Chapter 197: Branching Possibilities

Chapter 197: Branching Possibilities

if-01

Luk opened his eyes to see the familiar room. The carved windows, the simple and modest decor, and the potted plants by the window—all were part of the room he shared with Trella. But the room was empty.

He closed his eyes and found himself in another room, filled with magic books and magical devices. This version of Luk was visibly distressed, his forehead creased with worry, beads of sweat dripping down his face. He scribbled formulas on a draft paper, trying to understand the abstract and bizarre concepts of time. His state was clearly not good.

“Wait for me, Trella. I’m almost there, just a little more. Just a little more.”

“This is the time to say goodbye properly…”

Trella, lying in bed, looked even more frail and aged, her face pallid and lifeless. She gazed at Luk with a mix of resentment and indulgence, but he, lost in his extreme focus, didn’t hear her words.

Slowly, she closed her eyes, her life slipping away silently.

Luk, still engrossed in his research, didn’t notice her passing. He continued to mutter to himself.

“Soon, just a little more, soon!”

After a quick glance at the draft paper, Luk shook his head. This version of himself had taken the wrong path.

“This isn’t the right future.”

if-146

On a summer night, a cool breeze caressed their bodies. Luk held the aged Trella tightly as they sat together on the grass, surrounded by a sea of blooming flowers in a myriad of colors, so beautiful it almost hurt to look at.

In the sky, countless meteors fell like silver ribbons, as if the stars were raining down, or as if a cosmic artist was painting silver streaks on a black canvas.

“This scene feels so familiar.”

Trella’s eyes were half-closed, her face filled with nostalgia, her voice gentle. “It’s been fifty years since then.”

The same meteor shower, the same flower field magic, and the same Luk by her side. The only difference was her waning life.

“Did I take good care of you?”

Luk kissed Trella’s aged face. “You gave me your entire life, but I could only give you a fraction of mine.”

“Human and elven lifespans are different. You’ve done well,” Trella said, struggling to open her eyes.

“Do you remember what you asked me back then? You asked me what I would do if you died.”

“Now I can give you an answer.”

Trella looked at Luk with a mix of longing and acceptance. “Start a new life, meet new people, make new friends. If you want, find a new partner.”

Luk smiled. “Wouldn’t you be jealous?”

“After death, there’s no jealousy.”

Trella’s voice was barely a whisper, as if speaking those words had drained her last bit of strength.

“Who knows? Flama’s manuscript mentions that in the northern region where the Eod Demon King’s castle lies, souls are real.”

Trella didn’t respond.

“I never finished our last trip. I wanted to take you there properly. The northern kingdoms have been reclaimed, and we could choose a spring season to visit, leaving our mark in every city along the way.”

The person in his arms still didn’t respond.

Luk fell silent.

At dawn, Luk placed his gradually cooling lover in the flower field, caressing the Mirror Lotus Ring in his hand. He looked at the rising sun and spoke calmly.

“One partner is enough.”

This time, Trella left with a smile and a hint of reluctance. Luk chose to stay with her until the end, just as he had with Amir.

“Is this enough to satisfy me?”

After a long, fixed gaze, Luk turned away from this branch. He wouldn’t accept this ending.

There must be a way out among the countless branches.

He would observe again, and again, and again.

if-2077

“I know you’re watching.”

“By reverse-engineering the future vision magic and continuously simulating the future, if there are countless possibilities, then my actions are not madness.”

This Luk’s eyes were calm, his mind clear. He methodically outlined his research, explaining every detail. After his explanation, he sighed.

“I don’t know if this is all in vain, or if it’s just a figment of my imagination, but I’m willing to try.”

“This is the result of a century of work. The progress is minimal, but I hope it can help you.”

He smiled lightly, reaching out to the air. “No matter the time or place, no matter the world, no matter if this is just a fantasy, Luk always believes in Luk, and Luk will always help Luk.”

“Even if it’s just a tiny possibility, am I right?”

The unseen Luk silently extended his hand, grasping the hand of this version of himself in the void. He noted down the knowledge and bowed slightly.

Then, he slowly exited this branch.

if-9304

“I have faith in the goddess and have decoded the entire holy scripture.”

“In this world, the iron law is that lifespan cannot be changed. No matter what you try, the outcome is predetermined.”

Wearing an elaborate magic robe, Luk walked to the cemetery. He placed a bouquet of starlight flowers at Trella’s grave and then removed the ring from his finger, placing it on the tombstone. He felt a weight lift from his body.

