Chapter 213: Heavy Burden

When I looked around, I saw that the room was currently empty.

"Umm...is she away right now?" I asked.

"I don't know. Probably? But when she senses us, the goddess of washboards will likely come over like a good doggie," Difar said.

Ignoring his comment, I walked over to one of the thrones and examined it.

Not for any particular reason, of course. I was trying to pass the time.

This was a restricted area and only high level Attendants and Enforcers were allowed this far up.

The throne room was also usually only reserved for Enforcers and Enforcer candidates.

Meaning that we wouldn't have to worry about the language barrier if we ran into someone.

Cassandra, who had not taken her eyes off of me since we arrived, moved closer.

"Darling, can I have a kiss?" She asked hopefully.

I kissed her and she smiled.

"Please don't start again. At least wait until I'm out of the room. Valtheim already told me what you were doing last night..." Difar said.

"What!? Was she spying on us!?" I asked.

"Only as much as I asked her to. And it was to ensure your protection. I wouldn't call it spying. Go on Valtheim, tell them exactly what you said when I asked you if they were still safe and sound," Difar said.

"They are...mating..." Valtheim said.

"And when she said it, I almost threw up! Even the thought of it still makes me nauseous..." He said.

Then he put his hand over his mouth.

I felt my face heat up and Cassandra hid hers in my shoulder.

"You really should learn what is and what isn't okay to talk about, Difar," I said angrily.

"I really don't care. But you should know that Valtheim isn't bothered by such things," Difar said.

"What...? So you and Valtheim don't...you know..." I said.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Difar asked as he raised an eyebrow.

Before I could respond, he spoke again.

"Don't answer that. But as willing as she would be, it is an absolutely terrible idea to put any part of your body in the Void. Especially that part. You'll lose it. So the answer is no. Besides, if I wanted to have fun with a woman, I have literally thousands of beautiful and willing slaves in the Abyss."

"So why did you rape Aria then?" I asked angrily

"To piss you off. I don't find her especially appealing and she resisted until the very end. Very unsatisfying, if you ask me-"

"SHUT UP!!! THAT WAS MY AUNT, YOU BASTARD!!!" I screamed angrily.

"Not my problem. I do as I please, Mizik. I always have and I always will. Now calm down before you do something irrational. I don't want to go back to Lorelei," Difar said.

I walked away and made my way to one of the vacant rooms in the facility. Cassandra followed me.

Eventually, an Attendant saw us and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Excuse me...? Who are you? What are you doing here!? And...how did you even get in here!?" She said.

Actually, I recognized this woman. She was one of the Attendants who worked in this building.

"Oh, hey Laura. Can you contact Iris for me? I'm a friend. She might be able to help us out," I said while trying to hide my seething anger at Difar.

"Umm...okay... How do you know my name?" She said.

"That is a really long story. And I don't have the time or patience to tell you everything. Just know that both of us are allies. We're here to help and we need your assistance," I said.

She seemed to comprehend.

But understandably, was still suspicious.

"Do you have any proof that you're an ally?" She asked.

"How about...authorization code 009715572?" I said.

I quickly gave her the authorization code used by Enforcers when conducting top secret missions. Most people had absolutely no idea what such a thing meant. But to an Attendant working at the Torantis HQ, it meant that I was an Enforcer on a mission and that I was requesting backup.

She started blankly.

"Are you an Enforcer or something!?" She said in shock.

"Like I said...it's a long story. But trust me, we're friends."

"Okay... If you two are friends, would you like a room?" She asked.

"I came over here for that very reason. Thank you, Laura," I said.

"No problem, young man. Here you go," she said.

I felt my eye twitch in annoyance as she handed me a key card.

I didn't like being referred to as that.

"Thank you...I'll be going..." I said.

She smiled and waved at me as I walked away with Cassandra. While we walked, I noticed that it was early evening here... Despite it having been late morning in Avernia. At least in Kalsa, that is.

