Ch.76Connecting to the Present

The prisoner trapped in the vast darkness raged without restraint.

He rammed his head against the wall until his skull split and brain matter flowed, and he writhed like a child, causing thunderous noise. The infinite stamina gifted by immortality continued to fuel his futile actions.

The dimensional freeze performed by the Holy Maiden was not affected by physical force. It had closed the very concept of space itself. It could not be interfered with by the powers of the material world.

“Augh… ugh… AAAAARGH…!!!”

Even a beast that has lost its rationality will step into the swamp of helplessness after learning what is impossible. Just like when I gave up resisting after being bound by Holy Memory’s chains. Like in the past when I resigned myself to not breaking the chains when faced with the absurdity that was Irefi.

Netionpis was different from ordinary criminals. Though he had lost his reasoning ability, his eccentric behavior of continuously ramming into the Great Cavern went beyond obsession to madness.

In his consciousness, steeped in Malice, a concept firmly rooted like a wick pushed away surrender and stimulated madness.

What had been circling in his mind for decades was a shade like the current darkness. The afterimage of Lorian.

For a full 17 years. She had sacrificed her beautiful appearance and the possibility of happiness to wait for him. No more. He couldn’t let Lorian waste her years because of him.

His desperation stimulated the long-lasting madness that should have faded, igniting a spark. It felt like the burning image in his mind would only be extinguished if he could see Lorian just once, even if it was the last time.

During the time when Irefi had imprisoned me before, the old man had said something.

It was an answer to the question of whether Irefi’s attempts to kill him should be welcomed with open arms.

[It’s because she knows it’s impossible. And nothing drives a person mad like clinging to the impossible. The situation is more serious than you realize.]

The old man knew. Because he was a living witness who had experienced similar madness over centuries.

Though different in nature, he was a senior who had gone through madness born from the emotion called love.

Netionpis’s frenzied rampage only subsided after one truth was confirmed. He finally realized the truth that even a fool would have to acknowledge.

“I’m… sorry… I’m sorry… Lorian…”

Humans are beings who walk toward death every minute and second. Even Lorian, who had risen to the noble position of duchess, could not be an exception.

With his sense of time obscured by darkness, it was difficult to estimate how much time had passed. Being enveloped in darkness that knew no day or night and chewing on solitude was like that.

What he could be certain of was a truth too heavy to bear.

Lorian was dead.

Perhaps, long before he had seizures while steeped in Malice…

She was dead.

For some reason, tears wouldn’t come. Finding it strange, he pondered and realized he had unconsciously prepared himself.

For instance,

When Asar’s intention to discard the Founding Nobles became clear.

When the hero and Holy Maiden were dispatched as executioners.

When he was stabbed in the abdomen by the hero’s sword.

Perhaps deep down, he had anticipated that his anxiety would become reality.

And so he sat down again, surrendering to the wheel of time. He had no lingering attachment to an empire where nothing precious remained. A world without Astel, Lorian, Bartlant, Aselln, and Rusheon… my world…

Even if he went outside the cavern, it would only be empty. Our memories would just be old records written in dusty history books.

Netionpis’s perception reversed in an instant.

… Is that really true?

Would our traces remain merely as black letters and the works of some painter?

“Ha, haha… I’m… foolish too… indeed…”

The empire Astel founded was our trace itself. No matter how much it had changed, it was clear that memories would be buried in every corner if one looked.

Even if it had changed, what of it? If it had changed due to prosperity, that would be something to be proud of.

Above all, he wanted to protect it. He wanted to guard everything Lorian had left behind and receive spiritual comfort. Her pitiful legacies that would have been oppressed by the imperial family…

Once resolved, his mind cooled instantly, restoring rational thought. He sat deep in thought, analyzing the situation coldly. He searched through his accumulated knowledge for the right answer.

“The Holy Maiden’s power is truly close to absolute… It’s not a seal that would erode with the passage of time in the material world. I never dreamed that an anomaly like Astel would descend upon the mortal world.”

Then the answer was simple. Break it with elements free from the interference of the material world. And the materials for the method Netionpis had in mind were already excellently prepared.

A golden chain glowing alone from the corner. A part of the Eldchain extracted for research on eternal immortality asserts its existence in the darkness.

“If an external observer free from this world could surely… ignore constraints and pioneer a new destiny. Moreover, with the power of the golden chain, it could summon souls by ignoring dimensional resistance.”

The concepts of infinity and possibility were premises without error based on direct observation.

The existence of countless other worlds behind the dimensional gate.

Among them, our worldview must be observed in some form in at least one world.

Whether as a novel, a play, or even as a creative work unimaginable in our concept.

“Ever-Changing Forms.”

