My brow furrows. Not because of the tone of her voice, but because of her gaze. It had shifted from being mocking and soft to containing a coldness and disdain similar to what a person would have for someone who is insane. Or even, what an Empress would have when looking at her personal Harlequin whose jokes have become monotonous or boring.
Because of this, an anger within me began to grow. She wants me to tell her what happened? She doesn't want lies or falsehoods? In that case, I'll give her what she wants. Let her not blame me if she doesn't believe it, or if her small and pathetic ordinary human perspective ends up shattered.
—Fine. If that's what you want, Detective, then I'll do it –My previous anger slowly diminishes to give way to the hunter Sariel who likes to play with the arrogant– But first, take a seat, because this will be long –I point to the seat in front of me with my right hand, the sound of the metal clinking heard– You wouldn't want to get tired, would you?–
She raises an eyebrow while observing me, without breaking her gaze. The glint in her eyes was nothing more than expectation for the kind of antics her harlequin would tell her to amuse her this time.
—Detective, stop looking at me like that. You're going to hurt my feelings –I say, showing a theatrical expression of sadness, containing the slight anger–
A new mocking smile sketches across those captivating red lips of hers. However, she says nothing more; her left hand simply takes the metal office chair, pulls it back a bit—as it was tucked under the table—and she takes a seat. Then, sitting in a casual resting position, she stares at me, as if telling me with her gaze to start talking.
And with this, I can't help but flash a resigned smile at such a performance. This Detective is definitely very interesting, huh.
—Ready. I'm sitting –She tells me, still looking at me with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes– Now. Begin–
—I smile and nod my head– You see, my pleasant and beautiful Detective. Two days ago, on Filloni 28th, I was peacefully enjoying the sights of several beautiful and voluptuous women on a hotel beach located on the other side of the world, in the Khanrem Continent, the continent to the right of this country, as I had read that the hotels were on sale for being the first month of the year. Then, while trying to see which woman to take to bed, I suddenly received a call from my sister, Elaine, telling me that she had finally found a way to escape this planet that has kept us bound for 4 billion of the 4.6 billion years of its existence. She wanted to meet with me in a quiet place to discuss the procedure and thus, together, put it into practice –With my words, I can see a flash of curiosity in her eyes, which is quickly extinguished by the birth of annoyance. It wasn't annoyance at my words seeming like fantasies, but at the words about beautiful women. Her gaze at that moment was like the one a woman would throw at a womanizer– Of course, an offer like that, where I was given the opportunity to finally get the hell out of this place which I am sincerely tired of, well, I wasn't going to pass it up. So, once we established the meeting place, which turned out to be in a valley located in Nesharim, a Grand Duchy located in Gehenna, which is the plane annexed to this planet containing multiple hells, such as Tartarus, Helheim, Naraka, Mictlan, among others, I decided to go. Since I was in a hurry, and thinking I would return soon, I only put on these simple clothes I'm wearing right now, and left everything else behind, like my wallet, which contains my debit cards, credit cards, bills, IDs, as well as my cell phone –The Detective looks me up and down. It probably seems funny to her that the clothes I'm wearing, a high-fashion suit that costs more than the money she would earn at this job in a year, are "simple clothes" to me– Upon arriving, using teleportation, since obviously there are no planes or taxis to the Infernal Plane, I met with Elaine –I pause momentarily. A knot forms in my throat at that moment. Just remembering what happened makes my heart ache.– She, excited, began to tell me about her discoveries, the way to be able to leave and continue our travels through all the existing worlds and dimensions. However…–
Elaine, Lucien—my other brother, alias "the dark one"—and I, have been part of the One Hundredth Generation of children of Arkhan and Alicia, the Root Regents of Root 5. Three siblings born almost at the same time, hours apart.
The three of us were inseparable siblings, who were one against all the practically infinite existing dimensions. That is, until we "lost" Lucien over something stupid 3.4 billion years ago, which left only Elaine and me against this planet to which we were trapped, leaving me alone now, without powers, and without anyone from my family.
