Chapter 25
"Hold it. Sleight of hand already?"
The event that had the entire Cardran Empire buzzing was underway.
"But isn't Iris the real deal? She's got way more experience as a prophet."
"She nailed those earthquake and natural disaster predictions, right?"
"The Grand Prophetess is legit! I saw her do a reading myself. Gave me chills all over. She's on a whole different level—leagues ahead!"
Tremendous attention poured in, and the media outlets that thrived on it swarmed to broadcast this once-in-a-lifetime public debate. Local stations and major mainstream networks from across the empire scrambled behind the scenes, battling for broadcasting rights.
That was when I met Iris in the Saint Country's waiting room.
"How does it feel to visit the Saint Country for the first time?"
The Saint Country. A small city-state within the Cardran Empire with independent administrative powers—like the Vatican on Earth. It was the holy headquarters of the Goddess Faith, embraced by most imperial citizens, and famous as a tourist spot for preserving ancient traditions and culture. Even in Yurtel, you'd see plenty of towering reinforced concrete buildings, but here, the architecture stuck faithfully to old techniques. It felt like the last medieval city dropped into the modern world.
"It's a nice city. Lets you feel a touch of nostalgia."
"Ha! Nostalgia, my ass. It's boring as hell. Right?"
A woman over thirty, exuding big-sister vibes. Iris lit a cigarette with the practiced ease of a seasoned shaman, her eyes sharp from a lifetime of trials.
"Look, let's be straight with each other, con to con. You've drawn a huge crowd, but smashing someone else's rice bowl crosses a line. My clients aren't coming to me anymore. Back in the day, they'd rush over if they had a splinter under a nail, terrified it'd kill them."
She exhaled a thick cloud of smoke into the air and smirked.
"Seeing the past and future perfectly? Bullshit. I'm a miracle-worker specialized in precognition myself, and that's impossible. Knowing the past accurately? Sure, with enough digging and research. But predicting the future spot-on? No way. The future changes every second."
"People's fates vary. Some have futures set in stone, no matter what advice or prophecy they get. Others shift theirs with a single word, by their own will."
Iris burst out laughing at my words.
"Don't play know-it-all with me. I've made my living divining futures too. Whatever you know, I know."
She pulled a document from her pocket and handed it to me. I took it and scanned the text closely.
"No discussing each other's pasts?"
"We've both had people dig into each other's backgrounds, right? I know plenty about you too, Great Oracle Aiden. The kid born between a Yurtel singer and actress. Parents died when you were eight, then you bounced around doing odd jobs like restaurant and hot spring cleaning. Then one day, boom—fortune-telling shop."
Iris sucked on her cigarette irritably.
"Can't air each other's dirt without proof, so the show's gone to shit. People watch for entertainment, and without the mudslinging, it's boring. Let's skip the trash talk and just show off whose prophecies hit harder."
"How do you plan to run it?"
"Pick one audience member. We both read their past and future, see whose is more accurate. Simple, clean. No dirty brawling."
I glanced down at the document. If I broke the agreement and exposed her past, it stipulated astronomical penalties and handing over management rights to Yurtel territory, per the count's decree.
"What if I don't sign?"
Iris laughed.
"You've done your homework on me. You know who's backing me, right?"
"Yes. I do."
"Can't haul you in for heresy trial right now—no solid devil-worship evidence yet. But we can squeeze you slow and steady for life. Feel like popping in and out of the Heresy Inquisition forever? Go ahead, try it. The Black Cardinal's inquisition? Even your guardians couldn't save you."
I stared at her silently, and Iris roared with laughter.
"Should've hustled ethically. Reading for commoners? Fine. But nobles and bigwigs? That was my turf. You shouldn't have touched it."
I watched her triumphant grin for a long moment.
"I won't touch your rice bowl. I'll make sure you keep consulting the elite. Sure, I'll snag some clients, but plenty still prefer you. And realistically, I can't handle every noble anyway."
I set the document down and extended my hand to Iris.
"Let's call off the debate now. It'll deflate a bit, but after meeting and talking, we can say it was a misunderstanding. People might still calm down. So..."
"Nice try. Sign it already."
Her eyes turned vicious.
"Split the pot? No thanks. My clients are all mine. You started this—don't blame me."
I slowly lowered my hand. I didn't glare at her in anger. I looked at her with pity.
"Is that really what you want?"
"Yes. So shut up and sign."
I nodded. I signed the document.
Iris snatched it up gleefully.
"No spilling past dirt on live TV, right?"
"Of course. No past talk."
"Good. Good luck, Great Oracle Aiden."
She blew cigarette smoke in my face with a blatant sneer, then left the room.
I waved it away and let out a long sigh.
What ruins a person isn't a rival. It's always themselves.
One day before the debate.
My impression of Iris was bitterly sour.
