Royal Princess of Blood

I was meaning to talk with him while working, and figure out what he thought about me. But, it would seem there was no need for that.

"What makes you say that?"

He paused and turned his blind eyes at me. "I see it on you. It covers your entire being. I have never seen something like it my entire life."

"If you haven't, then what makes you think it is fate?"

He let out a sigh and started digging. "I just know. Just like how you know that a bird would fly away in the end. Just like how I would know that the sun sets, even if I would not see it, I feel things turn cold."

"Is that why you were surprised when you saw me?"

"One of them…"

"I have heard of my supposed fate, but I do not believe that has a hold over me. I am doing what I want."

"Doing what you want…? Or perhaps you were only dragged into a circumstance you never imagined. Is that not fate?"

I frowned. "Nothing but the actions of people who believe their delusions, dragging me into their nonsense."

He smiled. "Is that so? You may not believe in fate, but I see it. And it is real. It is what brought you here."

I quietly groaned in annoyance. "I'm starting to hate that word."

"I suppose one does not believe unless they see it for themselves. Be that as it may, whether they believe it or not, it does not change what is true."

"..."

He leaned on the shovel. "Perhaps you delude yourself that fate does not exist because you are faced with something you could never fight against, one you cannot win. One you have no control over."

"Delude…" That was a bit displeasing to hear. "Is that what you read in me?"

"Am I wrong?"

I lowered my head, I didn't know how to answer that. I love keeping things under control, because that way, I knew what to expect. I dislike the absence of order that involves me, everything in that is unpredictable. When I am in control, I can win.

"My fate is in my own hands."

"Stubborn, but perhaps that is what makes you who you are. Still, stubborn children are chided by their parents."

"Are you telling me to just accept this fate?"

"Accepting the truth is always the best choice. Afterward, all that you can do is weather through the storm."

"You mean accept the fact that what I believe to be my own choices is decided by fate? I have heard nothing more ridiculous."

To even think of it was an abomination of an idea. However… no matter what I believe, no matter how much I go against it… He was right, the truth is always the truth. Still, this couldn't be how it goes for me. I refused it. There had to be other paths.

"What's often ridiculous is the truth."

I scoffed. "And you, what is your role in this? In my supposed path paved by fate?"

"I am but a pebble, a passerby. Just like how you encounter insects on the road, or strangers to speak with. They don't hold significance in your life, but they are there."

"... Is that all you see in me, blind one? Nothing but the shrouds of fate?"

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

I was quite intrigued to know what else he saw in me. Perhaps there may be some value that I could use. Or perhaps I was just bothered that all he saw was fate. Or perhaps… deep inside, I was searching for an answer for anything.

"You are a storm, many things happening at once. It is hard to get a read on you. Your white soul is smeared, murky. Like a dirty lake in desperate need of being purified."

"What does that mean?"

"One's color of the soul reflects their emotions, their ambitions, their character. This murkiness in your soul shades your divine light, and…" He closed his eyes before looking deeply into me. "Something foreign is combined in your soul."

I smiled. He realized that I was a god. And furthermore, he saw something foreign. I had confirmed it, he was the real deal. Which, of course, displeased me in a way. If what he said was accurate, then that meant his words from before could also be true.

Fate…

I still couldn't bear to accept it. To be bound again, especially to something so abstract. It was way worse than the organization, which was something at least that could be destroyed. I thought I was finally free. Being bound again was an idea I found repulsive. Because if that was the case, all the freedom I thought I had would be nothing more than an illusion. Freedom was what I wanted…

"Foreign… So you see it. What I am."

His face twitched. "... This may be more complicated than I initially thought." He seemed disturbed. "I didn't think such a thing would even be possible. I do not wish to be involved any further in this."

"I have died more than once, blind one. I have defeated my fate more than once. What makes this one different?"

"Perhaps because they are part of fate… And fate will have its way, maybe because this one could be something you desire."

How could this be something I desire?

I quietly clicked my tongue. "... You have a splendid, yet disturbing gift."

"And it costs me greatly. I could never see the true beauty this world has to offer."

"... And yet you recognize color." Quite curious how he even knew what white was.

"... I just know."

"Is my color really that ugly, blind one?"

"I never said it is ugly."

I smiled. "Hm. I'll find a shovel."

I searched for a shovel, and there was one nearby. We worked in silence, our conversation had completely ended. I dug and dug the graves. There were, of course, skeletons, and touching them, frankly, was quite unhygienic. But it was fine.

But after multiple digs, we still couldn't find what he was searching for. It was then that Miyako and the others arrived.

"We found it!" Miyako shouted.

The blind man approached and received the medallion. He caressed it and he smiled. "This is it. Thank you."

"We found it under a cabinet. Why did you go out of your way to find it? Alone at that."

"I am getting old. Once that happens, you long for something in the past. And nothing is more worth longing than the memories of family. Despite my condition, my parents cared for me deeply."

I stared at the man. Even people at that age could still really miss their family, huh? Even go into this dangerous place alone just to find an object that helps them remember their existence. Despite my young age, I quite understand that.

"What happened to this place?" Miyako asked.

"Monsters attacked and destroyed our defenses. Even took out those that could fight, including my father. We succeeded in defending our village, but we were left in a dangerous predicament. Left with no choice, we had to leave for the capital city. To be safe."

So my assumptions about this village were correct.

"All the way from the capital city?" Satomi was surprised. "All by yourself, and blind at that."

"I can sense when a monster is close. Their color is abysmal. That is something you wouldn't miss."

"Uh-huh."

"Thank you, young ones. For your help. But now I'll take my leave."

Miyako's eyes widened. "Wait? You're leaving? You do know it's almost night, right?"

"My business is done here. There is no point in staying."

"What about rest?"

"I can still walk. Besides, I don't feel really good to be here, a desolate place that was once my home."

"... Are you going to be alright?" Miyako looked at him with great concern.

"You don't have to worry about me."

Miyako slowly nodded. "... Okay. I won't stop you."

He walked over to his bag and picked it up. He was kind of weird, it almost looked like he was not completely blind. To be able to navigate like that…

He turned to look at me. "Do not forget my words, white one. For what I said to you is the truth."

"... I'll keep your words in mind."

He nodded. And with that, he left, and we watched as he did.

"What was that about?" Miyako asked me. "The two of you talked?"

"... Something personal."

"Huh. Truth. Did he read you?"

"Yes."

"Is it something you liked?"

"No."

"I see."

I let out a sigh. "That's not important right now. Let's find a spot to settle in."

This was the most random encounter I had experienced in recent memory. A blind man who could see the truth in people, or rather, their soul. This world was weird. And it really forced me to face this thing called fate again. Everyone, fucking everyone, always says that fate is true.

But, as it was a displeasing topic, I decided to set it aside from my thoughts for now.

Miyako led us to a house. "This place looks good."

I nodded. "Yeah. It's dusty, but I'll take care of it."

"You're gonna use some wind magic?"

"Yup."

"Nice."