Opinions... She thinks I am dumb huh?
"You could have sent Erebus away and then the hallway was pretty much silent enough to speak at." I suggested politely. She had to drag me into her private chamber at the Rise division for my simple 'opinion'. How ironic... That woman was trying to manipulate me into doing something for her.
"Yes, but the thing is... It was a hallway where people went back and forth a lot of times. So I still couldn't guarantee the privacy I would have needed." Health replied with a sweet smile, but I could see through her mask.
"Yeah... So what is it?" I asked with a frown, while using my index finger to wipe at the place I had been scratched on my forehead. My finger came out bloody as expected, but something about it now felt strange. It felt as if it wasn't my blood that I was pouring low on. But either ways... I didn't want to give up my energy and mind to it. If this woman would somehow make a connection to my life sooner or later, then I rather deal with it during that timeline.
"I was thinking about asking you how you died." She spoke with the same smile as before.
"As in?" I crossed my arms. Although she had offered me a seat, I didn't want to take it. I was completely fine staying stood like that.
"Like how you dissapeared back then... Don't tell me you still don't know."
"I really don't know..." I replied back with genuine confusion. I had absolutely no idea about this precious Seraphina and my recognition or similiarity to her. My facial expression died down to form a more calm face which ignited a new found hope in her.
She rushed to my place and didn't even hesitate. Within the blink of an eye, she as directly in front of me with her hand pulling back my hair from my forehead. I stumbled backwards with the sudden impact. She laid a flat palm on my forehead and kept it there for three whole seconds.
"What is wrong with you?!" I shouted as I pushed her away. I didn't like strangers trying to seem this close with me. "Please keep your distance... It is irritating." I added with a calmer voice while glaring at her with my crimson eyes.
"Hmm... You seem to be alright and telling the truth... You do know nothing about this..." She responded not so long later. As her hands clasped in front of her, she stepped back. "I understand this... After all... She had maroon edges... Not silver. And she had deep maroon eyes, not bright crimson. Alright... I am done with my observations."
"What?! Observations?! What are you playing at?!"
"I saw how you fought down there. You are a very strong individual to be called a rookie."
"Hm..." I gritted my teeth like a prey trying to fight away a predator.
"Now. Answer me this. Why did you reject the third Aethalgard seat? Whatever Justice makes a decision of... He never makes a mistake about it even as the plan progresses."
"But what good does it serve you to speak about the third seat without a close evaluation to a rookie like me?" I knew this was actually a way to gamble with the minds of a person who is supposed to be weak and helpless. Because they make it seem like the reward is so big that it is hardly rejectable. I have learnt my mistake from the empress. I should make better calculations now.
"Well... We didn't know who the third Aethalgard was back when Death was alive. So we took it as the third Aethalgard being the same person or affiliated to the previous Death. And since this next Death was carefully chosen by Silence... I believe she had been associated to the dissapearance of the third Aethalgard."
"But you don't have prove that whatever your think is affiliated to whatever else about me... Yes I believe that the third time is not a coincidence... But unless you can truly tell that this is supposed to be connected, you can't quite just make up things." I answered with a gesture of ignorance in this topic.
"Mhm... True..." She nodded while fixing her gaze at me. "But what if I told you I have prove enough. However... I just don't want to handle this matter that easily."
I knew she was going to say something like this, I just had to wait for the right word and right timing.
"So is that why you wanted to have my opinion?" I asked with a smirk. "Or is it that you want me to do something to cover up a fact and have the Aethalgard and the other Guardians move on without batting a second eye at this case?"
"Who knows? But you are pretty smart about this." Health grinned back at me as she leaned against her table which had many dried leaves and herbs spread out.
"Say I actually wanted to talk to you about more than just that. I had a much bigger fact I wanted to ask a clearer question about. Do you think your injuries can afford it? I won't mind healing you for it."
"Then I am guessing this situation is quite the thing that causes you to be this determined."
"Maybe you are a genius."
"Don't bother healing me. Continue with your questions. I am interested at a different level now that you mention it."
Her mood immediately lightened up. A couple sentenced were enough to trigger that reaction from her. Like always, my words seem to have better loudness than my actions. Because she wasn't even conscious about how I had sent Puppet to investigate around her chamber while I was distracting her completely to my side. I still doubt that it could carry out the way I wanted things to work out.
"The role of the Guardian of Death is a very risky title as you know. There is an entity chasing us through millennias and eras. I know that as a human who suffered a lot of hardships, you always desired the freedom to live a normal life at least once. And this role that you have been bestowed, is going to be the very thing that snatches your life back.
"I have seen you suffer and then solve your problems, then suffer again and the next time, it just keeps getting harsher and harsher. Until you decided to take your own life to protect your brother... Do you really want to go back down to the same cycle during your previous term of life?"
My eyes widened without my command, and I couldn't make out the situation I was in.
The last time I checked, weren't Erebus, Pandora, the Guardian of Time and the Guardian of Destruction the only people who knew about my life in this world? Were they simply a proxy for the second Aethalgard Heir from the start? To lure me out and then have me surrender to something I wasn't aware of? Afterall... They did say I was... The previous Guardian of Death.
