'Is she the guest?' Aldric wondered, glancing towards the window. He was curious about what held her attention. But before he could process the scene, she turned her head toward him.
The moment Aldric's eyes met her blue, impassive gaze, his body tensed as a cold chill ran down his spine. He instinctively took two steps back.
'What was that?'
She showed no intention of oppressing him, yet he had never felt more intimidated. She seemed not only dangerous but also the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
He wasn't certain if this was just an effect of regaining his sight. But for now, that was his impression. He would need to see many more people to be sure.
Out of fear, he avoided staring, only catching occasional glimpses of her.
With every second together with her, he grew more disturbed and restless.
She gestured for him to sit. The only other chair was placed directly in front of her. So reluctantly, he was forced to sit face-to-face with her.
"Do you feel discomfort? The urge to flee? Don't let it overly concern you." Her soft, low voice was a reminder that despite her intense presence, she was still a young lady and human. It calmed him slightly.
He gave a little nod.
Sitting closer, Aldric noticed small details he had missed in his initial tension.
Not a single item on the table was out of place.
The ink bottle was perfectly centered beside a dip pen. The papers were aligned so precisely that no edge protruded. Even her chair looked as if it had been painstakingly adjusted to match the room's symmetry.
White, spotless gloves covered her hands, matching her dress and flawless skin.
Even the air here felt purified—a clear contrast to what he had been breathing.
Aldric swallowed quietly. Now he understood why they allowed him so much time to clean up. Who knows what would've happened if he came here looking filthy.
Her eyes remained on him, aware of his scrutiny, but she said nothing.
She leaned back slightly, folding her hands. "What you felt earlier–what you still feel now–is special."
Aldric blinked. "W–What do you mean?"
"It's a type of instinct, similar to how newborn animals recognize predators. But yours is not a mere survival instinct. It is something more… divine."
Aldric frowned. He was clearly confused. But he had an idea of what she could be talking about. "Divine? You're mistaken. I'm not one of you. I'm a normal person." His voice remained low as they conversed.
Her expression changed slightly due to surprise. "So, you know about us. About this other side of reality?"
"Yes," Aldric replied nervously. "Honestly, I–I was told to avoid people like you."
"By who?" She asked.
"A friend. But I don't know where he is."
Aldric quickly added the last part without being asked. He couldn't afford to drag someone into his mess. But still, he was telling the truth.
"I see. But that would no longer be possible. You have now become a divine vessel." Her blue eyes locked onto his briefly, which would have made him more uncomfortable. But the shock from her words dulled the sensation.
Aldric stared, stunned. His heart raced, and his mind struggled to catch up.
A divine vessel?
Him?
Should he be happy? Terrified? Confused?
All three collided at once, leaving him frozen.
"But… how? From what I know, signs of divinity manifest in adolescence. I've never experienced anything like that, and I'm past that age."
Aside from his blindness, he had lived normally. It was a very harsh life, yes, but it was still comparably normal to other things out there he'd heard of. So why now?
"That's correct," she said. "That could only mean that you were a sleeper."
"A sleeper?" he repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
She sighed imperceptibly, wondering why someone like her was explaining such trivial things to a suspect. But she had volunteered to come, so she continued.
"Sleepers are rare individuals whose affinity for divinity remains dormant through and beyond the natural awakening period. For most, it stays dormant forever. But some break past that limitation—usually after a strong emotional or physical trauma."
Aldric nodded, slowly digesting her words. So he had been a sleeper all along…? Then what was the strong emotional or physical trauma he underwent?
Was it regaining his sight, or the young girl Alice, and the woman? Maybe both. But he barely knew them. It made no sense.
"So…" Her voice cut through his thoughts. A dangerous glint flashed in her eyes as she leaned forward. "Tell me; how did it feel when you killed them?"
'No! You have it all wrong!'
Shocked, Aldric tried to respond, but his mouth opened soundlessly.
He didn't know if he was being cautious or simply had nothing to say. He had nothing to prove his innocence. Only words.
The world blurred for a moment. But he had to compose himself.
"I didn't do it. Please… you have to believe me."
Silence followed. She stared at him with emotionless eyes, as though searching his soul. Then, a series of questions followed.
"If not you, then who?"
"I don't know."
"How did you end up in the room?"
"I don't know."
"Do you have any idea what led to it?"
He thought carefully, but in the end, all he could do was shake his head and repeat the same words. "I—I do not know."
She stayed silent for a full minute, completing her assessment. Aldric had no idea what she was thinking. He could only hope for the best.
"You may leave," she said, turning her gaze back to the window.
'What!'
Hearing this didn't ease Aldric at all. "What will happen to me?" he asked, frowning slightly
Her eyebrow twitched slightly.
In the next instant, Aldric felt something warm slide over his upper lip.
'Huh?'
He lifted a hand and brushed beneath his nose. When he pulled his fingers back, they were smeared with red.
Blood? How?
This was a clear warning. He had to tread very carefully. For that he needed to use his brain.
'I'm being tossed aside,' he realized. He would simply be sent back to that cell to rot or possibly be killed.
He still felt frightened by her presence, but he could not let things end like this.
Begging was not an option. He had long since learned never to rely on the kindness of others.
His fingers twitched as he desperately tried to think of a way out. Sweat formed across his forehead, his heart pounding. His eyelids pressed against each other.
Seconds quickly went by.
Then suddenly… an idea.
He swallowed hard, mustering all the courage he could.
"If I may," he said, his voice quiet but steady. "I wish to involve the Order in my case."
Countless groups, guilds, and organizations existed in the world of divinity, each with its own origin, beliefs, and goals.
Above them all stood one:
The Order— an organization that maintained balance and enforced law.
It worked with the royal family, handling all matters of divinity. Under normal circumstances, he would never have dared to involve them. But now that he had awakened, he could.
With their resources, investigating this case would be simple.
If he were guilty, a swift death would be an act of mercy. But since he knew he was not, this was his only chance.
The lady turned toward him again. An unreadable expression masked her face.
'Did I make the wrong move?' he wondered.
"You misunderstand," she said softly. Slowly, she removed her white glove, revealing an image on the back of her palm. A crest which he immediately recognized. "The Order does not wait to be summoned. We are already here."