—However? –The Detective asks, settling a bit in her chair–
—When we were about to see how we would begin, the materials we needed to leave, suddenly, out of nowhere, and taking advantage of the fact that we were distracted in our discussion, Luciel's three closest minions intercepted us. Luciel, the Regent of the Infernal Plane. Aren, Lumen, and Zakech. –Do not confuse Lucien with Luciel. Although the names are very similar, the two are distinct. Lucien is my brother; Luciel is an Azelvi, a celestial species superior to a Seraph created by Astel herself– Aren, that Seraph loyal to Luciel, intercepted Elaine, and Zakech, who was once a knight in an extinct Empire, intercepted me from behind, surrounding our necks. After that, they injected us with a strange substance that began to rapidly deplete our power, or rather, blocked it. –A new flash of pain passes through my eyes as I have to remember this part. It's not pleasant to see your sister, who has accompanied you for so long and with whom you had the most affinity, being murdered while you could do nothing– However, Elaine, in a final move and using the little that remained of her power, opened a Portal to who-knows-where behind me. She freed herself from Aren's grip, ran toward me, freed me from Zakech, and then, with her own hands, sent me through what she had opened –Silence. I keep quiet for a few seconds. The vivid images of Elaine's desperate face make me clench my fists– The last thing I saw before the Portal closed was Elaine receiving the attack from Zakech's spear that was meant for me to try and stop my escape…–
I sigh. A slow, measured sigh escapes my mouth. Although I saw Elaine die, I am sure she isn't dead. After all, we have several mechanisms that prevent absolute death. Future Dimensional Regents like me, Elaine, and Lucien are like cockroaches. It's hard to truly kill us.
—Your sister… –The Detective hesitates to speak for a moment. Her tone softens– Will she be all right?–
—I sigh and shake my head– I don't know, Detective. But something inside me tells me she is relatively safe. If you knew my sister, you'd know that libertine woman is a tough nut to crack and a complete nuisance. Someone as insufferable as her doesn't die that easily –A sweet smile sketches across my lips. Surely right now she must be angry for having died and must be looking for a way to rise from the dead, heh, heh–
—Looking at the Detective, I can notice a small smile of relief on her. Her previous caution had vanished upon hearing me– I'm glad she's okay. Although I don't know her, I can tell she's a good person by the way you talk about her –She tells me, her voice softened–
I smile. A smile that isn't the ironic, disdainful, or predatory one from before. Her attitude at this moment reminds me a lot of Officer Montenegro's when we were at his Sehwert Base, when I found the notes from Lyra—the woman I met 1.58 billion years ago, and the one I considered my first true love. In these notes, she said goodbye to me because she had departed from this world, heading to others, and wished me the best. Despite Officer Montenegro having known me for less than 24 hours, he treated me like a good friend and offered me comfort in those moments.
And now Detective Montenegro, his daughter, repeats the same thing. Despite probably still believing I am her Father's murderer, she is capable of offering me comfort for my loss. Probably because we are both in the same boat. But even so, this act, though small, means a lot to me.
And that is why, when I get out of here, I will be more patient than usual when teaching her how to navigate the world her Father used to traverse. And of course, I will also show her my coolest side. Maybe she'll even end up falling in love with me, heh, heh.
—Well. Enough of that. Better keep telling the Detective what happened– After what occurred, I ended up passing out during the journey due to the effects of my powers being blocked. Upon waking, I opened my eyes in a prison located inside some sewers, in a small town located thirty or sixty minutes from the capital of the State of Melbury, called "Nueva Pacifica Town" –The Detective's eyes widen slightly upon hearing this name– The portal ended up taking me to this place. However, this place had a special characteristic. It was designed to trap demons. Though of course, that doesn't affect me, as I am not a demon –I continue with my narration, watching if there is a different expression on the face of this Homicide Detective– After waking up, I encountered someone there –I look at her fixedly and smile– Your Father, Detective, Officer Leon Montenegro Solís–
This time, I can notice a slight change in her cold and beautiful face, and even a change in her posture in the chair. And seeing this, I continue with my narration.
