"I look like a mess..."

Examining my disheveled reflection in the mirror, I decided to freshen up by washing my face and taking a quick shower.

Unlike the standard showers on Earth, the showers in this world were powered by magic stones.

Magic stones came in various types and categories. For instance, there were water stones, typically used for showers, dishwashing, and other water-related tasks. Some magic stones could also be used for training and combat, even if your elemental crest didn't align with the stones' attributes. It only required a small amount of mana to operate these magic stones, making them highly convenient in this world.

As I took a step toward the shower and turned it on at half-intensity, water began to gently cascade down over my small body.

"Sigh..."

I contemplated deeply about what I had heard the previous day – the gathering of monsters. It could only mean one thing.

It was connected to the organizations that had attacked Arthur and his parents.

In essence, the organization's objective was to summon true demons and monstrous beings from hell. However, Arthur would have to confront these adversaries when he ventured into hell himself, driven by his determination to rescue a comrade trapped within its depths.

The part where he confronted someone later revealed to command an army of five hundred thousand true demon soldiers and morphed monsters genuinely filled me with dread.

While some of the true demons he battled were of lower rank, and a few remained at the baron level, it didn't make them any less formidable. Unlike the ordinary demons in this world, true demons from hell were five times more powerful than the average demon combined. Facing even one of these creatures typically required the prowess of an S-rank adventurer, yet Arthur stood alone against an entire army of them.

The hierarchy among true demons consisted of the ranks of Baron, Viscount, Earl, Marquis, Duke, Prince, and, ultimately, the King. They also held special titles such as soldiers, commanders, captains, and generals. These special titles weren't to be taken lightly.

The strength of a commander alone had the potential to annihilate two hundred thousand true demon soldiers. This meant that had Arthur and his friends been even a minute late when facing five commanders sent to eliminate them, it might have spelled certain death.

Although Arthur displayed incredible power that day, it didn't necessarily equate to his current strength. His abilities had been sealed when they raided the duke's mansion, and he still hadn't fully regained his memories. This sealing was done to help his body adapt more swiftly to changes, as losing control could inadvertently bring about the destruction of the entire world.

Yet, the true demon king's power remained unmatched, even if Arthur were to fully recover his strength. The question of how he would confront and potentially defeat this formidable foe remained a mystery, especially as the story remained unfinished.

Although at the moment, the chances of defeating the demon king seemed like a mere 0%, if the story were to progress as it did in the novel, that likelihood might increase to somewhere between 30% to 50% if those individuals indeed made an appearance.

Typically, in novels, the storyline concludes with the protagonists triumphing through the power of friendship or some similar theme. But if that were the case here, I wouldn't have bothered investing my time reading it.

The reason I continued reading the novel was due to the author's knack for keeping the story intriguing as it progressed. I was aware that the author was harboring secrets about Arthur's past. No matter what theory I devised about Arthur's history, new evidence would surface that shattered my assumptions. It felt as though the author was attuned to my thoughts, manipulating me like a puppet. Just pondering this made me question whether I was a fictional character created by the author in the real world...

Am I merely a fictional character within the novel's pages, or am I a real individual from an actual reality?

"No!"

I shook my head and gazed at my palm, speaking to myself.

Questioning the boundaries between reality and fiction would only hinder my current thinking. Besides, if I were indeed a character in a novel, then this world was my own reality, wasn't it?

Still, I couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling of being observed by others while their stories were being written in a book or published on a website. Just the thought sent shivers down my spine.

Now that I contemplated it, was this how a protagonist would react upon discovering they were being observed by others?

I'm starting to regret delving into... no, I mean reading Arthur's story.

"I feel like I'm some kind of pervert..."

I strolled over to my closet and selected a formal outfit with an undeniably noble design. After donning it, I assessed my reflection in the mirror.

"I suppose white isn't really suited for Athan... Sigh, why do I have to waste my precious free time like this...?"

Yesterday, after my conversation with Alicia, my mother had tasked me with showing her around the city.

I initially contemplated refusing, but considering the potential benefits, I reluctantly agreed. My plan to befriend Alicia still required execution.

My mother had also taken the time to seek Alicia's consent, to which she had simply nodded without uttering a word in response.

...

Certainly! Here's a revised version of the passage:

Arriving at the entrance, I noticed Alicia was wearing a charming little black dress adorned with delicate silver patterns.

"...Are you ready to head out?" I asked Alicia, my expression reflecting some fatigue.

She acknowledged me with a silent nod.

After waiting for about a minute, the carriage arrived in front of the mansion.

"Athan!"

Startled by the call of my name, I twitched and turned slowly to see my mother approaching. Frustration welled up within me, and I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

Letting out a long sigh, I instructed Alicia to board the carriage first.

Turning my attention back to my mother, I asked irritably, "What?"

"I just wanted to give you this." She extended her hand, offering me a pouch filled with money.

I peered inside the pouch before stowing it away in my pocket, and then I turned to leave.

It contained 50 gold coins... Why was she giving me such a significant sum?

As I was about to enter the carriage, my mother called out to me once more.

"Don't forget to make a move on her during the journey!"

"Shut up!"

...

..

.

After Athan and Alicia had left, Celestia returned to the mansion and made her way to her office.

She knocked on the door three times before entering, carefully closing and locking the door behind her.

Stepping to her left, she approached a particular painting that depicted herself, Athan, and Athan's father, Aaron.

"Your son certainly inherited your attitude, dear."

Celestia smiled faintly, her fingers grazing the portrait of Aaron.

"When are you coming back, you foolish husband? Your absence is making both Athan and me feel lonely."

"You know, Aaron still has a mission to fulfill. It will likely be several more years before he returns to the human domain."

It was Valentine...

Without turning around, Celestia smiled, picked up a small box from the table, and opened it.

Inside rested a small white orb, a precious item handed down to her by Aaron before he departed without disclosing the details of his mission.

After he left, Valentine visited Celestia and explained the reason for his departure, but she withheld the specifics of his mission. Aaron had only informed her that it was an important mission he had to undertake alone.

"What's that?" Valentine inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Oh, this?" Celestia retrieved the orb from the box and displayed it to Valentine. "Aaron gave this to me and mentioned that I should give it to Athan when the time comes. However, he didn't specify when. He also said that this object would be the key to resolving a future calamity. I don't know why he entrusted our son with this task, but as his wife, I must place my full trust in him."

Celestia offered her warmest smile as she gently returned the orb to its box.

Sighing, Valentine gazed out the window before commenting, "Yes, perhaps you're right."

"Oh, by the way, here." Celestia extended the box toward Valentine.

"Huh?" Valentine looked at Celestia with a puzzled expression.

"Why are you giving this to me? Didn't Aaron instruct you to give it to Athan in the future?"

"Oh... about that, I have a feeling that you should be the one to give this box to Athan when the time comes."

"Why is that?"

"Isn't it obvious? You're the only person I trust in this matter. Besides, if something were to happen to me in the future, I know this box will be safe in your hands."

Frowning, Valentine spoke up. "...why don't you just tell me the truth already? You're only passing this responsibility onto me because you want to avoid it."

Gasping, Celestia stared at Valentine in surprise and admitted, "How did you figure it out!?"

Sighing, Valentine didn't answer and simply turned her gaze back toward the window.

You're too easy to read!