Chapter 113
'But.'
In my case, it was different.
This side didn't need any special items for the ability in the first place.
Rather than not needing them, it should be said they had the opposite effect.
Even if I held such high-class objects, they would only rot away as antiques difficult to dispose of.
As they were dangerous objects, I couldn't carelessly throw them away or sell them.
If a divine object fell into the hands of heretics, it would truly cause a bloodbath.
Thanks to that, I had many worries in various ways.
"Huhu."
In that sense, the dean was a good opportunity for me.
While disposing of dangerous objects.
I could also hear foresight about the future.
As an impurity called me had intervened in the original flow, I needed to check if there were any separate changes in the prophecy.
After rummaging in my pocket for a moment, I placed something on the table.
Clack-.
"So I prepared this."
A case the size of a palm.
When I slightly lifted the lid from the closed box, a particularly shiny stone was contained beyond it.
An ethereal blue energy was flowing from the jewel.
I needlessly tapped the surface with my fingertips.
Then, as if responding, a strange noise rang out and the air spread around twisted slightly.
As if a heat haze was rising.
"A divine object... the heart of an ancient dragon."
It was an item obtained when rescuing the fox.
A laboratory situated between huge canyons.
A mad stage where only the black magicians called the worst in Baob gathered and massacred countless people with chimera experiments.
It was an item collected in the process of destroying that insane facility.
The heart of a dragon that once protected the world.
At the time of discovery, it was powerful enough to twist the time of the surrounding canyons, so this level of output was sufficient to shoulder the prophet's price.
The dean was quietly staring at the jewel I held out.
"......"
However, there was no particular change in his expression.
A reaction so calm it was empty.
At this point, I could guess once again.
'As expected.'
Prophet or regressor.
Usually when characters who foresee the future exist in creative works, their reactions to possessors are largely divided into two branches.
One is the side that only knows the future based on the original work.
The other is the side that knows the future based on the possessor's existence.
In my case, it seemed to be the latter.
'Otherwise there's no way this reaction would come out.'
As mentioned earlier, divine objects are not easily obtained.
Even officially confirmed items don't exceed five.
If a mere student brought such a rare resource, it would be normal to at least give a questioning look.
Moreover, if that student was a traitor leading the world to destruction, even more so.
'Rather, it would be normal to be wary.'
It's not like the Yuda from the original work would have given a divine object to the dean either.
The future the prophet glimpsed was clearly related to 'me'.
Having finished grasping the situation, I deliberately threw out a few words as if joking.
"I said earlier. That this is the first time I'm seeing you face to face."
"I remember."
"But it doesn't seem that way for you, Dean."
"Hoho... indeed, you're quick-witted."
"Please stop with the embarrassing praise. Didn't you even know the situation where I would say such a prediction?"
"I won't deny it."
The dean smiled calmly.
His wrinkled hand put down the teacup he was holding.
Pushing aside the now cold tea, the old man received the case I held out.
Perhaps he didn't intend to drag it out.
He covered the jewel with his palm without saying anything.
He seemed to know the role I wanted from him.
"Yes... if you crave prophecy in the fog, I'll recite within the role originally given."
Whooosh-!
Right after.
A subtle colored aura flowing from the dean's fingertips.
The shining jewel crumbled bit by bit.
It was rapidly collapsing while shouldering the price for violating the restriction.
The old man recited beyond providence without delay.
"You're curious about the world's ending, aren't you?"
"That's right."
"That end will surely be beautiful enough for everyone to be happy. They'll all face tomorrow full of hope. But..."
"But?"
"Only the liar will be in pain. You won't be among the brightly blooming smiles. Because others' happiness will be achieved through foolish lies."
"...I see."
It was quite an ambiguous prophecy.
While there was a future I could guess fairly well up to a certain point, when I chewed over the other side, I couldn't understand what it meant at all.
Though I was relieved at the assertion of a beautiful ending.
The sentence that only the liar would be in pain bothered me.
A prophecy that could flow to either interpretation.
As prophecies are realized the more you chew on them, it seemed I would need time for now.
I quietly placed my chin in my hand.
'I still have a few more questions.'
There was one doubt I had always harbored.
It was related to the original work.
In the original interactions, the dean only implied tragedy, without mentioning anything related to Yuda's betrayal.
From the prophet's position, he should have known about the backstabbing that would come later.
It was a question that had been bothering me since making story summary videos.
'Even if it's because of the restriction... shouldn't there have been implications like now?'
The agonizing continued endlessly.
I thought about asking the dean additionally but soon gave up.
The restriction the prophet shoulders is thorough.
In a situation where he had already answered one, it would be too much to answer more...
"I'll answer that question."
"...?"
A voice as if piercing through my inner monologue.
I couldn't help but be flustered.
What's this?
This is a pattern I've never seen before.
Even after playing countless times, I had never seen a case of giving two prophecies at once.
In short, it was an original event not in the original work.
The old man added words.
"You have never betrayed."
