[Materials collected, 2/4]
Aria read through the descriptions of each item.
Because for some reason the panel said she had collected 2 of them, she was trying to see which one they could be.
And from what she could make out, the things she had collected could only seem to be 'The Demon King's Miasma' and 'The Light of a Thousand Civilization'.
The guide on how to get them was… 'Can be collected by breathing inside of Lucifer's Castle' and 'Can be collected through the act of surviving [The Bringer of Destruction]'s attacks'.
Of course, she is reminded of that time she got hit by a destructive ray of light.
She's still planning on fucking up that dragon, no need to dwell on that too much.
Meanwhile the 'Demon King's Miasma', yes, she had been breathing in this place for a while now. Makes sense it would be collected.
Though she doesn't know why it's important.
Safe to say, since she's got the probably hardest item to be obtained, she's already quite set on her way to finish this quest.
Aria looked at the first and last item on the list.
'The problem is…'
A Maiden's Tear.
The way to obtain it…
Was quite unconventional.
How the hell was she, a practical stranger, supposed to make the blank faced Saintess cry?!
Of course, if it was anyone else, they would've cried at the fact that they would need to survive an attack from Tiamat, but since Aria herself had already succeeded in doing so accidentally, she's lamenting at a different point.
Any sane person would think that making the Saint cry would be easier than surviving that walking calamity.
Aria turned towards her silent companion, she was facing the tombstone.
"...Someone you knew?"
"Yes."
"Were you close to them?"
"She was someone very important to the world."
Aria thought the atmosphere suddenly felt cold but she kept the conversation going.
"So it's a she. Was she an acquaintance?"
"We had talked a couple of times, not enough to be called close."
Of course, Aria was trying to find some information. How else would she be able to make this girl cry?
What, is she supposed to sacrifice herself and say some heartfelt words or something?
Hell no! She hated pain!
Even then, she doesn't really know the strength of this Saintess.
Perhaps she could kill anything in one hit like a certain bald dude.
Still many unfilled gaps of information. They're not enough for her to have a heartfelt conversation with someone she had met practically a week ago.
While talking to another person itself was quite tiring, it's even more so when she's trying to lead the conversation towards a certain direction.
"Is there anything you would like to know about me?"
All of a sudden, an open question.
Aria didn't expect this.
"In that case… Your age?"
Without missing a beat, Rachel answered. "I am 30 years old this year."
Older than expected?To be honest, she looked like she just turned 19!
What kind of products do you use to stay looking like that!?
Aria did ask that question, but she didn't expect for the answer to be so unexpected…
"You're looking very young for someone your age." Perhaps a compliment would be a good thing right now.
"Thank you. But I know that is not what you really want to ask. Please, speak your mind."
Aria turned her head around awkwardly, knowing her thoughts had probably been read from her face again.
"Sorry, I didn't actually know how to bring it up."
"That is alright. I also knew someone who was quite awkward in expressing their reasons. So I am quite used to talking to someone like you."
After calming herself down, Aria voiced her question.
"You… are the Saintess, yes?"
"That is indeed the case."
Rachel turned around, her face facing Aria.
"Please allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Rachel, the Saintess of this current Era part of the Sun Order. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, 'Aria'."
She bowed slightly, her bangs covering her closed eyes.
"Ah, Um, Yes. My name is Aria, nice to meet you too…?"
"There is no need to be nervous, just treat me like you used to. It is what I am most comfortable with."
It's something when someone tells you that you've been living with an idol, but it is another thing when the idol introduces themselves as an idol.
"Plus, it seems you realized my identity right as we reached this place. Since you have asked your question, is it possible for me to ask mine?"
It was a request. But Aria felt compelled to give her agreements.
So she nodded her head.
But she did have a bad feeling about this…
"Could you please tell me your name, 'Aria'."
It turns out she was right after all.
—
It happened when she was 7 years olds.
While the others joyfully played around in the sandbox, she needed to stay under the shade since her skin can't survive that long under the sun.
While the others ran around the building, she just watched since her legs can't exert themselves for more than 10 steps before giving up.
She listened to the kids socializing around her, knowing full well nobody wanted to be near her. After all, the way she speaks itself already pushes away all the other kids.
While she watched the others happily being adopted… she clenched her fist as there was nothing she could do about it.
She's an extremely weak child.
Even compared to her peers, she's just that much weaker.
This is Rachel.
A child of fate, before being forced into saving the world.
—
The day Elisa came to visit.
"...There's some information I needed to give you." The browned haired girl spoke out.
Rachel merely listened since she herself knew how important the information from 'The' book's owner is.
"I didn't know when it happened but new words were written on the empty pages. Meanwhile, the first few pages had their words withered, almost on the verge of disappearing."
"But that's not what's urgent. Rachel, your name was there, written inside the book."
"This is the first time I have seen this happen. Usually, it wouldn't specifically call out to any individual since there are many similar named people. And for the first time, it wrote a person's name, your name."
"As for the content of the page… It was written that 'In the place where tragedy lies abundant, the truth shall be heard. And for the one that had lost something of importance shall be repaid in the form of [!#*#^$&@!].'"
The final word was simply buzzing in her ears. But she is used to this.
In fact, it's a surprise she's even able to hear the first half of that sentence.
—
"My… name…?"
Aria had her jaw slacked.
'Oh no…! Did she figure out I had told her a fake name!?'
'WhatdoIdoWhatdoIdoWhatdoIdo-' (What do I do? 3x)
Aria began swinging her arms around, making up an excuse.
"Um, so, you see- Well!"
But while she was panicking, her eyes met the Saintess' face.
It was her usual face. But to her at this moment, it felt like a face full of melancholy.
It suddenly felt like she was panicking over nothing.
Her heart calmed down as she took in a deep breath.
"I… Would like to apologize for any inconveniences I've caused."
"As for my name, It's…"
Aria clenched her fist.
'C'mon, It's just a couple syllables. Please, you've been leeching off of Rachel, can't you even tell her your name?'
A familiarly annoying voice.
'What a rude person.'
'Who raised this unfilial child?'
'How come you could live like nothing ever happened meanwhile someone lost their entire future?'
'Hey, why are you smiling? What about her? Did you already forget about what happened?'
'Shut up! Let me think!'
The voices became silent for a moment.
Until another wave of voices comes back, causing her headaches.
'How can you be living happily after witnessing that?'
'Are you even human?'
'Does she not hold any significance in your life? Is that why?'
'You useless adult, can't even save a single child in need. And now you're trying to live your life like nothing happened?'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'You should rot in hell.'
'Even the deepest pit of hell wouldn't welcome someone like you.'
'Hah, my ears hurt.'
"Fuu…"
After a moment of what felt like an eternity, Aria exhaled her breath.
Rachel was looking at the face of 'Aria', waiting to see what words would come out of that mouth.
In a sudden turn of events, Aria's head that had been facing down, met her closed eyes.
She was smiling, extremely brightly.
"Hello, Rachel! It is a pleasure to meet you! My name is [⬛⬛]!" She introduced herself to Rachel, the same way she introduced herself to her new friends during her schooling days.