Chapter 159
Chapter 159
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Breakwater
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Timeless's voice echoed through the air.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to impose this trial upon you."
Throughout his trial, I reflected on everything I'd been through up to now.
The schemes he'd orchestrated for revenge against us Stranges, and if what he'd said was true—that he'd inserted his clones into knights, mages, and every other force of note on the continent.
'Under what name and where might his clones be right now?'
There were several suspects that came to mind.
But I had no certainty.
I could only infer those with the highest probability.
"In this lifetime alone, the number of times I've met you must be at least thirty. Do you know how many times I've imagined killing you in my head during that time? Every time our faces met, I pictured tearing your limbs apart—"
Shiiiik—
The space warped, transforming the darkness into a circular shape.
Timeless balanced atop it like a circus performer juggling a ball, bouncing lightly on his feet.
Tatadadatak.
"But I endured. I endured and endured again. Not just to kill you and erase Siegfried. I wanted to wipe the Strange family from this world's history."
"Do you think that's possible?"
"It is. That's why I spent so long planning your annihilation. Until... some force I don't know intervened, that is."
"A force you don't know?"
"...Yes. Probably one of the apostles guarding this tower. I still haven't uncovered their identity."
That meant one of the apostles was watching over me.
And had been helping me thwart Timeless's plans up until now.
'Who could it be?' The answer came without needing deep thought.
'Baphomet.'
It had to be that guy.
"I had the Papal Court, Rothschild, Glazer, Luines Academy, and even the Bourbon family—who can mobilize the imperial army—dancing in the palm of my hand."
"?!"
Did that mean his plan had been in motion since the day I was born?
I'd gone through similar—or identical—events in my past life as well as this one.
Which meant he'd spent even longer in this tower than I'd imagined.
"But every plan went up in smoke. The gods... what do they want? Every scheme of mine fell just one step short of taking your life."
Timeless shrugged and waved his hands in the air.
At that moment, dozens of spatial rifts opened, flashing scenes from my past experiences.
There was the great sage 'Dirgoff' I'd met at Luines Academy. 'Gullzar,' a vassal of the Glazer family and Edward's lackey. 'Mayer,' who served as Rothschild's limb, carrying out their orders.
And finally, 'Pierre' of the Bourbon family, in sequence.
But their identities were somewhat predictable; they didn't surprise me.
The core members of those families were beyond the reach of Timeless's infiltration. His clones had likely taken positions just a rung below.
'Yes, that must have been it.'
But the last figure to appear was unexpected.
He alone was in a position grand enough to make my jaw drop.
'No way.'
The prophet of the Papal Court, unofficial great power and next pope in line.
Archbishop 'Juda.'
He gazed at me with a benevolent smile.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lord Berddin. Welcome to the Papal Court."
I stared into the swirling space and asked Timeless,
"So even on the day I visited the Papal Court, you knew I was coming?"
Timeless's stern expression softened into a broad grin.
"Of course. And not just that—I'd even pondered how to alter your fate if the chance arose. Though... even that day, things didn't go as planned."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. If it hadn't been for that kid Rox. I meant to spread word of what you did in the underground prison across the continent, to expose the ugly side of Strange. But you whisked away all the necessary witnesses without a shred of evidence..."
So Rox was someone outside the laws of causality too.
If even the one who governed time couldn't predict him.
"I see. I've heard more than enough about what you want. Now tell me what trial you have for me."
Timeless smiled sweetly and gestured toward the darkness rolling beneath his feet.
"My trial is simple."
Paaaaah!
With that, the darkness spread wide, creating another space.
This had to be the village where Timeless once lived. It was the only conclusion I could draw from facing this place.
But not the ruined wasteland I'd seen in his memories—this was the peaceful, beautiful village as it had been when he was born.
"Kill them."
"...Kill?"
"Yes. Kill Cynthia, Alfredo, and Rox right beside you. Kill all your precious party members, and my trial ends."
"?!"
Our conversation must not have been audible to the three of them. Cynthia kept glancing back and forth between me and Timeless, while Alfredo and Rox laughed uproariously, ignoring the trial entirely.
"Because of you, I lost the people precious to me. Let Lord Berddin feel firsthand what I went through."
Timeless smirked with vile intent.
"It won't compare to what I endured—not even a drop in the bucket—but it might ease my anger a bit."
I slowly gripped my sword's hilt and replied,
"Didn't you say you wanted to kill me and Siegfried?"
"I did. But that can wait. History itself will take care of it in the days to come."
