Chapter 948 Night Time Talk
It was the dead of night, and sleep eluded me. My body felt fatigued, but the embrace of slumber remained elusive. Despite my earnest attempts to find rest, the sandman seemed to have deserted me, and I hadn't even consumed any coffee.
"What's wrong with me? I used to sleep so easily," I muttered, rising from my bed.
Since drowsiness refused to grace me with its presence, I decided to step outside for a breath of fresh air.
The resident Spirit servants had concluded their duties for the night, leaving only the vigilant Spirit Guards, poised to respond to any nocturnal emergencies.
"Can't sleep?" one of the Spirit Guards inquired as I descended the stairs.
"No, I'm going to give relaxation outside a try, and see if it induces drowsiness," I replied.
"How about accompanying the boss? She's also outside the mansion, attempting to find a remedy for her sleeplessness."
Renatta couldn't sleep? Well, that was unusual. She used to sleep like a log back on Earth.
"Alright, I'll try to find her," I decided.
Stepping outside, the chill of the alien air brushed against my skin. It felt different, not as bone-chilling as Earth's cold, but rather a soothing sensation. It didn't induce shivers but gently raised my body temperature to a more comfortable level.
As I wandered around, I spotted Renatta sitting on a garden bench, her gaze fixed on the bright white moon above. She was sipping from a mug, perhaps milk or tea to calm her nerves.
She noticed me and called out, "Hey, Manato! Over here!"
I joined her, taking a seat. She extended a thermos filled with the same drink she was enjoying, which turned out to be hot milk, offering me some.
"Do you want a drink?" she inquired.
I shook my head. "No, I'm not a fan of milk."
"What a shame," she sighed, taking another sip from her mug.
"Can't sleep?" I asked.
"Yeah," she admitted. "It's still taking some time for me to adjust to sleeping in my own quarters. It doesn't feel quite like home yet."
"Miss the comfort of Earth?" I inquired.
"Yeah," Renatta replied. "The contrast is staggering, Manato. Even though I only spent a few years with you and the others on Earth, it's a stark contrast to the security and peace I find there, unlike the unease that plagues my slumber in this world. It's like that feeling has grown alien, making sleep uncomfortable. Maybe I just miss having someone beside me, like Rika. Without her, it's hard to catch a wink."
"You've grown too accustomed to Earth's comfort, and now, the return feels different," I mused. "I can relate; the contrast is undeniable. But it seems there's more on your mind that's keeping you awake."
Renatta chuckled nervously. "What do you mean?"
"Let me guess, you're anxious about tomorrow's raid, right?"
As I uttered those words, Renatta involuntarily gulped, sipping the last of her milk.
"I suppose I hit the mark."
"Hah, you're sharper than I thought. Who wouldn't be nervous? We're about to confront my parents and rectify their actions in this kingdom. If not for them, this place wouldn't be in such turmoil, and I might not despise being a princess as much."
"It seems your nerves are getting to you, and it's probably because you're unsure about what might happen during tomorrow's raid, right?"
"That's one concern. Given my parents' nature, things could get messy if they decide to act up. Even with my grandparents leading the way, our raid won't be a smooth ride. They might even escalate to the point where they no longer care, despite my grandparents trying to reason with them."
Although it may not be directly related to tomorrow's raid, I wanted Renatta to be informed about the knowledge I had regarding one of the weapons I've been searching for.
"Hey, there's some information I've gathered, but I haven't had a chance to share it with you or anyone else."
"Huh? Information?" She appeared puzzled.
"It's about the weapons I've been hunting, you know, the Seven Deadly Sins weapon series. I've mentioned it before."
"Oh, right. Wasn't that one of the reasons we came here? To find those weapons that seem to be in possession of the Beastmen tribe?"
"Yes, but I've picked up signs of another weapon from the same series, unrelated to what we've found before. And those signs point to your sister."
When she received the information I shared, a look of concern crossed her face.
"Didn't you mention that this weapon's use by someone else could have dire consequences due to its ability to manipulate the wielder's emotions and amplify their associated sin?" Renatta inquired, seeking confirmation.
"Yes. However, we can't be certain if she has come into contact with it or if she is the wielder herself. What we do know is that she has been in contact with me for many years. My intuition points to it being the weapon of lust."
"Lust..." Renatta's expression turned grave.
"If the information is accurate, we might have to forcibly retrieve the weapon from her possession. It could also explain why her behavior has taken a nosedive."
"So, you're saying her altered behavior is because she acquired this weapon?"
"Yes. While you haven't witnessed the true power of these weapons, they possess immense control over and even enhance the abilities of their users. What's more, the sin tied to the weapon also affects the user, intensifying their desires and their pre-existing sins beyond their normal bounds."
Renatta pondered for a moment before she faced me with a serious look on her face.
"It seems I know which weapon you are talking about Manato and I think you are right about your suspicions."
"Eh? You know about it?" I frowned.
"Yes. It is one of the weapons that she bought before from a traveling merchant. It was a whip with a pink color. It has a flail at the very end of its wire which is shaped like a heart which makes it pretty painful to the one being hit by the whip. Despite being a good weapon, she immediately changed and her behavior suddenly became something I no longer know."
"That means that was the reason you two have started fighting each other now?"
"Yes. I didn't think that it was due to that weapon that she has changed too much. Izmir..." Renatta couldn't help to feel sad.
I immediately consoled her, knowing full well that I will have to defeat her sister to get it.
"Don't worry. I will ensure that your sister goes back to normal once the curse has been lifted from her."
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