Chapter 281
Chapter 281
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 281
Chapter Title: Sleeping Forest (2)
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Flutter. Flutter. Flutter.
The old woman, equipped with fairy wings, flew ahead while holding a staff straight out of a fairy tale.
She was quite elderly and her body was rotund, but amusingly, her flying form evoked the gentle grace of a butterfly.
"Here it is..."
The old woman pointed to a door.
It was a weathered yet massive castle gate, faded by time but still bearing the unmistakable touch of a master craftsman.
"Truly astonishing. Why couldn't we find such a massive castle for an entire week?"
This wasn't so much ignorance as genuine admiration.
Merlin had some idea why the castle evaded detection.
After all, he had inherited the research and knowledge of the previous Archive.
"This is the princess's forest, after all. If she wishes it, even a tiny needle can be found in an instant. If she doesn't want a massive castle discovered, it stays hidden forever." The old woman explained as she pleased. While there was no real counterargument, Merlin refrained from debating to honor his role as a guest.
This visit wasn't for scholarly debate but to ask questions.
Creeeeak—
As Merlin stepped forward, the heavy castle gate swung open on its own.
The castle interior was just as peculiar.
One would expect a lobby beyond the gate, yet a bedroom appeared instead.
A bedroom containing nothing but an enormous bed.
"You've arrived..."
From the bed shrouded on all sides by curtains came the voice of a girl.
It sounded youthful, as if from someone in their mid-to-late teens.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Merlin entered the bedroom. Creeeeak—the gate closed behind him.
"Did you know I was coming?"
"Yes... I saw it in a dream."
"Impressive. Then why not summon me sooner?"
"Sorry. I was sleepy."
The princess of the sleeping forest. With an answer befitting her name, the curtains enveloping the bed parted softly.
A girl revealed herself.
She had snow-white skin and lush honey-colored hair. Fresh and lovely as newly ripened fruit, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Her appearance made it impossible to believe she was a black mage comparable to a finger.
...Not to mention someone who had lived for centuries.
"...You seem to be thinking something rather rude."
The princess pierced through Merlin's thoughts.
Merlin acknowledged it.
"Not that rude. I was merely admiring the youth you've preserved through the ages."
"Do you envy this blessing?"
"Do you consider it a blessing?"
"Hm... No. I see it as a curse."
"Same here. Blessings and curses are separated by a fine line... Though I do crave youth when my bones ache, overall, I'd pass."
The princess let out a girlish laugh unique to her age. Charming like any young girl's, yet tinged with a subtle sorrow.
"Ah... As expected of the Archive. So wise. Humans are beautiful and valuable precisely because they age and die."
"Not particularly original wisdom."
"Yet you chose it and bear its weight... I truly admire you all. Knowing everything yet powerless to act—and accepting it without going mad... It's hard for me to imagine."
Merlin walked toward her with thudding steps and stood before the princess.
A strange tension hung in the air, but neither harbored hostility toward the other.
"You're mistaken, Princess."
"Me?"
"Yes. The Archive doesn't know everything. Just a bit more than others. And while powerless, it's not that we can do nothing. We can at least struggle. That's why I'm here."
The princess's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"I apologize. I spoke carelessly upon just waking... But in compensation, I'll answer your questions. What do you want to ask?"
With her permission to speak, Merlin felt his aged heart race.
"...Has the end begun?"
"Who knows? Wouldn't you know best yourself?"
Merlin burst into laughter—ha ha! No answer could have been clearer.
"[The moment a massive hole appears at the world's end, the needle shall move.] ...I never dreamed I'd be the first thread in that prophecy."
"Nor did I ever imagine living for centuries. That's what makes life both torment and joy."
Her words, mismatched with her youthful appearance, drew a wry smile from Merlin.
But inwardly, he couldn't laugh at all.
How could he? Few humans facing an inevitable end could smile.
Especially when that end was triggered by humanity itself.
The Archives had foreseen this day centuries ago.
'Yet we did nothing.'
"Don't blame yourself, Archive. Even the previous Archives couldn't touch it."
"Thanks for the comfort, Princess... Then, has the prince of hell and the son of the angel descended to earth as prophesied?"
"Who knows? As you know, I can't give direct answers... But one thing I can assert: If the prince of hell exists, so does the son of the angel. And vice versa. They're inseparable, like two sides of a coin."
"Then I won't ask where they are."
"Of course. But I can tell you that you've met the son of the angel—and the prince of hell."
At that response, faces flashed through Merlin's mind, but only two lingered.
One was certain, the other ambiguous.
He felt special, yet paled in comparison—like a candle to the sun.
"...One more question. Is the end truly determined by human hands?"
"Why ask what you already know?"
"I'm asking if actively intervening might avert it early, Princess."
Merlin's voice was emotionless.
He knew it wouldn't be that simple, yet a foolish human remnant in his heart wondered if it might work... He felt truly foolish.
"That could be one path."
An utterly unexpected reply from the princess.
"You're serious?"
"Yes. I don't know the right answer, so that's all I can say. People misunderstand—prophets don't know everything. In fact, they know the least. They merely relay what dreams show. However..."
She paused, then continued.
"...Whatever the Archive does, it's just one step toward the prophecy. Recommending the book, offering advice, taking him as a disciple to help, giving the letter for potential crises—all of it. You reap what you sow."
"Kuhahahahaha!!!"
Merlin erupted in mad laughter. The abstract "him" conjured a clear image.
How devious. What did that great one above desire? Doll play?
"My apologies... Did you see my new disciple—no, temporary disciple—in your dreams?"
"Yes."
"Can you answer questions about him?"
"No, I lack the authority... But one thing I can say."
"What?"
