Chapter 565: Destination (5)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 565: Destination (5)

Suddenly, time stopped rewinding.

"Could you perhaps lead the way?"

We were once again at the moment when Jerome asked me to go ahead of the rest of the troops.

"All right, but any items or essences we find from here on out, give me priority pick for four of them."

"Four... Understood. That much can certainly be spared for you, Your Lordship."

After a brief negotiation, I slid under the tree that the village chief had disappeared off into. I didn't understand. How could I just go down there without giving it a second thought?

This was the fate I showed that child. In this timeline, I hadn't delivered that prophecy. That is why you went down there without suspecting a thing. It was the voice again.

Ah...

That answered my questions. The prophecy had played a major role in my suspicion of Jerome. Because of it, I had already known that something bad was going to happen, so I had taken special care to keep an eye on everything going on around me with an almost obsessive attention to detail.

Fwoong!

Once I vanished down into the tree, the world went black in a blink before the scene changed.

We don't have much time, so I'll just show you the important parts.

We were now in some sort of cave. At its center was a portal stone, and I was slumped beside it, knocked unconscious. As I watched, the village chief approached me and began a strange ritual.

This place is hidden under the basement you saw last time you were here. After going down to the village, you fought long and hard against hundreds of enemies while waiting for reinforcements, but no one came. In the end, your exhaustion won out, and you were captured and dragged here.

So there'd been another space under that corpse-filled cellar. I didn't expect something like this to be hidden there. I'd had to act fast back then, so I didn't have time to get a good look around.

So what happens to me now? I thought.

Keep watching. It will be over soon, came the voice of the goddess.

Two times, three times, four times—time accelerated as if someone was pressing a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fast-forward button. When the flow of time returned to normal, black smoke was billowing from the chief's body.

Shaaaaaa!

The smoke slowly funneled into my unconscious form, and soon enough, the chief collapsed.

And then, my body opened its eyes. I watched as "I" got up and flexed my hands a little before my mouth opened to let out an unfamiliar voice.

"Finally..."

The scene changed once more. We weren't in the village anymore, but at the center of the island in a dark labyrinth of trees. There, "I" was having a private conversation with Jerome Saintred.

"Now give me the item as agreed," Jerome was demanding. "Or are you having second thoughts after coming all this way? If so, I suggest you rethink immediately. If you don't, you'll find it hard to have any sort of life out in the city, even with your new body."

"It's true... The palace does have the power to make my life quite difficult."

"In that case—"

"So wouldn't it be best if they don't find out about what happened here at all?"

"What? You can't be—!"

"Dead men don't tell tales."

The conversation ended there.

When the scene changed again, the first thing I saw was blood spattering everywhere.

"Ack!"

It was a battlefield. We were surrounded on all sides by hundreds of monsters, and while the expedition group was fighting back with everything they had, they were being overpowered.

It was all because of the village chief, who had taken over my body.

"I-I didn't expect him to be this strong..."

"The baron...! Kill Baron Yandel!"

The village chief didn't care about protecting anyone, not even the monsters dying around him. So the barbarian character I had painstakingly built to shield my allies was instead wielded as a war chariot, trampling across the battlefield.

Soon enough, there was no doubt who would emerge victorious.

"I" charged through the troops toward the rear, leaving a trail of bodies behind me as I massacred the members of the expedition group.

"...Ugh!"

But then, just as I went to slam my hammer down on the head of a certain wizard, I suddenly froze.

"Ra...ven..."

My old comrade, a person who had survived through thick and thin with me, stared up at me with fear in her eyes before scrambling back.

Boom.

I forcibly chucked the hammer as far away as I could, then dropped my shield and took off my armor.

Another one of my companions was watching this unfold from nearby, warily leveling her weapon at me. "Are you... back?" It was Amelia, who had escaped the expedition group's captivity when the fighting broke out and had run with our other allies.

To her question, all I said was this:

"Emily... kill...me..."

