Ch.6120. That Can’t Be Reality. (3)

# The Imperial Guest Room

The imperial guest room was overflowing with conveniences. If there was any complaint to be had, it would be that compared to the elves’ unique buildings—formed by planting parasitic trees on sturdy branches of ancient trees—this place lacked a certain natural harmony.

Even the garden, though beautiful in its own artificial way, felt fundamentally unwholesome by the standards of the forest folk. Fortunately, Georginia wasn’t so sensitive that she would wrinkle her face or even vomit at the slightest change in air quality.

It was tolerable enough.

No, to be honest, it was rather nice to be able to focus on research and recuperation without having to worry about the arrogant ones watching her every move.

“Are you really sure about this? You’re the empress of this country, after all. Should you so readily allow me to do this?” Georginia asked, pointing to her own forehead as a metaphor.

Melineos, renowned as the Mage Empress, nodded calmly with gleaming eyes. “That’s why we’re establishing a contract, isn’t it?”

“…Well, yes, but still.”

Among the High Elves, there were those with special abilities. One such ability was discerning the colors of souls, which, when developed further, could even allow glimpses into a soul’s past.

However, this was strictly taboo. Even when permitted, it came with severe restrictions. Using it carelessly would result in extreme punishment—having both eyes and tongue torn out.

Therefore, even for someone like Georginia, this wasn’t a decision to be made lightly. Above all, handling this without reporting to superiors?

…If discovered, it would become extremely uncomfortable in many ways.

The only reason it was possible was because those who needed it were the empire’s core power holders, and they had willingly permitted it.

But to prevent unwanted consequences from spreading in unexpected directions, they used contracts to control the scope and pace. Come to think of it, weren’t contracts originally products of the demon realm and demons themselves?

Throughout the demon realm’s 6,000-year history, there had been two, no, three Demon Kings.

The first Demon King established the foundation of the demonic hierarchy by creating the Demon King Festival, where anyone meeting the qualifications could become a Demon King.

The second Demon King, seeking to bring order to the chaotic demon realm, established the “Absolute Compliance Contract” in consultation with the Demon God.

This Absolute Compliance Contract was designed to be jointly managed by the Demon God, neutral gods, and benevolent gods, ensuring it couldn’t be biased or unfair.

Of course, there were ways to abuse it, and forced contracts did exist, but those were individual circumstances.

In the middle realm, such contracts were once considered products of demons, but with the rise in status of mages and acceptance by clergy, the Absolute Compliance Contract took on a new dimension.

The Eden-Levan Alliance, which until just over a decade ago had been invaders from the demon realm, was able to join the human alliance precisely because they had concluded such contracts.

“Check this.

First, my examination is strictly limited to what you, Melineos, have permitted.

Second, as per your request, I will only examine negative or malicious influences affecting your mental state.

Third, I will never disclose what I observe to anyone except Melineos herself.

Fourth, my examination using my abilities is strictly limited to parts of Melineos’s memories.”

Georginia inscribed these glowing letters in the air as if transferring them to paper, then handed them over, silently requesting confirmation.

“…Even with such limitations and narrowing, will we be able to reach the answers we seek?”

“What, should I just rummage through your entire brain and everyone else’s too? Based on those ridiculous rumors about curses and whatnot?”

“…”

“Alesius, was it? He’ll proceed under the same conditions. If you’re uncomfortable, we can stop.”

“…No,” Melineos shook her head. “I believe this is necessary.”

“You of all people shouldn’t need this. Something’s bothering you, isn’t it? Dreams you can’t remember?”

“…Yes.”

She seemed to have dreamed something, but couldn’t remember it.

This wasn’t entirely unprecedented, but this time, there was something deeply ominous about it that went beyond an ordinary dream.

“Alright. When do we start?”

“Is there any need to hesitate?”

“Fair enough.”

Georginia exhaled deeply and looked around. “Everyone out. You too.”

“Me as well?” Hamern, who had been waiting behind Georginia, questioned.

“I can’t allow even the slightest disturbance.”

“Understood.”

Hamern and the empress’s handmaidens naturally left the guest room.

“Lie down over there. Or would you prefer to go to your bedroom if this couch is uncomfortable…?”

“No, I’ve always been able to sleep just fine even on a floor with some grass laid out.”

“I like that about you. If you’d been dazzled by gold, silver, or copper, I might have had to scold you harshly.”

Those things only serve to rot the mind.

The lecture-like commentary continued until Melineos lay down on the couch.

“Haa. Alright. Let’s begin.”

With her small, snow-white hand, Georginia reached out to touch Melineos’s forehead and temples.

Before long, she found herself in a desolate corridor.

“Hmm?”

She could tell it was a palace corridor.

It felt both familiar and unfamiliar because the atmosphere was completely different from what she was used to seeing.