"Giving him the letter preemptively was a very good choice. A very, very good choice."
The princess smiled sincerely.
"Thank you for coming."
At a corner table in the first-floor hall of Forest Restaurant.
Oliver greeted Albert, seated across from him.
He was a mage from the Moirae School, assigned to the same ABC mission.
"I'm the one grateful for the meeting. This is Dave's trading spot, right?"
Albert glanced around as he asked.
"Yes."
"I've been meaning to visit, and now here I am."
Sincere. Oliver inquired.
"Has word spread to the Magic Tower that the fish here is delicious?"
"Er... Not exactly, but I'll try it. I like fish too."
"Good. It's quite tasty."
As Oliver replied, he called the server and ordered two plates of fish. The server nodded with a friendly smile and withdrew.
"Are you usually at the restaurant?"
"No, not really. Too many things to handle. Lately, with some free time, I've been reading books or newspapers here."
"Hmm... Do you like books?"
"If they teach something interesting."
"That's why you requested this?"
Albert proffered the document briefcase he'd brought.
It looked heavy at a glance; opening it revealed stacks of files.
"This is the success fee Mr. Arthur of the Security Bureau requested from us."
The success fee was none other than the internal intel secured from McCluskey Security's World Tree.
Oliver had protected Albert alone and aided the World Tree hack, so he asked Arthur to share all related data.
Arthur agreed to try, then sought Albert's help via Carver.
The reason: A contract between the Moirae School and city official Carver.
Mission data could be shared, but World Tree data belonged to the Moirae School.
In other words, the rights lay with the school, not city officials.
Not so strange, perhaps.
The Moirae School joined the mission to covet Druid World Tree tech.
Yet a black mage requests a share? Refusal wouldn't be odd. Yet Albert delivered it personally.
"Of course, not everything. No core Druid World Tree data. I tried persuading, but higher-ups wouldn't budge. Please understand."
Sincere. Albert explained honestly without prompting.
He knew Oliver's skill and demeanor favored frank truth over flimsy lies.
And his judgment was spot-on.
"Understood. I'm grateful for this much sharing."
His persuasion worked easily, easing Albert's tension and loosening his posture.
Curiosity arose—personal yet professional.
"May I ask why you wanted World Tree data? No offense to fixers, but I thought you preferred cash... Are you interested in the World Tree?"
"Yes, it's fascinating."
"Well, Dave is rare—ah, sorry. With your mana use, interest in the World Tree isn't odd. How much do you know?"
Oliver pondered briefly, sharing only basics.
He wanted open discussion on what he knew, but sensed hidden intent in Albert's emotions and held back.
Still, Albert seemed impressed.
"Ho... You know quite a bit about the World Tree. Not common knowledge."
"Got some books."
"Ah, Black Market and Gray Market?"
Actually Merlin's used bookstore, but Oliver let it slide.
"Fair enough, they have decent books these days... If you're okay, shall I explain more before the food arrives?"
Calculation mixed with goodwill gleamed.
Oliver nodded, and Albert built upon Oliver's info, stacking World Tree details like blocks.
Mostly known, but Albert's explanation was excellent regardless.
He simplified vague concepts and competing hypotheses well.
Soon, fish arrived, shifting to casual chat.
"Thanks, I followed it well."
"Simplified, but understanding shows the listener's skill. Impressive."
Sincere. Oliver thanked him.
"Appreciate it. You're kind."
On that note, Albert—having pondered—flashed certainty and pulled a business card from his pocket.
"What's this?"
"You called me kind earlier?"
"Yes? Oh, yes."
"Sounds cheeky, but nothing's free in Randa—not even favors. Truth is, our Moirae School wants good relations with you going forward."
"Me?"
"Yes, you, Dave. You may know Randa's a massive power struggle. From street vendors to city council. Everyone slanders for dominance. Magic Tower's no different."
"I've heard."
"Our Moirae School is called a rising powerhouse alongside Life and Space Schools. Not wrong, but there's more."
"Example?"
"Martial strength. Simple, childish, but most reliable."
"Ah..."
Oliver voiced. Not strange, perhaps.
As said before, Moirae valued info over force.
Lacking compared to others was natural.
"That's partly why we joined this reckless mission."
"Not just Druid World Tree tech?"
"Biggest reason, but also to build city allies. ABC seems small—a company—but could reshape Randa's power structure. Know that?"
Oliver nodded. He'd heard from Forest.
City council split: some bribed by Seamus, others not, competing fiercely.
ABC outcome could flip fates of councilors and officials.
"If Carver succeeds, his sponsoring councilors and us could build ties."
"Hm... Got it. Tower edge via council. But what’s that to me? I'm a black mage."
"Misunderstanding. We Moirae handle tons of info via World Tree. More open-minded than others... We don't dismiss talents like you just for being black mages."
"Thanks for saying so."
"Sincere. We know some black mages rival true mages. You're one. We want ties with such folks."
"I see."
"Yes. Other schools see us as a mere sub-department."
Oliver understood. He'd sensed it working at the Tower.
"Not asking anything now. Just early greetings. Maintain good ties, and we'll reciprocate."
"Hm... Could you teach World Tree knowledge?"
"Tricky, but I'll persuade."
"Alright. I'll mention to mediator Forest."
"That suffices."
"Assuming things go well."
"Pardon?"
"After success... McCluskey hit, time passed, yet no word?"
True. McCluskey and its front closed by city police, yet ABC thrived.
Steady payouts swelled investments past 2 trillion.
"No need to worry."
"No worry?"
"Yes. Fun article might drop soon."
Albert smirked mysteriously. Emotions suggested no bluff.
Days later, Cassandra ran it on front page.