"Pardon...?"
"I don't know how it looked in other children's eyes, but at least the you I watched was like that. It was the same even in the world you don't know yourself."
White eyes looking this way.
Beyond the pupils sunken like winter, only a golden snake was seated.
The old lips advised.
"Dolls don't shed tears. But just because one sheds tears doesn't necessarily mean they're human. I hope you will carefully consider this difference."
"......"
I couldn't give any answer.
It was because of the confusion washing over me.
Dolls don't shed tears... how did that man know those words?
Moreover, what did he mean by saying I had never betrayed?
"Wait."
Though I tried to ask as if grabbing belatedly, it was already after using up all the given time.
The dean gently put down the jewel he was holding.
The surface that had been swirling with blue was already dyed a lifeless gray.
Before long, the form that had barely been maintained collapsed.
It scattered like a handful of dust.
"...Ah."
Sruruuk-.
Perhaps because he forcibly violated the restriction?
The dean's hand that had touched the jewel was also collapsing. That annihilation didn't stop until his left hand completely disappeared.
The old man looked down at the falling dust and briefly added.
"We'll have to end the conversation here."
"......"
"I dragged out the previous talk too long. We couldn't even discuss the reward for the tournament, which was the original topic. If you have any wishes later, feel free to tell me."
"...I'll think about it and let you know."
"You may go now."
"Yes."
I obediently stood up from my seat.
Thoughts tangling complexly.
Though I knew there was no more information to receive, I had to forcibly move my feet that wouldn't leave.
I left the dean's office, leaving behind waves striking emptily.
The snake walked into the unknown once again.
The prophet sitting behind stared at that receding back for a long time.
Until the fluttering shadow faded.
***
A beautiful ending where everyone is happy.
Only the liar in pain.
The existence of a traitor who had never betrayed.
A doll that doesn't shed tears.
Trudge trudge-.
Even while leaving the main building, my mind was filled with prophecies.
Letters tangling without understanding their meaning.
Just thinking about interpreting these in the future gave me a headache.
Like that, while walking the academy streets with a sigh.
"Y-Young Master...!"
I discovered Regia lingering nearby.
Pink hair disheveled in the wind.
Though I had clearly told her to go into the library building first, our protagonist seemed to have waited until the consultation ended.
We walked towards the carriage stop while exchanging a few words.
The setting sky beyond the horizon.
Evening was dyed with autumn wind.
When I slightly turned my head, my gaze met green eyes.
I casually asked.
"How is Miss Regia these days?"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if you're enjoying academy life well."
"Ah... y-yes! Recently I've made many friends to go around with, my practical grades have risen to the upper ranks of Class A, and m-many people acknowledge me!"
"You're amazing indeed."
"He-hehe... it's because Young Master watched over me!"
The girl answered as if it was natural.
Eye corners naturally curving.
As I conversed with that bright smile, even the complicated thoughts from just before gradually washed away.
I began to shake off the worries I had been chewing on one by one.
'Right.'
Isn't this enough?
The protagonist's smile.
I was making children laugh who would have only cried and been hurt originally.
My efforts so far have been meaningful.
The last words uttered in a life with nothing to lose had changed many stories before I knew it.
It will be the same from now on.
'It's probably not good to get too buried in prophecies either.'
I'm doing well enough even now.
Of course, I'll need to work harder.
For now, I decided to put aside worries for today.
I lightly walked ahead.
"Huhu... shall we go to the library now? The others will be waiting."
"Yes!"
The shadows of a boy and girl crossing the sunset.
We took steps towards tomorrow, shaking off the thoughts we had placed on today.
***
Meanwhile,
The empire's underworld.
"Hmm."
The shadow that had been sitting on the throne all along broke the silence.
A newspaper was held in his hand.
It was a newspaper containing news about the academy.
On the front page was the headline [Appearance of a Student Overwhelming a Professor!]
It was an article covering the recent tournament.
"Interesting."
He skimmed through the content as if intrigued.
Red eyes were staring at the snake's photo printed in the center.
His lips muttered.
"Is it starting to move at last?"
Thud-.
The shadow dropped the newspaper to the floor.
In front of the throne, a royal guard consisting of four people was in place.
The five negations.
"Then... it's about time we join in on the fun too."
The voice commanded his subordinates.
To participate in the full-fledged game.
"I was thinking of seeing his face after a long time."
"Are you talking about that snake?"
"Keukeuk... who else but him could face us as an equal?"
"We will have him ready as soon as possible."
"Good."
A faithfully returning answer.
The shadow nodded as if satisfied.
Though he knew mere royal guards were no match for the snake, they could at least stimulate him to come on his own.
He unconsciously stroked his empty right arm.
There was only a blank space instead of an arm there.
An ominous smile flowed across his lips.
"Shall we enter once?"
The world was like dawn before a storm.
In the pitch darkness where only a tense atmosphere lingered after several wars ended.
"Into the center of chaos."
The monarch began to move.