Chapter 19 - A Single Promise

A Few Moments Later

In the Underground of the Oculi Capital

Still on Level 0 – Center of the Base

Temporary Residence of the Count

And so, after closing the door and stepping into his temporary apartment, the Count (40 years old) was seen making his way toward the living room sofa.

He had just removed the contents from the small box, leaving only the empty container open on the kitchen table.

The artifact that had been inside the box, delivered by the messenger, was something extremely confidential—and even more so, the true content within it was encrypted.

After sitting down on the sofa and placing the artifact on the coffee table, it was revealed that this artifact, once held within the box,

Was nothing less than an NSR (Non-Sequential Recorder), which, the exact moment it was placed upon the table's surface, appeared to respond with a faint glow.

This device had the shape of a small metallic cube, and almost immediately after activating its internal systems in an eerily silent manner,

It abruptly shut off its lights, resulting in what could be described as an energy pulse radiating in all directions.

Temporarily disabling any external recording system—be it a hidden camera or a concealed audio device—that might have been present in that space,

Even ones the Count himself might not have been aware of. The pulse traveled across the entire apartment, cutting off all power instantly.

This initiated what was the room's environmental scanning system, analyzing the surroundings and the furniture, identifying an appropriate location from which to project the hologram.

That location was the armchair positioned in front of the sofa, just as the Count was beginning to settle into a more relaxed posture,

No longer as formal, knowing exactly who the sender of the device was—someone from the human reality, to the Oculi reality where the Count now resided.

Once the scanning system confirmed that only the Count was present in the room—and more importantly, within the apartment that served as his temporary residence—

The various laser systems performing the scans deactivated, having rotated 360° around the cube's location.

That being above the coffee table between the sofa and the armchair before the Count. Then, piercing the momentary darkness, a soft electronic voice echoed:

- Scan complete. Access permission granted for playback. To begin the recording, a decryption password is required." -

The Count seemed to breathe deeply, glancing sideways toward the balcony, its curtain gently swaying.

From that angle, he could glimpse the interior of the underground base, whose artificial ceiling lighting simulated the night sky so perfectly.

[Count – Serene & Comforting Voice] ...Access password. 1G2Q3Y. -

The moment the password was spoken, a subtle unlocking sound came from within the cube—the deactivation of an anti-hacking protective bomb.

One that could have killed everyone within that underground base, had the device been improperly activated by anyone other than the Count himself—

The very person for whom this recording had been made and sent from the human reality. Once again, the cube's soft, electronic voice spoke:

- Verification system complete. The recording from two days ago, by Miss Nox, is about to begin in the next few seconds, Lord Count. -

The Count turned his gaze back to the cube, which now emitted a gentle bluish holographic glow, displaying a ten-second countdown.

Then, at the exact moment it reached zero, the cube began to levitate, rising toward the ceiling of the apartment, and launched a holographic projection.

No longer limited to bluish tones—this was a full-color projection, vivid and lifelike, akin to the image of a television screen.

[Cube System Voice] - ...Recording from two days ago initiated! -

Revealing, then, that part of that room split into two sections in a holographic manner—one side before the Count.

It displayed a visual recording from two days ago, while the part where he now stood represented the present moment, within the very room in which the Count currently found himself.

In the section containing the recording, a part of a lavish bedroom was shown in full holographic detail, with colors so vivid they no longer bore the bluish tint typical of artificial projections.

The visuals were so lifelike to the Count's eyes that he could see, just before him, a young woman of about twenty-five years seated gracefully in her armchair.

She was not there physically at that moment—this was an interactive recording from two days prior, made on planet Earth, within the human reality.

Only the right questions would prompt responses from the recording to the Count, who was now watching attentively.

This woman before him was none other than Miss Nox herself, commander of all forces of the Reginae faction within the human reality.

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While her two sisters—Lilian, the youngest at fifteen, who currently reigned as Queen of the Oculi, and Urius, the middle sister at twenty-three, serving as advisor and second in line to the throne—remained in the Oculi reality.

Miss Nox, at the time of the recording, wore her elegant black attire, indicating that the footage had been made while she was in the human world.

It had likely been recorded during one of her brief respites from leadership, when she sought to silently protect humanity from the actions of the Inanis faction—those among the Oculi who posed a threat in that reality.

At that moment in the recording, she was in her personal room, seated in a relaxed manner in the armchair, transmitting a message to the Count with a posture that suggested she desired a more casual, rather than formal, conversation concerning the Reginae faction.

The Count, recognizing this intent, seemed to ease slightly from his usual formal demeanor.

[Count – Voice: Calm & Respectful] ...For you to send me a 'GNS' device, this must be something rather important, Miss Nox? -

[Nox – Voice: Calm & Serene] Sometimes, I just feel like having a casual chat, but... [Deep Breath] -

[Count – Voice: Calm & Curious] 'But...'? -

[Nox – Voice: Calm & Serene] ...But this time, it's truly personal and important to me—to discuss it with you. -

Nox appeared to look deeply into the Count's eyes, revealing a genuinely affectionate smile. She was the third heir to the remnants of the Oculi kingdom in their shared origin reality.

Following the fall of the capital five years ago to the forces of the Inanis faction, she had become the eldest daughter of the late Queen Luna—who had been assassinated by human hands a decade earlier during a peaceful visit to the human world.

[Count – Voice: Worried & Respectful] Did something happen to you in the human reality during my absence? Should I return immediately, Miss Nox? -

[Nox – Voice: Calm & Serene] ...Don't worry. We're investigating the Inanis' movements here in the human reality. You don't need to leave the Oculi reality... yet. [Deep Breath] -

[Count – Whispering: Intrigued & Thoughtful] 'Yet...'?"

