Chapter 177
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Ssshh-
Muriel, who had been walking for a while, suddenly stopped.
The fairies that were sporadically visible around had all hidden their traces.
A sudden silence enveloped us.
I looked around and spoke up.
Where are we?
This is the heart of the fairy colony, known as the center of the Great Forest.
The pillar of the World Tree was so close you could touch it with your hand.
Ssshh-
A pillar so thick and massive that it brought to mind the ancient tales of giants holding up the sky.
Its bark wasnt much different from other trees, but its size was truly staggering.
It even overshadowed any artificial structures I had seen before.
Even the walls of the fortress would seem like sandcastles in comparison.
A sense of awe, as if looking at an endless horizon or a massive mountain range, overwhelmed me.
And its also the hiding place of Laplace.
On one side of the pillar, there was a huge cavity big enough for a few people to come and go.
Muriel nodded, pulling me along again.
Thats correct.
At the entrance of the cavity.
A door made of several petals was hanging, and as Muriel whispered something, it trembled and split apart.
The dark interior revealed itself.
The Master is waiting for you, please come in.
There was no reason to hesitate.
Step by step, I walked inside.
And then I looked back again.
Arent you going with me?
The prophecy was prepared for only one person.
Slurp-
Through the closing petals, Muriel saw me off with a soft smile.
.
.
.
As I continued through the cavity.
The ground was dry and solid, with no obstacles in sight.
Its strangely bright.
Despite being inside a giant tree, it should have been dark, yet it was bright in front of me.
Soon I could see why.
A swarm of fireflies flickered at the edge of my vision.
As if beckoning me, they circled the air once before
Buzz buzz buzz-
They faded away with the sound of wings.
They kept a certain distance from me.
They moved faster when I ran and slowed down when I walked.
It seemed they had taken on the role of guiding me.
Step by step.
I followed the fireflies and extended my senses forward.
But the dense web of magic only swirled through empty space.
Nothing was caught at the end.
No signs not even the wall that should have been there.
I chuckled bitterly.
How vast is this interior, really.
Where is Laplace?
I hastened my steps.
.
.
.
As I progressed.
What I encountered when I reached the pierced ceiling was a thorough drenching in sweat from walking and running.
What is this?
The pale moonlight seeping through the branches was sparkling on the pond.
I chuckled in disbelief.
A forest within the tree, and a pond inside it.
It seemed impossible.
But it didnt feel like a fantasy either.
Neither the illusion of a dream nor the hallucinations created by traitors felt as tangible as this.
I stood still, dumbfounded.
Instinctively, I knew this was the destination.
Laplace
Tsutsutsu-
It was then, a gentle breeze blew from somewhere.
The gust brushed the branches over the pond, making a soft sound.
Then the petals flew towards somewhere all at once, and my gaze followed.
A large stone in the center of the pond.
Until it reached the silhouette in a white robe perched on top.
I uttered a locked voice.
Are you Laplace?
The prophet responded promptly.
Yes, child. I am Laplace.
Child?
I didnt feel particularly offended.
They said he had lived for over a thousand years as a fairy.
In his eyes, all life in this world must look like newborns.
I took another step towards him.
Why did you summon me?
To congratulate and mourn for you, who have stepped onto the path of destiny.
Laplace spoke incomprehensible words and slowly descended into the pond.
Plop-
His bare feet stepped on the water lilies.
Yet, his body didnt sink at all.
He stood straight without the slightest movement, as if he had stepped on solid ground.
At that moment, moonlight poured down on the peculiar sight.
What.
I forgot what I was going to say and just stared at him blankly.
Two impossible states coexisted within him.
He appeared young yet wrinkled.
Taller than me, yet strangely childlike.
His skin was rough like bark.
But his hair, pouring down as if touching the surface of water, was silky, and his eyebrows, as dark as charcoal, contrasted sharply with his reddish hair.
Grotesque? Astonishing?
I couldnt find words to describe the overwhelming sensation.
Feeling like I had encountered something that shouldnt exist, I shivered.
Laplaces two eyes turned towards me.
I have been watching this moment for a very long time.
Unconsciously, I retorted.
Theres no such thing as prophecy.
The future is not predetermined, and I will strive for the best outcome I can achieve.
Just a few hours ago, I had vowed to myself not to believe in such things, but for a moment, my resolve wavered.
Those eyes.
Penetrating deeply, simultaneously delving into both the past and the future.
I had never seen anything like it before.
In those eyes, an incomprehensible span of time, a wisdom transcending mortal beings, radiated.
Ha.
I had to admit it.
This encounter was far more astonishing and mysterious than I had anticipated.
Laplace chuckled.
Its often like that with the future. The future Im about to tell you will be no different, .
Surprised to hear your name after such a long time.
I was taken aback.
Except for Ted, I had never told anyone my name.
How could Laplace, who had hidden in the World Tree for centuries, know it?
How do you know my true name, which Ive never spoken to anyone?
Sensing a chill down my spine, I closed my open mouth.
Laplace seemed to be answering my thoughts as if he could read them.
No need to force yourself to empty your mind as if I can read your thoughts.
!
Becoming a fool rushing to catch an arrow fired, isnt it? Im not reading your thoughts.
I couldnt take my eyes off Laplace.
I only see the future.
It had been a while since I had felt so powerless in a conversation.
