Chapter 84
TL/Editor: raei
Proofreader: Pickhead7
Schedule: 5/week
Illustrations: None.
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"I guess I have to go now."
The story wrapped up roughly.
The space-time wizard had turned his back after laying out a series of perplexing tales from start to finish.
Ian seemed to understand why Eredith despised space-time wizards.
'Space-time wizards are all a bunch of sneaky bastards!'
Space-time wizards know the future.
But the sneaky part is that they cannot disclose this future to others!
It wasnt just because of the space-time wizards' rules.
[If the future is disclosed in the present, is it still the future or does it become the past?]
The future has not yet happened, so it remains the future.
However, the past is firmly fixed.
It doesnt change, so it remains the past.
But if by disclosing the future, it becomes fixed from the current moment... can it still be considered the future?
No. The moment the future is disclosed, it merges with the present and becomes part of the past.
Thus, the hard-earned foresight of the future ceases to be the future, and a new future takes its place.
'Well, what the hell is that supposed to mean. Tsk tsk.'
It might sound complex at first, but the meaning is simple.
Suppose Ian learned space-time magic and foresaw the future.
Ian foresaw that Belenka would die tomorrow around lunchtime, struck by a horse.
Shocked, Ian tells Belenka, "Youre going to die tomorrow!"
Heres the problem.
Will Belenka actually die tomorrow at lunchtime, struck by a horse? Or not?
The answer is "No."
Why?
Belenka knew in advance about being hit by a horse and decided not to go out at lunchtime.
Therefore, she wasnt struck and saved her own life.
Then another problem arises.
Can Ian truly be said to have properly foreseen the future?
The answer is "No."
Ian foresaw a future where Belenka dies.
But by disclosing the future he foresaw, Ian saved Belenka's life.
In other words, Ian negated the future he had foreseen by his own disclosure.
In essence, the future Ian foresaw stopped being the future.
The fluidity of time is so immense that even the most experienced space-time wizards cannot be certain about how their statements might alter the future.
Therefore, space-time wizards try not to disclose the futures they foresee, keeping them to themselves.
Only by doing so can they preserve the future intact.
"Ian. I'd like to take this troublemaker off your hands. What do you think?"
Gerard, holding the ropes that bound Larabel, asked Ian.
Larabel had attempted to take Ian's life several times and had been captured; by rights, Larabel's life was practically in Ian's hands.
"What are you going to do with her?"
"I cant tell you the details. There's use for her, that's all."
Ah, right. I didnt expect a proper answer anyway.
Ian shrugged.
He had intended to send Larabel to the heavens himselfhe wanted her out of sight.
But Gerard taking her instead?
That could work.
The result was the same since Larabel would be gone.
However, Ian was reluctant to just let her go.
"I dont feel like giving her up. It feels unfair to let her go after what she did."
"Hmm. I understand. You have the right to seek revenge."
Gerard offered something to Ian.
It was a beautifully crafted gem, filled with a powerful force.
"This is the [Eye of the Wind]. It contains the power of the wind, capable of summoning gusts."
"Hmm..."
As expected.
It was an object filled with mystery.
Something like an artifact.
"If you hand over Larabel, Ill give you this as a ransom. Itll be a useful item for you, Ian."
Ian tilted his head slightly.
The jewel was indeed useful. But its effect seemed too trivial.
A gem that generates gusts?
Ian could also create gusts if he just talked to the mysteries of the wind.
If it could create gusts without any conditions, it might indeed be useful...
That's when it happened.
[Challenge Worship the Sky! Condition has been fulfilled.]
[The 'Worship the Sky' challenge has been activated.]
"...?"
Suddenly, the status window started functioning.
Ian was puzzled but opened the status window anyway.
[Challenge Worship the Sky!]
[To petition the sacred sky, appropriate ritual implements are needed. Create tools for the sacrifice that will satisfy the sacred sky. These tools will bring you closer to the sky.]
[Objective: Create the true Anor-lsil.]
