New World: Asides and Perspectives

Doubts, Mystery, and Agenda

Disclaimer: I don't own Gate or Nihon-koku Shoukan, as they belong to their rightful owners.

Doubts, Mystery, and Agenda

Being back at home had its fair share of the good and bad.

When Pina and the Rose Knights returned to the gates, she had no idea how she felt or thought.

There was a part of her that expected the likely friends and acquaintances to welcome her back at the gates, which some of them eventually did.

However, there was another aspect of her that sprang from recollections.

In the past, it was hard to believe, but there was a time when she would joyously take part in a grand procession and festivities each time her father returned victorious from a campaign against the kingdom's adversaries. The procession would halt at the central plaza before culminating at the palace and temple, where they would express gratitude to the Gods for their unwavering support.

Almost every major accomplishment required a celebration back then.

Pina was confident that her recent diplomatic mission had yielded significant results and she eagerly anticipated the feedback she would receive about her accomplishments.

This was a big step toward her goal of ending the conflict and the beginning of a new era that she envisioned for her home.

She stood on the balcony of her secluded retreat, dressed in a flowing white gown, savoring the cool night air. Her cascading red curls tumbled down, framing her face in their natural glory.

The young woman had chosen not to attend the event due to something that mattered to her more.

As she took a quick look at her cluttered desk, filled with towering stacks of books and unraveled scrolls, she realized how engrossed she had been all this while. It was only at that moment that she finally allowed herself to relax and take a well-deserved break.

Aside from the various paperwork that she needed to complete, she began to transfer her attention to a subject that continued to pique her interest.

What she experienced back at the Noble City was something out of the ordinary.

Almost a nightmare of some sort.

"Only you can find out the truth about the kingdom, Milady."

Those last words still echoed and had only fueled her curiousity and desire.

What was that man hinting at?

What was her exact role in this so-called mystery?

As she gazed at her hand, she couldn't help but wonder whether the lingering darkness emanated from within her.

For now, she couldn't even feel a single trace of it.

Then, in the midst of this, a familiar voice called out her name.

"Pina!"

She wheeled around to face her childhood friend, whose breath came in short, ragged gasps. Their eyes locked, and the friend's expression was deadly serious and filled with concern.

"So, how did it go?" she inquired, only to receive silence in response.

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Her expression quickly transformed into one of complete disbelief as the swirling smoke from her steaming cup of tea momentarily obscured her vision, enveloping her entire face for a few moments.