I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 145: Vanilla City [1]

The first thing I saw was a huge sea-facing living room, bright and open with massive floor-to-ceiling windows on opposite sides of us, giving a pure natural sea view.

My eyelids twitched.

Everything from the plush sofas to the intricate decor screamed luxury.

"Whaaa!" Ruby gasped beside me, letting go of my hand and twirling around in awe. "Isn't it pretty!"

Despite her earlier claim of it not being 'too grand,' this was practically a royal suite.

I glanced at her, in half-exasperated, half-amused.

"You call this not fancy?"

Ruby just giggled, clearly pleased with herself.

"Why, didn't you like it?"

"That's not the case." I scratched my head.

"Then what..?" She tilted her head in confusion.

Feeling a little too grumbly, I sighed.

"No, it's beautiful. Thanks, Ruby."

Her grin widened at my comment. "Aww, don't worry. I will provide you with something even more beautiful than this."

Please don't.

Changing the topic, I asked Ruby,

"Let's get freshened up first, then we'll visit around town."

"Mhm." Ruby nodded, as we shifted our bags further inside, toward the bedroom.

We both hesitated at the door, glancing at each other awkwardly.

I had just one wish… and I don't think it will come true.

I stepped forward and pushed it open.

The sight that greeted me made my stomach drop.

My wish…? Just fuck my rotten luck!

A massive king-sized bed sat in the center of the room, layered in crisp white sheets and an absurd number of pillows.

"..."

Seeing this an intense silence fell between us.

From the side of my eyes, I glanced at Ruby, her face, just like mine, had turned crimson almost instantly.

Ruby was clutching the side of her hat so tightly her knuckles turned white, while I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck, feeling beads of sweat gathering along my forehead.

"Aha… w-we can, um... just sleep on different sides," Ruby stammered, her voice several octaves higher than normal.

"Y-Yeah… sure… totally…" I mumbled.

What option do I have left?

'Aren't you two reacting way too much?' Sera spoke in my mind, snapping me out of my thoughts.

And then, her next conclusion took away all my embarrassment.

'You have to go search for the Apostle of Time,' she informed, '...you two won't even get enough time to take a rest, let alone sleep in your hotel.'

That's true. In the invitation that Karton sent me, it was written clearly that his apostle would find me and we'd both instantly recognize each other when I set foot on Windstorm Island.

Speaking of which, as if recalling something important, I checked it with Ruby.

"By the way, Ruby, we have to visit Windstorm Island soon."

It's already 11:00 A.M, and to reach Windstorm Island, there are only two passenger ships which depart every three hours in two turns.

It will take roughly 30 minutes to reach there, and before 6 P.M if we take the second trip.

"I got it covered." Ruby took out two tickets from her purse and waved them in front of my face.

Wow, she's quick!

Smiling, I subconsciously reached out to her head and started patting her.

"Thanks, Ruby."

"Aa... umm..." She flinched at my touch. "Wh-what are you doing?"

"Ah, sorry." I quickly retreated my hand and coughed several times before placing my luggage on the table beside the bed.

"Ruby, we'll leave to have breakfast after—"

Halting mid-sentence, I turned to look at Ruby.

I didn't find her where she was before.

"Ruby?" I called out to her.

"Yes, need something?" Her sweet voice came from behind the door to my right — the bathroom.

"Huh?" I blinked in surprise.

When did she—?!

"Zane?" She asked again. I could hear the faint rustling of water coming from inside.

"N-Nothing." I answered hesitantly.

Forcing myself to not pay any attention to it, I focused on unpacking my luggage.

From my inventory ring, the first thing I took out was a huge map of Aquadore's Great Ocean.

Laying it flat across the empty table, I marked a cross on a certain region.

"This should do it."

Tracing the line from one cross, I drew another.

"This one should be right here…" I mumbled.

Raising my body up, I got a full view of the map.

I had pointed two marks on the map — one was Windstorm Island, and the second was where that giant gate was found underneath.

"Hmm…" I thought for a moment and drew a few conclusions.

"This seems weird… Sera, what's your call?"

Sera answered immediately.

