Seven Sins System Chapter 330. Join The Cult?

Seven Sins System Chapter 330. Join The Cult?

I sighed, realizing that I needed to provide some explanation to the trio since they had been in the yard this morning during the tense encounter with John and Aria. It had been a harrowing experience, but I'd kept my distance and refrained from calling or explaining anything to them at the time. I didn't want them to become entangled in the dangerous web of the cult or whatever else was going on. John had been after me, not them, and I wanted to keep it that way. If the cult and John had any nefarious plans, they should be directed at me and Puriel, not them.

However, there was no escaping the fact that I needed to clarify a few things, especially my connection with Puriel. With a determined frown, I started to explain. "I didn't throw away Julia," I asserted firmly, my voice carrying a note of frustration.

Barry, with his laid-back demeanor, casually opened his paper bag and dug into his ham and cheese sandwich, continuing the conversation without missing a beat. “Well, you sounded like that this morning,” Barry said, his shoulders lifting in a nonchalant shrug. “You hugged that paladin in the yard this morning and seemed very close,” he reminded me, his mouth half-full as he chewed.

Darren, sitting beside him, jumped into the conversation, popping open his to-go container of macaroni and cheese. "Must we remind you? You previously told us that you didn't know her," he pointed out, the confusion evident in his voice as he spooned some of the pasta into his mouth.

Barry then turned to his friends, his eyes lighting up with a newfound realization. “Guys, I think that's why Miss Aria made that fanfic!” he exclaimed, a look of revelation on his face as though he'd just cracked a major case wide open.

“Oh, that makes sense!” Ion chimed in eagerly, his eyes wide with realization as he took a bite of his pizza, starting from the crust as if it were a ritual.

The disappointment in Darren’s voice was evident as he spoke. “You lied to us. So cruel," he stated, his gaze fixed on me, his disappointment practically tangible.

I let out an exasperated huff, feeling the weight of their accusatory stares. Leaning back in my chair, I sought to explain. “I told you this is not what it seems,” I asserted, frustration lacing my tone. “I honestly didn't recognize her. It was only when we met that I finally put the pieces together,” I explained, hoping to clarify the situation.

Attempting to regain their trust, I reiterated, “You know I never dug into that and never cared about it,” reminding them that my encounters with the paladin hadn't been premeditated or calculated.

“Really?” they chimed in unison, their eyes still fixed on me, filled with accusation.

With a flat stare, I shot back, feeling a pang of annoyance at their skepticism. “Yes,” I affirmed firmly. “ I just recognized her as my long-lost childhood friend when I met her,” I added, hoping to convey the unexpected revelation that unfolded during our encounter.

Darren's surprise was palpable as he processed the new information. "Wait, you guys are childhood friends?" he asked, his eyebrows raised in genuine shock. His surprise then shifted into a thoughtful frown as he scrutinized me. "Then why didn't she recognize you when you first met?" he inquired, his tone growing more inquisitive.

Part of me wanted to snap back with a retort like, 'That's because she's dumb,' but I managed to hold my tongue. The urge to keep them in the loop without alienating them won out. “I changed a lot after we separated," I explained, taking a deep breath to steady my emotions. "And for our name, as a child, we only knew our nicknames and never knew each other's full name."

Barry chimed in, nodding repeatedly in understanding. “I see. That makes more sense now,” he admitted, displaying a level of acceptance. But then, with a mischievous grin, he couldn't help but stir the pot further. "That doesn't make you sound any less suspicious," he pointed out, his voice dancing with amusement.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his comment. "Suspicion is my middle name," I quipped in response, though it was clear that they were still grappling with the situation. The fact that I had been seen hugging her waist this morning had cast a shadow of doubt over the proceedings. So it wasn’t that easy.

Darren's sudden pause and the way he fixed his gaze on me sent a jolt of unease through the room. It was as if a lightbulb had gone off in his head, and his eyes, usually filled with curiosity, now held an unusual mix of surprise and just a hint of fear.

Hesitantly, Darren reached out and gripped Barry's shoulder, trying to relay his thoughts while keeping his eyes on me. "Wait, Barry. I think I understand something," he said, his voice taut with a new kind of apprehension.

Barry turned to Darren, a puzzled expression on his face. "What?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Darren’s voice quivered slightly as he continued, "Do you remember they were talking to John…" His words trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished as if he had stumbled upon a realization but was hesitant to voice it fully.

The question hit me like a bolt from the blue. Ion's fearful expression mirrored a mix of dread and a desperate plea for reassurance. "Doc... you didn't join the cult, right? You're not their accomplice, right?" he questioned, the worry evident in his tone. It felt like the pieces of a puzzle were coming together, yet the picture they were forming remained a blur.

My initial reaction was to raise an eyebrow, baffled at the suggestion. But before I could respond, my hand instinctively flew to my face, meeting my forehead in a facepalm of disbelief.

Join the cult? An accomplice? Seriously? I was no one's lackey or minion!