They finished talking to Klerik. Standing alone with Elmarud and after a short deliberation on where he should teleport, Zach opened a rift directly to the Buforas Church.

His fast-travel function wasn’t a huge secret since he had received it from Histowire in front of other people who immediately went and started telling their friends. By actually using it in front of everyone, it should clear up some rumors and hopefully make Zach more respected.

His and Elmarud’s sudden appearance interrupted a sermon. Gatherers gawked and whispered among each other.

“Is that the new Messenger I’ve been hearing rumors about?”

“Yes. I recognize him. I was there when the Histowire moved on its own.”

“I heard from my neighbor that it flew towards him and a voice started singing from heaven.”

“Eh? That is an exaggeration. It didn’t fly and there was no voice.”

“Then is it true that it gave him a magical power?”

“Actually, yes. It was something about how to return to any place he has been before.”

“So then… that magic just now?”

“Probably…”

“Excuse me, sir!” One of the commoners called out.

“Yes?” Zach responded.

“May I ask where you came from?”

“Just now? Kosk. I went over this morning.” He responded as casually as he could muster.

The people instantly calculated the distance and started whispering with impressed expressions.

“Sorry, everyone. Please excuse me. I have business with the Histowire,” Zach politely pushed through the crowd.

Arriving in the pedestal room, or whatever the room was actually called, he was greeted by Brother Abel and the head priest guy, whose sermon got interrupted. He updated the Histowire’s Dream quest.

Examining his windows, the new quest was exactly the same as it was in the game. As the main quest, its purpose was to introduce the player to the world. Thus, the Histowire’s Dream told him he had to collect a whole heap of its missing pages, including the one he already found in Kosk.

In total, he needed to collect seven, but it was possible for him to obtain fourteen and complete the quest for a better reward. Obviously, he would try for all fourteen.

When he was done, he paid another visit to Agatha and left the church, heading in the direction of Caeli’s castle.

Arriving at Skyarrow Castle, Zach and Elmarud were stopped by the guards.

“Who are you and what is your business?”

“My name’s Zach and I’ve come to telegraph a message to the capital. Kosk has been destroyed and needs aid. Their riders haven’t returned yet, so I offered to check on the situation.”

Zach inwardly blushed when he thought about the telegraph. He had underestimated this world’s level of technology when he had tried to flee Fernsdale, thinking that all he had to do was outrun those who distributed his description. However, no one could outrun a telegraph.

“You are Zach?” the guard said. “Ignoring the fact that Fernsdale is closer to Kosk, the princess told us to let you in. However, your friend will have to stay here.”

A growl escaped Elmarud’s throat and vibrated the air.

The guard clutched his weapon.

“It’s okay, Elmarud.” Zach quickly reassured him. “My mana is completely full after talking to Agatha again, so I can escape using my fast-travel function if needed. In fact, I’ll just use it to get back to the house when I’m done. You can go back and wait for me.”

“Well… alright. Be careful.”

Elmarud reluctantly peeled away and went back to Lydia’s apartment.

Zach disappeared into the castle.

Bella the handmaiden was discussing with Lady Blanchefleur when a servant appeared in the doorway.

“Your Highness, the person called Zach is in the waiting room. Besides some official business with the estate, he has expressed a desire to meet with you. Your father is already informed and on his way.”

Mild alarm arose in Lady Blanchefleur’s intent. “Bella! What have you told my father about the past few days?”

“The truth.”

The princess let out an exasperated sigh and scrambled away from her work.

“Come, Bella. You will alleviate any misconceptions.”

“Yes, Milady.”

After a short walk, the pair was met by Blanchefleur’s father and his manservant outside the waiting room doors.

Today, the Lord Frederick Augustus Tulipalo was dressed in handsome silver clothes to compliment his graying beard. His eyebrow shifted a few hair-lengths and the air thickened with disapproval.

“Father. Before you become rash, I remind you that Zach is trustworthy… and that his intentions were never romantic.”

