Extract from the -{ Tome of Light }- the divine scripture of the Church of Light.

"In the sanctity of my divine judgment, behold the revelation of man's inherent flaws. Embrace the illumination of my truth, which exposes the darkness within and offers the promise of transformation through unwavering devotion." (The Faults in Man - 3:6)

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Clover and Sarah watched Asher and Winston's forms disappearing into the forest.

"Sir Asher is acting... peculiar," Sarah murmured, her whiskers quivering.

Clover nodded, his nose wrinkling. "Indeed. It's as if he doesn't know the most fundamental truths of our world."

The siblings exchanged worried glances, the weight of their recent ordeal pressing down upon them. The questions Asher had posed were ones they had never considered, having been taught the answers from birth. It was as if he had asked them why the sky was blue or why the water was wet.

Clover's ears drooped as he voiced the thought that had been gnawing at both their minds. "I suppose it doesn't matter. Once we reach the town, he'll likely leave us, and we'll become strangers once more."

A heavy silence fell between them, thick with unspoken fears and longing. Though they couldn't explain it, the thought of Asher's departure left a hollow ache in their chests. Without realizing it, they had begun to see him as a pillar of support, a buffer against the harsh reality of returning to their town as orphans.

The forest seemed to grow darker around them, shadows stretching like grasping fingers. The siblings huddled closer together, seeking comfort in each other's presence as they awaited Asher's return.

Meanwhile, deeper in the woods, Asher and Winston had paused in their quest for firewood. The air was thick with tension, unspoken words hanging between them like a fog.

"It seems the travel is taking a toll on you," Asher observed, his keen eyes noting Winston's unusually rigid posture. "Why don't you sit down and rest?"

Winston's ever-present smile tightened slightly. "The master needs not worry. I was just feeling a bit under the weather, that is all."

Asher's brow furrowed, unconvinced. "Is that so... Hey, Winston."

"Yes, Master Asher?" Winston replied, his tone carefully neutral.

Asher's gaze swept the surrounding forest, as if searching for eavesdroppers among the ancient trees. "I want to know more about the current situation within the tower, and I think asking two natives is the best route we have. However, from what you've already heard about their view of the tower's history, I don't think revealing to them that I'm an outsider would be the right move, do you have any suggestions?."

Winston felt a flicker of anger at the mention of the distorted history, but Asher's acknowledgment that it was false soothed his indignation. He pondered the question, his agile mind working through various scenarios.

"Dear master," Winston began, his voice lowered conspiratorially, "how about having them take an oath of secrecy?"

Asher's eyes widened in surprise. "A what?!"

"An oath," Winston explained, his tone taking on a lecturer's cadence. "A contract formed between two parties with the Creation System as a witness. If the parties agree to the terms, they are obliged to fulfill the contract and keep the secrecy intact. The one who breaches is dealt a punishment by the Creation System itself. Since the tower is full of the essence of creation, it is highly likely that knowledge of it is known."

Asher mulled over Winston's suggestion, weighing the risks and benefits. It was a bold move, but one that could potentially yield the information they desperately needed. With a nod of agreement, they made their way back to the temporary camp.

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Upon their return, they found Jormu and Inky had already brought back a massive deer-like beast from their hunt. The sudden appearance of the carcass startled the lapinian siblings, though they made no comment, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and trepidation.

After a hearty meal that filled the air with savory aromas and the sound of contented sighs, the group prepared for the final stretch of their journey. As they drew nearer to the town, Asher noticed the increasing anxiety radiating from Sarah and Clover. Their ears twitched more frequently, and their steps became hesitant.

When they were merely half an hour from their destination, the first signs of civilization began to appear. Asher called the group to a halt, his expression serious. The lapinians looked at him questioningly, confusion evident in their wide eyes.

"Sarah, Clover," Asher began, his voice low and measured, "I need to speak with you about something before we reach the town."

The siblings' ears perked up attentively, sensing the gravity in Asher's tone.

"Do you know what an oath of secrecy is?" he asked, watching their reactions carefully.

Recognition flickered across their faces, and they nodded slowly. Clover, ever cautious, sought clarification. "Sir Asher is referring to the oath taken in the name of the divine Creation System, yes?"

"Indeed," Asher confirmed a hint of approval in his voice.

He took a deep breath, choosing his next words with care. "You see, there are certain things that I wish to share with you and other things that I wish to ask you. However, to do that, I need you both to form an oath of secrecy with me. I can assure you that this would not bring any harm to you and is merely a precaution I am taking for my own safety."

