REWRITE: Lets escape the reality

- Nathaniel's Point of View

With their determination to enlist me in Eskapa, Ataparag escorted me to the base to submit the list of invited applicants eager to join. As I recalled, Eskapa's process demanded applicants pass three exams—a trial Xxv endured before Magdalena accepted him. He'd failed two, passing only the physical exam within a game, yet Magdalena forced his inclusion regardless.

As we walked the hallway, curious eyes tracked my every step, leaving me unsure how to react as the center of attention. "Wait, why's everyone staring at me?" I whispered to Ataparag.

"Uh… hehe, probably because of yesterday, but don't fear. The queen released you, so no one can harm you here," she replied, her voice tinged with reassurance.

Perhaps they marveled at my presence, linked to the feared Soul Eater. We ascended to the second floor, heading to Sei's office. Ataparag briefly conferred with the guards, and soon we were admitted.

Inside, we found Sei and Aoi in a meeting with three generals, the air heavy with strategy. Sei's cold demeanor remained unchanged, a meal still on her desk. "Good morning, Your Majesty. I'm here to submit the report and the list of invited members for our forces," Ataparag said with a respectful bow.

I couldn't tear my gaze from Sei, her new crown catching my eye—a detail absent from my design. Ataparag tugged my collar, whispering, "You must bow to Her Majesty when she wears the crown."

Puzzled—Eskapa soldiers saluted, not bowed, and my comic lacked this crown—did I miss something about her? I followed suit, bowing alongside Ataparag, but Agane slammed her hand on the table. "What's that weakling doing here? What nonsense are you up to now, Ataparag?" she barked.

Ataparag panicked, stammering, "W-wait, Agane! I brought him to submit the report and… and to train him if he joins my team!"

"Join your team?" Agane scoffed.

Aoi intervened, explaining his order to include me in Ataparag's team if I passed. Agane rose, furious, opposing my enlistment. She knew Sei spared me out of mercy, lacking proof of ill intent, and deemed a Soul Eater's ally unfit for Eskapa.

I winced, fresh from Nyabu's judgment, now facing this. Agane, the Wind Dragon from Kashin's royal dragon lineage, had her home destroyed by Warlord Raksa for refusing submission. Sei saved her, offering food and refuge, earning her loyalty—though I knew little, as she appeared only during the rampage.

"I don't understand, General Aoi, why you'd do this. I won't condone this," Agane protested.

Aoi smiled, calming her. "If he's a Soul Eater's agent, what could he do against us? Yet his presence feels unique—special, like our Supreme Commander's, per Her Majesty," he said, eyeing me.

Shocked murmurs filled the room at the notion of a presence akin to their revered saint. Aoi clarified most couldn't sense it, as I lacked heavenly energy, but bore a trace like Magdalena's—perhaps Koko's, from her kick into this void.

"Could that be why she sent me here?" I mused silently. Should I reveal Koko now, or risk seeming to spin tales? It was August—over a month until the rampage. Guilt gnawed at me; my knowledge could save them, but would it?

"Uh… excuse me, Lady Sei, I have something to say," I ventured.

Sei's expression remained blank as she ate, not stopping me. "In a few days, the Columbuses, including you, will receive an invitation for next month's rampage. Please, don't join—let others handle it," I urged.

Silence fell, thick and tense. I swallowed hard, awaiting a reaction. Then Agane slammed the table. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"You might think me mad or fabricating, and I can't prove it, but skipping it could avoid tragedy," I pressed.

Agane's second outburst threatened to silence me, but Ataparag pleaded, "Stop, you'll endanger yourself before the queen!" She warned of tongue-severing for lying.

I shook my head, powerless to convince them. Inaction would seal their fate. "I don't mean trouble—I just don't want you harmed, Sei," I said.

Sei stayed silent, lowering her fork to meet Aoi's gaze. "Few know of the rampage, reserved for high ranks. Tell me, sir, what else do you know that we don't?" she asked.

"Even if I share, I've no proof, and you'll think me insane," I admitted.

"No issue, sir. I'll hear a madman's words and decide their truth," she replied.

Gathering courage, I detailed the rampage: twenty Columbuses competing to collect a thousand points by slaying island monsters or defeating rival leaders. Their skill would outmatch others, securing victory and fame.

"True, you'll triumph, bringing recognition and wealth," I said.

"Hm… if we succeed, why warn us against joining?" Sei asked.

"Because after the rampage, you're all fated to die," I revealed.

Gasps erupted, Ataparag trying to hush me. "Let him speak," Sei commanded.

