Ch.138Fate

# 1.

Thanks to the Libra, on that day when he met the Black Wolf, he gave away everything he had.

The reason for his birth,

The reason for his existence,

The reason for his impending demise.

And,

【<Proxy> qualification confirmed.】

【Accessing memories of <Black Wolf(Ex+)>.】

Even all his memories.

In an instant, the vast memories of the Black Wolf flashed by like rapid data.

After reviewing his memories once more, Nahan looked at Reina before him and was certain.

‘Indeed, this isn’t in his memories.’

The memories Black Wolf shared were from after he was chosen as the ‘Goddess’s’ ‘Proxy.’

‘Then there are two possibilities.’

Either the ‘Nahan’ mentioned by Reina was simply someone with the same name,

Or ‘Black Wolf met them before being selected as the Goddess’s proxy.’

Nahan was convinced.

-During the day, you’ll guard the sun as the Yellow Dragon, and at night, the moon as the Black Wolf.

Surely it was the latter, not the former.

And that conviction,

“Say hello, Nahan! This is my big sister!”

“……”

Was exactly right.

A boy who appeared older than Reina but younger than Lactea, who was approaching adulthood—at most, he seemed to be at the tail end of boyhood.

His training clothes were dirty, suggesting he had been focused on training until this late evening.

“A hero trainee, I see.”

“Trainee number 44, Nahan. This humble one greets the rising sun.”

Lactea extended her hand as if accustomed to the gesture, and the boy carefully moved to kiss it.

“So, you’re Reina’s friend?”

“I’m merely receiving undeserved favor.”

“Your manners are quite excellent.”

“I’m only doing my best to follow the Empire’s teachings.”

Nahan’s flawless attitude and Lactea looking at him with appreciation.

After pondering briefly, she reached into her garment and added:

“It is our role to recognize and commend such effort… I shall bestow a small reward as encouragement for your continued dedication.”

What emerged, guided by her white, delicate fingers, was a dagger engraved with the Empire’s emblem.

The boy glanced aside and only accepted it after Reina nodded.

“Your grace—”

“Enough. This much formality will do. Take care of my little sister, Nahan.”

“…I will protect her with all my might.”

This was just a simple meeting.

“Nahan…! I told you to be comfortable with me, like you are with yourself…!!”

“…I don’t want to die yet.”

“Huh?! Die? Why would you die! Who’s bothering you?!”

“……It’s nothing.”

Lactea watched the two young people walking away and smiled contentedly.

“Spirit, isn’t my sister adorable?”

“…Yes, she is.”

“I’m glad she found a good friend. I was worried because she’s too kind.”

“A good friend…”

In a way, it was true.

Though the exact details remained unclear, it was a fact that this boy would act to protect Reina.

Furthermore, without that boy, Lactea herself, the Empire, and even the world would have been destroyed by the solar eclipse.

Whether aware of this fact or not, Lactea murmured while watching the two:

“I think this time, that child will become the hero.”

“…Perhaps.”

“Hmm? You seem to think differently. Do you have another candidate in mind? If so, shall we bet on who will be chosen? If I win… how about forming an official contract with me?”

“Let’s just go back. The coming-of-age ceremony is in a few years. We need to prepare in advance.”

“…How boring. That boy and you are equally dull.”

Lactea was experiencing a <Nightmare>.

“Oh, could you two possibly be the same person?”

“We’re not.”

“Why so serious? I was merely jesting.”

She smiled happily, knowing nothing.

Time continued to flow quickly after that day.

Lactea’s memories were reproduced in such detail that this place seemed like the real world, and Nahan observed with his spirit body.

Some days she studied magic,

“Great Sage, is it zero?”

“…Wrong.”

“Then… -1?”

“…? No, how did you correct the calculation error so quickly…?”

“Hehehe. I have a smart friend.”

Some days she practiced swordsmanship,

“Proper posture… my, now I should learn from you, First Princess.”

“You flatter me, Duke Hallorand.”

