Chapter 274: Akari You Are The Best!!
It was exciting and dangerous at the same time.
The more Noah learned about the forces moving behind the scenes, the more complicated everything became.
Akari remained silent for a moment before sighing.
"Honestly, I have no idea what’s happening in the outside world anymore."
Her expression became thoughtful.
"The dragon who trapped me here may have deliberately created that labyrinth to bring Damien to this place. But why?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"Did he want something from Damien? Or perhaps—"
"Damien was the key to getting you out of this place." Noah finished her sentence.
Akari looked at him.
"...Perhaps."
Noah lowered his gaze. Unlike Akari, he already knew something she didn’t. Or at least, he believed he did.
Noah have no knowledge of the game. So he had speculate this things.
’But instead of Damien...’
Noah clenched his hands slightly.
’I was the one who got dragged here.’ His expression gradually darkened. ’And I don’t even know how to get her out.’
A bitter feeling settled inside his chest. It wasn’t an emotion Noah experienced very often. But this time, he genuinely felt guilty.
Akari had spent sixty years trapped here. Sixty years alone. And perhaps, after all that time, the person capable of finally freeing her had arrived only for Noah to accidentally take his place.
’Shit.’
Noah stared at the wooden floor.
’If Damien was really supposed to help her escape, then she must be disappointed. Instead of someone who could save her...She got me.’
Suddenly something warm wrapped around his shoulders.
"...Hm?"
Before Noah could react, he was gently pulled sideways. His face came to rest against Akari’s shoulder.
She had wrapped an arm around his back and pulled him into a warm embrace.
Noah blinked. Her other hand settled atop his snow-white hair. She began gently stroking his head.
"What happened?"
Her voice was soft.
"You suddenly became so gloomy."
Noah remained silent.
Akari looked down at him.Then a knowing smile appeared on her lips. Her cold expression changed.
"Hehe~ Don’t tell me..."
Her fingers continued moving gently through his hair. "Are you feeling guilty because you came here instead of Damien?"
Noah stiffened.
"Yes."
He couldn’t lie to her about that.
"I mean..."
His voice became quieter.
"If Damien really was supposed to come here, then maybe he was supposed to help you escape."
Noah’s arms rested loosely beside him. "But instead, I came here. And I don’t know how to get you out."
He frowned. "So maybe—"
"We don’t know that."
Akari immediately interrupted him.
Noah looked up slightly.
She stared down at him with calm sapphire-blue eyes.
"You don’t know the future, Noah."
Her fingers gently brushed through his hair.
"Neither do I."
"But—"
"Just because Damien may have been the person intended to arrive here doesn’t mean he was destined to free me."
Noah became quiet.
Akari continued.
"For all we know, that dragon might have wanted to lure Damien here for an entirely different reason."
Her expression became serious.
"Perhaps he wanted Damien’s help. Or his power. Or something connected to his blessing."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Or perhaps his intentions toward Damien were far more sinister than either of us currently realizes."
Noah slowly relaxed. That was true. Everything he currently believed was based on his intuition. But this world had already deviated from what one could know.
Far too many things had happened differently. At least that what Noah believed. His assumptions weren’t absolute facts.
"And besides..."
Akari’s voice became gentler. Noah felt her arm tighten slightly around him.
"I would never feel sad or disappointed because you came here instead of Damien."
Noah’s eyes widened slightly.
Akari smiled.
"I’m happy that it was you."
Something warm bloomed inside Noah’s chest. His arm slowly moved around her waist.
"Really?"
"Really."
Akari nodded.
Noah couldn’t stop himself from asking.
"Why?"
Akari thought for a moment.
"After everything you’ve told me about Damien, he sounds like a good young man."
"He is."
"But..."
A hint of amusement appeared in her eyes.
"I don’t think I would’ve become this close to him."
Noah’s smile slowly returned.
"Oh?"
"Yes."
Akari chuckled softly.
"We probably would’ve maintained a much more respectful relationship."
She looked down at the young man currently comfortably resting against her.
"A proper relationship between master and disciple."
Then her eyes narrowed playfully.
"Unlike a certain disciple of mine who is far too mischievous, shameless, and naughty."
Noah grinned.
"Hehe~ So you prefer your naughty disciple?"
Akari’s eyebrow twitched.
"Don’t twist my words."
"Haha!"
The gloomy feeling that had weighed upon Noah only moments earlier disappeared. His grip around her became slightly firmer.
"We’ll find a way out."
His voice suddenly became serious again.
Akari looked at him.
Noah raised his head from her shoulder and met her eyes. "We’ll find a way out of this place together."
His blue eyes carried genuine determination.
"No matter how difficult it is. No matter how long it takes. We’ll find a way."
Akari silently stared at him. Then her expression softened.
"Yes."
She nodded.
"We will."
A peaceful silence followed. Then Akari smiled. "And even if we don’t...It wouldn’t be so terrible anymore."
"What?"
Akari’s hand returned to his hair. Her fingers gently stroked through the snowy strands.
"I’ve already spent sixty years here, Noah."
Her gaze became distant for a moment.
"Back then, the thought of remaining trapped here forever terrified me."
She paused. "But now..."
Her eyes returned to him.
There was unmistakable warmth within them. "I’m not alone anymore."
Noah froze.
"..."
His lips trembled. Something squeezed tightly inside his chest.
"Akari..."
Then he suddenly wrapped both arms tightly around her.
"Ah!"
Akari gasped in surprise.
"Noah?"
"Akari!!"
He squeezed her tighter.
"You’re the best!"
"Noah—"
"You’re seriously the best!"
Akari blinked before eventually realizing why he had suddenly become so joyful.
A helpless smile appeared on her face.
"Calm down."
"No!"
Noah buried his face against her shoulder.
"Let me stay like this!"
Akari laughed softly.
"Hehe. Very well."
Her arms wrapped around him again. She gently stroked his back while allowing him to cling to her. Noah could feel her warmth against him, but for once, his mind didn’t wander anywhere inappropriate.
He was simply happy. Happy that she wasn’t disappointed. Happy that she didn’t wish Damien had come instead. And most of all happy that his presence had made sixty years of loneliness a little easier for her.
Akari rested her cheek gently against his snow-white hair.
"You really are troublesome, Noah."
Her voice carried no annoyance. Only warmth. Noah smiled against her shoulder.
"Hehe~"
Akari’s smile widened.
"But..."
Her arms tightened around him slightly.
"I suppose I’ve gotten used to having my troublesome disciple around."
---
[A/N: Damn it! Every day, I tell myself, "Yes, this will be the last Chapter focused on romance, and then I’ll finally start the real action!" But somehow, I fail every single time. Seriously, I’m starting to think I should just write a damn romance-focused novel someday. Maybe a rom-com? Yeah, I might actually try that in the future. Anyway, this time I’ll move things along faster... Yep! No more sweet moments!!
...Probably.]