Dozens of cameras. A packed audience. And a massive electronic board hovering between me and Iris.
The number on it read 35%.
I stared at it, wondering what it meant, when...
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome! The oracle showdown captivating the entire empire! Live ratings across the nation are at a whopping 35%! Everyone's tuned in with bated breath!"
The host's friendly explanation followed.
35% ratings. The count's media play had landed perfectly.
Unlike my stiff expression—my broadcast debut—Iris lounged back, relaxed and smug, eyeing me like welcome to my stage.
"Today's debate is simple! We'll randomly pick audience members to come forward. Both prophets read them, and we see whose prophecy nails it! Yurtel's Great Oracle versus the Saint Country's Grand Prophetess—who's greater? Let's find out... now!"
Dazzling sound effects and music erupted as the debate-masked showdown kicked off.
"Seat 32! We'll bring forward the audience member in seat 32! Prophets, do your readings, then reveal the futures simultaneously!"
The host pointed to one person in the crowd, escorting them between us.
Iris fondled her crystal ball for the reading. I shuffled tarot cards, pretending.
Once done, we discussed.
And Iris... she was damn good. Nearly as sharp as me.
"You've endured a tragic past. Lost your husband, and in the shock... your child too."
"But don't worry. Luck comes soon. Water. Water will save you."
"You'll meet a big-shot beverage mogul. Grab him tight. You'll live happily ever after."
"A bright future awaits. You came at the end of your misfortunes—flowers will bloom soon."
Iris's prophetic gift was real. Born with the miracle to read fates, just like me. Not as pinpoint accurate, but close.
"R-Really? My future gets better?"
"Of course. Live with hope."
The audience laughed, cried, sighed in relief, gasped in shock as they returned to their seats. Our razor-sharp foresight amazed them.
Ratings climbed steadily into the 40s.
"Impressive, Great Oracle of Yurtel. I question your power's source, but can't deny the skill."
After maybe ten people...
Iris suddenly addressed me. Cameras and lights snapped to us.
"But I can't shake my doubts. For such talent, you're abusing it too much."
Her attack landed.
I didn't respond, just stared.
Mistaking my silence for weakness, she pressed on triumphantly.
"People's lives ruined by your silver tongue. Why toy with their fates?"
Camera zoom whirred. Audience murmured. Ratings ticked up—I could hear it.
Perfect setup. Without prior knowledge of her past and future, I'd have frozen, swept into her rhythm, and crumbled.
But my face didn't change.
I already knew how this ended.
"Great Oracle of Yurtel! No—fraud of Yurtel! You with your gifted foresight, wrecking lives! Someone's ruined because of you!"
Her shout drew spotlights to the ceiling, focusing one side.
A shabbily dressed man stormed onstage, face twisted in rage.
And that man...
"Great Oracle Aiden of Yurtel! You—you fucking bastard! My daughter died, my family shattered—all because of you!"
He jabbed a finger at me, spewing fury.
"My girl was sick—needed cash fast! I asked you what to do! Paid 500 runes for a consultation! You said invest in Lumina Merchant Group for big returns! I believed you, poured everything in! Then it went bankrupt—last month!"
Cameras whirred louder. Murmurs swelled. Doubts and shock crept into stares aimed at me.
"Couldn't treat her—she died at home! My wife hanged herself days ago! You ended it all! You—you! My life is ruined because of you!"
He collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably. Fumbling in his pocket, he waved a 500-rune receipt and my shop's numbered ticket for all to see.
"Take responsibility! Great Oracle! Fix my life you destroyed!"
Ratings surged past 40%, nearing 50%.
"I-Is that true? The Great Oracle?"
"Lumina was obviously doomed—why recommend it?"
"On purpose?"
Murmurs grew loud enough to pierce through.
Iris stood.
"Well, Great Oracle? Read this man's past and future. Tell us—is he telling the truth? Did you prophesy investment in a failing merchant group? True or false!"
Her roar echoed. Ratings hit 50%.
In the icy silence, where even an ant's crawl might be heard...
Finally.
"Months ago, I prophesied to this man before me: invest in the merchant group that would fail. He believed me, did so, and his family was destroyed. Yes. My power confirms his words are true."
My mouth opened.
"I-It was true? The Great Oracle doomed a family?"
"He is a fraud!"
"What the—!"
The audience exploded.
Ratings detonated too.
"It was obviously doomed—no prophecy needed; anyone tuned into info could've guessed. So why recommend Lumina? Why doom one man's life with such advice, Great Oracle!"
Iris ramped up, refusing to lose momentum.
But then.
"That's what's so strange."
I raised a hand, cutting her off.
I stood slowly, walked to the cameras. They swung to me, ignoring Iris and the sobbing man.
And right before those lenses.
"This man, collapsed and weeping over bankruptcy from my few words... Why do I read two fates for him?"
I began to unravel it, step by step.