Azrael's View (2)

[16 February 774/Backstory]

After that, I attended Gray's execution alongside Dorothy.

Two days have passed since Gray departed from this world.

This is the day that the Directive Knights will carry on their duty by executing him the same way they executed citizens.

Dorothy crossed her sleeve like she was hugging herself.

"... Azrael."

She started without looking at me and kept her eyes on Gray's burning body.

"What is it?"

I answered with a question and just wanted her to get straight to the point.

"How do you know Althea Genetta Third Order? Why did you call her by her first name? What is Directive Special Knights she's been talking about?"

There was a small silence before I opened my mouth to speak.

"... Althea Genetta Third Order is one of the Five Directive Special Knights. Coincidentally or not, we often meet each other on our path. That's when I start calling her 'Althea' randomly."

'Yes, that's the truth. I didn't lie.'

After hearing my statement, she tilted her head in confusion.

"... Doesn't that mean she's your friend?"

I clenched my fists firmly.

'She's not my friend. Not even the slightest.'

"No."

I immediately answered before continuing,

"... It works differently for Directive Special Knight. They are called 'special' because they have supernatural powers. At least, that's what people have thought."

'Yes. Just like me.'

"... If they have powers just like what everybody says, then what are they?"

She asked curiously.

"They're the form of the original human that lived before Directive Order exists. In which they have mana flowing inside them."

"... Mana?"

"Yes. I'm sure you understand what I meant."

I exclaimed with a deadpanned expression

'... Ah.. Another lie. No, it's not a lie. I just didn't tell her the whole truth.'

She just nodded at my exclamation but her expression still signals confusion.

"But... I'm still confused. What is the difference between Directive Knights and Directive Special Knights?"

I raised an eyebrow at her. I shook it off and answered her with a full explanation.

"Directive Knights are just everyday knights that will inspect citizens' belongings. Unlike the Directive Special Knights, they don't have any mana. Directive Special Knights are also 'special' because only five of them existed. In addition to this, what makes them dangerous because mana is flowing inside their body."

'... Aside from mana, I guess I told her the truth. Yes, I'm not lying.'

I thought about the conversation before.

"So... Are they undefeated?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"No."

I quickly answered with a short reply.

"It's possible to kill all five Directive Special Knight that possess mana. But, it is also impossible to do so without a planned strategy."

I looked at her with a mix of questionable and harsh looks.

'And, do you want to kill me if you know, Dorothy?'

I thought before continuing,

"Then..."

I stepped closer to her as I lowered my head to her ear.

"... You have to find allies that possess mana."

I whispered as I stood there.

"What? Are you actually telling me to..."

I back away from my position as I form a playfully smile.

"Yes. Just like I said."

"But I--"

"... Dorothy."

I hushed her as I placed my index finger in front of my lips, telling her that we're still at the public execution that is filled with many people.

"Dorothy, let me warn you about something."

My eyes turned sharp and cold as I turned my head towards her, locking her aquamarine eyes with my black ones.

"Don't get mentally attached to someone. No matter how comfortable it is with them."

".. Why?"

Dorothy looked at me, confused while I subconsciously formed a small smile with the thought.

'... Because you already did. To me, at least.'

"We will not know if one day this person will do something stupid out of consciousness. That person could end up getting burned by the Directive Knight. If you get mad or frustrated by someone like that, you might also end up like that person one day."

She stood there before nodding at my statement.

"I know. I'm aware of that."

"You might get burned because of your own sin. So don't act harshly and think with that brain of yours."

"Yes. I won't do things that could cost my life."

I nodded before telling her one more thing.

"Visit my dukedom today. I have something to talk about."

".. I understand."

At the end of our conversation, I turned back and soon left the place before the execution even ended.

My heart feels heavy every time I lie, but I convinced myself that I didn't lie.

I turned my head towards my wrist and saw a familiar sign.

The sign of zero.

-

[17 February 774/Backstory]

I got sick after using my energy without knowing it.

Luckily for me, the most unexpected guest came to visit me.

"Azrael, it's me. Dorothy. May I come in?"

Thinking about her statement for a while, I finally agreed.

"... Yes. Come in."

She opened the door and closed it back.

'... She's really polite.'

I thought about her amusingly.

Her footsteps seem closer and closer.

I think she has already noticed where my bed is.

