“Number 13. Looking forward to today.”
After deciding to allure Number 13, a week had passed.
It was only natural that one couldn’t drag a person into such a desolate fate of fighting against a deity within just a few days.
At least Aslan thought so.
Until now, the method Aslan used to involve the traveling party was somewhat standardized.
Either by drawing in someone they already knew,
Or by rescuing them from a tight spot and drawing them in,
Or by strengthening bonds through shared experiences of events.
Generally, it went like that.
During this process, with persuasion accompanying, Aslan turned the traveling party into those who would stand against the deity alongside him.
However, Number 13 was an exception.
Number 13 didn’t fit any of these categories.
“Today’s plan?”
Number 13 wasn’t in a dangerous situation where they were trapped or going through some event.
Neither could they be persuaded that there was mutual benefit or some greater cause in joining.
Because Number 13 was pure—both in good and bad ways.
She was truly like a flower in a greenhouse.
If Aslan wanted to bring Number 13 along, the approach had to change.
The approach Aslan chose was simple:
Spending time together and naturally building intimacy.
The results were right before his eyes.
The vertically slit pupils, torn like a dragon’s, turned toward Aslan.
The blue sea-like irises sparkled as they faced Aslan.
Expectation tinged her eyes, revealing pure joy.
For a week, the traveling party spent time together with her.
They engaged in actions she might enjoy and showed her things she might like, becoming closer.
Through this process, understanding Number 13’s personality, Aslan picked the right answers.
“Let’s head out to the mountains again today. Is that okay?”
“Affirmative. Number 13, mountain, good.”
A fleeting smile appeared on her face.
Despite speaking in mere words, for someone of experimental origin, her expressions were diverse.
The group found her varied expressions surprising.
Though Number 13’s vocabulary usage was limited to words, her senses were a chaotic mix of various races.
Possessing mana that surpassed even Aslan, it wouldn’t have been strange if she were intoxicated by power.
But Number 13’s character wasn’t like that.
In both good and bad ways, she was pure.
Perhaps due to the benevolence of mixed fairy traits, or because of rapid growth as a chimera, or because she never left the Anurthin Council—it was unclear—but she was pure and emotionally rich.
Even with simple word-based vocabulary, her expressions were vivid and varied, not hidden behind a cold exterior.
“Number 13. Wishing to see the lake.”
While pulling on Aslan’s sleeve, her multifaceted expression was evident.
An expression mingling anticipation, pleasure, and a faint trace of unease.
Facing her softly curved eyebrows and lashes reminiscent of down, Aslan smiled faintly.
Number 13 enjoyed the week spent with the traveling party.
When camping outside the fortress in the mountains, she gleamed at the stars flowing across the sky.
When fishing at the small, open lake, she showed a slight sympathy for the caught fish.
And though she was saddened by the fish dish prepared by Lumel, she delighted in its taste.
Her expressions were unexpectedly diverse despite being able to express herself only in words.
Aslan recalled anew the answers he had heard about her.
“Number 13. Uttering sentences. Becomes incantations. Dangerous.”
Her lips barely moved as she spoke in a tone filled with genuine sorrow, yet composed entirely of words.
Even so, Aslan understood.
Because of her overwhelming mana surpassing even Aslan, merely speaking could turn into incantations.
Without incantations or hand signs, shields she created effortlessly blocked Aslan’s sword strikes.
She could create magic through willpower and words alone.
Truly, she was a child beloved by magic.
And yet, she was a woman rich in emotion, expressing it through her face, actions, and words.
She regarded the traveling party, whom she’d known for merely a week, as friends.
Though her face seemed aloof, her eyes brimming with expectation explained why.
Facing that expectation, Aslan gave a wry smile.
Initially, it was about drawing her into a fight whose threads weren’t even visible yet.
Hiding subtle guilt, Aslan raised his head, and Number 13 hesitated, looking at Aslan’s complexion.
“Aslan, psychological instability?”
“I’m fine. Just thinking about something.”
“Thinking.” How did Number 13 interpret that? She turned her head back and forth.
Since Aslan was the only one present before Number 13, her eyebrows tilted sadly.
“Aslan, Angie, Ereta, Phey, Tiamat, Richard, Lewena. Absent?”
Aslan nodded, and her expression visibly darkened.
Number 13 particularly missed Lumel’s absence.
‘Is it because Lumel resembles Ados, or because despite resembling Ados, he is kind?’
Watching Number 13 deeply regretting Lumel’s absence, Aslan added:
“They’re either tired or have things to do.”
Though seemingly a lie, Number 13 understood, and indeed, it wasn’t a lie.
Currently, except for Aslan, Phey, Angie, Ereta, and Lewena, the rest of the group was quite exhausted.
The reason was simple.
Because Number 13 had no physical limits.
‘Who would have guessed she possessed fairy traits.’
He should’ve guessed from the fact that she walked barefoot, but Aslan overlooked that point.
Number 13 had absolutely no physical limits; she didn’t need sleep, rest, thirst, or hunger.
Eating and drinking were merely her preferences.
