Ch 98 – Lies and Deceit Hidden Under A Hundred Layers

"Whew, those Vichikens really are fast! We'll arrive back at Pendragon Kingdom in just a day, though the fee is quite high to ride these carts," Lute muttered as the five can be seen inside a luxurious cart sitting on top of cushioned seats that made it comfortable to sit on.

Leaning forward, Silvy asked an interesting question that piqued everyone's curiosity, "Hey, Honda-san, whenever you guys travel all around the continent, do you guys ride carts or do something else?"

"Well, we typically just teleport using magic, though I personally can't use teleportation magic," Honda smiled, answering Silvy's question as they looked out the window to see the landscape passing by like a blur.

"Maybe in the future, Lute-san will be able to use space magic after studying at the Magic Kingdom in the Northern Continent," Silvy muttered as everyone's interest went towards the Northern Continent and the Sage.

"Maybe, though it is impressive that the Sage was able to develop such a grand magic system. Though nearly no one in the Central Continent uses the magic systems the Sage developed, we're all stuck here using the Classic Magic System that is purely dependent on our attribute, unlike the students of the Sage's Magic Academy where they can cast an assortment of spells ranging from fire to even space! I can't wait when I eventually go to study there!" Lute excitedly said as the four – except Kira – gasped in wonder, admiring the achievements the strongest mage in the world – that rivals even the Reincarnates – was able to achieve.

"But doesn't Lute-san also have the Knowledge Attribute? Maybe you'll become one of the Archmages in the future!" SIlvy said as everyone knew that the Sage has the Knowledge Attribute, the same attribute Lute also has along with Sacrifice.

"Hehehe, being an Archmage is nigh impossible with my talent, to reach the peak of magic is simply a grand feat I wouldn't be able to achieve as of now. Even reaching C Rank with my Dark Gray soul is impressive," Lute said with a wry smile, explaining his current predicament.

"Well, I believe you can do it, Lute-san. Just being able to only need to chant the spell name to activate a spell is an impressive feat! Even out of the nine Reincarnates, only Don Will Dead-san is able to achieve it," Honda said with a smile, encouraging Lute that he can do it.

"Really?! Don Will Dead-sama only needs to chant a spell's spell name?!" Bella said, shocked that Lute can do what a Reincarnate is able to do.

And so, the five – except Kira – went to chat with each other on random topics as they all instinctually knew that this might be the last time the five would be together again, considering Honda has to return to the Royal Capital while Lute – and probably Kira – would leave to study at the Magic Academy at the Northern Continent, now that would have them an entire continent apart.

So they enjoyed their time with each other inside the cart, from talking about simple things like their favorite food to more heavy topics like Honda complaining how hard it was to be a Reincarnate.

Until finally, the five can now be seen standing outside the eastern entrance of the Pendragon Kingdom which leads to Peckle City, the city where the four – except Honda – lives in, meaning this is the last time the five would see each other for a long while.

"Sigh, I guess this is it, huh?" Lute muttered as they all looked at the setting sun in the distance while standing outside the Pendragon Kingdom. Their emotions slowly came to the surface as a bittersweet smile appeared on their face – except for Kira.

"Yeah, this is probably the last time we'll see each other again for a long time," Honda said, a wide grin plastered on his face as the soft breeze made their hair flutter in the air. A scene of sadness yet also happiness has appeared, the final goodbyes of a group made after a harsh time inside a dungeon is quite a beautiful scene to observe. The beauty of humanity can be seen in these scenarios of raw emotions.

"Well, I'll be only studying at the Magic Academy for a year at most, so it's not that long of a time until we all see each other again," Lute said, grinning widely as he chuckled.

"Yeah, Lute-san won't be gone that long, and didn't you say you'll only leave a few weeks later? So we can still see each other again later before he leaves," Silvy said as tears slowly formed in her eyes. Saying goodbye to a close friend does make one feel a bittersweet feeling.

Huddling into a circle, they went to hug each other tightly to silently say their final words – including Kira – before letting go as they all smiled and silently walked towards the Pendragon Kingdom.

