The peaceful sensation Arcturus had dissipated as worry overtook it. He did recall Constance writing down Charlatan when they had been communicating through written notes. He then recalled Sophia’s notes about how the Outskirts was a place where those who disobeyed the mayor were taken to. Worrying seemed meaningless; he was now curious. He wanted to know more about this place and what he could do here to help Nova.

He decided to answer Murphy’s question. “First, his name isn’t the Charlatan. It’s Nova. Second, I’m with him because I made a promise to protect him.”

“I see…” Murphy was as relaxed as always.

Assuming from his reaction, he probably is already aware that Nova can grant wishes and such. I best not ask about questions pertaining to Nova; I should only ask about them when I feel it’s necessary. I think it’d be best if I ask questions about where we are.

“If you don’t mind me asking, can you tell me more about the Outskirts? Why do all opposers come here? Why is there a giant steel wall?”

There was a glint in Murphy’s eyes; Arcturus knew it all too well. It was the look of intellectual curiosity that Laminans naturally possess. One had questions; the other had answers. Both were able to give and receive–a mutual relationship that benefited each other.

Murphy started his story. “Twenty years ago, Nova had come to our isolated city to grant wishes. At the time, the mayor was the current mayor’s mother. She was a woman named Mebsuta Leonis. Mebsuta wanted him to grant her wish, so he tried to. However, the process was a failure. No wishes had been formed and Mebusta suddenly died. Her daughter who is the current mayor Bellatrix Leonis was the one who declared him a fraud–a charlatan–and had ordered his execution. The opposers, which were us, had tried to stop the execution because we were overjoyed that Mebsuta had died. Nova slipped away into the Eternal Blizzard while the entire city changed ever since. Those who opposed the mayor were deported to this small area in the corner of the city. They then built a wall to barricade us permanently.”

Arcturus glanced over at Nova. It was hard to believe such a story existed; it was as old as him. He wanted to know Nova’s side of the story, so he only took in the information and not made any judgment. He then versed the anecdote in his mind; there was something in his story that nagged at him.

“How long did the wall take to make?”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“The strangest part about that wall was that it was built overnight.”

“Walls of that caliber should take about years for them to be built, especially if they’re made of metal. There’s something definitely unusual about that wall.”

He recalled Nova’s words about the Invader and how she was someone who did not abide by the rules and logics of this world. It all clicked together. The reason why the wall was there rather instantaneously was because it was her doing. There was a clue to finding that person. He got out of bed to search for his satchel. Murphy found it in the corner and handed it to him.

Arcturus sat down on the sofa bed and started jotting down his thoughts and theories; he wanted to write down everything he wanted to discuss with Nova once he awakened. Once he finished writing, he became deep in thought.

“You alright?” Murphy asked.

“I was just thinking about your anecdote. It’s quite cruel of the current mayor to isolate people just because they oppose her. She sounds like someone who gets upset when things don’t go her way–a petulant child of sorts.”

“The Leonis family is the most powerful one in this city, so that makes sense about her upbringing.”

Arcturus jotted that down. “I see. Then, can I ask why you oppose her, since you are here?” He wanted to know what sort of actions were considered as opposing.

Murphy glanced over at the sleeping Nova and gave him a sad smile. “Bellatrix wanted him executed for his crime of killing her mother. Sophia and I tried to stop her, and that was how we were brought here alongside a handful of other people.

Arcturus wrote down everything verbatim. Once he put his pen down, he could help but to think about how kind Murphy was. Nova had done something unthinkable. It was understandable if people were to get angry at him, but the fact that a stranger like Murphy was able to have compassion and attempted to help him made Arcturus relieved to know he was a kind person and someone he could trust.

But, I cannot be too trusting towards them.

He wanted to ask more, but Murphy suddenly had his head down and his hand covering his nose. Arcturus was confused. He shook Murphy. “Are you alright?”

“I’m sorry. I tried my best to hold it in, but I can no longer do so…”

“Huh?”

“Arcturus, please go take a shower. I cannot stand the smell coming out of you right now. While you’re at it, please wash Nova as well; both of you reek.”

A confused Arcturus sniffed his arm. He leaned back against how putrid he had smelled; he hadn’t washed or changed clothes for months. He started getting embarrassed. “Can you tell me where the bathroom is?”

“See the door with the triangle sign dangling on the door knob? That’s the bathroom.”

“Do you also have a change of clothes? I’d like to throw away these ragged clothes once and for all.”

“Sure. I’ll bring you some of my old clothes. Nova, on the other hand, might have to wear Sophia’s old clothes since he’s so thin.”

“I don’t mind.”

Once Arcturus put his journal back into his bag, he got up, scooped up Nova and then they both headed to the bathroom.