The blonde girl with a beautiful doll like face - made a sign for me to remain silent with her index finger pressed lightly against her lips.
"D-don't shout. I don't want others to notice."
"Well, you look suspicious enough for that."
She already failed at her attempt as everyone was looking our way. I was sure it wasn't because I shouted her name, but it was rather due to her outfit.
'It looks a little cool though'
"Let's go somewhere private. Did you come here alone?"
She pointed me to a certain distance. Isaac gave a slight bow as a greeting.
"I thought you already left." Considering the whole attack was targeted at Isabelle, it wasn't strange for her to leave that day itself.
No, it was strange that she stayed here after all that.
"... Well, my father came here to investigate the situation after hearing everything from me, so I just decided that staying with him would be safer."
Since it was her father, I had no doubt she'd know about Isabelle's unusual Stigmata.
Lowering her voice a little, Isabelle continued.
"I told him to meet you but he refused. H-he said he'd do so officially on Penelope's birthday."
'No! Why the hell will I meet your father? I don't want to get involved with him at all.'
Looking at my confused expression, Isabelle realised she skipped some steps of explaining the situation to me.
"I-I am sorry. Let me explain... Huff... The thing is I told my father about you and how you saved me. He said that he'd thank you and reward in Penelope's birthday which is two months later. But I think you won't stay that long so I asked him to meet you now.''
'Hmm... I see. There is no way I will reject a reward but...'
"You are right. I won't stay here that long. I'll be leaving this week."
'... there is no way I can idle around for two months just to attend a birthday banquet. Not after all those things Rowan said to me.'
"Is that the only reason you came here?"
"No. I just wanted you to offer something. From what I have seen, I don't think you are after the Blood Potion. So..." Taking a deep breath, Isabelle looked at me for a second, then slowly opened her mouth, but the words that came out of her mouth made my jaw drop slightly.
"Do you want to go to Elysium?"
'I knew she was smart but this is...'
"You're right. I want to go to Elysium.'' I didn't hide it from her.
I knew from where she was coming from. Actually, I already realised my stigmata was special. I don't know how much potential it got but it surely wasn't less than those Lower Stigmata. Blood Potion was not very useful to me which can only increase one's potential.
Isabelle most likely made this theory because she thought I was special like her.
"Then I can ask my father to take you to Elysium"
I was really surprised at her words. I didn't think she would just offer me something I came here in the first place.
'There will be sacrifices either way and I need to make the correct decision.'
Though I had a different plan after listening to Rowan, I didn't want to completely let go of that offer.
"Um... Can I...postpone your offer or something?"
Pfft!
Isabelle burst into laughter hearing my words. I have never seen the calm and composed Isabelle like this before.
But...
'I have to admit she is really beautiful.'
"Please forgive me." She apologized due to her reaction.
"It's okay. Take your time." I shook off as it was no big deal.
After trying to suppress her laughter for a while, Isabelle was finally able to compose herself.
"Cough! Anyway I will try asking my father when you are ready."
"Thank you. I really appreciate it."
"W-well, I can also change the offer a little if you want."
"Change it?" I was somewhat confused by her words.
"I-I mean I am going to be eighteen next year and then I can also arrange a visit there. It may take around another six months after that to arrange the visit but I-I can also go with you if you want..."
As per the humans, once the heir of a Noble reaches eighteen years, they are deemed as adults and can officially take part in the politics and internal affairs of their household. And as the position of a Duke's daughter, it wouldn't be much difficult for her to send me to Elysium with a little connection.
It was a perfect offer for me. I actually wanted to go there without being involved with these Nobles but as Isabelle is also a good friend, I believe she'll handle these problems.
'But why does she want to go with me?'
Well, it was not really a thing to ponder about. Many humans thought of Elysium as a paradise so it wasn't strange if they also wanted to go.
"I really like this offer! I don't know how to thank you."
"Really?"
Her face brightened up in an instant at my nod.
"T-then do you want to light a sky lantern with me?"
I didn't really want to gather any attention here but there wasn't any other way I could thank her. 'Well, I was somewhat curious about the lantern too.'
"With pleasure, Lady Isabelle. Let's go"
***
"There are quite a lot of people here."
