Prophet (3)
'But.'
In my case, it was different.
This ability didn't require any special items from the start.
Rather than not needing them, it was more accurate to say they would have a negative effect.
Even if I possessed such high-grade objects, they would only rot away as troublesome antiques.
As dangerous items, they couldn't be carelessly discarded or sold.
If by any chance these divine relics fell into the hands of a cult, it would surely lead to a bloodbath.
Thanks to that, I had many concerns.
"Fufu."
In that sense, the headmaster was a good opportunity for me.
To dispose of a dangerous item.
And to hear a prophecy about the future.
Since I, an impurity, had intervened in the original flow, it was necessary to check if there were any changes in the prophecy.
After rummaging through my inner pockets for a moment, I place something on the table.
Clack-.
"So, I have prepared this."
A palm-sized case.
When I slightly lift the lid of the closed box, a particularly shiny stone is revealed inside.
The gem was emitting a brilliant blue aura.
I tap the surface with my fingertips.
Then, as if in response, a strange noise resonates, and the surrounding air slightly distorts.
Like a shimmering heat haze.
"A divine relic... the heart of an ancient dragon."
It was an item obtained during the rescue of the fox last time.
A research lab located in a vast canyon.
A stage of madness where only the worst dark mages of Baob gathered, massacring countless people in chimera experiments.
It was an item recovered in the process of destroying that insane facility.
The heart of a dragon that once protected the world.
When it was discovered, it was so powerful that it warped the time of the surrounding canyon, so it was more than enough to bear the price of a prophet's prophecy.
The headmaster was staring intently at the gem I presented.
"······."
However, there was no change in his expression.
A reaction so calm it was almost anticlimactic.
At this point, I could guess once again.
'So it's like that.'
Prophets or regressors.
Usually, when there are characters in fiction who can foresee the future, their reactions to transmigrators are broadly divided into two categories.
One is those who only know the future based on the original work.
The other is those who know the future based on the existence of the transmigrator.
In my case, it seemed to be the latter.
'Otherwise, there's no way he'd react like this.'
As mentioned before, divine relics are not easily obtained.
Even officially confirmed items don't exceed five.
If a mere student brought such a rare resource, it would be normal to at least give a questioning look.
Moreover, if that student is a traitor who leads the world to destruction.
'It would be more normal to be wary.'
And it's not like the original Judas gave a divine relic to the headmaster.
The future the prophet glimpsed was clearly related to 'me.'
Having finished grasping the situation, I deliberately throw out a few words as if making small talk.
"I told you earlier. This is the first time we've met face to face."
"I remember."
"But it seems that's not the case for you, Headmaster."
"Haha... you're quite perceptive."
"Please stop with the embarrassing praise. Didn't you already know about this situation where I'm making such predictions?"
"I won't deny it."
The headmaster smiles calmly.
His wrinkled hand puts down the teacup he was holding.
Setting aside the now-cold black tea, the old man accepts the case I'm offering.
Perhaps he has no intention of dragging this out.
Even though I didn't say anything, he covers the gem with his palm.
He seemed to know the role I wanted from him.
"Yes... if you desire a prophecy from within the mist, I shall recite it within the given role."
Whoosh-!
Immediately after.
A soft-colored aura flows from the headmaster's fingertips.
The shining gem begins to crumble little by little.
It was rapidly collapsing, bearing the price of breaking the constraint.
The old man recites beyond providence without delay.
"You are curious about the world's end, aren't you?"
"That's correct."
"The end will surely be beautiful, with everyone happy. They will all be full of hope, welcoming tomorrow. But..."
"But?"
"Only the liar will be in pain. You will not be among the blossoming smiles. The happiness of others will have been built on foolish lies."
"......I see."
It was quite an ambiguous prophecy.
While some parts seemed to align with a future I could somewhat foresee, other parts left me wondering what they meant.
I was relieved by the assertion of a beautiful ending.
But the phrase about only the liar being in pain bothered me.
A prophecy that could be interpreted in many ways.
Originally, prophecy is something that is understood more deeply as it is mulled over, so it seemed that time was needed for now.
I quietly rest my chin on my hand.
'There are still a few things I'm curious about.'
There was one question I always had.
It was related to the original work.
Originally, in their interaction, the headmaster only hinted at tragedy, without any mention of Judas's betrayal.
As a prophet, he should have known about the backstabbing that would come later.
It was a question that had bothered me since I was making the story summary video.
'Even if it's due to constraints... shouldn't there have been a hint like now?'
The agony continued, one question leading to another.
I considered asking the headmaster for more, but soon gave up.
The constraints a prophet bears are strict.
It would be difficult for him to answer more, having already answered one...
"I will answer that question as well."
"......?"
A voice that seemed to see through my inner monologue.
I couldn't help but be surprised.
What is this?
This is a pattern I've never seen before.
Even after playing through countless rounds, I had never seen a case where two prophecies were given at once.
In other words, this was an original event not present in the original work.
The old man adds.
