Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

Alex woke up from his slumber, feeling his head still slightly heavy, as he opened his eyes.

He heard the sound of someone breathing calmly near him.

Turning his eyes, he found Sarah sleeping soundly there, with her head on her shoulder, while the girl remained seated.

"She just fell asleep." Hearing the voice, Alex turned towards the other side and found the blond Princess standing there.

She drew closer to him and lifted the pad from his head before checking his temperature.

"How long...was I asleep?" His voice was rough, as he asked in a low tone.

"Three days." Celestria delivered some shocking news before she told him, "You had a high fever, but now it seems you are okay."

There was evident relief on her face but not wanting to wake up Sarah, she didn't raise her voice.

Alex looked at his surroundings before asking, "Did we follow that strange man?"

Celestria nodded, "Yes, he said he is a friend of your friend. Umm...yeah, Hachi...he is a friend of Hachi."

His eyes widened slightly upon hearing that name.

The old man who taught him swordsmanship recently revealed his name through a letter and also said to meet someone at the foot of Tiger Hills.

'It seems he must be it...' However, Alex needed confirmation so he tried getting up, when suddenly,

"Ah!" Sarah was jolted out of her sleep. The thread tied with Alex's arm and connecting her index finger alerted her.

Her eyes remained dazed for a moment, before, suddenly, she leaped towards him and pulled Alex in her arms.

His face was snuggled in her bosom as Sarah tightly hugged him.

Alex was startled by the sudden embrace but he returned it soon after and told her, "I am fine now. You don't need to worry."

For the first time in four days, ever since she heard about his mother's death to this point, tears appeared in her eyes, and Sarah didn't suppress them.

"You had me worried....so worried....I was...I thought...just why?!" She complained, her voice harsh. Her loud cries alerted everyone in the house as they gathered around Alex and saw him being embraced by the Saintess.

The sight was quite emotional for everyone. For the past three days, Sarah was like a guardian, assuring everyone that everything would be fine. That Alex would recover soon. And that, they could leave everything to her.

However, seeing her like this told that the most worried one was her.

Amanda drew closer to Celestria who was weeping as well, at the sight, and hugged the girl's shoulders, "He is fine now, Cela. Don't cry."

Alex took a deep breath. His actions and condition made everyone worried.

He still hasn't gotten over the grief of losing his mother. However, making others worried for his sake, made him feel guilty.

Softly caressing her back, Alex extended his hand toward Celestria.

The Princess stepped forward and sat down, before pressing his hand against her cheek.

In a soothing voice, Alex relayed, "I have recovered and I am fine now. Please stop crying."

He wasn't very good at comforting, but since they were weeping because of his condition, he could only assure them about his safety.

The trio continued to be connected for a while before Sarah finally calmed down and separated herself from him.

Tears streamed down her eyes but she refused to wipe them.

Offering her face to him, she found Alex softly wiping her tears and whispering softly, "It's been a while since I saw you cry."

His words were only heard by the person they were spoken to, before Sarah muttered, "And as always, it's all because of you."

Celestria held his hand, ushering him to turn his head before he found a blushing princess offering her tear-stained face to him.

"Haah~this girl..."

Edric chuckled while Amanda sighed, seeing the sight of a jealous princess competing with the Saintess.

Alex helplessly wiped her tears as well before asking,

"Where is Rebecca?"

Amanda responded to him, "She went to collect firewood."

Alex nodded before he asked Celestria,

"Did you send a letter back home? They might have already sent forces to search for you?"

Rather than Celestria, it was Edric who responded, "I sent a letter on her behalf, and got one from Sir Aborne today."

Alex frowned, as he asked, "Is there anything related to Whiteden?"

Edric's expression said that there indeed was something but, "W-Well, let's talk about it later..." He was warned by three ladies not to put stress over Alex as soon as he got up, so he tried dodging the topic.

But, "Ed...just tell me what you got." Alex insisted.

Edric helplessly looked around and found Sarah and Celestria looking at him with a tired look, before he finally revealed,

"Frostbate is in turmoil after losing their King. They have made no official allegation but they would likely publish your name as the wanted criminal who killed the Patriarch."

Alex expected much, "Then? What does Sir Adolf have to say in this?"

Based on the answer, Alex might not return home any time soon. However,

"Father never blamed you nor he would ever hold you guilty. He has asked us to come back as soon as our work here is done." Celestria voiced a tinge of anxiety in her voice.

The very thought of not being able to return with Alex made her restless. Your next read is at empire

"I don't think this is a trap, Alex." Sarah, who was well aware of what Alex might be thinking, added.

Alex turned towards the Saintess with a questioning look, demanding an explanation, before Sarah responded, "In my opinion, you are more valuable to them than Whiteden ever could be. Considering the catastrophe incoming it is highly unlikely that Sir Adolf would try to harm you in any way."

Alex hoped so. He really doesn't want to wander like a nomad and not get selected as one of the ten competitors after coming so far.

*Thud*

Hearing the thud from nearby, everyone turned towards the woman who had just walked in, and seeing Alex conscious, the wood from her hand dropped to the ground.

Alex smiled, "Hello, there. Did you m-" and, he was tackled into another hug.

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After comforting Rebecca for like half an hour, Alex was allowed to walk around a bit to let his stiff body get some much-needed stretch.

Walking out of the tree house, he looked at the scenery outside. The forest down the treehouse was quite serene. The smell of soil and the slow buzzing of insects provided a very peaceful sensation.

Alex closed his eyes, and muttered,

"It's really a nice place...thank you for bringing me here, Mother."

As he opened his eyes, he found a person standing beside him.

Alex didn't panic; rather, he voiced the man's name, "Andre Black...that is you, right?"

Alex read that name in the letter sent by the old man Hachi, who wanted him to meet the man at the Tiger Hills and ask him about his origin.

The older one grinned, "That'd be me."

Alex turned towards the man, before asking, "How well did you know Hachi?"

Andrew crossed his arms, "Are you going to test me? Well, go on."

Alex didn't hesitate, "What brand of cigar did he like the most?"

Andre chuckled, "He made his stuff by himself and packed it in rolling paper."

Alex narrowed his eyes, "His hair color?"

Andre laughed, "He was bald."

Alex asked a few more questions to check if he actually knew the old man or not. However, each question he shot at him was answered correctly each time.

In the end, Alex had to admit that this man knew Hachi.

"So...you know about me?" Alex asked.

Andrew rested himself against the railing before asking, "Before that, tell me, how much do you remember about yourself?"

Alex pondered for a moment, before answering, "I now know everything about both of my lives and how they are connected....however, I am bothered about what I was before becoming Ceaser."

Since the man knew Hachi, there was no doubt that he must be aware of Ceaser as well. So there was no point in being secretive.

Andre heaved a sigh, "It's so unfortunate that I cannot tell you exactly where you come from." Leaning towards the silver head, he added, "If I speak their name, they would know and that would be quite disastrous."

Alex was kind of frustrated that his source of information was also restricted.

"Then can you tell me why Solaris is after me?" That is a concerning matter since the place he would ascend to was governed by several Gods, and Solaris was one of them.

Not to talk about, Solaris would be one of the judges during the Ascension Trials as well.

Personal animosity could lead to irrational judgment.

Andre's brows were risen, seemingly, he pondered for a moment, before revealing, "Well you can say, he was given a duty from someone whom he cannot defy, yet Solaris went against the orders and used you for his benefit. Although he somehow covered it up, by sealing your powers and suppressing your memories, if you suddenly appears in the upper realm, surely, the higher ups, who originally gave Solaris the command, would know."

Glancing at Alex, he added, "And when that happens, you will see the Sun explode."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.