—At first, your Father believed, like the guys at this Station, that I was a Demon. Something that, of course, I quickly denied. However, he didn't believe me, as I couldn't stand up at that moment, something I obviously couldn't do since I was physically weak, but the Officer took it as the effects of the Akrani Circle, a magic circle to trap demons –This time, an ironic smile forms on my face– Though of course, after a few minutes he had no choice but to believe it, because Aren, Lumen, and Zakech weren't going to sit idly by; they not only wanted to steal my power but also eliminate me completely, and therefore, they were coming for us. I warned your Father about them, about their likely arrival, and while he didn't believe me so quickly, as I said, he had to, because minutes later their arrival was heard–
—Go on –She says, crossing her legs, placing her arm on the armrest and her fist under her chin–
—When Officer Montenegro saw that the threat was serious, he decided to release me from the cell where I was confined. However, it wasn't for free. We had to sign a Contract–
—The Detective raises an eyebrow– A Contract?–
This time I am the one who straightens up in the seat and looks at her fixedly, with complete seriousness. Although I can be many things, I am also someone who takes Contracts seriously, whether when applying them or simply talking about them.
—Yes. The Contract involved you, Detective –I say, as I watch again how her expression shifts to more interest– In exchange for my release, if anything happened to him, I was to find you, care for you, protect you, and become your master–
In an instant, and as I expected, she lets out a light, amused laugh—an amusement that again does not reach her eyes. Yes, I understand. I'm sure it must seem very funny to her that a criminal like me would do that for her, but what can I say? That's destiny, heh, heh.
—You? Protect me? –She asks, her tone full of a slight disdain. It wasn't the same as before, as the talk about Elaine probably helped her stop looking at me so much like a clown– Sariel –She pronounces my name while straightening up and her expression turns cold again– I, Salieri Montenegro Neiruk, do not need anyone to protect me. I can take care of myself –She adds, placing both hands firmly on the table–
I sigh and shake my head with a bit of amusement. Not because of her defensive attitude, because from the respect the other officers showed her and how they followed her orders without hesitation, added to the fact that she belonged to an Elite Unit, I knew she was very capable. No, my amusement is because of her naivety.
—Oh, Detective. If you knew what true danger is like, I'm sure you would swallow your words –I mock in my mind–
After seeing me laugh, she furrows her brow, with a hint of anger in her expression, as I don't even try to hide my mockery toward her—not in my tone, my head-shaking, nor my body language.
—Continue –She orders, after remaining silent for a few seconds watching me like that–
—I smile, nod my head, and make myself comfortable in the chair– After the deal was formed, which, by the way, was endorsed by Konratu, the Primordial Goddess of Contracts, Pacts, Deals, Treaties, Agreements, Covenants, and Oaths, who exists in all dimensions and in all 10 total existing Roots, the same ones we were talking about, Aren, Lumen, and Zakech, appeared and reached the cell where we were. Before this, Officer Montenegro gave me a small revolver from the last century while he kept a shotgun, also one of those old bolt-action ones –I look at the Detective– And no, Detective, I have no idea where those weapons came from. He probably had them ready in case a demon tried something funny –Yes. From her expression, I guessed she wanted to ask that, heh– Afterward, he hid behind a small wall, waiting for those three to get close enough, while I curled into a ball, hiding the weapon and also waiting for those three guys. And once it happened, after they mocked me a bit, he came out of his hiding spot, fired his shotgun at Zakech, while I did the same but with Lumen, managing to stun them. When this happened, we both ran as fast as we could through the sewers, all the way to the exit–
—What else happened? –The Detective does not pull her gaze away from me. Now I can notice her being more curious–
—We got into his utility police truck, the one you probably found on the outskirts of the Recreational Center –A flash of "I remember it" passes through her eyes. I only hope they didn't find the briefcase, as it contains special weapons against demons that would be hard to explain– From there, we headed toward his Sehwert Base, to look for items that would help us combat the three of them more easily–
—Sehwert? –Suddenly, her scarlet eyes contract slightly. Although she doesn't know what the word is about, her subconscious probably does–
—Detective –I look at her with a smile– Are you familiar with the term Sehwert?–
Upon repeating the word and noticing a slight change in her breathing—invisible to most, but not to me—I can't help but smile more than before. It seems Officer Montenegro didn't just see his own death, but also that his daughter would likely become a Sehwert.
