"!!!" Noel widened his eyes in shock, feeling the change of atmosphere again. Instead of the freshness of the spring, he suddenly felt a chill all over his body.
The winter was different from any winter he had faced in his life. This winter froze not only his body but also his heart.
His mind couldn't help but ask, 'Where am I? Why is no one here for me? Why do I have to endure this alone?'
Noel was turning around as if trying to find a person. But before he stepped back as if he was hesitating on his path, he actually stopped while sucking a cold breath.
"…" Noel had never taken a 'step back' in his life. No matter what had happened to him, he still tried to move forward as if he was trying to do his best to improve.
Even when his parents were executed, he still tried to move forward by getting stronger to avenge them.
So, if he took a step back here, everything would be over. After all, once he did it, there would be second and third times.
Noel gritted his teeth, resisting the will that prevented him from taking a step forward. His face became a bit pale, but it didn't mean much for him and his determination.
He managed to turn around and step forward, completing the seventh and eighth steps.
Normally, the last few steps would be the hardest. However, it seemed that fate favored him.
The moment he was about to take the ninth step, he suddenly felt people's voices echoing in his ears.
"!!!" Noel obviously knew these voices. It came from the people he held dear.
'Noel… Why are you so lazy?'
'If you were not so lazy, you would have succeeded in my position and I could stop the royal family.'
'If only you focus on becoming better like now, we wouldn't have to die.'
Noel couldn't help but smile when he heard those voices. Even without glancing back, he could feel four freezing hands that gave chills down his spine.
Yet, Noel didn't feel lonely or cold. Instead, he was smiling as if he was happy with this illusion.
There were two figures behind Noel. They were his parents. But instead of the normal parents, they were like zombies. Their flesh was rotten and some parts had already started melting. It was disgusting beyond belief. One could easily puke when they saw them.
Yet, Noel didn't spare even a glance at them. He simply kept walking forward, completing the ninth step.
But before he finished his last step, he said two things. "My father and mother are supportive of my actions. If I'm unreliable, they can simply change their plan whether it's to make me reliable or abandon me completely. They are not useless enough to blame me for something they can't control.
"Besides, do you think that these foolish illusions can fool me? I'm not as simple as you think!"
Noel finished his tenth step. In that instant, the illusion disappeared as the melody stopped.
The woman behind the curtain had stopped playing and even held her harp while bowing her head.
"Congratulations, Sir."
Noel's expression became cold as he walked toward the curtain. He stopped for a moment as if he was staring at the person behind it.
He opened the curtain, finding the person behind it.
It was a woman, but he didn't expect the woman to be this young.
In front of him actually stood a woman, who seemed to have just become an adult. Their age shouldn't be that much different.
Her height was a bit shorter than him, but her eyes were devoid of emotion. It felt like she had accepted her fate if Noel wanted to kill her.
"You should try your own illusion," Noel stated with a cold tone.
The meaning was clear. Although Noel managed to complete it, it was still annoying to experience that illusion. He wanted the woman to try it herself.
"I have done it, Sir…" The woman shook her head. "Almost every night, I play the melody for myself. This piece is called Joy of Sorrow. With my Spirit, I can form an illusion related to your sorrow… the people, the atmosphere, the scene…
"It's been two years since I started doing this. Unfortunately, this piece never allows me to see a single person…"
Noel suddenly fell silent. If her explanation was correct, it meant that she never had a person she cared for. And judging from her expression, it seemed that she was completely devoid of emotion.
Although it was annoying to have emotion since it could give away your feeling, cause a lot of problems, or even hurt the people around you, it was still a blessing to have emotion. It was what the people felt alive.
Noel could finally understand that the woman in front of him never felt like she was alive. After all, she had no feelings.
He wanted to say something earlier, but after understanding her circumstances, he became hesitant. That feeling was reinforced by the affection he saw from her.
There was no affection from this person. She didn't hate or like him. She simply did something she was asked to do.
On the one hand, he pitied her life. On the other hand, he didn't like the treatment he had received so far.
He scratched the back of his head. He didn't want to prolong this matter as well.
After some consideration, he had decided to drop the matter for the time being. He said, "You've promised to lead me to your boss. Now that I have completed the trial, I think it's time for you to honor your promise."
"I understand." The woman politely bowed to him. "Please follow me."
Without hesitation, the woman headed straight to the stairs as if there were no more traps from this point onward.
To his surprise, there was only one door on the top floor. It was clear that there was the boss' room on this floor.