"History to come?"
"Yes. Ahh—calling it 'history' when you haven't experienced that future yet must sound absurd. But I've already seen it, so I can say this."
"So you're saying you came from the future."
"No, I merely saw it. Even I can't cross time itself."
In our exchange, I glimpsed the limits of his power.
He could see past and future, but not traverse them.
Which meant unarrived time could still change, and he was blind to events he hadn't foreseen.
'The me from my past life would have thought him invincible.'
But I was different now.
His weaknesses were clear as day.
A realm only someone reborn like me could comprehend.
"Timeless, whatever future you've seen, I won't die as you wish."
"Is that so? Well, if you think that, then overcome my trial. Succeed, and I'll acknowledge you."
"I refuse your trial. I know how much you hate us Stranges."
I turned to Siegfried, who remained silent, and continued,
"And whatever fury you hold toward Siegfried. Right now—and in the future—these are comrades I need."
"Comrades... A fine word. So what will you do? The trial has already begun. There's no escaping this place."
"Why not?"
"Because I won't open the exit. As you've seen coming this far, unlike the other apostles, I control time within the spaces I create."
"True. But your power only works inside the tower, right?"
Timeless furrowed his brow, pondered briefly, then tilted his head.
"...That's right?"
"I know how desperately you've prepared for this moment."
I raised my sword overhead, lightly slashed the air, and answered Timeless,
"But this trial won't go as you planned either."
Shak!
As the blade fell from above, the space split open, and Grydori burst forth from within.
Kieeeek!
Timeless froze upon seeing Grydori, then charged with eyes wide in shock.
Paaaaah!
"Aaaah, no!"
I waved lightly at him.
"See you next time, Timeless."
Grydori threw its head back and cried out.
Kieeeeeek!
At that instant, the space I'd cleaved twisted, forming a rift connected to outside the tower. Cynthia dashed in without hesitation.
"Let's go."
Rox followed, slapping Alfredo hard on the back with his palm.
Smack!
"Quit standing around and run, you traitorous furry bastard."
"Wh-what? We just go in there?"
"Can't you take a hint? Shut up and run!"
Dudududu.
That's right.
Before heading to the tower, I'd devised a plan with my party members. If we got trapped in Timeless's space, unable to escape.
We'd borrow the power of Grydori, the griffon capable of crossing dimensions, to get out.
'However.'
I'd kept this ability hidden until now, as it couldn't be used recklessly. A griffon's destination is limited to its master's location, but the opposite end of a newly opened space-time rift? No telling where it'd lead.
'A very low chance, but if we end up in the middle of the ocean...'
It'd be no different from dying here. Still, better than falling to that guy.
"Don't run, Berddin!!!"
Timeless flew at me in an instant, reaching for my cloak. But my sword strike outpaced his movement by far.
Shak!
"Now I know who you are. I'll come pay you a visit myself."
With those words, Timeless's arm severed from his body. My form was hurled into the space-time rift Grydori had created.
Shiiiik.
"...Damn you, Strange."
Timeless opened a space to pursue Berddin. But Amon, who had been watching the battle, appeared to block his path.
Pishuk!
"That's enough for today. If you leave the tower in that body, things will escalate."
"...Out of my way, Amon. If I don't chase him now, all my plans will crumble."
"No. The opportunity will come again. Wait here until then."
"What?"
"Even if they know all your plans. They can't stop the fated future."
"......"
"The other apostles have agreed to help you, so don't worry too much. You know that, right?"
Amon swung his staff dramatically, projecting the image of Ragnarok—Rothschild territory—and continued,
"Not just them. Even your clones are waiting for Strange."
"......"
"Letting Berddin slip away today is regrettable. But your will shall come to pass."
Timeless glared sharply at Amon, then averted his gaze and asked in a low voice,
"What happens if I leave the tower?"
"...You'll probably lose the power granted by that one."
"And besides that?"
Amon looked him up and down slowly.
"Nothing. You didn't make a contract with us, after all, Lord Timeless."
"Then it's settled."
"What do you mean?"
Timeless picked up his severed arm from the ground and pressed it to the stump.
Chijijik.
He glared into Amon's eyes and replied,
"Today, I'll return the power given to me by your king. And leave this tower to join hands with the traitor Edward."
"?!"
Thwack!
Timeless's hand pierced Amon's abdomen. Amon groaned, staring at the blue blood dripping down.
"Hurk—"
"Tell the tower's master this. If he truly wants to become this world's god. He should find a way to step outside."