NOVEL WEB Chapter 347: Chaos vs Order.
Ayla decided to keep following the Jester, roaming around the street aimlessly. She had to admit that the Jester had a beautiful voice, melodies, and poems just like what the merchant said. Some of the people paid attention to him, giving him compliments, and even gave him fruits of food out of appreciation for the art.
The Jester wasn't always creepy and menacing, he could be nice, really nice to people. He put a genuine smile of joy toward the people who appreciated his work. He also could have a normal conversation with people, which shocked Ayla.
"How long are you going to follow me around, little Miss?" The Jester tilted his head, approaching Ayla, who was sitting on the bench. "You're not here to appreciate my work, at least not as your main purpose," he chuckled mischievously as he stood in front of her.
It had only been a few hours of following the Jester, and she was no longer feeling scared of him. She found him normal in a sense when she didn't show any hostility or ill intention toward him.
"I'm here to keep an eye on you," Ayla answered as she looked up at the Jester. "But I'm not working for the people who want to harm you in any way or have any motive..." she explained as she shook her hands.
The Jester began to dance silently, a silly dance and yet it seemed flawless. Ayla couldn't help but watch with both fascination and discomfort. She had never encountered someone like him, even a madman would have been less absurd and more predictable.
The Jester suddenly stopped spinning around and lifted one leg upward. His torso was hanging sideways while his right hand reached the toes of his leg that were above him.
"Ahh! That brown skin man with the beautiful lady beside him are the ones who sent you here, aren't they?" The Jester grinned widely, still in the same position.
Ayla didn't need to ask who those were and already knew they were Rasmus and Aris. She knew those two had changed their appearances to hide their real identities from the demon cults and demons. She didn't know if she should answer with the truth or not, but she knew there was no point in lying because she had given enough hints.
"Yes, he's my Master," Ayla answered as she nodded her head. "My Master said that you're an asset, and he entrusted me to keep an eye on you and to protect you if needed," she continued as she looked at the Jester's eyes.
"I see!" The Jester suddenly raised his voice and jumped up high. "So he made sure I'm safe and sound!" He flipped and landed on both hands, doing a handstand as he laughed manically.
Ayla was shocked by the sheer strength, flexibility, and endurance of the Jester's body. She would be able to do something like that, but she wouldn't find it comfortable unlike the Jester who seemed fine.
"How nice of him, but I'm fine even without having someone to look after me..." The Jester giggled mischievously, pulling one hand away from the ground, allowing him to do a one-hand hand stand. "But I appreciate the thoughtfulness," he laughed as he began to spin around like a slow propeller.
Ayla wanted to ask about the encounter between the Jester and Rasmus, but she knew her boundaries. However, she remembered what Rasmus said, about the meaning of her life. She knew that Rasmus wanted her to be more than a blind loyalty follower or a tool. She thought if it was the time for her to be herself for once.
"What did my Master say to you, Mister? Are you close with him?" Ayla asked.
The Jester stopped spinning, his back facing Ayla until he slowly turned his head around, staring at her from the upside-down.
"Little Miss, are you sure you're allowed to speak of such a thing behind your Master's permission?" The Jester asked with his head tilted.
"No, but he encouraged me to be more than just a tool..." Ayla answered hesitantly, lowering her head.
The Jester grinned, and immediately pushed himself up before he landed on his feet. He spread his arms as if he was waiting for some recognition or a simple ovation from his act. However, he lowered his arms and put them behind his back when there was nobody clapping their hands.
"What a considerate Master of yours. Well, I already can tell that he's not the type to enjoy holding power over someone's life," the Jester said as he pulled out a flute out of his sleeve.
"Yes, I believe so too..." Ayla smiled softly as she nodded in agreement.
The Jester began to play the flute as he walked away without saying a word. Ayla was curious why the Jester had suddenly decided to walk away. However, when she was about to get up from the bench to follow him, the Jester raised his right hand and clenched it.
Ayla tilted her head and furrowed her brows because that gesture was meant to stop her from following him. She knew that was meant for her, but why the Jester wanted her to not follow him. She then looked around and noticed there were guards walking out of the corner that were patrolling the street. She immediately pretended to act normal by staring at the sky with a distant gaze.
The Jester began to perform with his flute, attracting everyone's attention with the beautiful melody. She knew that she had talked long enough with him, and she decided to find something to eat and gather more information about the situation in the city for the upcoming ceremony.
The Jester kept playing with the flute with his eyes closed until he slightly opened his left eye. He glanced at the bench and he didn't find Ayla there, and she had disappeared without a trace. He then decided to continue his performance without anyone paying any attention to him.
Ayla was hiding in a dark alley with her eyes wide open. She looked terrified when she glanced at the street, she was shocked when she saw it. She slowly took a peek at the street and saw the carriage going further and toward the Jester.
"(I have to report this to my Lord...)" Ayla thought and hurriedly walked out of the alley and went to the inn she was staying in.
The Jester was playing the flute when he suddenly felt immense pressure. He opened his eyes when a carriage moved past him, and he accidentally saw the people inside it. He saw a man, wearing an all-white robe with a hood that covered his face. Based on the appearance, he knew it was the man who had been referred to as the Folk Saint, the Blessed, Nemu.
The Jester closed his eyes and continued playing, without thinking much about it. However, he couldn't stop shuddering because the immense pressure on his body lingered. He didn't know what had happened, and it made him a bit nauseous as if his head was being squeezed and spun around violently.
The Jester watched the carriage move toward the palace, and it made him stare at it with a cold gaze. He slowly put down the flute he was playing and hid it under his sleeve before he walked into a dark alley and disappeared.
The carriage arrived at the palace with a lot of royal knights standing on the sides. The king's envoy came out of the palace and stood in front of the carriage door, waiting to greet Nemu. The moment the carriage door opened, everyone lowered their heads, including the royal knights.
"Welcome to this humble place, Oh, the Blessed one..." The king's envoy bowed his head. "His Highness is waiting for you inside. I'll escort you to the throne room, Your Holiness."
Nemu nodded his head slowly, still with the hood on, hiding his face. However, anyone could see the pale face and the sharp jaw of his, wondering how handsome his face was. Rumors said that his face was that of an angel, whoever looked at him would lose their minds.
Nemu entered the throne room, and immediately everyone was ordered to leave the room. Nemu was alone with the royal family, and all of them immediately moved to the side as the king pointed at the throne.
Nemu approached the throne, but then he stopped before he could step on the small steps toward the throne. He turned his head toward a young lady with bright blonde hair. He slowly walked toward her and placed his hand with a white glove on, on the lady's head.
"You'll become an adult soon. Is there any wish you want, Princess?" Nemu asked, his voice was beautiful soft and soothing.
Amarylis was overjoyed when she heard Nemu's words. A wish that would be granted by none other than a powerful being. She immediately went down to her knees and pressed her head against the carpet.
"This humble servant doesn't know what I want yet. I can't think of anything..." Amarylis answered.
Nemu chuckled softly, his chuckle putting everyone at ease and giving them peace of mind. He then nodded with understanding and decided to walk to the throne.
"Please, tell me what you want in the future if there's something you want, Princess," Nemu said as he sat down on the throne and rested his arms on the armrests.
Amarylis nodded her head as she slowly got up, still with her head lowered.
"Now, tell me why you want to see me, King Relius," Nemu asked, staring at the man wearing a crown.
Relius went down to one knee with his head lowered.
"There are so many things that will pique your interest, Lord Nemu..." Relius answered as he lifted his head to look at Nemu.