My comrade was left without words, frozen. In all the time I'd known her, her blade had always held steady no matter the opponent, and yet that day, it trembled under the weight of my request.

"If you cannot do it, move out of the way!"

After realizing what was going on, Jerome drew his sword and rushed in. I glared at him long and hard before my lips finally twitched up. I wasn't sure what I was thinking, but the other me closed my eyes and lowered my head.

"No—!"

"It's his choice!"

Amelia's expression crumbled even as she held Erwen back.

Slash!

Then a blade bathed in aura came down on my neck. However, one slice was not enough to do the job, and so it fell again and again, forced to hack its way through to the other end.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

The sword continued to fall like an ax on a tree trunk until eventually, the clearing fell silent. A moment later, a chain of screams echoed out.

"No, no, no, no, no...!" Erwen shrieked as she ran to my side, pouring a potion on my body. Naturally, nothing happened. A potion couldn't revive a dead character. "You! If it weren't for you—!"

"Calm down, Tersia."

"Y-You're telling me to calm down? After what we just saw—!"

"Do you think we'll be able to kill our enemies if you're hysterical? Stay calm, stay cold. Think only of avenging Yandel."

With that, the Anabada Clan gathered together and raised their weapons against the remaining members of the decimated expedition group.

"Think about this logically," Jerome tried to reason with them. "If we weren't here, do you think you would've been able to survive against a monster like that?"

When the scene changed again, the first thing I saw was blood spattering everywhere.

"Ack!"

It was a battlefield. We were surrounded on all sides by hundreds of monsters, and while the expedition group was fighting back with everything they had, they were being overpowered.

It was all because of the village chief, who had taken over my body.

"I-I didn't expect him to be this strong..."

"The baron...! Kill Baron Yandel!"

The village chief didn't care about protecting anyone, not even the monsters dying around him. So the barbarian character I had painstakingly built to shield my allies was instead wielded as a war chariot, trampling across the battlefield.

Soon enough, there was no doubt who would emerge victorious.

"I" charged through the troops toward the rear, leaving a trail of bodies behind me as I massacred the members of the expedition group.

"...Ugh!"

But then, just as I went to slam my hammer down on the head of a certain wizard, I suddenly froze.

"Ra...ven..."

My old comrade, a person who had survived through thick and thin with me, stared up at me with fear in her eyes before scrambling back.

Boom.

I forcibly chucked the hammer as far away as I could, then dropped my shield and took off my armor.

Another one of my companions was watching this unfold from nearby, warily leveling her weapon at me. "Are you... back?" It was Amelia, who had escaped the expedition group's captivity when the fighting broke out and had run with our other allies.

To her question, all I said was this:

"Emily... kill...me..."

My comrade was left without words, frozen. In all the time I'd known her, her blade had always held steady no matter the opponent, and yet that day, it trembled under the weight of my request.

"If you cannot do it, move out of the way!"

After realizing what was going on, Jerome drew his sword and rushed in. I glared at him long and hard before my lips finally twitched up. I wasn't sure what I was thinking, but the other me closed my eyes and lowered my head.

"No—!"

"It's his choice!"

Amelia's expression crumbled even as she held Erwen back.

Slash!

Then a blade bathed in aura came down on my neck. However, one slice was not enough to do the job, and so it fell again and again, forced to hack its way through to the other end.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

The sword continued to fall like an ax on a tree trunk until eventually, the clearing fell silent. A moment later, a chain of screams echoed out.

"No, no, no, no, no...!" Erwen shrieked as she ran to my side, pouring a potion on my body. Naturally, nothing happened. A potion couldn't revive a dead character. "You! If it weren't for you—!"

"Calm down, Tersia."

"Y-You're telling me to calm down? After what we just saw—!"

"Do you think we'll be able to kill our enemies ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if you're hysterical? Stay calm, stay cold. Think only of avenging Yandel."

