For the next few minutes after I saw the exit, neither Uriel nor I exchanged a word. There was a lot I had to take in: my transmigration, my abilities, the fact that I, a lazy man, had become the final boss on his way to godhood, and the fact that I was nearly immortal. Honestly, all of that was far too much.
Then, there was the entire power system and structure of this world. If I was planning on living peacefully, I had to commit it to memory. The ranks of mortals, the ranks of strangers, the ranks of artifacts which went from grade 4, grade 3, grade 2, grade 1, and finally, special grade, with each being equivalent to two mortal ranks. Lastly, there was the world's overall structure and politics. I was the heir of a Duke, so I would take an active part in it.
First was the continent I was from, Àvalor. It was located in the east of the planet and was roughly the size of the entire Earth, with about two-thirds of it being danger zones. The habitable area was ruled by the emperor, while nobles governed various regions. Other smaller kingdoms also existed within it, some under the emperor's control, others independent.
This was also the case with other continents: Babylon being the largest, Korinth the smallest having the most conquered land, and Antarctica having almost none.
'Knowing my life will revolve around danger zones just makes me want to die a second time.'
But it was fine. All I had to do was stay away from places like Antarctica and live within my own territory or Korinth, perhaps even control the hero to wander around here.
'Why do I have a feeling something will drag me to Antarctica?'
I shook off the thought, fixing my gaze ahead as I stepped out of the forested area.
The cool breeze from beyond the danger zone drifted toward me, carrying the faint scent of lilac and summer. The weather wasn't particularly hot, and the sounds of birds chirping and frogs croaking echoed in my ears.
I stretched slightly, feeling relaxed after spending so long inside that damned forest. I wanted nothing more than to lie down, sleep, and do nothing, but I had to wait until I reached the Arandel territory.
"What do you mean? I don't need to explain anything. Instead, this works to my advantage since it explains how I lost my memories."
"Of course I do. If I didn't, I might've died of overload by now." I paused, thinking. 'Hey, Uriel, can you hear me?'
No response came. The reason I was trying this was because I couldn't exactly be talking out loud once I reached Arandel territory. Just because I knew the world's layout didn't mean I knew its customs. There was a high chance someone might think I was a spy or insane and have me executed.
After a moment, a voice echoed in my head.
'You can?'
I exhaled quietly. 'Well, that's a relief.'
Standing at the edge of a valley with a narrow slope and small flowers scattered across the ground, I closed my eyes briefly.
I had run several experiments with my order to test just how much pain I would feel before my regeneration activated. So far, there was none, meaning I hadn't done anything too reckless.
'This one's surely gonna hurt.'
«Let the world answer my call. From now on, I shall be able to move to any location whose name I know.»
A sharp sting pierced through my skull as I staggered backward. It felt as if shards of glass had shattered inside my head while being forced into my brain.
The cool sensation of regeneration spread through me, coating my body in its silver-blue glow. In less than a second, the pain faded, replaced by familiar warmth.
I let out a weary breath. 'I never told you to get scammed.'
Dropping to one knee, I pressed my palm to the ground. 'To Arandel main mansion.'
Silver-blue light enveloped me as my entire body turned into a streak of radiance. In an instant, I was gone.
***
[Inside the Arandel Mansion]
Within the white fortress that guarded the eastern border from the rainforest and the chain islands, a meeting was underway in the grand hall.
The castle walls and structures were milky white in color. Drones hovered in the air, and automated vacuum cleaners cleaned the floors.
In that particular dark room, illuminated by a projector casting stats and data on the white sheet against the farthest wall, seven figures sat in silence.
After a long pause, one of the men finally spoke, his huge form making the chair screech against the tiled floor. "My Lord, how is the Duchess?"
The one he was addressing was none other than the Lord of the castle and the Duke of the East, Joshua Arandel, Adrian's father.
"She…" he spoke after a moment, interlocking his fingers, "can't even stand, much less speak."
The room fell silent once more. Their lady, the Duchess, was a kind yet psychopathic woman. At the age of five, she had put acid into her teacher's cream because she hit her, and at nine, she had already killed someone.
Yet, this same woman was now crying over someone's death. Her son. Her love. Her entire life besides her husband.
One of the seven people, a woman with a striking figure, clenched her jaw. "My Lord," she pleaded, lowering her head. "Please punish me. If I had refused the young Lord's request, then…"
The woman didn't finish her words, and no one said anything, neither to punish her nor to comfort her.
Joshua opened his mouth again to speak, only for the door to burst open. A woman stormed into the room, mascara streaking down her cheeks.
"Kylie?" Joshua muttered as the woman walked toward him, a large box of tissues in her hand. The moment she reached him, she grabbed him by the collar.
"Joshua, where is our son? Where is my baby?" she sobbed bitterly, her hands trembling uncontrollably. "Why did you do this to me, Joshua? You know Adrian is my world, so…"
Joshua couldn't help but look away from his wife. "Kylie, I…"
Once again, someone entered the room in a full sprint, panting. "My Lord and Lady, haah…"
Everyone turned to the young man in a butler's suit as he caught his breath. "My Lady, the young master is back. He is alive."
Kylie Arandel's eyes widened, and without a word, she let go of Joshua and bolted out of the room. "My baby!"
Below, at the foot of the castle, Adrian—whom the castle had believed to be dead—had returned.