Was the case of the previous Guardian of Death really just a sudden dissapearance? ... Or was it something so twisted and cruel that actually led to her demise?
Did she really dissapear? Or was she killed by these people who keep surrounding me and telling me things that I can't find the answer to? Was it that... These people... They had done her a major trap which led her to a death she couldn't quite prevent? And then when they saw me... They were suspecting that I might be her and came back... Because I was supposed to be dead and this led to their plans being ruined...
"I–"
I started speaking as if to ask something. But the next second, I hesitated. She was glaring at me with eyes I couldn't tell what they intended to bring problems about to me... That would lead to a next conflict I can't solve yet again... I was dumbfolded like I had always been with the Guardian of Silence.
So this... Is how they are truly... All of them... They see my life as a 'play'.
I let out a deep breathe before I flashed a knowing smile at her direction and lifted my crimson gaze at her face. I could tell that now that my mind had made up a few likely scenarios of what was to do with me and that previous Guardian of Death... My face was probably filled with an expression that promised hatred and resentment.
"Then... What are you really trying to say?" I asked finally.
"Is it really necessary to continue being the Guardian of Death?
"Like you and Justice had said before... You are really still a child with no clear ends at sight. You should take advance of the time of your youthhood then to get tangled with matters that promises you a life that you never wanted to began with. I will manage for your running away if you need. After all... I am a Guardian unlike your elder brother from the Imperial family."
So this was what the previous Guardian of Death was treated like. She was just an obstacle to them that needed to be removed. I see now... That what could have led to her dissappearance in the first place. People and colleagues who despised her for her title only.
"I am sorry... You might think that your offer may seem very interesting and useful to me..." I started speaking while keeping my previous composure in tact on my face. "But honestly... I view it another way to which you might be a little offended. However, for that case I would like to ask of your forgiveness before hand and that I have the freedom to make my choice."
"Sure. I don't mind as long as it harms none of the both divisions. Please... You are a child with a right that I can't fight. If you wish, you can make your own choice." She replied almost instantly. I knew I was going to enjoy this. Because right the next second...
"You know... You might flash your golden green eyes at me with all those despise and hatred that you hide behind it... But I don't see a single disadvantage for myself after I was granted the title of Guardian of Death."
My face turned instantly evil with a smile that masked nothing. Maybe I just shattered my mask in front of her... Now she had to face the reality of being with a person like me. I needed to do that to convince her...
"Uh... Sorry? I couldn't quite catch what you said." She responded back with widened eyes that showed she was shocked enough with the unclear response I had given her.
"Oh... Well is that so?" I asked with a fake concern. "Then let me get this straight..."
I stepped forward, where she was standing with her arms folded. My crimson gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that sent shivers up her spine and may have triggered some sort of memory into her.
"You can constantly flash your golden green eyes at me. Looking like you are genuine when you say you want to help me. But I certainly have nothing to lose when I say I am the Guardian of Death." I replied with my eyes narrowing down as my smile grew more comical and realistic to my feelings. I showed her the side of me that I wasn't faking about.
I lingered there in that position a second longer. Then stepped back with my mask of false smile snapping back in my face.
"Alright then! I hope this concludes our discussion and I should be heading back now. See you another time. Send my regards to the rest of the Guardians and please inform them that I had some important works to attend to that led me for a hurried getaway without a proper farewell."
With that, I left her hanging and stepped out of her chamber. Puppet appeared beside me the next second as I looked towards the empty corridor, my injuries were still draining me. "My cheeks are sore from all that smiling and showing that I am interested." I finally spoke towards my elemental animal. "Find anything useful?"
"Just these keys. I made a copy of them." It flung a set of clinging brass to me and dissapeared again. I decided to memorize the structural integrity before it dissapeared completely. I had a plan in mind, but I won't carry it out this instantly. I will make sure the situation is so that she is trapped in her own trap.
I turned to head towards the way I had entered when I first arrived at the Guardian Realm. Before leaving, I met Matthew again. I was hoping this would happen, so I didn't mind and had a small conversation before my departure.
"Leaving so soon?" He had asked while adjusting his monocle, seeming quite sad. I could clearly see the sword at his side that he was clasping tightly.
"Yes... I have a few important work to deal with back at the Nikoan. So I need to leave immediately." I responded, cutting to the chase.
"I see. Well it is not that I am going stop you... Are you sure you will be alright with your injuries untreated?"
"Well yes. I didn't want to be a burden before I left. Afterall... I think I have done a huge disadvantage by not alerting the rest of you and jumping into the battle with the demons right outside at the garden."
"I understand. But don't think of it as a source of burden for us. Even if the two divisions ever seem controversial to you... You are free to come over to the Honorary Knights if you ever feel like it. You are a Guardian now."
"Thanks for the offer. I hope to see you soon." I bowed my head, which seemed to have caught him completely off guard and frowning. I didn't bother much and walked out of the doors, then the large metal gates.
Following that, I cut a shallow line through the air with Spectrum and jumped down onto the dried leaves of the forest. With the familiar yet unfamiliar presense tipping me off.