Returning to the lakeside, the young couple settled down as they exchanged awkward gazes to each other.

  As they fidget their fingers, trying to put their heads to make sense of the previous events. The silence atmosphere became unbearable before Acacia broke the ice with an apology. “Um…I’m sorry you had to see all of that, it shouldn’t be a burden for you to bear. It just seems that Reiya and the children of Alnerwick are on bad terms with each other.”

  Deki shakes his head to reassure her but worries are still written all over Acacia’s face. Seeing it,he decided to change the subject. “Can you tell me the story?”

  Her face has somewhat brightened up from his question as she placed her hand onto her chin and began to recall among the various stories she has heard.

  Something clicked as her eyes widened. She hastily dug up the soil around them before molding them into various shapes using her power. She began to create rough shapes of dirt that resembled people, houses and placed them according to her memories to form a small model of the village.

  “Alnerwick was formed out of desperation from the countless refugees that ran from their homes during the Lucanterus hunger for land.” Acacia placed the villagers figures standing oppose to the figures with strange attires and holding various weapons.

  “The brave souls who stood against the oppression were executed and nailed onto homes as a sign of warning, those who tried to remove the warning were given the same fate.” The villager figure’s heads dropped by the many as their corpses were littered throughout the homes and some were placed on the buildings themselves.

  Deki stared at the slaughter in disbelief, silently weeping for the poor souls that died in such cruel manners. Seeing it, Acacia quickly wiped away the horrific scenery to draw out the following event.

  “The remaining survivors ran aimlessly, forced to leave behind whatever small fortune they had tirelessly worked to achieve. They sought out to create a new life while carrying the scars of the ones that fell for their freedom.” The small group of villagers settled down around an open area surrounded by trees as they began to rebuild the homes they have lost.

  “Their valiant actions caught the gaze of The Ancient Mahogany Stag. It rose from the ground beneath and sprouted its mighty roots around the land.” Acacia dug a small hole and planted a statue of a giant deer with vines growing around its horns into the ground, as if she is trying to replicate the act of the beast emerging.

  “The elder stood in front of the magnificent creature and pleaded for salvation. The stag heed his calling, as it lay down onto the ground from whence it came, branches and bushes grew out of its body. And that was the origin of Alnerime.” The deer statue slowly broke down into mud, revealing a small seedling inside it.

  Acacia picked up the remaining statues and used their soils to plant the seed. She then took a handful of water by the lake and watered the soil bed. “So what do you think of the story?” she turned to stare at Deki with anticipation. “I usually told stories to the children,but this is the first time I tried to replicate something.”

  Deki gave her a round of applause with a wide smile all over his face. His praises flustered Acacia, causing her cheeks to heat up as she turned to change the subject,leaving the confused Deki in the dark. “A-anyways! It is just a silly story that the Elders told me when I was young and couldn’t sleep!”

  “Elders?” puzzled, Deki tilted his head in curiosity. Hearing his question.

  “Oh,The Elders are chosen by the villagers to manage and guide Alnerwick to prosperity. They live within the mansion above the hills in the distance.” Acacia pointed toward the house on top of the hill facing toward the town.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  But seeing Deki still having the puzzled face, she made a realization. “O-Oh, you mean why were they the ones to tell me these stories?” she stops for a moment, not knowing how to put her thoughts into words before forcing it out.

  “Truth be told, I don’t think I was born here.When I opened my eyes, I caught a glimpse of a spark and a gentle warmth brushing my cheeks. Sounds abstract,doesn’t it?” she chuckled to herself,finding amusement to her vague analysis. But to her surprise, Deki seemed to understand what little context he was given.

  “Huh? Don’t you think that half-hearted explanation was a bit silly?” he shook his head. “I see…Well, I couldn’t remember what else happened after it. But I was told that the previous owner of the Apotheca found me during one of her expeditions. And the rest is history.”

  Deki simply sits idly for a moment,letting everything sink in. He had many questions to ask, but decided to put aside his curiosity to come to Acacia’s side who appeared to be lost in her own thoughts.

  Seeing his approach,she steered the conversation to him. “What about you? Doesn’t seem like you have a place of origin either…Nor a place to call home too.”

