Chapter 21

Chapter 21

There was a faint rustling behind the bushes as a small shadow emerged.

“Grandmother.”

“Bianca? How long have you...”

From the very beginning, of course. It wasn’t a coincidence that the countess decided to set up for tea outside and it wasn’t for the ambiance either. Bianca had purposefully recommended the garden to her mother so that she could eavesdrop from behind the bushes. Now, it was time for some grandmother-granddaughter bonding.

“I never knew you had an ability like that,” Bianca said to the cardinal.

“Yes, well… Abilities associated with death frighten people, so I try to keep it hidden.”

“Is it true that you were so distant because I was fated to die and not because you didn’t like me?”

“I’m so sorry, my dear. I just... didn’t know if I could bear to let you go. I’ve been a terrible grandmother to you... unable to offer a single word of kindness... All because I was too afraid of a future that was never to be. You poor thing.”

“Grandmother.”

I smiled contentedly as I watched their misunderstanding clear up.

“If it’s okay with you, would you care to share some tea with your old gran?”

“Yes!”

Now seemed like a really good time to slip away. I washed down the last of the macaron with tea, but just as I was about to get up, the cardinal stopped me.

“Thank you, Ailette. We’re truly indebted to you. How can I ever thank you for what you’ve done for us?”

“Aw, that’s hardly necessary. You already gave me that beautiful necklace earlier.”

“It’s only fair that you be properly rewarded,” the cardinal insisted. “The necklace was merely compensation for a favor.”

“Really, it’s fine—” Wait, hold on a sec! Now wasn’t the time to just say no for propriety’s sake.

O, Lord Voice! Are you still listening?!

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World rushes over and asks what is the matter.⟭

Fantastic. Bureaucratic power ready for use, check.

“Well... Since you insist, I do have one small favor that I’d like to ask of you.”

“What is it?”

“I would like to tour the Vatican!”

Is this going to work? Is it really working? C’mon, this has to work!

Cardinal Cartelaya responded without a moment’s hesitation. “Your faith is truly sincere. It just so happens to be the time of year when children flock to the Vatican to be assessed. ‘Tis but a simple thing.”

A message popped up.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World marvels at your finesse.⟭

⟬«System» The Voice that Shapes the World expends plausibility to grant you a quest.⟭

⟬«Quest» High-grade herb mistaken for a weed (Difficulty: F)

Harvest [Elephantipes], the herb imbued with divine power, from within the sacred grounds of the Vatican.

Reward Upon Success: Fresh Elephantipes seedlings

Failure Penalty: None⟭

⟬«System» Do you accept the quest? (Yes/No)⟭

Of course, I’m going to choose “Yes!”

“Then let us depart together in three days’ time.”

“Yes, madam!”

With this, the conditions have been fulfilled. Now, it’s time to pull out some weeds and go meet our high-maintenance pushover of a protagonist.

✠

Later that evening, as the excitement in the castle subsided, Bianca appeared before me with a flushed face. I thought she had come to share stories about the quality time she spent with her grandmother, but she surprised me with an unexpected question.

“Allie, this isn’t your first life, is it?”

I guess she decided to take the direct approach. I suppose it would’ve come down to this sooner or later. Bianca was, after all, a quick-witted girl. And she had overheard all sorts of things during my conversation with the cardinal.

⟬The Advocate of Confidentiality is on the scene, alert for any confidentiality breaches.⟭

⟬The Advocate of Confidentiality glares down upon you.⟭

Hey, it’s a new god. Well, this is quite inconvenient. How am I going to put this? I’m going to have to be careful about what I say.

But just as I was about to open my mouth, Bianca pressed her finger against my lips. “Shh, don’t say anything.”

“Hmm?”

“I know it’s ordinarily forbidden to talk about this kind of thing. Just sit back and listen to me, Allie.”

Happy to comply, I did as she commanded.

“I didn’t mention it to Grandmother, but I’ve been thinking about what you told her earlier this afternoon. She said you were special. She probably said that when she saw your remaining lifespan and the life you’ve lived so far. I hear those who possess the Eyes of Fate are forbidden from speaking of the future to come.”

Unable to confirm or deny her claims, I remained perfectly still.

“I’m guessing your true age is different from that of your physical body. You’ve always acted very mature for a child.”

Now wait a minute. You’re really not one to talk about maturity, Bianca.

“Allie, I know for certain that you’re not some masked demon. I know you’re human for sure. I did some digging, and it looks like there have been some unique individuals scattered throughout history that have lived some very strange lives.”

How meticulous. She went to the library to do research in such a short span of time.

“I overheard grandmother say you were a Returnee. I take it that she meant you regressed, correct? But I have another theory.”

I tensed up as I held my breath.

“You’re probably not a returnee, but more on the reincarnation side of things, right? If you were a returnee and knew all about the future, you probably wouldn’t have let me get mixed up in the whole dungeon fiasco in the first place.”

“Oh...” She’s pretty sharp! Technically, I was a transmigrator, but I guess in some ways you could say I was reincarnated into this world.

⟬The Advocate of Confidentiality huffs, saying that you’re basically giving everything away by making that surprised face.⟭

Not my problem. It’s not like I said anything. It’s not my fault Bianca is so smart. Ahem.

