Chapter 5

"Um, the guardian of the barrier is supposed to be just one person, right? If the predecessor is still alive, the role shouldn't be passed on to a new person, right? That's why I thought that when you were put here, the maintenance of the barrier became impossible, but since you were still alive, a new guardian didn't appear."

When I asked this, he seemed to think for a moment. After blinking a few times, as if he had reached a conclusion, he began to write on the paper.

"Indeed, that's correct. This space completely isolates us from the other world, so when I was put here, the guardian's power could no longer reach the barrier. However, since I am still alive, a new guardian hasn't appeared. I had given up on the power disappearing, but recently, I've noticed it weakening, which is why I had my doubts."

The way he had given up on the power disappearing... it almost seemed like he had wished for it to disappear. He wasn't put here willingly, and he couldn't take anything out of this space. Walking alone in this place, where only madmen or corpses exist, without the barrier's protection to drive him mad or allow him to die, must have been incredibly painful, even to imagine. If he had been doing this for nearly a century, it made sense why he hadn't let go of my hand since we met. It must have been a long time since he had spoken to a normal person or had a meaningful conversation. If I were in his position, I would probably be the same.

As he looked around the room and continued writing, he added more text.

"This is just my speculation, but as long as I am alive, the role of the guardian shouldn't be passed on. However, you, the next guardian, can take things out of this space, which is a unique ability. Perhaps this power is related to why the role of the guardian was passed on to you, even though it shouldn't have been. I'm not sure of the details, though."

After his explanation, I had an idea. Perhaps it wasn't the power itself, but the fact that I was reborn with memories from another world that made the difference. Maybe my soul was mixed with that of the previous world, making me not a pure resident of this world, which allowed me to take on the role of the guardian. Of course, this was just speculation, and the truth was unknown to both of us. There was no point in pondering the unknowable. After all, I didn't even know why I had been reborn with my memories and a computer. For now, I should remember that the possibility of me being the guardian was quite high.

With that decision, I looked at him, who was still holding my hand tightly and let out a small sigh.

"Um, if the power of the barrier was passed on to me, then you're no longer the guardian, right?"

When I asked, he looked down at his body and, after a while, scratched his head.

"No, the power has significantly decreased, but the benefits of the barrier for the guardian still seem to be present."

"So, there are two guardians? ...Well, in this space, I guess that's possible."

"You accept things quickly."

"In a space like this, where so much is unknown, it's pointless to worry about the details. Oh, will I eventually develop the same sense of being a guardian like you?"

"I think you'll start to realize it once you become aware of it. That's how it was for me."

When I realized it, I would be certain that I had left a time bomb in that country.

"If there are two guardians in this space, I doubt another one will appear in that country."

"I think it's probably a miracle that you appeared as a guardian while I'm here."

"Then, what about the barrier in that country?"

"It should hold for a while. It held for some time after I was put here. The guardian's power stored in the barrier will gradually diminish without being replenished and eventually stop functioning."

"…I'm glad I helped that child escape."

The servants who were kind to me would likely leave the country one by one. Without the barrier, other countries, which have better self-defense, would be safer. When they realize the barrier's protection is weakening, what will my sister and that man do? I doubt they'll figure out the cause. My loved ones are likely safe, and I can't care about people I dislike or don't care about for long. Besides, there's nothing I can do now that I'm here.

As I came to this conclusion, I started feeling sleepy. I had almost fallen asleep in the massage chair but forced myself to return to this room. His presence had kept me awake, but the sleepiness had returned. I wasn't ready to sleep yet, but it was already late at night. I looked at my hand, still enveloped in his large hand, and at him, who seemed a bit tired.

Hmm, how do I leave this place?

I want to talk to him a bit more, and I don't want to part ways here. I don't think he will leave this room soon, but he is a man. I could ask a woman to stay, but inviting a man, even my favorite character, to stay the night feels inappropriate. I'm too nervous for that. But feeling the warmth of his hand, which he was holding tightly, I couldn't bring myself to ask him to leave. It would be better if he stayed.

With a sleepy mind, no good ideas came to me.