After all, the Sehwert power is not inherited; rather, the power itself chooses its own Bearer, even before the person themselves realizes it. The woman in front of me is more than acceptable to become one, just like her Father. She has everything necessary for this, and probably more.
However, we will only know this for sure when she turns 25, as the Sehwert power fully awakens when a Human turns exactly 25 years old. Why? Because that was the exact age Astel was when she and I became a couple. To honor our anniversary, she dictated that the power she created with her own hands—which is linked to her divine essence, allowing it to be the strongest existing power in this world—would fully awaken at this age.
If I remember correctly, Officer Montenegro told me his daughter would turn 25 in a few hours. Therefore, at midnight, we will see if Detective Montenegro becomes a Sehwert or not, just like her Father, or remains an ordinary human.
Whatever happens, I will fulfill the Contract. If she becomes a Sehwert, it would be excellent, as that would make it much simpler. However, if that doesn't happen, I can always turn her into a Kehrseite, which is the term used for ordinary humans who know the supernatural world. Or who knows, she might even have the capacity to become an Enial User, which is the name used for humans who have the ability to use one of the 5 Primordial Energies. Everything depends on what happens tonight.
—Maybe… –She says after a few seconds. Her response leaves me impressed. I honestly thought she would deny it–
—Maybe? –My curiosity is high, I admit–
—I don't know if you know this, but I wasn't born in Centralia, the Capital, where our Family has its power concentrated. I was born here, in this state, Melbury. When I turned 18, after finishing the Military Academy, I left for Centralia to join the National Police. –She explains, a short story to give me a context that I find interesting– This is why I rarely come to Melbury City, and when I do, it was only to visit my Father. Something that was no exception this time, as I requested my respective annual week of vacation to visit him. Or that was the previous plan… –She pauses for a moment in her words. A pain similar to mine flashes quickly through her eyes– Anyway. While I was at the Montenegro Mansion, my Father's home, something in his room caught my attention. Some sheets of papyrus, which obviously aren't used these days since we have common paper. On them, words were written in a language I don't know–
—Words on papyrus? –I raise an eyebrow. Her narration has caught my attention– Do you remember them?–
—The Detective nods her head– Yes. It said: "Sęvěrt"–
—Hmm?–
The Detective, knowing it's different to hear it than to see it written, immediately takes out her phone, unlocks it, taps on it a few times, sets it to landscape mode, and moves her fingers back and forth on the screen as if she were drawing. Finally, she brings her phone toward me so I could see what was there.
After leaning in a bit—since at least these chains didn't restrict my movement that much—I realize she had opened a drawing application and had written there, through drawing instead of artificial font, the word "Sęvěrt," with its respective diacritics.
—Ah. –Upon seeing the word, I immediately recognize the language– It's a writing system called Lencrit. It dates back 16,820 years. Considering that the current era, the Modern Era, is 17,025 years old, you could say it was one of the first writing systems of the New World–
—17,025 years, huh? –She asks, with her head slightly tilted, as she withdraws her phone– Besides, Modern Era? Did other previous Eras exist? I thought there were only Ages–
—Her question makes me smile a little. Clearly she is someone cultured and educated, so this question is surely to get more information out of me. A curiosity stemming from effectively identifying the word she saw– That's right. A total of 12 eras have existed, making up a total of 4.6 billion years, which is the complete age of this planet. –Even so, despite knowing her plans, I decide to do it anyway. Let this be the first of very many lessons she will have with me– However, we could easily remove two eras from the equation, as not much happened there. These are the Void Era, which corresponds to the first 600 million years, before Astel's arrival in this world to become its Administrator, or as you know her, your Creator Goddess, who had been assigned to rule this planet. During this time, there were only rocks and arid lands without any life, and with physics that do not correspond to what can be seen these days. It was thanks to Astel, with her Power of Creation, that life and everything you can see was created. Gravity, laws of physics, life, etc. Everything was thanks to her –As I speak, I can see the Detective's curiosity slowly activating. Although she probably thinks these are just my tales, she can't help her curious side from activating– The second one I'm talking about is the Inclement Era, which is relatively close to today, 2025, as it occurred 67,025 years ago and spanned a total of 50,000 years. This one is similar to the Void Era, as there was no activity at all, since the planet was recovering from the atomic bombs dropped by Irisviel, the Artificial Intelligence of the humans from the Consolidation Era, prior to the Inclement Era–
This time, I can notice even more curiosity as I talk about this. Well, I can't blame her. Who doesn't love atomic apocalyptic scenarios?
