Well... Now this is a surprise. I never thought that it'd come to this. Heck, I never expected anything other than some rare item guarded by a dragon.

However... this guy - this spirit seemed to have pulled my interests in a way that I couldn't resist. All I needed was to ask and my wish would be granted.

Huh. That certainly is something the djinn inside the vessel would do.

And so.......

"I'll pass on that."

I rejected the offer.

"........."

"........."

Arara, the tea is overflowing, Neun!

"...err... are you certain?" She responded after stuttering and neglecting her job for a while.

Well, Neun didn't look like it but I just knew she'd react like that. How surprising. Maybe in one of my previous lives, I have met her. But this won't go on if I don't tell my reason.

"I didn't come here to have my problems be solved. I want to help someone I care about so I don't want any privilege in getting myself the easy way out."

"...I-I see. But is that fine? Aren't you fed up of having known nothing...?"

I raised a finger while I drank the tea. In the interval, I began to answer.

"First. My soul is powerful, and also precious enough that a necromancer from yonderland decided to hunt me down. I was probably someone so powerful I could turn the heaven upside down with this kind of soul."

It's already bothersome to know I reincarnated more than once but so what? I am me! I think, therefore I am!!

Whatever happened in the past, I have no intention to know and I can't change anything about it even if I knew!! So that knowledge is absolutely useless if it doesn't help me solving current problems!!

Besides, I don't want to die so quickly. I prefer a nice retirement in my hometown, marry the one I love and have children while spending time leisurely.

"Second, I'm an Oratoria. I don't get this but it's way faster to ask Fei directly."

In fact, I'd hate to know the truth from other's mouth as that idiot always stashed everything inside only to protect me.

Besides, both of you always regarded him as 'Weapon' so I already got an inkling about the situation. Well, I need to know from the person himself but that can wait until he's ready.

"Third. I don't give a damn about my 'Destiny'. As long as it's not about harms to those I care, I won't complain. Of course, any conspiracy some higher power planned is not my problem too."

"...but what if they want to destroy the world?"

Haa? What are you talking about?

"Do you expect ME to save the world? I'm not a Hero, not a Messiah and not a Devil. All I can do is to protect what my hands grasp so don't push more responsibility to me. That's just being an ass."

Besides, lots of people here with excessive power have so much time in hands unlike me. I can't even win a dirty fight against that Demon General so I'm still far away from my goal.

Heck, slicing a controlled dead guy? In many sources, the correct way should have been to destroy the possessor WITHOUT hurting the possessed.

So - my victory against Vladimir is invalid. I didn't win at all.

"...aren't you being selfish, child of human?" Neun remarked, growing irritated from the tone.

"If I can't be selfish, as if I can hold Fei's hands," I replied. "At least let me have the privilege to do what I want. I don't even know how much time I can have in this world."

From my assumption and experience... I doubt I'll live long. I just hope it's more than enough to allow Fei to feel what happiness is.

I peeked at Ancestor in front of me, waiting for his reply. Angering him was the last thing I wanted after all. But...

"I see. You have decided." He exhaled with a content smile, the eerie aura vanished as if it was never there.

Huh?

"At first, I am slightly skeptical. After all, you bear striking resemblance with someone I knew, but your path... is parallel to hers."

Ah, eh... parallel... as in, despite the same aim, the method chosen differed? Is it like that?

"Is it bad?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Hardly. Did you know that the Savior has never been one who wanted to save the world, but to protect those close to them?" Ancestor answered.

"...I'm not a savior." I frowned at the way he worded it.

"Yes, you are not. You are a human, albeit different than the rest. And I am more than pleased with your answer, Charlotte Augmund."

Uwah, he said it as if he was testing me! Could it be the talk earlier was a mere bait?!

"...what happens if I didn't have a good answer?"

"Well, I'd have thrown your carcass to your Weapon."

Scary! That sounds scary as hell!! So I was treading on a thin ice!! How could I not notice?!

"Setting that aside... I'm sure you want to know what you are seeking for in this garden."

Oh, he stood up. Umm... I guess I should follow then-

"Hm!?" I dropped the teacup once I felt a freezing chill on my spine.

Acting by reflex, I kicked the table from below, making the trays and tea set flying while it became a wall - which was split in halves in the next second, something brushed against my fore locks a millimeter away from my nose!

But the chill didn't stop! This is bad!!

Flipping from the chair, I kicked the ground, avoiding several buzzing sound similar to a sword cleaving strong wind. To my surprise, both the chair and the grasses, the plants as well as the roots of the giant tree were slashed in the next moment.

Blades of grasses scattered around me as I saw flashes of silver. Lots of them hurtling to me, also closing in beyond comfort.

"Kh...!?" I drew out Gram in desperation, the blade met one of the silver flash in time and burst out orange sparks.

Th-This feeling of hitting tough metal... this buzzing sounds as if cutting the air with grace... the trajectory of the slashes, speed and style...!

"A... sword...!" I exasperated as I blocked a falling silver flash, witnessing the form of the object aiming to split me in halves.