With that, the Anabada Clan gathered together and raised their weapons against the remaining members of the decimated expedition group.

"Think about this logically," Jerome tried to reason with them. "If we weren't here, do you think you would've been able to survive against a monster like that?"

Despite his attempt at persuasion, there was no chance he was getting through to them. As he spoke, many of the people within the expedition group started to desert their posts too.

"The baron... was a hero. Even in his final moments, he tried to save us...!"

"To abandon someone like that like he was nothing... After everything you've done, you still dare say that it was all for the sake of the royal family?"

"I, Melend Kaislan, will raise my sword and fight for the justice in which I believe! If you feel the same, stand with me!"

"Traitors! Kill all the traitors...!"

The scene was reaching its climax.

Not there. Look over there instead. The gentle prodding from the goddess drew my attention elsewhere. Someone was moving in the background, heedless of the chaos taking place around them.

Missha...?

Missha approached my corpse before pulling something out. Although this was my first time seeing one in real life, I could tell what it was the moment the object touched my body. There was no mistaking that unique effect.

I didn't know why Missha had it, but...

That's...

It was a Stone of Revival, an item with the overpowered ability to bring someone back from the dead. Due to its conditions, it was difficult to obtain. Even I had only used it once during my nine years of playing Dungeon and Stone.

But why...? Why does she even have one...?

That was the immediate question that sprang to mind as I stared dumbfounded at the scene, but then, the answer hit me.

...Baekho Lee.

It was no secret that he had a Stone of Revival. I still didn't know how that guy had been able to get his hands on one, but I set that matter aside for now when time froze again, stopping at the moment I was revived.

"So in the end, I don't die."

Yes. You don't die, the goddess affirmed.

Why had Baekho Lee given Missha the Stone of Revival? I had a few theories. The question I still couldn't answer at all, however, was why this goddess was here.

"Reatlas...why are you trying to help me?"

The goddess's reply was brief. Because the ending isn't right.

What ending did the Goddess of Destiny see, to lead her to say that? I had no way of knowing, and although I was incredibly curious, I didn't push. Trying to force an answer out of her would do nothing, and there were more important matters that needed my attention first.

Like, for example, my current situation. The world darkened again before brightening once more, and when I blinked, I saw myself slumped over in the same cave as before.

"What are you trying to show me now?"

I'm not trying to show you anything. This is your current state.

My brow furrowed as I waited for a more in-depth explanation of what the hell she was talking about, and she responded in a very quiet voice.

I... can't stop time...

Ah, so that was what happened. While I was here watching my different fates like a video, time in the real world was moving forward normally.

Still, your companions are safe. Although they are currently in custody...

Despite his attempt at persuasion, there was no chance he was getting through to them. As he spoke, many of the people within the expedition group started to desert their posts too.

"The baron... was a hero. Even in his final moments, he tried to save us...!"

"To abandon someone like that like he was nothing... After everything you've done, you still dare say that it was all for the sake of the royal family?"

"I, Melend Kaislan, will raise my sword and fight for the justice in which I believe! If you feel the same, stand with me!"

"Traitors! Kill all the traitors...!"

The scene was reaching its climax.

Not there. Look over there instead. The gentle prodding from the goddess drew my attention elsewhere. Someone was moving in the background, heedless of the chaos taking place around them.

Missha...?

Missha approached my corpse before pulling something out. Although this was my first time seeing one in real life, I could tell what it was the moment the object touched my body. There was no mistaking that unique effect.

I didn't know why Missha had it, but...

That's...

It was a Stone of Revival, an item with the overpowered ability to bring someone back from the dead. Due to its conditions, it was difficult to obtain. Even I had only used it once during my nine years of playing Dungeon and Stone.

But why...? Why does she even have one...?

That was the immediate question that sprang to mind as I stared dumbfounded at the scene, but then, the answer hit me.

...Baekho Lee.