Likely, Iris had already gone to sleep somewhere. She usually slept early.

Regardless, we found the room listed on the card very quickly. We entered it and shut the door.

Then I sat down on the bed.

I had forgotten that until I reached eighteen years of age in this world, they still viewed me as a child...

"Darling? Are you upset about being so young? If I could make you grow, I would do so immediately..." Cassandra said as she sat down next to me.

She was still slightly taller than me.

I couldn't wait to be the taller one again... Honestly, I wanted to work on my body before I took on the Enforcer Aspects.

"I know, Cassandra. I can always trust you to be loyal to me no matter what... Thank you. And it's a lot of things..." I said.

"Tell me everything, darling! I want to be a shoulder to lean on for you. Please let me hear your sweet voice!" She said.

Then she grabbed me and held me against her chest as she smiled at me.

"Ugh... First of all, it's Isabella...or I should probably just call her Rose now. She's likely going to be hunting me for the rest of my life or until we finally kill her..." I said.

"My traitor of a sister is causing my sweet Mizik problems... As far as I'm concerned, Isabella is dead."

"Does it bother you that we're going to fight against her?"

"Not in the slightest. I would destroy a thousand worlds and commit horrible atrocities in your name if asked to. I have no pointless attachments to anything," She said.

"You mean... You would even forsake your family?" I asked.

I wanted to be sure of the depths of her madness and devotion...

"I would gladly look them both in the eyes and murder them if you asked me to, darling. Or even if they tried to hurt you..." Cassandra said.

Holy shit. Cassandra is crazy... She's exactly the kind of person I need by my side. Perfect.

"I'm glad to hear it..." I said.

"What else is bothering you, my love?" She asked.

"Rose murdered my family...my dad and aunt as well right in front of me..."

"I wanted to meet your family so badly... And father... I miss him. I miss aunt Amelia too. She was so nice... We'll definitely pay Rose back for that," Cassandra said.

"And dealing with Difar so much..."

"And how dare he utter such vicious words at my darling Mizik! You should be treated like a King! Not some lowly child."

"I'm just...so tired... I feel exhausted and it's like trying to carry so much on my shoulders all at once. All I've ever wanted was to live peacefully. It would be nice, Cassandra, if we could settle down somewhere and live without worries," I said.

"I would love that! Seeing only Mizik every day... It sounds like heaven..." She said.

"Cassandra, will you allow me to lean on you for emotional support? I can't bear everything alone. If I do, it'll drive me insane. Actually...I think I can already feel myself slipping..." I said.

"I could ask for no greater honor, my darling. You may lean on me as much as you need. I will enjoy every moment!" Cassandra said as she cradled me against her.

"Thank you... I'm in your care, then," I said.

"I'll take wonderful care of you, darling! Let Cassandra bear your frustrations!" She said.

"Would you still love me if I went insane? What if I became a monster...? As everything drags on...it seems more and more inevitable..."

"My darling asks such silly questions! I will always love you, Mizik!"

"I couldn't ask for a better person to fight by my side, then. Thank you, Cassandra," I said.

"There's no need to thank me, darling. I am your weapon, your slave, and your loving wife," She said.

"And now you'll do anything for my love? Are you okay with that? Is your life so meaningless?" I said.

"I exist for the sole purpose of pleasing you. My life became pointless and truly meaningless once I became aware of the permanent fate Avernia suffered from the Corruption. I would die almost every single time... I had little to nothing that I truly cared about, even before that. But you...you give my life meaning. Something to hold onto. And for that, I am eternally grateful," Cassandra said.

"You're crazy. I hope you know that," I said.

"Ehehe...crazy for you~! Mizik is my everything!" Cassandra said.

"I can definitely get used to this..." I said.

Cassandra just kept holding onto me happily.

We talked for a while longer about many things.

Since I really wanted to get to know her better, it seemed like a good time.

Neither of us were tired, so we just enjoyed eachother's company and talked for a while.

* * *

"What do you mean, you failed?" Oracle said.

