There was no words for a while. I just sat there, waiting for Martin and Sera to pick up their jaws off of the table. Sera just kept darting her eyes up and down my status and stats screens, while Martin just folded his hands up and rested his chin on them. I began to actually wonder if I made a mistake in revealing this. I felt that it would be fine, and I already made the choice, so I had to trust that I made the right one.
"You know... I've seen some interesting things in my life. Insane things..." Martin said, before he turned to lock eyes with me, "This... both makes sense, and makes absolutely none. How is this possible?"
"Elias..." Sera began, her voice shakey as she looked at me, "You... the old stories... they're true."
"Yeah, people have told me that a few times. I don't really put a whole of thought into it, though." I replied, and she just stared at me in disbelief.
Martin suddenly chuckled, and I looked at him to see him scanning his eyes back and forth in almost a trance.
"It makes sense... your strength, your confidence, all of it." He said, and then he laughed, "S+ is thought to be the peak of power one can reach in their Class, in their stats, but there have always been rumors that it is possible to go beyond that... rumors that have never been proven to be true. Well, I'd say this is pretty damn convincing proof." He said, before he seemed to calm himself, and he craned his head up to stare at the ceiling, "And what are the odds that you would end up in my city? That I would invite you here to home? That we would become friends. Am I lucky, or unlucky?"
I wasn't sure how to answer that. Ultimately, he was just dealing with this revelation in his own way, and that way seemed to be having a mini freak out. Sera wasn't a whole better, but at least she was staying relatively composed compared to her husband. Martin just kept looking back and forth between my screens, and then at me, while Sera's eyes never left me.
"Eli is still the same person you know him to be." Cici said, scooting closer to me to rest her head on my shoulder, "Despite what that says. His race, his class, his stats... to him, it doesn't matter. All that matters to him is all of us. Those he cares about, and those he loves. He's... just Eli."
I put my arm around her, and gave her a little squeeze.
"Thank you, Cici." I said softly, and even without looking, I knew she was smiling brightly.
"Eli is a wonderful man. He hasn't shown me any different since I've known him." Clarissa added, and I reached over and put my hand on hers, making her blush, but she too smiled at me.
"Thank you, Clarissa. You're pretty amazing yourself." I said, and while my words did nothing to help her flushed cheeks, she looked so happy that it made my heart beat a bit faster.
"I... am grateful to have met him. He is much more kind than he looks." Valerie added, making me chuckle.
"Thanks, Val." I said, still laughing, but she just smiled and nodded. Fuck, she's cute.
"I never said he wasn't. I truly have enjoyed having you here." Martin said, and when I looked at him, he seemed significantly calmer now, "I'm just having my worldview flipped on its head..."
Sera seemed a lot calmer now herself, but she never took her eyes off of me. She seemed to be hesitating to speak.
"Sera." I said, making her flinch so slightly a normal person would have missed it, "You're my friend. You have treated me, my wife, and my friends very well. Both of you have, so please, don't be afraid to ask me questions. I've shared this much with you already. Just ask me what you're thinking."
She looked at me as I spoke, and as I did, I saw her relax, and I even saw her look a little guilty. I didn't want her to feel that way, but I also knew it was good to work through your emotions, and she was looking more calm with each passing moment.
"Elias... I'm sorry. I know what a genuine person you are... this is just..." She said, trailing off as her eyes went to the screens once more.
"A lot?" I asked, and she slowly nodded, and Martin chuckled.
"A lot, he says. Elias, a S ranked dragon swooping down and setting my city on fire would be a lot. This is... absurd. Where are you from?" He said, his voice a bit higher pitched than normal.
"I have been wondering that too... Elias, even disregarding this... which is impossible now, by the way," She said, making me snort, but I nodded at her, and waited for her to continue, "You have acted much differently than anyone I've ever met. You seem to know sone interesting things... you say things differently than others do." She said, which made Martin nod in agreement.
"You also don't know some things that most people would see as common knowledge. And you've obviously not let your power go to your head. I trust you, Elias... you're honestly the first person I've met in a while that I'm happy to call my friend." He said, and I just looked between Cici, Clarissa, and Valerie.
Cici was with me, no matter what I chose to do. She even said as much in my mind. The other two girls just shrugged and smiled, leaving the choice completely up to me. I figured I'd tell Martin and Sera the truth, but I still liked getting input from the girls.
