Various smells of delicious food assaulted Lotte's senses, rousing him to wake up.
Boisterous laughter and plates cluttering together can be heard around him. He wondered where in the world he was at that moment.
He opened his eyes, and his view was met with a scenery of festivity, with people moving about. Yet, the sun had not risen. The village started the day before sunrise, and people woke up to do their own duties, but not as early to the point that the sky was still dark.
The lanterns and torches burned vividly, making the village look charming. The light it brought made a scenery one would definitely imagine how a night festival would look.
He wondered what reason the village could have to celebrate, and then recalled that it was finally about time for him to step into adulthood.
Occasions like coming of age ceremonies in the village took place during the hours before sunrise. Just like how a new day will come, new members of the village will finally be able to contribute more in this secluded community. Lotte guessed that it's a symbolism that welcomes their growth.
Nevertheless, starting a celebration so early that the sun hasn't even risen was quite a peculiar tradition to Lotte even after all this time.
He looked at the pint of drink that somehow found its way in his hand.
Although he did enjoy similar drinks, he didn't particularly like the one they had in this village. So where did this mug come from? Who had given it to him? He would never decide to take it by himself.
It just doesn't have that cleanliness of the taste he was used to. This one was too murky and the odor was too 'rough' in his opinion.
But since it was a day to be celebrated he decided to drink from it.
An unpleasant sensation spread through his mouth to his nose, lacking the refreshment he used to feel when drinking cold beverages.
"Ugh…" He immediately regretted that. A plan to make his own beverages in the future came to mind because of this.
He discreetly spilled the rest into the ground and looked around him. Of course, there were only familiar faces he could see. There was one particularly boisterous group of people, in which he found his father, surrounded by his peers.
Upon coming over, he could hear a few topics of interest among them.
"Lotte's a man now Pierro! So, does he fancy any lucky girl?"
"Right! My daughters have been eyeing him for years!"
"Haha~! Y'all, let the man decide himself! Lots of ladies have been waiting for his day to come!"
Along with the sounds of laughter, were ridiculous conversations being held. It was something he never paid attention to, because he had no plan to stay and make a family in this village anyways.
"?"
But… That doesn't make any sense. Why would he not want to? To stay here? A family of his own…
Amidst Lotte's thoughts, his head throbbed, when suddenly a voice called out to him.
"Congratulations, Lotte."
He turned around to see a familiar face with a gentle and serene expression. His complexion was the same as ever, as if time had not gotten into him.
But, a cold sensation spread to his body, which he found odd. When facing others, Lotte tried his best to appear as calm as possible and keep his carefree attitude.
"Chief?"
Lotte didn't recall much interaction with him ever since that day. The day when he said something that really angered the chief.
And now there he was again, with a smile on his face rather than a distorted expression. He found it rather odd that after all these years, he found himself being congratulated by everyone. The first one to do so, at that.
Lotte felt a strange sense of deja vu.
"You've waited long enough. Today's finally the day you will 'truly' belong in this small village." The chief's eyes genuinely seemed happy, to the point that Lotte thought he was grinning.
He can no longer remember what words caused the chief's anger, but there was no harm in talking with him once again.
"Right… You're right, I've been waiting for this day chief. I'm grateful for everyone who prepared for this celebration!" It was true that this was a day he had been waiting for. Someone like him would want to be considered an adult as soon as possible, due to his own circumstances.
Just like he always had, he tried to give a favorable and polite response to the chief. But besides the chief, there was another person trailing behind him he was familiar with.
"Rugner?" A mutter escaped from his mouth. He recalled the man for their transactions of special items, and dish recipes that he had learned back from his previous world.
Just then, the chief frowned as he looked behind him briefly, and turned to Lotte reprimanding him.
"Hm? It's Mr. Rugner Lotte. Refer with this esteemed guest of ours with respect. He's been supplying our village the goods we would otherwise have difficulty to acquire."