He tainted the golden chain with dark magic. For the ritual, he needed to twist the power of the Eldchain a little. In that respect, the omnipotent technique of Ever-Changing Forms was a convenient ability.

With the absolute power of binding, he would bind an external being to this body. The condition was someone who observed our world. And… one more thing.

Suddenly, he recalled Astel who had looked at him with pity. Additionally, a word that Astel frequently mentioned suddenly captivated Netionpis’s consciousness.

“Connection… I bind to myself the observer with the closest connection to me.”

‘…’

I was dumbfounded by Netionpis’s declaration. I quietly observed this surprising truth that I had never imagined. It felt like scattered puzzle pieces were finally fitting together.

‘So this is how I became possessed by the old man…’

Thanks to this, I now understood the story of <Eldchain>, the game I enjoyed in my previous life.

The reason Founding Noble Netionpis was a hidden boss was because records were erased.

He became a hidden Easter egg because the third emperor, Asar, did everything to bury the existence of the Founding Nobles.

Above all, the decisive reason I was possessed by the old man’s body was…

Literally connection. I was chosen based on the strongest connection related to the Founding Noble.

The memory is still clear when I close my eyes.

The moment of choice that completely overturned my fate…

[First discoverer’s special benefit! We offer you the opportunity to become part of <Eldchain>. (Accept/Decline)]

At that time, I thought it was just a commemorative meaning, like leaving the nickname of the first discoverer. Anyone would have thought so.

In reality, it meant that my connection with the old man was established.

As the observer who first observed the hidden boss erased from records – Founding Noble Netionpis – I qualified to cross dimensions through connection.

‘Is it… fate?’

Netionpis says.

“But I need a connection channel… If only the Holy Maiden were here, she could open a simple dimensional gate… hmm.”

There was no clever solution for this. In the end, what Netionpis chose was patience.

He endured for hundreds of years, waiting for the Chainlich Phenomenon that would eventually occur.

How much time had passed since he activated the golden chain and entered deep sleep?

Finally, the dimensional gate opened.

‘The Chainlich Phenomenon had never occurred since the Holy Maiden’s death. Except for one exception…!’

The worst disaster that the world’s strongest knight faced at eighteen.

It was the turbulent afternoon of Irefi’s tragedy.

The fateful day when Irefi, who had gone to the Arlan Kingdom on a diplomatic mission, suppressed the Chainlich alone.

On that day, I was possessed into Netionpis’s body through the dimensional gate.

“Huh, what? What’s happening? Where am I? Uh…?”

I babbled in confusion, having just been possessed into Netionpis’s body. Even though it was already in the past, recalling the claustrophobic pain I would endure was quite painful.

At that time, I didn’t know.

The fact that I invaded the dimension frozen by the power of the golden chain meant the weakening of the seal.

In other words, the power of dimensional freezing, which should not have been affected by the material world, was now being invaded by physical force.

It means that my tantrum-throwing rampage for 8 years actually had an effect.

Even so, if I had been alone, the escape would have been delayed for decades or even centuries.

‘Ha… haha. Could it really have been like this?’

In the past, Irefi received an imperial order that should not have existed.

[As the seal of the Founding Noble weakens day by day, the captain of the Nelfrugia Knights shall ease the emperor’s concern with sincere loyalty.]

And so, Irefi Justitia, the DLC boss and the strongest in the worldview, confronted Founding Noble Netionpis.

The strings of connection that should never have been entangled were tied.

Twisting the original work, we met.

From the moment I was possessed, our connection became inevitable.

I met you.

“What evil energy is this! If the Founding Noble is alive, immediately receive my sword…?”

Her words could not continue.

“I’m truly grateful to my benefactor!”

Swoosh!

The moment I heard the woman’s voice, I automatically knelt down and bowed politely, showing the top of my head.

It was a perfect deep bow.

Due to the momentum of my running, I slid all the way to the woman’s feet while maintaining the bowing posture.

“Ohhh! Outside. It’s the outside, it’s the outside… How can I ever repay this kindness, sob.”

“… Evil… evil…? energy? Is it…?”

She was simply confused, looking at me crying at her feet.

The worst first meeting. It was the past when I was first saved by Irefi. The dazzling white knight was radiant, both then and now.

She was beautiful enough to fall in love at first sight.

True to Irefi’s thorny nature, I would face many trials at this time.

I would experience frustration and hardship, but eventually I would overcome them and connect with her.

Because that’s the future I pioneered.

Soon the world turned white.

From my previous life to this world.

From Netionpis to me.

Through the past to the present.

We are connected.

[My third sin. That was…]

“For the old man’s greed, you invited me to this world. Right?”

[… You know well.]