Some days she learned imperial secrets,

“Lactea. From today, you’ll have additional lessons on the imperial secret magic, Command. With your coming-of-age ceremony next year, I’ll teach you personally.”

“Isn’t Command a magic that only exists in theory now… one that can no longer be used?”

“Some things become symbols by their mere existence. No notes are permitted, so learn and prove your worth as a successor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She grew up as the promising future emperor of a powerful empire and as a hero who would bring world peace, praised by everyone around her.

“They say she’s more skilled than the hero trainees!”

“I heard she used the discontinued Command magic!”

“She’ll surely become a wise ruler!”

Everyone had expectations.

They expected that a wise ruler following another wise ruler would end the long war and bring light to the troubled empire.

Lactea also made a vow every night.

“Listen, Spirit. I will become a wise ruler. I will create an empire where no one is sad or suffering… where everyone is happy.”

“What do you think? Do I seem like someone who could become a wise ruler?”

“…Yes, I think so.”

“…Tsk, I shouldn’t have asked. You have a special talent for making even good words sound sad and melancholic.”

While Nahan knew the truth, everything else blessed her.

The generation,

The time,

The family,

Even the noble faction that had once checked her power now blessed her path.

“We now commence the coming-of-age ceremony for the First Princess of the Great Babylonian Empire, Lactea Babylonia.”

Lactea’s coming-of-age ceremony was held amidst all these blessings and cheers.

“First Princess Lactea Babylonia, come forward and receive the sun.”

Right after the Emperor’s solemn declaration.

As Lactea rose from her seat with a faint smile and began to move forward.

Duke Hallorand, who had been watching, stepped ahead of her and knelt before the Emperor.

“Would you wait a moment, Your Majesty.”

“…Hallorand?”

The sudden action of the noble faction’s highest leader during the Princess’s ceremony.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Everyone rose in alarm at the Emperor’s barely contained anger.

“Y-yes!! What exactly are you doing, Duke Hallorand?!”

“Guards! Why aren’t you removing Duke Hallorand at once?!”

“Damn, what is this…!!”

Even members of the same noble faction were shocked.

Nevertheless, Hallorand maintained an empty gaze and took something out from his garment.

“Please read this before making your judgment.”

Hallorand’s composed attitude.

“That’s Duke Hallorand, isn’t it?”

“Then there must be a reason, right?”

“Even so, to interrupt the First Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony…”

“It must be that important!”

Due to the reputation he had built, the commoners who came to watch were curious about the letter’s contents rather than criticizing him.

Thus, the Emperor judged:

“If this is a matter of great importance, I shall reward you, but if not… you will be held strictly accountable for your actions.”

Hallorand bowed his head in response.

The letter was unfolded.

The text visible on the other side didn’t appear to be much, but it took a long time to read, as if the same words were being read over and over.

During this time, Lactea thought:

‘For the sake of the Empire, matters of state must take precedence over family affairs.’

Even when faced with a subject’s rudeness, one must approach with a questioning mind and serious attitude.

Only then,

‘Can one become a truly wise ruler.’

Lactea was still dreaming.

“……Due to internal imperial matters, the coming-of-age ceremony will be suspended.”

Not knowing what future awaited her.

And so Nahan also pondered deeply.

‘What should I do now…’

How could he save Lactea from her predetermined misfortune?

# 2.

【<Lactea Babylonia(Ex-)>’s nightmare officially begins.】

【Help her realize that this world is not <Reality> but a <Nightmare>!】

【Success: Salvation of <Lactea(Ex-)>.】

【Failure: Mutual destruction.】

【Abandonment: Return of <Black Wolf(Ex+)>, Disappearance of <Lactea(Ex-)>.】

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【Warning.】

【<Abyss(???)> has recognized the existence of <Lactea Babylonia(Ex-)>.】

【If dominated by the Abyss, the <???? ?? ??> inherent in her will bloom.】

【<Fate> begins.】