As I was busy being proud of my wonderful friend, Bianca grasped my hands. “I can’t believe my best friend is the prophet of god and reincarnated. I’m so lucky.”

“Bia...”

“Don’t worry, Allie. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Oh, um, thanks.”

Now I have a confidant who knows my true past. It feels as if in the span of a single conversation, our friendship has grown a little closer.

“Then how old are you really, Allie?”

“That’s a secret.”

“Age is but a number between true friends.”

“I-I know, but still, I’ll tell you next time.”

“Okay.”

I’m sure one of these days either I’ll slip up and tell her or Bianca will figure it out herself. The whole truth, that is.

It’s a dangerous world out there.

“Whew. That ought to be enough!”

“Allie, do you not plan on returning?”

“Of course I do. Why do you ask?”

I was in the middle of inspecting all of the things I’d be storing in my inventory for my upcoming trip. I had packed clothes and basic toiletries, some comfort items to help me adapt to the new environment, as well as some sleeping pills. Lastly, I’d included a few healing potions just in case and plenty of emergency food. Nothing but essentials. It was perfect.

Bianca seemed to disagree with me, though. “Allie, you’re taking a whole wagonful of food and potions.”

“Always remember Bia, you never know what life’s gonna throw at you.”

The survival level within Gilette Castle was still level F, but it was a totally different story beyond the castle walls. Nothing wrong with being prepared for the worst, right?

Of course, there was zero chance of getting mixed up with dungeons outside the castle since we were going to teleport directly from Gilette Castle to the Vatican.

“To be honest, I just wanted to get into the spirit of traveling.” After all, I never actually got to travel in my previous life.

Bianca’s expression softened as she finally understood, and her eyes shone with support. “I guess there’s no harm in that, especially since your satchel doesn’t get any heavier and the food doesn’t go bad. Here, take some of these with you too.”

“Oh! Macarons!”

“Yup. I asked Head Chef Peisha to bake some as a favor. They say the food at the Vatican tastes terrible, but you can enjoy the macarons in secret when you’re by yourself.”

“Thanks, Bia. You’re the best. I’ll be sure to bring back some souvenirs.”

“All I want is for you to come back home safe.”

She tried to hide it, but it was obvious that Bianca couldn’t help feeling upset at the thought of us being apart for so long. Of course, she could’ve always tagged along, but her first day of preparation and training as the future heir to the countess title began today. This was one of the many drastic changes that took place after the quality grandmother-granddaughter bonding time.

It appeared that Bianca had confided in Cardinal Cartelaya about her desire to maintain the Gilette family’s lineage of swordsmanship by seeking a sword master husband. The cardinal was deeply moved by this and immediately summoned the count and countess to have teachers of all sorts guide Bianca in her future endeavors. And just like that, Romdeo, who had been so confident that the position of the count was his for the taking, had trembled in shock at the sudden turn of events.

“All set.”

I finished up preparations as I packed away the last of my things, changed into a more comfortable dress, and put on the necklace given to me by Cardinal Cartelaya. I stepped out to the main gate with Bianca, where I found my family anxiously waiting.

“Allie, wherever you go, you have to be careful, okay?” my father warned me as we said our goodbyes. “Make sure you’re on your best behavior for the madam.”

“Don’t worry, Dad.”

“Are you going to be okay on your way back?” my brother asked fretfully. “I really hope you don’t get lost.”

“Oh, come on, Prinz. We’re warping through the teleportation stone. How could we get lost?”

Being seen off by family was as novel to me as traveling itself.

“Goodbye, everyone! Take care!”

After countless farewells, I stood next to Cardinal Cartelaya.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“Yes, madam!”

“Then let’s step off.”

The teleportation stone shattered into dust and the sparkling remnants swirled around us, engulfing our bodies. Then my vision went blank. Next thing I knew...

⟬«System» Welcome to Fanel, the capital of the Holy Kingdom of Elfenheim. Time zone changed to the local time.⟭

“You can open your eyes now.”

The dazzling light receded, but my eyes were still blinded. Water droplets danced in the air as sunlight streamed through them, causing them to sparkle with brilliance. I shaded my eyes with my hands and looked around.

“Whoa.”

A totally new landscape came into view. The city sprawled out before us, its streets lined with buildings held up by elegant arches and pillars carved from white marble. Pristine fountains adorned the canals, their sparkling waters reflecting the sunlight that bathed the city in a warm glow. Everywhere I looked, statues of angels and saints alike stood guard, adding to the city’s grandeur and majesty.

It was a place of unreal beauty, unlike anything else in this world.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World boasts that they put some real elbow grease into the graphics here.⟭

I had to admit, the god’s pride was well founded. The sound of a pipe organ being played somewhere nearby added to the impression of a sacred atmosphere, enveloping everyone in the vicinity in a sense of holiness.

Mouth ajar, I slowly raised my head. An enormous triumphal arch stood before me, beckoning to me like the gates of heaven itself.

“This is...”

“Yes. This is the sacred grounds of the religious order, the Vatican.”

I’d finally arrived at the chump’s house.