Gloomy and dark.

No matter how vast the palace was, there wasn’t even a hint of human presence, and outside, dark clouds seemed to have gathered, making everything dreary…

Even the corridor lights were all extinguished, making it feel barren and desolate despite it being daytime.

It wasn’t just the absence of people. The fundamental management of the space itself…

“With something this massive, maintenance must be quite the labor.”

Though the corridor was unfamiliar, she walked through it with ease.

While it was a palace, there were different types of palaces.

The reason this atmosphere seemed familiar was likely because this was the Second Palace, commonly known as the Empress Palace, where Melineos resided.

She had visited several times, including recently.

Perhaps that’s why.

“La-la-la~?”

When she saw a girl humming a strange whistle-like tune over there, Georginia didn’t think much of it.

She was too busy wondering why she was here, what the connection was.

Why wasn’t Melineos visible if this was her memory?

Was this imagination or a dream?

She needed to understand the perspective.

Was she observing imagination from an omniscient viewpoint?

Or was she an observer watching a dreamscape?

After all, it was Georginia herself who had taught Melineos how to interpret her prophetic dreams.

Even if she couldn’t see herself in the dream,

Or if she had taken on a completely different form or appearance,

That was possible because it was a dream.

Therefore, this was most likely a dream landscape.

So…

What was that golden girl?

Why did she suddenly appear?

Who was she?

Look at how innocently she was peering around the corridor.

…For reasons unknown, a shudder ran through her.

Her jaw trembled involuntarily.

The golden girl passed by her as if she couldn’t see her, with childlike innocence.

Only after the girl’s presence had completely disappeared did Georginia exhale in relief.

Then she turned around.

And there she was.

“—?!”

She almost screamed, but perhaps from the shock, even that was swallowed back.

“My, my, what an interesting visitor.”

The golden girl was floating in the air, her smiling face thrust right in front of Georginia’s eyes.

So close that she could hear her breathing, feel the warmth of her breath tickling her skin and fine hairs.

The gap between them was barely the width of a finger.

“I can guess. You came to peek. Well, you must be curious.”

“…What kind of being are you? A demon?”

“How insulting. Why compare me to those inherently trashy beings? It makes me feel dirty.”

With a chuckle, she spoke with childlike innocence.

But it was chilling.

“Once upon a time, some fool complained to the Great Demon King while defying him. Want to hear what he said?”

“…”

Who was this person to mention the Demon King?

Golden.

…Who could it be?

Golden.

“…”

I know who this is.

I just don’t want to believe it.

As if urging her not to acknowledge the truth or even imagine the possibility, her subconscious was freezing Georginia’s mind.

“Why can’t I defeat you? When an absurd being like you appears, what meaning do our efforts and will have?” he practically wailed. Do you want to guess what the Demon King said?”

“…”

“Invoking the right to remain silent! Good! It’s a king’s virtue to enlighten fools, so I’ll tell you. That’s when the limits of my life were also determined. Let’s see…”

The golden girl cleared her throat.

“One born as the sun can only be the sun.”

She began.

“Therefore, that person must accept the fate, the aspiration, the destiny of the sun.”

Thus, that person is the sun, and is forced to live a life where nothing but being the sun is permitted.

“And the moment the sun goes out, the world will be plunged into misery. And those who serve the sun’s destiny know better than anyone the tragedy that will ensue.”

However.

“You weed, you common grass in the field. You can become anything. Don’t be sad that no one cares if you disappear.”

Therefore, solely.

“Your fate, seemingly abandoned and forsaken, can only be pioneered by you alone, and no one forces this upon you.”

Because only you can do it.

“You can advance as you please, retreat, or settle down.”

How!

Free a life this is!

…Ha.

Up to there.

The golden girl, who had been talking with theatrical exaggeration.

With her hand on her chest, radiating a bright smile, she expressed her non-opinion.

“…Truly something only one who is like the sun could say.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Oh my. Oh my. Such a spoiled child. You should start realizing. I know you, but you don’t know me?”

“…”

“Your sister once said this, didn’t she?”

If.

“Had it been you who first beheld me, rather than her, you too would have gladly pledged your loyalty to me.”

“…That’s impossible.”

Why.

Why.

WHY—!

“Why are YOU here?! Because it’s a dream? Even if it is, why specifically YOU—?!”

“Whoa, whoa! Yes! It’s a dream. You’re right! I just happened to get pulled in here too! And this is like my residual consciousness, so there’s not much point in confronting me about it. Well, that’s not entirely accurate, but close enough. Anyway, that’s how it is.”

“…”

“In that sense, before your eyes now stands the Palace of Wisdom and Gold. I am dead and gone, so now I’m merely a repository of wisdom, a storehouse, a library? How about it? Aren’t you curious why your sister pledged loyalty to me?”

