Chapter 155: The Butterfly Effect(4)
Chapter 155: The Butterfly Effect(4)
I had just learned that I was reincarnated into this world because a demon's summoning ritual had gone haywire. How was I supposed to react to that?
It felt like I’d just been told some completely unexpected "secret of my birth," leaving me dazed and nothing more. No other emotions really surfaced.
Anger? Hatred?
In the first place, I had very few lingering attachments to my previous life. After my parents passed away suddenly, the mental shock had caused me to live almost entirely cut off from the rest of the world. I did regret not being able to finish the novel I was serializing, but there was nothing I could do about that now.
Besides, I had unintentionally given the demons a massive "screw you," so in a way, it was actually quite satisfying.
[Are... are you alright?]
'Pardon? About what?'
[Because of our mistake, you, who were living well in another dimension, were brought here. Even if you were living a sad life, a life is always precious.]
Luminous asked me in a truly cautious voice. Hearing that question made me reconsider my opinion of him as a god.
Luminous—the god who embodies light and hope, known for his benevolent and generous nature. Speaking with him in person, he certainly seemed that way.
However, from what I could tell now, he also seemed surprisingly timid. Usually, a being of divine status would act brazenly even after making a mistake, but he didn't do that at all.
My sudden death was the demons' doing, so it was a bit of a stretch to say the gods, including Luminous, were at fault. Nevertheless, Luminous seemed genuinely apologetic.
'No, I'm fine. It wasn't a life I had much attachment to anyway.'
[Still...]
'Actually, my life now after reincarnating is much better. I have wonderful parents, siblings who get along well, and finally, beautiful lovers. I'm enjoying luxuries I never could have dreamed of before.'
And it was the truth. In my past life, I was just an ordinary guy with nothing special going for him, but after reincarnating, my situation had done a complete 180.
A harmonious family, fame and power through the Xenon Chronicle, and even women I’d promised my future to. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I had everything a man could want.
[...If that's how you feel, then we are relieved. To be honest, I was a little worried you might resent us.]
'Isn't it a bit strange for gods to be so concerned about the feelings of a mere mortal?'
[Because you are a soul from another galaxy, from a planet we do not govern. Since this happened due to our oversight, we can't help but feel responsible.]
I didn't quite understand, but since a god said so, I decided to just roll with it. Talk of planets and galaxies didn't really suit me anyway.
More importantly, the priority was resolving the current situation.
'So, there's no problem with me writing the Xenon Chronicle, right?'
[That is correct. In fact, we hope you write even more. We never imagined that a difference in culture could produce such results.]
'What do you mean by that...?'
[As you've felt while living here, the level of science and culture in this world is much lower than on Earth. To you, the Xenon Chronicle might be just an ordinary novel, but to the people here, it is not. Things you would call "clichés" in Earth's language can be actual, real-life situations in this world.]
'A difference in culture...'
[The development of culture and science is the development of imagination and creativity. Furthermore, the Xenon Chronicle you wrote isn't just focused on imagination; its historical accuracy is impeccable, isn't it? Especially regarding the demons—everyone had simply forgotten, but it was something bound to happen eventually.]
Talk about a butterfly effect.
Not all authors are like this, but most web novel writers are people who have at least some interest in manga or novels. They've mastered things like "clichés" long ago and are usually busy trying to subvert them.
The soul the demons accidentally summoned by messing up the coordinates just happened to be from Earth, a place with a much more advanced civilization, and that soul belonged to an ordinary South Korean web novel writer.
To top it off, the world he was born into was a fantasy world where beastkin, dwarves, elves, and demons existed.
Calling it a coincidence didn't do it justice; at this point, it was practically destiny. I bet the odds were lower than winning the lottery.
'That's... quite strange. Anyway, you're saying there won't be any disadvantages for me at all?'
[Yes. The natural order returned to its original state the moment you were born, so there are no issues. On the contrary, we should grant you a blessing. Though it wasn't intentional, your writing has greatly advanced the culture and science of this world. Furthermore, you prevented the invasion of demons in advance, stopping a situation where civilization would have regressed.]
'A blessing is a bit... burdensome. You said this was all a coincidence.'
[You don't need to humble yourself so much. If you were walking down the road and encountered a monster that put your life in danger, and a highly skilled mercenary happened to appear and save you, would you just dismiss it as a coincidence and move on?]
'Ah.'
As expected of a god, he provided an example that was immediately easy to understand. Sensing my realization, Luminous continued in a warm voice.
[Actually, even for an ordinary priest, having a conversation like this is difficult. One would need to be at least a Cardinal to have a direct conversation like this instead of just receiving an oracle.]
'Then why me?'
[Because you not only prevented a great disaster in the future but also significantly advanced the culture and science of this world. Through the Xenon Chronicle, you created a culture that everyone, not just a specific few, can enjoy, and you helped the demons come out into the world. You also united the elves who were on the verge of splitting, and the mana engines...]
'I'm sorry. I think that's enough.'