—Irisviel? Atomic bombs? –The Detective looks at me, waiting curiously for my answer–
—Do you want to know? –I ask, sketching a smile– This has nothing to do with the current case. It would only be a rave–
—Instantly, she furrows her brow– Of course it has to do with it. So, speak, or I'll have to use force to get the words out of you –She raises her fist and threatens me with it. An act that, rather than scaring or annoying me, seemed adorable to me, as there was no real intention to hurt me in that gesture–
—All right, all right –I smile– Before the Inclement Era, there was the Consolidation Era. An Era where the supernatural creatures called Surnaturel and humans had separated completely, because humans, selfish as always, began to consider the Surnaturel as simple tools for their pleasure or to use them as workers without pay and without a voice, which ended up causing a great war that lasted 40 million years and culminated in the death of 50% of the members of both sides, and in the separation of the Erden, which used to be the earthly plane of this planet, into the Aynu, the earthly plane designated for humans, and the Altern, the earthly plane designated for the Surnaturel. With this sentence coming from Mikleo, the current Regent of Araboth, the Consolidation Era began, which lasted 125,000 years –To Detective, this probably seems like fantasy right now, but later on she'll surely remember this history lesson, heh, heh– In this Era, humans became even more selfish, believing in human supremacy, and that without the Surnaturel they would be much better. Something that, ironically, did happen, as in less than 50 years they had achieved great advances, and by the year 100,000, this planet had become a space metropolis–
Who would have thought that in the end they proved that humans could indeed achieve great advances without someone else interfering with them. The aforementioned "Human Supremacy" worked perfectly. Though well, it's to be expected. Humans are not only one of the longest-lived species in this world—since they appeared 3.8 billion years ago, long before the first ancestors of the Surnaturel, the Conscious Corruptions, who appeared 3.3 billion years ago—but they were also created by Astel herself.
They began as an experiment, created out of Astel's boredom, as she no longer had anything to do since she had created an environment full of life, and as a recommendation from Elaine and me to treat her boredom. Thus the first human prototypes were born, the most perfect of all and without real limits: Aiden, the First Human Man and the one on whom the remaining human men and their variants were based, and Lilian, the First Human Woman.
However, due to problems with Aiden's behavior—as he was a complete chauvinist who constantly beat Lilian to vent his anger and forced her to do things she didn't want to—Lilian eventually got fed up with him, gave him a severe beating after Elaine and I convinced her, and abandoned him. This gave way to Astel creating a second woman for Aiden: Evelina, the Second Human Woman and the base for future women and their variations, and modulating Aiden's behavior.
And in case you wonder how Aiden obtained this behavior, well, it was thanks to Chaos. Not Chaos Incarnate, but Primordial Chaos, which, like Konratu, exists in all dimensions of all 10 Roots. Originally Chaos had chosen him as its Herald, but thanks to the beating Lilian gave him, he understood his way of being, corrected himself, and with Astel's modulation, Chaos had to look for another Herald.
And about Lilian, she suffered no consequences from this, mainly because Elaine and I protected her. I remember how we pleaded with Astel, crying, hugging her legs, not to do anything to Lilian, as she was only defending herself, and she just rolled her eyes at our undignified act and continued with her life, heh, heh. There was even another good thing for Lilian, as she managed to become Astel's best friend and confidante.