"You both have been good to us, and I've already showed you this much." I said, and watched as both of them looked at me with intense focus, "You see, the truth is, I am from Nagalise originally, as far as I know, but I did not grow up on this world. I grew up in another world, and used to live on a planet called Earth."
They both had wide eyes, and slack jaws as I described Earth, and what kind of place it was. No magic, no monsters, no different races of humanoids, technology, and really anything I could think of. I told them about my time being sick, thinking it was some unknown illness, only to discover I had just been deprived of the mana I never knew I needed. I told them of my chance encounter with Cici, Cici explained to them why she came to Earth in the first place, which eventually led to the life I now lived, and the road I've chosen to walk by her side.
I still had plenty of questions my damn self. I was told before that people born in this world have innate access to mana, if limited without Framework assistance. It made sense in a way, but many things still didn't. My mana, like my health and stamina, were infinite. I've never once felt a drain on my mana, never one took damage, and never truly been exhausted, despite Cici's best efforts in the bedroom. Even if I was on Earth, shouldn't I have had mana regardless? Or was it like... locked or something? I didn't even know if that was a question I'd ever have answered.
That wasn't even mentioning my supposed mother and father, who were apparently a Goddess and some Emperor of the Abyss. I didn't even bother mentioning that to Sera and Martin, because I was just as clueless as anyone else. The only thing I knew for sure what that they apparently sacrificed their own lives to empower me, or something along those lines. Hell, I wasn't really sure, which is why I tended to not think about it all too much.
What I knew for certain right now was that I had a wonderful wife, 4 women that were becoming more important to me as the days went on, new friends, new family, a home... and I even had my mother here, safe and sound, and waiting for me back home. I hoped she was doing well... I hated that I had to leave her so soon after just reuniting, but I knew she would be safe back in the village with Anya and Warren watching after her. Besides, there was no way in hell I was going to let some asshole threaten Clarissa.
I had all of this time to think as Sera seemed to be pondering something, and the girls and myself merely waited patiently as she sat there, trading looks with Martin, who just smiled at her. After about another half a minute of seeming contemplation, she looked at me.
"So... it is true after all. There truly is another world beyond those portals." She said, and that made the rest of us raise our eyebrows.
"You know of them?" I asked, and Sera nodded, and then leaned forward.
"I do. And... since you have shared so much with us... that you've trusted us with this much knowledge, I feel it is only fair to share with you how I am aware of the existence of the portals, and who I am truly am. I am extending the same trust to you, Elias." Sera said, and then smiled as she looked at the other women in the room, "That goes for you three as well. Martin isn't the only one who feels like they've made some new friends recently."
All 3 women smiled.
"You're a good woman, Sera. I'm happy to call you a friend." Cici said, with the other 2 echoing her words, and I thought Sera was going to cry for a moment there, but she schooled herself.
"Right. So..." Sera said, taking a deep breath in, and exhaling it slowly, "I don't tell most people this. In fact, Martin is the only person who knows the full story, as well as a couple family members back home. You see, currently, I am the happily married Serephina Seruud. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my Marty more than anyone else in this world."
Martin actually blushed at those words, but he had the goofiest grin on his face right now. It almost made me laugh, but I held it in. I didn't want to be disrespectful, and plus, I understood. This man loved his wife much the same as I loved mine. A man always had a certain look in his eyes when gazing at one that meant the world to him. Sera was smiling at him, but turned to continue a moment later.
"However, before I met Martin and I decided to leave my home to share my life with him, I was Seraphina Elzaria, 2nd Princess of the Elven Kingdom of Elzaria." She said, and that made the girls gasp, and it made my eyes open a bit wide.
"You're... elven royalty?" I asked, and she nodded.
"I am. I come from a powerful family very far to the North. I'm talking months upon months of travel using the fastest methods we have. And unlike this farce of a nation, which is split up into different independent territories, the Elven lands are all united under one banner, and follow the lead of a singular leader. That of my father, Jiharu Elzaria." She said, and this information didn't seem just new to me, but to everyone else in the room as well.
Cici came from a village of Beastkin with little exposure to the outside world, Clarissa had been basically confinded to Bergast her entire life with no one really telling her anything, and Valerie? Well, that didn't need much explaining.