It was no secret that he had a Stone of Revival. I still didn't know how that guy had been able to get his hands on one, but I set that matter aside for now when time froze again, stopping at the moment I was revived.

"So in the end, I don't die."

Yes. You don't die, the goddess affirmed.

Why had Baekho Lee given Missha the Stone of Revival? I had a few theories. The question I still couldn't answer at all, however, was why this goddess was here.

"Reatlas...why are you trying to help me?"

The goddess's reply was brief. Because the ending isn't right.

What ending did the Goddess of Destiny see, to lead her to say that? I had no way of knowing, and although I was incredibly curious, I didn't push. Trying to force an answer out of her would do nothing, and there were more important matters that needed my attention first.

Like, for example, my current situation. The world darkened again before brightening once more, and when I blinked, I saw myself slumped over in the same cave as before.

"What are you trying to show me now?"

I'm not trying to show you anything. This is your current state.

My brow furrowed as I waited for a more in-depth explanation of what the hell she was talking about, and she responded in a very quiet voice.

I... can't stop time...

Ah, so that was what happened. While I was here watching my different fates like a video, time in the real world was moving forward normally.

Still, your companions are safe. Although they are currently in custody...

Reatlas seemed to want to make up for her time-related shortcomings by helping me out, as she gave me a basic rundown of my current situation. It was quite simple. A flash of light had enveloped me before I collapsed to the ground, and while my allies had been scrambling to figure out what happened, they were apprehended shortly after. From there, Jerome had delivered my body to the village chief himself.

"Then return me already!" I shouted. "I need to escape before he finishes the ritual!"

Sending you back will pose no challenge... However, even if you were to open your eyes right now, all of your abilities are sealed.

"...What?" I was at a loss. She was saying I wouldn't be able to use force to escape. "Then what the hell am I supposed to do?"

Although I was grateful that she wanted to help me, wasn't this situation even worse than the one she saved me from? Yet even then, I clung to a sliver of hope. She was still a powerful goddess. Yeah, she probably had a plan.

Trying to put my faith in her, I tempered my tone into something more polite. "Tell me. What should I do from here?"

...I can show you the path you're on, but I can't create one for you.

"So... you don't have any suggestions you can give to help me get out of here?"

She was silent for a moment before she finally spoke again. I've gotten to witness your journey from the very beginning. That is why I know. Your greatest strength isn't your cool head, the breadth of your knowledge, or the courage that drives you to stand against any foe. Your real greatest strength is your "words."

This reading of my adventures was one I had a hard time buying after waking up in the body of a barbarian and proceeding to solve most problems using my fists rather than my words. However, it seemed that the goddess thought otherwise.

That veteran scout was fated to die in the labyrinth that day alongside the noble wizard. However, he ended up surviving thanks to you buying time with your clever tongue.

She must have been referring to our visit to the Labyrinth of Larcaz, where I swallowed Restrained Wish to negotiate a twelve-hour ceasefire from the Dragon Slayer.

Your words hold power. Although only slightly, they have already once changed the fate of another person. So...

With her speech concluded, the goddess gave me some parting advice. How about you try using your words again...?

***

Ba-dump, ba-dump!

A sound reverberated through me, echoing from within my chest. It was a sound that told me that I was alive as I took my first conscious breaths in a while.

"You're awake."

Damn, why is this guy so perceptive? I mean, I guess it makes sense considering that big eye of his.

I opened my eyes and sat up.

"It would've been much better if you remained unconscious. For me, and you."

"Can't help but feel like I should make your life harder, at least a little bit," I quipped.

The goddess had given me the questionable advice to try to talk my way out of this, but so what if it was a fool's gambit? I needed to get out of here somehow, so I figured I could at least give her suggestion a shot. Plus, the second she said all that, I did think up a few solutions I could try.

"...You're quite calm," the village chief noted. "Even though you shouldn't have any idea what's happening here."

"I mean, I'd say you're the one who doesn't understand what's happening here."

