When the Hero's eyes reopened, the pair of Emerald Eyes had already regained their calm, as clear as water, without a trace of hostility.
And during the time when her eyes were closed, the Key Changing obediently stood still, still holding a sharp Light Claw in her hand, but showing no intention of acting, only watching the Hero with a look of vigilance and curiosity.
Seeing this scene, the Hero sighed lightly in their heart, uncertain whether to feel fortunate or regretful.
The little girl before them, like the current Noble Lady, lacks normal mental faculties.
The difference is that the Noble Lady's soul was taken, her body implanted with some kind of high-precision Magic Guide intelligence, turning her into an obedient, willless slave.
While the Key Changing, from the start, has no will to speak of, her actions are completely dependent on the behavior patterns of those before her.
If one harbors malice towards her, she will return the intent to kill; if one is curious about her, she will show interest. Because they didn't counterattack her, she didn't pursue further.
And now, by closing and reopening their eyes, the Hero effectively "refreshed" her mind by meeting the Key Changing's gaze once again.
Peace tinged with curiosity, curiosity mixed with concerns...
The two, one large and one small, continued to stare at each other, the atmosphere unusually calm, without a trace of the life-or-death struggle from earlier.
But the Hero knew in their heart, this calmness didn't mean the little girl had become harmless,
Once she receives instructions from the Black Gate, she might in an instant transform into a doll of slaughter, tearing apart whom she had treated gently just a moment ago.
Just as a knife can slice vegetables for guests or serve as a weapon to harm, essentially, these actions are no different from fulfilling the function of cutting.
And the girl's "function" before them is to follow the Future Gospel's instructions, devoid of distinction between good and evil; rather than calling her a human, she'd be more like a tool in human shape.
"She's neither brainwashed nor cursed, but was from the start created to be this way..." the Hero silently murmured, a sliver of compassion flashing through their eyes.
The future image that guided them to lift the Barrier earlier, should have been the "Gospel" of the Divine Knowledge Saintess, which was what drew the Key Changing over.
'So, we're still being watched by that heavy-chested woman, right?' Another self clicked their tongue, a mix of annoyance and puzzlement.
'What the hell is that woman doing? What's her goal?'
Everything remains shrouded in mystery.
The Divine Knowledge Saintess stayed with the Four-winged King, yet offered no resistance, even being utilized by the Black Gate, resulting in the Key Changing before them.
Moreover, the Key Changing was directly linked to the Key of Transformation, the culprit who transferred the Capital, resulting in countless deaths.
Despite realizing the danger, the Hero chose not to simply detour and leave.
She pondered for a moment, eventually speaking sincerely.
"Hello, I'm now planning to find the Four-winged King and might need your help, could you come with me?"
[Key of Transformation's Response]
1-4. I'm afraid not, I still have to complete the job Dad gave me
5-8. Okay, let's set off quickly♛
9. Okay, no, okay, no—
10. Great Success/Extreme Failure
Seemingly sensing the urgency in the Hero's eyes, the Key Changing readily agreed to the Hero's request, her voice carrying a touch of excitement: The source of this content ɪs novèlfire.net
"Okay, let's hurry and set off!"
She seemed like a child about to go on a spring outing, even her hair dancing lightly.
'Although her thoughts have completely changed, her outward expressions haven't...' the Hero sighed in their heart.
Whether it was when she punched a hole through their chest earlier or agreeing to the request now, the sub-key always appeared innocent.
Her demeanor and appearance are highly misleading but calling it a personality is more like a kind of Mimicry.
The Hero thanked the Key Changing with a complicated expression:
"Hmm, thank you, let's head this way."
At the same time, she quietly checked the magic power mark left on the other, ensuring it was still effective.
The hole in the dress on her chest and the chill on her skin constantly reminded the Hero that everything that happened before was no illusion, and the intense malice she felt then was no falsehood.
'If you placed a Goblin before this child...'
The Hero's brow furrowed deeply, unwilling to imagine what such a scene would look like.
"Hero? What's wrong?" the Key Changing, walking ahead, turned around in confusion, her attitude concerned and familiar.
Even having gone through the confrontation just now, their understanding of each other indeed grew beyond that of common friends, but such an overly natural tone still made the Hero feel a bit off.
The Hero turned her head away, careful not to meet her gaze, then stepped forward to walk alongside the Key Changing.
"Nothing, just thinking about some things, let's keep going."
1. What do you think of yourself?
2. What does hatred feel like?
3. Do you know the Divine Knowledge Saintess?
4. Are you trying to rescue Mom?
5. Do you remember your past?
6. What do you want to do after seeing the King?
7. No words throughout the journey
10. Great Success/Extreme Failure
♛: What do you think of yourself?
The two girls walked side by side on the dilapidated street, and the silent atmosphere continued for quite some time.