Chapter 68: The Unexpected Date [Part-1]

The evening sky stretched wide as the sun dipped low, casting a warm orange glow across the entire nation. The vibrant markets opened for the night, and people started to bustle through the colorful streets. There was no special occasion in Arclight City today, but the atmosphere remained incredibly lively, and crowds swarmed the walkways.

Two figures walked along the street, side by side, maintaining a respectable distance—not too close, but not too distant either.

The atmosphere between them was warm, saved only by the distant shouts of playing children and the casual bickering of passing citizens.

Alden walked forward at a steady pace. He wore casual clothes that were not too flashy and not too stiff. His face, however, was expressionless, making him look like he had been forcibly dragged out of his room.

Beside him walked a red-haired girl with bright emerald eyes. Syrene wore a simple, elegant dress, and while her face appeared calm on the outside, nobody knew what was truly going on inside her mind.

They walked around in silence, but inside Alden’s mind, a chaotic conversation was brewing with frustration.

’Sigh... This is all because of you. Why did you call me back? I was lazing around in my own space, and now I have to face this embarrassing moment again.’

{Hey, do not blame this on me! Besides, I am not fond of meddling in trouble, and this right here is a massive pile of trouble. Make sure to keep your distance from her! I do not want any more drama after I take the body back.}

{Hey, walk properly! You are walking like you are drunk!}

Alden looked around, trying to straighten his posture and walk properly. He was not used to controlling the body like this anymore, but he had to get used to it for the evening.

’Hey, Azrael, what are you hiding? What were you thinking about earlier? What was this quest? is something else the matter?’

{Stop thinking about non-essential things! It is just that after this little date is finished, I am going to unlock many new powers!}

’...’

’Forget it. I would rather not listen to your nonsense.’

{Hey, I am telling you the truth!}

Alden ignored Azrael and kept walking beside Syrene. ’Azrael’ was the real name of the transmigrated soul currently sharing his body, a name the original Alden learned after reading the new soul’s old memories. Yet, for some reason, he could not read his current thoughts.

{Hey, there is something I want to ask. Do you remember how my parents look? And what about my past world?}

’Yeah, why do you ask? I can just see them daily in my head, enough to get tired of it. You were quite a bastard back then, but your story is not as sad as mine. Not that we are competing over who had it worse anyway.’

{...}

Syrene looked sideways, catching the slight shifts in Alden’s features and noticing his internal struggle.

"I am sorry if I dragged you out here today, even after you made your boundaries clear last time..."

Alden finally snapped back to his senses and looked at her. His expression did not change, but he gave a small nod.

"It is alright. But was there a specific reason you wanted to call me out to talk?"

Syrene pursed her lips and looked away, staring straight ahead at the road. She seemed to be considering whether she should reveal her secret or keep it hidden.

"Yeah... There is something I want to tell you. It is not about me, but about Alicia."

Alden tilted his head, looking at her while trying to decipher what she was hinting at.

"About her? Why tell me, then? What is it that you want to say?"

A brief silence fell between them as they entered the bustling market district. Different stores lined the streets, and energetic shopkeepers called out to the crowds, trying to sell their colorful goods.

"Because I noticed she has been attaching herself to you lately. So I wanted to warn you about something..."

She turned to look at him fully, her expression firm and serious.

"I will tell you a little later when we are returning. Let’s not spoil the good mood right now."

Alden looked at her, feeling somewhat tense, and nodded in agreement.

{...}

They continued their walk through the vibrant market. Syrene soon stopped in front of a small jewelry stall, her eyes scanning a display of handmade bracelets with intricate designs.

"Do you remember? You once bought a similar one for me on my birthday when I was seven years old."

Alden looked at the woven bracelets and replied with a calm, honest tone.

"I did not buy it. I requested a shop lady to teach me how to make it, and then I crafted it myself before giving it to you as a gift."

Syrene looked surprised by his honesty. She had been genuinely clueless about that detail until he admitted it just now.

"Oh... That is why it had quite a weird shape. But thankfully, I saved it in a safe place, afraid that I would lose it."

She chuckled softly, a genuine sound, as she selected a beautifully woven bracelet and bought it—not for herself, but for him.

"If you don’t mind wearing it... I will not force you, of course."

Alden looked down at the band. He sighed internally, picked it up, and slid it onto his wrist. Syrene’s face lit up with a bright smile the moment he put it on. She clearly did not expect him to agree so easily.

She turned around and resumed walking, letting Alden follow her lead. She slowed her steps, making sure he could match her pace.

Soon, she spotted a new stall—a cozy pastry shop. She walked toward it, gesturing for him to come along. She selected a few sweet pastries, and the shopkeeper arranged them on a small wooden table. They both sat down opposite each other.

Syrene picked up a small fork, cut a pastry into bite-sized pieces, and started eating with a gentle smile on her face.

Alden watched her smile. For some strange reason, his heart ached seeing her like this. He knew she was just trying to pull him closer again; she was trying hard to melt his heart.

"Syrene...."

She looked up mid-bite, tilting her head as she waited for him to speak.

"You know that this moment is only temporary."

Her warm smile finally broke, and she calmed her expression into something much more somber.

"Yeah... You do not have to repeat the same thing again. I already know that. But it does not change the fact that I still care about you. I know from your perspective, I might look like a terrible person who betrayed you, only to come crawling back now to erase the years of pain you suffered alone."

She set her fork down.

"I will not ask you to give me a chance that I do not deserve anymore. I am sorry."

"I already told you, there is no need to tell me sorry anymore. I know you did not hurt me deliberately. There must have been some underlying reason."

Syrene’s fingers clenched into tight fists as she looked at him.

"I... I was told you were going to die."