Chapter 161: Arrival in the City of Berhais
Inside the Caseral family estate, Athena was moving about the mansion as usual, managing affairs and overseeing the servants.
While attending to her routine duties—supervising and organizing the household staff—she sensed that something was amiss; a powerful energy had suddenly vanished into thin air, without any warning.
She mused to herself, her tone calm and filled with delight:
"The esteemed 'Great Story Merchant,' Stefan Telmore, is dead! What wonderful news. Who would have thought that the venerable 'Heavenly Blessing of Normana' would intervene and put an end to that wretch?"
"Still, his life or death is of little consequence. What truly matters is: why was Yuto there? And why was he so intent on killing him? How strange... Master Yuto seems overjoyed by his death and by obtaining those two entities—the 'Good Word' and the 'Bad Word'."
She let out a deep sigh as she continued on her way—heading toward Siri's bedchamber—when she heard a faint, clattering sound coming from Yuto's room nearby. She was taken aback; the room had been locked for months—who could possibly be inside at a time like this? She opened the door, her expression shifting to one of shock as she glanced into the room. Her tone betrayed her bewilderment—especially upon seeing Siri, who was wearing Yuta's oversized clothes. The garments were so large that Siri—who currently stands 1.55 meters tall and weighs 30 kilograms—seemed to be drowning in them, a stark contrast to Yuta, who is 1.85 meters tall and weighs 60 kilograms.
"How could he be so foolish? It's incredibly annoying—I don't understand why Yuta would want to keep her with him until this hour."
Athena sighed in frustration as she looked at her, then moved to catch her and change her clothes. Each time, however, Siri managed to slip away, leaving Athena increasingly annoyed.
Approaching her once more, Athena said:
"My dear Siri, stop acting like a mischievous child. Yuta is about to arrive, and he'll be bringing guests, so you really ought to behave more maturely—don't you agree?"
Siri let out a sorrowful sigh, looking toward Athena with eyes full of sadness and frustration. Athena, offering a faint smile, scooped her up.
Siri wrapped her arms around Athena's neck, and Athena carried her straight to her room to change her clothes. As they headed toward her room, Siri spoke in a tone filled with deep longing:
"Athena, does my brother Yuta love me, or does he just see me as a fool who can't control her own power—someone who only brings him complicated trouble?"
Athena remained silent as she listened. She knew Yuta well; many had perished at his hands over the past few months—including several of her own followers. Yet, she still couldn't discern his true intentions. Siri, at this moment, was an unstable entity—in fact, she had nearly killed Yuta during their first encounter, right after she had taken possession of his original body.
Looking at her, Athena spoke in a calm, gentle tone, lightly tapping her slightly reddened nose:
"Lady Siri, do not worry. The fact that your power is unstable isn't a major issue; you simply need to learn to control it—through training, or perhaps some other means."
"As for your brother's love—it's clear enough. He left the academy that day just to visit you, staying by your side all day long and setting his studies aside. He even wiped out the Casiral family for your sake. Have you forgotten that?"
Siri said nothing, but a faint smile graced her lips as she rested her head against Athena's chest. Moments later, they entered her room.
Elsewhere, at the gates of the city of Berhais, Gia gazed toward the city with a look of mild admiration. Yuta, listening to her, offered a faint smile:
"It's just as beautiful as you described." This was true for both Chloe and Madeleine, who gazed out the car window with expressions of pure wonder. After being confined for so long within the "Market of Mysteries" by the venerable and esteemed merchant of tales, Stefan Telmore, they were finally witnessing the vibrant atmosphere of the outside world.
After a few minutes of driving through the city of Berhais, the vehicle came to a halt in front of the Casiral family estate—a truly magnificent residence.
Stepping out of the car, Yuta spoke—while Chloe and Madeleine clung to his shoulders with a hint of trepidation—prompting a look of bewilderment from Gia:
"We've arrived at my home. It's going to be a lovely stay, you two charming ladies—Chloe and Madeleine."
As they headed into the mansion, both women looked visibly embarrassed. Gia, meanwhile, felt a flicker of frustration at Yuta's flirtatious behavior toward two individuals older than himself, coupled with a sense of revulsion at the way the two women were acting—much like teenagers or small children.
