CHAPTER 47 – GOSSIP GAEUN

LYSANDER FARADEISS

In the heart of the planet, a majestic marvel known as the Guardian's Haven emerges as the epitome of power and influence. This colossal floating island, spanning tens of kilometers in radius, commands attention as the hub of the entire Empire. Divided into three distinct realms, it stands as a testament to the balance of authority.

The Royal Castle, a resplendent structure of pristine white, dominates a significant portion of the haven. Within its walls, the congress convenes, and the Royal Family holds court. The Prime Minister and her cabinet members orchestrate political and legislative affairs from this regal abode, its towering sub-castles housing over two hundred congressional offices. The Royal Castle reigns supreme over the realm of politics.

Beneath the shadow of the Royal Castle lies the Dragon Knights Academy, an institution of martial prowess and order. As the highest military and police force in the empire, the academy shapes the formidable Dragon Knights, the pinnacle of military achievement. Once revered as champions of dragonoid liberation, their reputation has faltered amidst the controversy surrounding Neo Arcadia. The people now cast a disdainful gaze upon these once-idolized guardians.

Amidst the secular and political dominion, the spiritual heart of the Guardian's Haven beats within the Cathedral Exa. Devoted to the worship of the Goddess Exceria, this sacred haven is a realm apart, dedicated solely to matters of religion and spirituality. Despite offering counsel to both the Royal Castle and the Dragon Knights, a distinct separation persists between the sacred and the secular. The Cathedral Exa stands as a beacon of divine guidance, maintaining a delicate equilibrium in a realm where church and state coexist.

At Cathedral Exa, I lit a candle, its flame flickering like a beacon, as memories of my family washed over me. Amidst the dimly lit arches and hallowed silence, I whispered Arthur's name, hoping he'd feel the warmth of my prayers amidst the chaos that had consumed Tasty Town. May their spirits find peace beyond these walls.

The Cathedral Exa retained an ageless charm, its architectural remnants whispering tales of bygone eras. The bell tower stood tall, an ancient sentinel, and the oversized wooden entrance exuded an eerie grandeur. The vivid stained glass windows, a kaleidoscope of colors, bathed the sacred space in a mystic beauty that time couldn't erase. It was here, amidst this solemn sanctuary, that my journey had taken a fateful turn – where Johnny and I clashed with Hiraya and Alris, and where Johnny met his tragic end. This was the birthplace of my use of Regression Magic.

The entrance to the underground pathway, which once led to the Regression Ritual Site, now lay sealed, its secrets buried deep beneath impenetrable barriers.

Contrasting sharply with the horror that stained the previous timeline, the Cathedral now teemed with life. Priests and shrine maidens of diverse races adorned the sacred space. Elves, dwarves, beastkins, mermaids struggling with their fish tails – a harmonious congregation of different species sought solace within its hallowed halls. Here, within the Cathedral Exa, race held no significance.

As I trod the crimson carpet, a symbol of reverence, my eyes caught sight of a familiar figure. A dragonoid girl, her plump body and long black hair framing a face deep in prayer, knelt on the pew's kneeler. The ethereal ambiance enveloped her, casting a soft glow on her crimson dragonoid eyes. Recognition sparked within her gaze as she lifted her head, the twinkle in her eyes a silent acknowledgment of our shared history.

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"Lysander!" Her voice cut through the air, and I turned to see Gaeun waving her hand.

My eyes widened in shock. "G-Gaeun?"

With a graceful gesture, she invited me to sit beside her. It was a surprising reversal, considering Gaeun's usually introverted and shy demeanor. Yet, what unsettled me more was the sight of her, alive and well.

Hurriedly, I took the seat next to the slightly less awkward Gaeun, who, for once, seemed a bit more at ease. To my surprise, she initiated the conversation.

"Um, Lysander. Are you doing fine?" Gaeun's expression betrayed genuine concern.

"I'm fine. How about you?" I replied, my own worry evident. "I thought you were gone."

"Oh," Gaeun shyly bowed, her demeanor revealing a hint of relief. "I guess we are lucky that Madam Corasell summoned us to her airship an hour before the bombing."

"Madam Corasell? Why did she summon you? What was it about?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.

Gaeun scratched her head, her shy demeanor intact. "She was worried about her chauffeur being missing for months. She hired us three to look for Johnny Wolvesbane."

The mention of Johnny Wolvesbane cast a shadow over my heart, but I concealed my emotions. Swiftly, I changed the topic, steering away from the weight of my concerns.

"Who else is with you?" I inquired, wanting to know more about the current state of our group.

"Kate and Charlotte. Kate is out buying coffee, while Charlotte is walking around the flowers located in the Cathedral’s gardens. Have you seen her?" Gaeun asked.

I shook my head, my indifference towards Charlotte apparent. "I haven’t. You three are the only ones left?" I asked, giving Gaeun a stern look.

Gaeun frowned and bowed, her expression conveying more than her words ever could. There was an awkward second of silence between us until she broke it.

"Is President… Hiraya with you?" Gaeun's question hung in the air.

"She was, but she went to talk with Madam Corasell earlier. They asked for an audience with the Empress," I replied.

Gaeun's next question hit me like a heavy blow. "How about Alris?"

Mentally blocked for a moment, I struggled to find the right words. How could I explain that Alris had been mind-controlled, manipulated into becoming a weapon for Neo Arcadia? How could I convey that Hiraya, in an attempt to save me, had been forced to take Alris's life? The weight of the unspoken truth lingered in the air, leaving an awkward silence between Gaeun and me.

As I grappled with organizing my thoughts, Gaeun spoke up.

“There have been rumors that a dark blue flaming dragon was the one who bombed the town. I was trying to deny it as I know that Alris is a good guy, but, um…”

"Alris is dead," I interjected, cutting through the unspoken denial. "Neo Arcadia killed him."

Gaeun gasped, her hand instinctively covering her mouth. Tears welled up in her eyes, on the verge of spilling over. Despite her distress, she managed to compose herself enough to ask one more question.

“How was President Hiraya?”

"Devastated, of course. I mean, her lover died right in front of her," I shared.

“Lover?” Gaeun tilted her head, confusion etching her expression.

“Yes. Why?” I responded.

“I thought they were just friends,” Gaeun said.

“Nope. They are lovers,” I clarified.

“B-But… Prez Hiraya rejected him.”

“W-What? How can you say so?” I asked, now thoroughly confused.

“I think it was last week, after we captured Doctor Voltaire. Alris asked Prez Hiraya out on a date. Hiraya agreed, and they went to a coffee shop,” Gaeun explained

“Hiraya agreed on the date, so Alris was not turned down,” I groaned. “What are you talking about?”

“No, no. Charlotte and I stalked Prez Hiraya during the date since we’re both curious about how their love story would turn out,” Gaeun whispered. “We stayed there in the same coffee shop in incognito mode until they left.”

“That’s a filthy hobby you two have,” I cringed, then redirected the conversation. “And then?”

“Alris confessed. But Hiraya rejected his confession,” Gaeun revealed.

“W-What? Why?” I slightly raised my voice, unintentionally drawing attention from other worshipers inside the cathedral. Realizing I was being too loud, I quickly tempered my volume. “Why did Hiraya reject Alris? I mean, he’s a good guy, right?”

“I don’t know what Hiraya is thinking either. She offered no explanation and just said that Alris and her should stay as friends for a while,” Gaeun explained.

Hearing that, I felt a twinge of pity for Alris. He was a genuinely good guy, and in the original timeline, he was supposed to be Hiraya's lover. How much had I unwittingly altered and disrupted through the butterfly effect?