When I came across that pattern, my heart started pounding and I started to feel anxious.
… … It seems like the tower is claiming with every fiber of its being that Axion is Ruben.
thud! Coo!
After being dazed for a moment, a knock on the door was heard from outside. It was definitely the monster I encountered outside the tower.
Maybe the door won’t break?
“Don’t worry, human. This is Ruben’s Tower. “Because the door will never be broken by that monster.”
The red bird comforted me with a voice that made me feel proud, although I don’t know why.
Comfort for a bird suffering from middle ear disease. It wasn’t very trustworthy, but without even realizing it, the tension went out of my tense shoulders.
“… … “If that’s the case, I’m glad.”
Still, isn’t it a bird raised by a guardian? Also, I said it there. Anyway, it’s probably a strange bird, so let’s give it a try for now.
I nodded and went deeper into the tower. Axion’s symbol was engraved all over the wall, but this alone did not yet confirm that Axion was Ruben.
First, I decided to take a closer look.
The tower was built in a truly amazing style, even to me, who was ignorant of architecture.
Pillars twisted in strange ways supported the ceiling, and structures of unknown purpose were everywhere.
“very… … “It’s a strange place.”
What can I say? She felt strange when she entered the tower. It felt like I was inside the body of a living creature. It feels like this tower is alive… … Some kind of strange feeling.
“Of course. “Because this is Ruben’s Tower.”
“… … I felt it earlier. You know a lot about Ruben’s Tower. Is it because he is a great being after all?”
“Keuhum!”
I asked as if I was giving the bird a little flight, which seemed even more upset after entering the tower. If the other party has the information you need, it is natural to rip it off. The red bird said, raising its wings high.
“of course. I am probably the one who knows the most about the Tower of Ruben. hmm.”
“Oh, really? “Better than Dazar?”
“Yes!”
It was obvious that if I asked why, it would lead to chaos again, so I stayed silent and waited for the red bird to fiddle with its beak.
If it’s a story related to my pride, it seems like there’s a lot I want to say.
just as expected. The red bird started talking loudly.
“The reason this place is called Ruben’s Tower is because it contains Ruben’s core. However, this place does not directly affect Ruben. Just contain him. What should I say? Okay, mirror. “It would be more appropriate to call it a mirror.”
“mirror?”
“okay. A mirror that reflects Ruben itself. “The mirror is protected by Siaster.”
I feel like a very important story has begun.
“The reason the Transcendents of Seastar can recognize Ruben from generation to generation is thanks to the Ruben Tower they manage.”
The transcendents of Siaster… … You recognize Ruben? It was my first time hearing this story.
So, does this mean that Dazar can tell who Ruben is just by looking at him? But that’s because there was no reaction even after seeing Axion. I was puzzled, but first I stayed silent and waited for the next words.
“Of course, there are special powers they possess other than this Tower of Ruben. That is why they serve as the leaders of the transcendentals.”
As I continued walking, I came across the stairs located at the innermost level. I instinctively started climbing the stairs. It seemed like there was definitely something up here.
“Well, anyway, there is that mirror at the top of this tower. So the head of the Siaster family checks here every year to see if Ruben appears.”
“… … There’s a mirror? “They say this tower itself is Ruben’s mirror.”
“okay. That’s also true. This tower changes depending on Ruben’s personality. “The atmosphere in the tower changes depending on Ruben’s current condition.”
As soon as those words were finished, we arrived at the second floor. And I held my breath for a moment at the scene that unfolded.
This is because a completely unexpected object appeared before my eyes.
“… … So, the inside of the tower keeps changing depending on Ruben’s condition, right?”
“… … Yes.”
On the second floor, a very large golden rattle was majestically placed in the very center.
For some reason, the red bird answered while avoiding his eyes. Just now, you looked very proud.
‘This is Axion’s favorite rattle.’
Of course, its size was overwhelmingly large, but it was clearly a golden rattle developed and brought by Elston. It was a rattle that overwhelmingly beat the one I had, so of course I remember it.
After seeing the pattern on Axion’s neck and the golden rattle on the second floor… … .
I was becoming more and more convinced that Axion was Ruben.
“This is a bit… … Than you think… … .”
But it wasn’t as shocking as I thought.
Is it because I encountered something so absurd a moment ago?
Rather, it feels like the anxiety that was encroaching on me earlier is disappearing and I feel at ease.
Ironically, I was actually becoming more stable. It wasn’t because I was happy or happy that Axion was Ruben.
It’s just that I was so worried that Axion might be Ruben that I didn’t know what to do. Now that he had a clear direction, he felt like it was clear what measures to take in the future.
I left the golden rattle behind and started climbing the tower again.
