Chapter 391: New Companions (1/2)

As a child, Noelle lived in an impoverished city in one of the numerous kingdoms in the World of Systems.

With the Systems being granted by 'The World' and not a birthright of every denizen, her parents were ordinary civilians working as a peasant couple. Her father was a farmer and her mother, a baker.

Before the arrival of the foreign invaders three years ago, she was on the path of inheriting her mother's bakery and marrying a local man around the same age as her.

Naturally, that didn't happen. Their city was among the first cities to be invaded by the Dark Soldiers after they razed numerous villages to the grohnd.

With only one Adept-class as the Captain of the City Guards, their city instantly fell against a swarm of Dark Soldiers aiming to establish a base in that city.

Retreating from that city, they took refuge in a bigger city further inside the kingdom. However, the Noble House in control of that city didn't look too kindly to the refugees, letting them fend off for themselves.

In time, the city was once again besieged by an army of Dark Soldiers. With the City Lord enlisting all able-bodied refugees just for the sake of protecting his treasury, Noelle's parents were enlisted despite not having the training nor the strength to fight back against the foreign invaders who were all at least Rank 1 Mortal in strength and were able to make use of their Source Energy.

At that time, she was finally granted a System by 'The World'. Using her meager control of energy that had the property of healing an injury due to her System's category, she helped heal the injured defenders.

Being spotted by the Priests of the local World Church, she was recruited into their fold becoming an official Priest by getting a Blessing from them.

Perhaps around a month of defending that city, the City Lord decided to abandon it, taking only his treasures and his family.

At that time, the citizens lost all hope, among those, even the Bishop stationed at the World Church or the Great Knight at the leading the Knight Order gave up defending the city and urged everyone to retreat.

However, with the chaos that ensued, Noelle stayed behind along with many others who were trying to look for their loved ones or just gave up hope on living, in her case, she's looking for her parents.

She did successfully reunite with them but it was at the same moment when the gates were finally breached, leading the Dark Soldiers to massacre everyone in the city.

When all hopes were lost and they already accepted their fates of dying under the foreign invaders' sharp and blood-stained blades, the Hero in the form of Yuko arrived along with Reinys and the retinue following them. With her overwhelming strength despite being only an Adept-class at that time, Yuko single-handedly fought against a score of enemies along with the Rank 3 Mortal commanders of the invading armies.

Upon seeing that the hero arrived, Noelle, instead of retreating along with many others, stood up and helped their savior after convincing her parents to retreat.

With Yuko's cheat-like ability that baffled a lot of the Dark Soldiers, she managed to defeat the commanders along with the others that ganged up against her which resulted in the enemies retreating in fear.

On that same day, Yuko, who noticed the certain local Priest who barely had energy in her body, asked the girl to join her in her quest to save the World.

Well perhaps, at that time, Yuko already recognized Noelle's face as one of the people in her vision of that future.

Noelle agreed after Reinys promised her that she would arrange a new place for her parents. And before she officially joined Yuko and Reinys in their quest, Reinys sent her to their Kingdom's main World Church branch to train.

Only after reaching Adept-class did she get sent back to the Hero's side as a representative of the World Church as well as the newest Hero's party member after Reinys.

Well, it's a story I heard from her through one of my Incarnation's memories. It was at that time when I saw her with her parents who never stopped worrying about her well-being.

”It works…” With awe in her voice, Caila exclaimed before she got pushed back by the enormous surge of energy that raised Noelle's Universal Power Level, exceeding a Mortal Body's capacity.

As soon as the surge of energy that covered Noelle's whole figure subsided, Noelle's figure became even more holistic when the excess UPL that couldn't be contained by her Mortal Body started leaking out, giving the illusion of a Holy Aura surrounding her body.

”I'll take care of you from now on, Noelle,” I whispered while gently patting her head.

Although I felt the convergence of destiny, I still think of her as a little sister as if nothing really changed as to how I view her.

Well, perhaps there's no change for now but as I continue to spend more time with her and know her better, that might gradually change.

A few minutes later, Noelle released her arms that were circled to my back. She then turned to Yuko and did the same to her which the latter welcomed openly. ”Dai-kun, you're not done yet, right?” While patting Noelle's head, Yuko reminded me.

”Right. Well then, what about you, Caila?”

”… I guess it's worth a try but Daisuke. But I still stand to my words, I like you as you are but not as a man. I will not be like Yuko and your earlier Companions.”

”I understand that much, Caila. You're like an older sister to me whereas, Noelle is like a little sister. Perhaps there are other meanings to a Companion, we never know, right?”

Well, it's something unclear. However, since it worked with Noelle, as long as we reached a mutual understanding, it will also work with her.