Instead, I had to make sure that my head didn’t touch the wall to avoid feeling uneasy.
'After all that trouble to style it with magic, now the pomade...'
Does this era lack waterproof products or sothing?
The oil at the ends of my hair was bothering , but since I was all set up for the event, it wasn't a big deal.
I was worried because I'm not good with my hands, but fortunately, Gerda Asman had a personal attendant who helped .
'And there's sothing else bothering ...'
Gerda’s assessnt skills seem to be spot on.
Several first-generation Pleromas keep staring at .
When I et their gaze, they quickly look away out of courtesy, but a few keep staring without bothering to hide it.
I heard that second-generation Pleromas could attend this event, so it’s not like they’re looking at wondering why soone unqualified is here.
“Mr. Weitzel.”
I noticed Gerda Asman returning from dancing with another Pleroma, so I slightly raised my glass.
Gerda picked up a glass and clinked it against mine.
Smiling back at Gerda's bright smile, I asked, “You seem to be enjoying yourself.”
“Of course! This is... my first ti attending such an event. I only learned how to dance a few days ago from soone I know here, but actually doing it at a party is more fun than I thought,” Gerda replied with a flushed face.
Co to think of it, Gerda did say things were tough when she was younger.
Even though it’s not impossible for commoners to enter high society, and middle-class parties happen frequently, considering Gerda’s past, it’s understandable she wouldn’t have had many opportunities to attend.
“Shall we dance now?”
“Sure, but it seems like you’ve been to these events often, Mr. Weitzel.”
“Well...”
This is technically my first ti as well.
I had learned to dance as part of a liberal arts class at school, and Luca wasn’t completely ignorant of it, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
I took Gerda’s hand and led her to the dance floor.
As we reached the middle of the piece, I looked up and gazed across the hall.
Since the mont we started dancing, the gazes following us beca more persistent. As I t his eyes, I quietly asked Gerda, “Who’s that?”
“Hm?”
Gerda turned her body in the opposite direction to match the steps. Then, seeing the person I pointed at, her expression hardened.
With a low voice, Gerda asked, “Should we leave after this dance?”
“Why? Who is he?”
“……”
Gerda scanned the surroundings with a blank expression before opening her mouth.
“That person is the one who made a Pleroma.”
So, he’s one of those “originals” that Eric Asman ntioned.
He’s probably the main culprit behind the Heiligenji kidnapping incident.
I had to suppress a laugh.
Well, of course, there was no way the higher-ups wouldn’t be here.
Of course, it seems he’s planning to take credit for the Pleroma I created….
I reassured Gerda and said I would take a quick breather, then headed to the balcony at the far end of the corridor outside the banquet hall.
I passed the ti looking down below for a while, then took out a cigarette and put it in my mouth.
I had been staying off smoking, so I wasn’t planning to light it, but it was a necessary prop for now.
‘To get the conversation started, I need sothing.’
I took out the lighter, which was powered by magic, and lit the cigarette.
At that mont, a strange voice ca from behind .
“You smoke cigarettes, I see.”
Soone leaned against the railing next to and struck up a conversation.
It was the man Gerda Asman had pointed out earlier.
“It’s imported, isn’t it? I’ve noticed more people smoking these lately, but it’s nice to see one up close.”
‘He’s quite forward.’
That’s fine with .
I opened the cigarette case and offered, “Would you like one?”
“No, thank you. I already have my own,” he said, shaking the pipe he held in his hand.
I nodded and exhaled the smoke.
“…!”
I quickly covered my mouth with my other hand, trying to stifle a cough.
‘Damn it… This isn’t my body.’
It suddenly hit that the physical age of this body was an issue.
I shouldn't handle it recklessly. I might end up shortening soone else's life by getting them addicted.
I ground out the cigarette in the empty tin case I brought.
Watching , the man asked, “Are you not feeling well?”
“I was recently sick, so I’m still not in great shape. I need to take it easy until I’m fully recovered.”
“I see. You’re not well, yet you ca here?”
“This is a celebration for soone important to . I was invited, so I couldn’t miss it.”
“Who did you co with?”
I glanced at him and replied, “I ca with Gerda Asman.”
