Allen’s gaze turns towards her, what did she mean by all of this…?

“What?”

“Exactly what are you hiding from me?”

With an innocent expression that seemed to say, “I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lucy returned the look Allen gave her.

“I’m not hiding anything from you~”

“Then do you love me?” Allen frowned.

As soon as those words went out, Allen’s heart inexplicably began to race.

This felt completely different from before…

As Allen listened to his question, he suddenly… felt his heart stir and flutter.

Oh, Heaven.

Allen, you’re not starting to have wild fancies about Lucy, are you? …

Allen’s heart was filled with suspicion but also with a hint of… expectation.

“Hah?!” Hearing this, Lucy couldn’t hold it anymore and her eyes wide as it could be. Even her mouth turned ‘O’ in shock.

What? What did he say?

“Why did you say that?” Lucy, not really understanding what Allen was trying to say, looked over at him with a puzzled expression.

“There are only two reasons why a woman would be so nice to a man she only a met a few times. One, she was interested in you and two, she has her motives. Which are you?”

And with that, Allen sauntered away…

“… …”

Lucy stared uncomprehendingly for a moment before suddenly realizing what he wanted to say.

That is right. She seemed to become very hasty.

In the third point of view, all her actions would be very suspicious… Her shock softened and her lips turned up in a smile.

“Don’t think too much…” she started. “Don’t read too much. Let’s just say, all of my actions are preparing you for what comes in your future.”

“Future?”

“That’s right.” Lucy smiled unconcernedly. “My old friend, Allen. Although I can’t say anything at least I can tell you this.

You are chosen… and favored. Coming here is a proof of that!

If this is a story, a novel, then you would be the protagonist covered by plot armor. Your destiny will be above that of others.

You ‘can’t’ be defeated, of course, your victories are not certain either. This is real life and not a piece of a novel.

…remember, it’s ‘can’t’ not ‘won’t’…”

“…is that because I was transported to this world?” Allen frowned. He was a little disappointed but his curiosity becomes even stronger. Why is he the one who is chosen?

"───Why, am I a chosen?"

He casually voiced a natural question.

".................."

It's only natural if you think about it. Allen doesn't have a single thing that would let him be chosen or favored by any God.

“…I also have a friend who is transported like me…is she also a chosen?”

Lucy shook her head. “Actually, that’s not probable. Just because you are transferred to another world doesn’t mean you are chosen. Maybe you were just caught up or maybe, some God did it because they don’t have any choice.”

“…In order for the world to avoid its imminent fate, some people who are able to give the Gods some impression would be sent there to try changing its fate…though there is still an exception.”

“Gods…then why did you say I’m a chosen? How are you so sure that I’m a chosen? What is a chosen, anyway?” Allen’s brow furrowed.

“Too many questions…anyway, let’s just say it like this. Did you meet a God before?”

“No. I never met them…at least that’s what I remember.”

“Did someone strange appeared in your dreams…like saying ‘You are mine’ or something? Or maybe words like ‘You will save the world…”

Looking at the foolish expression on his face, Lucy let out a sigh… “… Okay, you didn’t. That’s pretty understandable expression~”

Did I make a mistake…? Lucy furrowed her brows.

"─── From your words and expression were I chosen by chance....?" Lucy changes didn't bypass Allen's eyes.

Lucy frowned and after a short moment of silence, she let out a sigh. "Yeah. I can't think of anything else. If you didn’t meet God then you’re possibly not a Chosen. The only conclusion why you are here might be just a coincidence or possibly something like a will of the world without a God’s guidance, but to be chosen through something incomprehensible like that......If it has to be given a name, it must be Fate." Lucy answered honestly without hiding any word. At this time, she doesn’t see anything need to conceal.

There can be no other adequate explanation for it.

Then, this is the correct answer.

Hmm - came an indifferent reply. Allen acted as if it was someone else's problem.

It was a calm answer that didn't curse the fate that probably controlled his whole life.

Since the very beginning, Allen was never really interested in being a chosen or not. Even if he isn’t favored by God, that is fine. He doesn’t have any expectation in them anymore. Those beings who only know how to watch and not do anything…

In the first place, the circumstances around him were trivial to him. No matter the circumstances, the fact that he managed to return in this time was by no means fake and something he needed to be grateful for!

Something like being a Chosen is not important and could be said to be just a shackle for him!

It's not like he doesn't like Gods but his hope for them have already disappeared even before...

As Allen was contemplating, suddenly he remembered something.

“But if you say dream, then I had… I guess?”

“Hm?”

“… …”

When I was a kid, I guess it should be the same. This world and that world, I should have the same dream.

Allen put his hand on his chin as if remembering something nostalgic.

In that dream… I fell in love.

Did that count as my first love?

No, wait, forget that. That shouldn’t be the case!

But…wait, no it happened long before the Apocalypse…

“…Excuse me? What dream?”

“N, no. It’s nothing. That doesn’t count! It happened before the Apocalypse…”

“Huh? What do you mean? Maybe that’s the one?” Lucy’s eyes sparkled.

“No, that’s impossible. It’s not just one dream… it's dreams. It’s more like memories, memories I don’t know if it’s real or not.

Maybe it was just my own delusions but I think it’s not what you think it was.”