Hearing such things from a divine being, rather than a person, made me feel incredibly embarrassed. Luminous let out a pleasant chuckle at my bashfulness.
'...Then, can you tell me what this "blessing" is?'
[It can be considered a type of prophecy. We can tell you your future. However, the moment a future is revealed, it loses its meaning. Since the future can change at any time, I recommend you ask carefully.]
'For example?'
[For example... Oh, wait. Hey! You...!]
Luminous's voice trailed off for a moment before he suddenly shouted. I couldn't help but be startled by the urgency and fluster in his voice.
At the same time, Luminous's voice cut out. Wondering what was happening, I opened my eyes. The statue's eyes were still glowing gold.
'What's going on?'
I closed my eyes again and waited patiently for Luminous to speak. Fortunately, he returned before long.
[Whew. I'm sorry. My younger sister suddenly barged in...]
'By younger sister, you mean...'
[Mora, the Goddess of Darkness and Rest. She is my twin sister. It seems she wants to talk to you... Ah, please. Go away! I'll send him to your temple later! What if something happens to this child?]
'... ...'
Once again, Luminous's irritated voice echoed in my head. Judging by the situation, it seemed Mora had intruded again.
Thanks to that, I realized once more that he wasn't some omnipotent god who created the world with a snap of his fingers, but a transcendent being with human-like qualities who simply possessed overwhelming power.
Actually, being human-like made him more likable. Usually, in fiction, gods tend to have unpleasant personalities.
'...Could Lady Mora just join the conversation? I don't mind.'
[No. Even communicating with me requires a high level of concentration. If Mora joins in, you might faint instead of having a conversation. It might be different if you were an elf or a demon, but you are an ordinary human...]
'... ...'
An ordinary human can only shed tears. I felt strangely depressed.
Sensing my mood, Luminous cleared his throat awkwardly and changed the subject.
[Ahem. Anyway, the achievements you've accumulated can be converted into divine power. Through that divine power, we can foresee your future. You could call it an oracle. For example, let's say you were going to be hit by a carriage tomorrow. Normally, we would issue a vague oracle, but for you, we can tell you directly not to go outside because you'll be hit by a carriage.]
'I'm curious, why are oracles usually so vague? I heard that the quality of the oracle changes depending on how many offerings or how much divine power is sacrificed.'
[To know the future is to buy "time." We can manipulate space, but time is something even gods like us cannot easily touch. In fact, even the futures we predict can go wildly off-track if a variable occurs. In the case of the Demon War and the roots of the World Tree, that variable was you.]
'Then what about going from the future back to the past? Are there no regressors?'
[It's not impossible, but you would need to accumulate an astronomical amount of achievements for that. Otherwise, we would have to risk everything to try it right before the world is destroyed. For the record, you could do it too.]
I flinched in surprise at those words.
[Right now? Maybe about a week back.]
'...That's less than I thought.'
[Regressing decades like you're thinking of is extremely difficult unless you're a hero of unparalleled greatness. Furthermore, the cultural advancement you've achieved is an ongoing process. We calculate achievements based on what has been accomplished up to the present, not the future. If this continues, you might be able to regress ten years. Besides, currently, divine power is steadily accumulating just by you breathing. Of course, your writing has some negative impacts, but the positive ones are so overwhelming that the negatives are practically non-existent.]
'Um... then is it okay if I write about World War II?'
As I mentioned before, I planned to write a novel about World War II after finishing the Xenon Chronicle. However, instead of detailing every single event, I planned to have different protagonists for each country.
I'd have a Soviet protagonist and an Allied protagonist, and they would meet at the Elbe River toward the end. The one planting the flag in Berlin would, of course, be the Soviet protagonist.
Since tanks and fighter planes would be hard to explain within the story, I planned to include separate illustrations and setting guides. I'd write about the countries as well.
[World War II... You mean the worst war that occurred on Earth. It was a truly horrific conflict.]
'Do you know about it too, Lord Luminous?'
[When you crossed over to this side, I received knowledge from the gods of Earth. I learned clearly how a world without mana develops and what kind of tragedies it can produce. It is fine for you to write about that war.]
'Then, can you give me a glimpse of what will happen if I write that story?'
Now that mana engines have appeared, there's no rule saying that tanks and planes from World War II won't appear in reality. Although there should be at least 200 years before the Industrial Revolution and the invention of tanks, you never know.
In the first place, the appearance of a magical locomotive in this era is nonsensical, and this is a world where dwarves exist.
[Do you want the details, or something like an oracle?]
'What's the difference?'
[As I said before, the moment a future is revealed, it's no longer the future but merely a hypothesis. You might change your mind, after all.]
'Just tell me in detail. I'm going to write it anyway.'
[Is that so? Very well. In the future, when an exhibition is held, three dwarves will bring a tank. Instead of shells, it will fire mana cannons that compress mana. Its power will be so outstanding that it will be used as a siege weapon from then on.]
Shit. Maybe I shouldn't write it.
[I can hear you swearing from here.]
'I-I'm sorry...'
[No need to be sorry. Is there anything else?]
