Chapter 1057: New World [2] |
Arianne's heart pounded. The sudden darkness had genuinely startled her. For several moments she remained frozen.
Then she realized something. Michael's arms were still around her, but she didn't point that out. And for some reason, Michael didn't seem eager to let go either.
The room remained dim, illuminated only by faint light filtering through the curtains from outside.
Eventually Michael cleared his throat.
"The switch controls the bulb."
"The what?"
"The glowing thing on the ceiling."
"Oh."
Arianne looked upward, even though she could barely see it now.
"Press it again."
Arianne obeyed.
Click. The room instantly brightened.
Her eyes widened.
Click. Darkness.
Click. Light.
Click. Darkness.
Click. Light.
Arianne stared. Then looked at the switch. Then at the ceiling. Then back at the switch. A sparkle appeared in her eyes.
Click. Darkness.
Click. Light.
Click. Darkness.
Click. Light.
Michael watched in silence.
Ten seconds later.
Click. Darkness.
Click. Light.
Twenty seconds later.
Click. Darkness.
Click. Light.
Michael rubbed his forehead.
"Miss Arianne."
"Mm?"
Click. Darkness. Click. Light.
"What are you doing?"
Arianne looked genuinely confused.
"I'm testing it."
"Testing what?"
"The magic."
"It's not magic."
Click. Darkness. Click. Light.
Arianne gasped.
"It worked again."
Michael stared at her.
The young woman stared at the switch for a few more seconds before finally asking the question she had been holding back.
"What exactly is this thing?"
Michael looked at the switch but didn't speak. Before even starting, he could already tell that explaining electricity to someone from a medieval fantasy world might actually be harder than explaining that he came from another world entirely.
He honestly wasn't sure where to start.
Finally, he gave up.
"I'll explain later."
Arianne immediately looked dissatisfied.
"But—"
"Later."
"But—"
"Definitely later."
Arianne puffed her cheeks slightly. Michael pretended not to notice. Instead, he reached forward and grabbed her hand.
For some reason, Michael felt he should be bolder, braver. More confident. Come on. Why was he fearing rejection and acting so weak? Surely Arianne wasn't that scary, right?
"Come on."
"Hm?"
"I'll show you something cooler."
Without waiting for a response, Michael gently pulled her toward the door.
A few moments later, they stepped outside, and Arianne's world shattered all over again.
She stood completely frozen. The view before her was unlike anything she had ever imagined.
People. Dozens of people. Perhaps hundreds. Everywhere she looked, people moved through the streets. None of them wore robes, carried swords, or rode horses. Their clothing came in countless strange styles and colors.
Some wore black jackets. Others wore colorful shirts. Some exposed their arms. She even saw a few women in extremely short clothing. Sheesh. If she dared wear that outside, her father would kill her.
The buildings were equally absurd. Towering structures stretched high into the sky. Many were made almost entirely from glass. Others displayed enormous glowing signs across their walls. Moving pictures flashed across giant boards suspended above the streets. Words appeared and disappeared. Images changed constantly.
Arianne's mouth slowly opened, then she froze again.
Something large flew past on the road. It was not an animal but a large metal block. Then another. And another. Dozens of them, moving unbelievably fast.
Arianne instinctively took a step backward.
"Si— Michael!" Her voice carried alarm. "What are those?"
"Cars."
"What?"
"Cars."
"That explains nothing!"
Before she could ask another question, a loud horn sounded from the street. Arianne nearly jumped.
"What attacked us?"
"Nothing attacked us."
"Then why is it screaming?"
"It isn't screaming."
"It definitely screamed."
Michael rubbed his forehead. Meanwhile Arianne continued staring around in complete shock. At this point she had forgotten almost everything else. The city itself was overwhelming.
Soon Michael pulled a black nose mask from his pocket and put it on.
Arianne immediately noticed.
"What is that?"
"A mask."
"Why?"
Michael paused.
"Privacy."
"Why are you hiding?"
"I am not. My identity is just a bit troublesome."
"That sounds like hiding."
Michael decided not to continue that argument. Instead, he led her through the streets.
The entire journey was a battle. Every few seconds Arianne stopped walking. Every few seconds she found something new to stare at.
A giant screen. A motorcycle. A traffic light. An elevator visible through a glass building. A child holding a glowing tablet.
Everything seemed capable of breaking her understanding of reality.
Eventually Michael guided her toward a nearby bakery. The moment they entered, Arianne was drawn in by a rich aroma that filled the air. The scent alone nearly made her dizzy with hunger.
Rows upon rows of bread lined the displays. Cakes. Pastries. Donuts. Croissants. Countless foods she had never seen before, though a few looked vaguely familiar.
Meanwhile, the employee behind the counter looked equally fascinated. The young man glanced at Arianne. Then at Michael.
The cashier leaned forward.
"Bro."
Michael sighed.
"What?"
The man's grin widened.
"Your girlfriend is gorgeous." His eyes remained fixed on Arianne. "Seriously though, where'd you meet her?"
Michael remained silent, but the young man didn't seem to mind. The grin on his face only widened further.
"That cosplay is insane."
"Cosplay?"
"Yeah." The cashier gestured toward Arianne's dress. "The hair. The eyes. The outfit. The whole fantasy princess look. It's perfect." He lowered his voice. "Natural too."
Michael felt completely helpless.
Across from him, Arianne understood absolutely none of the conversation. The language being spoken was entirely foreign. Still, she could tell something was happening.
The employee kept looking at her, then at Michael, then back at her, and every time he did, that strange smile on his face grew wider.
Arianne narrowed her eyes suspiciously, then quietly moved closer to Michael, almost unconsciously. The movement caused the cashier's grin to widen even further.
Michael was starting to wonder if he should leave. Unfortunately, the cashier wasn't finished.
"Bro."
"What?"
"You better marry her."
Michael nearly choked.
Meanwhile Arianne tilted her head. She had no idea what was being said. But judging by Michael's expression, it was probably something embarrassing.
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