ALL NOVEL Chapter 90
Silence.
With a face as red as a tomato, I was flailing my arms around awkwardly, glancing down at the Record Keeper.
Sudden confession? Her actions, wrapping me in her embrace, flustered me.
She must know I’m not original ‘Leydan Tanton.’
“Wait! I’m not the ‘Leydan Tanton’ you think I am!”
“Hmmm. That’s right. No, wait. But it is right.”
The Record Keeper mumbled something incomprehensible, brushing my back with her hands.
No, seriously.
Why are the Elite Outsiders – except for the Interrogator – so keen on showing me affection?
I hadn’t done anything!
…If only her appearance were not altered due to coward mode, I wouldn’t feel so awkward.
“…Even so, isn’t it weird for you to have those feelings for a mere human?”
“Is it? I don’t know.”
After saying that, she finally pulled away from me.
Does she really not feel embarrassment? I mean, her face didn’t change at all.
“I don’t really understand the standards you guys have.”
Or maybe it’s just my imagination.
The way she talks makes it feel like she’s mimicking someone else’s feelings, not truly experiencing them herself.
“I want to ask one more thing.”
“Feel free to ask.”
“Aren’t you busy?”
“Why should I care?”
She just declared she’d bring about the end of the world!
Casually!
The power that can uphold the world through recording it.
So that means when that recording stops, the world stops!
Scary!
Is this cosmic horror? What kind of cosmic horror is this!
“No way! Then I would disappear too!”
“Gasp.”
It felt like she finally realized how shocking her words were.
Seriously, can’t this girl think at all?!
Is she a living example of “strong body, weak brain?”
“It’s fine. When the time comes, I’ll take you with me.”
“Get to work! Then I won’t disappear!”
Arguing against the Record Keeper’s absurd statement drained me completely.
People can be exhausting, just like Agartha.
Ugh.
Oh, wait.
This isn’t what I meant to do.
“By the way… have you ever heard of the Outsider called the Watcher?”
At my question, the Record Keeper’s eyes seemed to widen for a moment.
Honestly, I didn’t know what it meant.
But it was clear she was surprised for some unknown reason.
Soon, returning to her original expression, she started mumbling and nodded.
“You’ll find out on your own.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“I’m just a note-taker; I’m not in a position to interfere. No Outsider could do that.”
Haa…
Here we go again.
It’s frustrating because I felt like my thoughts were interrupted. But I can’t just grab her and whine for more information.
For now, I decided to nod.
“Okay, then. For now, I hope… No, I truly wish for you to ‘Ophel!’”
“Yes.”
Saying that, I turned and started walking back to the Branch.
Thud, thud.
Thud, thud.
But for some reason, I could hear my footsteps repeating in pairs.
Is it just my imagination? I tried walking again.
Thud, thud.
Thud, thud.
Pat-pat, pat-pat.
Pat-pat, pat-pat.
This time, even when I intentionally tried to jump slightly, it was the same.
I turned my head towards the source of the echo with a bewildered expression.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you following me?”
“Because I said I would meet you.”
What is she even talking about?
“No, we’ve met already.”
“You didn’t say I couldn’t come along.”
“What does that even mean?”
The Record Keeper looked at me, simply floating question marks above her head.
No, I’m the one who’s confused and puzzled here?!
Given how she’s pouring out her thoughts while carving words, it seems she can at least control her enthusiasm.
“If you calmed down a bit, I wouldn’t mind you following me.”
“That won’t do.”
“Why?”
“…Because it’s embarrassing?”
Seriously, she’s driving me insane.
Oh, right.
There’s a direct method!
“How about entering the space summoned by the Party Flute?”
“…I don’t think they’d like me.”
Don’t like her?
Don’t like her…
Bark! The Record Keeper is fun!
Bell was just excitedly barking.
Could it be because she said she adores me?
The other three Outsiders were giving off vibes of great caution.
“Um.”
But then I remembered I needed to check on the Record Keeper before leaving.
It makes sense; just as I said earlier, she needs to keep observing the situation to help me.
From her perspective, it must be her job to record every element of the world to maintain it.
For such an important task, it seems absurd that she’d waste time here because of me.
