Late Realization
by Afuhfuihgs
Having realized the truth, I stood there blankly. I turned around at the sound of voices and looked at Nelson and Roel.
“The most important point in this plan is Elly.”
Roel was silent at Nelson’s words. He pondered alone for a moment, trying to figure out what Nelson meant, and finally opened his mouth.
“Is that Elly the Elly from the first world? Or the Elly from the current world?”
In response, Nelson gave a kindly smile and softened his lips.
“It’s not important ‘which’ Elly she was. It ‘only’ has to be Elly.”
“…Why?”
“Just as you continue your endless dreams, the actions of the first world’s Elly become a ‘probability’ that allows the current Elly to continue making choices.”
Roel’s eyes widened. There’s a setting where he can convey sincerity, but he seems genuinely surprised this time. Unlike me, who was blankly listening to Nelson’s explanation, he clearly understood what Nelson was trying to say.
“No way….”
Nelson smiled gently as he watched Roel trail off.
“Yes, you mustn’t forget the most important thing in this novel where you are the protagonist.”
What shouldn’t I forget? Roel solved that question for me.
“…The Hero’s Harem is destined to win.”
What Nelson said was the title that forms the basis of the novel.
“In countless other worlds, your lovers never betrayed you. Even if the world is destroyed, even if you fail endlessly, even if they sacrifice their lives meaninglessly… they have fought only for your victory. Your girls have always been by your side as you continued your endless dreams, haven’t they?”
Roel wore a dumbfounded expression, like someone who had been kicked in the chest. He seemed to have realized something he had forgotten upon hearing Nelson’s words.
“I, I….”
Nelson approached Roel, who was stammering and unable to continue, and grabbed his shoulder.
“The first world’s Elly tried to save Ross, not you. The variable she chose to fight for your victory was ‘Ross’.”
“….”
“That action created the foundation for probability. The probability that the variable chosen by your lover Elly could become a piece (棋物) to lead you to victory.”
“Are you saying that I should sacrifice Ross as a piece for my victory?”
“…You always have for victory, haven’t you?”
The conversation stopped there. At the end of the suffocating silence, Roel brushed off Nelson’s hand on his shoulder and said.
“So? What happens from now on then? Unlike what you said, I’m not convinced yet. Even if I sacrifice Ross… I don’t see a way to win.”
Roel continued, his face wary as if glaring at an enemy.
“The Hero’s Harem is destined to win. So the actions of the first world’s Elly will become a probability… So? Is that the way to defeat the God of the Chaos Church?”
Nelson smiled.
“That’s right. Because it’s something that Elly, who loves you, chose for your victory. In the end, that choice will lead the hero to victory.”
“That’s not enough. I don’t doubt Elly’s sincerity, but… I need a stronger conviction. A conviction that your plan can save all worlds!”
Nelson erased the smile from his face at Roel’s appearance, as if he would open the door and leave at any moment.
“Just like the first world’s Elly did, the current Elly will act for your victory.”
Nelson looked straight into Roel’s eyes.
“If Luna dies, Ross will try to obtain the Holy Grail. It’s impossible for him to do it alone, so he’ll definitely need the help of Elly, who will become the future Archmage. Because the Holy Grail is at the end of the labyrinth.”
“…The labyrinth is too dangerous a place. Ross will lose everything trying to get Luna back.”
“And Ross is someone who gets stronger the more he loses.”
Roel ran his palm over his face.
“Ross entering the labyrinth is also part of your plan. Fine. Now that I know the location of the Holy Grail, I’ll just get the Holy Grail myself.”
As Roel said that and turned to open the door and leave, Nelson said quietly.
“Don’t you want to confirm whether what you’ve chosen is the correct answer that can save everyone?”
Roel, who had stiffened, looked back at Nelson over his shoulder and said.
“…I thought you were a venerable sage, but you’re a more vicious person than Rael-ran.”
“If you using the Holy Grail is for victory, Elly will betray Ross and bring you the Holy Grail. But if she thinks that’s not the way for you to win, Elly, who only fights for your victory, will definitely make a different choice. She will make the choice that allows you to win.”
