“Go ahead,” said Gaius. “After all, I too would be surprised if someone who is pretty much a target of the great gods showed up on your shores. Still, what exactly am I famous for? I never really got around to understanding that part.”

“Well, the Human God has issued a decree. He is seeking you out. Apparently, you were the one who destroyed the Divine Ladder, the South’s Altar of Gods and the East’s Takamagahara. You were too obvious; you were using the very weapon that destroyed the Altar of Gods.” The Oracle giggled. “Of the five Divine Pillars, you alone destroyed three. Your name is already recorded in the Octantis Book of World Records, and it’s an impassable record too.”

“That is not really reassuring. At all.” Gaius sighed. “Look, will you believe me if I said it was an accident and I didn’t mean to do any of these three at all?”

“On a personal basis, I’ll believe you,” said the Oracle. She brushed a few stray strands of hair away from her face. “But the North does not, and will not. We need a hero, after all.”

“I’m quite sure my actions resulted the descent of the great gods,” said Gaius. “Not sure how’s that a good thing.”

“A whole bunch of weakened great gods,” said the Oracle. “That girl earlier…she was one of those who killed the God of Water, no? Peace will return to the Eastern Territories, now that there’s no more conflict there.”

“Or the Human God might just destroy it anyway,” Gaius said.

“That will not happen,” Galina replied, a smile on her face. “I checked it myself. The Eastern Territories were still standing when I looked into next week. Alright, a couple of questions. What do you intend to do in the North?”

“To live a peaceful life,” Gaius replied. “As far as possible, I’m now a pacifist.”

“You.” She arched an eyebrow. “A pacifist. I shall not debate with you the accuracy of that term. Why have you made such a resolution?”

“I made a promise,” said Gaius.

“Very well. For some reason, I find myself believing you. Do you intend to cause any trouble in the North?” Galina asked.

“Not without a reason, at least,” Gaius answered. “After all, to not retaliate when attacked is simply asking for it. I don’t need random people coming up and roping me into their little schemes.”

“I see.” She closed her eyes. Once again, Gaius could sense the odd power emanating off her, but a second later, her face paled. A trickle of blood escaped her lips, and she looked at the boy, disbelief in her face.

“I know I told him that I couldn’t, but even when face to face…” She smiled grimly. “You’re already out of this world’s fate. Even people like us are still tied to Orb, despite our origins, but you are one of the special cases. Looks like birds of a feather flock together.”

“Out of this world’s fate?” Gaius asked. “And what birds?”

She mulled for a moment. “There are things I cannot say, that I cannot reveal. You too probably already know of this too.”

Gaius knew what she was talking about. She was referring to the censor that kicked in whenever Nexus wanted to say something like the secrets of Orb. It would seem that his current status was something similar.

“Therefore, let me resort to metaphors and analogies. After all, it is conventional wisdom to avoid drawing the wrong attention.” She cleared her throat. “If this world is a canvas, you would be the brush, altering the art on it. But who…is the painter?”

The boy thought through her words, and then got up from his chair. “Out of the frying pan, and into the fire, eh?”

“But who is the cook?” The Oracle nodded at him in farewell. “Be well, Lost Star. I cannot see past a certain year. But maybe, just maybe, my Skill won’t fail me in the end.”

The two locked gazes for a moment, and then Gaius left the table. The banquet hadn’t started yet, but the gentle symphony that was echoing throughout the Herrlich Hall was beginning to slow down. Nakama had learned how to dance, and was moving in tandem with Isabelle, led on by a regular beat and rhythm. The men that Gaius had spotted earlier were still exchanging whispers amongst themselves, but evidently, none had dared to strike up a conversation.

It would seem that the boy wouldn’t need to step in and forcefully dissuade anyone from being overly-aggressive. Gaius didn’t mind normal, polite interactions — in fact, he was hoping for one or two to happen — but this was another extreme altogether.

Smiling wryly to himself, Gaius watched them dance idly, listening to the weakening music. A fragrance that the boy couldn’t quite put a finger on had permeated the air, and after a few minutes, waiters began to push carts into Herrlich Hall.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” said a mellow voice, loud enough for everyone to turn their heads to the stage, “I hope you’re enjoying this evening so far! The Pinnacle will be arriving in a few minutes for his address.”

Gaius turned to look at the emcee, who was stepping off the stage, and felt his face cramp up slightly. The emcee was Pinnacle Kolya himself, if he didn’t guess wrongly. He had removed his monocle, made some minor alterations to his face…but the boy was pretty sure that the Pinnacle had just announced his own arrival.

The man was indeed quite the eccentric ruler.

The boy suppressed a grin as Nakama and Isabelle walked over to him. The former had realised that too, judging from the odd looks she gave at the stage, but Isabelle was still unaware for some reason.

“How was the dance, Isabelle?” Gaius asked.

“It’s been some time since I had one, but it was rather pleasant,” Isabelle replied. “Nakama picked it up quickly; she has a talent in this area.”

“She has a talent for everything,” the boy corrected. “In studying, in sculpting, and now in dancing. Right?”

Nakama blinked twice, and smiled. Isabelle produced a handkerchief. Wielding it expertly, she began to dab at Nakama, who had some small beads of sweat on her face.

Gaius yawned, and turned to the entrance. A drumroll had started, and everyone’s eyes were drawn to the young man walking through it. Pinnacle Kolya raised his hand, looking at everyone present with a pleasant smile on his face, and in the next instant, chaos broke out.

The turbulent shouts turned into regular chanting of his name. It took a while before he stepped onto the stage, whereupon he pulled out a few flowers from nowhere, and started his speech.

“Honoured guests, a very good evening to you! I hope everyone’s enjoying the ball so far; I sure had my own share of fun! There isn’t going to be much of a speech today; I’m just here to show you my handsome visage!”

Everyone laughed, and even Gaius found himself stifling a chuckle.

“And now, for a bit more fun…I’ll be in disguise, and will mingle amongst you all five minutes after I leave this stage. If you can find me, I’ll dance with you!” He paused. “For even more fun, my Oracle is also already within the crowd, disguised! If you can find her…well, I ordered her to have a dance with whoever found her first!”

The crowd bubbled with excitement.

“And now, without further ado, let the games begin!” He bowed, and his figure vanished like smoke. At the same time, the orchestra began to play with renewed fervour, and the waiters began to unload the dishes en masse.

The night was now in full swing, but the only thing the three wanted was to…eat. In silent accord, they moved to the nearest table and began to shovel some dishes onto their plates.