In This Rebirth, The Male Lead Is Mine [BL]

What Rise had noticed during his conversation with it was that its goal or mission was very straightforward. It only wanted to basically ruin the plot and become free from the author.

Its goal did not differ from what Rise wanted to achieve, but what he desired was by far bigger than just becoming free from the author. Rise would not stop with just that.

The book seemed to be something that did not care by any means, and it did not have the flexible mind that a human had. It was using Rise to achieve its goals, and so, was it just fair for Rise to also use it to achieve his?

Their cooperation began at that point; no, maybe the moment of his rebirth and return to the past, this cooperation had already begun.

Sitting at the armrest, Rise did not feel any ounce of shame talking seriously in this position. Everyone seemed to gradually get used to it or at least ignored it.

It was only Zenos who kept on glancing at them with an odd gaze.

”You already know the story of a villain, right?”

Rise had started with this, recalling the clue that Zarilan had given him. There were things that were forbidden for the current him to say, but according to the book, as long as it was related to him, it would be fine to a certain extent.

Anything related to him, the villain, it was fine talking about it. However, the moment he delved into talking about the protagonist, author, the male lead, or other important characters, the world seemed able to sense it.

No one spoke but nodded their heads in understanding. Rise swept his gaze at everyone then turned to his side, where Kamille was sitting, also listening to the conversation.

He faintly smiled at his Guild Leader then shifted again to the crowd, retracting his smile.

Rise narrowed his eyes; a shadow loomed over his expression. Instantly, the atmosphere became heavier, which everyone felt.

”Everything stays here... Take an oath under the observation of...” Rise lowered his voice, emphasizing its importance. His pupils even underwent a change as it flickered to a silver hue. ”The Records of Time.”

As soon as he finished his words and uttered that title, everyone sensed it, even Kamille swept his gaze around, his expression turning into one of wariness.

A tense atmosphere pervaded the venue; everyone could feel the huge presence, but it was uncomfortable to not see who was it. The darkness soon invaded, despite the light lamp was still lit.

Kamille focused his gaze on Rise, watching him; his brows could not help but furrow. At this moment, he suddenly felt a kind of familiar yet somehow strange feeling coming from him.

It was as though... Rise had become a different person.

Pure darkness overtook the surroundings; everyone then found themselves in a place filled with only pure darkness with nothing in sight other than a ball of light in the center.

This was only its projection, and they did not arrive at the black space just like Rise could, but its appearance was enough to earn gasps and awe from the crowd.

Halwyn’s pupils dilated then, and her gaze shook, just like how her body trembled.

This was... where her predecessor arrived before passing away soon after. No. She then dismissed the thought. It was not a real thing; they were only seeing this through... Rise’s consciousness.

Her gaze quickly returned to Rise, who now had silver pupils, looking bizarre at a glance as his eyes did not have black and his pupils were only the ones glowing in this pure darkness.

Right, the ball of light they saw, it was only a light coming from his eyes.

”This is...” She mumbled, fear and awe mixing in her heart.

Zarilan and Zenos, and everyone else, also felt their hearts racing in their chests. Invisible shackles seemed to manifest around them.

”Everything stays here. Take an oath, under the gaze of the Records of Time.” Rise’s voice was devoid of any tone, almost monotonous as it carried an eerie echo. In fact, the echo did not exactly come from the enclosed space, but it was like echoing in their minds and hearts.

Honestly, everyone did not know what exactly the oath they would take, but everyone other than Kamille and Rise suddenly felt their mouths open without their intentions.

”Everything stays here, we oath under the gaze of the great Records of Time.” These voices intertwined through the air, and around the same time, the invisible shackles only physically manifested for a moment before they went inside everyone’s bodies, which of course, excluded Rise and Kamille.

And if Zenos would pay attention, his shackles were in fact mere illusions and did not truly integrate within his soul, unlike the others.

Zenos was an important character of the plot; thus, even the book would not easily employ a soul contract with him.