  She quickly realized the words that slipped out of her tongue. “A-ah! I-I didn’t mean to insult and mock you or anything!” She bit her tongue while fumbling on her words, gripping tightly onto her apron and enduring the pain of her mistake. “S-sorry…I didn’t want to come out as rude and hurt your feelings…”

  As she tried to avoid his gaze,she felt gentle but firm palms releasing her tight grasp on the apron. Turning over, she saw his compassionate smile as he helped her loosen the tension on herself.

  “I haven’t thought much about it, I want to see the world.” a pure, innocent smile bloomed from ear to ear on his face. Bright and contagious,smoothing the doubts in Acacia’s heart.

  “See the world huh…I haven’t thought of that either.” Acacia start to ponder the world beyond the trees. She has only ever seen the suffocating pressure of Acies Fidei and the mundane atmosphere of Alnerwick. “Then, it's a promise~!” She holds Deki’s hand tightly,making a pinky promise with him. “Let’s force Reiya to bring us to see the world~!” She returned his smile with her own carefree smile, differ from the usual composed face she usually wears.

  ***

  “That took care of that problem.” Orochi dusted his gloved hands to his jeans, dispelling the dirt while walking toward Reiya who was standing atop of the hill,casting her gaze down to the young couple exchanging pleasantries. “Oiya~? didn’t take you for a peeping tom,master.”

  Reiya rolled her eyes, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she continued to watch the young couple. “You and your ‘observations,’” she muttered, her gaze softening just a little as she watched Deki and Acacia.

  “Don't pretend you're not enjoying this little romantic scene,” Orochi teased again, his smirk widening.

  “I’m not,” she shot back quickly, but their youthful exchanges to each other have caused her to ponder. “See the world huh? what do you think about it?”

  Orochi shrugged, the playful glint in his eyes still there. “Who knows? Us eternal beings,time passes by like a dream. But If I have to say…” His tone had shifted, becoming more thoughtful, though still carrying the usual playful edge. “It’s a nice thought, I suppose.”

  Reiya was silent for a moment, her thoughts swirling around the idea of freedom, of promises made without the weight of obligation. She turned her gaze from the couple back to the horizon. "Yeah," she murmured, almost to herself. "A nice thought."

  Orochi tilted his head, observing her expression. “You ever think of leaving all this behind?”

  Reiya glanced at him, startled by the directness of the question. She hesitated, then shook her head slowly. “I’ve thought about it. But... it's not that simple. Not for me.”

  Orochi didn’t press her further, sensing the weight of unspoken words. Instead, he shifted the subject, his usual grin returning. “Well, at least they’ll have a chance at something different. You’ve done your part, haven’t you? Let’s see what happens next.”

  Reiya could only let out a heavy sigh,lifting whatever weight she could off her shoulders. “I suppose,enough with the pleasantries. How many days until the trials?”

  “Seven days,” Orochi responded. “I would’ve tried for more,but you know how it is. Waiting is boring~. Besides, We both know time is a luxury when it comes to the Alae wanting to stick their noses into others business.”

  Reiya does not continue anymore than a light mocking scoff. Turning around with a slight acknowledgement. “You’re dismissed, go wash your clothes or something. I can’t stand the stench of mongrel.”

  Orochi simply chuckled and retaliated to her snarky comment. “It was only one head, I'd say this would’ve been the cleanest streak I had if that rat didn’t try to run inside the cave.” Turning around,he adjusted his jacket collar. “Before I go, stories about the pillar of light have reached ears beyond the Alae. It won’t be long until the world turns against him.”

  “It will not matter.” Reiya retorted “The thread of fate has spun its wheel as angels play their happy sounds. A new era will unfold in front of their very eyes when The Child of Revelation steps forward on his road to ascend the throne.”

  “And if he doesn’t want to?” Orochi asked

  “It's no mere choice or decision.It is a decree,written by the world.” silence grew thicker after Reiya’s declaration. Smile dampened, Orochi dare not to further pry into her convictions, only turning his head around and glancing at the monstrous herald staring tirelessly at the boundless sky

  “A decree,huh? Pity,I was taking a liking to that leafy fellow.” he stated while walking down the hill.