Chapter four started...
Was the old man aware of this? Or was he the one orchestrating it?
Naruto kept his expression neutral, choosing to observe for now.
Roubaul led him to a wooden table near the bar, where a steaming plate of food awaited. The aroma was rich and inviting, and Naruto's stomach growled in response. He picked up his utensils and took a cautious bite. Warm, flavorful, real. It had been a while since he'd had a proper meal like this.
Across from him, Roubaul watched with that same patient smile.
"Good?" the old man asked.
Naruto swallowed and nodded. "Yeah… really good."
Roubaul let him eat in peace before eventually offering a place to stay for the night, suggesting they continue their discussion in the morning.
For Naruto, this marked the 24th day since his arrival in this unfamiliar world—and the first time he would sleep in a bed that offered true comfort.
Year X784 – Cait Shelter
The next morning, Naruto was awakened by the sound of high-pitched voices conversing with the guild master. As he opened his eyes, he saw a blue-haired girl and a white, bipedal cat speaking animatedly with Roubaul. Startled, Naruto sprang to his feet; he had encountered summoned animals before, but this was entirely new.
The white cat, with a protective stance, seemed to be reprimanding the old man. "Master Roubaul, how could you let a stranger stay here overnight? What if he's dangerous?"
The blue-haired girl tugged gently at the cat's paw. "Please, Carla, calm down. I'm sure Master Roubaul has his reasons."
Roubaul raised a hand, his expression serene. "Carla, Wendy, I understand your concerns. But this young man means no harm. He was in need, and offering shelter is the right thing to do."
Carla's eyes narrowed as she glanced at Naruto. "We can't be too careful, especially with outsiders."
Naruto, sensing the tension, raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I'm just a… passerby, a traveler."
Wendy stepped forward, her expression gentle and kind, her large, blue eyes shimmering with curiosity and caution. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. My name is Wendy Marvell, and this is Carla. Welcome to Cait Shelter."
Naruto smiled, relaxing slightly. "Thank you. I'm Naruto Uzumaki. It's nice to meet you both."
Carla huffed but seemed to relax a bit. "Just know that I'll be watching you."
Roubaul chuckled softly. "Now that introductions are out of the way, let's have breakfast and continue our discussions."
At Cait Shelter's guild hall, the four of them sat at a wooden table while the morning bustle carried on around them. The air hummed with chatter and laughter, yet Naruto couldn't shake the uncanny sensation gnawing at him. The people here moved, smiled, and spoke like any average person would—but their presence felt hollow. There was no warmth of life, no solid weight of flesh and blood. It was like watching shadows dance on a wall.
The only ones who felt undeniably real were the blue-haired girl and the white cat beside her. The feline's sharp eyes hadn't left him since he sat down, suspicion evident in every glance.
"Master Roubaul," the white cat—Carla, Naruto reminded himself—spoke with a refined tone.
"Who is he exactly?"
Roubaul smiled, folding his hands on the table. "He's a traveler, Carla. One who's lost his way."
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… kinda sums it up."
The blue-haired girl, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke, her voice soft but curious. "Lost your way? Are you trying to get home?"
Naruto met her gaze and saw genuine concern there. He gave her a small, lopsided grin. "Yeah. I've been wandering around for weeks trying to figure things out."
"Where are you from?" she asked, tilting her head.
Naruto hesitated. "A place pretty far from here. Closed off from others," he answered cryptically.
The girl's eyes widened. Carla stiffened beside her, the suspicion in her gaze deepening.
Roubaul chuckled softly. "The mysteries of the world are vast, my dear Wendy. Some travelers come from much farther away than we realize."
Naruto's smile faltered slightly as his gaze flicked toward the lively crowd around them. "Master Roubaul," he began, voice low, "what exactly… is this place? I mean, the guild feels warm, sure—but the people…"
Roubaul's smile held, though the light in his eyes dimmed. "Ah, you've noticed." The old man gestured for Wendy and Carla to give them a moment alone.
"Noticed what?" Naruto asked.
The old man sighed. "The truth of Cait Shelter… is not as it seems."
Roubaul glanced at Wendy and Carla, ensuring they were preoccupied, before leaning closer to Naruto. His voice dropped to a whisper, heavy with the weight of long-held secrets.
"Cait Shelter is... an illusion." He paused, letting the words sink in. "I created this guild to provide a home for Wendy and Carla."
Naruto's eyes widened, but he remained silent, sensing there was more to the story.
"Long ago, I was part of the Nirvit tribe, the creators of the Nirvana magic." Roubaul's gaze grew distant, as if recalling a time long past. "Our misuse of that power led to our downfall."
He sighed deeply, the burden of centuries evident in his expression. "To atone, I used my remaining strength to conjure this guild, its members, and the village—everything you see."
Naruto glanced around, the hollow presences of the guild members now making a haunting sense.
"Wendy was but a child, alone and frightened." Roubaul's voice softened. "I couldn't bear to tell her the truth—that she was the sole human here."
Naruto nodded slowly, understanding the old man's intentions. "You wanted to give her a family."
"Yes." Roubaul's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "But now, with your arrival, perhaps it's time she learned the truth and found a real home among real people."
"To be honest, gramps, I can't say much, but I'm not really going to settle here." Naruto tried to find the right words. "However, I do owe you a good meal, so… I'm going to accompany her for the time being. I promise you that."
Roubaul's expression softened, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, Naruto. That means more to me than you know. Truth be told I already knew or have a gist of 'what' you are but I trust my instincts towards you—call it an old man's hunch." the old man humored.
To be continued….
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!
VOTE :- powerstone