The village chief seemed to clue into the fact that my reactions didn't match the situation I was in, as he fell silent, staring at me. Since he also had a functional brain rattling around in there, I assumed he was beginning to piece together that something weird was going on.

With that, I moved one of my pieces.

"Village chief, it's not too late. Even if you take my body, you won't make it back to the city."

"Ah, I was wondering what you were going to say, but you just wanted to shake my confidence in my plan—"

"I'm not trying to jinx you. It's the truth. I've already seen what will happen." My second piece slid forward. "Reatlas has shown me the future."

The village chief paused in thought, and then to my surprise, he seemed to immediately take for granted that I wasn't trying to trick him. "I did hear that you collapsed after a flash of light... So she intervened..."

For one reason or another, he had accepted my claim as truth right off the bat. All right, then I guess I didn't need to waste any time convincing him.

"If you truly want me to stop, tell me," he commanded at last. "What did she show you?"

For a more effective negotiation, I decided to tweak the story a little. "You steal my body and then get attacked by Jerome. And you lose."

"...I've considered all the possibilities and factored them into my calculations accordingly. There is no way I'd lose to them."

"Then your math was wrong. Or did you not suspect that he might ambush you?"

"He... ambushes me?" The village chief's eyes flashed in the darkness of the cave. So he hadn't considered the possibility of an ambush. That was great news for me.

"Chief, I get why you're trying to take my body," I rushed to add, "but is there a reason it needs to be mine?"

"Because assuming control of your body is the surest way to get what I desire. You will one day escape from this floor and successfully return to the city."

"Did you see that in a Fragment of Records Stone, perhaps?"

"...I didn't expect you to know about the Records Stone," he admitted, confirming my suspicions.

The tree of potential dialogue options in my mind expanded at this sudden jackpot, but I decided to focus on one thing at a time. "Then what you're saying is that it doesn't need to be me."

"There is no need for me to risk going with someone else. Since I now know about my potential defeat, I can adjust my plans accordingly—"

Adjust what?

I cut him off and got straight to the point. "Jerome Saintred."

This was the name of the commander of the expedition group, also known as the Knight of Light.

"What about his body?" I offered. "He's a little old, but he's a count and good at using aura. Aren't you a knight too?"

That wasn't even the best part, though. The biggest benefit he could provide was something else entirely. To that end—

"Plus, if you steal his body, you'll be able to get out of this place immediately."

—I decided to throw in some bait that I knew had the best chance of tempting him.

"After all, he has the essence of Iblus."

This battle was now mine to lose.

Reatlas seemed to want to make up for her time-related shortcomings by helping me out, as she gave me a basic rundown of my current situation. It was quite simple. A flash of light had enveloped me before I collapsed to the ground, and while my allies had been scrambling to figure out what happened, they were apprehended shortly after. From there, Jerome had delivered my body to the village chief himself.

"Then return me already!" I shouted. "I need to escape before he finishes the ritual!"

Sending you back will pose no challenge... However, even if you were to open your eyes right now, all of your abilities are sealed.

"...What?" I was at a loss. She was saying I wouldn't be able to use force to escape. "Then what the hell am I supposed to do?"

Although I was grateful that she wanted to help me, wasn't this situation even worse than the one she saved me from? Yet even then, I clung to a sliver of hope. She was still a powerful goddess. Yeah, she probably had a plan.

Trying to put my faith in her, I tempered my tone into something more polite. "Tell me. What should I do from here?"

...I can show you the path you're on, but I can't create one for you.

"So... you don't have any suggestions you can give to help me get out of here?"

She was silent for a moment before she finally spoke again. I've gotten to witness your journey from the very beginning. That is why I know. Your greatest strength isn't your cool head, the breadth of your knowledge, or the courage that drives you to stand against any foe. Your real greatest strength is your "words."

This reading of my adventures was one I had a hard time buying after waking up in the body of a barbarian and proceeding to solve most problems using my fists rather than my words. However, it seemed that the goddess thought otherwise.

