---
She turned to leave, her cloak swaying like a final word.
But I couldn't let her go. Not yet. Not without answers.
"Wait!" I called out. My voice cracked, pathetic.
She paused.
I swallowed hard. "How did you know? About me? That I'm not from here. That I have… that power."
She didn't turn back. Just stood there, a long breath escaping her lips like she was deciding whether I deserved the truth.
Then—
"I've seen it before," she said. "The confused eyes. The misplaced clothes. The way everyone around you stumbles like their thoughts aren't their own."
She slowly turned her head, just enough for one eye to lock onto mine.
"You're not the first to fall into this world with power you didn't earn."
"…How?" I asked. "How do you know all that?"
She finally faced me fully.
"Because I'm from Earth too."
My lungs stopped working.
"What…?"
Her expression didn't change.
"Tokyo. Six years ago. I got pulled into this world like a fish on a hook. Woke up with blood on my hands and a system message in my face."
I stared at her like she'd grown another sword.
"But you… you're immune," I said. "You didn't even flinch when I tried to command you."
She nodded.
"That's because Obedience—your so-called power—only works on natives of this world. Not people like us. Not Earthlings."
My head spun.
"So… I can't control you. Or anyone else from Earth?"
"No," she said flatly. "And thank every god in this cursed world for that."
She stepped closer now, eyes sharp enough to cut through whatever pride I had left.
"Your ability is dangerous. You probably think you're doing the world a favor by using it 'for good.' But I've watched others before you say the same thing—right up until they built their thrones on broken minds."
"I'm not like them," I whispered.
"Not yet," she said. "But if you ever try to command me again, you'll wish this world had a 'Game Over' screen."
She turned away again. This time, for real.
"Wait!" I called. "I-im Riku, may I know yours?"
She stopped. Didn't turn. Just said:
"Aelira"
And then she vanished into the trees.
---
I stood there, shaking.
Not just because someone defied me—but because I realized...
I wasn't special.
Not unique. Not chosen. Not even original.
There were others.
And some of them might not use their powers for good.
Which meant if I wanted to survive…
I had to be more than the Yes King.
I had to be better.
---
[To be continued…]