It was... it was a white sword, one which gave off eerie vibe while looking like a treasured regalia of a God of War. The blade glistened once showered by the luminous landscape and it reflected a figure.

None other than Ancestor, more than eager to exude his... non-hostile air with a grim face?

"Wh-what are you... doing...!?" I shouted, catching my breathes and keeping my adrenaline from running amok.

"Indeed. What you believe now might be confusion. Doubts over my decision." Ancestor muttered out loud.

However... with the familiar white sword in hands, he knitted his brows together and pressure me further. Gah, what is this... tyrannical strength!?

"You have not once be cured of your softness, Sword Princess." He exclaimed, sliding the sword down and pulled it, before thrusting forward with wind-splitting speed!

He's aiming for a stab!? Crap, block it-

"Gah!?" I yelped once the sword almost penetrated my defense.

But the blow was too heavy for me to endure. My soles floated off ground and my body flew like a baseball hit with a grand slam. I went through phases of leaves, ivy, and nearly traveled to the edge of the garden.

I landed on my back, coughing lungful air out while every glowing sphere scurried away. The noisy garden had vanished and terrorizing silence reigned.

Ouch, my back... and I think some bones just cracked.

"Insightful yet remaining blind of the larger picture. Don't you understand that your decision will make you suffer a fate harsher than death?" A voice grimly said, as if scolding me.

I recovered my bearing and stood up, in front of me was the same Old Spirit but...

"And... attacking because I'm stupid makes you the right one?" I retorted, both unhappy and irate at the notion of being lectured with that damn face!

But what I received was a resounding "No." coming from the hostile, as much as I'd wondered why it was so... bloodcurdling as if spitting venom.

"We have no concept of justice or evil. We live and strive for what is necessary to survive. In this ruined world, we are but forgotten race, isolated and hunted by all wishing for our souls." Ancestor muttered as his free hand clawed his heaving chest. "But that does not justify this sin I am going to commit, Sword Princess."

Bringing his sword tip to the neck level, he lowered his hips and dashed forward while leaving a booming noise surpassing the sound barrier and appearing right in front of me, sword ready to slash down.

"I'm truly sorry."

"Huh - gah...!?"

I almost clawed the ground through my plated shoes upon taking the brunt of the impact with Gram. My body shuddering, every joint going numb, my arms couldn't be felt momentarily and my ears deafening with painful ringing noise. Even my consciousness shook heavily like the time I was hit by the reincarnation truck!

Wincing, I found myself deadlocked against Ancestor. But the aura around him did not change, and he was... not even showing any emotion.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Just like him. Just like That Time.

In the face of the overwhelming threat devoid of malice... I couldn't help but to raise doubts. I couldn't help but to feel suffocated. I couldn't help but to stutter... and voiced out my surprise.

"...who... No. What... are you...?"

At once, the glowering steels clattered, hailing sparks even further as the grimaced spirit looked down before returning to stare at me, at my eyes.

Those eyes changed color. From the calm emerald color... Ancestor's eyes soon became... blank, and similar to a glass. Glass colored.

With a sudden increase of sparks, he tried to destroy my stance, forcing me to deflect him away by pumping aura to my arms and sword. But he did not even bother to 'stand' in midair and counterattacked while in upside-down position!

"Damn!" I cursed as blocked the heavy blows aiming for my neck, torso and legs.

He's aiming only the vital areas if not trying to immobilize me! Does that mean he wants to finish this as quick as possible? Or does he want to show how strong he was?

"...like I'd give a damn! It's do-or-die allover again!!"

I yelled as I swung Gram horizontally, meeting the white sword's descent near the base of the blade. I proceeded by stepping forward, hands gripping the hilt tightly before stepping aside. All at the same time as my grips softened, letting Ancestor to stumble forward.

"......!"

As Gram slid off my grasp, my hand instantly held the hilt in reverse-grip and I cut Ancestor's side from below! I felt the sword's point of gravity moving to the tip and once it drew half an arc above, I released Gram before holding the sword again with normal grip.

"Haa!" I lashed out, the blade severed one arm of my enemy.

That's one hand lost, so I can get more leeway-

"Huh!?"

Wait, what? No blood is spilling and only golden dust scattered... before changing into threads which stuck the severed arm back to the body like some super glue.

"What the hell - !?" My shout died as a gleam of glass thundered, along with a flickering shadow coming to my face.

I was knocked aside with a hook by the reattached arm. Skidding on the damp garden, I felt like I ate some mud and wet grasses, along slight drops of liquefied copper.

Gah. Ow... my cheek's got bruised, also grazed. Ah, I bit my lips!

But because I couldn't detect any killing intent, I was late to react as a silver flash loomed from behind. A shallow slash ran down my back, cutting strands of my hair, the armor and thick leather clothes hidden beneath my uniform.

Blood sprayed with searing heat coming from my back, causing me to stumble forward but I knew I'd be dead if I don't move! NOW!!

Grunting, I slammed my foot to the ground and leaped awkwardly to the front. Rolling without proper balance, it served me more damages than comfort but I missed death by a hair breadth! Again!!

