I'm telling the truth

Hearing this, Gerald asked, "Conceptual?! You have two conceptual essences?!"

And Gen said, "Yes."

"It seems that awakening a conceptual essence is not that hard."

Upon hearing this, Raja said, "Make no mistake, Gen is an anomaly."

And Gen said, "Hey, what do you mean? I don't like the sound of that."

"Don't worry, I didn't mean any harm."

"Alright then."

Karin then asked, "Why is he an anomaly, Raja?"

And Raja said, "Well, for starters, it's not normal for a person to have more than one essence. In fact, you'll probably never see another person with three essences in your life, and besides, awakening a conceptual essence is very rare, let alone two."

Gerald then said, "Hmm, I get it, but if I'm not mistaken, Gen, you said you are looking for another essence to save your brother, right?"

And Gen said, "Yes."

"That means you will have four essences then."

"If I get it, yes."

Raja then said, "Gen, don't get your hopes up. You probably won't be able to comprehend another essence."

And Gen asked, "Why do you say that, Raja?"

"Well, it's because, like I said, having more than one essence is very rare, in fact, it can be considered impossible. The reason you were able to grasp three was because of a sequence of coincidences that caused you to always have one essence at a time. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to have happened."

Gen then asked Dehji, 'Hey, Dehji, is what Raja said true?'

And Dehji said, 'Yes, that is common sense. That's why I was startled to discover that you had essences other than me.'

'If that's how it works, how will I be able to understand your siblings' essence?'

'Don't worry, Gen, since we are siblings, our essences don't conflict with each other. You won't have a problem understanding them.'

'Is that the way it works?'

'Kinda.'

'Got it.'

Gen then said to Raja, "Don't worry, Raja, I'll figure it out on the spot."

And Raja said, "Well, you've already understood three anyway. I wouldn't be scared if you can understand a fourth essence, but I can assure you it won't be easy."

"It's never easy, Raja."

"True."

Karin then asked, "Do you have any direction yet of where to go to find another essence, Gen?"

And Gen said, "Well, I'm planning to go in the direction of that ruin Gerald told me more about."

"The one in Tolis?"

"Yeah."

"Well, it's kind of a long trip. You better start preparing your supplies then."

"Yes, I plan to start preparing on my next stop."

Gerald then asked, "Where are you going, Gen?"

And Gen said, "Tomorrow, I plan to go to Dekin."

"Dekin? It's pretty close to here. You can get there in a day, but why are you going there?"

"Well, when I explained to you about my essences, I told you that I've been in the desert for three years now, right?"

"Yes."

"During those three years, I've been living there."

"I see. It's practically your home here in the desert, right?"

"Yes, I have several people important to me living there, and since it's been a year since I left for the ruins, they must all be worried about me."

Raja then said, "Pfft, they sure should be."

And Gen said, "Why are you laughing, Raja? It's been a year since I disappeared. If they are not worried about me, there is no point in me considering them my friends."

"Hahaha."

"What's so funny, Raja?"

"I'll tell you what it is, but first, let me ask you, Gerald and Karin, something."

The two then said, "Yes?", "What?"

Raja then continued, "Do you guys remember anything about Dekin about a year ago?"

And Gerald said, "About Dekin? Let me think."

Karin then said, "Wasn't it about a year ago that that city was in chaos?"

Hearing that, Gerald said, "That's right, it was. All the people coming from there were talking about how the town was in chaos because of someone provoking Rose's daughter."

Karin then said, "I remember that even some merchants were avoiding the town because of that."

Raja then said, "Do you understand now, Gen?"

And Gen said, "You are greatly exaggerating the situation. It's been a year since this happened. I bet everyone is missing me, and even Lina must have forgiven me by now. Besides, I bet the chaos only lasted a few days."

Gerald then said, "As I recall, the city was in chaos for a whole month."

And Gen asked, "A month?!"

"Yeah, but why are we talking about this? Do you guys know who caused this problem?"

Hearing this, Raja said, "Hahaha, I know who did it, and he's right here.", he then turned to Gen, and Karin and Gerald followed his gaze.

Gerald then asked, "Gen, did you cause all that trouble?"

And Gen said, "Well, there's no denying it. It was most likely my fault."

"What did you do to provoke Rose's daughter?"

"Well ...", but Raja got in the middle and said, "Let me tell you. You must be thinking that he provoked Rose's daughter or humiliated her in some way, right?"

The two then replied, "Yeah.", "Yes."

Raja then said, "That's where you're wrong. It's much better than that. Gen didn't tease her or humiliate her. He forced a kiss on her, hahaha."

Gerald and Karin turned toward Gen, who was looking a little strange at the moment.

Karin then asked, "You forced a kiss on her?"

And Gen said, "Well ... it's not a lie, it really happened, but you don't understand the situation. Lina was teasing me."

"Gen, you'd better come up with a better excuse. I've heard the one you just said so many times that it bothers me."

"But it's not an excuse. Miss Anna herself saw that she was teasing me and said I shouldn't let it go."

Gerald then said, "Who is this Anna you spoke of? And you had mentioned Lina earlier, too."

And Gen said, "These are the people you are talking about. Miss Anna is Rose, and Lina is her daughter."

"And how do you know that, Gen?"

"You don't understand. I am a great friend of their family. They have always helped me since the day I arrived in Dekin."

"Gen ... it's not that I'm doubting you, but it's kind of hard to believe you're that close to them on your word alone."

"No problem, Raja can confirm what I said. Tell them, Raja."

Raja then said with a slight smile on his face, "Gen, you have to stop lying like that. I know you're madly in love with Rose's daughter, but you can't go around spreading this kind of rumor. I say this for your good because if this gets back to Rose, she might come after you."

Gerald and Karin turned to Gen, and he was gaping at Raja.

Gen then said, "Raja! Stop lying. Tell them the truth!"

And Raja said, "Hey Gen, slow down. We're friends and all, but you can't force me to go along with your delusions. Every time we pass through a new town, it's the same thing: you say you're best friends with the most beautiful woman in town, and you make me confirm it so you can get women easier."

"What are you talking about? We've never traveled anywhere together. We barely knew each other before today's expedition."

"Gen, don't say that. After so many years of friendship and putting up with your lies, how can you deny our history together?"

Gerald then said, "Gen, I think that's enough. I've only known you a short time, but I can see that you are a good person."

And Karin said, "It's true, Gen, no matter how you were in the past, there's still time to change."

Gen then said, "What do you mean, how I was? I already told you that I am telling you the truth. Why are you believing Raja?"

And Raja said, "Gen, I think you can trust Gerald and Karin. You don't have to be afraid."

"Shut up! You're the one who needs to be afraid if you don't stop this now."

"Hahahaha."

"Enjoy laughing now. I want to see you laugh when I tell Miss Anna that you've said a lot of atrocities about her."

"Hey, that's not true."

"I know, but I'm a liar after all, aren't I? I wonder who she'll believe."

Raja then felt a shiver run down his spine and said, "Calm down, Gen! It doesn't have to come to this."