"Azrael."

"Yeah?"

I asked with my usual tone.

"You don't look like you're sick."

She exclaimed harshly while I let out a light chuckle.

"Why are you covering your eyes? What's with the sudden blindfold?"

She asked curiously while observing me from the bed.

'... She's as curious as always. Cute....'

I was still lying on my bed and didn't even move an inch from the question.

"...Forget about that for now. Did you already get Cristo to be on our side?"

I changed the topic to Cristo immediately.

In which to my surprise, she immediately answers it.

"Of course I did."

She exclaimed confidently.

"You sound so confident."

I slightly smirked at her confidence just came out from nowhere.

"How did you know? I didn't actually sound that confident."

"Just guessing."

I answered as she chuckled.

"Since you already ask questions, it's my turn to ask. What did you do?"

"What?"

I asked and tilted my head as I was trying my best to sound dumb and oblivious to what she said.

'Did she notice?'

"Don't play the fool, Azrael. You know exactly what I mean. How did you make Cristo as Cristo Oswald in a short time? A very short time."

I sighed deeply.

'... I guess I have to make another half-truth statement.'

"Well, it's quite simple."

"How?"

I could feel her leaning closer.

"I manipulate Gray's life that is not supposed to be real but I made it real."

'... Is this going to be a good excuse? A cover-up?'

I doubted my lies but continue it nonetheless.

"... You mean rewriting Gray's life?"

I was quite impressed. Even if it's made up, she catches quite quickly.

'... she takes everything too serious.'

"You're really smart Dorothy. I think I don't need to explain any further."

"Stop with that nonsense. Explain it to me."

I chuckled and sighed deeply.

'.. Should I really lie like this? Well, it's not like I'm violating the order since I'm a special knight...'

"... I named my own power 'Rewrite'. Simple isn't it?"

'Rewrite is actually someone's magic speciality that I know. I guess I could use that.'

"... Is that your magic specialty?"

I let out a low laugh after hearing her response.

"...Oh Dorothy. I don't have any mana, to begin with."

'... Now, let's say to her even just at the slightest truth.'

"What do you-"

"If you must know, my case is kind of special. Back to the topic, my power is called Rewrite. It can selectively alter the past of a human and determine when, where, what, how, or even why something could happen in the past."

I explained thoroughly, still knowing that this power was not exactly a lie and belongs to someone I know in the past.

'... Ah, I ended up lying to her about someone's power being mine. The truth is, I just worked with Dean and get it over with.'

"...and you did that to Gray?"

"Yeah. Gray Oswald never married someone, but I change his past that he once marry a woman."

"... How did you do that?"

I explained to her in detail and paused, catching my breath.

I explained to her how Gray had a child who passed away at birth, as well as his wife who died after giving birth to the child.

His child with the name Cristo and how it's like switching the dead child and Cristo's identity.

'... I'm sorry, I guess I have to use 'your' power as an excuse for my power.'

"You mean that Gray, his wife, and their child really died and were real?"

Actually, she really impressed me.

That's truly the 'Rewrite' power that the 'person' had.

"You got that right. When Gray's son died, I confirmed the child's name as Cristo. So, this doesn't affect the real Cristo at all."

".. That's an amazing power."

Indeed, It is also truly powerful for 'him' to use.

Considering that he's a human who is able to have the Rewrite ability.

If it had fallen to someone untrustful and likes to make a profit out of it, they might make matters worse for the people who aren't involved in their antics.

"Not when I almost die the further I dig up someone's past."

Actually, it's not me, but him.

He died because of 'Rewrite', his own power.

"... I understand that, but still-"

"...So I think I'll be bedridden for a while."

I added casually.

".. I apologized but... can you die just by rewriting the past?"

I silently laughed lowly.

'... That person died because of his own power.'

"... Of course I can. Do you want me to die that badly?"

I joked to lighten up the atmosphere.

"...The further I dig into someone's past, the more confusing and tiring it will be as it will drain up all my energy. Why? Do you want me to erase the Directive Order by Rewrite?"

Hearing my response, Dorothy shook her head which led me slightly smile at the sight.

"It's impossible, Azrael. We didn't even know who and how can you change that creator's past and life?"

".. It's nice to meet someone who actually understands and appreciates my power."

'It's... actually nice to met someone like you..'

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