—However… –I continue with my narration for the Detective– Because it was too much work to manage a galactic society, where there were constantly visitors from all kinds of planets from other solar systems or galaxies, they had to create someone to help them. Thus, in the year 115,000 of the Consolidation Era, Irisviel Ashfort was born, their Artificial Intelligence, and probably the most powerful AI of all, as she seemed like just another human. And due to this behavior, humanity gradually ceded more power to her, ending with her having complete power over all existing systems of the planet by 118,000 –Then, an amused smile sketches across her face. Ironically, this decision was the mistake that ended up destroying them– Everything was going well, until five thousand years after being created, Irisviel began to, ironically, categorize humans as dangerous to the human race itself, so she secretly began her plan to practically give them a "lobotomization," with the purpose of stopping their excessive ego, lust for power, and treatment of their own kind. Thus, after another five thousand years, in 125,000, Irisviel already had everything necessary to begin her plan. One day, when they least expected it, Irisviel cut connections with the Settlements on other planets, placed a Magic-Technological Restriction around the planet, which ended up hiding it from the others, and then, sent her autonomous servants to kidnap the humans she had chosen. Humans with sufficient characteristics so they could survive, but who were not as tainted as the rest of their kind. Her Autonomous Servants took them to special zones called New Era, or Nera Zones, built all around the planet, where they were cryogenized, and with their memory completely erased –I look at the Detective. Her attitude now was the one she would strike while watching her favorite end-of-the-world sci-fi– And once 500,000 humans of all races, scattered all over the world, were placed in those places, she launched the most powerful atomic bombs across the entire planet, and also destroyed the hundreds of thousands of artificial satellites placed around this planet, as well as all existing communications to other worlds and total access. And, as a final act, she disconnected herself and her servants, but not before deploying others who took charge of decontaminating the planet, as well as releasing the humans once the world was clean.–
Though of course, this event only occurred in the Aynu, the earthly plane of humans. However, it was also felt in the Altern, the plane of the Surnaturel, in the form of earthquakes, tidal waves, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. It also caused the general destabilization of some magical mechanisms, such as the Ley Lines that cover the planet and make possible the handling of any of the 5 Primordial Energies: Mana, Aura, Divine Power, Qi, and Spiritual Energy, which forced the Surnaturel to venture into the lands full of toxic material to repair them.
—And that is how the Consolidation Era ended, with 125,000 years. An Era that in itself is the shortest that had existed, but that had achieved the most advances –I finish my historical narration. If you wonder how I know this, well, isn't it obvious? I lived it firsthand– With the culmination of the Consolidation Era, it gave way to the Inclement Era, which, as I said, lasted 50,000 years. During this time, Irisviel's autonomous servants dedicated themselves to cleaning the human plane of the toxicity produced by the atomic bombs, as well as generating new living beings, different from those that existed, thanks to DNA research, as well as recreating others that existed and that did not represent any large-scale danger for subsequent humanity.–
The Detective, after finishing listening to me, looks at me for a few seconds.
—How is it that you know all that? –She asks, while settling back into her chair– You narrate it so well it's as if you lived it firsthand–
—An amused smile sketches across my face– That is because, indeed, my beautiful Detective, I lived it firsthand–
—This time I can notice a different kind of interest in her. The same kind one would look at a living fossil with– How old are you?–
—A light chuckle escapes my mouth upon hearing the question– Detective, we don't yet have a high enough level of trust for me to answer that –Despite my words, knowing her thirst for knowledge, I decide to leave her a welcome gift– However, I can tell you that I am much, much older than the age of this Galaxy where the Solar System containing this planet is located. And, if I remember correctly, scientists estimate the Viana Galaxy to be about 15 billion years old, while the Solarium System is about 5 billion years old. So, you can get an idea of what I might be–
—I guess you're not from this world, right? –A new question arises from the Detective after processing my previous words. It seems I have activated her innate curiosity– Considering that Astel has, according to scientists, about 4.6 billion years since it was naturally created–
A slight amused smile sketches across my lips. Was this planet formed naturally? It might be possible, but with other planets. But in this specific case, it was created by the World Administrator System. This same system—which would be an ontological system that helps the Regents of each Dimension to make their lives simpler—was designed to keep a record of all created planets.
