After that, Arthur and Isla walked to the counter where they put all the tickets they earned on the table in front of a completely stunned worker. They looked at the mountain of tickets in complete shock.
‘S-So many… Didn’t they walk in here 20 minutes ago?!’ The man was unable to comprehend how the two were able to gather that many tickets in such a short period of time. It was completely ridiculous.
“We want something with these tickets,” Arthur said. “Are these enough for anything?”
‘Enough?!’ The worker almost had a heart attack hearing Arthur’s innocent question. ‘That’s more than I have ever seen in my life!’
“Ehem, y-yes! Of course! We have some good prizes for you!” The man nodded his head and quickly pulled all the tickets away. Before he walked to the back. “Which kind of gift do you want?”
“Uh, you can choose, Isla,” Arthur said.
“… What’s your best gift?” She asked after thinking for a moment.
“… Mm, our best is a 3D jigsaw puzzle of the ‘Angel Of Fate’.” The man said.
“Angel of Fate?”
“Yes, the angel who brings all the players into the Divine Realm. Do you want the puzzle?” He asked.
“…”
‘They really have a 3D figure of Fermen?’ Arthur blinked. ‘Interesting. I wonder why.’ He sighed inwardly, almost laughing at how weird it was.
“Sure, we will take that,” Isla replied. She didn’t seem aware of what Arthur had noticed.
“Of course!”
Grabbing the big box with the beautiful Angel drawn on it, the worker handed it to Isla. “Is that all?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Then, the two walked out of the arcade area. The worker stared at their backs silently, his mind wondering where these two came from.
With that, Isla and Arthur continued their trip all around the place, trying everything they had in mind. Time passed very quickly as Arthur completely forgot about all his worries. Everything that was bugging his mind vanished completely. He was smiling from ear to ear the entire time.
Even Isla, who didn’t seem that interested at first, got engrossed in it without realizing it. The two were having fun, spending time together, and simply playing around. There was no work, no threat, no responsibilities, just stress-free fun that gave them a breather from everything happening around them.
With that, several hours passed in a flash. The night cast its shadow on the entire city and the beautiful stars twinkled in the sky, decorating it like chandeliers.
“I think that should be our last ride,” Arthur said as he pointed at the large Ferris Wheel. “It should be a nice, slow ride.”
Isla nodded her head faintly as she followed him. The two entered into the cabin and sat down before the staff worker closed the door.
“Have a nice ride.” The lady said with a smile.
Then, the Ferris Wheel slowly started moving, bringing them up to higher altitudes. Slowly, a view of the entire city presented itself to them, like a shiny pearl in the darkness of the world.
“Woah… That’s a nice view.” Arthur muttered as he touched the window and looked outside. “The city is always beautiful at night.”
“Mm…” Isla nodded her head as she stared at the scenery silently, admiring it with her eyes.
A few moments passed just like that before Arthur sat down again and said. “Thank you for today, Isla. This was a lot of fun.” His smile was as genuine as it could’ve been.
“There is no reason to thank me.” Isla blinked. Whenever she sees that smile on Arthur’s face, she finds herself entranced by it. It was truly one of the mysteries that she couldn’t comprehend about this boy. Something about it was inherently beautiful and pure in an incomprehensible way, like seeing the light of the sun early in the morning, just radiant, pure, and warm.
“No, I really should thank you. I’m feeling a lot better now. I’m sorry for that sight earlier, I wasn’t in my best mindset.” He said.
“… Are you thinking clearer now?” She asked.
“Yes, I’m more aware now.”
“Then, you should be aware that all of your worries are unfounded. It was never your fault what happened. None of us will blame you for not being able to help. That doesn’t make you a bad friend or a useless person. When you helped us reach the capital inside the game, that was already something we could only wish to pay you back for.”
“Huh? I mainly did it for myself.” Arthur replied. He couldn’t understand how Isla was grateful for that when he himself was clear that he only did it because their goals aligned.
“That doesn’t change the fact that you helped us achieve something no other person had ever done. It is enough that we have the best player in the world as our ally. However, that won’t appear important now since the game is still in its earliest stages. In the future, you will become something great, Arthur.” Isla spoke, her eyes flashing with a myriad of emotions, all subtle and hidden.
“…”
“Your influence on the real world is bound to become greater and greater as time goes on. If that is what you wish for. Then, keep doing what you’re doing, climb higher, and then you will see the results.”
Looking down, Arthur nodded his head faintly. It was true, everything Isla said was correct. It was unreasonable to think his influence on the real world should’ve evolved as fast as his influence in the game. He had only entered the Divine Realm a few weeks ago and he was barely taking his very first steps in there. Rushing the results was only going to make him perform worse and lose his position.
‘… Then I would never be able to help them even if I could.’ Clenching his fists, Arthur came to a realization. He could never really rush anything, not even his own growth as a person or as a player. It all must come patiently.
“I will work hard. No, I will work harder than ever so that in the future, I will stand next to you and be able to do something when I have to.” He said as he looked up at his friend, his eyes filled with endless determination. That was not a mere promise, that was an oath on Arthur’s soul that he was going to become someone great. Someone who would never feel inferior when he stands next to Isla and the others.
Someone worthy of the ‘Number 1’ title.
Isla could read all those thoughts through his eyes and she could only smile slightly. That was exactly the look she wanted to see on Arthur’s face. “Good. I think our journey was fruitful then.”
“… Wait, you did all of this just to help me out of that state?” He asked in shock.
“Yes, and no.” She replied.
“Huh?”
“At first, my intentions were just to relieve your worries. But, after we went in… I started having fun myself. I didn’t expect going to the amusement park was this enjoyable of an experience.”
“Wait, you’ve never been here before?”
“No. This is my first time.”
“…” Find exclusive stories on empire
“But, it is something I would definitely love to do again in the future.”
As the Ferris Wheel reached the ground again and the door opened, Isla said. “Let’s visit this place again in the future. You and me.”
A//N: Don’t forget to give the book some golden tickets for good luck! :3