Volume 6 Chapter 31: The Future That Can’t Be Seen
Volume 6 Chapter 31: The Future That Can't Be Seen
The goblin had completed Chuck's commission, and the problem of the Guardian of The Earth Tuvok's nightmares was also resolved.
All potential issues had been addressed, and the town should not face any major disasters. Yet... why did she have a bad feeling?
It felt like something had been overlooked, something serious...
The Vassal of The Light, Belle, sat alone in an empty room, eyes closed, trying to meditate, but she couldn't settle her mind. She opened her eyes, ending the unsuccessful meditation.
A sense of foreboding swirled in her heart, preventing her from achieving inner peace.
Was it because of Zakarina, the Vassal of The Earth?
….She hoped Zakarina could successfully stop Alwin.
Why did Alwin, who, like her, is also a Vassal of The Light, suddenly go mad and start a killing spree, heading straight for the Elven Empire, Braatio?
What had happened to him? The Alwin she knew was responsible and chivalrous. Despite not seeing him for a long time, she couldn't believe he would become like this.
Oh, Goddess... if you were not in slumber, what would you want me, your Vassal, to do?
If you weren't in slumber and could give me more guidance, I would very much like to see you now.
"Belle, you're still awake? It's already this late," Walson said, entering the room and seeing Belle with a furrowed brow.
"I’m feeling restless, making it hard for me to sleep," Belle replied, sighing, then she asked, "Is there something you need?"
"Uh, I just got up to drink some water," Walson shrugged, "I saw your light was still on and got curious."
"Forget it, since you're here, help me with something," Belle said, rising and drawing her holy sword, "Oathkeeper, Excalibur."
Walson was startled, but Belle ignored his reaction and chanted a complex incantation. When she reopened her eyes, a complicated magical array appeared in her left pupil.
In Belle's vision, everything became blurred, countless colorful threads crisscrossing the world. The spot where Walson stood was now a cocoon formed by numerous entangled lines.
By comparing fate to threads, the countless threads formed the timeline... As expected, this goblin had so many threads and nodes, indicating his actions were closely tied to the world's fate.
Using these "threads" to predict possible futures was a special ability of the Vassal of The Light, a divine blessing from the Goddess of Light.
The complex array in Belle’s pupil began to rotate rapidly. With the intense consumption of magical power and the pain in her brain, Belle attempted to deduce possible future events.
"Ugh!" Belle suddenly spat out blood and stumbled back, dropping her holy sword. Walson hurriedly caught her and laid her on the sofa.
"What the hell! Why are you suddenly spitting blood!?"
"I was just trying to divine the future," Belle weakly said. "I wanted to know how the future would go. I'm very uneasy now, I have a very bad feeling."
But she failed. The future she saw was a gray blur, nothing clear.
As expected, it would work just fine if it’s used on ordinary people, but trying to deduce the future through someone so intertwined with fate and nodes was too much.
The future is not something that can be easily glimpsed.
Don’t even think about trying again, the cost of this ability is too high.
"Why'd you push yourself to the point of spitting blood!?" Walson complained, "Did you see anything?"
"...No," Belle said dejectedly after catching her breath.
Walson had never seen this righteous warrior so flustered.
"You're probably worried about the Hero King, right?" Walson tried to comfort her, "Don't worry. In a few days, the Ore God Festival will be over, and we will set off for Braatio immediately. If there’s any problem, we can provide assistance. It will be fine."
Belle closed her eyes, accepting Walson's reassurance.
What's the use of worrying here? It’s better for her to conserve her energy and prepare for whatever might come.
"If that's the case, then that would be great," Belle replied.
...
...
...
Elsewhere, at the largest stone spire in [Dying Steel Citadel], stood a majestic steel structure.
This was the true political center of the Dwarven Empire, the seat of royal power.
On the throne symbolizing supreme authority, King Gur Barlow stroked his beard, sitting in a casual yet imposing manner, looking down at the noisy crowd below.
The dwarven elders, clad in luxurious attire, were fiercely discussing the upcoming [Ore God Festival] tasks. The excitement this year far surpassed any previous Ore God Festival.
This was because an unexpected contestant was going to participate this time: the long-absent Fourth Prince, Chuck Barlow.
If that were all, it would be fine, but he had brought back a skilled individual capable of manipulating [Orichalcum Steel] with [Metalforge Manipulation], someone who was also of royal blood!
This had never happened in the several centuries since the founding of the Dwarven Empire of Mahamatra!
In a nation that revered technology, winning the [Ore God Festival] meant entering the upper echelons of society, accessing the power structure.
In previous festivals, the top spots were always taken by members of the resource-rich families. If an outsider won... it could mean a seismic shift in the nation's internal power structure.
Moreover, although His Majesty hadn't said it explicitly, he had given a clear promise: if the Fourth Prince and his companions won the championship, the nation's hidden secrets would be revealed to the world!
A strong sense of impending crisis loomed...
"Your Majesty! I believe this must not happen! If—" The elder closest to the Dwarf King stepped forward, saying.
"I've made up my mind, there's no need to discuss further," King Gur Barlow raised his hand, silencing the elder. "Besides, it's not certain how things will turn out yet."
"Your Majesty, you mean...?" This elder had served the king for decades, considering himself well-versed in the king's thoughts, yet now, he was puzzled.
"Hahaha, call Argand over. He must participate in this Ore God Festival," the king laughed. "Issue orders to start repairing and maintaining the [Obelisk]."
"Your Majesty! You mean—!"
"Hehe, how can we let an old relic unused for over a century go on stage without repairs? But disguise it well before facing that foolish son of mine, so others don't notice."
"But... doing this means... won't other families..."
"If he wants to change this nation, he must be ready to break and rebuild a lot of things. This is my final test for Chuck."