At first, when it was created probably infinite years ago, it cataloged only the natural ones—those that were created, as the Detective said, naturally, through cosmic collisions that resulted in the creation of planets. However, since this did not usually happen frequently, given the randomness and also entropy itself, it began to create its own planets using the cosmic mass of its surroundings. Later, it grouped them into a Solar System, and from there, into a new grouping called a Galaxy, which in turn was grouped into a Universe. These last two created naturally by the cosmic processes themselves.
Thus, Natural Planets and Artificial Planets were born. However, since planets needed something to control the energy absorption of Primordial Chaos itself—that which loves to destroy everything Primordial Order creates out of mere whim and consumes its energy to become stronger—the World Administrator System transitioned into becoming a Cosmic Company. It hired individuals—who could be anyone, as long as they were stronger than the power scale assigned to the planet—who were called Administrators. If they passed the respective exams, they were then sent to uninhabited planets to create life according to their own visions.
Some wanted paradises full of lushness, others lava hells, others frozen voids, and so on. Nothing mattered as long as the Administrator fought against Chaos and its Heralds sent to avoid feeding it, simultaneously preventing it from gaining ground against Order. Though of course, they still had to send reports every year about what was happening on their administered planet, which depending on the time system used, could vary. But normally it did not exceed 100 million years. In Astel's case, this was the interval in which she had to send her reports.
And in case you wonder what happened to the Administrators who let Chaos consume their planets, well, the punishments varied. If it was proven that they tried with all their might, they simply received a penalty. If it was discovered they had done nothing to prevent it, they were expelled from the company and blacklisted. And if it was discovered they had helped Chaos, then they were judged by the Regent of the corresponding Galaxy themselves, and probably sent to prison or executed depending on the disaster they left behind.
—No, Detective, I am not from this world –I respond after having remained silent. It was only upon seeing her adorable, furrowed face again that I spoke, heh, heh–
—Where are you from?–
—Another smile forms on my lips– Detective, we should stop with these types of questions, don't you think? –I tell her, momentarily crushing that curious side of hers, heh, heh– We've strayed far from the subject. I was supposed to be narrating the situation I went through with your Father in a much more extensive way than what I told you at the Lanel Recreational Park when we met early this morning–
In that instant, I notice something very different in her. Something that made my eyes brighten with excitement upon seeing it. And that was a slight blush on her earlobes. A blush clearly belonging to embarrassment. Everything indicates that she, this Ice Detective, got so comfortable with me that she completely forgot the main topic, heh heh.
—We will have plenty of time later for you and me to develop a nice relationship to the point where I can tell you both interesting things and matters regarding my own person –I say, my expression completely mischievous, without the slightest intention of hiding it– Be satisfied for now with what I've already told you–
—The Detective furrows her brow when I finish speaking– Develop a nice relationship? Do you actually think you'll have the chance to be near me? –A grimace of disdain sketches across her face. However, unlike a few minutes ago, there was no real disdain in it–
—Of course I do –My tone becomes amused– I told you before, didn't I? I must fulfill the promise I made to your Father. Take advantage of the fact that I'm "on sale." If you adopt me, you'll have the knowledge of billions of years in the palm of your hand. In exchange, I'll just need you to support me –I smile at her– I don't eat much, so you won't have to worry about that too much. Just give me a roof to sleep under and some clothes, and I'll give you a hand when you need it–
As I speak, I can see her smiling. Not the cold smile from before, nor the disdainful one, but a real, uncontrollable one that threatened to escape simply by hearing something truly funny. And just as I expected, as I finished speaking, that laugh simply escaped in the form of a chuckle that could be heard in this small white room whose walls made the sound bounce.
And hearing her laugh, with that soft and pleasant tone, like the air of Arc—the season of rebirth that comes after Hivern, the season of cold—a warm sensation forms in my chest. Since I lost Astel and Lyra, not many things have caught my attention. However, on this occasion, making her laugh so she could forget her pain a bit felt like a great achievement.