Year 514 — April 23
I had gotten out of bed and, as usual, was doing the same things I do every morning after waking up—like stretching my body, then going to the bathroom and brushing my teeth. And while I was brushing, my gaze once again fell on that mirror with the void-like black image.
But now the way I looked at that mirror had completely changed.
The day before yesterday, when I used my Reverent Card "Purify Co" on that mirror, a strange yet purified energy came out of the card and made the whole card glow. But even then, there was absolutely no effect visible on the mirror. Because of that, Den and I thought that maybe our Reverent Card wasn't powerful enough to remove any kind of corruption from this mirror.
But then something strange began happening inside the mirror. It looked as if some dust settled on it was now being drawn into the center of the mirror in the form of a spiral. But Den and I were most shocked when different scenes began appearing inside that void-like black space.
And those scenes were not from somewhere else, but reflections of the very incident that had happened at that party in Blackwood Palace. It was as if the mirror was bringing the shadows of the past back to life.
Our eyes stayed fixed on the mirror. Slowly the scenes inside became clearer. Everything looked exactly as it had happened that night—Roshan attacking Blackwood Palace, creating a giant Black Domain, the Red Moon Summoning, and then Roshan's terrifying battle with the Royal Knights and Narco.
Zombies tearing out of the ground and attacking us were also clearly visible. In the end, Roshan getting injured, the horrifying tentacles emerging from his back, the domain breaking, and Roshan transforming into a giant red monster—the mirror replayed every scene again. I was stunned because these were the very things I had personally witnessed there, but Den, who had only heard about them from me, could now see everything with his own eyes.
But the mirror didn't stop there. Now it began showing scenes I had never seen, because the Royal Knights had escorted us safely out from there.
I watched further events in the mirror. I saw many Royal Knights constantly attacking the monster-turned Roshan with their swords. Then my eyes fell on the man I had seen entering the domain while sitting in a carriage, and before that I had seen him standing on top of the clock tower when he exited the domain. But in the mirror's scene, at that time he was somehow flying in the air and attacking the giant Roshan with lasers from his eyes. Not only that, he had created multiple clones of himself in the air.
After that fierce battle that lasted a long time, I saw a strange door emerge from the battlefield ground. And on that door were countless incomprehensible patterns and carvings of bizarre creatures on its corners.
Suddenly the door opened and a giant fox came out of it. That fox looked as large as the ruined Blackwood Palace itself. A tremendous battle took place between the fox and Roshan, and in the end the fox defeated him.
Then once again that same strange patterned door appeared and opened. But this time, many gigantic burned hands came out of it. Those horrifying hands grabbed the giant fox and pulled it back inside the door. After that the door closed and the entire battle ended.
After this, the mirror again began showing that same dim black darkness as if it were still dead. Den and I didn't understand at that time what we should do, but we had learned what had truly happened that night.
Just then, while I was thinking about all this, there was a knock on my door—knock knock!
I thought it would be Historia as usual, so without thinking I allowed her to come in. But this time the scene was completely different. The one who entered my room carrying the tray of milk glasses was not Historia—it was Helena.
Seeing her, I was surprised and asked, "Helena, why did you bring the milk tray? And where is Historia?"
Helena smiled and replied, "Oh Jona, how long will you keep drinking milk from your maid's hands? Don't worry, today I'll feed you milk with my own hands."
I became red with embarrassment and said awkwardly, "No, I don't drink milk from my maid's hands. She just brings it for me."
But Helena placed the tray on the table, came close to me, and with mischievous eyes said, "Oh really? Then does your maid also bring milk for you at night?"
I immediately clarified, "No! Why would she bring milk for me at night?"
Then an evil smile appeared on Helena's face and she said, "Oh I see! Then what kind of strange sounds come from your room all night, tell me?"
Hearing this, the ground slipped from beneath my feet. I was shocked—how did Helena know that Historia often comes to my room at night? Could it be that another maid saw it and spread it through the whole house?
In a frightened but calm tone I asked, "Helena, what are you talking about?"
She waved her hand in the air and said, "Oh come on, maybe you don't know that whatever activities you do with your maid at night, the sounds reach even the rooms on the floor below. Everyone in the house knows your maid comes to your room at night. What you do after that only you know, because that's what everyone in your house is talking about."
I was completely numb. A wave of fear and shock ran through my mind. Has everyone really found out that Historia comes to my room every night? She only comes for training, but what kind of sounds are people hearing?
Could it be what I'm thinking? No, that can't be! How will I clear this misunderstanding now? They'll think I brought Historia as a maid just to take advantage of her. Who spread such filthy rumors? Did some other maid do this?
But what did Helena care about my mental dilemma! She was obsessed with her own goal. She said, "Alright Jona, now we should head toward the harbor. After all, we need to reach there quickly and inspect the situation."
Saying that, she grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward the door. I resisted with all my strength so I wouldn't be dragged out. Seeing my resistance, Helena stopped and said, "Hey! What happened to you now? Don't you want to find Misty's father? Or are you refusing to go with me?"
I would have said no right then, but suddenly her manner changed completely. Her voice grew heavy and her beautiful eyes stared at me as if she would devour me alive. Seeing that terrifying gaze, I lost all courage to say no. So helplessly, I had to say yes to going with her.
As soon as I said yes, Helena instantly returned to normal and chirped, "Alright, let's go then!"
I couldn't completely refuse anymore, but I could delay time. So I made an excuse: "Wait a moment, Helena! Actually I haven't bathed yet, nor have I worn clothes suitable for going out. So let me bathe first, then we'll go."
But Helena was in too much of a hurry. Without blinking she said, "Okay Jona, then I'll quickly bathe you!"
Hearing that, I became completely awkward. Before I could say anything, Helena teased further, "After all, if you bathe with me you'll enjoy it even more than bathing with your maid."
I stared at her, stunned, thinking—what is this girl even saying? This is clearly molestation!
But what could I even do in this world? If I were in India right now, I'd file a case against Helena under BNS Section 126 and the POCSO law. But I don't know whether any such law even exists in this world to protect boys.
In this situation I had no choice. I clearly said, "No, I'll bathe myself!" and immediately went into the bathroom and shut the door.
Inside the bathroom I started thinking if there was any way I could get out of this situation. But then I remembered Misty. Her worry for her father and her innocence began persuading me from within to get involved in this matter. In the end, after much thought, I decided—fine, I'll go with Helena. If nothing happens, we'll investigate and return, and if things start getting bad I'll step back. Whatever happens, happens. First let's reach the harbor.
After bathing, just as I was about to come out, I saw Helena was still in the room! Seeing her there, I quickly shut the bathroom door again because at that time I was wearing only a towel.
From inside I called out, "Hey Helena! Why didn't you leave the room? I was coming to you after getting ready."
She replied innocently, "Oh? Was I supposed to leave the room?"
I said irritably, "Yes! You're still in my room while I need to change clothes."
Helena laughed and said, "Alright, I'm going outside. You get ready quickly and come downstairs."
After she left, I sighed in relief and muttered softly, "Man, this girl is crazy!"
After that I opened the wardrobe and took out my white shirt, black pants, and a white tuxedo. Wearing them, I was completely ready. Then I put my Hallowed Ring on my ring finger and took my tarot cards and my gun from the study table shelf and kept them securely with me.
Now I was ready to leave—for a place where what would happen next was impossible to predict.