Abraham’s pupils trembled. He was taken aback, facing the unexpected. Every night, he had pictured his daughter returning in his dreams, but he was well aware that the brilliant intellect, shining like a star, would never experience such a return.

 

Hence, the confusion.

 

Abraham carefully chose his words. Was she leaving their religion, still believing in strange things, or had she not encountered any hardship?

 

However, looking into Isahak’s eyes, he realized that such questions were meaningless. The eyes were windows to the soul, and within her window, there was only one thing. Blind white, scattering the essence of humanity. Boiling foam.

 

So, the old man had no choice but to ask the obvious.

 

“Have you been well…?”

 

Isahak smiled. It was a smile not of a daughter appreciating her father’s concern, but more like observing the antics of a monkey trapped behind bars.

 

“Yes, Father, I’ve been well. My soul is fuller than ever, and I’m truly making each day meaningful. All thanks to you.”

 

“……”

 

“Are you still counting meaningless stars? Just conglomerates of distant fragments, floating in the universe.”

 

“Not meaningless, my dear. Everything in the world has meaning.”

 

“You still fail to see what you need to see. Father.”

 

Although Oga’s tone was kind, the atmosphere and gaze couldn’t be perceived as a conversation between a daughter and her father. Tara intervened as if to protect Abraham.

 

“…Who are you?”

 

“Forgive my late introduction. My name is Isahak. And you?”

 

“…Tara.”

 

“And all of you?”

 

Isahak’s eyes turned to Benet and Niore. Benet swallowed dryly, feeling a clear discomfort, while Niore sensed the cosmos in her gaze.

 

Darkness, chillingly black emptiness, existing and non-existing. Swelling like an egg, shrinking like a collapsing heart. A bizarre universe observable only in fragments through human cognition.

 

“…Ahahahaha. And you?”

 

As if sensing it, Isarak, too. A laughter flower blossomed on her face. Not the mocking smile from before, but one emanating joy from the soul.

 

Isarak approached leisurely, took Niole’s hands, and kissed her on the lips with courtesy, brimming with affection.

 

“Pleased to meet you. What’s your name?”

 

“……”

 

Niole pursed her lips with a vacant expression. As if that were enough, Isarak nodded in agreement. Communication continued in silence.

 

However, it was a one-sided communication. Isarak probed Niole through the atmosphere, gestures, as if feeling her way. Trying to convey something distant and sinister. Like a man courting a lovely woman, with a piercing gaze.

 

And, just as she was about to say more —

 

“Stay away!”

 

Thwack!

 

Bennet slapped Isarak’s hand away. He wrapped his arms around Niole and stepped two paces back. It was to protect her, as if a white snake was baring fangs at Niole.

 

Isarak grimaced, stroking the hand that had been swatted away, as if in pain.

 

“I came back because there was nowhere else to stay. Since even the strangers I met for the first time welcomed me warmly, your daughter who came back after a short absence… Will surely be welcomed, right, Father?”

 

“…Yes, I’ve always kept your room maintained.”

 

Isarak’s gaze shifted to Tara. Also, the Isarak’s clothes she was wearing.

 

“But now, it doesn’t seem like that room is for me. I’m fine, Father. I can understand if you didn’t believe I’d come back. Forgive me.”

 

“I… I even wished for your return in my dreams.”

 

“Words and actions are different. I’ll settle for the storage room. You can continue using my room. Ta-ra. Enjoy your meal, Father.”

 

Isarak greeted lightly, walked up the stairs to the second floor, and headed to the storage room in the corner of the hallway where Bennet stayed. She opened the door, went in, and closed it.

 

Until the trace of her white presence disappeared, no one in the room moved.

 

Abraham’s expression twisted with pain. The pitiful old man who counted the stars sighed, covering his face with wrinkled hands.

 

“I didn’t mean to show you the stars, Isahak…”

 

It was a regret that couldn’t be helped, a belated one.

 

—–

 

Isahak seamlessly blended into everyday life. Unlike the first day when she stood out, she acted consistently kind and polite, just like a good daughter. She spoiled Abraham with affection and asked if there was anything else he needed.

 

In particular, Isahak showed a keen interest in Niore. She initiated conversations, asked about his well-being. She laughed at his sentences and acted touched. With warm words and unwavering kindness.

 

However, everyone in this place ── knowing it was all pretense ── was filled with tense anxiety beneath the surface, even though they appeared to be harmonious on the outside.

 

It felt like something could happen at any moment.

 

But there was no way to do anything about it. Even if it was just a pretense, Abraham seemed happy. The current situation, where his estranged daughter came back and treated him warmly, was something he could only dream of.

 

That’s why Venet and Tara couldn’t do anything. Venet still had the conversation he had with Abraham one night lingering in his mind. And Tara didn’t want to see Abraham sad.

 

The only thing they could do was indirect tasks like surveillance and preparation.

 

If there was anything fortunate in their misfortune, it was that the appearance of an external threat temporarily improved Tara and Venet’s relationship.