"My family has many secrets, many treasures, many artifacts, but there is one thing they keep hidden, a secret guarded from everyone else more than anything. That is, of course, the portal. It actually exists underground, underneath the elven palace, and is secured inside of a vault that only my father can open. I've seen it before. I remember the day he showed it to me and all of my siblings, and he told us above all else, that this was the family's biggest kept secret, and one that no one is to ever learn of. He told us all that beyond that gate, lies a reality much different than our own, and it was one place we were never allowed to go. That's all I ever knew about it, and quite frankly, the thought terrified me... but now knowing that there truly is a world beyond that portal... and one that you have been to. I am insanely curious."
"Well... shit." I said, because apparently my super high intelligence couldn't think of a proper response.
"Your family is like mine... keepers of the portal." Cici said, which had Sera locking her curious eyes on her, "I don't know how or why it's there. My mom only told me that it was a secret passed down through our family, from her mother, to her, and one day, to me. I was told the same thing as you... never step through that portal... That being said, from what she told me, people used to go through the portal long ago. We even have concepts, designs, ideas, and more that my people have taken from Earth, and we use in my village. I'm not entirely sure why or how that changed... I never really asked her."
Sera seemed to ponder Cici's words for a while, looking genuinely curious and a little excited.
"Hmm... Cici, is it possible for me to meet your mother one of these days? I'd love to ask her some questions, and it seems like you might have some of your own that you've never bothered to ask." Sera said, and Cici just nodded slowly.
"It was never really something I cared about that much... but now the more I think about it, I am curious." Cici said, and Sera smiled, before she addressed all of us once again.
"I trust none of this will leave this room." She said, and when we all nodded sincerely, she smiled, "Thank you. All of you. I've left that life behind... and as much as I do miss my family, it is for the best. You see, I had a marriage arranged for me by my father, to a high ranking Elven royal from a bordering nation, and a prodigy, as my father had said. One that would no doubt produce powerful offspring, as well as create strong ties between the two kingdoms, but... I didn't like him. He was rude, temperamental, and materialistic. He looked at me like I was nice prize he won in a contest, and not as a woman... not like my Marty looks at me."
Martin smiled as he gave her the look she was talking about.
"That was roughly 20 years ago now wasn't it?" He asked, smiling at her as she nodded and smiled right back, "It may sound silly, but I read a lot of stories growing up, and the ones that always peeked my interest were the ones about the elves. My father had always told me that the elves were a strong and proud race, and that if I was so interested in the stories, I should go and see them for myself. I always told him, 'maybe some day,' but I never did. That is... until I got the news that he died. Apparently, there was an S ranked beast that found its way into the land, and he and many other strong individuals were summoned to bring it down. They succeeded in the end, but not without loss... and my father way one of them."
During this, Sera reached over and put her hand in his, squeezing gently. Martin took a moment to smile at her, before he continued.
"After that, I felt obligated to do all of the things he wanted me to do. All of the dreams he encouraged me to chase, so I did. I'll tell you, seeing those elven cities, the architecture, the forests... it was all much more beautiful than any of the books had shown me. However, when I eventually visited the elven royal palace, and got permission to see the inside, that was when I saw something... someone more beautiful than anything else I'd ever saw."
Sera smiled at him, and leaned over and kissed his cheek. Martin went a little red, but his smile was bright.
"I think it was love at first sight. Never has a woman captured my gaze so completely." He said, and that made Sera giggle happily.
"He was so cute. But not only that... because of my class, and my abilities, I saw something in him that drew me to him. His soul would brighten whenever he looked at me, and I could feel his interest in me, and that of course, sparked an interest in me. Him being so handsome helped a lot, obviously, so I approached him, offered to help him, to show him around, much to my father's displeasure. Elves are a very strong and proud race, and believe themselves to be the best race on Nagalise. And that's just unevolved Elves... High Elves, like myself, or the rest of my family, well... that feeling of superiority is even more prevalent. Still, I told my father that I was merely interested in learning more about humans from Marty, and studying their culture and habits, and he begrudgingly let me show him around, and teach him about us in turn. During that time... I fell for him... hard."
Martin chuckled and he squeezed her hand.
"I have never found a woman who enraputured me like she did. I hung on to every word she spoke, every moment she made we elegant and flawless, every part of her radiated a charm and beauty like I'd never seen before. I was only there for a few months, but in that time... I found something I truly never thought I'd find. Love." He said, and Sera became misty eyed as she smiled.