[Gather the following items to harness the power of Anor-lsil.]
[1. Something containing the power of the sky]
[2. Something containing the power of the clouds]
[3. Something containing the power of the wind]
[4. Something containing the power of the stars]
[5. Something containing the power of the sun]
[6. Something containing the power of the moon]
[Once the true Anor-lsil is completed, the Worship the Sky! challenge will proceed.]
"..."
What is this, a sudden worship... no, a surprise quest?
Due to the lack of a detailed explanation, the specifics were unclear.
However, Ian intuitively sensed it.
This quest was directly related to the mystery of the sky, the ruler of this world.
It was a quest connected to the one who reincarnated Ian in this other world and who provided the status window.
Completing the true Anor-lsil would narrow the distance between the sky and Ian.
Then...
He could possibly question the grand ruler of this world about his reincarnation in another world.
"How about it, Ian. I think the [Eye of the Wind] would be useful to you. Wont you hand over Larabel to me?"
Ian asked Gerard with a smile.
"Why? I can call upon the wind myself, can't I?"
Gerard also responded with a smile.
"You know best why you need this gem, Ian."
...Space-time wizards.
Ian was sure of it.
Gerard knew that Ian was connected to the sacred sky.
Although it seemed he didn't know exactly how they were connected.
Gerard hoped Ian would meet the sacred sky.
That would be Gerards idea of a 'better future.'
What would happen if Ian met the sacred sky?
That was unknown.
Only those cunning space-time wizards would likely know the big picture.
"I wouldnt mind if you executed Larabel. However, you wouldnt get the Eye of the Wind, and I would have to find a new ally."
Ian didnt overthink it.
He had grown quite accustomed to life in the medieval fantasy world.
He had become used to exchanging lives for ransom.
"Alright. Ill hand over Larabel. It's not exactly an exchange, but I hope you treat her like a slave."
Ian could have killed Larabel, but then he would have to search for another item containing the power of the wind.
That would be too bothersome.
Once Ian decided, Gerard said with a smile.
"I havent mentioned it yet, have I?"
"What?"
"Larabel is already my slave."
"..."
Since she was already a slave, saying to treat her like one was not quite right.
Gerard led Larabel away, disappearing beyond the forest.
"See you again, Ian."
"Well. Come back if you need something."
---
---
Surprisingly, Gerard brought up the Space-Time Wizard Council to Ian.
"You will someday participate in the council of space-time wizards."
Ian was slightly surprised, as it essentially meant that Ian would learn space-time magic.
None other than the prophecy of a space-time wizard.
Ian was almost certain to become a space-time wizard.
"But, that will be after youve completed your task."
"Task?"
Gerard patted Ians head with a smile.
He was a middle-aged man in his fifties, so patting 18-year-old Ians head looked quite natural.
"Dont overthink it. Your actions will shape your future."
"Right?"
The past accumulates to become the future.
It's an unchanging truth, known to everyone.
"Be true to the present, Ian. Live each day diligently, and one day, youll find yourself in a place you never imagined."
Ian laughed at Gerards advice.
It was something a YouTube motivational speaker might say.
It was as direct as it was a clear truth.
Live honestly.
Ian took action to put Gerards advice into practice.
First, he planned to deal with the werewolf he had captured.
"Since I've released Larabel, maybe I should sacrifice this one?"
Ian intended to take the werewolf to Devosi Castle.
Since Gerard had taken Larabel, they needed someone to blame for the commotion.
The werewolf was a suitable monster for the role.
A wolf that speaks human language?
Perfect for the medieval folks to get overly involved.
If Ian and Kira talked it up properly, the medieval people would be satisfied burning the werewolf.
In fact, if the two wizards really put on a show, they could even make an innocent farmer look like an evil wizard.
"Wait a moment! Your Grace, might we have a brief conversation?"
"?"
Realizing that he was about to be burned, the werewolf kneeled beside Ian and cried out in desperation.
Ian was dumbfounded.
The werewolf's accent was just too much.