The siblings exchanged worried glances, the weight of the decision pressing down upon them. Asher, sensing their hesitation, offered an alternative.

"In case you don't want to do so, that's okay as well. We are already at a safe distance from your town; we can part ways here. I believe you two can manage on your own from here and reach the town safely. No matter what you choose, I guarantee that no harm will befall you both."

Sarah and Clover found themselves at a crossroads, the forest around them suddenly seeming vast and full of unknown possibilities. They could return to the familiar confines of their town, facing an uncertain future as orphans, or they could take a leap of faith with this enigmatic stranger who had saved their lives.

Clover, ever protective of his sister, was on the verge of rejecting Asher's proposal. But before he could voice his decision, Sarah's clear voice rang out.

"I accept."

Clover turned to his sister, surprise etched on his features. Sarah met his gaze with determination burning in her eyes.

"I don't know what Sir Asher wishes to share with us that requires something like an oath of secrecy," she explained, her voice growing stronger with each word. "However, I find that Sir Asher is an honorable man. I believe that since he has spoken, he will keep to his words, and no harm will come to us either way. Besides..."

She paused, her gaze softening as she looked at her brother. "We owe our lives to Sir Asher. A small request such as this is not even enough to repay a fraction of that debt."

Asher felt a surge of warmth at Sarah's bold words, impressed by her courage and insight. Clover, seeing the resolve in his sister's eyes, let out a deep sigh. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, signaling his acquiescence.

"I will ensure that this trust you place in me is not broken," Asher vowed, his voice resonating with sincerity.

Winston swiftly made the necessary arrangements for the oath. The two parties – Asher and Winston on one side, the lapinin siblings on the other – carefully crafted the oath's contents. The terms were straightforward: neither party would undertake any action to harm or defame the other, and both would keep each other's secrets unless given explicit consent to share them.

As the four took their vows, the air around them seemed to thicken with unseen energy. Suddenly, a sheet of what appeared to be pure gold materialized before them, shimmering with an otherworldly light. The paper ignited, transforming into a brilliant golden flame that split into four glowing orbs. Each sphere floated gracefully towards the participants, disappearing into their chests with a warm pulse.

The forest fell silent for a moment as if holding its breath in witness to this mystical pact.

"So," Sarah ventured, her voice slightly breathless, "what is it that Sir Asher wished to discuss?"

Asher's eyes twinkled with a mixture of mystery and mischief. "It's a bit of a long story. We'd better get to the town first."

The siblings nodded in agreement, their curiosity palpable as they once again took the lead. As they resumed their journey, Asher pulled the hood of his cloak low, obscuring his features. Taking the hint, Winston exercised his inhuman control over his body, gruesome flesh writhing and reshaping itself into feline ears atop his head. Asher suppressed a shudder at the unsettling sight but recognized its necessity for their upcoming venture.

As they traversed the final leg of their journey, Asher seized the opportunity to learn more about the Lapinians' world. Sarah and Clover, their initial wariness giving way to eager sharing, painted a vivid picture of their home and livelihood.

Willowwick, they explained, was a town primarily inhabited by Lapinians. Its claim to fame was the very cloaks they wore – remarkable garments with the power to mask the wearer's scent, blending it seamlessly with nature. These cloaks were invaluable to hunters and travelers, offering a measure of protection against the keen noses of wild beasts.

"Of course," Clover added a note of pride in his voice, "it doesn't work if the beast actually sees you. But it's still incredibly useful."

The Swift family, to which Sarah and Clover belonged, had built their livelihood around trading these cloaks to neighboring towns. It was a precarious profession, fraught with the dangers of traversing the beast-infested forests, but the rewards were substantial.

"Our family, along with the Marigold family, would make these trading runs three or four times a year," Sarah explained, her eyes growing distant with memories. "The profits from these trips, if managed wisely, could sustain us for the entire year."

As they spoke, Asher's mind whirled with the implications of their tale. The complex economy, the dangers faced by these seemingly fragile creatures, the ingenuity required to survive in this harsh world – it all painted a picture far more intricate than he had initially imagined.

The forest began to thin, giving way to cleared paths and the occasional glimpse of structures in the distance. Willowwick loomed ever closer, promising answers to Asher's burning questions – and undoubtedly raising new ones in turn.