These Lunatics are Obsessed With Me

Chapter 303  Echo [2]

The sound of my own feet tapping rapidly echoed within the third floor of the library.

Books were strewn across the table, some open, others discarded in frustration.

I leaned back in my chair, my gaze fixed on the latest one I had been trying to decipher.

It was about elven tradition and how they greet each other.

Basically, the do's and don'ts when you are in the presence of an elf.

"What the fuck am I doing!?" I groaned, slamming the book on the table.

"Studying, your highness," Aimar responded deadpan.

He sat across from me as he spun a pen between his fingers.

"Shut up, dickhead," I yelled, throwing a heavy book at his face.

He grabbed the book mid-flight, his golden eyes glaring at me.

"Show some respect, fucker," he growled. "I'm sacrificing my sleep to keep you company, and this is the thanks I get?"

"And so is he," I replied, pointing at Elijah, who was sitting with us.

"..."

But unlike us, he was busy with his phone.

"Oye, what are you up to?" I asked, tossing a smaller book his way.

He barely managed to catch it, startled. "Nothing. Just texting Heather."

"Ew. Why a wolf?" I asked, not hiding my disgust.

"Fuck off," he retorted without missing a beat, his fingers still scrolling. "We're just friends."

"Is that how you talk to your brother?" I asked, glaring at him.

He sighed, finally looking up. "Wilhelm wanted me to remind you—training starts the moment we get back from the trip."

"Yeah, yeah, sure thing," I replied dismissively, stretching my arms over my head.

"Now, fuck off. You both need to wake up early tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" Aimar asked, looking at me. "I can stay a bit longer—."

"I'm fine," I cut in his words. "I've already read most of the stuff. I will also leave in an hour."

He looked hesitant, but in the end, just sighed. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, standing up.

I nodded while Elijah waved lazily as they both left.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, standing up.

I nodded while Elijah waved lazily as they both left.

Left alone in the empty place, I let out a tired sigh.

"Inna."

[<Yes?>]

"I feel so...lost here."

I mumbled, rubbing my temples in frustration.

There had been no mention of the Solace Kingdom in the second game.

None. They were only relevant in the third game.

"Then why?" I groaned, frustration kept building within my mind. "Why are they trying to influence the elves?"

Where did things go wrong?

Was it because of my interruption?

But how did I do that?

I hadn't done anything that should have affected the Kandam continent.

Then how?

"Inna—."

[<Think, Qais. There isn't any curse on your mind. You are smart, and now nothing is stopping you from being your true self.>]

"...."

I slowly started to calm down at Inna's stern words.

She is right.

I just need to think properly, and I will figure it out.

Leaning back in my chair, I idly rotated the paperweight on the table, the cool metal spinning under my fingertips.

The Solace Kingdom. The elves. The World Tree.

I can rule out the Solace Kingdom's claim of having a cure for the World Tree.

The only way for the World Tree to be cured is by a new World Tree taking its place.

'But I most probably killed the new World Tree.'

Playing with the paperweight, I thought.

So there is no saving the elves.

Killing me and taking Muspelh and Neplh is the only way for them to survive.

"...."

I let out a chuckle as something clicked in my mind.

"Esmeray."

Mumbling to myself, I sat back straight.

The Solace Kingdom is merely taking advantage of the situation Esmeray created.

The multiple attacks on the elves from the Dark Trinity and Demiurge.

The continuous deterioration of the World Tree.

Everything is to make the elves desperate.

And the moment someone dangled a supposed "cure" in front of them…

"Like El said..." I mumbled to myself. "....I will be going against the entire elven race."

Haa.

I'm fucked, aren't I?

"Hmm?"

My trail of thoughts abruptly halted as I heard a sound.

A soft piano tone.

"Someone's playing the piano?" I murmured, standing up.

The clock showed it was well past midnight.

Slowly I walked towards the edge of the floor.

The library, with its cylindrical shape, offered a clear view of everything below.

I leaned over the cold railing, my fingers gripping it for balance.

And there she was.....

In the center of the ground floor, she sat at a grand piano illuminated by the pale moonlight streaming through the skylight, her fingers moving gracefully across the keys.

For a moment, I forgot to breathe.

"Tweet!"

A small blue bird swooped down from below.

Without hesitation, it sat on my head, pecking me.

But I couldn't care less.

My attention was wholly absorbed by the girl below.

"Echo," I whispered softly, her name slipping from my lips without thought.

