Chapter 31
As soon as Celestia spoke those words, their interlocutor's face seemed to freeze. His eyes widened like he'd seen a ghost; all traces of drowsiness fled his face. Now, he was staring at them with a renewed, piercing seriousness.
Celestia turned, feeling their burning stares scorch her back.
"You really think he could help us without knowing our situation?" she explained. "We came here because we already trusted Elpis."
'At least this time she did not just blurt out sensitive information without thinking.'
Ice studied her for a moment, his expression softening slightly before letting out a quiet sigh.
Her reasoning seemed even sound enough. He needed to know what to expect outside the prison, especially when you were amnesiac and had no idea what the outside world even looked like.
"Let's go inside," the man suggested.
The moment they stepped into the building, an unexpected sight greeted them. Unlike the plain exterior, the inside radiated extravagant luxury. At least six crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, illuminating a massive living room filled with furniture that screamed wealth and refinement.
They followed him into the salon and took their seats. They had barely settled in when a barrage of questions came their way.
"How did you meet Elpis? Where is he now? When did he leave the prison? Are you like... his children?"
'Is he trying to give us a full-on interrogation or something?'
"First of all, nice to meet you. I'm Ray, and these are my friends, Ice and Celestia," Ray said with his bright, sociable smile, the natural people-person of the group.
"And to answer your questions," he continued, "we met Elpis inside the prison. He helped us escape and advised us to come see you."
Ice did not think it was possible, but their host's eyes widened even more at Ray's words. He gave them an astonished look, as if that just confirmed they truly were ghosts standing before him.
"I see… so that is why the sky has not fallen on our heads yet," he muttered under his breath, a faint, almost mad smile tugging at his lips.
"I forgot my manners. My name is Jean. Pleased to meet you," he said casually, before his smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a piercing gaze. "What you have just told me, do not repeat it to anyone. Under any circumstances."
"So it is a crime to escape from the Prison of Time?" Ice asked.
Jean scratched his head. "Honestly, I do not even think it can be considered a crime if it is not even believed to be possible," he replied. "But you are here now, and they will give the order to hunt you down, and they will find you. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, or maybe in five years."
Ice frowned. "Who exactly will be looking for us?"
"Everyone," Jean answered, lowering his gaze slightly.
The moment he spoke those words, Ice and Ray exchanged a look.
'What does he mean by beveryone?'
It was as if fate had no intention of letting them find peace. They had only just escaped the prison, and now they would have to live every moment with fear gnawing at their guts, hunted by an uncountable number of enemies.
"Is there no way to avoid it?" Celestia asked, her voice steady. Strangely enough, she seemed to be taking the news better than them, or at least she gave that impression.
Jean thought for a moment, then reached for his neck and unclasped a necklace that looked rather unremarkable. "With this, you would be guaranteed not to be found, as long as you are wearing it at least," he said. "And as you can see, there is only one."
Ice took the necklace and glanced at Ray, who gave him a firm nod. Then he passed it to Celestia.
She opened her mouth to protest but quickly closed it again. She understood how important this necklace was, and the fact that he had decided to give it to her anyway meant that she needed to show as much gratitude as she could. Besides, even if she insisted for them to keep it, it would not change anything. Ice and Ray had already made their mind to give it to her, the most vulnerable among them.
While Celestia wrestled with her inner turmoil, Ice studied Jean with a perplexed look, realizing the implications of the gift. This necklace was, without the shadow of a doubt, what allowed Jean to remain hidden himself, and he had just handed it over without hesitation to people he just met.
"Do not worry about me," Jean said with a smile far too relaxed for the situation. "I do not know who will be looking for me, but I can assure you no one wants to find me."
Ice blinked a few times. Do all his acquaintances have this absurd level of confidence or what? He recalled Elpis, who had seemed utterly unfazed in the prison, even when everything around them was falling apart, and Candice, the beautiful, chatty hunter who was as deadly as she was charming.
"We are truly grateful," Ice said slowly, removing his ring. "By any chance, do you have any information about this ring? Jilius just told me it had to be delivered to the Verne."
Jean let out a dry laugh. "You even met Jilius the Great? Only he could survive so long in that place without his blessing. Truly is an incredible man."
Ice nodded, a flicker of regret in his eyes. "Yes, he was."
A heavy silence followed, shared by Ray and Celestia, who both still felt gratitude for his sacrifice and assistance, and by Jean, who, though he did not show it openly, seemed slightly saddened.
"Well, let's avoid sad topics. You are here, and that's all that matters," Jean said with a warm smile. "As for that ring, it is the same. Make sure it reaches the Verne, but do everything you can to keep it secret that it came from you."
"Understood." He had already guessed that much. If Jilius was as famous as Jean implied, then everyone must know where he had been. Delivering the ring personally would be like admitting exactly where he also came from.
"And where can I find these Verne?" Ice asked.
"On the continent of Floria."
Ice nodded firmly. "And where exactly is that Floria?"
Jean raised an eyebrow. "Far to the west. Everyone knows that."
Ice gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I am slightly amnesiac these days."
Jean let out a heavy breath, then stood and headed toward the hallway. "Go get some rest for now. Check the shelf, there should be some general knowledge books there."
Ice moved toward the shelf to pick out a few books, his hands slightly trembling from excitement. He would gain some knowledge he lost about the place he came from, knowledge he had been craving for since the moment of his awakening.