Ch.70Flowing River (3)

# The Observatory Holding Silence

The white Milky Way held the future, and sorcerers exerted all their efforts to glimpse its fragments. The moment they observed, fate could change. This was why they were called the wisdom of the Demon King’s Castle, beyond mere handlers of magic.

Recent times marked the most critical turning point.

Not only demons but angels and humans were at a crossroads of destiny, causing light to change rapidly. Miss a single moment, and the crisis they were barely overcoming would arrive.

“Hmm. This place remains unchanged.”

“Because it’s a space suspended between future and past.”

“That’s why I love it so much. I can observe all time while preserving my own form.”

The sorcerers were anxious, but the conversation flowing between them was remarkably leisurely. This was because someone had arrived whom they dared not address.

“Master, you always maintain that appearance, yet you worry so much.”

“Ludmila. Time defeats everyone. Even the mighty primordial Demon King perished.”

“Everything is futile before fate.”

“Exactly, Ludmila. My beautiful daughter.”

Ludmila was sweating profusely. A chill ran down her spine. They had exchanged only a few words, yet she felt overwhelmed by the presence.

The Witch of Prophecy. Teacher and mother to all sorcerers of the demon realm.

There were many long-lived beings like Matheus or Joannina of the West, but she possessed a dignity that couldn’t be overshadowed by mere age. She was a demon who had lived since before the demon realm existed.

Yet she never revealed anything.

She only moved according to the flow of fate, merely saying she would tell when the time came.

When such a demon suddenly appeared here, naturally the entire castle was thrown into chaos.

Above all else.

“……”

“Ahem.”

She had brought an elf and a short dwarf, which made the situation even more maddening.

If they were mere pets, it would be different. Ludmila recognized these faces well.

“Then are these two creatures here also guided by fate?”

“Of course. There was a great flow. Various energies that have been crouching will spread in all directions, and the weeping woman will cease her lament. We’ve finally met the moment to stretch and awaken.”

It was still puzzling. Typical words from one who could clearly see beyond the Milky Way.

What could it mean? Ludmila racked her brain furiously.

“I heard the news. The Witch has arrived.”

Just then, the core members of the Demon King’s Castle gathered one after another.

The Regent, the Chief Justice, and even the Demon King. The young demon in particular could barely breathe. Though not inferior in rank, facing a being from the primordial era was overwhelming.

Whether unfortunate or fortunate, the Witch of Prophecy showed no interest in the young Demon King. Her eyes were fixed solely on Durin.

“Durin.”

“It’s been a long time.”

“Do you remember when we met at the crossroads of fate?”

“Of course. We discussed the treatment of the escaped Demon King and hero.”

The conversation was heavy from the start. The others kept silent, quietly listening to their exchange.

“I remember your impressive answer. You said if fate cannot be resisted, then inflict pain upon the one who imposed such trials.”

“If it cannot be avoided, then it must be killed.”

“The most demonic answer. As a result, you achieved many things and could ride the flow of fate like a favorable wind.”

The Witch of Prophecy raised her head. She gazed at the starlight embedded in the ceiling.

“Now is the time to reveal your brilliance to the world. Fate has ordained it, and I’ve come to deliver this message.”

“I will listen. Please bestow your wisdom.”

Durin knelt and showed respect. The others did likewise.

All reverently raised their hands, waiting for the decree from the primordial witch. It was a sacred moment. The primordial demon created a stage amid veneration.

“A world-line where the Demon King must cross to the human realm. A certain archdemon has created the picture that God desires, so I bestow upon you a fate befitting that.”

“What is it?”

“The clue to God that you all have lost, and the path to obtain a being who can awaken her.”

The soft voice spread out. Though just a small ripple, it sent a massive shock through the demons gathered there.

God.

Do demons have no creator?

The pain of such questions.

That existence suddenly flowed from the lips of the Witch of Prophecy. Ludmila trembled, unable to judge, while Matheus closed his eyes in admiration.

Only Durin maintained his composure.

“Are you giving us the army of the apostate?”

“That’s merely a secondary benefit. Fate does not offer such trivial things as rewards.”

The Witch of Prophecy denied.

“The key to the celestial realm. That is what I bestow.”

She spoke of the demons’ deepest wish.

The era before the beginning. When demons and angels were all in the celestial realm.

Lost glory. A vanished age.

The reason the primordial Demon King wrote myths and opposed the angels.

But ultimately failed, and demons had to make the demon realm their home until the era of decline.

The Witch of Prophecy announced that the time had come to restore everything.

“First, the hero will awaken. He is a distorted one directly chosen by the Creator God and the will chosen by God. Therefore, in the flow of fate, show mercy to the sacrificed soul and give him a chance to choose.”

“He might seek revenge.”

“That too is the flow of fate.”

Having said this, the witch turned her attention elsewhere.

She approached the elf and dwarf standing awkwardly amid this majestic scene.

“You will open that first salvo. Go and tell Durin.”

She pushed their backs.

The beginning of that fate. Though they could hardly imagine just from hearing, the two moved as if entranced.

Was it affection for their comrade? Or were they simply possessed by the Witch of Prophecy?

It didn’t matter. Standing before Durin, they spoke in small voices:

“Regent Durin of the demon realm. We have come to make a deal with you.”

“Speak.”

“We’ve brought the soul of the deceased Eili, so please awaken the hero.”

“Then what will you give me in return?”

“When you advance to the human realm and to the celestial realm in the future, we will gladly be your guides. The hero’s party consists of those with the keenest sense of direction.”

The elf finished speaking while trembling.

To be honest, it was a grand proposal with nothing for the demon to gain. But Durin instinctively understood. This scene unfolding was a divine decree.

It was a ritual of agreeing to walk the path that fate had arranged.

Awaken the hero, discover the path to the celestial realm, and further find the lost God.

It was a destiny no demon had ever shouldered.

Heavy and harsh.

For Durin, who had lived a shorter time compared to his predecessors, it might be too lofty a duty.

But he was not afraid.

He had shouldered all duties solely for the demon realm. Even if fate placed a burden on him, nothing would change.

Move forward.

Overcome the world’s trials and protect demons.

That was all.

“I accept the deal.”

Durin wrote a scene of his myth.

A new chapter appeared in the scripture. Light leaked from within Matheus’s embrace.

All demons were astonished. The ancient book that had remained unchanged through all wars began to show activity—a historic event.

“Ah. Finally, the demon realm…”

The Chief Justice couldn’t contain his emotion and worshipped.

Ludmila, the Demon King, and even the clueless elf and dwarf knelt down.

A holiness unseen in the demon realm.

A dim light unlike the celestial realm enveloped the observatory.

Like the sunset after the sun has passed and the dawn preparing for the next day.

“Durin. I entrust this great task to you, and fate will await what comes next.”

The Witch of Prophecy decorated the final part of the myth.

Soon the light disappeared, and darkness returned to the observatory.

Dark space.

White Milky Way.

Small starlight.

“My goodness…”

Amidst it all, Durin’s star began to shine.

It was so bright that even Ludmila, who gazed at the night sky every day, was astonished.

“One chosen by fate…”

He burned brighter than anyone.

#

At the same time.

“Eili.”

In a basement where sparks flew.

A being trapped in an iron cage muttered.

“I’ll bring you back to life.”

A powerful energy that was neither holy power nor magic boiled up.

It was not a power of this world.

“And I’ll avenge you.”

A voice that leaked out softly.

The moment that thick hatred seeping in there flowed outward.

“I’ll kill them all.”

Hero Cael awoke from his long slumber.