[What exactly is going on? Did the system bug out?]
Aiden stared at the blank system interface, frowning deeply, quickly demanding an explanation.
[Not a bug, Master. This is because your arrival itself is a huge “mutation,” completely disrupting the destiny trajectory of this world.]
Ruby fluttered in front of Aiden, her small face unusually serious as she shook her head.
[Seres’s life has already undergone significant changes due to your interference. Her future path will no longer unfold as smoothly as in the previous timeline. Therefore, everything that follows is unknown, and the system can no longer provide preset “Guides.”]
Is it because of my intervention that the original Timeline has changed?
Aiden narrowed his eyes at Ruby’s words, gradually coming to understand.
As if to confirm his thoughts, the system interface before him began to ripple and restructure like water.
Soon, the simple task list vanished, replaced by a complex branching flowchart.
It clearly recorded every major choice Aiden had made since arriving in this world, as well as the completion status of each task.
On one of the most recent main branches, the option “Whether to accompany Seres” was clearly marked, and Aiden’s choice was recorded as “Yes.”
However, the lines extending from the “accompany” node led to a disquieting blank space, silently declaring:
The next part of the story has yet to unfold; no one knows where it leads.
[This really feels like a galgame Branch Route…]
Aiden couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth at the familiar feeling the interface gave him, muttering a complaint.
Unwilling to accept this, Aiden tried hard to recall.
He remembered that back at the Seat of the Gods, when that unpredictable goddess was introducing him to tasks and character backgrounds, he had briefly glimpsed the full life trajectory of Seres.
So he attempted to mine that blurry memory for any important future events or key characters.
But to Aiden’s astonishment, no matter how hard he focused, the memories of Seres’s future had become extraordinarily murky, as if veiled by a thick fog.
No matter how much he tried, he could no longer recall the details.
It was as if some force had forcibly severed or blocked that information from his accessible memories.
What is going on?
Did I simply forget?
Or is there an Invisible Hand preventing me from remembering?
The system’s interference is… this strong?
To even affect his own memories?
For a moment, Aiden felt an indescribable strangeness and wrongness in the situation.
It seemed something deeper was at work, but he couldn’t grasp the thread or pinpoint the exact problem.
[Master… then… what should we do next?]
Ruby flapped her little wings anxiously as she flew to Aiden’s side, whispering with concern.
Aiden pushed aside his scattered thoughts and fixed his gaze on Seres’s peaceful yet slightly uneasy sleeping face on the bed.
He sighed softly, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness but also determination.
“Wait. Wait for Seres to wake up, ask her what she saw, then we’ll make plans.”
***
No one knew how much time had passed before the sunlight outside had already begun to slant westward.
Seres slowly woke from a deep, steady sleep.
This time, she had slept unusually well and soundly, without the nightmare tormenting her.
The Shadow of Childhood Isolation and the strange visions of Olivia had not appeared.
She felt a powerful, incredibly comforting and warm force lingering beside her, like the strongest fortress, dispelling all fear and unease.
This overwhelming sense of security gave Seres unprecedented courage and calm.
And in this world, only one person could bring her such a feeling…
“Aiden?”
Seres’s eyes snapped open, her sapphire-blue gaze still clouded with sleep, but she anxiously scanned the room, instinctively calling out.
“I’m here. I’ve always been here.”
Aiden, who had been quietly keeping watch by her bedside, immediately noticed her movement.
He gently held Seres’s slightly cold hand, his voice calm and steady as he responded.
Hearing the familiar voice, feeling the warmth of his hand, Seres’s anxious heart instantly settled.
She turned her head and saw Aiden’s concerned face, and tears uncontrollably spilled like broken pearls.
“Sorry… Aiden… I’ve caused you trouble again… always making you see me like this… so pathetic…”
Seres stretched out her arms, tightly embracing Aiden, burying her face in his shoulder, her voice choked with self-blame.
“What kind of trouble is that? Don’t say that.
Seeing you well is more important than anything.”
Aiden let her hold him, gently stroking her smooth ice-blue hair, his movements full of soothing intent.
“But Seres, can you tell me why you suddenly became like this?
What exactly happened after we parted yesterday?”
Facing Aiden’s concerned question, Seres’s body stiffened slightly, her grip on his arm tightening unconsciously.
She lowered her head, her heart torn by intense struggle and hesitation.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t tell Aiden, nor that she didn’t want to seek his help.
It was that she dared not.
She was afraid that if Aiden learned about her unforgivable “sins” from the past, about the secrets hidden deep within her heart, the girl named Seres would be revealed as a coward.
Would he feel disgusted, disappointed, or even… choose to leave her?
This possibility was something Seres could never accept.
Just imagining Aiden looking at her with coldness or contempt made her heart feel as if gripped tightly by an Invisible Hand, pain so suffocating she could barely breathe.
Yet… another voice tortured her conscience.
What about Olivia?
Was this fair to her?
Seres found herself trapped in a dilemma, as if… just as Olivia’s phantom had said…
She had abandoned her closest friend and then selfishly… found happiness.
“It’s okay, Seres. If you don’t want to say it now, or find it too hard to speak, don’t force yourself. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll always be here to listen.”
Aiden perceptively sensed Seres’s silence and stiffened body, felt the fierce battle raging within her heart.
He guessed she had some hard-to-mention pain and kindly refrained from pressing further, softly patting her back and letting his voice grow even gentler.
However, Aiden’s care and understanding became a key, unlocking the heavy shackles in Seres’s heart.
She suddenly lifted her tear-filled eyes to meet Aiden’s trusting, caring gaze.
A surge of immense courage rose from deep within her.
She took a deep breath, as if to suck in all her hesitation and fear, then fiercely exhale it.
Seres shook her head firmly, her voice still trembling with sobs but resolute.
“No, I want to say it.
Aiden… I want to tell you everything… all of it.”