Yuta then spoke via telepathy, his tone calm and composed, which caught Gia off guard:
"Gia, you should just play along. They weren't named 'Good Word' and 'Bad Word' without reason; they were both forged from a single word, which has prevented them from undergoing any further 'written'—or existential—development."
"That said, in terms of raw power, they are truly terrifying entities—even I wouldn't dare to fight them. Yet, they are easily deceived; they are essentially children who haven't fully matured, even if their bodies appear to be those of eighteen-year-olds. Don't worry, though—they will eventually reach maturity. It's only a matter of time." Jia did not utter a single word in response; she understood exactly what he meant—that a being could be powerful precisely because of its inherent weakness. Sometimes, the very nature of one's existence proves to be one's greatest flaw, even if it grants the kind of power everyone else covets.
She continued toward the palace gates, her gaze calm and steady, fixed upon Chloe, Madeline, and Yuta. As they reached the entrance, Yuta opened the gates.
In a calm, measured tone, he began:
"Welcome to..."
Suddenly, Sira came running toward him, shouting in a way that drew his immediate attention—and left Chloe, Madeline, and Jia momentarily stunned:
"Brother! You're back!"
Chloe, Madeline, and Jia watched in bewilderment as Sira embraced her older brother—someone she hadn't seen for nearly a year.
Yuta gently nudged Sira away from his face, offering a faint smile. She immediately threw her arms around his neck; though taken aback, he responded by patting her back with gentle, soothing strokes.
He then shifted his gaze toward Athena, who stood with the other servants—all of whom bowed, showing him the utmost respect.
Meanwhile, Siri stared at Gia in shock, struck by how much she resembled Yuta in almost every way. In a calm, measured tone, she asked:
"Do we have a twin sister we didn't know about?"
Gia looked at her for a few moments before gently patting her hair. Having spent a long time with Yuta, she had picked up a few things that would prove useful to her—both now and in the future.
"I'm not your sister; I'm Gia, from the Guilford family. As for the resemblance, it's just a coincidence—after all, there are forty people who look alike for every one person."
Siri, however, didn't seem convinced. Turning her gaze toward Yuta, she remarked:
"I know that, but the resemblance is just too extreme. It's everything—literally, not just figuratively. Strange, isn't it, brother Yuta?"
Yuta replied, though his answer didn't entirely satisfy her:
"Little sister, coincidences happen quite often in our world."
Siri then shifted her attention to Chloe and Madeline, who were clinging tightly to Yuta. She shot him a look of clear annoyance.
"Brother, who are they? And why are they stuck to you like that? It's completely unacceptable—hmph!"
Chloe and Madeline, clearly irritated by Siri's words, hugged Yuta even tighter around the waist—a reaction that left Yuta quite bewildered.
Just then, he noticed Lyra and Kira rushing toward him at great speed. He couldn't help but feel annoyed, realizing he had become the focal point of a squabble between children. Lyra and Kira spoke simultaneously while embracing him, prompting Athena and Gia to chuckle softly as they watched:
"Big brother, when did you get back?"
"Just a little while ago."
Yuta's tone remained calm as he set Sery down and gently eased the others away to create some space—a gesture that left them feeling a bit embarrassed by their impulsive behavior.
Lyra placed a hand to the back of her head and said:
"We missed you, brother."
Sery and Kira stood beside her, looking somewhat sheepish, while Chloe and Madeline took their places next to Gia.
Yuta felt a sense of relief as he looked at them. Kira and Lyra, however, were staring at Gia with bewilderment; pointing toward her, Kira asked:
"Do you have a twin sister?"
Yuta glanced at Gia for a few seconds before answering:
"No, she's not my sister—she's a friend. It just so happens that she bears a striking resemblance to me."
Kira, finding this hard to believe—given that the resemblance was so profound that, had Gia been male, it would have been utterly impossible to tell them apart—remarked:
"That's an incredibly strange coincidence—the resemblance is uncanny." Yuta sighed, feigning exhaustion, and continued on his way into the palace. The others watched him with expressions that blended frustration and annoyance as they listened to his words:
"Very well, we should all get some rest. Athena, please take Gia, Chloe, and Madeline to their respective rooms."
Athena replied in a calm, respectful tone, casting a sidelong glance at the group:
"As you wish, sir. Your word is my command."
