CHAPTER 86: THE FALL OF A FROZEN WORLD(21)

As much as he wanted to joke about it, walking on the streets had become quite a hard thing to do. As if he just took a stroll, he would have to engage in combat with the many people of the Second Ring who wish to kill him.

Even when wearing his cloak, even more if wearing his mask, he still got recognized, the only reason being the perfection of this world. No one else walked around fully covered, especially with a fool’s mask.

But in times like these, he needed to take a break from everything. He had already killed eight of the thirteen Knights. And had also taken his revenge. They were big achievements, but they had also done great damage to his body and mental health.

He remembered the day he killed the fisherman, the day he killed only by his little code. How much he wanted to go back, but there was no way, not after everything he had done. Many have lost their lives because of him, more than he could count.

But then, how was he going to take a rest without having to constantly deal with people trying to end his life? Well, he will have to ask a very good friend of his for help.

"I hope you don’t mind this, Elpis."

He summoned his mask, staring into its empty eyes. He still had no idea why he had gotten it, really. He had gained it when he entered Frozen Crown, but why? That was the question, was it also an ability related to Praise, since his path was?

As much as he wanted to say it did, Praise would never have this kind of ability. Which had to mean that it was probably before it. But then, when? It had to be an ability that belonged to the character he took over whenever he entered Frozen Crown, but in the memories, he was said to be young, so how had he awakened, gained an ability, and become the Vessel of Praise?

Also, if The Fool had awakened before he took over, why didn’t he also gain his Affinity?

But enough, he was here to forget about everything for a short time, not to continue overthinking everything again.

He sighed, putting the mask on his face.

[Identities]:

1-Elpis Thusia

2- ------

3- ------

...

....

It was weird walking in Elpis’s body. He had never thought that something like this could be possible. But the Fool path was all about making things that shouldn’t be, possible. It was also sad that he didn’t get his Affinity or abilities.

But at least, with his god crafted silver hair and eyes, he for once fit in with everyone. He also stopped wearing his cloak, as it only attracted even more attention. For once, people didn’t stop to steal glances at him. How long had it been since he could walk around without hearing other whispers and mock him everywhere he went?

...

And yet the world felt empty. Being part of this ’perfect world’ where everyone acts the same and does the same routine every day, it’s without meaning. He watched as some sat at tables drinking, drunk. Or at least, that was what they wanted and acted to be life. Time is frozen, and even for humans, it’s normal. Could you even get drunk?

He hasn’t tried; he was underage after all, so maybe he was wrong and the people weren’t acting just to try and replicate their lives before everything happened.

But that wasn’t important.

"Living in this world, it’s like I don’t have a purpose."

Everyone just survived to say they did, to see the next day, well, actually, the same day. They relived the same time over and over again, doing the same things, and then surviving to repeat it again.

"Why did anyone want to live in such a world?"

The world was meaningless, if he had to say, like the Outskirts was better than the Second Ring. At least there, the people still had hope and actually acted like humans, instead of the zombies that never considered anything but their view on the world that inhabited the Second Ring.

Aether continued to walk around, disgusted, clear in his eyes. But none dared look, as the first to do it would be considered different, until more started to look, and then it became normal. Hypocritical.

To them, everything was different until it was proven it wasn’t, until more people started to do the same thing.

But in the crowd of people, it wasn’t hard to stop the odd one out. He was very surprised to see someone walking around, wearing a cloak just like his. Just that, the figures were darker, and if he had to be mean, it was a little dirty compared to him, which didn’t allow any speck of dust onto it.

But another thing different about the cloak of the figure was the drawing of a Fool’s mask plastered in the middle, for everyone to see. He was surprised no one had attacked him for wearing something like that.

But seeing Aether approach him, the figure frowned, heading towards the dark alleyways. But he didn’t judge; after all, he looked like any other person here who was going to criticize him for what he was wearing.

But, he wasn’t going to let him go.

Following him through the alley, the figure started to walk faster, hiding in the darkness, making it almost impossible for him to see where he was hiding. His lantern also made things harder because it announced his location.

...

’Fine, I guess there’s no other way.’

Aether sighed, stopping and taking off his mask, and staring into the darkness.

He waited, and waited, until from the darkness, the figure appeared, taking off his hood to see that the figure was just a young boy, well physically, since mentally he had no idea.

The boy stared at him, not believing what he was seeing.

"Is it really you, The Fool?"

Aether tilted his head slightly, leaning forward slightly so he was at his level.

The boy was on the smaller side, with gentle features with no sharp corners. His cheeks were puffy, and his eyes were large and profound, staring at him with their oak color. His hair was shorter, like tree bark.

"I-I can’t believe I have the honor... to meet our saviour."

...

’I like that title.’

Aether nodded, very pleased with his reaction. But still, it was weird. Why had he actually called him his saviour, and why did he use the plural? Were there more people like him? But why, when everyone else wished he was dead?

But that was what he had wanted to happen when he assigned Azel as his subordinate, to help him make people cheer for him, to see his world, and realize the flaws in the one they have been living in. And it seems like she had done just that, even if it was after he had to kill eight Knights, it was still something.

Aether laughed, seeing the boy slightly.

"Up, come on, I’m not that type of guy, it’s weird. But what’s your name?"

The boy looked up, refusing to stand on the same level as Aether, due to respect.

"My name is Ethan, sir. And I couldn’t do such a sin as disrespecting you."

Aether didn’t respond, having to process everything. A sin? What did it mean? Had they made some sort of cult, with rulers? If so, that’s not what he wanted.

...

"How many of you are there?"

Ethan blinked twice, then counted on his fingers.

"Around twenty, sir."

He was dumbfounded to say the least. While normally it wasn’t such a large number of people, in a place like the Second Ring, it was a moderate starting amount.

"Alright, then, the first thing I have to say is that you will have to scrap every rule."

Ethan flinched slightly, bewildered by the sudden request. But why would The Fool want that? They had handcrafted these rules so that they could respect and worship their saviour.

"What didn’t you hear me? My word is finally. Oh, and before I leave. You guys should regroup in one of my zones. The best option would be my newest, which belongs to The Eight.

Since tomorrow I’m challenging the next Knight."

The boy had wanted to say something, to try and change Aether’s mind, but he knew that if he did, he would be going against their rules either way. So he just nodded, making Aether smile for the last time before he left.

Aether walked on the street, taking a deep breath.

It was nice to learn that he had some people who were actually on his side.

He didn’t know when he was last this happy.

...

But his happiness was short-lived, as he found himself with an arrow in his stomach. His hand shook as he saw blood starting to escape from the gaps. And an unbearable pain in all of his body.

"Poison... It’s poison."