Nox seemed so calm, seated in her armchair, brushing her long and beautiful crimson hair—a color both intense and naturally inherited from her father.

The Count still couldn't grasp what exactly was so important that it warranted Nox sending him such a recording.

But just as he was about to ask, she turned her gaze sideways, admiring the view of Manhattan, near Central Park.

At that moment of the recording, Nox was in the penthouse of one of the most luxurious buildings—used as an intelligence base for the Reginae faction.

[Nox – Voice: Calm & Comforting] Don't worry, Count. I know how to take care of myself, and I have incredible people by my side here in the human reality. [Subtle Happy Laugh] -

She had established that place as one of the Reginae's information hubs across the American continent.

This made the Count notice a distant look in her eyes, as she continued to comb her hair in a manner so delicate and graceful to the Count's perception.

[Nox – Voice: Calm & Reflective] Your request to return to our Oculi reality for a few days... it was rather spontaneous of you. [Pensive Sigh] -

Observing what could only be described as Miss Nox's return, gazing at him with such a sweet and affectionate look that it made his heart tighten.

[Nox – Serene & Fearful Voice] At first, I wasn't going to allow it... because I need you by my side to help me. [Subtle Deep Breath] -

Even if it was just an interactive recording, he felt in that gaze a tangle of conflicting emotions that, together, made him feel honored—though he wasn't sure why.

[Nox – Serene & Curious Voice] But... everything changed when I finally understood your gaze as you made that request in person. [Deep Breath] -

He still couldn't fully understand it on a conscious level, but deep inside, in the quietest parts of himself, he grasped what that look truly meant—because it was so very special.

[(Count – Internal Murmur, Disbelieving)] Miss Nox, I... (Voice Trembling)]

[Nox – Serene & Joyful Voice] ...Count, you're finally following your heart and not your reason, aren't you? [Subtle Happy Sigh] -

That simple question left him speechless. He no longer stared at his own hands, which were gently entwining his fingers, as if trying to find something to anchor himself.

He felt ashamed in the face of such beauty in Miss Nox's gaze—so gentle and casual, and yet so profoundly attentive in the way she spoke those words to him.

Hearing that, he seemed flustered, lowering his eyes, in response to a smile so thankful and genuine that it felt like an involuntary act of truth between them.

[Nox – Serene & Affectionate Voice] Wait, you don't need to try to speak... not yet. [Deep, Full Breath] -

[Nox – Serene & Worried Voice] I just want you to promise me that you won't hurt "her" heart in the coming days. -

And so echoed the Count's reply, in a voice both comforting and grateful—for such deep trust offered by Nox.

Someone he cherished as a younger "little sister" of twenty-five years. One who, in essence, reminded him of his best friend, Luna.

In every aspect of saying and not saying what she truly meant—something Luna had always done in life with her beloved best friend, the Count.

[Count – Affectionate & Attentive Voice] I... I swear on my life that I would never dare hurt your sister's heart, Urius. [Subtle Playful Laugh] -

After that, Nox let a soft, happy smile appear on her lips as she glanced sideways toward the balcony she was physically seeing from her side of the recording.

Slightly hiding her gaze behind the shorter strands of her auburn hair.

[(Nox – Affectionate Internal Murmur)] ...I'm glad to hear that in your voice, you big oblivious fool. (Comforting Laughter)]

Resulting in the Count not understanding what she meant by that expression "missing parts," which he couldn't perceive because of her hair.

[Nox – Voice: Serene & Good-humored] Count, I shall allow you to remain for one month in our Oculi reality, assisting our companions from the Reginae faction. [Subtle Failed Sigh] -

But he could genuinely hear her respond with a voice so sweet that it stirred something deep within the Count's heart, in that relaxed and casual moment between the two of them.

[Count – Voice: Grateful & Comforted] Thank you very much, Miss Nox... [Subtle Relieved Sigh] —

As he said this, the Count caught a glimpse of Miss Nox seeming to shed a few subtle tears, for some reason unknown to him.

Before eventually using one of her hands to wipe them away.

[Nox – Voice: Joyful & Attentive] ...I want you to do what you feel you must do at the Reginae faction headquarters within the Oculi reality. —

[Light Confused & Intrigued Breath from the Count]

[Nox – Whisper: Slightly Pained] Knowing that my dear sister, Urius, has been waiting for this move from you for many years now. [Subtle Failed Breath] —

[Subtle Louder Beat from the Count's Heart]

[Nox – Whisper: Slightly Emotional] Because she truly—without yet admitting it to herself or to you—she... [End of Recording] —

Those last words from Miss Nox seemed to abruptly end the fully holographic recording, at least from the Count's perspective.

He watched the same cube power down automatically, gently floating down to the center table in the room.

The same cube he had placed there before the recording began, returning all the apartment's energy flow to normal.

Everything resumed as if nothing had transpired in the last few minutes of conversation between him and Miss Nox.

The Count couldn't quite grasp what had just happened in those few seconds filled with such enigmatic and unfinished words from Miss Nox.

Yet somehow, as if unconsciously, a heavy burden seemed to have been lifted from the Count's shoulders.

In regard to that conversation which, at some point, he and Nox would inevitably have to have—not just because she was currently his superior in the Human reality,

But also because she was his trusted friend, with whom he could speak sincerely, without most of his strongest emotional defenses raised.

[Count – Whisper: Thoughtful & Worried] Miss Nox... [Deep & Slow Sigh] —