Loop>Live: Death Loop System In Another World

People gathered under the morning light. They spoke the name of Elandra, the Divine Principled of Humility.

Each person lowered their head, hands pressed to their chest.

"I vow to lower my pride…" Lucjan whispered, his right hand resting firmly on his heart. It felt like the final word in a prayer, the same way people on Earth might say "Amen."

He knew there were six Divine Principled. Each one was connected to either the seven deadly sins or the seven heavenly virtues. Their existence shaped the world's Arc Modes and Principles.

The Divine Principled themselves aligned with the strongest and rarest Arc Modes, and those who carried their favor held deep power.

Principles were split into three branches. The first branch was closest to the Divine Principled and almost impossible for ordinary people to reach.

The second branch was rare but attainable, while the third was the most common.

Having a Principle from the first branch meant immense potential, but every Principle, no matter its branch, could grow stronger through effort and alignment.

This world is pretty hard to understand... Lucjan's mind spun as he thought about how complex everything felt now.

Arc Modes demanded training and mastery. Principles shaped his path and power. And now, Divine Blessings offered a chance to gain the attention of these ancient beings.

Vowing to a Divine Principled didn't grant immediate strength. But if they heard your words, they might bless you in return, granting subtle gifts: sharper senses, stronger will, or clearer thoughts. These blessings could change a person's life.

Lucjan lowered his hand and took a slow breath. This world is full of things I don't understand yet… but I'll learn.

As soon as the Church Sunday ended, Guinevere, Lune, and Lucjan went back into the royal castle inside a carriage.

"That's my first time going into a church in weeks," Lune said, his eyes bright as he looked between Lucjan and Guinevere. "I didn't know it could feel so… peaceful."

"It's good you came," Guinevere replied, giving him a small smile. "Faith is important, especially with everything happening lately."

Lucjan leaned back in the seat, watching the buildings of Derek City pass by through the carriage window.

Peaceful? Maybe for you, he thought, though he kept his expression calm.

"It's a place to clear your mind," he said quietly. "A place to remember what you stand for."

Lune nodded, satisfied, and began humming a soft tune he'd heard during the service.

Guinevere glanced out the window. "We'll be back soon. You two should rest when we arrive."

They pulled up to the royal castle gates a short while later. The sun was still low, light spilling into the grand halls as they stepped out of the carriage.

Servants moved about, preparing for the day.

Lucjan excused himself and returned to their room. I'm really tired...

He sat on his bed, feeling restless, so he reached for the newspaper lying on his desk.

He flipped through the pages absently: local trade news, a small report on livestock thefts, a notice about upcoming festivals.

Then his eyes froze on one headline:

"Jabberwocky Falamichi was killed unknowingly in the abandoned Wurford Mansion…"

His pulse quickened. What? Jabberwocky… dead? That's impossible.

He scanned the brief article, reading that his body was found in the Wurford Guesthouse, stabbed through the chest.

The report called it a tragic, mysterious death.

It happened last night, Lucjan realized, his hands shaking slightly as he gripped the paper. That means… someone else knows about the Arc Mode and the Blade. Someone stole the Arc Mode and the Blade.

Lucjan forced his breathing to steady as he turned back to the article. He could feel Lune's gaze on him, but he kept his eyes on the paper, willing his voice to stay even.

"It's nothing serious, Lune. Just… some bad news about someone we knew from the estate," he said, forcing a small smile.

He lowered his head, reading the lines carefully:

"The body of Jabberwocky Falamichi, heir to the Falamichi family, was discovered early this morning by local patrols. His corpse was found in the Wurford Mansion's guesthouse, with a fatal wound to the chest. Investigators believe the attack happened overnight, but no witnesses have come forward. The Falamichi family has released a statement mourning Jabberwocky's passing and vowing to find the culprit."

"Authorities have yet to identify a suspect. Rumors suggest the involvement of bandits or treasure seekers drawn to the abandoned mansion. The king has called for increased security in the area to protect nearby villages."

Lucjan's eyes lingered on every word. Bandits… or treasure seekers… That's what they think?

He set the paper down slowly, glancing over at Lune, who was already curling up on his bed, half-asleep.

"It's okay," Lucjan said softly. "Get some rest. Everything will be alright."

