Clue (1)

Pervert.

I-Im not! Renee retorted his low comment.

Well, its written all over your face.

Hmph!

Renee covered her face with her hands.

Im not!

She repeated.

Veras smile deepened.

His laughter openly expressed his delight.

Vera continued to laugh for quite some time and only stopped when Renee began to tremble with shame.

Its too bad, when I have the chance to tease you like this I dont have the time to do so.

Vera reached out his arm.

He removed Renees hand covering her blushing face, and looked at her.

Its time to keep my promise. Ask me three questions.

Renees body flinched.

Slowly, she lifted her head to face him.

Renee was no fool.

She could sense the weight of the three questions he was emphasizing.

Renee opened her mouth.

She voiced the first thought that came to her mind.

Do you have restrictions?

He seemed to want to tell her something important.

Something that could be compromising.

Hence, Vera was trying to use a loophole.

Youre still the same, smart as always.

A somewhat vague affirmation.

That was enough.

Renee understood why Vera wanted to convey the information through the form of three questions.

Your power youve created a situation where you can only answer through your power. You temporarily lifted the restriction placed on you.

Maybe.

Though vague, Renee knew it was a positive affirmation in its own right.

Vera didnt want to categorize the previous statement as an answer.

She accelerated her thought process.

There certainly was no clue that this was another timeline.

Yet, in a short span, he was able to notice it.

Then, he took the legacy and managed to escape with everyone.

He knows about the regression.

It was the action of someone who already knew that the world would rewind.

She needed to confirm it.

Just as Renee was about to open her mouth

Think carefully.

Vera interrupted her.

Im talking about your questions. Your questions should be things you somehow cannot figure out, not things you can figure out on your own.

Renee closed her mouth.

She considered the meaning behind Veras words.

After a moment of consideration, she realized a fact she had overlooked.

When Vera returns, his memories will be absorbed.

She could then ask if he truly knew about the regression through his memories.

Therefore, asking this question would be a waste.

Renee nodded.

Vera stroked her head, smiling.

Good.

He treated her like a child.

Renees expression crumpled, feeling unnecessarily resentful.

Do you not like this sort of thing?

She did not answer.

This Vera from another time was too different from the one she knew, so Renee did not want to show him an overly familiar, infatuated appearance.

Assuming you know about the regression, Ill ask my questions.

Go ahead.

Three questions.

Out of them, the most important one was obvious.

What is the legacy? Why do we need to collect it?

They have now collected five legacies.

Considering that Alaysia had one among the eight in total, then only two remained.

Why did they need to collect them, and what should they do with them once gathered?

Vera answered Renees question.

Excellent question.

Saying so, Vera pulled out the necklace he had taken from Nartania and put it around Renees neck.

A legacy is proof of Ardains existence. Its the only remaining record proving that he existed in this world.

A record?

Yes, to put it simply. Its like a history book. Its purpose is to leave a record of his existence for future generations now that his traces can no longer be found.

Vera briefly stared at the necklace on Renees neck and then tapped the center of it as he continued to speak.

The reason we have to collect it is because we need that record. Alaysias goal is to become one with Ardain and become the eternal ruler of this land.

Renees fingertips trembled.

She felt that Vera was subtly insinuating another clue in response to her one question. He was now unveiling the identity of the enemy that had been shrouded in mystery.

Think about it. If Alaysia has to become Ardain, but theres already a record proving Ardains separate existence, then what would happen? That whore cant completely become Ardain.

Isnt it enough to just keep them?

Its fine just to keep them, but wouldnt it be much better to use something youve obtained? Each of his legacies contains a power rivaling each of the Gods authority and supremacy. Awaken them.

How?

Youll naturally find out.

Just as Renees brows narrowed to his vague answer, Vera continued speaking with a smile.

The first question ends here. Lets move to the second one.

He ended the conversation, as if drawing a line that shouldnt be crossed.

Renee tried to object but soon gave up and nodded.

She knew well enough that his silence was due to the restriction.

The second question

She had roughly gauged information about the legacies from the first question.

Furthermore, she had once again marked the true enemy she had to face.

There was no need to think about what to ask next.

How do we stop Alaysia? How do you defeat and annihilate an ancient species?

A smile crept up on Veras lips.

The Great Souls of Seven, the Legacy of Eight, and the Power of Nine.

He answered like he had been waiting for it.

Vera added an explanation.

You need the Souls of Heroes, and Proof of Ardains Existence, as well as the Miracles of the Gods who built this land. To wish for the extinction of an Ancient Species, nothing from these should be missing.

Renees eyes widened.

She instantly thought of something after hearing those words.

So

So thats why there were heroes.