'Goods?'
How had he not known of this? After all these years of transaction with Rugner, he actually had that much importance in the village? No wonder the food is always abundant and never runs out. He always found it strange that this village was more self-sufficient than it should be.
"Hey there Lotte. I haven't had the chance to tell you, but I've had a few exchanges with the chief sometimes. Of course, your bargaining chips are still the best, haha!" The only reason that their transaction worked, was Rugner's strange obsession with food.
"Since when Ru-.. Mr. Rugner?"
"Every winter, Lotte. The times are especially tough when it's ice cold everywhere."
Lotte inwardly cursed Rugner. To think that he and the chief actually had an interaction under his nose, it was careless for someone like him, a transmigrator.
But that's that. What other reason would he have to stop them from interacting? There's no reason for him to be angry… Or is there?
Then the chief whispered something to Rugner and they left him in a hurry just like that. Before he could even respond, he was left alone.
There was an inkling feeling in the back of his mind that an important detail was missing.
But he could not grasp it. It's like a memory on the verge of surfacing, but is unable to. Then his thoughts would fade away into something else with all the distractions around him.
Some unmarried ladies were already approaching him, asking for his plans, or whether he's going to build his own new house as he starts a new family.
He brushed them all off and came to his father who's now alone. Their gazes met, and his father gave a gentle smile while gesturing for him to seat by his side.
"Is it fun to be popular, Lotte?" There was a rare grin on his fathers face. A sight he wasn't used to, but a welcome one.
"Hah. It's troublesome." After all there was still a lot he had to do. And he didn't know if he was going to stay there forever.
But where would he go anyways?
"Look at you, all grown up, resembling your mother."
"Of course. Looks like, even her blood is stronger than yours."
"Haha, what a rascal you are." Even the rare hearty laugh from his father was heard. Most of the times, he was just a reticent and gentle kind of guy. But there was also a tinge of redness apparent to his complexion.
'Alcohol must've gotten to him.'
"It's been seven years, Lotte."
"Seven?"
"Yes. Ever since… Dahlia left us." His father switched from a cheerful tone, to a wistful one.
"If she saw you right now, she would surely be proud."
Lotte was sure that it would be the case. Although, there was guilt in the corner of his heart, due to the fact that he is actually not the owner of this body. He already wondered a few times where could've the original Lotte gone?
At the time he had just come from this world, he neither had any personal memories with 'this body's' mother, but understood that she was dearly loved by his father. And that although every night was painful for him for a while, he did his best to raise his daughters while also paying attention to him.
Since this day has come, there was a question he'd been meaning to ask his father.
"Say father… Are you still against my decision?"
His father wasn't someone who often spoke a lot. But the most often that he spoke is whenever they argued about what he wanted to do, and his reckless behaviors. Just like…
"Decision?" His father returned a puzzled look at him, "What would that be Lotte?"
"That's… nevermind." If he recalls correctly, today was something big. It is because he will finally be considered an adult. At least in this world's sense, then he could finally do what he wanted.
But
What did he want to be again?
What was there to expect upon adulthood?
It was time to decide. It was time to take action. But what exactly is it?
The celebration proceeded as Lotte thought hard about his muddled thoughts. There was singing, dancing, and he was invited to dance, to which he did while dazed.
They were all full of smiles and cheers.
But Lotte could no longer do the same. His heart started founding as he clutched his head, sneaking away from the rest of the people.
If he was quite unsure earlier, now he's definitely suspicious.
An unknown dread slowly crept up and embraced him from within. Cold sweat trickled in his back.
'Something is missing.'
And it was missing in a way that couldn't be more obvious. His memories were fragmented. If he had been any kid his age, he would just be brushing it off, but with his memories as a transmigrator, he knew that this might be a sign that he brushed with something rather dangerous.
How did he get there? Why didn't he remember anyone preparing for this celebration? What is the important decision he had to make upon coming of age?
