"…"
"…"
We just blankly stared at Neptune as he simply stood there, observing the scenery of clouds through the window.
"Iris. Harik. When I first met you, I found out that you both have needs that I could fulfill. And there were some things which you could do for me in return. Even though I was hoping I could delay this, let me tell you the reasons why I wanted you to work with me," Neptune spoke in a dignified manner while our ears perked up a little.
Even though he asked us to work on the clinic, we both knew that there was more to the story than simply this. If anything, we were anticipating what he could be asking of us despite himself being such a capable being.
"I am a part of an organization. A brotherhood you may say. There are 7 of us, and we call ourselves the Brothers of Salvation. Our purpose, you see, is to save this world from an unknown danger that is going to destroy it once and for all. And in order to prevent it, each of us brothers are trying our best to alter the destiny and fates in various corners of the world, all in hopes of setting a final stage where the world can participate to protect it," he revealed something so big, in such a calm manner.
"It's a stage where the whole world needs to come together to protect the place where we are born," he added.
A silence ensued for a few moments before he looked at Iris.
"Grow strong. Become a free entity. Strong enough to stand on the last stage. Iris, when I first saw you, I saw potential. The potential of being someone that could stand by the Gods and fight along the strongest beings," he complimented her, making her blush a little.
Even though she clicked her tongue while looking the other way, I could see she was happy with Neptune's words.
"Harik. You too. You have a talent that I haven't witnessed in any of the Angels, I have ever witnessed. Something that I found so peculiarly interesting that I wanted to have you with my side at any cost," he added as he turned to me.
With him being so genuine, I felt a bit embarrassed. I am just a Farmer among the angels, even my parents said that this is all my fate amounts to. And perhaps over the ages, even I believed it.
"And that is why, I want to present you both with a Gift. And then with a choice," he said before moving towards Iris and then taking out a book. Or to be precise a Grimoire of sorts.
"It's a Grimoire that was found by me in the deep sea temple. There were a couple of mistakes that I corrected," he passed on that Grimoire to Iris, as she looked at the book with her eyes widened enough to almost pop out of the sockets.
"What I want is for you to go so strong that you don't even need to use it someday," and he spoke his mind, making her blank out before she gulped loudly.
Turning towards me, he walked slowly before slowly patting my head.
"Charm Magic: Circle of Life," he mumbled as I felt a strange energy that entered my body. Something was odd but honestly I couldn't pinpoint it.
"I have removed your limitations. The sacrificial move you used with your life on the line, I have removed the restrictions. Now you need not bet your life on it," he said as I forgot to breathe for a moment.
The strongest magic of the Angels that they can use only at the cost of their life… I can use it freely now?
"There will be temporary backlashes of course, but nothing that would impede your normal life," he added, making me calm down a little.
Obviously there would be backlashes but… even this is far beyond anything I could have achieved in my life.
"What if we run away with these?" Iris asked bluntly, making me a bit surprised. But then again, it was an obvious question. Just because he has expectations of us, doesn't mean that we have to follow through.
Even though I won't do that, it doesn't mean he should trust us so much with it. If there was anyone with ill intentions, she may simply run away, never to be seen again.
"About that. I actually want you both to run away. While you both would be extremely helpful in the upcoming battles, I don't want you to risk your life either. It's not a stage where you can-"
"Raphi will be there, Sir Neptune. Obviously I am going to be there too," I interrupted him.
The fact that he cared for me enough to provide me with such a gift and absolutely nothing in return… It made me happy. Even if it were not regarding Raphi, I still wouldn't have run away.
"Are you really going to help me find the original?" Iris asked, making Neptune nod. Iris then sighed before speaking,
"Then there is no point in running away. My chances of finding her by any other methods are the same as finding a brown needle in a giant haystack."
Seems like Iris was staying as well.
Sir Neptune had a saddened expression before he nodded at us and then spoke," if that is what you want. Though let me at least guide you through a few things of which you should be careful of."
He then explained about the weakness and strength of a bunch of people that will be participating in the war. He told us the description and name of a few that we shouldn't fight against no matter what.
And by the time he finished the lecture,
"With that done. I hope you guys can stay alive through this ordeal. If a situation arises, I will come to your aid within the war, though try to be careful. I will be leaving now. Please take care of yourselves."
He then slowly vanished from there, leaving us by ourselves as we both blankly looked at each other without uttering any words for the next few seconds.
"We should go back to the clinic," Iris spoke, breaking the silence, while I nodded before adding,
"I guess, we should."
And then we both left the place as well.