Chapter 322: Irjas Suspicion (1/2)

”What's this layer of Energy Screen? Are you afraid someone might peep at you?” After sitting comfortably inside, Irja commented with a teasing smile on her face.

”I'm about to sleep, you know? I don't think we're close enough to be visited like this.” I answered without being affected by what she's showing.

I don't know what her goal is by coming here but from how her attitude changed upon noticing things about me, that's the only valid explanation to why she's here.

”You're right. We're not. But you see… I might be someone on the weaker side even among the Rank 2 Transcendents but…” Irja paused for a bit as she fiddled her silky black hair hanging from her shoulder. ”… my sensitivity when someone is watching my every move is high.”

I see. So this is why she kept on approaching me. Not only is she trying to prove that she was being watched, but she's also confirming that it's because of me.

Whoever's tasked with watching her was doing a lousy job. To be detected in a span of less than a day.

”I only looked at you once or twice… or maybe at least six times since seeing you for the first time outside that prison. You're not here because you're suspecting it was me, right?”

Naturally, I chose to feign ignorance. Even though the chance is high that she's already certain of her assumption about my identity, I just needed to act like how I acted with her when we haven't seen each other's faces yet.

”No. Not you but it's connected to you. For that, I am certain. You're shrouded in mystery for a Rank 1 Transcendent. And don't try to deny it, Ember. You're quite clever to not give out any definite information about you but because of that, it's easy to connect everything that happened since yesterday.”

And like I thought, she answered with complete certainty before continuing.

”If I die or mysteriously disappear after meeting you, that old rug will surely know that it's because of you.”

”Wait. Wait. Wait. You lost me there, Irja. I don't get why you think I'm connected to that. Do I look like a Great One's descendant to you? To tell you the truth, I'm also baffled why that Exalted visited me last night and this morning. How did I get her attention?” Without breaking my act, I put out some truths in my words. Alwyn's visits weren't noticed by her. Otherwise, she would have included it in her long-winded accusation.

Upon hearing it, her slightly opened mouth froze as a surprised expression instantly formed on her face.

”… She visited you? Then I am right! You really are someone special! What did she say?”

”Now that I think about it, you're right. She brought me a basket of fruits to eat. What do you think? Did she fall for me? Do I have a chance to hook up with someone two ranks higher than me?” I put a hand on my chin and lifted it as I went near her, letting her see me clearly.

Putting on a bit of a narcissistic vibe with how I carried myself instantly weirded her out which led Irja to crawl backward to put a distance between us. ”Don't get too close to me, idiot! You're not lying, are you? What the hell is this? But all the coincidences… once is fine, twice is also still good but thrice... there's no way that's still a coincidence.”

”Look at me, if I'm lying, will it not be easy for you to determine that? Ah. Perhaps is it because of the way I speak that you became suspicious of me? I'm a bit courageous talking even to someone terrifyingly stronger than me after all. Now that I think of it, that Monarch probably threw me in that prison because of my tongue. I couldn't help but admire her allure and enchanting figure that I ended up catcalling her. I should start curbing it a bit.”

”Wait… No! You're trying to pull away from our conversation out of the original topic.”

”Haa… Look, Irja. Suspect me if you want. We've only known each other for a day and you already exhibited some changes in the way you look and act around me. If you continue with this, I might start thinking you're also interested in me. You said you're certain but do you even have proof?”

”Stop pulling our conversation in that direction!” Irja shouted in exasperation. Because of me adding these details, the certainty she possessed earlier was already crumbling.

Well, even if she's correct. She'll just be disappointed that I'm just someone from a Mortal World.Should I just tell her my secret?

Ah, no. It will just complicate things. It's enough that only Alwyn knew or Remilia for that matter.

Irja closed her eyes and shook her head, maybe to clear the unnecessary thoughts and to rearrange her information.

”Let me think… The Chain. The Decree. Her telepathic message to you. The feeling of someone observing me. Everything pointed to your uniqueness! Ember, just tell me the truth!”