What was he doing the day before all of this transpired? The last he remembered… Was following Saul into that forest and then… Her giving a necklace to him.
The necklace that made him and everyone who saw Saul think that he's a boy.
Fortunately, as part of the necklace's power, it recognized him and the methods of its use is imprinted in his mind.
The first condition was to grasp it in order to activate its effect.
The necklace gave the power to alter visual appearance and perception from anyone that perceived him.
Basically an illusion, draped over the wearer like a disguise or clothes. He didn't know why Saul had something like this, but he could take a few guesses that it might have come from his noble origins.
An incredible artifact like this could be dangerous if utilized correctly.
Second was the power to alter a memory of perception in a target's mind. The target has to be exposed from the necklace for a long time, and Lotte, who basically spent half of his everyday with Saul for two years was a prime target.
Lastly is the key to passing on this necklace… Importance. The condition was the importance of that person to the present owner.
Lotte recognized that fact. Should he encounter Saul in the future, will be the time to confront those feelings. But right now, there is an even more important matter.
He had suspicions that his memory had been tampered with. He didn't know how or why, but he probably realized it because… It wasn't enough. His memories as a transmigrator remained, and scenarios of memory tampering weren't lacking in most novels he consumed.
In fact, it was used to bring together major plot twists and developments.
In that case, just like the two years when he thought of Saul as a boy, he might be under the effect of another one right now. As for the culprit… He felt like he knew who it would be, but at the same time nothing comes to mind.
He felt… blindfolded. Realizing that something was wrong, but not knowing what is. It was hard to explain, but it must be an imperfect effect since he could still tell that there's something wrong.
But it was still disgustingly terrifying. Lotte hated this kind of magic the most, one where opponents had the power to mess with memories and thoughts. It's a trope he'd read more than he could count with his fingers.
In the end, they will be dealt with, but in reality, those kinds of magic and situations were the hardest and most complicated to deal with.
Fortunately or unfortunately, he had the necklace Saul left with him. If it could repress memories from a designated target… All he had to do was to do the opposite.
There was no such information when he got the necklace from Saul. But this necklace responds from 'will'. Then that's all he needed to know.
If all it takes for the necklace to activate is a tight grip and a will, then he has to try if it will listen to him and do the opposite, reversing whatever effect is on him.
Lotte firmly grasped that necklace. At first there was nothing. But gradually, he felt heat rising from it, just enough to make him aware that it was somehow responding. Without mana, he would be unable to activate it, and have to wait until the rays of moonlight appeared in order to charge it. Fortunately, there was just barely enough in the necklace.
"May I have your attention everyone!" It was the village chief, now standing on a simple podium. By his side was Rugner who looked at the villagers with an impassive expression.
As he waited for the crowd's silence, the chief coughed and spoke a simple sentence, "Today marks another important day for the village."
"Once again, we will welcome the new members of our family. Three boys, and one girl who will come of age for the month! And just as we always did, we celebrate that they safely grew up to reach a dependable age!"
Additions to the populace in this village were very important and celebrated due to the small population, especially so if a child reaches adulthood. They will be included to the contributing members of this village for the years to come. That's why every time someone comes of age, a celebration will take place.
Weddings in particular, meant that there will be another household that will start a family, and an appropriate land and support would be given by each family to help them be stable and self-sufficient.
While the chief delivered a speech that went through Lotte's ear to another, he focused on trying to control the necklace to reverse whatever tampered into his memories.
"But this day, we'll be doing something a little different than before. We will make our ties even more closer through. Though a ritual that will truly make 'all of us' a family together."
'Ritual?'
Lotte's ears perked at that word.
He didn't have a good feeling about the ritual that was about to take place. Usually if there's a celebration for those who will come of age, they will eat and dance, then finally introduce those who became an adult. Sometimes, couples would even be formed then and there, he had seen it a few times.