She pressed for why. It wasn't the game but a war—while they played, Warlord Halloween invaded, conquering Sei's lands mercilessly. Returning to a ruined town, most citizens dead, their injuries left them defenseless against Halloween's power—even at full strength, they'd lose.

"Halloween can't breach due to Asusa's magic, but if she joins you, his Crimson Item will shatter the barrier," I explained. "I beg you—stay to protect your town."

Sei rose, approaching silently, towering over me. "A fine tale, but why would Halloween target us from so far?"

"For the Oblivion Staff," I answered gravely.

I revealed Halloween sought it, stolen by Sei from his child after his wife's death, sparking war. The staff amplified black magic, its danger clear, so Sei refused, fighting to her death. Its value drove Halloween to unleash his full force, aiming to crush Sei's hope as a warning.

"Your bravery to save all will be futile—you, your sixteen generals, will fall to Halloween, who'll claim his prize," I warned.

Before I could continue, Agane slammed the table again. "Enough! I won't tolerate this blasphemy before Her Majesty!"

"Calm, Agane," Sei interjected.

"But Your Majesty—"

"I granted him a speech; you can't punish him," Sei said softly. "Still, sir, I appreciate your concern, but your tale doesn't align with truth."

She countered: Asusa's absence wouldn't weaken the barrier, and Halloween's forces couldn't cross other warlords' territories easily. "And I've never held this Oblivion Staff, nor met Halloween's child," she added.

Stunned, I reeled—had history shifted, or was my knowledge flawed? No proof supported my claims. Agane demanded punishment, but Sei hushed her. "I allowed his words; the decision's mine."

Noticing my shame, Ataparag bowed, apologizing and pulling me out. "Forgive us, Your Majesty, we'll return to our post," she stammered.

"Thank you for your effort. Stay safe, and may our God guide you," Sei replied.

We hurried out, Ataparag scolding, "You can't do that before Her Majesty! We could both be punished for bringing you!"

"The generals aren't as kind—your deceit could doom us," she added.

I apologized, disheartened. My powerlessness and mismatched knowledge left me adrift—what now?

Minute later..

As we descended the hallway, soldiers saluted Ataparag with each passing encounter, their respect evident. She returned their greetings with a warm smile, revealing the deep regard she commanded as a leader and general. It struck me to ask, "Is it true you're a general in Sei's forces? You don't seem the battle-hardened type."

"What do you mean I don't look like a general?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Oh, don't take it wrong—I'm not judging! It's just, I thought a general under Sei commands thousands, yet you said your team has only a hundred," I clarified.

"Oh, that?" she chuckled. She explained she was a general tasked with this town's defense, a manageable role with other generals rotating daily. Unlike those who completed missions across Sei's territories, she needed fewer troops to guard borders, though every hundred days, her unit rotated to other towns.

"I lead the smallest unit because the chief general rarely assigns me heavy missions—just border patrols," she added.

Yet the stark contrast—other generals commanded ten thousand, while she oversaw a mere hundred—hinted at something amiss. Did Aoi distrust her leadership, giving her fewer troops than a captain? I wondered how she earned such recognition despite her apparent weaknesses, lacking strength or tactical flair.

Still, it suited me—patrolling meant less danger if I joined her team. "Mister Nathaniel, would you like to eat out before heading back to the dorm?" she offered.

"Uh… sure, but aren't you due back on duty?" I asked.

"Hm… my role's just to patrol and check on my team's posts, so I have plenty of free time," she replied.

A general's job this light fueled my doubts about her promotion—it felt more like a guard's duty. Soon, we exited the building, joining her patrol through town. The sun beat down, and our steady pace made me realize patrolling wasn't as easy as I'd assumed.

As we walked, Ataparag eagerly pointed out landmarks. "This plaza is where we often gather—many visit here. We must watch their movements and ensure their safety," she explained, her voice brimming with pride in their peacekeeping role.

Yet I knew this was a guarded city, entry requiring permits and extensive paperwork, protected by an anti-magic barrier limiting Crimson Item use. Any violation triggered a sealing spell, making troublemakers easy to catch. In short, her team's work boiled down to observing citizens and awaiting day's end.

Minutes later, we entered a spacious eatery. Tables were spaced for privacy, filled with customers of various races, many workers like me. "Why don't you find us a seat? I'll queue for the order," Ataparag suggested.

I agreed, scouting a spot until I reached a quiet corner with room for two. "This should do," I murmured, settling in. While waiting, my eyes drifted to another table—and my breath caught.

I couldn't believe it. There, across the room, was Koko, the angel I'd sought, dining with a young man. "You! You're here all along, Koko!" I shouted, startling myself.

"Huh?" she responded, unfazed, as if my presence was no surprise.