'It's the same as you think, the coincidences are scary.'

Thought so.

If what I was thinking turned out to be true… then it's rather problematic.

The timing of Karton—The God of Time, and the sudden discovery of that ancient temple were related.

Sera and I together thought about possible theories, and by that, we were certain that the Ancient Temple behind that gate belonged to Karton.

"Is this Temple the reason he descended to Earth after so many decades?"

If it's true, then maybe there was something he wanted to retrieve from there.

"Sera, how powerful is Karton's Apostle? Can I stand a chance in front of the Time Authority Holder?"

'No.' Her answer was straightforward, and I hated it for the first time.

Former Rank-1—my foot.

There were threats in this world which even I can't handle.

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The God of Time was on our side according to Goddess Ylthea and others, but for some reason, I don't want to believe it blindly because she's the one who told me.

No matter how respectable and sweet the words he uses to invite me…

"I will not trust him."

…For now, that is.

'This is the best optimal choice we have,' said Sera.

Nodding my head, I made a few changes in my plans.

My initial plan was to meet with Karton first, and then explore that underwater temple.

But now, I will do the opposite.

I'll see what that temple holds, that it made a literal god descend after so long.

Rustle Rustle—!

Thinking along those lines, I heard a rustling sound coming from the wardrobe on the wall.

"Hmm?"

Turning around, I saw its door being pushed with little force.

Kerk—

"...?!"

"What is that?"

Cautiously, I approached the wardrobe.

Stepping to the side, I reached out and swiftly pulled the door open.

Bam—!

A tiny figure tumbled out, landing flat on the floor.

"Oof... waaa...!"

White hair. Pointy ears. I instantly recognized her.

"Lily!"

She whimpered, her eyes welling up before letting out a full-blown cry.

"Whaaaa...! Waaa...!"

Rubbing the bump on her forehead, she threw her tiny arms around in panic.

"Wha—!" I panicked, rushing to pick her up.

"Hey, hey, calm down!"

But Lily squirmed and pushed me away, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Don't do that. I'm just checking if you're hurt..."

I gently rubbed her forehead, but she twisted away again, rejecting my touch.

Maybe... maybe she still didn't like me.

"Waaa! Waaa...!"

"What happened?!" Ruby's voice came from the side.

I turned toward her for help,.and immediately froze.

"Ruby?!"

I blurted out, voice cracking.

She stood at the bathroom doorway, wrapped in a yellow towel that barely reached her thighs.

I jerked my head away so fast my neck almost snapped.

"Wh-what are you doing coming out like that?!" I shouted, covering my eyes.

"Eek!" Ruby squeaked, crouching down and hugging herself tightly.

"Zane, look away!"

"I'm doing it!" I yelled back.

"N-No, you're not!"

"Oh for God's sake, cover yourself more!"

"Y-Yeah!"

It took another five minutes of panicked shouting before everything calmed down.

"Fuu...!"

I collapsed onto the sofa, utterly drained.

On the bed, Lily now slept soundly.

Ruby gently patted her head, a small smile on her face.

The warmth Ruby gave off seemed to soothe Lily instantly.

Watching it made me feel both relieved... and a little jealous.

"I'm sorry," Ruby apologized again, her voice soft.

"It's fine," I said, waving a hand dismissively.

"No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have left Lily alone like that."

When Ruby picked me up from the airport earlier, she'd left Lily asleep in the hotel room in a rush.

Maybe after Lily woke up alone, she got scared and hid inside the wardrobe.

"She's still scared of me though," I muttered, a little dejected.

"Did you buy that Dimension Cloak I told you about?" Ruby asked, changing the topic.

"I did."

I pulled the cloak out from my inventory ring and handed it to her.

"Perfect." Ruby nodded approvingly.

"It would be better if you're the one to wear it," I suggested.

If I wore the cloak and carried Lily, she'd probably start crying again.

"Good idea," Ruby agreed.

"Alright, we'll head out in thirty minutes," I said.

Ruby nodded.

Our plan was to first stroll through the city, then head toward the underwater temple where the giant gate had been discovered.

Let's see what secrets that temple holds.