Friede, Aisha, Albrecht, Miller, and Hegrion, along with her and Vera.

Vera was with me after all.

There must have been a reason why the heroes from all over the continent had to gather.

The reason why her previous self gathered them from various parts of the continent, and not the Apostles, must have been for this.

And after gathering all of them?

I only have one thing to say about that, and that is, you will find out eventually. Now, the final question.

Renee nodded.

Gathering all her thoughts, she came up with the most appropriate question to ask.

A brief moment of silence ensued.

Then, Renees words echoed.

What should we do now?

Renee thought.

If there was a reason for Vera to want to convey this message at this point, even if he had to summon his consciousness through Nartania, then it must be because something urgent was about to happen.

This is the real question I should be asking him.

Renee was right.

Vera briefly licked his lips and answered with a smile wider than any he had shown before.

I will now convey to you what you asked of me.

Her own words that she told the past Vera.

The meaning behind this was clear.

That she, from the previous life, had created this situation.

That this was the second aid she had prepared alongside the grimoire.

I dont know what the future holds either. Dont you agree? The current me is just a thought, right after forming a contract with Nartania. Only you know what will happen next.

How can I, from the past, know the future?

Well, I dont know exactly either.

A chuckle escaped from Veras lips.

I just believe in you. Because youre you. Because youve always made the right choices.

He answered irresponsibly.

Yet, Renee could immediately feel the intent behind it.

I believe in you.

This Vera doesnt doubt her past self.

He trusts that whatever she does will lead them on the right path.

Ironically, Renee found herself more interested in this than the three important questions.

Their complete trust in each other and the love that felt so warm were truly dazzling, causing her mind to continually drift in that direction.

It was Veras words that snapped Renee out of it.

Return to the Holy Kingdom immediately.

Renees thoughts froze.

Alaysia will try to reduce the number of Apostles. I dont know exactly when, so return to the Holy Kingdom before its too late to stop her schemes.

Her mouth slowly opened.

Wh-what?

It will take a long time to travel between the northern and southern ends of the continent, so go and find Locrion instead and ask him to send you to the Holy Kingdom. He should be able to bend space and send you there.

And then, he fell silent.

Vera tightly held Renees hand as if he could tell her no more and sighed regretfully.

Thats it. Theres nothing more I can tell you.

Wait, please wait!

It wont be easy. But I believe in you.

Veras divinity wavered strangely.

As if it would scatter any second, it started to glow unsteadily.

In whatever form, youll find the answer. Because you always do

His voice gradually faltered.

Because you loved even a person like me.

Renees fingertips stopped.

Her hand, which had reached out to grab him, froze in mid-air.

Because you turned even a wretch like me into this, you can do it.

At the sadness in his tone, Renee felt certain words emerging, pushing aside her previous urgency.

She did not stop it.

Youre not a wretch.

Hm?

Vera, youre not a wretch. The Vera I know is

Her hand, which had been falling quietly, touched the back of Veras hand.

a person kinder than anyone else in the world.

Flinch.

Veras hand twitched.

Then, a silent laugh followed.

Thats rather embarrassing.

Vera turned his hand and took Renees.

He pressed his lips to the back of her hand and then spoke.

Its been an honor.

And then, his presence faded away.

Vera collapsed.

***

In a daze, Vera looked at the scene before his eyes.

Where is this?

It was a mansion somewhere with a snowy landscape visible from the window, and an inexplicable sight.

Aisha, its time to train.

Hegrion told Aisha.

While lying sloppily on the sofa, a grown-up Aisha replied.

Get lost.

Albrecht rose from his seat and approached Hegrion, his tail swishing.

Sir! Can I

Tsk.

Albrecht froze in place.

Miller burst into laughter as he watched the scene while drinking, and Friede kicked Albrecht into a corner as if it was a familiar routine.

Vera watched this scene from the corner of the mansion with a frown.

His expression subconsciously crumpled.

Vera knew this phenomenon.

A memory.

It was a phenomenon that always occurred when he recalled memories of his previous life.

He didnt know why it was happening now, but he focused on the scene before him.

I was here.

He had traveled with them.

That memory was seeping into his mind.

Renee, who came to the slums to have him keep his promise, had led him here.

He had joined the group intending to help in just one battle and ended up traveling the world.

Now, they were headed for the Citadel of the Dark Night.

This moment was when they were resting before departing from Hegrions homeland, Oben.

Vera refocused on his involuntarily moving body.

He left the living room, climbed the stairs, and reached the room on the farthest side of the highest floor.

What Vera saw when he opened the door was

What are you doing here alone?

Renee, sitting on a chair with her eyes closed.