That thought alone scared me, considering she seemed perfectly fine with that!
Is this the Idea Level Outsider?
To overlook the world’s collapse so easily!
“You must keep your words to us.”
The Gardener spoke in a calm voice.
…Is she speaking about names?
From their perspective, it must be more enjoyable to explore a wider world than being constrained by humans. So why are they clinging to me so much?
Even though I helped alleviate their traumas, listened to their stories, and am the only one who can actually hear them.
…Huh?
“…If you say it that way, I’ll give it a try.”
“Uh, okay.”
Well, it’s bound to work out somehow.
With the Record Keeper’s help guaranteed, I wouldn’t be so powerless anymore.
I lifted the Party Flute and blew into it while looking at the Record Keeper.
Her body seemed to turn transparent, and my mind felt like the space was expanding.
Surely because she’s an Outsider of the Idea Level, a far larger space was appearing compared to the others.
…Surely this isn’t going to hit some kind of capacity limit?
Like, if I take in too much, my head could blow up?
“Hello.”
“You’re here.”
“I enjoyed the food last time.”
“Oh, no.”
…She said it wouldn’t work, but now she’s diving right into the affection like it’s nothing.
Or maybe she knows the way of the world and realizes they wouldn’t dislike her if she enters like this.
Well, if the Cook can quickly become all smiles, the Dragon Slayer and the Gardener should become friends just as easily.
Before I knew it, my previously dreary mood was brightening.
I think I was overwhelmed by the sheer weight of an unprecedented presence.
With both hands, I slapped my cheeks.
Time to focus.
First, I need to receive the sword from Sintol.
The Record Keeper’s assistance also needs to effectively neutralize the Interrogator to the degree that I can handle it with ‘Ophel.’
Once I get the sword…
I need to head towards the White Mask.
#
“Here, take it.”
“Thank you.”
Sintol tossed the sword to me without hesitation and turned back to his place without a second thought.
He was so cold after we uncovered your secret together.
Sure, at least he made me a sword.
Thinking that, I was about to exit the Blacksmith Workshop.
“Those are tired eyes. How about taking a little break?”
At Sintol’s sudden statement, I turned to look, but he pretended nothing happened, casually sharpening a weapon.
…Tired eyes, huh?
Yeah, considering how desperate things were a while ago, it seems like my expression shows that.
Just the fact that he noticed made me feel somewhat comforted.
“Thank you. I’ll use this sword meaningfully.”
“Do as you like.”
What do I do about that tsundere guy?
The more we talked, the more I felt like my affection for him was growing.
Right after receiving the sword, I headed to the train station.
Rondan Station.
The White Mask almost always spent her time here.
Perhaps she was sulking in silence, sitting in a chair after smashing the train with her own hands.
Thinking that, I opened the room’s door.
“Oh.”
“…Huh?”
I saw the White Mask looking in the mirror, unmasked.
“Mas-master.”
“…I wonder if you’re brave or just patient. You endure seeing this hideous face well. I guess it makes sense; seeing the Interrogator earlier, you had the same lack of reaction.”
As she said that, the White Mask put on her mask but then tossed it onto the table.
“Since the disciple said it’s fine, I’ll excuse myself for now. It’d be unbearable to wear the mask while sweating like this, even if I look hideous.”
“Go ahead, make yourself comfortable.”
I said that sincerely.
To my eyes, she looked so beautiful, she could rival any princess from a fairy tale.
“So, what brings you here? It’s your first time visiting directly.”
“Teach me the sword, Master.”
At my words, the White Mask’s eyes opened wide.
She seemed surprised by my sudden request.
But soon, a warm smile formed on her face.
“…Surely, I haven’t been fulfilling my role as a Master to my disciple.”
“I learned through the confrontation with the Interrogator. I must become stronger. I want to grow stronger to save Rondan, no, this world.”
The White Mask twitched her lips and nodded.
I sensed a hint of annoyance as if to say, Why give a flimsy reason when I’d teach you anyway? I felt slightly hurt by that.
“Fine. Let’s start right now, shall we?”
“Sounds good.”
The White Mask held a wooden sword and wore a wicked smile.
“Alright, let’s see how good you really are!”