Chapter 209: Interlocking Gears

Chapter 209: Interlocking Gears

Watching Shurahart dissipate before him, Luk remained silent for a moment before continuing forward.

He faced the Barum mountains.

Although it was summer, unlike the heavy snowfall in his memories, his photographic memory allowed him to accurately pinpoint his destination.

The Omniscience magic activated, and Luk felt his consciousness split into two. One part controlled his body, taking slow steps forward, while the other's vision rose uncontrollably.

The complete magic not only allowed him to investigate the recorded past but also improved the efficiency and depth of his observations.

Luk felt a part of his consciousness break free from the world's constraints, arriving at the surging river of time.

Ahead, countless possibilities branched out, like a kaleidoscope of confusion.

Behind, a blurred light flickered, guiding him. It was the timeline recorded by Shurahart.

Luk turned a part of his consciousness and began to observe time in reverse, seeing the truth of everything in a panoramic view. Meanwhile, his physical body walked into the mountains, using a flying spell to reach his destination.

Time continued to rewind, and in the shifting light and shadow, Luk saw Shurahart erect a tombstone for the Demon King not far from here, placing a bouquet of flowers at the grave.

"The Demon race will not perish, just as we will always be at odds with humans. But this meaningless situation will come to an end. I will keep my promise and fulfill your wish."

The scene changed, and time moved forward.

On the morning the Hero Squad set out, the impatient coachman heard a gentle, melodic voice in his mind.

"You've waited long enough. Let's go; everyone is here."

The irritable coachman whipped his horses, which galloped obediently, pulling the carriage and cutting off Frielian's words.

The scene continued to change. After witnessing the monarchs of various kingdoms sign a peace treaty, the Southern Hero suddenly felt a warning, his sharp eyes focusing on a direction.

"Saint Tod, the last of the ancient Demons, has spent centuries brewing a curse for the planet..."

Without hesitation, he set out to defeat Saint Tod, but the curse had no place to go, and he had to accept it entirely.

"Your story can end now. Please help me persuade him one last time."

The Southern Hero, tormented by the curse, suddenly lost control. His foresight repeatedly activated, his perspective drawing closer to a god's, until it was completely altered.

Though still a kind hero, his thoughts had been thoroughly changed.

"There must be no conflict. Everything is for the best."

Muttering these mechanical words, the Southern Hero endured the curse's erosion, blocking Luk's path.

...

High in the sky, Luk paused before a mountain, his gaze sweeping down to a hidden, narrow cave entrance.

This was where he was born.

The Omniscience magic continued, and the scenes kept advancing.

Carrying the young Simer, Frielian followed a trail of energy to the trade city of Barum, her tone tinged with surprise.

"Tracing the source of the energy, we've come full circle back here."

"Indeed, Barum must be the key location. Luk has always been watched by some presence. I should warn him."

"You may pursue your search, but you must not tell him."

The voice, like a narrator, passed judgment.

Frielian hesitated, "Oh, right, I'm here to return this child to the orphanage."

She took Simer's hand and walked toward the direction of the Campbell residence.

...

Luk approached the cave entrance, a place unsuitable for human habitation. After two hundred years, it had changed little.

The scene moved forward to the peak of the war between the kingdoms, a bloody chapter of history unfolding. War erupted, and countless lives were lost, the sound of weeping echoing across the land.

"I'm tired of the same old life. It's time to start a new story to pass the time."

The monarchs of the kingdoms seemed bewitched, declaring war with increasing fervor. Despite the recent peace, no one was content.

They attacked other nations for power and status, fighting to the bitter end.

Amid the bloodshed, a young boy aspiring to be a mage watched his family fall in a pool of blood, his face filled with despair. At that moment, his eyes lit up with a sudden vision of his future self defeating powerful enemies, achieving his goals, and bringing peace to the world.

"I, I am the Southern Hero?"

The boy muttered, his eyes growing determined. He stood up, picked up his sword, and walked away, step by step, toward his destiny.

The scene moved forward again. In a field of flowers, Luk cremated Trella's body, taking part of her ashes and setting up a protective barrier.

"I’ll be back to see you."

With those words, he left with his suitcase in hand.