At this point, there was a realization that the chief might be the one behind his muddled memories. Upon that thought, Lotte felt a pang of pain in his head, making him dizzy.
His breath quickened as a few more memories came back to him. That the chief is a suspicious individual. That they met yesterday and the chief… Congratulated him.
And then it spiraled out of control.
Everything that had happened.
Every memory that had been repressed.
Unfolded into his head.
***
Lotte remembered almost stumbling, after the blue lights that took his family faded. They were no longer with him. Maybe they also stumbled to another place just like him.
He immediately realized that he was somewhere underground, or a place that didn't reach much light. There was a kind of scent, unique to those kinds of places. Something that smelled like a stale air that was left stagnant for a long time.
'It's an underground cell.' It was dark, but he could almost make out circular patterns beneath him with lingering blue light, and looking around, he found steel bars on one side of the room.
Lotte let out a sigh. Their way forward lead to a trap after all. It was different compared to the way Byrne and Saul left this village. It wasn't the portal that they used.
They just seemed to disappear out of thin air. He was wrong. And now, they were caught in the perpetrators trap.
There was only one person who could do something like this. Someone he suspected long ago. Had that person not been somewhat insane, he would've talked with him more, but the way he lashed out at him and that terrifying presence made him think otherwise.
He wasn't used to it at the time. He may be a transmigrator, and mentally older but he leads a normal life. He didn't know of killing intent. Only, in this village, and from Byrne did he get used to it. Perceiving it and knowing where it comes from.
Light and slow steps echoed the dungeon, and a silhouette slowly approached his cell.
There was no surprise, and neither exclamation in his voice. They were bound to face each other like this someway or another.
The chief, as usual, had that gentle and serene gaze. Like the image that the people thought of him as a benevolent leader and kind old man.
Perhaps that might be his true nature.
But it's unfortunate that he did not take too kindly on Lotte's desires.
"I'm disappointed Lotte." It was the first words that came from his mouth. There was a slight sadness and a sigh in his tone, but no denial in his words.
The chief he had been so afraid of had finally started baring his fangs. The problem was, he was already halfway caught in it.
"I thought that… You had finally stopped with your delusions. Seeing you stayed put and behaved as those outsiders left."
If he didn't know the type of character the chief is, Lotte would've been convinced that he was really disappointed.
But he already knew long ago… That the chief was a bit strange when it comes to matters regarding the outside. The lengths at which he goes through in order to keep everyone else from thinking about going outside was nothing short of an obsession.
He knew that the chief was his final 'obstacle' he needed to overcome in order to go out. However, he was still unsure how to properly deal with this enemy in front of him.
"Hah… Well, I'm just not fit for a simple village life, chief." He responded with a smile and a little bit of jest, "I'm more of a city boy, I guess." Was he hoping to convince the chief? Of course not. He was just trying to lighten up the damned mood.
Since his father and sisters was caught too, there was no point in denying anything anymore. He needed some time to figure out where his family might be, and also to know the chief's intentions.
"Simple? For that shallow reason?" The chief repeated the words with a steady tone,"If it's a simple life you fear… Then there is no need to be worried Lotte."
"You see…Lotte, I've known that you were special. From the moment that you took your first book, right after your mother had taken her last breath."
'What?' Lotte wondered if his blatant disregard of acting his age made the chief think of him as some sort of child prodigy.
"A tenacity like no one else's. Curiosity that dared go against the elder's teachings. And audacity to break a taboo in the village as a dream. You were strange in more ways than one Lotte."
The chief listed out all of his peculiar behavior. His desire to learn how to read and write, to train his body, learn how to wield weapons at such a young age and finally…
"Perhaps. It's because half your blood came from the outside. But your intelligence compared to your peers is vastly superior. Alas…"
"Your dreams, we're just as outrageous."
"Outrageous? How so?" Lotte held the steel bars tight with some force, making it rattle. While he was already caught, he still hasn't given up yet. So far, there were no signs that the chief planned to kill him.
