre-Park."
"I heard this year's harvest was successful. Did the kingdom collect a lot of taxes from the farmers?" Darren asked during their conversation.
"I heard that, too. The farmers already paid taxes a week ago because King Finn had to sell some of the crops to hold the festival. I think they're having trouble managing the royal finances," said Rich before getting up again and calling a maid. "What would you all like? Coffee? Tea?"
"Rich, is there anyone among the local traders you'd recommend we talk to?" Darren asked, veering off from Rich's offer. Compared to a cup of coffee or tea, there was something more important they needed to settle immediately. "You said we all have to be careful, right?"
"Recommend?" Without Darren needing to explain, Rich knew what Darren meant. "There are a few merchants—I'll give you a list later."
"What about connections inside the palace? It sounds like we'll need their help too," said Richard before Rich's laughter echoed.
Rich, who had been standing, now sat back down to continue the postponed conversation. He leaned forward slightly, giving a signal for them all to come closer, as the discussion was about to get more serious.
"If I may ask, what happened at Narima Beach?" asked Rich.
"Finn wants all of us to withdraw from the line of succession to the empire. And now, he's planning to close the harbor at Narima Beach," said Richard, which made Rich nod slowly. "Shouldn't we give Finn a little present? Something exciting and fun."
"Why is he suddenly so ambitious to become an emperor? Weren't Finn and Emperor Alric friends in their youth?" Rich asked quietly.
"Maybe he needs a position for his child, Rich." Rich's laugh echoed again, followed by the others' laughter.
"I have a few connections in the royal court, maybe you could invite them to have some fun," said Rich.