“Ah, the star of today’s event. To achieve her first mission just five days after being reborn, she’ll surely beco a role model in our diocese.”
A “diocese,” huh….
Though I knew from Strauch that they had a system, it felt a bit ridiculous seeing them seriously play this ga in what was essentially a parallel world.
The man gave a once-over before speaking.
“And… it’s only been ten days since you arrived, yet you’ve already t new people. You’re quite diligent. Of course, we want everyone to make full use of the blessings, so you’re welco here. After all, happiness cos first, doesn’t it?”
Why does it feel like he’s talking to specifically?
I held back the urge to say that and shrugged.
“Should I pass along a ssage?”
“No need. Co to think of it, we haven’t exchanged nas yet. What’s your na?”
“Felix Weitzel.”
“I’m Marcel Koffman. How long have you been here, Mr. Weitzel?”
“I haven’t been counting exactly, but it hasn’t been a month. I’m still undergoing training as a novice, so my na might not even be on the register yet.”
“I see. That makes sense.”
He probably ant I looked new since I hadn’t been dragged off by any of the other first-generation Pleromas yet.
I averted my eyes from Koffman, who looked at like I was so promising material, and spoke up.
“Excuse , but I should get back inside. It was nice eting you, Mr. Koffman.”
“Ah, of course. But, Mr. Weitzel.”
I turned around when he called after .
“What is it?”
“You ntioned you’re still receiving novice training, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“There’s a way to beco a priest right away.”
“……”
“Which also ans you could live just like this forever. It would take you at least ten years to beco a priest, starting as a novice. Wouldn’t it be better to stay in your twenties?”
In my twenties, huh….
I just watched Gerda Asman reverse 40 years and show up as a twenty-year-old, so what’s the point?
They’re just playing on people’s emotions, knowing they’ll turn back ti once you beco a priest anyway.
I silently stared at him.
Despite his mature deanor, his face didn’t look much different from mine.
He ca closer and patted on the shoulder.
“I’m a priest from the Archdiocese of Brandenburg, the one who gave Gerda Asman her second life. Here, take this. If you’re interested, co to my office anyti.”
He handed a business card.
There was no address written on it. It was likely an item that activated a teleportation spell the mont it was torn, so an address wasn’t necessary.
He smiled contentedly, patted my shoulder again, and left.
With that, my plan to et a mid-level manager was halfway successful.
‘Now, let’s think this over.’
As a mage, my rank was higher than Strauch’s.
And Strauch was an archdeacon.
Assuming rank and skill correspond, there’s a good chance this guy is weaker than Strauch.
‘This is promising.’
Having made up my mind, I returned to the banquet hall to et Gerda.
* * *
As the party was winding down, I noticed the first light of dawn through the window and turned to Gerda.
“It’s ti to head back.”
“Already?”
“I’d love to stay longer, but I have so things I need to do today.”
Gerda burst into laughter at that.
“You don’t need to worry about that. As long as it’s not morning yet, you don’t have to leave.”
“Well, yes, but the sun is rising.”
“It’s still early morning in that world.”
“……”
Ti flows differently?
I tried to keep my expression neutral as I asked, “Is it always like this? I’m still not used to this place, so everything seems surprising.”
“It was surprising for too. This kind of issue has been happening more frequently lately.”
An “issue,” huh.
One would think they’d be happy to have more ti than their enemies, but I guess there’s a bigger risk involved.
I suddenly recalled Strauch’s words: “Our world is incredibly well-fortified, so there’s no need to worry.”
‘If that’s the issue, I’d better rember it. And… let’s test it.’
Dawn 777
― 674 days, 7 hours, 11 minutes, 35 seconds until the final outco: “Chapter X. Death”
― Probability of change: 19.2%
It was 18.6% last ti I checked, and now it’s gone up by 0.6%.
But what’s more important is the ti.
After an hour had passed by this world’s clock, I opened the status window again to check the ti.
Dawn 777
― 674 days, 7 hours, 00 minutes, 45 seconds until the final outco: “Chapter X. Death”
― Probability of change: 19.2%
An hour here only passed as ten minutes in reality.