Luk returned to their shared residence and gazed at the two intricately crafted statues. After a moment, he raised his hand.

A surge of magical energy shattered the statues that had been frozen in time, and he gazed skyward in silence, as if breaking free from his own constraints. He then turned and walked away.

"It's time to begin a new journey."

Watching his retreating figure, Luk slowly shook his head.

"But my journey is far from over."

...

Countless possibilities flooded his mind: Luk who had given up, Luk who had persisted, Luk who had stagnated, and Luk who had forged ahead together.

Wave after wave of memories surged into his brain, causing him excruciating headaches.

In contrast, he felt his emotions becoming increasingly detached, even the anxiety in his heart diminishing.

Observing timelines from a near-divine perspective had hardened his spirit, but it also numbed his heart—a side effect that was both a blessing and a curse.

Luk opened his eyes expressionlessly and waved his hand, burning the manuscript in front of him.

After observing countless timelines, he had uncovered a truth.

Time was a chasm, and research without a bridge would yield no results. Centuries, even millennia, would not be enough to develop the time magic he desired, let alone complete it within Trella's lifetime.

Years of effort reduced to ashes, he needed to find another path.

Luk shifted his gaze to the shadows in the corner and spoke softly.

"Come out. I know you're there."

A cloaked demon slowly emerged from the shadows.

He approached Luk and, when they were a few meters apart, knelt down and bowed his head.

"My lord, what do you require?"

"Why do you show me such deference?"

Luk asked coldly, despite the demons' decades of stability and Schurahart's assistance, he still did not trust them.

"Because you are the key to the Demon King's aspirations."

"What are his aspirations?"

Schurahart bowed his head even lower. "He wishes for peace between demons and humans."

"An impossible dream."

Luk scoffed. From his future vision, he knew that the demons in the Demon King's city were merely restrained by their leader and were growing restless, ready to rebel at any moment.

Schurahart did not refute him but raised his head, looking at Luk with eyes devoid of emotion.

"Do you understand demons, my lord?"

Luk recited the contents of the holy scriptures: "Demons are the most despised children of the goddess, embodying all the world's filth, cold-blooded and cruel, heartless and cunning."

"Surely you don't believe that?"

Luk's tone was cold. "Slandering enemies is a common tactic."

A beam of warm, radiant magic emerged from Schurahart's fingertips, a healing spell used by priests, known as the goddess's magic, though he seemed to struggle with it.

"You are correct. The goddess is impartial to all races. The gods merely observe from above... as they should."

Schurahart paused, dispelling the magic, and spoke calmly.

"Faith in the goddess brings her blessings, whether for humans, elves, or demons."

"But demons are highly individualistic beings. Most cannot even believe in the goddess's existence, let alone have faith in her. I can only barely use the lowest-tier goddess magic."

"Demons are creatures without emotions, unable to understand malice or hatred. They do what they want, including myself and the other high demons."

Schurahart paused, giving Luk time to digest his words, and then continued. "There is only one exception among all demons: the Demon King."

"He has transcended the limits of demons, truly possessing human emotions, feeling joy, anger, and fear. He genuinely wishes for an end to the war between humans and demons."

Luk's eyes widened in realization. "The Demon King believes I can end the war between humans and demons?"

Schurahart's tone remained calm. "You can interpret it that way."

"I will not speak for the demons. When I am powerful enough, I will choose to destroy them entirely."

"That is precisely what the Demon King wants to see." Schurahart slowly rose and stepped back into the shadows. "And you want to act now, for the sake of Mahat's Golden Land."

Realizing his thoughts had been exposed, Luk's face darkened. "Your future vision sees more than mine. What are you hiding?"

"I will leave you a message upon my death, which will come soon."

The high demon disappeared into the shadows.

Luk pursed his lips and turned back to the room.

He looked at Trella, whose appearance had grown increasingly aged, and made a final decision, choosing a possibility he dared not face.

...

The next day, when Trella awoke, she found herself in a gently swaying carriage.

Rising from the soft cushions, she pulled back the curtain and saw Luk as the driver.

Sensing her gaze, Luk turned and smiled at her.

"You're awake. Try to get some more rest."

The smile on the elf's face, unseen for years, left Trella momentarily stunned. "Where are we going?"

Luk turned his head. "We're continuing our unfinished journey from years ago. We're heading to the northernmost lands."

Trella hesitated. "Oert?"

Luk nodded gently. "Oert."

The northernmost land, the Demon King's city of Oert.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end