"You have never betrayed."
"Yes...?"
"I don't know how it seemed to the other children, but at least as far as I have observed, that is how it was. It was the same even in a world you yourself are not aware of."
The white eyes looking at me.
Beyond the winter-like sunken pupils, only a golden snake resided.
The aged lips advise.
"A doll does not shed tears. But shedding tears does not necessarily make one human. I hope you will ponder this difference."
"······."
I couldn't give any answer.
Because of the overwhelming confusion.
A doll doesn't shed tears... how does that man know that phrase? And what does it mean that I have never betrayed?
"Wait."
I try to ask him, as if belatedly grabbing onto him, but it was already after the given time had been exhausted.
The headmaster slowly puts down the gem he was holding.
The surface, which had been swirling with blue, was now a lifeless gray.
Before long, the barely maintained form crumbles.
It scatters into a handful of dust.
"······Ah."
Srrr-.
Perhaps it was because he had forced himself to break the constraint.
The headmaster's hand, which had touched the gem, was also disintegrating. The decay didn't stop until his left hand had completely vanished.
The old man looks down at the falling dust and briefly adds.
"Our conversation must end here."
"······."
"We spent too long on the previous topic. We haven't even discussed the reward for the competition. If there's anything you want later, feel free to tell me."
"······I'll think about it and let you know."
"You may leave now."
"Yes."
I obediently rose from my seat.
Thoughts intricately intertwined.
Even though I knew there was no more information to be gained, I had to force my unwilling steps to move.
Leaving the hollow crashing waves behind, I exited the headmaster's office.
The snake walking into the unknown again.
The prophet sitting behind him stared at his retreating figure for a long time.
Until the fluttering shadow faded away.
***
A beautiful ending where everyone is happy.
Only the liar in pain.
The existence of a traitor who has never betrayed.
A doll that does not shed tears.
Thud, thud-.
Even as I walked out of the main building, my mind was complicated by the prophecy.
Meaningless and tangled letters.
Just thinking about interpreting them in the future made my head ache.
As I was walking through the academy grounds with a sigh.
"Y-Young master...!"
I found Regia, who had been loitering nearby.
Her pink hair fluttering in the wind.
I definitely told her to go to the library building first, but it seemed our protagonist had waited for the consultation to end.
We walked towards the carriage stop, exchanging a few words.
The sky was setting over the horizon.
Evening is tinted with the autumn breeze.
As I slightly turn my head, my gaze meets green eyes.
I ask casually.
"How has Miss Regia been lately?"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if you're enjoying your academy life."
"Ah... yes, yes! Lately, there are more people I spend time with, my practical grades have risen to the top of Class A, and m-many people acknowledge me!"
"That's amazing."
"He, hehe... it's all thanks to you, Young Master!"
The girl answers as if it's obvious.
Her eyes naturally curve into a smile.
As I talk with her, accompanied by that bright smile, the complicated thoughts from before gradually wash away.
I start to shake off the worries I had been mulling over.
'Yes.'
This should be enough.
The protagonist's smile.
I was making children smile who would have otherwise only cried and been hurt.
The efforts of the past were meaningful.
The dying words I uttered in a life where I had nothing to lose had changed many stories.
It will be the same in the future.
'It wouldn't be good to be too obsessed with the prophecy.'
I'm doing well enough as it is.
Of course, I need to work harder.
For today, I decided to put aside my worries.
I lightly walk ahead.
"Fufu... shall we head to the library? The others will be waiting."
"Yes!"
The shadows of a boy and a girl crossing the sunset.
We leave behind the thoughts we had today, and take steps towards tomorrow.
***
Meanwhile.
In the underbelly of the Empire.
"Hmm."
The shadow that had been sitting on the throne breaks the silence.
It held a newspaper in its hand.
It was none other than a newspaper covering the news of the academy.
On the front page, a headline was emblazoned: [A student appears who overwhelms the professors!].
It was an article about the recent competition.
"Interesting."
It seems to skim through the content with interest.
Red eyes were staring at the picture of the snake printed in the center.
Lips murmur.
"Is he starting to move?"
Toss-.
The shadow drops the newspaper to the floor.
In front of the throne stood a guard of four.
The Five Negatives.
"Then...it's time for this side to join the fun as well."
The voice commands the subordinates.
To formally join the game.
"It's been a while, so I'd like to meet him, even if just for a moment."
"Are you referring to the snake?"
"Tsk tsk... if not him, who else could stand equally before me?"
"We will make the arrangements as soon as possible."
"Good."
A loyal response returns.
The shadow nods in satisfaction.
It knew that a mere guard would be no match for the snake, but it could at least provoke him to come on his own.
It unconsciously strokes its empty right arm.
Only a void existed in place of the arm.
An ominous laugh flows from its lips.
"Where shall we enter?"
The world is like the dawn before a storm.
After several wars had ended, in the pitch black where only a tense stillness lingered.
"Into the center of chaos."
The monarch began to move.
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