Why the hell does this guy speak like that?
Indeed, the werewolfs voice had a thick foreign accent mixed in, buttery and uniquely bizarre.
It sounded like a voice actor dubbing a foreign movie, overly exaggerated.
"Where did he learn our language?"
As Ian muttered, Kira whispered back.
"That one seems to be from the Kingdom of Roland, doesnt it?"
"The Kingdom of Roland?"
To the west of the Holy Empire, there was a large kingdom.
Unlike the Holy Empire, which was only an empire in name, the Kingdom of Roland was a true centralized monarchy.
"Belenka. Didnt your father work in the Kingdom of Roland?"
"He did."
The Kingdom of Roland was also Belenkas destination.
She intended to seek employment again from the noble her father had served.
"If you're asking about the homeland of this commoner, yes. I come from a nameless place in the beautiful countryside of the Kingdom of Roland"
"Shut up. Chihuahua."
Belenka smacked the back of the werewolfs head.
He grimaced and closed his mouth, making him look more like a dog-man than a werewolf.
"Ian. We probably don't need this guy's body, shall we just take the head?"
As Belenka spoke, the werewolf teared up.
That's too much!
Why wouldn't a person need their body!
It's so precious!!!
"Your Grace! I am Lewis of Blanche! I was merely employed by the wizard! If you release me, I promise to pay a suitable ransom!"
Then Belenka remarked.
"You must have been in charge of tormenting the people and controlling the dire wolves, Ian. This one is a monster. Is there any need to show mercy to one who is not human?"
"Your Grace! Although half of me is beast, the other half is human! I do have a human heart, even if it is just half! To prove it, look at this!"
Werewolf Lewis frantically pulled something out.
It was a token of Heaven's Faith.
Belenka shouted in anger.
"This monster! You dared to steal a holy symbol?"
"Oh, it's a misunderstanding! This is mine! I officially joined Heaven's Faith and received this item!"
My goodness.
Ian was amazed.
A werewolf was a follower of Heaven's Faith?
Seriously?
"He must have pretended to join! While professing to follow the teachings of the heavens, did he not attack innocent people!"
Then Lewis sternly replied.
"The ones who kill the most farmers are not monsters, but human knights. They commit murder while bearing holy artifacts. Does that not mean they too have forsaken the will of the heavens?"
""
Belenka was speechless.
Knights casually kill farmers.
Simply because they are bothersome.
Yet, priests still recognize these knights as followers of Heaven's Faith.
Then what difference is there between the werewolf who has undergone the initiation rites and knights steeped in slaughter?
Ian snickered.
"Well. Think of him as a knight in a fursuit."
"Damn."
"Oh! Thank you! Your Grace!"
Lewis bowed deeply, moved by Ian's merciful decision.
Lewis was genuinely moved, not just pretending.
He didn't know what the term "fursuit" meant, but he clearly heard the word "knight"!
To be called a knight, even as a mere werewolf!
The Church of Heaven's Faith, which had initiated Lewis, had treated him like a monster, but Ian called him a knight, treating him like a human.
Unlike the native inhabitants of this medieval fantasy world, Ian almost had no prejudice against different races because he had become familiar with them through modern creative works (ironically, he had never actually seen one).
A furry knight with a cheesy accent?
Well... why not?
Upon closer look, Lewis seemed to have the kind of appearance that extremely wealthy people would go crazy for.
If Ian had been a furry enthusiast, he would have saved his life without a second thought.
"This Lewis, given the chance, I will prove my worth and repay my ransom!"
A typical human ruler would not have employed Lewis.
Despite being a follower of the Church of Heaven, Lewis was a different race and considered untrustworthy.
But Ian had once been a modern human, and now he was a wizard.
Accustomed to cooperating with beasts and free of prejudice against other races, he asked,
"So, what can you do?"
"I can fight on the battlefield like human knights, and more importantly, I can command wolves!"
Wolf command, huh.
That was quite an impressive ability.
Ian listened seriously to what Lewis had to say.
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