Lord Frederick readjusted his ring and his intent shifted toward caution.

“I understand that,” he said. “However, it is because of your irresponsibility that I must take action to quell a future rumor. Depending on his intentions now,” his gaze shifted to Bella, “I will react with an appropriate response.”

“If it is a rumor you are looking for, you will not find one. The rumor does not exist.”

“Quiet now.” He said sternly, yet his stone cold gaze softened. It was by such a minute amount that only Bella could have noticed, yet she detected his intent shift toward that of love and protection. “I will let you listen, but do not speak until I have verified his true intent.”

Lady Blanchefleur let off a wave of reluctance. “In exchange, after you have found all the proof you need, let me talk to him alone.”

“Absolutely not. A young man should not be left alone with you. Have you already forgotten about your status-”

“With Bella, of course! I am not oblivious to these things.”

“Then you understand the potential for political scandal. Even an empty rumor can be used against you and your fiance. The answer is still no. Not unless one of my servants is in the room too.”

"Hmph. Maybe after you talk to him you will understand.”

Pushing the door open the four of them walked into the room.

The boy from Bella’s recent memories greeted them with a smile.

He was an interesting subject to use her power on. His intentions were occasionally bizarre.

Zach looked at Lord Frederick, his intent consisting of pure curiosity. It was quickly replaced by an intent similar to those who experienced an epiphany, then rapidly shifted to more complex states. Bizarre.

As Zach’s gaze passed over Lady Blanchefleur, it brightened with joy. When it landed on Bella and the Lord Frederick’s manservant, it became neutral.

This was also bizzare since nobles and even most commoners tended to ignore the servants, having no intent toward them whatsoever. It suggested many things about Zach, his origins, or both.

Bella also noted that the behavior of Zach’s intent had changed since she saw him. It was no longer directed inward. Instead, it washed out in multiple directions.

One could compare it to the Emperor’s newest advisor in the capital. He was an unreasonably powerful boy of age thirteen, but because of his magical inclination, that child’s hands were always full of high-profile assignments. His whimsical intentions were always shooting everywhere.

A wave of dread flooded the room as Zach’s expression turned serious. Bella flinched.

Lord Frederick moved toward a blade concealed in his linens. However, she quickly gave the hand sign for calmness.

‘Adolescents and their mood swings,’ Bella scoffed inwardly. ‘At least Zach’s intent is somewhat stable compared to the boy advisor.’

Zach was unable to perceive the incredibly subtle exchange and said uninterrupted, “...Sir, the city of Kosk was completely destroyed and the remaining people need to relocate. This letter is written and stamped by a man named Klerik who is asking for relief from the nearby cities. The letter itself should be telegraphed to all relevant locations.”

“Ah. I have heard your plea.” Lord Frederick said. He verified the stamps on Zach’s letters and passed it to a servant to take to the telegraph room.

As they continued to discuss the pressing matter of Kosk, Bella continued to silently communicate calmness, harmlessness, and truth. Soon, Lord Frederick had been informed of everything.

Zach also informed them of his own actions, which seemed too miraculous to be true, at first. However, even though Bella was equally shocked, she continued giving the hand sign for truth… and also humility.

The most shocking part was the sword sheath around Zach’s waist. Lord Frederick, Lady Blanchefleur, and Bella recognized it since it was a rare artifact that was known to be indestructible. It was also known to slip off of anyone who tried to wear it. Yet here he was, wearing it casually.

Of course, Lord Frederick already knew a little bit about Zach too, including a few events at the Buforas Church and at Fernsdale. He pried a little, interrogating him about those matters, yet Bella still reported positive messages. Eventually, Lord Frederick’s overly-cautious intent mellowed a little.

As the conversation lulled, Lady Blanchefleur squirmed with impatience. She had kept her promise to stay silent, so Lord Frederick could only sigh.

“I apologize for pressuring you, Zach.” he said. “My daughter stayed in Kosk, mere days before it was destroyed. Then you appeared in Fernsdale and joined her convoy. Now you conveniently tell us that Kosk is gone. I merely wanted to confirm your words using my daughter’s retainer. Tell me… do you know about her?”

