[81.6] Poor Timing for A New Roommate

[Author's note: the rest of the chapter is back to Reika's perspective.]

I paced around my room tapping my chin.

This is bad.

REALLY bad.

I'm glad it was the right Alora, but…

I didn't expect her to look like-

That.

The Hazel I knew always acted bashful, but her eyes were always bright and hopeful. However the previous her -Alora- looks like a child who sees the world in such a dim light.

It's not even like Asmonious when I first saved him. While he was completely afraid and distrustful of others, she is merely unattached.

When I stare at her, she gives off the impression that whether this world flourished or fell, it wouldn't make a difference to her.

Honestly, if I hadn't known her in the future then I would have assumed she was here to murder all of us.

Luckily I know better.

"Master." I turned around to see Asmonious looking at me with slight anxiousness on his face, "I don't mean to question you, but I'm concerned. Do you think it's a good idea to have a Priestess here? They are our natural enemy!"

I knew he had a point and let out a sigh, "Normally I would agree with you, but this girl is special." I missed the jump of his brows and continued, "She will never hurt anyone as long as Zephyr's around."

The only one she'll possibly hurt is me. Back when she begged me for forgiveness I thought she was just possessed. Now experiencing what I have, I realize she always knew I was the Great Fairy somehow.

But how is that possible?

Can she perhaps hear my name?

I should try it.

I added, "Plus the barrier will prevent her from killing anyone. I won't force you to trust her, but just trust I wouldn't let any of you get hurt."

I plan on keeping a VERY close eye on her.

Especially since she and Zephyr had a child under the Great Fairy's nose.

Er…

I guess my nose.

"Master… I trust you, I do. But she's a Holy Priestess. Her ideals are different from ours."

I clicked my tongue, "That's because the Holy Temple is a cult, but ideals can be changed through hard work."

"It's the predominant religion of this continent. Everyone follows their teachings, can it really be a cult?"

"I'm Korean. I know a thing or two about cults and trust me, religion is just a cult with more followers." I crossed my arms with a smirk, "The Holy Goddess is the leader of the cult and no one is allowed to question her. She built up her base because her ability is godlike and beautiful, making it easy to brainwash the masses into trusting her. After gaining trust, she then forces them to do things they never would have done, then makes them believe it's okay. Her charm creates devotion. All of the citizens are only for her to establish her power and the priestesses are merely just weapons for establishing. After that, she has so much control, stomping out bugs of rebellion is easier than a flick of the wrist."

I let out a heavy sigh, "That's why the process of taking down a cult is so slow. You have to chisel away at the base, helping those escape their brainwashing through patience and understanding. Without those supporters, there is no one left to hold up the top and the entire thing comes crashing down."

He hesitated, pressing his lips together as if deciding whether or not to speak. His voice came out slowly, "If that is true, then it would mean she's still a threat. The barrier can stop malicious attacks, but it can't protect against trauma to the mind. We just lost Lovi and Koale, and we don't even know if Bale will survive and wake up from his coma. Now there's a new person AND it's a holy priestess. Are you aware of what that'll do to everyone's state of mind?"

"Ah… I didn't even think about that…" I hesitated and glanced at Asmonious's face. His expression was so passionate I almost didn't recognize it. I averted my gaze and let out a sigh, "It's better for anyone if she stays. Trust me, if we cast her out she will come back with a vergence. However, if we let her stay we can get her on our side."

He folded and sighed, "Master, how can you be so confident? She's a stranger."

-Because I'm from the future.

"Weren't you all strangers at one point?" I smiled nostalgically, "I met Lovi when she was destroying a town, but I still brought her back. Rose was contracted to a human, but you brought her back. Everyone told me not to keep you, but what did they know? In the end, it doesn't matter what you are… But who you are and what you decide to do."

"Master… What if it was just luck?" His face twisted, "What if this brings disaster?"