---

Lucjan held up the white polo shirt, its fabric soft and decorated with subtle patterns along the collar.

He turned to Guinevere, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "Is this alright?"

Guinevere studied it for a moment, then nodded.

"It looks good on you. You should try it on."

They moved through the bustling streets of Derek City.

The shops were lined with colorful signs, vendors calling out to advertise their goods, and carriages rolling past on the wide stone roads.

Lucjan glanced around, taking in the sights: a street performer juggling knives, children running past, the aroma of roasted meat drifting from food stalls.

"This place is really lively…" Lucjan muttered.

Guinevere chuckled. "It's one of the busiest districts. People from all over the kingdom come here."

They stopped by another shop, and Lucjan admired the displays of cloaks and boots.

As he reached for a pair of gloves, Guinevere's expression shifted. Her eyes darted behind them, scanning the crowd.

"Lucjan."

"Walk faster."

Lucjan blinked. "What? Why?"

"Don't ask," she said.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him along through the throngs of shoppers.

He stumbled slightly to match her pace. "What's wrong?" he whispered.

"Someone's been following us since the last shop," she said. "Keep your head down, and stay close."

What the hell is happening? Lucjan clenched his teeth and nodded as they hurried through the crowded street.

Then, Lucjan felt a firm hand clamp onto his shoulder.

He spun around, eyes wide, and was met by a man wearing clothes that looked far too expensive and foreign for Derek City.

The man has a dark blue suit, a deep red gem set into his chest, and a blue cape swayed behind him. His eyes were calm, almost amused.

"You got a minute?" the man asked, his voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable authority.

Guinevere grabbed Lucjan's wrist and yanked him away without a word.

They ducked past a pair of merchants through baskets of produce and startled passersby.

Maybe, this is about Jabberwocky's death... Lucjan's heart pounded as they slipped into a narrow alleyway between two tall stone buildings.

They stopped, gasping for breath.

Lucjan leaned against the rough wall.

Guinevere kept glancing back toward the street.

"What was that? Who is he?" Lucjan hissed between breaths.

"I don't know," Guinevere replied. "But his clothes… they aren't from anywhere around here."

Before they could plan their next move, a faint tap echoed through the alley.

Lucjan looked up. What the...

The man was calmly walking down the stone wall itself, his polished shoes clicking on the vertical surface as if gravity didn't matter.

His red cane tapped the wall in rhythm with his steps.

"No way…" Lucjan muttered.

Guinevere pulled him, and they sprinted for the alley's end.

But just as they broke into a run, a blur passed by him.

Guinevere collapsed soundlessly beside him.

"Guinevere!"

A cold hand landed on his shoulder again. He turned and saw the man's calm face inches from his own.

No...no....

There was no time to react. Darkness swallowed his vision, and the last thing he felt was the man's icy grip tightening before he fell unconscious.

---

Lucjan opened his eyes fully. His vision was blurry at first, but it soon cleared enough for him to see he was tied to a chair in a plain room.

Around him stood several men in dark uniforms. The same man from the alley, stood in front of him with a firm look.

Where am I? Why did they bring me here?

The man started speaking in a calm but serious tone. "Do you know about the Arc Mode of Merciless and the Blade of Fiery Rage?"

Lucjan felt a tightness in his chest.

I can't hide it. I need to answer or they'll think I'm guilty. He looked around at the silent men watching him. He knew lying would not work here. He took a deep breath to steady his voice.

"Where is Guinevere? And who are you?" Lucjan asked, forcing himself to sound calm.

The man answered without hesitation. "The princess is safe. I sent her back to the royal castle. As for me, I am Mr. Morino, a detective with the Marisegold Doctrine Investigators."

Lucjan tried to process what was happening. Why would they let her go but keep me here? What do they really want? He looked directly at Morino, trying to read his face.

Morino continued speaking with a steady voice. "Tell me the truth now. Do you know anything about those items?"

Lucjan lowered his eyes for a moment. He knew silence would make things worse, and lying would lead to disaster.

He clenched his fists and decided to speak. "Yes. I know."

He forced himself to speak clearly. "On the night my family was killed, it was not a masked man. My father killed everyone with the blade. He was the one who did it."