But those dreams are extremely strange. Allen added inside his mind.

“… …”

Defeated by Lucy's gaze, Allen let out a sigh and started, “…it was a dream about a girl inside a very, very dark castle filled with bones and dead bodies. She’s around 8 – 9 years old. She was alone there sitting on a huge tattered bed…it’s not a very good dream… so I don’t think that it’s what you’re talking about…”

……

Lucy’s face became strange but it was only for a very short moment. Letting out a sigh, she said very quietly, as if she was afraid someone would hear her “I would never have thought…”

Then, there were a few seconds of silence.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing…” Lucy returned her smile. “Please forget about that… anyway, if what you said is true then you need to be careful.”

“Huh? Is she some Goddess? A troublesome Goddess?” Allen was not quite sure that was what she was saying.

“… …” Lucy shook her head with a bitter smile. “…Don’t think about it too much.”

Without being able to read Lucy’s thoughts, Allen’s confusion only intensified.

No wonder you are able to survive for a long time…

Lucy only smiled. Even if she were to explain, there was no way Allen would understand, and she also didn’t have any intention of explaining. She’s more than just troublesome…

She took the tray with 5 silver crystals on it. “Now choose. Don’t think about it too much. Thinking about it wouldn’t do you any good… just try hard to become strong and survive.”

“… …”

“These are Special-Crystals…well this would be like gambling. Whatever you pick, all of it relies on your luck. Even I don’t know about the things inside of these crystals…some would be useless and some would certainly be especially strong and useful.

Come on, take a pick…”

Filled with questions, Allen nodded his head and extends his hand to grab one of the crystals.

The night was like a huge blanket covering the whole world.

Whether it was people or monsters, all of them started to keep their silence as if showing piety to the sovereign of the night.

--- ---

In an empty room.

In a pitch dark room, thick curtains covered the windows, blocking the rays of the sun. There is no slightest light, but it has a stream-clear voice overflowing from the entire room.

“Aaaah… what is that human doing now…I wonder~”

Fufufu… Ahahahaha

The voice is a like droplet of water dripping in a lake, throwing ripples in the calm. It appeared like a pearl in a jade plate and the mildest of tone letting people sigh for sweet-sounding.

“Fufufu, now that I’ve become a true queen, I need someone to be with me~ he hehe, that someone has to be with him. That’s right, it has to be!”

The dark silhouette in the middle of the room that resembles a human but had wings similar to that of a butterfly laughed in a sweet voice yet if one could hear it, they would certainly feel Goosebumps crawling on their skins.

The figure couldn’t be seen clearly because of the darkness covering her like a blanket and only the compounded eyes shining like stars but have similarity alike common wild beast, luminously staring at the corner of the room... as if wanting to steal something, desiring something.

“For him to be one of ‘them’, it’s no wonder he knows of me but that also makes him special~” The voice spoke as if she was enjoying herself.

Thinking about that particular human who caught her attention, she had made a couple of guesses before but now, it seems like it’s even above her imagination.

“Fufufu, it’s been days already. Haa~ I need to get it!” the silhouette clenched his pale beautiful hands.

“Is there something wrong? My queen.”

The silhouette casually flashed a glance on the side; she didn’t turn her head but keep on continuing staring at a corner.

“My queen…” The voice repeated.

“Thumbeline, find that human for me and bring him to me. This beetle will help you…”

A small lady bug flew from the silhouette’s hand and then to the figure behind her.

“A human?” A displeased voice.

“Shut up and just listen. Don’t touch him. Don’t hurt him. Don’t ever do anything to him and just bring him to me.”

Overpowering, denial is unacceptable.

"...Understand?!"

Crossing her leg, that silhouette just like that of royalty. Overbearing!

“If he won’t listen?”

“……”

“… …”

“Tie him up without hurting him.” The silhouette gave a simple response.

“… …”

“…Oh right, if some pests hovered around him… kill them all.” Her eyes showed a hungry desire. Those eyes similar to that of a beast which looking for prey.

From the way of her queen spoke, the figure could understand one thing for sure, “…Do you desire for that human?”

“… You are right, fall for it, in addition, I have totally madly fallen for it.” The silhouette called queen spoke bluntly without euphemism. Her lips and tongue warm up, she becomes so excited that her wings trembled violently and almost started flapping.

The silhouette pressed her forehead. Nowadays, every time she thought of that ‘little’ human, her heart can no longer be calm like before. Especially the moment she had learned of the truth!

From time to time, she’ll think, where was that human now and what was he doing …… really frightening.

The figure helplessly shuddered. Usually, the things that make her queen get attracted would not have any good ending, this time she really doesn't know what will happen, “…Humans abhor us.”

“Did you think I care?” Her slender finger stroking her own lips.

“So then?”

“Finding him, making him stay even if he didn’t like is the most important. Let him fight his fate till he got tired. And in the end, he will stay for me. Ahahahahaha He will live for my sake and he will never, ever betray my love…Ahahahahaha”

“… …”

“Thumbeline, you know that I am the type of a selfish creature.” In the faint voice, it surely has hidden an implicit meaning. “So that, the thing I like, as long as it belongs to me, solely it will do.”

That human, she wants to solely make him hers…only hers!

Being a queen is not worth it compared to that interesting ‘human’.

--- ---