"Welcome to my humble abode."
Noel looked around, amazed by the scenery. To think there was a place this beautiful inside the cave. However, the cloud in the sky seemed to be moving, making him realize that this place was connected to the outside.
However, Nicole said earlier that she had checked the area and believed there was no opening that would lead to this place.
"It appears you are confused. Well, it's better to follow me to my house first. We can talk slowly there." The old man pointed at the wooden house at the end of this space.
Noel thought for a moment before hastening his pace to catch up to the old man.
"I know that it's hard to pronounce my name. In fact, you pronounced it wrong earlier." The old man chuckled.
"I apologize." Noel immediately lowered his head.
"Just call me Old Ru. That's enough."
"That… I can't use such informal language to address you." Noel scratched the back of his head.
"If that's so? The exit is over there." Old Ru smirked while pointing at the cave where they had come out earlier.
"Old Ru." Noel immediately corrected himself.
Old Ru smiled. "So, what do you want to ask me?"
"That's… why do you have a favorable impression on me even though we never met?"
"Didn't you say earlier that we have a good affinity?"
"That's…" Noel looked down, not knowing what to say. After all, that came from the Affection Medal.
"Instead of answering your question, I would prefer it if you could answer my question." Old Ru paused for a moment. "Do you enjoy your life?"
"Do I enjoy my life?" Noel tilted his head. "I am not exactly sure. There are a lot of happy memories, but there are also a lot of things that I want to forget."
"You are not sure? In that case, let me reword my question. When you are on your deathbed, will you be able to say that you have enjoyed your life?"
Noel furrowed his eyebrows, contemplating. "If I manage to achieve my goal, then I would definitely say I've enjoyed it."
"What if you fail to achieve your goal?"
"If I fail…" Noel raised one finger with a smile. "I think I will do it in a way I can enjoy. That way, I at least enjoy a part of it."
Old Ru smiled as though he was looking at a child who proudly told his goal. "Then, humor me with another topic. If you have to choose someone in this world, who do you think is the most important person to you?"
"Huh?" Noel was confused by this question.
Little did he know, Anna was actually reacting to this question. She was curious about it as this might be the answer she had been waiting for. After all, it might be related to the reason why Noel gave her this chance instead of using it himself.
Noel thought, 'Do I have someone like that? The people close to me are my parents, Dimitri, and Anna… Anna?'
Noel raised his eyebrows, never expecting to think about Anna. There were a few people in the Demon Relief Squad he could include in the answer, but he realized that he wasn't that close enough to them. There was Rose, but Dimitri and Rose were similar. So, if he weighed their relationship, he would surely say Dimitri was closer to him.
As for his parents, there was no doubt they would be at the top. Even though they had put a grand scheme , it didn't change the fact that he managed to stay alive because of them.
Yet, Anna. He didn't know when Anna had become one of the closest people to him. They had certainly been together a lot, especially during their time in the Demon Banner Army. Even if they had gone their separate ways, they still relied on each other. Even on this trip, they came together.
"It seems that the question is too hard for the current you." Old Ru chuckled while patting Noel's shoulder. "That is fine. You don't have to answer that question for the time being."
Anna looked a bit disappointed because she couldn't hear the answer. At the same time, she felt relieved because she didn't have to get dejected because she wasn't chosen.
Noel made a wry smile. "I'm sorry. There are a lot of options to choose from, so I can't give you a concrete answer."
"It's fine. In that case, I'll ask my last question. What do you wish to achieve in this place?"
"I…" It seemed that the little talk they had earlier made Noel a bit relaxed. He even managed to utter the request. "I am here to get stronger. I came to this place hoping that you can teach me how to get stronger."
"Even though you don't know if I'm that strong or not?"
"I do have a hint, but I'm not sure. So, it's kind of a gamble. Besides, even if I reach this place, I don't know if Old Ru will teach me or not."
"Hahaha!" Old Ru patted his shoulder a few times, satisfied. "Sure. I don't mind teaching you."
"Is that true?" Noel gasped, not believing what he heard.
"Of course. But you have to answer this question correctly."
"I'll do my best." Noel nodded without hesitation, determined to get the correct answer.
"Why do you think I will teach you? No, what can I gain from teaching you?"
"Ah!" Noel looked down. The answer was obvious. There was nothing he would gain from teaching him. So, he had no reason to teach him.
Yet, Noel glanced at Anna, reminding him of the conversation they had back then. The person in the alternate world seemed to have received the approval and returned with the Sword Saint's disciple.
So, the answer might be related to it.
Noel gulped down, not knowing if this was the correct answer or not. However, he still had to muster the courage to answer it, or he wouldn't get anything.
"Because it is related to another person?"
Old Ru looked at him mysteriously before smiling, "You are correct. I'll teach you then."
'That easy?' Noel raised his eyebrows in disbelief.