"True. Looks like the lighting of the lantern is a really popular event here."
We were at an open field that allowed a person to use both fireworks and lanterns. The people were also engaged in singing, dancing and great revelry.
Since Isabelle was scared that someone might notice her, I had to buy the lantern.
"Umm... How do you light it?"
"..."
She was speechless at my sudden question. Isabelle proposed lighting a lantern but it looked like she also didn't know much about it.
"You hold it for me. I will try lighting it"
"Okay"
I never lit a sky lantern before but still I didn't think it would be any difficult. After looking at the lantern a little closely, it was obvious where to light it.
{Fireball}
I send a little mana to my fingertips, enough to produce a slight spark.
"It's lit! L-lets send it together."
We held the sky lantern and sent it up. We had to just mimic what the others were doing so it wasn't hard at all. The lantern rose up and was joined by many other lanterns.
"It's beautiful"
"Yeah... It is"
Her eyes were sparkling looking at the beautiful sight.
Well, mine too but for a different reason.
[Your 'Luck' stat has increased by 1]
'For real? It works! Maybe I should try with another one again.'
We enjoyed the fireworks for some time and soon left the field.
"Then I'll get going"
"Sure. Take care"
Isabelle really helped me light up my mood today.
She didn't even ask me about my match. I was sure it was because she heard about the result and was afraid that I would be depressed about it. She was really considerate and kind.
"Lady Isabelle"
"It's Isabelle"
"What?"
"Call me Isabelle, not Lady Isabelle"
Pfft!
A slight giggle left my mouth looking at her expression. I didn't know why she looked so serious about that matter.
"Isabelle, thank you for today. And... I'll see you next year."
"It's okay. I-I enjoyed it a lot too."
Isaac was waiting at a little distance from us. Isabelle went to him and said something which I obviously couldn't hear from this far. Soon, Isaac also came towards me.
'Don't tell me he also wants to light a lantern.'
But thankfully, he had some other things to discuss.
"I heard that you don't need any reward."
"Hmm?"
'No, when did I say that? Wasn't taking me to Elysium already a reward? '
"Still, I insist. You saved the Lady's life so rejecting the Duke's gift will only serve as an insult. Just tell me something you want no matter how trivial it is."
'It works like that? Human kingdoms are awesome. What do I want? I want a good sword, a spear or maybe a bow too. Oh yeah! I want an armor too. But what if Isabelle cancels her offer once she learns that I also took all these things from her family. What should I do?'
"I-I need a..."
I looked at Isabelle who just waved at me with a smile from a distance. She was still wearing her oversized black coat without concealing her face.
"...a coat"
'No what the hell?'
"An outfit? Strange choice. Consider it done."
'No way! What was I even thinking? I need a new sword. Would it be weird if I called him and said that I was joking?'
I was so puzzled by those choices that I just said something without thinking much. I was thinking about my black coat which I had to wash for hours to remove the blood stains. Well, I succeeded in that but the coat itself was in a bad condition.
'Hah! Just leave it. I needed a coat anyways. And I think Isabelle will not cancel her offer now even if she hears about this. She might just think I was being humble as I already made a deal with her.'
I told Isaac about my new destination so that he can send someone to deliver it there. I was already planning on staying there for a couple of months so I had no problem.
I reached my room in another half an hour and jumped directly into the bed. Although I recovered to a great extent, it was still hurting a little.
I also tried to light some lanterns before leaving there but unfortunately it didn't give me any Luck.
'I should come back after ten years.'
Still I had to do a little analysis before sleeping tonight. And the first thing was surely Void Jump.
I called my profile window to see if I could learn something.
Name: Owen Grey
Species: Demi-God
Age: 16
Level: 24
Strength : 123
Defense : 113
Agility: 137
Intelligence : 138
Mana: 127
Luck: 24
[Stigmata of Void (Active)]
Stigmata of Void: ★★★
Passive : Intermediate Swordsmanship (53.47%), Beginner's Spearmanship (8.51%), Intermediate Elven Mana Manipulation(9.58%), 1st Path to Memories of Silence Archery(99.92%)
Skills: Fireball(1-star), Mana Flow(4-star), Fighting Spirit (???), Void Jump(???)