Meanwhile, Gia stared at Athena, masking her shock; she hadn't even noticed Athena move, yet suddenly, there she was. Gia thought to herself, wary:
*When did she get here? I didn't sense her presence at all. She must be the head servant here.*
Gia then spoke in a calm voice, looking toward Yuta:
"I've had a question on my mind for a long time: where is your real mother?"
Yuta looked at her for a few seconds, realizing she meant the mother of the person whose body he now inhabited. He replied in a calm tone, continuing on his way:
"My mother is imprisoned in the Ninth Realm of the Underworld."
Gia pressed on, her tone turning interrogative—a gesture that caused Yuta to stop and offer a faint smile:
"Who killed your father, and who imprisoned your mother?"
Yuta turned back to face her, his expression serene:
"As for my father—he was killed by his own hand. As for my mother... well, perhaps I know who did it, or perhaps I don't. That is for you to discover, Gia. I wish you happiness and contentment here in your family's palace. Farewell." Yuta left the scene immediately, leaving her even more bewildered than before. As he climbed the stairs, he added:
"Well, I should head to my room and get some rest."
As he continued toward his room, a faint, mischievous smile—hinting at less-than-innocent intentions—appeared on his face. He mused to himself:
"Heh, trying to uncover the truth about the Casiral family? How very interesting. But is she truly prepared to delve into the past of one of the most peculiar families in existence? We shall see. It seems there's a week left until the Summer Festival—unless, of course, it gets rescheduled or moved up."
He continued on his way to his room, seeking a respite after his visit to the Market of Mysteries—a place that had occupied his thoughts for the entire four hours he spent there.
Summoning the system window once more, he reviewed the treasures he had retrieved from the venerable Stefan Telmore, the Great Merchant of Tales. Noticing that several new items had appeared, his smile widened.
[Training Scroll for the Wing of the Sacred Scribe: Recovered.]
[Training Scroll for the Wing of the Supreme Observer: Recovered.]
[Training Scroll for the Wing of the Cosmic Arbiter: Recovered.]
[Training Scroll for the Wing of the Master of Classifications: Recovered.]
[Training Scroll for the Wing of Order and Balance: Recovered.]
[Training Scroll for the Wing of the Primordial Dao: Recovered.]
[Training Scroll for the Wing of the Master of Trials: Recovered.]
[Training Scroll for the Wing of Narrative Chaos: Recovered.]
[Training Scroll for the Wing of the Concept of Assassination: Recovered.] Mist-Mystery Wing Training Manual recovered.
Narrative-Time Wing Training Manual recovered.
Absolute-Imagination Wing Training Manual recovered.
Absolute-Protector Wing Training Manual recovered.
[34× Fantasy World Demon Gem recovered.
Empress Xiao Yi's Robe recovered.
Forgotten Library Seal of the Alkentai Kingdom recovered.
Book of Unknown Origin recovered.
Chronicles of the First 45 Path Wars.
10× Records of the Pre-End Eras (Era 4 to Era 15).
5× Minor Narrative Journals.
Map of one of the Ten Forbidden Places: The Narrative-Glitch Desert.
Documents and journals belonging to the First Venerable Queen of Hunters, Felix Corvus.
Imperial Status Records of the First Sovereign Path.
Map leading to the First Origin Gem.
A complete set of an outfit of unknown origin.
[Information:
A suit not found in any records of its origin or the material from which it is crafted. There is a possibility that it dates back to the pre-beginning—Era 3 or Era 4—though this remains unlikely.]
24x Material of unknown origin.]
Yuta let out a deep sigh as he gazed at the system interface, then closed it; he already knew who would receive these items. The manuscript of the 'Concept of Assassination' would go to Gowther, who would, in turn, pass it on to the successor of that concept.
As for the 'Manuscript of the Original Dao' and the 'Manuscript of Narrative Time,' he knew exactly to whom he would gift them during his journey to the Northern Continent—a trip still some time away, though anything could happen in the days to come.
He shut his eyes for a few seconds before opening them to look toward the Venerable Iselabeth, Heaven's Blessing, who watched him with a faint, gentle smile.
Yuta sighed deeply, adjusted his posture, and spoke in a tone filled with respect:
"How are you, my Venerable Mother, Iselabeth, Heaven's Blessing? You seem quite troubled, don't you?"