Nelson’s words seemed to shake Roel’s unwavering resolve. Even the resolve he had made after experiencing countless other worlds was shaken… It was proof that Roel completely trusted Elly, who had never betrayed him even once while he continued his endless dreams.
“…Okay, then what do you want me to do in your plan?”
“Nothing. Just watch and observe Elly’s choice.”
“…Are you telling me to do nothing while the world is being destroyed? I’d rather help Ross too. Wouldn’t that allow me to obtain the Holy Grail faster?”
However, Nelson shook his head firmly.
“You will naturally know when the moment for you to fight comes… Because you are the ‘protagonist’ who knows when to step up. And there’s a crucial reason why you shouldn’t be with Ross.”
“What is it?”
“Ross has to lose everything in exchange for obtaining the Holy Grail.”
“….”
“Only then will he be able to gain the power to become a true ‘variable’ that can save all the other worlds.”
Nelson turned his head away from Roel.
“The protagonist who will save the world can’t be included in that, can he?”
I can say for sure this time. Nelson, who turned his head, was looking straight at me. As if he knew I was watching him, Nelson gave the gentle smile he usually showed me and said quietly.
“You always keep what’s really precious close to you, so you forget its preciousness. In the end, it’s only after losing it… that you belatedly realize its preciousness.”
Before I could open my mouth to Nelson, the Golden King’s voice came from behind me.
“So, what is this favor you want to ask of me?”
I hurriedly turned around and saw the Golden King and Nelson talking. The background was the same as what I had seen before, but Roel was gone.
“Lumiel, I will die soon.”
“…I’m not a kind dragon who would grant the last wish of a dead man.”
Nelson smiled and shook his head.
“It’s not a difficult request. It’s a simple matter of delivering the dying words of a teacher to his disciple.”
“…A dying wish, then can’t you just leave it in writing beforehand?”
Nelson gave a kindly smile at Lumiel’s obviously annoyed appearance.
“Timing is important.”
Lumiel sighed and finally nodded.
“Okay, I don’t know if I can match the timing you want, but… I’ve received help too, and it’s your last request, so I’ll grant it. So what are the dying words you want to convey to Elly?”
“Tell Elly how to use the Holy Grail.”
Lumiel flinched at Nelson’s quiet answer. Even his face, which had been full of languor, showed a hint of surprise.
“That’s the last thing a teacher leaves to his disciple?”
“It will definitely help her choice.”
“You’re a bad teacher. You’re the worst.”
Nelson gave a bitter smile at Lumiel’s shuddering appearance.
“…I knew that from the beginning.”
Suddenly, the surroundings darkened, and Nelson and the Golden King beyond the passage were no longer visible. I had no choice but to look back at the opposite passage, and Nelson, who had been quietly looking at me until then, gave the same bitter smile as before. And he said quietly.
“If Elly chooses Ross instead of you, she… will definitely die.”
The moment those words ended, I ran aimlessly towards the end of the passage. However, the voice coming from beyond the passage was clearly audible to my ears.
“If Ross loses faith after seeing my true self, whom he thought he could trust the most in the world, loses his precious relationships and the lover he loved… and even loses the friend who was with him until the last moment, he will be able to become stronger than any Ross in any world.”
I run.
This time, to not lose what’s precious, so that Nelson’s plan ultimately fails.
“We will never be forgiven by Ross.”
“Of course not. I’ve never even dared to think that. I’m just a perfect sinner to Ross. But….”
The end of the passage is visible. My heart feels like it’s going to explode, and I’m out of breath. But to not lose Elly, I grit my teeth and ran towards the end.
“Isn’t this a choice for everyone?”
Chap!
When I reached the end of the passage, my ankles were submerged in water.
There, the god I had seen before was guarding the door.
[Who are you.]
“…Get out of the way.”
[Who are you.]
“Shut up and get out of the way!!!”
[You will realize your essence in the face of death.]
At the same time as the god disappeared, the door opened and I came out of the closet.
“Here is….”
It’s a familiar place. There’s no one left to use it now, but… it’s a more precious place to me and my friends than any other.
“You’ve finally come.”
Elly, holding the Holy Grail in her hand, pointed her staff at me.
“You’re too late, Ross.”
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