"I'm sorry, Grandma... The Source was too powerful. He entered his second form and I couldn't surpass him..." Rose said.

"He...has a second form...? I see..." Oracle said.

"Actually, he mentioned having four."

Oracle seemed to tense up upon hearing this.

"Perhaps... No... He can still..."

"Grandma?"

"Do not worry, child. I was just talking to myself. Now then, what of Mizik?" Oracle asked.

"I was unable to harm him, unfortunately. He was protected by the monster that the Source keeps. Her name is Valtheim," Rose said.

"That name again... Every time I look into the matter, I cannot find such a being. Are you lying to me?"

"N-no! I would never! I truly mean that there was a person! She attacked me and I put up a barrier! As soon as she touched it, she dispersed and reappeared by the Source's side. The Source mentioned something about the Void..."

"I believe you... But my all-seeing eyes have never detected such a thing. I have always thought that the Source, himself, possessed this power in some form. An entity of the Void... It is impossible. I'm sure what you saw was merely an illusion. Your sister is good at such things, yes?"

"Ah! Yes, of course! Valtheim must be an illusion! You're so wise, Oracle," Rose said happily.

Oracle smiled warmly at Rose.

"Now then, how did the knowledge I gave you work out? On how to use your new abilities, I mean."

"It worked wonderfully! It's like I've been training for a long time without doing any work! Although...I have faint memories of training with someone. A man... I can't seem to recall his face... It feels like he was important to me. Do you know who it could be?" Rose asked.

Oracle frowned as she heard those words.

"That might be...an error. A figment of your imagination. Do your best to ignore those false memories. It will serve you well, Rose," Oracle said.

Rose bowed her head.

"You are wise beyond understanding. I'll follow you until my work is done!" Rose said.

"I know you will. Now then, let's talk about a world called Ignitus..."

* * *

Hours later, Cassandra was still cradling me lovingly in her arms against her chest.

I felt so warm and content that I didn't want to get up... But there was a knock at the door.

I slowly got up and Cassandra frowned.

"Aww...is it over already...?" She said.

"Afraid so... But there will be plenty of time for that later. I promise," I said.

"I can't wait!" She said.

I walked over to the door and opened it.

It was Dante.

"Let me guess, she doesn't trust it?" I said.

"Umm...how did you know? And who are you?" Dante said.

By the gods, I hate that cursed Oracle!

"I've been saying this too often, lately, but it's a long story. I would rather not tell it twice. If it makes any difference, I'm a hundred percent positive that you could easily kill me right now. Please don't, Dante," I said.

"I don't have plans to kill anyone at the moment. Also, I'm assuming that since you know my name, that's part of the story?" He asked.

"Sure is, Frost Reaper."

"Hm...and the girl with the pink hair...?"

"My wife."

"I see...you two are otherworlders, aren't you?" Dante said.

"Guilty. But don't tell Leiso or Gavin. Actually, If I had to choose, I would rather it be Leiso. At least she's reasonable..." I said.

Suddenly, Dante laughed loudly.

"Ha...you act like you're an old friend of ours! It feels like I've known you for a long time, already."

"Yeah, that's kind of...spot on..." I mumbled.

"Alright, I'll take you to see Iris. But first, I need to-"

"Please don't invite the other Enforcers yet. I really don't need that at the moment... Also, I have a question about Jallah," I said.

"I see. Do you know where he went? He was sent to Nexus to do reconnaissance but hasn't returned," Dante said.

"He's been captured and you'll have to go get him. But that's also not possible right now. I'll explain why, later," I said.

"Understood. Thank you...eh..."

"Mizik Iratus. And that's Cassandra Iratus," I said.

"Right. She has...interesting hair..." He said..

"Yeah, pink isn't common on Ignitus. Like at all. But everyone thinks it's weird despite Iris' being teal."

"Good point. Let's go," Dante said.

Then Cassandra got up and clung to my arm as we followed Dante.