“I did some research yesterday,” he nodded.

“Then you understand why we must excuse ourselves for a moment. After all, I do not have her gifts.” Lord Frederick announced bluntly. “Please stay for a while longer. I still have something to discuss.”

“No worries.” Zach smiled sweetly, his intent radiating toward the food… but then Lady Blanchefleur. “I also have something else to talk about. I have a request, or rather, a gift.”

Lord Frederick nodded with a smile, but secretly his caution flared. He practically dragged the girls out of the room.

“Well?” he said when they were alone.

“His intentions are more chaotic since the last time we met,” Bella admitted, “but they are pure, and strong, suggesting he is likely to follow through with his plans. The only secrets I can glimpse are harmless, if not proactive. Any negative intentions were directed elsewhere. I flinched at first because it was somewhat sudden. Otherwise, his words always held near complete truth. I can tell he was being humble at times.”

“Near complete truth. Hmph. Humility can be considered a kind of deceit. Tell me what he was humble about.”

“Father! You don’t act this way with anyone else. There’s no need to be so rude!”

The princess argued for a few minutes, accusing Lord Frederick of being overly paranoid and unreasonably, until he eventually conceded.

“Fine. Fine. What about his last statement? What does he mean by a gift?”

Lady Blanchefleur quieted. She was also curious.

“Does he have a gift for us?” she asked.

“Or perhaps he is asking for a bribe! The gall! I will chop his head off like I did to that animal from Centerland!”

Bella shook her head at Lord Frederick. “You are mistaken, Milord. He is the one bestowing the gift. His intent was kind and warm… and directed toward Milady.”

The changes in their intent were nearly opposite. Blanchefleur’s intent became flustered as she turned to hide her expression. Lord Frederick’s smoldered, becoming protective.

“Kind? Warm? How so?” he gnashed his teeth.

Bella giggled inwardly at the misconception, but calmly replied, “Warm like an indiscriminate star on a field of wheat.”

The room’s emotional charge dried up like a rain slime without water.

Zach watched as the four people re-entered the room.

His eyes shifted toward a certain handmaiden as he recalled important details from the game wiki.

Truth Seeking. It was a so-called magical inclination that allowed her to tell the truth from lies in both speech and body language. Abilities like Bella’s were one of the in-game explanations as to why the player could freely speak and be trusted by political powerhouses. Another was the Histowire.

Thankfully it seemed his words and actions were enough to raise their disposition stat - cough - convince them of his goodwill.

Lord Frederick sat down without a word.

“I apologize for my Father’s earlier interrogation,” Snowy said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“It’s okay. I’m glad to see you too!” he responded. He gestured to the vial of elixir on the table which he had removed from his inventory while they were gone. “This is a special elixir that the Histowire’s Sheath gave to me. I’ll explain.”

He didn’t want to overcomplicate things, so he told them everything he knew about the nightmare dungeons without mentioning any specific nightmares, such as his past times with Snowy or his future plans with apprentice Ferney.

In other words, he explained the concept of the game’s first main quest.

“The nightmare dungeons are caused by the Histowire? Really?” Snowy asked, taking initiative of the conversation before her father could comment about poison.

“Yep.”

“And you had the ability to enter one and suppress it before you even knew what the Histowire was? Doesn’t that make you more special?”

“I guess… What do you think about the elixir?”

“Is it poisoned?”

“Father!”

Lord Frederick sighed. “Will it really cure my daughter’s severe nightmares?” he asked instead.

Zach laughed, thinking Lord Fernsdale was trying for a joke. “It’s not poison and the nightmares won’t be cured, but they will be suppressed for one night.” He explained. “Thankfully the Sheath produces one per day so I can bring another tomorrow.”

“I see.” Lord Frederick glanced at Bella again, then he nodded.

Snowy grabbed the bottle.