I walked over to him and put my hands on his shoulders to comfort him. I smiled softly even if he couldn't see it, "Asmonious. I'm sorry for pushing you out of your comfort zone, but I can't ignore a child in need…"

The only one who will face the consequences and get hurt is me.

…Unless I can change it.

He smiled back and raised his hands to cover mine, "I know, Master. That's what makes us love you."

Hearing these words, I felt my cheeks blush.

I wasn't embarrassed to have him say that, but…

I was surprised and moved to hear he still had motherly love towards me despite how much I had failed him and the others.

As I let go, I felt a tug on my dress. I looked down and saw Astra staring up at me. She spoke in a baby voice, "Mama is the best mama, the wisest mama. If she says Alora is good, then Astra will choose to believe her."

"Aw. My sleepy one~" I picked her up and kissed her forehead, "Never change."

She wrapped her arms around my neck to hug me and added, "Everyone else thinks so too. Lene is dumb and Atta doesn't understand cuz she's also dumb, so they won't be an issue."

My face twitched, "Astra. Don't call your siblings dumb."

She nodded obediently then added, "The only one you need to worry about is Rose."

As if on cue, a furious scream broke out from the courtyard. We rushed inside to see Rose on the ground, her face red with anger as she tried to crawl towards Alora who was standing in front of a trembling Zephyr.

The barrier was forcibly containing her, showing her intent to attack Alora was malicious.

I quickly ran over, "Rose. Calm down, she may be a priestess, but she didn't hurt Koale. She's just an innocent child."

Rage filled her face, twisting it to turn something so beautiful into something so terrifying. "INNOCENT!? How could a priestess be INNOCENT?! They are raised to slaughter!!!"

I glanced at Alora, but this verbal attack didn't even make her blink.

"Rose… Please, this is my decision. I know it will be hard, but this is best for all of us. I just need you to trust me…. Please!"

Her eyes turned to me, staring at me as if I betrayed her. However, in her fury, tears started welling up in her eyes.

Deep down, perhaps she knew that Alora didn't do anything. She knew Alora was still a child and one who didn't choose the path she was forced on. However, emotions weren't easy to rationalize.

A woman scorned should never be messed with.

Looking just like a spider lily, she spouted off in anger with her face as red as one. Her gaze was stuck on Alora as she screamed, "NEVER SHOW YOURSELF IN FRONT OF ME AGAIN! If I EVER see you, I won't care whether the barrier will stop me or not, I WILL kill you!"

Alora stepped away from Rose, looking down at her as if she was an ant. She answered in a calm tone, "I didn't kill him."

"AHHHHH!" Rose twisted under the pressure, her face turning red and bulging from the effort. Eventually, she fainted from all the twisting under the barrier's power.

I ran over to check on her and found she collapsed from being tired, but she was not hurt by the barrier.

The poor girl hasn't been right since Koale…

I looked at Asmonious who already knew to carry her back to her room.

Zephyr was shaking from witnessing such a scene and eventually burst out crying, "WAAAAAH MAAAAMAAAA!"

I held out my arms and he rushed in. I comforted him, "Don't cry, don't cry. Was it scary?"

"SCAAAARY!"

"There, there. Why was it scary? Alora was the one being screamed at." I looked up and saw her staring back at me with dull eyes. I held out my hand to her, "Were you scared?"

She furrowed her brow for a moment as if confused, but it quickly relaxed. She shook her head, "Silence is far scarier than anger."

I blinked for a moment, then quickly went back to comforting Zephyr.

I forgot Hazel- er, I mean Alora, is so hard to communicate with.

After Zephyr calmed down, I reached out to rub her head. I felt her flinch under my palm but noticed she didn't pull away. Feeling how tense her body was, I rubbed her head gently to try to get her to relax.

"Haz- er. I mean, Alora. I give you my word. When you think no one believes you, remember that I have never stopped believing in you."

She looked up at me in confusion, and as her eyes met mine, I saw a flicker of light.