 

“We’ll find out if they do anything suspicious. I’ve set up magic at the threshold of the storage room and devices in Abraham’s room. I even prepared a surveillance familiar. And there’s a mouse cub hidden on the ceiling.”

 

“I also set up something like ‘Curse Defense’… You said you’ll abandon Abraham if necessary, didn’t you? You’re working harder than I thought. What are you thinking?”

 

“…I just thought that woman, Isahak, is dangerous. Her eyes were abnormal.”

 

“Yeah, well… Are you on duty today?”

 

“Don’t try to pass it off quietly. It’s your turn.”

 

As time passed, it was the fifth day, noon.

 

The day of their return was approaching. Tara insisted that they visit the university with Abraham today, and Venet also agreed because he felt the need for information gathering. And during the meal that day, he asked Abraham.

 

“Abraham, can we visit the university?”

 

“Are you interested in college?”

 

“Yes. There’s something I want to find out.”

 

“So, you were more interested in the library than college. That’s good. If you wait until classes are over, I could even guide you personally… if you’re willing.”

 

Abraham readily agreed, and the three of them headed towards Miskatonic University. Gathering various things for the outing and amidst Tara insisting on carrying Abraham’s luggage, Neo, looking strangely absent-minded, was seen picking at his food. Bennett, noticing this, nudged him. Neo didn’t startle, just turned his head.

 

“Heard that? We’re going to Miskatonic University.”

 

[Oh, yes. I heard.]

 

“If you’re not feeling well… still, it’s better if you come along. If you get attacked in a weakened state, there’s nothing we can do. If it’s really tough, I’ll carry you. If your condition allows, to the hiding place mentioned in the report… “

 

[It’s okay. Just, I didn’t sleep well last night. And, in places like libraries, my abilities might be needed, right?]

 

Bennett nodded. Neo’s keen eyes, swiftly capturing even trivial information, proved to be powerful when investigating. It would undoubtedly be helpful this time too.

 

Although Neo’s odd behavior raised concerns, it was better than leaving him alone. And so, following Abraham, you all rode a noisy machine referred to as a car towards Miskatonic University.

 

Tara asked if she could try driving, Bennett warned her not to talk nonsense, and amid the bustling, Neo remained quiet. The whiteboard and pen stayed motionless.

 

Neo’s strange behavior was due to what happened last night.

 

—–

 

From Noble mtl dot com

 

#4: Persuasion

 

Late at night, a whisper reached Neo’s ears. Come here. Come here. She awoke from a light sleep, looked around, but only Tara, sleeping soundly, was there.

 

Come here.

 

The voice in her head even indicated the direction. Neo judged it to be some kind of magic. She cautiously left the room and walked in the direction guided by the voice.

 

She arrived at the end of the corridor, at a storage room.

 

Neo knocked quietly. The door slid open. Stepping inside, she saw Isaaq stretching under the moonlight. She approached with a gentle smile, speaking.

 

“Do you believe in God?”

 

[I believe in existence, but I don’t have faith.]

 

“Have you ever seen God up close?”

 

[No.]

 

“What a shame.”

 

Isaak seemed to regret something, his eyelids trembling as he gazed at the vast night sky beyond the window. Neore also turned his head. Today, there was no watcher in front of the yard.

 

The woman in the white dress, immersed in religious zeal, sighed deeply.

 

“Human beings cannot understand God. It’s because we have inferior sensory organs. With our ears, we can only hear a very limited range of sounds, and with our eyes, we cannot see colors beyond the rainbow.”

 

[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]

 

“But sometimes, very rarely. There are those born with a bit more luck, able to see a bit more. People chosen by fate, who see things others cannot, those very close to God. Like you and me. Even though we can never fully understand, at least we can comprehend a fraction of it.”

 

She seemed firmly convinced that she was one of the chosen ones. It was the driving force behind her religious zeal. Isaak paced restlessly, his eyes shining with the excitement of a person in love, directing his adoring gaze at the night sky.

 

That sticky passion. If possible, a desire so palpable it could be swallowed down with the tongue. A flower of various emotions blending in a murky haze. Bubbling foam.

 

Neore knew its name. Fanaticism (狂信).

 

“I hope you can also enjoy this joy… It’s a very good time now.”

 

Isaak handed a book to Neore. It was a sinister book bound in some kind of leather. When he brushed its surface, he felt a warmth that shouldn’t be present in dead leather.

 

Neore nodded silently, cradling the book in his arms as he left the room.

 

[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]

 

Neore didn’t go mad. It was true that he felt a dizzying gap and awe for something in the vastness of the universe. But he never had any intention of throwing everything away for it.

 

In this world and the original world, there had always been something beyond human control. The power of the royal family, the monsters walking the path to ascendancy, the inevitable death one would face someday; the fact remained the same.

 

She simply believed that saving people was right and harming them was wrong. For that belief, she had the courage to throw herself into it. That’s why.

 

Reading this ominous book, Niole gathered information. The intention was to help Benett, Tara, and maybe even Isaac. Perhaps… Isaac could also lend a hand.

 

Niole unfolded the book in the corner.

 

The night wasn’t well remembered.