“When should I drink it?” She asked.

Zach shrugged. “I don’t think it matters, but you should probably drink it before bed.”

Snowy nodded, then put the bottle away.

She subconsciously tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Would you like to stay for dinner?” she said.

…

Zach agreed to stay for dinner, but nothing eventful happened besides Lord Frederick never letting Zach out of his sight. After some time, he said farewell to the Tulipalo family.

He walked out of the castle and turned to the barracks.

“Excuse me, do you know where I can find apprentice Ferney?”

The man pointed in a certain direction.

After finding Ferney and starting a conversation about something simple (like the effects of metallurgy on magical imbuement via runesmithing), Zach eventually got to the main topic and told Ferney about nightmare dungeons.

“So you see,” Zach continued, “Before I enter your nightmare tonight, I would like to know what you dream about.”

“You can already see that I’m dreaming. Wouldn’t you already know what the topic is?”

Zach frowned. Unfortunately he didn’t. He had checked the game wiki for information but found nothing about Ferney. This was one of the differences between the game and reality.

Because a disc could only hold a limited amount of data, certain things were far simpler when compared to reality. For example, the game wiki maps were useless in actual navigation. The real city of Caeli had hundreds of extra buildings and thousands of extra NPCs.

The game wiki outlined every major plot point, but not the insignificant details, bystanders, and… most importantly, the unadded features.

When Zach asked Agatha, she said something along the lines of “deleted content.” As far as he could tell, Ferney himself was some kind of unfinished character or questline cut to save time and space.

“I can’t possibly know everything,” Zach answered curtly. “Just tell me what happens in your nightmares.”

“Well… I don’t really have nightmares.”

“Then why can I access it?”

“In my dreams, I am at the pinnacle of power, so I would not call it a nightmare. It is far too awesome.” Ferney scratched his head in embarrassment.

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I can tell you all about it, but…” Ferney rubbed his hands nervously, “If you were thinking about entering it, can you please refrain?”

“What? Why?”

“A few reasons…” he shook his head, getting more embarrassed. “One, the monsters in my dream are special. They can only be killed by one blade, which my dream self is holding. Two, my dream self can be a little too intense, so it might be best if you do not interfere at all.”

“How so?”

“In my dream, I am a different person entirely. I am never aware of my real life memories, and I have a different temperament, so I don’t think it would play out smoothly. As for the monsters themselves, when I kill them, they stay dead. There are 16 of them that I am supposed to hunt, and I have. I kill them one at a time every night. I have already killed nine of them that way and they haven’t come back. So you see, everything about this is completely different from what you’ve described.”

Outwardly, Zach scratched his chin and nodded thoughtfully. Inwardly he was freaking out.

‘Nightmare dungeons that complete themselves?! A plot that can progress despite the player?! Ferney’s nightmare is all about time sensitivity. Completionists hate that kind of mechanic, so I can see why it was removed from the game.’

“That’s why I don’t want you in my dream,” Ferney continued, “it would be really hard for you to help me in the first place, plus my dream-self already has it under control. Honestly, I feel so thrilled watching it unfold that I’d rather not have anyone intrude.”

“Oh…”

Now Zach was conflicted.

He could clearly see that Ferney did not want him inside his glorious dream. On the other hand, Zach didn’t want to miss out on the glorious content either.

What should he do?

“What is your dream about, specifically?” Zach asked instead.

“It is a little different each night. In the first dream, a beautiful angel gave me a cool sword and told me to kill sixteen demons. Apparently, it is the only thing that can harm them and seal them forever.

“I fought a demon with huge beast claws. Then the next dream I fought another demon. Each subsequent demon was different and challenging, but I always won. Then I would laugh like a maniac and wake up. My dream-self is super cocky, but I guess it’s fine since he’s so strong. I’ve really enjoyed all these dreams because he is so different from me.”

“That’s nice, but are you sure you can handle it? There isn’t a risk of some sort? The angel didn’t say anything like… if you die in your dreams, you die in real life… or… you can’t wake up in real life until you kill the demon… did she?”