The soft breeze, the setting sun, and the exhaustion from riding on a cart the whole day, it all culminated into a beautiful memory incomparable to all the time Honda spent with the other Reincarnates. It was a true bond of friendship born from hardship, he was able to finally make what he can call… Friends.

"Goodbye Honda-san! Make sure to come by my Restaurant when I get it up and running!" Silvy shouted as the four stood on the outer edges of Peckle City and waved goodbye to Honda who was walking away into the distance.

Turning around with a bittersweet grin, Honda waves his hand high in the air and shouts, "I will! And remember to reserve the whole restaurant to ourselves at that time because we'll drink till we drop dead!"

As the five laughed for the last time, they all watched Honda disappear into the distance while tears drip down Silvy's eyes. As both Bella and Lute comforted her, Kira silently watched everything unfold with his same apathetic eyes. One can't help but feel uncomfortable when looking at those eyes devoid of emotion.

And so, the group of five has now disbanded as they went their own separate ways, but their friendship will stand the test of time, for the friendship was built on certain invisible strings constructed by multiple masterminds.

"Don Will Dead-san, can you open a gate for me please?" Honda muttered once he arrived at an open clearing where nobody else was around, and magically, a purple gate appeared in front of him which he walked through and found himself back in their meeting room where three other Reincarnates reside. Kilt, Don Will Dead, and Imerda.

'Huh? Why is Imerda-san here?' Honda thought while sitting down on his respective chair. He then focuses on Kilt who looks at him with a serious gaze.

"Mmm, your growth from just spending a day there has been quite big, Honda-san. Your aura, it's much more refined and mature compared to before," Kilt muttered, causing Honda to raise his eyebrow in confusion.

"Huh?" Honda said, confused at what growth Kilt was talking about.

"You can say, you have grown as a person. You must have made some incredible friends there at Tyburg, hmm? But, you have only spent just two days – one was you going to Tyburg, and the other was you going back here – yet it seems like you have made some quite close bonds," Kilt asked, instantly coming down to the most intriguing part of Honda's growth.

You see, the problem in this weird scenario was how could have Honda made this close bond if he only spent two days, you can say it's because he looped, but his friends don't loop back with him so their bond shouldn't be so deep in just two days.

'Do I reveal about Lute's ability to transfer memories? Not even Louis can do that considering the complexity and he doesn't know how to make a magic tool that does the same thing.' Honda contemplated.

"Well… I guess… Sigh, I really can't reveal much because I might put them in danger, but yes, I did make some friends there," Honda said as Kilt only nodded in response, respecting Honda's privacy and not probing further.

"Oh yeah, if you guys don't mind, can you guys greet them for me? They're kind of fans," Honda sheepishly said as it caught Imerda's attention.

"Oh, your new friend is a fan? Well, that's to be expected considering my beauty, ohoho," Imerda muttered as Kilt and Don Will Dead nodded their eyes.

"I do want to meet your new friends and hear your story about the time you spend in the dungeon, you need to only talk about the final loop you spent there," Kilt said while Don Will Dead waved his hands in the air, preparing to cast his spell.

"[Video Call]," Don Will Dead muttered as a holographic screen appeared on the table for everyone to see.

Touching it with his bare hands, Honda inserted some of his mana into it while envisioning Lute in his mind as clear as he can. And bam, the black screen buzz for a second, and Lute appeared on the screen inside a kitchen cutting some carrots and potatoes.

"Lute-san!" Honda shouted, causing Lute to shriek in shock as he turned around hastily waving his knife in the air, only to see the screen floating beside him. And in that one moment, Imerda's eyes widen as she can't believe her eyes, it was as if she has just seen a ghost or something similar.

"Huh? Honda-chan? How did you do this? Wait… Hmm, oh, this is an interesting spell you casted right here," Lute muttered after overcoming his shock and inspected the screen with shining eyes.

"Well, why are you doing whatever this is anyway?" Lute said while washing his hands.