Kamille simply watched when this was happening; his pupils also did not turn gray, which meant he did not try to learn what was happening through his True Sight.

Most of the things that extremely involved Rise, he only wanted to experience them firsthand.

The oath. Record of Time. Kamille propped his chin on his hand, which was resting on the right armrest, while his left hand was firmly wrapped around Rise’s waist.

Under the darkness, his lips curled slightly.

Interesting...

When the shackles manifested, Kamille felt it also brushed past him, but as though frightened, it quickly avoided him.

Why? Logically speaking, he was also part of this meeting, and thus... Should he also be shackled through that oath? Or, Kamille returned his gaze and looked at Rise, who still felt different than usual, like someone had taken over his body.

No, he was sure of that. This Rise was a mere shell, and his Rise was not here.

Still, he tightened his arm around Rise’s body, seemingly protecting him. However, his body was obviously alert; the moment he felt something was wrong, he would strike first.

Record of time or whatnot... Kamille’s gaze was sharp as it held a looming darkness in them, probably even more ominous than the pure darkness that currently blanketed them.

As though the darkness felt the looming threat emanating from Kamille, it then retreated. Or maybe it was only a coincidence as the oath was finally completed.

Slowly, Rise’s aura returned to the usual, and his pupils also went back to normal. Observing him, Kamille’s expression also eased. Rise was back.

If everyone did not feel the darkness or feeling the restriction imposed on them, they might think that everything was mere illusions.

Rise also exhaled, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

That damn book. At the last minute, it left without warning, as though in a rush. As a result, Rise became dizzy from suddenly returning to his body. At least let him prepare himself! What are you running for?

He rolled his eyes inwardly. This oath was actually something they planned since, like an oath, everything that would be discussed could only be disclosed to every party that was involved.

To have the binding and also awe effect, Rise let the book take over his body for a few moments. And he was staying at that black space, so he did not exactly know what happened here.

”Looks like everything’s settled!” Rise clapped his hand, getting everyone’s attention, not that he did not have it yet.

”Now, I’ll begin to brief you on what’s to be done.” His tone was not as serious as well, despite some parts of his speech being heavy.

Somehow, this helped alleviate the pressure from others.

***

Pfft. Records of Time.

Whenever Rise remembered that, he could not help laughing. That book was also pretentious in some parts. But, what was the title of the novel again...

Rise pondered, Oh! He remembered, but he frowned, eh?

It seemed... The novel did not have the title yet.

”What are you thinking?” Kamille inquired, both sitting at the top of the wall. In this position, Rise could see the view much better and also the ruins outside.

Occasionally, some monsters would stumble around them but would instantly be crushed, earning not only the monster’s fright but humans as well.

Rise stretched his hands again before he turned to Kamille.

”I’m thinking of... the novel I read.”

”Novel?” Kamille had a thoughtful look, but he did not look specifically interested.

Rise nodded, laughing.

”Can you guess what novel it is, Guild Leader?” His tone was playful but also expectant.

Kamille stared at him, not immediately answering.

Suddenly he smiled and shook his head, his gaze thoughtful despite the refusal.

”Let me read them sometime.” He did not guess but instead made a request.

Rise was slightly stunned; he felt like Kamille’s words had meaning or weight on them. With this thought, he felt a bit foolish.

Of course, Kamille’s words always have meanings in them!

”Soon,” Rise answered.

Their gazes lingered on each other.

A few seconds later, Rise stood up and then looked down before excitedly turning to Kamille. He then offered his hand with a huge grin.

”Guild Leader, I’m feeling better. Let’s fight!”

Kamille looked at Rise’s offered hand and then at his face before returning again to his hand.

Without any hesitation, he accepted them as he let Rise support him to stand.

”Where to?”

Rise almost immediately and embrace Kamille’s arm, grinning widely.

”Anywhere...”

After all, in this world, what they did not lack was enemies.