He admitted it. That he was quite the tenacious guy. If it weren't for that tenacity, he would've long settled into the peaceful life he led in this village. Unfortunately, his desire to go home was still the same as it was when he first came here.
Unless he finds something much more worthwhile in this world… That fact isn't going to change anytime soon.
Especially if it's the world of a novel led by tragedy.
"If I stay in this village then what? I'll grow up, surrounded by grass and trees, which will be the only world I know of?" He was bound to leave this place. The story will dictate it. No, he will unless he wants to stay here forever.
In novels he read, the protagonists that got sent into another world always followed a set goal or storyline that will lead them to home. It must be the same for him. So he will grit his teeth and get through this at all cost.
"Why do we have to put up with that taboo, chief?" The reasoning he had heard so far was that there is danger outside. And that tragedy will befall the village upon breaking that taboo.
"Haven't you had enough? Old traditions will be broken in due time chief, it won't last forever." The chief may be set in his ways, but words have a way of worming themselves in.
"It's about time that this village ventured outside. Just look at Rugner, chief. As you said, the village benefited greatly from his presence. More people like him will help the village, so that it doesn't become stagnant." Rugner had said that it was thanks to him that the village was able to stand on its own during winter. Every winter even.
"Even the outsiders you use to steer clear of. I saw how that old man annihilated creatures that looked like monsters." Lotte recalled how Byrne wielded his blade gracefully and the silver trail that it left, slashing through unseen monsters. Beings that never appeared here before.
"There are people out there, chief. People who can offer so much more than what we have in this village." But the chief only stared at him silently. He didn't know if that meant that his words came across him, but it was the best that he could try at the moment when he's the one being held.
"That!" The chief spat out in a rather raised voice.
"That exact idea will destroy this village Lotte!" He had the same look all those year ago, back when he saw the chief as just an old but wise man. He thought that the chief of all people would understand him.
"Do you not see? Ever since outsiders… Ever since someone attempted to leave! It all started because of one puny man with an undeserved dream…" His steady and calm voice turned roughed and wrathful, with each word distorting his expression, "Lotte. Stay where you are." Noticing that his calm had been disrupted, the chief clutched his head.
"Do not be greedy and dream of something you cannot have." To him, Lotte's boundaries as someone who hailed from the outside but was born in this village, should be within this village.
"You do not even know what lies in the world out there." But the chief knew that somewhere out there, cruel bastards that sealed off this village, like a world within a painting, must still exist somewhere.
"What makes you think that you will find what you want when you leave?" He thought that all Lotte wanted was freedom because of his ambition. Because he thought he was special, and he was unlike the kids his age. And that he was even exceptionally smart compared to everyone.
To him, this was a kid that was trying to chew more than what he could.
"What do you even want out there? Tell me, Lotte." Still, he asked, for whatever this kid desired, he might be able to provide and finally stop this madness.
"If even I could not leave… What makes you think that you deserve to?" Alas, before he could hear any response, his emotion had gotten into him. The chief was reminded of his younger days. Back when just like him, he wanted to leave this village.
Thinking that this world was too small for someone like him.
The chief spat his words in a fit of agitation as he stared at Lotte.
"The outside is far more cruel than you think Lotte. Out there, someone like you, will be torn and shred pieces to pieces. The people who cast us away here are cruel like you've never seen before." To him, the cruel bastards that imprisoned his ancestors here, which in turn imprisoned him here were the representation of evil.
They were offered in the hands of the indifferent 'Overseer' that came and went, taking villagers like cattle. Without any power to resist. Gradually they became fewer and fewer.
"But here in this village, we are all safe, away from those bastards." But those times were long past, the 'Overseer' had left and was replaced by someone else. Someone controllable unlike the previous one. Someone who didn't take any offered 'lambs'.
