Was I from the future? The answer to that question was nuanced.
Technically, yes, I am from the future.
"Why do you think that?" I asked, using it as a ruse to buy myself more time to formulate an answer. I wasn't going to reveal the whole truth to the Kuro Clan Head. However, I knew he was capable enough to detect any mediocre lies.
"You possess knowledge that defies explanation. You seem to know things you shouldn't, like when the fishermen will appear. There is no plausible reason for you to have that information," he stated, wearing the same expression one would have during a boring PowerPoint presentation.
"Well, perhaps I have a divination ability," I suggested nonchalantly.
"No, divination is never that precise. You even knew the rules regarding the powers of the corpses and much more," he explained.
"Who knows, maybe I orchestrated all of this as a clever deception."
"Should you be joking at a time like this?" he questioned. "Besides, that possibility is even more unlikely, as I have already investigated thoroughly."
Impressive, he worked swiftly. He may have even consulted a divination expert. Unfortunately for him, divination didn't work when it concerned matters like Avalon Island or the outside world. I had no idea why, but perhaps only someone of Tamae No Mae's caliber could succeed in divination like that. But humans had no one at that level.
An uncomfortable silence lingered between us for several seconds, the only sounds being crickets chirping and birds singing. Neither of us was the type to succumb to such trivial tactics. Well, at least I no longer was. Having faced death multiple times, it made things like embarrasment and awkwardness seem inconsequential.
"Technically, I am not from the future, but I do possess knowledge of it," I replied, smiling and breathing in the fresh air.
There was no peculiar scent indicating a surprise poison attack, that was a good sign.
What I said was technically true, leaving the Kuro Clan Head to decipher any lies I may have spoken. Whatever his imagination concocted would become his truth. At least until we reached Avalon Island, where he might learn that traveling to the past was impossible.
"I see. Then, can you answer something for me?" he inquired. When I remained silent, he nodded and continued, "Will my children be alright?"
Well, that was an unexpected question from him, considering he sacrificed one of his own children in the original story. It rendered his entire questioning obsolete. Perhaps he was testing me. That seemed more in line with his personality.
"Well, I must inform Queen Wisteria first. Whatever our plans may be, they require her explicit permission," I responded, intending to redirect the conversation.
Despite my quiet dismissal of his question, he showed no sign of apprehension and simply nodded in response. "Of course."
Neither of us needed to say out loud that I was in charge when it came to Wisteria. The Great Clans couldn't threaten the royal family anymore because Wisteria was under my protection. As far as they knew, she was also my fiancée.
...
After several days of manual work and unnecessary safety precautions, I returned to the capital city of the Sun Kingdom using one of the Black Market Doors for fast travel.
I sneaked into the castle through one of the numerous doors, and the royal guards that were stationed didn't stop me. At first glance, the security seemed lax, likely due to Yara's presence, which made it nearly impossible for anyone with a disguise ability to get past her.
As always, Wisteria was engrossed watching anime, and the dark circles under her eyes caught my attention. I couldn't help but frown. Had she been getting any sleep lately?
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Pausing our intended conversation, I sat down on the bed beside her and asked, "When was the last time you slept?"
"Today?" she replied, appearing uncertain.
"Is something bothering you?" I reached out to fix her disheveled hair, and she looked at me with a puzzled expression. Just as she was about to speak, I interrupted, adding, "You can tell me anything."
She opened her mouth but closed it again, replacing her expression with a contemplative frown. "You know, I've been thinking for a while."
"You started thinking? Thank God you finally did," I breathed out in relief.
She seemed ready to hit my arm but stopped halfway, realizing it would only hurt her. My body was superhuman, more durable than stone.
"I just... don't know," she sighed, lying back down on the bed. "My siblings are dead, and so is my father. Does anyone even care for me, beyond my role as queen?"
Was she beginning to resent me now that I had killed her family?
I lay down on the bed beside her and said, "Well, I care about you. If that means anything to a big-shot queen."
"As a friend or something more?" she turned to look at me, leaning on her hand, a teasing smile playing on her lips. It was always difficult to discern her true thoughts.
"If, by the end of this whole ordeal, I somehow survive, let's get married," I suggested.
Her eyes widened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure and replied, "Who knows if I would even want you by then?"
"Yeah, you're right. I'll probably end up with terrible scars or a missing limb. Who would want someone like that?"
"I didn't mean it like that," she playfully poked my cheek and pouted. "Also, in moments like these, you're supposed to confess your undying love and say something like, even if you die, you'll still come back for me."
"That's corny. Please step outside and touch some grass, shut-in chunni weeb queen," I playfully flicked her forehead.
She pouted and covered her forehead, then asked, "Anyway, what did you want to talk to me about? You never visit unless it's something serious."
I raised an eyebrow in response to her words but proceeded to explain my findings. I told her about the time travel shenanigans, the discussions I had with the Kuro Clan Head, and everything else.
Instead of asking about my future knowledge, she looked at me and asked, "Are you sure you want to get involved in that? You could just stay by my side, and we could watch anime together and live a safe life."
"No, I can't... I have some things I need to take care of," I said, preparing to get up. However, I remembered her talking about her brothers and father. She must have been feeling lonely, so I decided to stay with her on the bed.
Who knows? This might be one of the last times we would see each other.
"Did you know that the royal family is affected by a special ability passed down from one of my ancestors? I'm not exactly sure what it does and there might be more, but whenever I fall asleep, I can see my ancestor's memories," she dropped a bomb on me out of nowhere.
I had never heard of this. A part of me was scared that it might be a similar ability to that guy who took over people's bodies. However, I didn't let my worries show on my face and requested. “Tell me more about the visions.”
Wis was an excellent storyteller. She explained everything in detail, including how her ancestor was connected to a person who sounded like Jesus.
Well, there were two possibilities. Either Jesus existed in this world, or in the distant past, there was another reincarnator with some sort of biblical complex.
But I had too much on my plate to dwell on that right now. However, amidst everything that was going on, I decided to share some good news. "Just to be clear, if I were to marry someone, I would want it to be a weirdo like you. Though it's not some kind of final promise or anything."
"That's all well and good, but what makes you think I would like you back?" She teased, giving me a playful smile.
"Well, you're the type of person who locks themselves in their room all day. Where exactly would you find someone to be with? Consider yourself lucky that a handsome, cool, strong, and charming guy like me is even looking your way," I added jokingly.
She chuckled and said, "Now you sound like one of those crazy exorcists. And just so you know, if I’m single for the rest of my life, that’s a choice. I'm hot as hell."
There was no denying that she was an exotic beauty with her crimson-red hair and blue eyes. Although I couldn't understand why she would brag about being single all her life.
As I lay in bed, all the worries weighing one me, for now settled on the back of my mind and I didn't think much about them. A heaviness settled over my eyelids, and I drifted off to sleep.
"And he had the audacity to ask me when I slept?" She muttered under her breath, those words being the last thing I heard before slipping off into dreamland.
Whatever problems I had, they could wait for another day.