"Uh, about that, you might want to look back at your screen," Honda said as Lute nonchalantly turned his head, only for it to widen once more as it showed Imerda, Don Will Dead, and Kilt looking at him with interested eyes.

"What?! I didn't know you had the other Reincarnates there! Um, Don Will Dead-san! I'm a huge fan! Can I see you summoning an undead, pretty please!" Lute hastily said whatever came to the top of his mind causing Imerda to teasingly smile by the side.

"Calm down, Lute-san," Honda said.

"No need to worry, Honda. I'll let your friend's wish be heard, [Create Undead, Zombie]," Instantly, a zombie slowly appeared beside Don Will Dead causing stars to shine in Lute's eyes as he squealed in joy.

"Thank you, Don Will Dead-san! I'll- HOLY FUCK! RAIDEN! DON'T EAT THAT STONE-" Before the Reincarnates could even process what was happening, they saw a flash of crimson light cover the whole screen before the screen suddenly disappears after a loud boom was heard, meaning something has interfered with the spell.

As the four quietly look at the air with dumbfounded gazes, Honda cleared his throat and said after a long pause, "Why don't I give you guys my experience in the dungeon."

*Back to Lute's Wacky Adventures*

"Thank you, Don Will Dead-san! I'll-" As Lute was saying his thanks, his eyes widen in shock when he saw Raiden rummaging through his leather pouch in the living room and taking out the red Philosopher's Stone. And before Lute can even understand what he was going to do, Raiden put the stone in his mouth causing Lute to shout.

"HOLY FUCK! RAIDEN! DON'T EAT THAT STONE-" But it was too late. With a gulp, the small stone slid through Raiden's neck and down to his stomach as lightning suddenly struck from the sky through the house's roof. A loud boom then appeared as a crimson light illuminated the whole house while Lute's body was flung to the kitchen counter from the explosion that appeared out of nowhere.

Slowly, the crimson light receded and Lute opened his eyes with a groan, and what he saw can only be considered a ridiculous scene. Their whole living room was decimated, scorch marks and fire can be seen everywhere while Raiden was floating in midair and crimson electric sparks can be seen erupting from his body, not only that, his crimson eyes is also glowing a bright crimson color while a dangerous aura was emanating from his body.

"Guwak!" Out of nowhere, Raiden puked after a few moments and his body drop down to the ground unconscious, not only that, even the Philosopher's Stone has been successfully puked out causing Lute to heave a sigh of relief.

But unbeknownst to observers in the dark, even though Lute acted so shocked and the series of events seemed to be pure chaos, it was in fact, just another plan!

'Kukuku, to think the random child Kira possessed before would have the perfect requirements for me to create the pathway to attaining the perfect Body Persona, with first reproducing the conceptual embodiment of speed through magical means, the same concept Rick wasn't able to achieve with his talks of Copyright Laws and prejudice against powers coming from what he deems "fictional shows", wasted potential it indeed truly is.' Lute chuckled in his mind, for he has achieved something that in itself alone, would allow Raiden to achieve god-like feats and even break the laws of reality as easily as breathing. But to think this is only the first step for Raiden, one can only wonder about the plans Braun plans to achieve in the future. From him needing specifically 10000 Platinum to asking Don Will Dead to summon an undead, one can only speculate about his schemes that hide under so many layers, that one would be lost trying to find the truth.

AN: This is 2292 words, you're welcome.

This is one of the rare times I'm giving the questions directly to your face at the end paragraph, so yeah, I'm indirectly giving the weird mysteries, it's up to you to find them and contemplate the possible answers because Braun never does unnecessary actions.

And pro tip if you're undecided on something, make it vague for future development, like why did Imerda act like she saw a ghost upon seeing Lute's face? Was it because he was beautiful? Maybe because he resembles a past friend from her previous life? Heck, maybe even a romantic target in an otome game? I don't know yet, so you also won't know why.

Writing is hard, send power stones.

(July 22, 2022 – 240th day of writing)