“I was the old man for quite a long time.”

[I see.]

“Hey, old man.”

[What is it?]

“Honestly, even though I’ve assimilated with you, I can’t defend your various outrageous actions. You’re a complete lunatic.”

[That’s accurate, so I have nothing to say.]

The old man spoke indifferently. I caught the regret and guilt emanating from such a cynical attitude.

I suddenly felt how long I had been one with the old man.

“But you know what? I think I can ease your guilt a little bit with my authority.”

[What?]

The old man fell silent at my subsequent statement.

“Thank you.”

[…]

“It’s been tough, but it’s a pretty good life. Money piles up even if I just live like a NEET, and I got a cute little sister like Miren. The Chester twins and the gentle Bartlant who looks exactly like his predecessor are also pleasant. Above all…”

I conveyed my sincere gratitude.

“Thank you for giving me the chance to meet Irefi. That alone makes me happy enough.”

[The white girl will die in a few decades too.]

“Then I’ll make enough memories in those decades to be happy for thousands of years.”

[Simple. Too simple…]

“Sorry, but I’m different from someone who abandoned the woman he loved for 17 years. I’m going to use all the romance techniques that you used to melt Lorian Feita to enjoy everything with Irefi.”

[Kuk, you vulgar child. Truly an answer worthy of you.]

“Kuk, you vulgar child. Truly an answer worthy of you.”

[…]

Netionpis fell silent again. The reaction of reproducing the exact same answer by reading his thoughts had a surprising utility.

“I can even play on top of your head now. So… go in peace. There’s plenty of time. I promise to free you someday. Just wait holding hands with Lorian Feita in the mental world.”

[Is that so… Promise, a promise…]

“Yes, a promise.”

[Kut, kuhehe… haha…]

Pleased with my bold answer, the old man laughed loudly. After laughing for quite a while, he left a sincere request at the end.

[Do not sacrifice the present for the future. Live by taking my memories as a lesson. Above all…]

I couldn’t hear the old man’s continuing admonition. My consciousness flickered and everything became distorted by the intense white light pouring in.

When I came to my senses, I saw three people sitting around a table.

Bartlant Chester, who inherited the name of his predecessor.

The current emperor who inherited Astel’s red hair and Asar’s pink eyes.

And the world’s strongest female knight staring blankly at me.

My inevitable savior and beloved lover is right beside me, her blue eyes rippling.

“Irefi.”

“Yes? … Wuht?!”

The first thing I did was embrace Irefi tightly.

Her smooth white hair and fragrant scent permeated my entire body. It felt like the hardships experienced in the old man’s life were being rewarded.

“N-N-Nepy!? What are you doing so suddenly!!! And in front of everyone!?”

“I missed you, Irefi. Like crazy.”

“I feel the same, but… n-no!!! I’m confused because you’re acting like this just because we haven’t seen each other for a few hours!”

“Irefi.”

“What…?”

“Can you ask me just one thing?”

“What are you trying to request.”

“Just ask me once, since when have I missed you.”

Irefi was suspicious of the request whose intention was difficult to guess. But since it wasn’t a difficult thing to say, she obliged.

“Since when… have you missed me?”

“Since that time only you know.”

That’s when it happened. A hot pain rushed across my face!

Smack-!

“Kueeeeek!?”

I fell backward with an unsightly scream. The chair flipped over and my head cracked against the marble floor, splattering blood on innocent decorations.

Irefi still maintained a serious expression and spoke calmly.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Somehow I got irritated… It felt like you were imitating someone I really dislike.”

“No, Irefi, wait. Honestly, wasn’t I cool just now? This is supposed to work every time. It’s a killer line that the old man inside me used himself.”

“Killer line or whatever, would you like to experience my killer move?”

“Ah, no…! Th-this isn’t right…?”

I hurriedly turned my head and appealed to the emperor.

“Your Majesty! Wasn’t this line good? It’s a passionate line that moved Lorian Feita, used by none other than the Founding Noble!”

I protested, moving around the audience with an indignant tone. The emperor responded to my desperate appeal by clapping his hands.

“Oho, you mean the line that seduced the first Duke Feita! Though records of Lorian Feita are scarce, historical documents unanimously describe her as a woman more noble than anyone else in the empire. If it’s a line that conquered such a Lorian Feita… I might use it on the empress tonight.”

“I should also take note for when I have a lover in the future.”

As expected! Fellow men like the emperor and Bartlant understand.

It’s true that Irefi’s character is unique in many ways, so her negative reaction must be an unfortunate coincidence.

Hmm!

…

The next day, the left side of the emperor’s dragon face was swollen red.

As soon as I saw the emperor with my activated vision, I ran away immediately.