Huff, I regulated my breath, not to retaliate.
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Whether the other party was a prophet reading thoughts or an unknown monster, it didnt matter.
I would take what I could get here and strive for the best outcome.
That was all.
I calmed my mind and faced him squarely again.
Were done with the foreplay.
Laplace looked at me with a somehow proud gaze.
One of his irises was faded white.
Please tell me why you summoned me.
Very well, we dont have much time.
It was a blink of an eye.
He, who had been standing prominently in the middle of the pond, was suddenly right in front of my face.
He hadnt moved fast, nor had he used spatial magic.
I, Laplace, have come to pay you for the kindness I received from Zero Requiem Borningenheim a long time ago.
From the moment he spoke those words, he didnt avert his gaze from mine.
He pierced through me with his eyes alone.
I asked.
Why would Zero Requiem, who vanished long before I even existed, owe me a karmic debt?
Because he wished it to be so.
Thats absurd.
I shook my head.
It was nonsense.
He disappeared long before I even existed Its preposterous.
It is. If you dont understand or wish to deny, it can be. What matters is whether the debt is being repaid or not.
Laplace slowly spread his hands.
One prophecy and one answer are prepared for you. Which would you like to hear first?
I looked at him with puzzled eyes.
Everything will flow as the master wishes.
Suddenly, the words Rosalyn had said when she saw Zeros first memory came to mind.
With a wry smile, I spoke again.
Is it really true that predetermined futures and individual destinies exist?
As long as observations have been made and observers exist, thats how it is.
How can observations affect phenomena and the future?
Laplace advised with a small smile.
I suggest not wasting the opportunity of asking valuable questions on trivial matters.
An opportunity for questions?
I recalled the words he had just spoken.
One prophecy and one answer.
If observed futures are involved, I can answer anything you ask. So, choose whether you want to hear the answer or the prophecy first.
I.
In truth, the answer had been decided from the beginning.
If by some chance fate truly exists, and if Laplace can see it.
The value of the answer far outweighs that of any prophecy.
Because I can choose to see a specific future.
I should be more careful in choosing my questions.
Being able to choose a specific future to see.
I should be more careful in choosing my questions.
On the other hand, since the prophecy was already prepared, it would be fine to hear it at any time.
With confidence, I said, Ill start with the prophecy.
Very well.
Laplace calmly, as if giving a simple morning greeting, uttered the prophecy.
It was a prophecy that neither I nor anyone who knew me could have expected.
The demon king guided your birth, so death will also be with the demon king.
* * *
Lukes vacation was monotonous.
As soon as the vacation began, he joined the Eastern Mercenary Corps camp to eradicate demons.
That was all.
It had been his routine since he became of age.
There was no complaint.
However
I want to go on a trip.
But it wasnt as easy as saying it.
His stepfather, the Mercenary King Ravias, was not the type to indulge in memories and romance from his school days.
How could he leave for a 13-night, 14-day trip when the mercenary camp was so busy?
He wouldnt permit it.
Youre becoming weak, Luke.
Have you adopted a lax attitude?
I was short-sighted. I didnt mean to send you to a place where they play house.
Will you be able to continue my legacy by withdrawing like this?
Objectively, Lukes skills had improved significantly compared to before.
However, Ravias seemed to miss the kind of madness he used to have.
If this continues and I end up being pressured to drop out.
Luke shuddered at the thought.
It was dreadful.
The friendships and bonds he felt at Rosenstark were very precious to him.
Of course, he would have to return to the mercenary corps after graduation, but he didnt want to miss this opportunity.
So, Luke came up with a plan.
He figured out a way to both travel and put an end to the unrest in Ravias.
Individual requests, just take individual requests.
Currently, the number of mercenaries under Raviass command alone exceeds a thousand.
But not all of them are focusing on the missions in the Great Mountain Range.
Some continued with their existing missions or pursued separate small-scale contracts with lucrative incomes.
What if there were requests near Dream Haven that came in individually?
If he wont let me go on a trip, I just have to come up with a reason to go.
Once he came up with that idea, he went straight to the mercenary corps mission handler and fortunately found a suitable mission.
Some remnants of the Harlem who made a deal with the Demon King fled outside the capital and hid in villages. Track and eliminate them.
*At least 10 people required
When Luke volunteered to take on the difficult mission alone, Ravias seemed quite willing.
Its quite a dangerous mission. Are you okay with that? Alone?
Yes, I think I need to handle something like this alone to follow in your footsteps, Father.
In response to Raviass encouraging nod, Luke answered confidently, mimicking Cucullis swagger.
Laughter followed.
My son, seeing you willingly throw yourself into danger makes me very happy.
And so, Luke left the camp and headed towards the vicinity of the capital.
This little bastards got some backbone.
Its better than being old and frail like you.
Swish-
After intense tracking and battles, he achieved the mission by beheading the leader of the remnants.
.
.
.
The pier heading to Dream Haven.
Luke looked down at his exhausted body for a moment.
He wasnt in a good condition, both mentally and physically, due to completing the arduous mission.
I didnt even pack.
But the joy outweighed the pain.
Finally, he could go meet his friends.
And Evergreen.
Although half of the travel itinerary had passed, leaving only about a week, it was enough.
The boy smiled widely as he looked at the approaching cruise ship.
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