"I had decided that I didn't want to marry some man for his power, what kind of child we could make together, or uniting royal families or whatever nonsense they wanted from me. I wanted to marry and be with the man that I loved. Of course, I knew my father would object, and he did indeed throw a fit when I told him. He told me that I had to either listen to him, or he would exile me from the Kingdom. I happily left with a smile on my face." She said, and I assume it looked like the smile she wore right now. She looked down at the table wistfully, "Honestly, I think it was partly my mom and my little sister that helped me there. They saw how happy he made me, and that's what mattered the most to them. Dad always does what mom says, and well... Zephilia was always a daddy's girl and always gave her what she wanted, and I guess that was my happiness... I do miss her the most. Still, what's done is done, and there's nowhere I'd rather be than right here."
"That is... honestly really sweet." Clarissa said, dabbing at her eyes with a cloth she had tucked in her pocket.
"It's like a forbidden romance from a story. Was the other guy mad?" Cici asked, and Sera laughed loudly.
"Oh my, was he. He kept getting in Marty's face, accusing him of stealing what was his, and taking away his chances for more recognition. Blah blah blah. Him and my dad both looked poised to kill Marty, but remember what I said? My mom interfered. She was the one to suggest exile to begin with... that's why I truly think she was in on it. And my sister.... she was still so young back then... but I know she wanted what was best for me. She always looked out for me like I was the little sister... Gods I miss her."
As I sat there digesting what was said, I couldn't help but admire these two. Martin was hands down the best of the nobility I'd ever met, and quite possibly the best I'd ever meet. And Sera? She was definitely a beautiful woman, and as a man, I couldn't deny that she was insanely attractive. Yet, she had a heart of gold, and ran towards what she wanted at full speed. And what she wanted was Martin. They did the right things when they could, and they chose love and compassion over everything else. They were the right kind of people, and ones I truly considered my allies, and my friends.
"I'm so sorry we got so off track. We were talking about the other world, and it spun off into a whole story about my love life." Sera said with a small laugh, and everyone else joined her.
"It's perfectly fine. It was a cute story." Cici said, and Clarissa and Valerie nodded along with her words.
Valerie was listening, but she really seemed nore content to just listen rather than add anything herself. I was kinda the same way, so I didn't blame her.
"I'm sure you don't wanna hear us rattle on all day. I know you all have plans later on tonight." Martin said, winking at me and Clarissa, making the cute Baroness blush a light pink, "Is there anything else you want to ask before we let you get to your fun?"
I didn't really have anything to ask. I just kinda dealt with shit as it came along. And I already knew what I planned to do in the next few days. To put it simply, tonight was some much needed down time, as well as a chance to get to know Clarissa more and to deepen our relationship. After that, I was going to help Serena and Benji, see what I could do now that I was a part of the Guild, and of course... I had a bone to pick with Farendell after all they've done. I'd wait on that though because of one thing. The look in both Sera and Martin's eyes when that place was mentioned, as well as the shift in their souls, told me that they too had their own issues with the place, and I was sure Martin would be talking to me about that place in the coming days. After all, I was his...what, unofficial assassin or something?
"I... actually have a question." Clarissa said, and everyone stopped to look at her, with Martin just smiling as he gestured for her to continue, "As you know, I am newer to the whole nobility thing. I will admit that I don't know that much, and my father never really taught me anything. The only reason I know so much now is because of Count Reynold, and Framework assistance, but even then... I don't know everything. Sera, earlier, when you mentioned your homeland, you mentioned that it was a united nation, whereas ours is not. I've had many questions that no one has been able to answer, but I wasn't sure if I should ask those questions... but now, I really want to know. Why are the nations split? And who is the royal family? Count Reynold mentioned they could get involved if this issue with Karovac isn't resolved... but no one seems to know much about them, only that they are bad news if they do get involved."
I would admit to being curious myself. I had heard a few mentions of the royal family, but nothing other than that. Granted I didn't much care about the politics and stuff of this world, but what I did care about were those who would potentially become a threat to my loved ones.
Martin stared at Clarissa for a while, before he just sighed.
"I don't know everything, but I do know some things. As a Duke, I have to. They are things I am not supposed to tell anyone, but I think you all know me well enough by now that I don't really give a shit about any of that. So... here's what I do know."