~Chapter 126~
They say when something is too absurd, you lose all words—and that was exactly right.
…How could anyone be this shameless?
The relief I’d felt moments ago vanished, leaving only question marks in my head.
Hah. Maybe I should at least be thankful—he cleared my head of useless thoughts.
― Hah-hah! Don’t mention it.
That wasn’t a compliment!
I had no idea where to even begin pointing out the problems.
But then a shadow fell over me, and I quickly closed my eyes.
I could faintly hear Idette’s voice. If it really was her, she was probably asking how I was.
I felt something supporting me, but the more distorted her voice grew, the less it sounded human.
― Adventurers exploring the unknown always feel fear.
That was when Arkan began speaking softly.
― I am the adventurer’s guide—their compass.
His words steadied me enough to force my eyes open.
Idette’s face was broken into fragments, no longer even resembling a person—
…at least, not to me.
Behind her, Penny was running toward me, her face just as distorted.
This is insane.
Yet it seemed I was the only one seeing things this way. Otherwise, their faces would have looked strange to them too.
“I-I’m fine. You two go on ahead.”
I managed to speak and slipped away, almost fleeing. I thought I was walking slowly, but my breath came short after only a few steps.
Their footsteps behind me echoed like a swarm of buzzing bees.
I didn’t want them to realize I was afraid of them.
It’s me. I’m the one who’s strange.
…But what exactly was wrong?
Because I wanted to stay by Ricardo’s side—was that what was strangling me now?
I desperately tried to reason it out, but only bitter self-reproach came back.
Then Arkan, as if reading my mind, spoke again.
― All I can do is show the adventurer the path. And at the end, there’s a good chance the answer you seek will be there.
…I don’t even know the answer myself. Would walking the path change anything?
― May I ask you one question?
My stomach churned, and I stopped in my tracks.
“…What is it?”
― If an adventurer on a voyage encounters a giant monster, what do you think they feel?
I don’t know… scared?
― Correct!
― They don’t blame themselves for starting the adventure. And my advice is always the same:
His voice carried a hint of laughter.
― Fear is natural. So instead, blame the monster that was living there all along!
― Then, once you’ve done that, you can think calmly and move forward. Facing it head-on is the only way to overcome.
…Unexpectedly useful advice.
Just as I thought that, Arkan continued without giving me a chance to breathe.
― So, have you finished blaming yet?
“I haven’t even started…”
― Great! I’ll wait then!
I rubbed my face with my hand in disbelief. In that instant, he asked again:
― And now, my lady?
“….”
― Ah, so you’ve finished! Then let me give you the next piece of advice.
Normally, his one-sided chatter would make me sigh, but this time, I only nodded silently.
Just hearing Arkan speak like normal made me feel calmer.
And yes… it actually helped.
― Your condition will not improve.
…Ugh.
“…Thanks.”
― No thanks needed. It’s my duty!
― There was a time when I lost sight of your path. I judged it was because your goal was too uncertain.
“….”
― Ah, but it wasn’t without reason! I’m an excellent guide, after all.
“…Just get to the point.”
― Yes, yes. Someone has entered the library.
At that, my brows furrowed.
― Please, soften your expression…
“No, I’m not angry. I’m just concentrating.”
― Ahem. After checking, it seems that person tampered with the timeline. The flow of time has slowed down compared to the rules.
For a moment, I thought I misheard.
Slowed down? What does that mean…
― In other words, the world you’re seeing is moving slower than your own time. A time difference has formed.
“…!”
― Since you follow the rules of time from where you originally lived, it’s only natural.
My head spun.
This was worse—far worse—than I imagined.
Praying it was just a dream, I bit my inner cheek hard. But nothing changed.
Maybe Arkan noticed my confusion, because he added,
― Don’t expect that you’ll be able to help with what’s coming.
He must mean Ricardo’s situation.
― If you do, you’ll lose the name of Bianca. More and more people will begin to feel you’re “not of this world.”
…So that’s it.
The reason Ricardo and Idette can still see me normally is because they recognize me as part of this world.
But if I act against the flow of time, suspicion will grow.
― But this isn’t the point you should focus on!
His tone was almost congratulatory.
― All worlds flow at the same speed along the timeline. But if one flows differently, what happens then?
At that, one possibility struck me.
It could connect with the world I came from.
Which meant—I might be able to go home.
The moment I grasped his meaning, Arkan’s cheerful voice rang with approval.
Clap, clap!
― Congratulations! You’ve accidentally found a shortcut.
― This must be what people call “a miracle of God”! A blessing discovered by chance, worthy of such a name.
…To call this luck?
But I couldn’t deny it. The old me would have said the same thing—that the god who threw me into this world had finally come to their senses.
I stared at my toes, then spoke carefully.
“…But isn’t this not the path you wanted?”
Arkan had asked me to change the records. To go to the library.
Sure enough, he chuckled softly, as if seeing through me.
― Shouldn’t that be a question you ask yourself, my lady?
“…Yeah. You’re right.”
Maybe I was asking myself.
Whether I truly wouldn’t regret it.
Blankly, I blinked, then let out a laugh.
“Is there another path besides the shortcut?”
― For example, what kind of path?
“The long way around. Even if it takes much longer, that’s fine.”
Arkan’s voice lit up.
― That’s not what a perfect guide should say! But for an adventurer, no experience could be better.
― You’ll see sights you’d miss on a shortcut. I promise you’ll enjoy it, my lady.
Afraid I’d change my mind, his words tumbled out in a rush.
“You don’t have to convince me. I won’t change my mind.”
― I know, I know.
His cheerful voice buzzed in my ears.
This has never happened before.
Just as that thought passed, the voice that had only ever existed inside my head suddenly rang in my ears—as if he were right beside me.
And then—
Crash!
The fractured world around me shattered completely.