The camera zoomed out, revealing a shadowy figure on a nearby mountaintop, its form indistinct and presence almost nonexistent. It seemed to be experiencing some emotional shift, emitting a barely perceptible ripple.

A moment later, Fyllian, who had been honing her mana control for a millennium, arrived, her face showing a hint of confusion.

"Who could it be?"

The scene shifted to the interior of the Demon King’s Castle.

Luk held a purple wisteria staff against Mahat of the Golden Land's chest, the dangerous light of his Demon-Slaying Magic gathering around it.

"Shut up and cast your spell!"

The curiosity of the strongest of the Seven Sages, Mahat, had reached its peak, and he couldn't help but speak.

"Tell me, tell me."

If you really want to know, dig out your heart. That way, you will have the answer you seek.

A mysterious voice echoed in his mind.

As if bewitched, Mahat's right claw turned to gold, piercing his chest and extracting his heart. He looked at Luk's face, searching for a reaction.

"So, this is the expression you make."

He felt a mix of satisfaction and regret. He had wanted to see more, yet he had chosen to consume the main course now.

But it was fine. This way was good too.

Mahat's body dissolved into pure mana, leaving Luk to stare in despair and rage at the next door.

The scene shifted to Luk, who was using Future Sight, his brows furrowed as he probed the possible futures.

Among the versions of himself—obsessed and mad, choosing companionship, and believing in himself—he saw another possibility.

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In this possibility, Luk had become a devotee of the Goddess, deciphering the complete holy scriptures. He removed the Mirror Lotus ring from his finger, destroying the statues of Trella and himself, and embarked on a new path, starting a new life.

Goddess, Goddess!

The scene shifted to Luk sitting on the roof of the old Campbell residence.

He gazed at the moon, his vision blurring.

Beside him, Amir lay on a small table, his life force slowly fading.

"Parting is a necessary lesson for elves."

Luk gently laid his friend's body flat, smoothing his hair and straightening his clothes. He carried him down from the roof and informed his two relatives.

In the distance, the indistinct, almost nonexistent figure watched, its presence emitting a subtle ripple. The grieving elf did not notice.

Days later, Fyllian, who had been tracking Luk, arrived again, her brow furrowed.

"Who was it?"

The scene shifted to the first day after Luk and Trella's wedding.

Fyllian, who had left on some urgent business, returned to the residence. Her usual lazy and indifferent demeanor was replaced by a look of confusion as she asked Luk a question.

"Luk, do you know who your biological father is?"

Luk shook his head, puzzled. "I’m not sure. Lenisse never mentioned it to me."

Fyllian: "You never asked?"

Luk: "I assumed elves are emotionally detached. She probably met some male elf, lived with him for a while, and then had me after they parted ways."

"Elves are indeed emotionally detached and have low desires, but if they got to the point of having a child, they wouldn’t part ways so easily."

Fyllian pondered for a moment before giving up.

The scene shifted to the wedding day.

Trella, dressed in a starlight wedding gown, kicked open the door to the dressing room, blushing as she saw Luk in his tuxedo, but quickly composing herself.

"Redo his makeup. Make him look darker and more rugged!"

After she left, Fyllian, who was supposed to be the bridesmaid and present the rings during the ceremony, suddenly glanced at something and handed the rings to Luk.

"Exchange the rings yourselves later. I have something I need to do."

The camera panned out, showing the indistinct figure watching the wedding from a high vantage point, its presence cold and authoritative. It seemed lost in thought, inadvertently leaking a barely perceptible ripple.

A few seconds later, Fyllian, using a flying spell, arrived at the scene. She noticed the figure's pointed ears and spoke in surprise.

"Who are you?"

The moment she spoke, the figure seemed to wake from a dream, vanishing like a bubble in sunlight.

Fyllian’s expression grew more serious. "No trace of mana leakage. This is impossible."

"An elf who would appear at Luk’s wedding..."

The scene shifted to Lenisse bidding farewell to Luk.

"Elves have nearly infinite lifespans. Soon, you’ll realize how small this continent is, and we will meet again."

Luk hesitated for a moment. "Be careful on your journey and take care of yourself."

