Tap.
Tap.
Soft footsteps echoed along the wooden corridor.
Each step was calm and slow. Neither cautious nor hostile.
Noah stood quietly in the middle of the room, his muscles tense despite his attempt to appear relaxed.
The footsteps stopped. A figure appeared at the doorway.
Noah’s breathing caught for a brief moment. Standing before him was a an extremely beautiful woman.
She stood six feet tall, her posture elegant and perfectly composed.
A traditional kimono of deep blue and black wrapped gracefully around her figure. A wide obi was tied neatly around her waist, emphasizing her slender frame before flowing naturally over her wide hips.
Her skin was smooth and porcelain fair. But what immediately drew Noah’s attention. It wasn’t her beauty. It was her neck.
Dark sapphire-blue scales covered both sides of it, extending upward beneath her chin. A few smaller scales reached her right cheek, blending naturally with her flawless skin.
Despite their unusual appearance. They somehow didn’t lessen her beauty.
Instead they gave her an almost mystical aura.
Her long raven-black hair was tied into an elegant bun, secured by a crystal-blue hairpin that shimmered softly whenever it caught the morning light.
A small beauty mark rested beneath the corner of her right eye. Her face appeared to belong to a woman around thirty years old.
Yet the depth hidden within her sharp blue eyes suggested someone far older.
Those eyes, Noah unconsciously stiffened.
’Vertical pupils...’
They weren’t human. Her irises possessed narrow vertical slits, much like the eyes of demons. Yet she didn’t look like a demon at all. She didn’t possess any horns.
She simply stood there. Calmly observing him.
"...Uhm..."
Noah scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Hello?"
The woman didn’t respond. Her emotionless gaze continued studying him from head to toe. Silence lingered between them.
"...Hello, ma’am?"
Noah tried once more.
The instant his words reached her. Her eyes widened.
"...A..."
Her lips parted slightly.
"...Human?"
There was unmistakable disbelief in her voice.
Noah blinked. "Well..."
He gave an awkward smile. "I am human."
The moment those words left his mouth. Her composed expression completely shattered. Her eyes widened even further.
Before Noah could react she vanished.
No. She hadn’t teleported. She had simply moved so fast that his eyes couldn’t follow her.
"...!"
She appeared directly in front of him. Both hands immediately reached out. Soft palms gently cupped his cheeks.
Before Noah could even process what was happening... She tilted his face upward.
Then downward. Then to the left. Then to the right.
She inspected him from every possible angle as though verifying something unbelievably precious.
Noah stood completely frozen. The warmth of her hands contrasted with the cool morning air.
They were surprisingly soft. Those palms were smooth and delicate.
"A human..."
Her voice trembled ever so slightly.
"...A real human."
There was excitement hidden beneath her usually calm tone.
No more than excitement. It sounded like someone witnessing a miracle they had long ago given up believing would ever happen.
For several long seconds. She simply stared into Noah’s face.
Only after noticing his increasingly awkward expression did she finally realize how close she was standing.
"..."
She slowly released his cheeks. Taking a single step backward, she closed her eyes and drew a slow breath.
When she opened them again. Her usual calm expression had returned. Only a faint trace of excitement still lingered deep within her eyes.
She looked directly at Noah.
"Young man...What is your name? Who are you? And...How did you come to this place?"
Noah straightened his posture.
"My name is Noah Eldritch."
He gave a polite bow.
"As for how I arrived here..."
He let out a helpless laugh.
"It’s... a rather long story."
For just an instant. The corners of the woman’s lips twitched upward. As though she were struggling to suppress a smile.
"I have all the time in the world."
Her voice was little gentle. "I would be more than happy to hear it."
She paused before adding quietly, "It has been a very long time since I last met another person."
Noah’s eyes flickered slightly.
’Another person...? Does that mean... She’s been living here alone this entire time?
The thought immediately raised countless questions. Who was she? How long had she been here?
And... Was she trapped here just like him?
Realizing he had been staring blankly, Noah quickly asked,
"May I know your name, ma’am?"
The woman blinked once before letting out a soft sigh.
"Oh... I completely forgot. How rude of me."
She placed one hand lightly over her chest.
"My name is Akari Narukami."
Her voice carried quiet elegance.
"You may simply call me Akari."
She looked at Noah with a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"Welcome...to my home."
---
A little while later...
Noah and Akari sat together in the open room overlooking the peaceful garden.
The morning breeze drifted gently through the open sliding doors, carrying the fresh scent of rain-soaked grass.
Akari sat gracefully in seiza, folding both legs neatly beneath her as she rested her weight upon her heels. Her back remained perfectly straight, her hands resting elegantly upon her lap.
Every movement she made was calm, controlled and almost effortless.
Noah watched her for a moment before awkwardly attempting to imitate the same posture. "Like this?"
He adjusted his legs slightly before finally settling into position. It wasn’t exactly comfortable.
Still he managed.
’She really looks elegant. Like someone born into nobility. Every movement she makes is refined.’
His eyes unconsciously drifted downward. Near the entrance of the room rested her traditional wooden sandals.
’Those are... Eastern-style wooden sandals.’
Noah’s thoughts wandered briefly.
’I often compare them to old Japanese traditions... But in this world, those customs originated from the Eastern Duchy. The Raiko Dukedom. and Her surname Narukami.’
Combined with her appearance... He had already begun forming a guess.
Still he chose not to ask immediately. Instead he began explaining everything that had happened.
From entering the labyrinth alongside Damien. To defeating the giant guardian. The mysterious portal. And finally awakening beside the lake before eventually discovering this secluded house.
As he spoke, Akari quietly listened without interrupting. Between them rested two simple wooden cups.
The drink she had prepared resembled tea, though Noah had never tasted anything quite like it before. It possessed a gentle herbal fragrance with a slightly sweet aftertaste.
"This is good."
He took another sip.
"What is it?"
Akari answered softly.
"I made it from the leaves that grow nearby. They help calm the mind."
Noah gave an appreciative nod. By the time his story ended.
His cup was completely empty.
Akari quietly looked out toward the peaceful garden for several moments.
Finally she nodded.
"I understand. So that’s how you arrived here."
She slowly turned her gaze toward Noah.
Their eyes met. "You said your name is Noah Eldritch."
He nodded.
"Yes."
A moment of silence followed. Then she asked, "Who is your father?"
Noah blinked. "You know the Eldritch family?"
Akari answered without hesitation.
"Of course I do."
Noah’s thoughts immediately raced.
’Then... She really is from the outside world. And judging by her surname... She’s actually from House Narukami. But how? Did she also arrive here through a labyrinth...?’
Pushing those thoughts aside for the moment, he answered her question.
"My father’s name is Julian Eldritch."
The instant those words left his mouth.
Akari frowned. "Julian Eldritch..."
She quietly repeated the name to herself. Then her blue eyes widened slightly.
"Then....You’re that Noah?"
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