'As for other things... are reincarnators like me extremely rare in this world, or even if we expand the scope to the entire universe?'
I was a case where a soul came to this world because a demon messed up a summoning, but I was curious if there were other cases. The world is full of variables.
Luminous seemed to ponder my question for a moment, then explained it step-by-step in his pleasant voice.
[You could say it's extremely rare. Especially being summoned to a different galaxy rather than the same one—that almost never happens. The moment the natural order is defied, the balance can collapse in an instant.]
'So it's not that there are none at all.'
[Of course. Even if it's one in a billion, it's still something that can happen. To us, even that is a significant probability.]
'I see. Then... please just give me a general idea of what I should be careful of in the future.'
I had asked everything I wanted to ask. All that was left was what I needed to watch out for.
As a god, he would know my future and the crises that would come my way. Moreover, he could tell me directly rather than through a vague oracle.
[Things to be careful of... You likely already know this. The situations that might arise when your true identity is revealed. You just need to be careful of that.]
'Then... when do you think would be a good time to reveal my identity?'
[That is difficult to say. The moment I tell you, the future will be completely warped.]
Luminous replied with a tone of genuine apology. He was telling me to judge for myself.
It was a bit disappointing, but in a way, I thought it was wise. It would be better for me to take action myself rather than having things get complicated because I was told the future.
'Understood. It can't be helped.'
[I'm sorry. Instead, I will tell you this one thing. In the future, you plan to follow the child named Cecile to Helium, don't you?]
'Yes, that's right.'
I’d follow her to Helium, watch her spar, and perhaps even spend our first night together. Cecile seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
[Make sure you bring the medicine.]
'Pardon?'
[The contraceptive medicine you take whenever you have relations with the child named Mari. Don't forget to bring it. As for the reason... I'm sure you know without me saying it.]
'... ...'
That could have been a disaster. Given how much he emphasized it, I must have forgotten to bring the medicine in that future.
And after having relations with Cecile...
'Thank you. That could have been a big problem.'
[Haha. A harmonious family is always important. If possible, visit Mora's temple and receive a blessing as well. A demon during their peak cycle can be very difficult to handle, as their desire outweighs their stamina. And...]
Luminous trailed off. For some reason, I could sense him hesitating.
Just as I was starting to wonder, he called out to me in a slightly cautious voice.
[...My child.]
'Yes, Lord Luminous.'
[Differences in culture exist among people as well. Something you do thoughtlessly might be perceived differently by the people of this world. It could be taken as an insult, or it could be taken as kindness and consideration.]
'... ...'
[Mindsets can be changed, but deep-rooted personalities cannot. Especially since you are deeply considerate and prefer horizontal relationships, right?]
It sounded like he was telling me to watch my words and actions. Indeed, I occasionally felt a sense of dissonance while living here, so it wouldn't be any different for others.
Sensing what Luminous wanted to say, I spoke firmly to reassure him.
'You don't have to worry. I will be careful with my words and actions.'
[And yet such a boy already has how many...]
'Pardon?'
[It's nothing. Pretend you didn't hear that. Anyway, we will take care of the current situation. You just need to continue living your life as you always have.]
Why did I get the strong feeling he was dodging the subject? But since I couldn't exactly cross-examine a god, I decided to just keep it to myself.
'Understood.'
[If you ever want to receive power from us, just say the word. As the God of Light, I can grant you beneficial blessings. Visit the temple whenever you wish. I can even relieve your fatigue, so I will gladly accept even simple requests.]
'Thank you. I will visit often in the future.'
[Yes. I am truly grateful to you for preventing the disaster and accelerating the development of this world. Then—]
With those final words, Luminous's voice faded from my mind. Once I could no longer hear him, I slowly opened my eyes.
When I did, the golden glow in the statue's eyes had vanished. It meant Luminous had departed.
It felt surreal to have discovered the secret of my birth and even received a prophecy from a god.
'Still, I'm glad he's a good god.'
Exactly two days passed after that.
[Luminous has answered! The Xenon Chronicle is entirely a coincidence!]
[However, his achievements are an undeniable truth. It is not enough to even treat him as a Saint.]
[Even if all of this is a coincidence, had the Xenon Chronicle not appeared, we would have fought a war against demons in the future.]
[The book's historical accuracy is impeccable. It describes things that could have actually happened, and some parts were already in progress.]
"... ..."
The situation showed no signs of improving.
[The content of the oracle is as follows: things that may be coincidences now, but are inevitable in the future.]
Lord Luminous?
[The Xenon Chronicle not only prevented the approaching disaster but also presented a grand development of culture and a vision for science...]
Lord Luminous?
[The Holy Nation 'Savior'. According to the words of Luminous, Xenon shall be treated as a Saint. Based on his achievements alone, it would not be an exaggeration to call him an Incarnation.]
Lord Luminous? What is going on?
[Cardinal Kate of the Savior Church. She is setting out on a pilgrimage to find Xenon... He must surely possess mighty divine power.]
Lord Luminous!!