That veteran scout was fated to die in the labyrinth that day alongside the noble wizard. However, he ended up surviving thanks to you buying time with your clever tongue.

She must have been referring to our visit to the Labyrinth of Larcaz, where I swallowed Restrained Wish to negotiate a twelve-hour ceasefire from the Dragon Slayer.

Your words hold power. Although only slightly, they have already once changed the fate of another person. So...

With her speech concluded, the goddess gave me some parting advice. How about you try using your words again...?

***

Ba-dump, ba-dump!

A sound reverberated through me, echoing from within my chest. It was a sound that told me that I was alive as I took my first conscious breaths in a while.

"You're awake."

Damn, why is this guy so perceptive? I mean, I guess it makes sense considering that big eye of his.

I opened my eyes and sat up.

"It would've been much better ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if you remained unconscious. For me, and you."

"Can't help but feel like I should make your life harder, at least a little bit," I quipped.

The goddess had given me the questionable advice to try to talk my way out of this, but so what if it was a fool's gambit? I needed to get out of here somehow, so I figured I could at least give her suggestion a shot. Plus, the second she said all that, I did think up a few solutions I could try.

"...You're quite calm," the village chief noted. "Even though you shouldn't have any idea what's happening here."

"I mean, I'd say you're the one who doesn't understand what's happening here."

The village chief seemed to clue into the fact that my reactions didn't match the situation I was in, as he fell silent, staring at me. Since he also had a functional brain rattling around in there, I assumed he was beginning to piece together that something weird was going on.

With that, I moved one of my pieces.

"Village chief, it's not too late. Even if you take my body, you won't make it back to the city."

"Ah, I was wondering what you were going to say, but you just wanted to shake my confidence in my plan—"

"I'm not trying to jinx you. It's the truth. I've already seen what will happen." My second piece slid forward. "Reatlas has shown me the future."

The village chief paused in thought, and then to my surprise, he seemed to immediately take for granted that I wasn't trying to trick him. "I did hear that you collapsed after a flash of light... So she intervened..."

For one reason or another, he had accepted my claim as truth right off the bat. All right, then I guess I didn't need to waste any time convincing him.

"If you truly want me to stop, tell me," he commanded at last. "What did she show you?"

For a more effective negotiation, I decided to tweak the story a little. "You steal my body and then get attacked by Jerome. And you lose."

"...I've considered all the possibilities and factored them into my calculations accordingly. There is no way I'd lose to them."

"Then your math was wrong. Or did you not suspect that he might ambush you?"

"He... ambushes me?" The village chief's eyes flashed in the darkness of the cave. So he hadn't considered the possibility of an ambush. That was great news for me.

"Chief, I get why you're trying to take my body," I rushed to add, "but is there a reason it needs to be mine?"

"Because assuming control of your body is the surest way to get what I desire. You will one day escape from this floor and successfully return to the city."

"Did you see that in a Fragment of Records Stone, perhaps?"

"...I didn't expect you to know about the Records Stone," he admitted, confirming my suspicions.

The tree of potential dialogue options in my mind expanded at this sudden jackpot, but I decided to focus on one thing at a time. "Then what you're saying is that it doesn't need to be me."

"There is no need for me to risk going with someone else. Since I now know about my potential defeat, I can adjust my plans accordingly—"

Adjust what?

I cut him off and got straight to the point. "Jerome Saintred."

This was the name of the commander of the expedition group, also known as the Knight of Light.

"What about his body?" I offered. "He's a little old, but he's a count and good at using aura. Aren't you a knight too?"

That wasn't even the best part, though. The biggest benefit he could ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠provide was something else entirely. To that end—

"Plus, if you steal his body, you'll be able to get out of this place immediately."

—I decided to throw in some bait that I knew had the best chance of tempting him.

"After all, he has the essence of Iblus."

This battle was now mine to lose.