“…What kind of wicked trick are you trying to pull now?”

“Oh my! You know very well that I have no interest in tricks or dark arts! Those aren’t in the realm of wisdom.”

What I told your sister was really nothing special.

“I simply asked and told that child about the truth of the world, your future, a reality so absurd it makes one sigh. Just those things.”

“…”

“Aren’t you curious? Hmm? Really? Even though you were so close? Blood sisters?”

Georginia firmly expressed her refusal.

“I haven’t forgotten the advice you once gave me.”

“Oh? Is that so? Tell me, what was it?”

“The more knowledge one holds, the more one wants to do. Desires grow. Thirst only increases.”

“Really? Did I say that? Excellent advice. It’s true, isn’t it?”

“…So you told me to set aside excessive greed.”

For a mage, this was advice worth its weight in gold.

But simultaneously, it was a curse of brutal realism.

Because that very advice was the fundamental cause that drove all mages and sorcerers into despair and nightmares.

Digging into truth, becoming buried in it, losing oneself, humanity, original purpose, and will.

Becoming a demon.

That was the fate of most truth-seekers.

Like clutching at straws, they sought, chased, and unearthed knowledge.

Chased by insufficient time, overtaken by life.

And so.

Most mages and sorcerers.

Whether great, humble, or insignificant.

All met their end equally.

Even those who stood against it were no exception.

Certainly, that path wasn’t wrong, but because of that, most were doomed to fail.

Therefore.

“…You told me to give up climbing.”

“Precisely. The limits of knowledge are obvious. To achieve truth through knowledge? Trying to achieve what even wisdom couldn’t with mere knowledge? It’s like saying you want to live without a heart or brain. If you had followed my advice, you would be the wisest among many mages. I guarantee that much.”

“…I don’t understand how you can assert that so confidently.”

“Ignorance and anonymity are indeed the greatest sins of the living, but they aren’t unconditional original sins. Don’t blame yourself so much, you deaf fool.”

What you need to realize is.

“Simply acknowledging that you don’t know. Only then can you start anew.”

“Spare me the worthless philosophical debate. So, why are you here?”

“Surprisingly,” the golden girl spread her arms wide.

“I’m bestowing goodwill upon you!”

“Such nonsense! How dare you!”

“No, no! It’s true! But whether you believe it or not is your problem, not mine.”

I don’t care either way.

“Should I tell you the truth? Or not? You’re curious about what Melineos saw, right? That’s why you dug this deep? Then you’ve come to the right place.”

But you know.

“If you see this, you really won’t be able to handle it. It might be better not to know. Can you really handle it?”

“…”

Suddenly, fear gripped her.

Georginia became terrified of the mad golden ramblings to an absurd degree.

Though she was seeing the human form for the first time, that distinctive presence, despite the small frame, was unmistakable.

Most wouldn’t know.

But she, as a practitioner of magic arts, did.

How deeply rooted this being was…

How vast its magnitude…

Despite being merely a girl’s body…

…it still seemed capable of covering the entire world in gold.

How on earth did Rueld defeat this?

A being whose very name was taboo, whom no one dared mention for fear it might reappear even in nightmares.

Derisively called the Golden Beast.

…This being was.

The Demon King who governed wisdom.

In the demon realm, no one had ever valued that.

Even if they did, it was knowledge.

Conspiracy. Heresy. Taboos were abundant.

Yet no one had willingly accepted and embraced wisdom as their destiny.

Despite being a demon folk, it scorned and despised demons, beings of higher status.

Though its origin had nothing to do with demon folk or demons.

Yet it willingly threw away everything and became a mere demon folk.

…An ancient spirit king.

“Ah! You don’t need to choose right away. I am merciful, so I’ll give you a chance to go back.”

“What?”

Suddenly, Georginia’s consciousness rapidly drifted away from reality.

No, this is…

“I’ll give you time to think! Go out and consider it calmly.”

I told you.

It’s goodwill.

“Even if I bestow goodwill, it’s up to you whether you see it as a nightmare, curse, or calamity. And even if I curse you, it’s also up to you whether you see it as a blessing, grace, or favor.”

It’s entirely your choice.

“That’s the way to never lose.”

No matter which path you choose.

As long as I don’t lose, that’s all that matters.

“If you desire nothing? Then you have nothing to lose!”

Kyahahahaha!

Ahahahaha!

Laughter like a scream violently shook her mind.

The laughter was indeed that of an innocent child, but its contents—

“Kuhak!”

“M-Master?”

Georginia suddenly vomited and rolled under the chair by the bedside.

Melineos, forcibly awakening from her hazy consciousness, looked at Georginia sitting and trembling. She instinctively sensed that the situation was far more serious than she had anticipated.