"They won't be able to reach us. Just a little bit more… A little bit more and I would be able to truly make this place safe from the rest of the world." The chief had a plan. The population may be small, but if the villagers cooperate and follow his plan.. They can rise. They can just produce as many offsprings as possible.
"I need someone like you for that Lotte, the cooperation of a smart kid like you will make everything easier." As much as he wanted to leave Lotte out of his plan, a kid like him would be a foundation for the future, and a capable collaborator.
A kingdom would be impossible to achieve in his lifetime.
But a clan, following his teachings would be possible. He can build it here, and leave his legacy for years to come.
"You see, someone like you could lead this village into greatness! You can be the leader of all this people!" He knew that being the leader would not suit him once that happens. Hence, he needed someone like Lotte, a kid who can so persistently push his ideals even against all disagreements.
"I can help you achieve that. We can rule our own world Lotte! A safe one without any crimes or war! Without any hunger and hardship." He had read of those in the books before, in which he burned them afterward. The people here in this village only need to know of peace after all.
In his perfect world, everyone will live in prosperity and peace.
"We just need to seal this place. To never let anyone else inside." Although it was unfortunate, anyone from the outside is a variable that he could not control. After all, their blood wasn't yet recorded in the book. As for Lotte though…
"And with you, and whoever and how many spouses you want, you can have them all!" He could use him as leverage. To spread and thin away at the cursed blood of the people here, or maybe just bind him in this place. His origins were clearly of something formidable judging from his capabilities.
Lotte was silent, having listened to the chief's full thoughts. There was a lot that he gained from all that rambling. But he needed just a bit more information from him.
"… What about Rugner? How can you explain his existence?" Lotte asked a rather difficult question to answer for the chief.
"Hah, you do not know anything. That man is not someone we can touch, but he will be of help to us."
Lotte winced at that revelation. The chief seemed to trust Rugner a fair bit and is convinced that his existence is not a problem.
"But he goes against that very dream of yours. Did you forget? That he can still leave and enter this village as he pleases."
The chief remained silent seemingly in deep thought.
"… He never did Lotte. He never left the village. And never had to." With a deadpan expression the chief revealed a confusing truth about Rugner.
"What do you mean? How do you explain his wares? And his guards?" Upon uttering that question, realization dawned on Lotte. If there is an existence of a golem in this place, then those soldiers…
"Golems?"
"You know about those things?…" Once again, he marveled how Lotte knew an information that he shouldn't have even heard of. Clearly there was something special with this child, who seemed to have knowledge beyond what he's ever seen in this village.
"Close, but no. Those were puppets. Made from previous villagers back when our Overseer were still around."
The truth spoken by the chief made him shudder. All those times, he had been walking among dead people? Dead people turned into puppet soldiers?
"That is the buried truth of the village Lotte. Answering that question is already an immense show of how much I can trust you." With an ever so faint smirk the chief continued, "If the people in the village knew of this, chaos would ensue. They would want to leave even more, afraid of Rugner and his puppets."
"But there's no need to worry. Rugner is different from the 'Overseer'. In time, as the village grows in power, we can even defeat him."
"Do you understand now Lotte? Are you just going to leave all these people? These opportunities? Take this chance, and let's make this village a world to prosper."
'… Well, shit. Ain't he a convincing bastard?'
Lotte wanted to convince the chief into releasing him and stopping this madness, but what he spoke of wasn't something that can be conjured on a whim. It must've been a long time ago since his ambition was formed.
'It still doesn't change that he is batshit crazy though.'
Lotte knew that what the chief wanted was a controlled utopia and not a prosperous community. And he wanted nothing to do with that ambition of his. Had he been the person he was when he transmigrated here, he would just leave and run away from this place. Too bad for him, there was quite some people he grew attached to.
The village needs to be freed. Just as his father said, they don't deserve to be stuck in this place forever, stagnant and unchanging. Especially when there's a bigger world to see out there.
"Alright."
So he played along.
"I agree with your plan."