“Nope. Nothing like that. Plus, it is a one sided massacre once I actually find the demon. The tricky part is trapping them so they can’t flee.”

“Okay. So they are monsters that like to run away?”

Ferney nodded. “L-look… if you want to enter it, I won’t stop you,” he said, his eyes and voice clearly reluctant.

Zach considered the situation again. He activated the Histowire's Shealth and literally gained an extra minute.

Ignoring the fact that Ferney didn’t want his help, the real issue was time. Agatha always stressed that he was on a time crunch, and that he had to rigorously prioritize. Compared to other nightmares, Ferney's was more immediately time-sensitive, but it had far fewer consequences and lower apparent importance. Thus, he was conflicted.

His purpose for the nightmare dungeons was to get combat experience and learn new skills, which would be hard if he could only fight one monster at a time. Instead, he needed hordes of monsters… or ones that weren’t slippery, at least.

When Zach’s mana ran out from powering the shealth, he decided he would set aside Ferney’s nightmare for one more night, or rather, two more days.

Zach sighed. “Okay. Then I won’t be entering your dream. It seems like you have everything under control. If you ever change your mind, or you meet a demon you can’t beat, I’ll pop in.” Ferney nodded. “In that case, I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I have business with the Tulipalo family.”

“Alright…”

They continued to talk for another thirty minutes as Zach recovered his mana. Finally, Zach waved, then opened a rift, disappearing in an instant.

Ferney yelped and ran away. He was only an apprentice, so nobody had told him about Zach’s powers yet.

Zach ate a second dinner at Lydia’s house before going to bed.

That night, he entered the same nightmare dungeon as the previous night. It was called [Battlefield of Scaled Mirrors] and offered a lot of things he needed more than the exclusive storyline from Ferney. One was a consistent, easily accessible array of weapons, and the other was an endless horde of aggressive monsters.

Zach appeared in a town-like setting very similar to Caeli. The architecture of the houses were similar, and the town was similarly divided by several rings of walls. Unlike Snowy’s nightmare, the area was full of people.

Soldiers in metal armor hurried to the walls with weapons. Women and children formed lines, passing buckets of water toward a house engulfed in fire. A pillar of darkness exploded against a magical barrier in the sky.

This was a siege.

Zach tried using magic, a water spell to put out the fire. Unfortunately, his magic circle disappeared when he was halfway done. The lines faded away just like the previous night.

According to the game wiki, the phenomenon was not caused by the nightmare dungeon, but by some kind of magical machines the defenders and attackers were using. The explosions of magic were caused by siege engines, the barrier by mage towers.

Along with the stable dream space, it was safe to assume the owner of this nightmare was firmly grounded in reality.

Zach calmed himself.

Despite the lack of magic, it was still easy for him to acquire some weapons and rush to the walls, given the current situation.

He fought for what felt like days, slaying hundreds of enemies without denting the horde in the slightest. Of course, the “solution” for this nightmare couldn’t be found from killing small fries, so it never ended.

Zach glanced at another part of the wall and saw a particularly outstanding man doing the same thing. The owner of the nightmare had a desperate look on his face as he slashed some armored enemies climbing a ladder.

Zach averted his eyes and went back to grinding mobs with different weapons. Before he woke up, he managed to level up several skills that collectively added 3 points to his intelligence.

[Hollow Arrow increased to level 2]

[Multi Slash increased to level 2]

[Flowing Whip increased to level 2]

It was a little saddening, the owner had to relive an endless nightmare, but there was no doubt about its benefit.

Having higher intelligence meant having more mana. That meant being able to use skills more often, which meant he could raise skills that raised intelligence. Such a cycle was worth the grind.

Eventually, the nightmare ran out of time.

When Zach woke up on Earth, his body jerked as if he was still fighting. Once he collected himself, he checked his inventory and sighed with relief. The nightmare-inducing elixir had successfully crossed over with him.

[End Chapter 32]