What is she doing here?

No, more importantly, is she going to sing?

Happiness bubbled throughout my body.

I perched myself on the railing, my legs dangling loosely in the air, completely captivated by the music.

My heart fluttered gently as I waited for her to sing.

The melody continued as she gently hummed.

"Tweet!"

"Shut up," I muttered, swatting gently at the bird as it pecked me again.

"♪It's been a hundred years since I've seen the Moon♪"

I drew in a deep breath as her voice echoed within the library.

"♪It's been a hundred years since I've seen the Moon♪

♪It's been a hundred years since I've lived♪

♪Why is this moment stationary?♪

♪Why doesn't time change?♪

♪My heart is still beating, but no one listens to this agony♪

♪My heart is just foolish♪"

I drew in a deep breath as I considered seriously.

'Should I kidnap her right now?'

My thoughts started to grow darker.

If I am careful, then I am sure I won't be caught.

I can hear her songs whenever I want.

Maybe I could sleep peacefully daily.

Maybe—.

[<Qais!>]

'Huh?'

[<What are you thinking?>]

'....'

I sighed, suppressing my desires.

What am I doing?

"♪Take me to a place you call home♪"

I closed my eyes, listening to her words.

The song continued, and honestly, I didn't want it to end.

"Hm?"

But much to my irritation, a cluster of green started to emerge around me.

It soon turned into a little girl with long blonde hair.

"Papa!"

Iffa's cheerful voice rang out as she threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck in a tight hug.

Her voice echoed throughout the place, stopping the song.

I quickly grabbed Iffa as I looked down at Echo.

She looked up, her crimson eyes with a star mark boring into me.

Without a word, she stood from the piano bench.

"Wait!" I called out.

Grabbing Iffa tightly, I pushed myself down.

Gravity did its work as I fell down.

I braced myself for the impact.

"BOOM!"

The ground cracked beneath me, dust and debris scattering as I landed, steadying myself immediately.

"A-are y-you alright?" She stammered timidly, trying to see if I was injured anywhere.

"I am perfectly fine," I replied, looking at her from up close.

Pretty.

That's the first thing that comes to my mind.

Her long silver hair, fading into soft blue highlights at the ends, cascaded down to her waist.

She was dressed simply yet elegantly—a light brown shirt layered over a fitted black skirt, emphasizing her slender figure.

But what stood out the most were her horns—two pristine white curves that framed her forehead like a natural crown.

"Tweet!"

"Papa!"

Both the little bird's cry and Iffa's exclamation made me come out of my trance.

"Um, hello," I managed, forcing an awkward smile and trying to ignore Iffa tugging at my hair.

"Did I disturb you?" she asked, her voice meek.

"No, absolutely not!" I exclaimed, letting out an awkward laugh.

"Tweet!"

The little bird's voice made me glance up. Iffa had shoved it away as she sat with her legs on either side of my shoulder.

"Az—Himmel," I introduced, extending my hand towards her.

She hesitated before replying softly, not taking my hand. "Epione."

"I haven't seen you—."

"Don't talk with her!"

Iffa's small hands clamped over my mouth, muffling my words.

"Iffa," I muffled, trying to remove her hand.

"Don't!" she exclaimed, pressing my mouth even harder. "Mama will be angry if you do!"

Mama who?

"Let's go, Liraz," Epione whispered, her voice so quiet it was almost lost to the air.

The little blue bird quickly flew towards her.

"Wait," I said, my voice coming out muffled because of Iffa.

She didn't wait for me to finish as she walked out of the place.

[<Don't try to follow her. It's midnight; you will look like a creep.]

My steps halted as Inna cautioned.

She was right.

I let out a heavy sigh and grabbed Iffa, bringing her in front of me.

"What was that?" I asked, looking at her sternly.

"If you talked to her, Mama would've chewed me alive!" she replied, her voice pleading.

"Why would Christina—"

"Not Christy," she interrupted quickly. "Mama."

"Who is Mama?" I asked, tilting my head.

She blinked innocently. "Mama is Mama."

I sighed tiredly. "Go sleep for now."

"Okay." She chirped, smiling brightly.

Her body turned into a cluster of green light before merging with me.

I immediately squatted down, my heartbeat drumming loudly in my ears.

[<You alright?>]

"Yeah," I mumbled, my voice steadying.

My lips curled up into a bright smile.

Her new song...

I think... I found a new reason to live.