“Hmm. Anyway, the inside of Ruben’s Tower in the previous world was very nice and colorful! “The Ruben of this world is very simple.”
“okay? “So is it much different than Ruben in the previous world?”
“of course. The former Tower of Ruben was full of something very insidious and dangerous. “It was a place where you could vividly feel the resentment and hatred that had developed while growing up eating misfortune.”
I’m telling you it was a very scary place.
“But here…” … It’s so peaceful it makes me yawn. Besides, I don’t know what that rattle is. This generation’s Ruben must be living a very happy life.”
He said it grumblingly, as if he didn’t like something about it, but I saw it. The envy that passed by in the red bird’s eyes.
Where does that envy come from? Such curiosity arose, but the red bird closed its mouth and I couldn’t ask any more questions.
The red bird did not open its mouth until it climbed the long stairs and reached the third floor.
‘oh.’
As soon as I went up to the third floor, I felt a warm feeling. This place, which looked like someone’s room, was a space that felt cozy at first glance.
On one side, a fireplace was bringing warmth to the room, in the center there was a soft-looking sofa, and on the floor was a soft carpet.
A window that was obviously not visible from the outside was also located on one side of the wall. I walked over and looked out the window.
Of course, we should have been able to see the forest we passed through, but the scenery outside the window was a different world. A very warm sun was in the sky, the clouds were fluffy, and all kinds of flowers were in full bloom on the ground.
It’s such a beautiful scene.
“… … .”
While I was admiring, the red bird wrinkled its face. Finally, as he fluttered away, he grabbed the hem of my clothes with his legs and led me to the stairs. It was a gesture of not wanting to see more.
When I heard about Ruben’s Tower, I thought it was a very scary and gloomy place, but it turned out to be such a warm scenery. It was very unexpected.
And for some reason, my heart felt hazy. I feel like Axion is really Ruben… … I think that’s right.
So does this mean that my child’s state of mind is this warm and fuzzy?
“Come quickly, quickly!”
The red bird must have been here for the first time. Because I was constantly pouring out my dissatisfaction while looking at the tower.
Following his lead, I arrived at the top of the tower.
It was smaller than the other floors.
‘It’s like the mirror from Snow White.’
As explained just before, there was indeed a mirror at the top of the tower.
The mirror, which was taller than my height, was located right in the middle of the room, so I could tell that this room was designed solely for mirrors.
I stood in front of the mirror, following the red bird’s lead.
The red bird looked somewhat excited and seemed to be waiting for my imminent reaction.
‘Surely you already know that Axion is Ruben?’
Suddenly a thought occurred to me. The same thing that led me to Ruben’s Tower. I think so for some reason. Is there something up there?
After looking at the first and second floors, I was almost certain that Axion was Ruben, so I looked at the red bird with suspicion.
“Go ahead and take a deep look in the mirror. Hehehe. Ruben’s terrible abyss will look into you with me. “From the moment Ruben appeared in this world.”
The red bird smiled darkly and said that, but I was just a little shaken.
Is there really a need to look in this mirror when you already know everything?
However, since I had not yet recovered from the shock of seeing the golden rattle earlier, I scratched my head and reluctantly looked in the mirror.
I don’t know what it means to look deeply, but I thought to myself that it would be okay to just look deeply.
“… … .”
However, even after looking for a while, the mirror did not reflect anything. Just when I was starting to feel frustrated… … .
“uh?”
Something started to appear.
A white dot slowly appeared on the black background, and the light gradually began to become brighter. And it seemed like I could hear a baby crying somewhere.
Mite… … . Mite… … .
Also, the voice of a woman screaming in pain.
-why… … He’s not dead… … ! Damn you!
Just when I thought it was a voice I heard somewhere.
widely.
A large hand gently covered my eyes. Her shoulders shrank, startled by the sudden warmth.
When I seemed surprised, the person with my eyes closed gave me a small pat on the shoulder and turned me away from the mirror. Then he whispered softly.
“It’s better not to look. That kid received quite a bit of hate in the past. To your half-sister.”
This voice whispering softly next to me and the large hand covering my eyes were familiar.
“… … Dazar?”
“huh.”
The guardian of the Siaster family that guards the Tower of Ruben, and the owner of the red bird that led me here.
It was Dazar Siaster.
I swallowed hard.
My shoulders naturally trembled.
“Why, why are you here? “At this late hour.”
“I guess that’s what I’m going to say.”
Unlike usual, his voice is so gentle that it makes you feel like your body is melting.
It feels even more cruel when someone who is not like that speaks so kindly to me.
Although I couldn’t see his expression because his eyes were covered, I could feel it with my whole body.
Dazar was truly angry.