And this time, I didn't forget to counter with another leap, a spin in midair and slashing at the sneaking enemy in want of more initiatives! Of course, I was thrown away again but it's because I wanted to gain some distance.

I stood up in a hurry and he lowered his sword as he raised a hand, looking at it with clouded expression.

"Indeed... what am I? A question worthy of a lifetime, a mystery that even I do not know the answer of. However..." He paused. "I believe you know someone else who possesses the same mystery."

The... same...? I recalled my entire memories, both previous life and current life and even tried to dig into the Soul Essence but...

But... who would have the same mystery to this spirit? Who would have any resemblance-

"......eh...?" I stuttered upon an impossible probability surfaced.

Wait... a minute... Resemblance...

"That white sword... that cold to an inorganic degree of air... that... that face and..."

His bearing, his voice, the meaning conveyed in his words, the gaze, the facial feature, and that... smile...

"...you... Are you... Fei...?"

"........."

That... that can't be. No. It can't be right! There's no way something so absurd like that to happen! I didn't encounter some paradox event right!?

Then... then... who's this guy in front of me?

He looks similar. He has the same sword. Even down to his bearing and...

"...it can't be." I said, denying the stupid 'speculations' running in my mind.

Something's wrong. Something is strange. There's something fishy as if a fish bone is stuck in my throat. It's way, WAY too fishy that I'm even thinking if I went mad.

In a way, the spirit before me... resembled Fei.

But what sets him as an anomaly here was... He's too similar it was as if he's Fei himself.

Noticing my ghastly expression, the spirit curled a wry smile. Then he looked up as a tremor occurred. The ground shook, the ceiling felled dirt and small crumbs of rocks...

And once I followed his gaze, the ceiling broke apart with a flood of creatures. They were all broken, in pieces and flailing as dark liquid sprayed from their wounds. But I didn't hear cries of anguish or surprise from them.

All I heard - was a series of whirring sounds like a computer in static state.

All I sensed - was the sharp scent of the black liquid which seemed terribly familiar for me, and it wasn't the scent of rust.

Amidst the nightmarish spectacle, a star gleamed. That white star descended, form began to materialize in a familiar way and it descended between us.

The ground shook hard, I yelped as I dodged and slashed my way out from the hundreds, if not thousands of creatures. Most were dead but they moved like a robot in their last stretch of energy.

No. These are... golems!

"Charlotte!" A voice called out, so familiar I couldn't help but to feel my heartbeat quickening.

Unconsciously, a relieved smile crept to my face as I gazed at the person drawing out a sword from the ground, his black hair wavered in the winds.

And right then, I instantly froze. Still like a stone statue.

I wanted to call out to him but I couldn't. I wanted to reach out to him and feel his hand but I couldn't. Something stopped me to do that.

One reason being - Fei who's there...

With that white sword melding in with a gauntlet. His eye colors were shifting between grey, gold and glass color while black 'hazes' scattered from on top of his crown. He's in the same state like at that time, in the school dungeon.

The other reason was - the change in the spirit known as Ancestor.

When he laid his gaze on Fei, his eyes hardened, his lips stiffened and it was as if he 'forgot' how to breathe. His shoulders heaving up and down while his hands were... shaking, visibly even.

Wh...at...? What's going on with him? What's happening here...?

I looked between Fei and Ancestor, the former noticing my action and he too followed my gaze... and he froze. Pretty much suffering like me.

"......."

"......what..."

The two 'Fei' exchanged gazes, one was the Black Hero while the other was an Ancient Spirit. The Hero was perplexed, shocked still as if he had seen something impossible.

Meanwhile, the Spirit had recovered his bearing, and he was, for the lack of better words, completely pissed off he's burning in cold anger.

"Well, well. To think you'd come here by taking the shortcuts... It seems it was useless to station Sieben and Funf out there, o imitation of creation."

...

......what... did he just say...? Imitation...? I looked at Fei but he was... more than shaken as he heard that. His eyes shaking, his white sword rattled and when he gasped, he looked at me.

This time, he was far, far beyond worse as if something like his greatest nightmare had appeared in reality.

But that was when another change interrupted.

The wall of the garden left to me was blasted as if rocked by a pile of dynamite. The large slabs of debris flew and rained around the garden, crushing any misfortunate Artificial Construct in its drop trajectory.

Coming out from the smokes and clutters was a person. A boy with flaming red hair, jade eyes with serpentine pupils and he saw me, his mood brightened but he scowled as he found Fei as well, and a completely blank expression when noticing Ancestor.

The gauntlets wearing half-demon frowned, scowling as he put words and rolled them out of his mouth:

"...well shit."

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A/N: And... another cliffhanger! Next episode will be... dunno, 3 days from now? The chapter's title is... kind of random but this series is already full of nonsensical jargons, shenanigans and unstable balance to remain floating. I seriously need to consider another revision of the overall plot...

Whatever, let's see the reason why Fei and Ancestor are alike in various degrees.