Thus, the density of the week was excessively high.
Even without reaching physical exhaustion, they reached mental fatigue to the point of breaking.
Angie, Ereta, and Lewena, who still had stamina, declared they needed rest due to mental exhaustion.
Lumel, Richard, and Tiamat succumbed physically.
The only relatively unaffected Phey didn’t particularly like Number 13.
Perhaps because she wasn’t a pure fairy but a mixture of various things.
In any case, only two remained.
Undeterred by any status abnormalities, Aslan could act with indomitable spirit, ignoring even mental fatigue.
And then,
“Ah.”
Number 13 suddenly brightened upon seeing a figure appear behind Aslan.
“It’s Wangbokshili.”
Appearing behind Aslan was the ‘spirit of Zigo.’
Somehow, it ended up being called the embarrassing name ‘Wangbokshili,’ but perhaps it no longer cared about the name, as the giant tiger approached Number 13.
“Puffiness.”
Number 13 hugged the large tiger, which silently accepted the gesture.
The rough yet warm texture of the tiger’s fur. Number 13 enjoyed the sensation on her skin and smiled softly.
Aslan watched this scene and said,
“Today, I’ll be with you and Wangbokshili.”
Thump, the tiger’s tail tapped Aslan’s leg, protesting the name, but Aslan ignored it because Number 13 clearly wore an uncertain expression.
Mumbling while burying her jaw in the tiger’s fur, she looked up at Aslan hesitantly.
That faint hesitation in her gaze was undoubtedly due to the ‘usage command’ mentioned by Tiyalmisof.
Thus, the conflict didn’t last long.
“Thank you. Number 13. Looking forward.”
The fear of possibly being used was overcome by the impulse to see the outside world.
Aslan headed out with her and the spirit creature.
“Ah, Lady Number 13.”
“Wishing for a pleasant day, Lady Number 13.”
“Lady Number 13!”
On their way out, the wizards of the Anurthin Council greeted Number 13.
Though it seemed like an ordinary greeting, a certain unhidden emotion lingered in their expressions.
Aslan found this emotion awkward.
It was as if they were dealing with someone who, though insignificant, had bestowed something monumental upon them.
Avoiding their greetings, Aslan moved forward, and Number 13, wearing an uncomfortable expression, pulled her hood tightly over her head and walked ahead.
Soon, they could exit the fortress of the Anurthin Council.
The door leading to the underground opened, and the two humans and one beast stopped outside the massive hatch operated by electricity.
They were amidst the mountains.
The mountains above the bunker named the Anurthin Council Fortress.
The permitted outdoor range extended only to the mid-slope of the mountain.
Aslan led Number 13 and the spirit creature to the lake at the mid-slope.
While walking, there was an illusion of glimpsing her white bare feet between the trees, but they continued steadily.
Finally arriving at the mid-slope, there was no sign of wildlife, and yesterday’s campsite remained intact.
Traces of stones gathered to make a fire, dragged marks where fishing lines were cast,
and even traces of tents spread out or trees used for sitting.
Recalling these traces, Aslan chuckled slightly, remembering how Lumel, who held out until the end, collapsed.
“What do you want to do?”
Asking anew, Number 13 replied with an expectant expression.
“Number 13 wishes to observe stars.”
Stars.
It wasn’t surprising. Though what those stars symbolized might be ominous, their appearance was dazzling.
Aslan nodded in agreement and made a fire.
Neither Number 13, Aslan, nor the spirit creature required a fire for warmth, but it had ambiance.
Just the presence of fire captivated people, drawing their eyes to the picturesque scene it created.
After lighting the fire, they spread out a blanket.
Though not particularly necessary, the tactile sensation alone was sufficient to have an effect.
Number 13, recognizing the blanket’s proper placement, approached and sat down.
“When do the stars appear?”
As the spirit creature lay down beside her head, Number 13 rested her head on it as a pillow.
“It’ll take a while. They become visible when it gets dark, so we can wait.”
“Understood. Number 13 will wait.”
Though she said that, Number 13 looked up at the sky.
The stars were still not visible.
Only the sky, painted in hues, met her eyes.
Silence enveloped them.
Amidst the artificially constructed mountain of the Anurthin Council, there was no sound of rustling leaves; only a gentle breeze blew quietly.
Aslan quietly observed Number 13 gazing silently at the sky and then glanced at the silent spirit creature resting its head on his back before quietly opening the system window.
[Aslan]
[Level: 14]
[Remaining Stat Points: 6]
[Strength 5] [Agility ■] [Health 5]
[Mana 16] [Willpower 10] [Luck 10]
Looking at the window that appeared, he pondered how to allocate the stat points he failed to raise earlier.
At that moment,
“Aslan, not using Number 13.”
Number 13 asked.
Rather, she stated a fact calmly.
As Aslan closed the window upon hearing this, Number 13 blinked and looked at Aslan with a hint of fear in her eyes.
“Tiyalmisof’s order. Aslan, entice with body.”
This wasn’t a new revelation.
“Aslan, possession of Number 13’s usage rights.”
He could understand what she was trying to say.
