His expression changed a little, but he was still unsure about their ranks. "What could 'Representative' be?" he thought as he tried to look cool.
"I don't want to hurry things, but they already know that you're here," her tone shifted as she reminded Javohir that he was here to be executed. But soon, after noticing not only Javohir's mood change but also Lumin's sudden change in facial expression, she turned back. Before continuing, she checked if no one was around. After confirming that no one was nearby, she continued:
"I may not trust you, human, but I trust Lumin. So I don't think… no, at least I don't want to think that you're actually the bad guy here. So I wanted to take you two to the castle right now. It's better to hurry. If we don't, the Supremes may not even hear us. As I already told you, they are aware of your presence."
Javohir and Lumin stood silent, not interrupting her.
"But before that, I want to have a discussion with you, Javohir," she said, implying Lumin should leave them alone. Lumin went to her tent, saying she was sleepy—even though she already knew Javohir had grasped the situation.
"Grab my hand," the Representative of the 3rd Legion stretched her hand to Javohir.
"Can I ask why... No, it doesn't matter." He thought questioning the Representative was of no use right now—especially when she was trying to help him. At least, he made himself believe that.
Javohir trembled as he saw wings on the Representative's back right after grabbing her hand. "I hope you're not planning to throw me from above." He tried to hide his fear by acting humorous.
"I also hope you have strength in your hands so you won't slide off... Or should I carry you in my arms like a prince would carry a princess in those human stories?" she teased him, trying to make the situation less tense for Javohir.
"I'm quite surprised to see you teasing wo—Aaah, hey! Make sure to tell me before you start flying! I... I-I wasn't mentally prepared!" He grabbed the Representative's hand with both hands.
"Hahaha, so 'you're all talk and no bark'?" To make sure he wouldn't fall, she kept flying slowly. "Hehe, I've been wanting to use that phrase..." Her tone didn't match her humor, yet it felt reassuring to Javohir.
"I was wondering how you know so much about Earth… but I guess if you know how to tease with 'earthly' phrases... A-anyway, Miss Representative, I'm not going to rush you, but my physical strength isn't exactly something I'm confident in." His hands were already getting tired.
"You mean there's any power you are confident in?" Her tone changed again. Though she had been cheerful and teasing just a moment ago, this question sounded serious.
Javohir fell silent, realizing she didn't ask it as a joke. Fortunately, the Representative also realized she was being too serious. "Don't worry, we're landing here."
They landed near a wooden house. It was similar to the one he had woken up in. Even the inside was almost the same.
"So, Javohir. I'm sorry to tell you this... but you're not going to sleep enough today." She showed him one of the rooms inside and told him to wait. Although the house looked small from the outside, it had four rooms. He was probably in the bedroom, waiting for the Representative to call him back.
He threw himself onto the bed, but his eyes were wide open, trying to understand the situation. Loud noises were coming from the next room. Javohir assumed it was the Representative making the noise. As he waited in silence, his mind filled with thoughts. He was more nervous than he had imagined. He considered every possible reason why the Representative had brought him here and what might be awaiting him. He was trying to mentally prepare for the worst-case scenario.
As his thoughts spiraled, he didn't realize he was thinking aloud. Mumbling to himself, he didn't hear the Representative calling him
"...Hmm, again that thing. I'm not sure who she is, what power and status she holds by being a Representative? I wasn't sure what kind of creatures they were but now... I've already been taken by the Representative to some—" A sudden door creak startled him.
"Hey, you! We are not some creatures, you know? A-anyway, did you not hear I've been calling you?" She seemed frustrated at being called a creature. But Javohir understood, as soon as she stepped through the door, why she had told him to wait in this room.
She had changed her uniform. Although it was still a rather worn-out dress, it was much better than the uniform. She was no longer covering her face.
Javohir stood silent for a moment. He was stunned after seeing her face. At first he was shocked to see her in an ordinary dress, but her revealing face did shocked Javohir more than anything. Coming to the room she called him to talk. They went to the kitchen, but Javohir was still unable to say anything. Stunned by what he saw, he couldn't find any appropriate words.
Javohir hadn't expected to see a beautiful and charming face beneath those clothe she was hiding her face, but still—it was shocking to see what she truly looked like. Her face was almost misshaped. Heavy traces of something—scars ran from the bottom of her jaw to her forehead. Her nose was gone. No eyebrows, no eyelashes. It was all wiped away, leaving only the scar. Yet it seemed like a true miracle that her eyes weren't damaged, even though nearly every other part of her face had been so harshly destroyed. Her jaw was crooked, and that's what shocked Javohir most. How could she speak so clearly, even with her jaw in such a state?
Looking at Javohir, the Representative felt guilty and regretted showing her face.
"I know it's hard to even look at me... But I didn't call you here for chit-chat. I'm going to question you—and jokes aside, don't fool around this time. Everything is simple: I ask, you answer." She set the table as she spoke.
"I think you don't mind me having dinner while we talk. And I think you didn't eat well either, so feel free to eat too."
Javohir was still silent, but the scent of grilled chicken brought him back to his senses.