9 Time to Shine

Louis stopped whatever he was doing previously and turned to look at Azure, who had since long morphed into her humanoid self.

"...What do you mean by that?"

"I'm not as dumb as you think. I know who you are. Louis Fraser, the Unwanted." She pointed towards Louis with eyes full of amusement.

That nickname stung, but he didn't counter it because it was true.

"That nickname.. How did you know?"

"It's not that hard to find such simple information. I did some digging when you were asleep. I wondered why you were alone in the mountains, so I infiltrated this exact town, and got the records I needed."

Louis was surprised.

He did wake up to Azure's humanoid form, but he didn't think of what she did while he was unconscious. He thought that he was very sensitive to changes even amidst his sleep, but he didn't even wake up.

To think that she used that time to research his identity..

'That's right. I was too occupied with the image of her as a sword, but she has a mind of her own.'

Azure was not inanimate, she was capable of making her own decisions and actions. Like when she made a drastic action, knocking down the guards at the gate.

Even though they were contracted, it wasn't like Louis had a tight leash around Azure at all times. He was unable to have full control over her.

"Louis Fraser, the child who 'supposedly' died at the age of five."

"He's here in front of me now, a human being with a Transcendent bloodline." She continued.

"Your point?" Louis narrowed his eyes.

Was Azure making fun of him? It certainly did not make him feel good discussing these things.

"Well, nothing. I was just curious. Do you not have hatred for humanity or something like that?"

"Huh?" Louis was baffled. He didn't expect such a question to pop up.

Hatred for humanity?

"I thought you would become the dark lord type character, but by the looks of it, I guess not."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"..Depends." Azure said in a meaningful tone.

She didn't explain further, but it left Louis thinking for long.

Was he kind?

Did Azure see his course of actions as 'kind'? Even though he did it with murky intentions in mind?

He sought money from the owner, so he helped. He wanted Leah to help him, so he accepted her invite. He did give her some money back, but it was just slightly over the bare minimum to cover her medical costs.

Was that what 'kindness' was?

In his eyes, there was no such thing as a kind person. Everyone, at the deepest core of their hearts had darkness. And he was someone who took the full brunt of that darkness from literally everyone.

Indeed, it was logical that he should be a lunatic by now. Someone who had thrown away their humanity in the pursuit of evil.

He was amazed at himself because Azure was right.

If he had become someone like that, he wouldn't have spent that much time trying to get money in such a roundabout manner. He could've just entered the owner's store, stole something without him realizing and left the town for good.

No one would've noticed his deeds, no one would recognize him. Azure's ability was something terribly convenient for things like theft and impersonation, yet he didn't make full use of it.

Instead, he used it to run away.

Run, run, run.

Until when was he going to run away? Why was he running? What was he running away from?

It was much easier to just embrace the darkness and never look back.

And yet..

Such a simple question from Azure led him to a spiral of thoughts that he couldn't shake off.

Azure continued to stare at Louis, who was having a hard time collecting his thoughts.

A faint, mischievous smile appeared on her face.

As the night went by, Louis fell asleep.

What he didn't know was that his contracted sword was still wide awake.

She laid by his side, stroking a few strands of hair away from Louis' face and exposing his sleeping face.

"How pitiful of you." Azure whispered.

"So confused, unsure of what to do."

"Fret not, your beloved sword shall take care of everything for you. The stage.. shall be set up for my master's awakening."

An ominous wind blew. In the air, particles of blue light flew around.

Slowly, they grouped up to form a small sphere.

"That's right.. A human worthy enough to have the entire world under him.. To wield me, and the rest of my kin.. My one and only master."

Azure broke into a terrifying grin filled with madness as she grabbed the marble that formed, which was now showing the scene of Leah and her daughter peacefully sleeping.

Perhaps sensing that something wasn't right in his sleep, Louis began to frown. He groaned out, and was about to wake up.

"Oh no, you can't wake up just yet. That'll trouble me." Azure snapped her fingers.

Instantly, Louis' movements stopped, and the frown on his face disappeared. He fell deeper and deeper in his slumber, looking as peaceful as ever.

As if nothing happened.

Just like yesterday.

"Well, would you look at the time? It's getting quite late.. But not too late to execute the plan."

"Please excuse me for a moment. I have some tasks to fulfill.. It won't take long. When the morning comes, I will be lying next to you without fail." Azure leaned down to peck Louis' forehead.

"Have a good sleep, master!"

She stood up, waved goodbye as if Louis could respond to her, and left the small cabin.

The woman closed the door behind her, leaving the oblivious Louis sleeping without a care in the world on what was about to happen.

The night was still young.

Azure's show was just about to begin.