Dolores’s strong reaction was within Alberke’s expectations.
How could she be so mischievous as to test Dolores’s reaction with this ring… No, she really did test it.
Don’t misunderstand, my dear Dolores. I don’t intend for Mr. Grin to wear this ring on his middle or ring finger.
It only needs to be worn on the little finger. This ring bears the symbol of the ‘Hero,’ which can open and grant access to certain special areas.
I originally thought you, Mr. Grin, would have taken it much earlier. After all, with your experience from a past life, you should know this ring can help you obtain many things ahead of time. There’s no reason not to take it, only reasons to take it early.
Since you didn’t take it, I retrieved it and brought it to you.
After Alberke finished speaking, Dolores’s state gradually calmed down.
‘She likes the protagonist she created herself… What’s this, just delivering a prop? I thought Alberke was…’
To be honest.
When she saw Alberke take out the ring, Dolores’s heart really did skip a beat.
But if it’s an important prop, even in ring form, it’s fine. As long as it’s useful for Grin. And according to Alberke, it’s a very useful prop.
Grin seemed hesitant, apparently aware it was a valuable item.
“Take it. Your memories should contain many secret treasures that require the Hero’s symbol to obtain. I also wish to address you as ‘Lord Hero’ from now on.”
Alberke noticed his hesitation, then took a few steps forward and pressed the ring into Grin’s palm.
Grin had extended his hand, so Alberke didn’t need to tiptoe or reach up.
“I heard about what happened between you and Dolores. I… I’m grateful for your kindness, which can dissolve hatred. Originally, like Dolores, I thought such a thing was impossible.” After handing over the ring, Alberke stood beside Dolores, slightly clasping her hands behind her back, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Some things, she no longer needed to hide from Grin.
“Mr. Grin, before Dolores and I came to this world, we had seen some stories depicting prophecies of other worlds. Among them was a story about you.”
“It depicted a hero’s path of revenge. The core of that story was revenge. The betrayals you experienced… we also know of them.”
“I once thought that anyone, after experiencing repeated betrayals, would be unable to choose reason. So, my initial idea was to try to guide you by your side. I thought it would be a long process.”
“But, Mr. Grin, your choice exceeded our expectations. That story was an unfinished fragment, so many things we only half-understood.”
Alberke’s voice was soft, as if narrating a story.
For Grin, she left a little bit of her own gentle kindness.
She chose to explain the origin of her information in a form Grin could easily understand. The concept of other worlds wasn’t strange in this world. The true core—that she and Dolores were essentially Grin’s creators—was something that shouldn’t be told to Grin now. If she thought complete honesty would solve everything, that would just be selfishly dumping pressure under the guise of confession.
She worried Grin might not be able to accept the fact that he might be someone else’s creation.
However, her words were filled with the same sentiment Dolores had expressed earlier.
Namely, affirming Grin’s actions, affirming his kindness and deeds, wanting him to know it was remarkable, that his choice deserved to be praised.
Both Dolores and Alberke could sense that Grin’s heart must harbor some confusion. One of the driving goals urging him forward—revenge—had vanished.
Saving lives and doing good could serve as future goals, but it wasn’t enough yet.
Those who didn’t know his experiences couldn’t understand how difficult a choice it was for Grin to let go of hatred. Alberke and Dolores’s encouragement and praise were, in essence, expressions of understanding.
Understanding is everything. Just like those cute memes Alberke had seen before. This was exactly what Grin needed.
Because he didn’t have much motivation left. Aside from seeking revenge on others, all that remained was saving others and making up for regrets.
Dolores, standing to the side, thought for a moment before understanding the intent behind Alberke’s words.
‘She guessed I hadn’t honestly spoken about these things, so she supplemented them herself.’
‘She also conveniently explained to Grin Alberke’s initial purpose for approaching him.’
Grin looked at the ring in his hand, nodded, and put it on his little finger, treating it as an ornament.
This did explain Dolores and Alberke’s future-predicting behavior. But then Alberke curiously asked another question.
“Mr. Grin, why didn’t you take this prop along the way? For you, it’s a very important prop, and there are no special restrictions on it. You should have had no reason not to take it.”
“I didn’t know of its existence. Even though I entered many ruins in my past life that required the Hero’s symbol, that was after I became the Hero.”
Grin answered truthfully.
Dolores saw Alberke frown, her expression becoming somewhat serious and concerned, and asked:
“Alberke, what are you thinking about now?”
“I’m thinking… if you came to this world in your past life, then the stories we saw would have had changes from the very beginning. After all, stories are fixed, but this world is real.”
“That was just a prophecy, not the absolute truth of the world. There’s no such thing as convergence.”
Saying this, Alberke tilted her head slightly and asked Grin:
“This ring was located in the Ruins Forest. I want to ask you a question, Mr. Grin. In your past life, did the Soul Plague of the Royal Capital occur?”
Alberke’s expression turned serious. Paired with her academy uniform and small stature, she looked like a little student.
“It occurred. That plague took tens of thousands of lives in the capital, worsening the Kingdom of Verde’s situation.”
Grin nodded, his expression growing somewhat grim as memories surfaced.
He recalled that scene, and the faces of the dead.
Then Alberke continued:
“In the story, it did not successfully occur. It was stopped in time. But simultaneously, it would cause several powerful wraiths in the Ruins Forest to awaken. After dealing with the aftermath of that disaster, you should have naturally discovered this prop, along with other clues. The story… it really has changed. Because in your past life, the Soul Plague did happen.”
Grin’s look of unease deepened. He asked Alberke:
“According to the development you saw in the story, how does its outcome differ from the disaster I experienced?”
“There are some… If you didn’t go to explore the Ruins Forest because of it in your past life, then you might not understand the concept of the Kingdom of the Past.”
“And, you would have missed some important opportunities.”
At this point, Alberke also realized the problem.
According to what she said, the events Grin experienced in his past life had already deviated significantly from what she wrote. So what had he missed seeing, and what had he seen more of?
The biggest variable was Dolores.
Perhaps it wasn’t that her and Dolores’s thinking was flawed, that Grin really shouldn’t have forgiven so easily.
But if someone didn’t completely follow the script and held pity for one, or even many, of the characters, leaving room… layer upon layer, it could ultimately lead to Grin’s hatred being unable to drown out the love in his memories.
Dolores noticed Alberke’s somewhat complicated gaze turning towards her. It was intrusive, complex, and ambiguous.
She felt Alberke was thinking about something very rude.
“What is it? Why are you looking at me like that all of a sudden?” Dolores shifted uncomfortably.
“Nothing. It’s just that I feel you, Dolores, are actually a very lovely… girl.”
Alberke spoke quickly and hurriedly turned her gaze back to Grin after finishing.
“Although I’d like to compare the differences between our memories further with you, Mr. Grin, it’s time we should rest now. I will accompany you tomorrow for what you need to do.”
“Now, let me and Dolores continue catching up. Say goodbye to Mr. Grin, Dolores.”
Dolores was guided by Alberke to wave. After Grin left, Dolores immediately continued asking about the last topic:
“Alberke, the task you saw on Grin, what was its content?”
Dolores hadn’t forgotten that from Grin’s perspective, she could see System Tasks. She didn’t want it known that she couldn’t see them.
Alberke had indeed seen all the tasks on Grin clearly.
But… she needed to make slight modifications before telling Dolores.