“But not using.”
So Aslan quietly looked at Number 13.
“Listening to Number 13’s wishes. Showing the outside world to Number 13.”
With a rustle, Number 13 sat up on the blanket and blinked with a look of suspicion.
“Why?”
Before answering, Number 13 questioned further.
“Number 13 lacks appeal?”
Caught off guard by the question, Aslan shook his head awkwardly.
“Not exactly. You’re… cute.”
“Number 13 and Aslan alone. Possible for use.”
Once again, Aslan shook his head.
“Why?”
Upon the repeated question, Aslan answered without hesitation.
“Because I don’t think it’s right.”
“Then…”
The fear in Number 13’s eyes had already subsided, leaving only a streak of curiosity.
She asked, reflecting on the past week together, meeting Aslan’s emerald green eyes.
She realized that Aslan’s series of kindnesses were not for more efficient ‘use’ of her.
“Why show the outside world to Number 13?”
Aslan had to choose his answer carefully.
Whether to be honest or to sugarcoat it with pleasant words.
His deliberation didn’t last long.
“At first, I wanted to bring you in as a companion.”
Number 13’s eyes widened at the unexpected statement.
“I needed your strength. The immense mana you possess… more precisely, the magic you could produce with it.”
Number 13 pressed her lips together in apparent shock at the response.
Gently twisting her light blue hair that flowed down long, the woman eventually displayed a look of puzzlement.
At first.
Now, it was different.
Raising her head, Aslan continued.
“Now it’s different.”
“Why?”
The tone of the question had changed from earlier.
Aslan smiled faintly and responded.
“I thought it would be a shame to spend your whole life only in the council, only as an experiment subject.”
“Regret?”
The sky darkened, and Aslan tilted his head upward, indicating the sight.
Looking up revealed a sky dotted with countless stars.
In front of it, drifting clouds and the moon moving gracefully in the background were also visible.
Number 13 liked the night sky.
It was a confusing beauty unlike the overly practical interior of the council.
Therefore, Number 13 gazed at the sky as if entranced, and Aslan whispered softly to her.
“Geladridion is undoubtedly not a comfortable place to live.”
Lowering her head to look at Aslan, he muttered as if talking to himself.
“To people, living is undoubtedly painful, and life itself is the source of that pain. The gods and fate are cruel and harsh. But… even so, the world is undoubtedly beautiful.”
There are too many things too precious to overlook.
As he added this remark, light returned to Aslan’s gaze.
“There’s a water mass thousands of times larger than this small lake. People call it the sea.”
“Sea.”
“There are mountains much larger and higher than the one this fortress stands on.”
“Mountain.”
“And beneath this vast sky, there stretches an endless golden plain.”
Hearing this, Number 13 imagined with her clumsy imagination.
The scenery that came to mind was beautiful.
What would it look like if she actually saw it?
She pulled her knees close and hugged them, giggling softly.
Just imagining it made her happy.
Seeing her expression, Aslan smiled as well.
“It’s too regrettable not to see all these things.”
“Affirmative.”
She wanted to see. Forgetting her position where she couldn’t, Number 13 played around with such landscapes in her imagination.
Would the wind blowing be cool like now, or warm?
It was unknown.
Aslan, looking at her bright expression, added,
“Though I can’t show you all those things, I wanted to show you what I could immediately.”
That was the answer.
The answer to Number 13’s “Why?”
After spacing out for a while, Number 13 asked again.
“Why…?”
This time, it was different from the previous questions.
Yet, it was certainly a question that could irritate.
Thinking it would provoke irritation, she instinctively hunched her shoulders, expecting something akin to Ados’s reaction.
But Aslan smiled gently without any irritation.
“Because if I were in your shoes, I’d wish someone would do the same for me.”
The smile was as gentle as his words.
“Because I wanted to.”
Number 13 fell silent.
Her mouth opened slightly, and she gave a peculiar smile.
“Aslan, strange.”
“I know.”
It wasn’t a bad smile. At least, Aslan felt that way.
However, unlike Aslan’s satisfied smirk, Number 13’s expression gradually darkened.
This darkness seemed intentionally brought on by the need to convey some important fact.
But, what?
Faced with Aslan’s curious expression, Number 13 thought.
Aslan was definitely a strange person.
Even someone like Number 13, who hadn’t encountered many people, could tell.
People of the Anurthin Council generally calculated gains and losses before taking action.
Those were the kinds of people familiar to Number 13.
But Aslan was different.
He acted according to his own desires.
Regardless of whether there was gain or loss.
He did what he wanted.
The reason was absurdly simple.
It was simply because he would wish it for himself.
Number 13 couldn’t understand such an Aslan.
But, even if Aslan was strange,
the sincerity in the goodwill Aslan held for Number 13 was undeniable.
Number 13 didn’t want to see someone who held goodwill towards her fall into a trap.
Thus, despite the wave of rejection and guilt running down her spine, Number 13 spoke.
“Aslan, there’s something you don’t know.”
With an expression tinged with unease.
“Aslan, alliances should not be formed.”