”

  He added the title, “Mother.”

  Lanis, who was facing away from him, paused for a moment.

  The camera shifted to show her face. The elf's beautiful features were slightly distorted, but all her emotions were perfectly controlled.

  She raised her hand and waved, continuing to walk forward.

  The scene moved forward, and a young Luk lay weakly in bed, his face flushed abnormally, his breathing labored, and his clothes drenched in sweat.

  Lanis withdrew her ineffective healing magic, walked out of the room with a blank expression, and frowned without a word.

  Amir, wielding a wooden sword, rushed into Luk's room to play. Seeing him in such a state, he was terrified and burst into tears.

  “Luk, hang on! I'll get a monk for you!”

  He cried as he ran to his mother's room.

  After a while, Lady Rhine, who was unusually anxious, arrived with a monk. Under the monk's healing, Luk's flushed face gradually returned to normal.

  Lanis watched silently, neither stopping nor helping.

  The scene moved forward into darkness.

  Luk's body was cold, and he hadn't been fed for two days. His consciousness was hazy, and he was on the brink of death, wondering if he was about to start over again.

  Lanis, squatting outside, tossed a fruit back and forth. When she felt the time was right, she entered the cave.

  The infant, who was struggling to stay alive and in a semi-comatose state, made her feel a mix of disappointment and relief.

  “Still not dead...”

  She looked at the closed eyes of the elf child, her tone complex.

  After pulling Luk back from the brink of death, she smiled.

  “I brought you something to eat, but it seems the young one can't eat fruit yet. I'll have to take care of it myself.”

  The scene moved forward one last time.

  The elf child looked at the beautiful woman with pointy ears and green short hair, then at his own chubby little hands and legs, his eyes filled with confusion.

  Then, he heard her voice filled with a sense of wonder.

  “Black hair and brown eyes, you don't look like an elf at all.”

  The magical glow illuminated the cave, and Lanis smiled at him.

  “But you do look quite similar.”

  ...

  The Omniscience magic stopped, and the two consciousnesses merged.

  Luk stopped at the entrance of the cave, his body trembling with intense emotional turmoil, his humanity slowly returning.

  He had always known something was wrong with Lanis.

  Fleurette's words the day after the wedding had already made him suspicious, and upon recalling the subtle signs in their daily life, he could see the issues clearly.

  The most obvious was the battle at the Demon King's Castle.

  When the Miracle of the Seven Sages, Graosam, constructed the dream, everyone was present except Lanis. When he asked about it, the magic immediately collapsed.

  When a magic as powerful as the Miracle of the Seven Sages couldn't bear the presence of a false person in the dream, he knew something was amiss with Lanis. But out of respect for their past, he kept his suspicions hidden.

  He never imagined it was all a lie from the beginning.

  If betrayal has levels, being betrayed by someone close is undoubtedly the highest.

  Endless anger surged within him. As his emotions reached their peak, Luk felt his consciousness break through a layer of restraint, rising continuously.

  It was a feeling entirely different from Future Sight, as if he were soaking in a warm spring, returning to his most primal self.

  A gray mist and several vague figures appeared before him.

  Was this the power Schlarhardt believed he could use to challenge a goddess?

  “If this is a golden finger, it's a bit late, isn't it?”

  Luk took a deep breath, and a purple sandalwood staff appeared in his hand. He calmed his mind and stepped into the mysterious space.

  As he entered, two figures materialized beside him. One was muscular with an odd posture, and the other had yellow hair and wore casual clothes, looking relaxed.

  A boy, around fourteen years old, looked at the three of them with glowing eyes, as if he had discovered a rare treasure, and pounced over.

  ...

  Luk opened his eyes, feeling the various powers surging within him, and slowly walked into the cave.

  The magical light in his hand illuminated the area, just as it had before.

  In the interplay of light and shadow, a figure slowly emerged.

  “Schlarhardt really likes to play tricks, but I can't blame him. As the holder of the Omniscience magic, the more he knows, the more his mind can break.”

  The familiar elf turned around and smiled brightly at him.

  “It's been a long time, Luk.”

  “Just as I said, we would meet again someday.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end