While I was checking the clock, Gerda called out to .
“Shall we head back to the archive now, Mr. Weitzel?”
This place was connected by magic, with several ways to return to where we ca from.
For example…
Gerda now moved to the furthest room in the mansion, shifted a candlestick on the mantel to the right, and reopened the door.
The hallway of the mansion had disappeared, replaced by the familiar sight of the cathedral we had originally arrived at.
“Convenient, isn’t it? It’s surprising that technology has advanced this much.”
“Indeed,” I replied simply.
After that, we sat in the cathedral for three hours in this world, which was about thirty minutes in reality, chatting away.
‘Talking is exhausting.’
My companion looked tired too.
There wasn’t much else to do. Gerda Asman still didn’t know much about the Pleroma world, so there wasn’t anywhere to explore.
Despite this, Gerda didn’t suggest returning to reality, seemingly reluctant to let ti pass quickly.
‘But I did gather a lot of information.’
I learned about the criteria Pleroma uses to select people, how they cast targeted curses to link specific locations, and what kinds of objects generally trigger a return to previous coordinates, among other things.
Gerda answered my questions cheerfully, interpreting my inquiries as a sign of interest.
Eventually, she noticed my weary expression and gestured toward the sacristy.
“Would you like so candy? It’s been marked with a targeted curse, though.”
“Does that an I can co here anyti you call, Ms. Asman?”
Gerda smiled as she answered, “Sothing like that.”
Since she seed to take my casual question as agreent, Gerda brought over a basket of candy and handed it to .
‘…Does she actually want to eat this?’
Well, there’s nothing wrong with that… but still.
I chose my words carefully to appeal to Gerda.
“Honestly, I’m not that fond of sweets. But I’ll hold on to them and give them to a suitable kid when I find one. I’ll let you know then, Ms. Asman.”
“Hmm, that sounds good.”
It should. It’ll boost your performance, after all.
Anyway, we shouldn’t waste ti like this.
Since we had encountered the key person we were searching for, it was ti to strategize.
I spoke as if I had just rembered sothing, feigning surprise.
“Oh.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Instead of just sitting around, should we play a ga? Do you know any card gas? Or how about chess?”
“Hmmm, I’ve forgotten the rules of chess… I’ve only played solitaire.”
“A single-player ga, huh.”
After a brief mont of thought, I suggested, “How about poker? I can teach you.”
* * *
Gerda Asman readily agreed.
Under the pretense of fetching a deck of cards, I returned to reality and teleported to school.
There was still no sign of Eric Asman or the others, even though they had taken him.
However, Narce did ntion leaving an ergency contact….
‘Is it Pai…?’
Feeling a bit guilty, I retrieved Pai from the pile of rocks in the center of my desk and woke him up.
“Huh?”
“Sorry, Pai. Do you know where Elias and Leo are?”
“I might be able to find out.”
What’s this now?
I guess that ans it’ll take him so ti to figure it out.
“Could you pass a ssage to them for ?”
“Sure! What is it?”
“Tell them we found the mid-level manager, so let’s have a strategy eting.”
“Just that?”
“Yeah, just pass that along.”
I quickly scribbled down the important details I needed to convey on paper.
After grabbing a deck of cards from the cabinet and packing them into my bag, Pai tilted his head.
“Where are you going, Lucas? You just said we’re having a eting.”
“I’ve written down everything I need to say. The others can have the eting without .”
After saying that, I was about to initiate the warp spell when a thought crossed my mind, and I turned back to Pai.
“Pai.”
“Yeah?”
“You should join us.”
* * *
Back in the Pleroma world, I taught Gerda how to play poker, and three hours passed.
That equated to only thirty minutes in reality.
Since Gerda seed to be getting drowsy from the tension of the banquet, I left her to sleep and stepped outside.
I gazed at the strangely dim surroundings, even though it was dayti, and tore the business card in my hand.
In an instant, the scenery before changed once more.
Marcel Koffman’s office was completely dark. Though there was enough light to make out the objects, it wasn’t a space where anyone would want to linger for long.
Then, I heard a voice from behind .
“You’re here.”
User Comments
0 comments from readers