A few of the investigators around him shifted uncomfortably. They looked surprised and exchanged glances. Morino did not react much, instead studying Lucjan's eyes closely.

Morino asked calmly, "So you think the blade made your father act that way?"

Lucjan nodded firmly. "Yes. He used the blade, and I believe it affected him, making him lose control."

One of the men standing near the back stepped forward and raised his voice slightly. "How do we know you were not involved? What if you planned it with him?"

They don't believe me? I can't let them think I'm guilty. Lucjan answered immediately. "That is not true. I had nothing to do with it."

Morino's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you have anyone who can confirm your story?"

Lucjan hesitated. He did not want Lune dragged into this, but he also knew if they doubted him, they would question Lune anyway.

He felt cornered. I don't want to involve him, but there's no other way.

"My little brother, Lune. He saw our father kill everyone."

The room went quiet as the men looked between each other. One of them looked skeptical but said nothing.

Morino kept his eyes on Lucjan. "And what if you and your brother planned it together?"

"No. I swear we did not plan anything."

Morino's lips curled into a small smile before his face went serious again.

"I was joking. Calm down." His voice turned firm. "I already knew your father was the one who killed everyone."

He knew? Then why did he question me like this? These detectives are always annoying, even from Earth!

The men in the room looked shocked. One of them stepped closer. "You knew, Morino? Why did we go through this?"

Morino did not look away from Lucjan. "Yes. We found evidence. But we needed to hear it from him directly."

Lucjan exhaled slowly, his body relaxing a little as he realized they already knew the truth. So it's finally over… at least this part.

Morino spoke clearly. "We brought you here to confirm your story. Now that we know you are telling the truth, we can figure out what happens next."

Lucjan nodded slowly, feeling some of the pressure lift.

---

They sat quietly in the carriage, the wheels bumping along the road back to the royal castle.

Lucjan felt the day's exhaustion pressing on his shoulders, but Morino's sharp eyes across from him kept him alert.

Beside Morino sat another detective: a woman with straight black hair tied back, wearing a dark uniform with silver buttons.

Her name, she had introduced herself earlier, was Ms. Pillow. She was calm, but her eyes studied Lucjan like he was a puzzle.

Lucjan looked at her face for a second. Her expression was unreadable, and she had a way of blinking slowly that made it hard for him to tell what she was thinking.

She doesn't seem like someone I can fool. She probably has the same Principle type as I do that could analyze the surroundings. He glanced back out the window, then focused on Morino as he began speaking.

"That's why you insisted on protecting your land, to hide the blade and the arc mode, right?" Morino asked directly.

Lucjan nodded. "Yes… I didn't know what else to do. I thought if I kept them hidden, no one else would get hurt."

Ms. Pillow shifted, leaning in. "When the massacre happened, what exactly did you see?"

Lucjan hesitated. He took a breath. "I… I tried to find where the artifacts were hidden. But my father caught me. He knocked me out, and when I woke up, everyone was already dead around me. My brothers, the servants—everyone."

His voice shook slightly as he continued. "Then my father stood over me, said something about the Pavilion's dream, and… he stabbed himself with the blade."

Morino and Ms. Pillow exchanged a glance. The sound of the carriage wheels filled the silence for a moment.

"Mr. Falamichi was known to be a strong man, but there were no signs of a struggle in the guesthouse," Ms. Pillow said carefully. "That means it all happened fast."

Lucjan nodded again.

Morino's voice lowered. "And you really have no idea who could've taken the blade and arc mode from the guesthouse?"

Lucjan shook his head. "No. After the estate was taken, I was here in the royal castle the whole time."

Ms. Pillow scribbled a note on her small book. "Don't worry. We have records you were in the castle," she said quietly.

Morino exhaled through his nose, then looked straight into Lucjan's eyes. "Alright. That lines up with what we know. But until we find who stole those items and killed Jobberwocky, you'll remain an important witness."

Lucjan's heart pounded. They believe me… but this isn't over.

The carriage rolled through the gates of the royal castle, the towers looming above them as they slowed to a stop. The doors opened, and they stepped out.

Morino put a hand on Lucjan's shoulder. "Stay alert. Whoever did this is still out there."

Lucjan nodded silently, his mind racing as he followed them into the castle.