The Venerable Iselabeth's eyes narrowed as she listened to Yuta's words. She moved closer and sat beside him, fixing him with a sharp, piercing gaze.
Then, speaking with a subtle, restrained irritation—which made Yuta look at her with a hint of nervousness—she said:
"You and your three triplet siblings speak as if you don't even know me. Isn't that rather impolite of you?" Yuta let out a sigh heavy with tension, bowing his head in a gesture that suggested contrition—only for the Venerable Izalabeth, Blessing of the Heavens, to swat him on the back of the head instead.
Yuta didn't utter a word as he rubbed his head, wincing; Izalabeth's strike had been remarkably painful. Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, he caught a look that clearly demanded he appease her—a reaction so unexpected that he momentarily forgot his head was flushed red from the blow.
"You're older than me," he said, his tone laced with bewilderment—a remark that visibly annoyed the Venerable Izalabeth. "You've lived through three entire eras and are on the verge of entering a fourth. By human standards, your age is beyond counting—yet you act like a mother wronged by her own children."
The Venerable Izalabeth pinched his ear with clear irritation, leaving Yuta looking utterly foolish in the moment.
When she finally let go, he clutched his ear, still stinging. The disparity in their power was beyond description—especially considering Yuta was utilizing a mere 3% of his own strength, which rendered the gap between them truly incalculable.
Izalabeth sighed, vexed, as she glanced toward Chloe and Madeline. The two women were staring at Yuta—their eyes burning with fury, yet holding back unshed tears—before marching straight toward him, while he remained there, still nursing his ear with a faint, pained expression. The Venerable Heaven's Blessing, Izlabith, spoke while gazing at Chloe and Madeline, who stood like a charming barrier preventing her from approaching him:
"Countless narratives have unfolded throughout the past Third Era—and this current one—spanning various genres and power systems within the Ruler's Path; yet, your story is truly peculiar. You have encountered many young women in your life, and none of them harbor any affection for you."
"With the exception of Mizuki, the women of this world known as Revika and Lucy, and that girl—Sherry, or whatever her name might be. A prime example would be 'Kind Word' Chloe and 'Bad Word' Madeline; they don't feel a shred of love for you, and yet, they defend you as if they were your wives."
Chloe and Madeline stared at her for several moments. Then, 'Kind Word' Chloe spoke—leaving the Venerable Heaven's Blessing, Izlabith, subtly taken aback, as she had not expected such a response:
"Listen here, Venerable Heaven's Blessing, Izlabith. I don't love Yuta in the sense of viewing him as a future husband or anything of the sort—but he is dear to me, and he is a kind person. Do you understand? I know Yuta better than you do."
The expression on the face of the Venerable Heaven's Blessing, Izlabith, turned cold as she fixed her gaze upon 'Kind Word' Chloe—a shift that left Yuta momentarily stunned:
"I know my son. No one knows my children better than I do. Is that clear? I am well aware that you are both stronger than I am—'Kind Word' Chloe and 'Bad Word' Madeline." They hid fearfully behind Yuta's back. Despite possessing terrifying power, they remained, in essence, children—a result of having lain dormant for ages, influenced by the mists of the Bazaar of Mysteries and the machinations of the venerable Stefan Telmore, the Great Merchant of Tales, over the passing centuries.
The Venerable Islabeth, Blessing of the Heavens, and Yuta both looked on in bewilderment; the two girls were seeking protection from Yuta against the very person they had originally intended to be shielded from.
Amused, Islabeth and Yuta burst into laughter. Islabeth then pulled Yuta into an embrace, drawing his head against her chest.
Stunned for a few seconds, Yuta eventually returned the gesture. He was neither the cold, detached protagonist—who views familial bonds and friendships as weaknesses—nor the type to go to any extreme for the sake of his family; he walked a middle path.
Or, perhaps more accurately, he simply did as he pleased. To him, true freedom meant the liberty to act on one's own desires: to weep, to laugh, to grieve, to love, to seek affection from one's kin, and to forge such bonds in the first place.
For Yuta, freedom was something to be lived, not merely sought. To lose the very essence of freedom—the emotions that define it—by shedding everything that makes one human, is not freedom at all; it is an absurdity that bears no resemblance to freedom whatsoever.