episode_0007

[A Navigator was aboard the colossal ark.] [His crew moved busily, striving to advance through the raging storm.] [Piercing through the giant waves, they moved relentlessly forward, finally setting foot in the world they had arrived at.] [Their father, the Navigator, said:] [“My children.”] [“If I was the Navigator of the ark,”] [“then you will now be the Navigators who lead this world.”] 『Feanor, The Story. The Beginning of the Prophets.』

“Do you know about Prophets?”

Kara shook her head at my words. But judging by her expression, she didn’t seem completely ignorant. It was more like she had heard the name many times but didn’t know what it was. That was the extent of Kara’s understanding of Prophets.

I opened an ill-fitting book and said, “You can think of Prophets as Seers.” “Seers?” “They are people who can see the future.” To Kara, who was hearing the word ‘Seer’ for the first time, I explained what it was. And after a long explanation, Kara finally gave a bright smile, as if she understood. “But if they’re Seers, why are they called Prophets?” “Because they aren’t just ordinary Seers.”

A long, long time ago. When this continent was first created, there was a great wizard called the Navigator. In this world, where he had set foot from the ark, nothing lived except nature. The great Navigator made the seeds of civilization bloom on the empty continent where no one lived. Although civilization was first created on the continent through the Navigator’s power, he was said to still be uneasy. This was because ‘humanity’ within the ark, which consisted of various races, was too weak and had too short lifespans to maintain civilization forever. Unlike himself.

“So he bestowed a new power upon all life in creation.” “A new power?” “The power of the stars.” Within souls, only the *hon* and *neok* existed. The *hon* was like our physical body, and the *neok* was like our mind. Into these souls, the Navigator bestowed a new power. Potential.

“At the western edge of the continent, on the most fertile land, the Navigator planted the ‘Golden Bough’ into the ground.” And as time passed, the Golden Bough became a tree. The tree became the World Tree. The Golden Bough, having become the World Tree, soon became the heart of the continent. With this colossal tree, large enough to cover the sky, the Navigator made a covenant. That they, too, might be able to use the stars shining brilliantly in the sky. “Just like that.”

The Golden Tree granted the Navigator’s wish. At the cost of the Navigator’s life. Thus, the Navigator, who was a great wizard, bestowed ‘Potential’, in the name of ‘the power of the stars’, upon all life in the world. That was how aura, mana, and divinity were created in this world. At the same time, to enable humanity’s souls to contain such power, they were granted the right to hold a ‘star,’ the symbol of Potential. Thus, the once frail beings were able to achieve boundless progress by embracing Potential. Those who wielded aura became knights. Those who could manipulate mana became wizards, possessing the ability to convert it into magic.

“However, through his covenant with the World Tree, the Navigator placed one restriction on divinity.” “A restriction?” “I don’t know exactly what that restriction is. But as far as I know, there are exactly two things—” One is that to use divinity, it must be inherited from the ‘ancient stars’ floating in the ‘sky above,’ rather than being generated by oneself. The other is that while placing a ‘restriction’ on the number of people who can use divinity, they were also said to have been given a great mission.

“What is this great mission?” “A mission to save this world.” Starting with Feanor, the Prophet of the Moon, the first Prophet, the Navigator bestowed the power of the ancient stars upon his children, awakening divinity within them. He taught them how to use divinity, and divinity soon came to be used as foresight. The Navigator called them Prophets.

“The Navigator believed that humanity would someday veer off in the wrong direction.” Even with the mighty power imbued with Potential, it was prophesied that they would face a great calamity that could not be overcome by physical strength. No matter what form that calamity took. “Prophets are the people meant to stop that calamity.” They undergo training to observe the furthest possible future using their foresight. Among the countless possible futures, like the roots and branches of a tree, they find the correct future to avert the great calamity that will one day arrive. For this mission, ever since civilization blossomed, Prophets have always spread their influence across the world, preparing for disaster. And indeed, in accordance with their bestowed mission, they have prevented numerous calamities that have threatened the world so far. Kara, having heard the entire story, listened to me with interest, like a child listening to an entertaining old tale. But shortly after hearing the story, a sudden question occurred to her, and she asked me, “But why are you suddenly telling me this story?”

It was because Agape had suddenly brought this up while we were up on the roof, talking about this and that, as usual. “……” At those words, I recalled a conversation I had with Roland a while ago. “How long are you going to keep ignoring it?” “What are you talking about?” “The constellation tattoo on Kara’s left arm.” “……” “You know it’s not an ordinary tattoo, don’t you?”

The constellation tattoo, said to only exist among Prophets. It was like a mark that appeared when a star floating in the sky was artificially engraved upon one’s soul. Roland was pointing that out. “As you know, at least from what we’ve seen so far, Kara is definitely not a Prophet.” “Right. She didn’t seem to have foresight.” “That’s precisely the problem.” “What are you trying to say?” “That she doesn’t have foresight means she’s definitely not a Prophet.” “……” “Agape?” “Oh, yeah?” “Why are you silent?” “Ah, sorry. I was just saying it because it’s basic common knowledge. Even if we’re trapped within our own confines, it’s good to know things like this, right?” “What, that’s all it was? I thought for a second…” “……”

She is not a Prophet. Yet, she has a constellation tattoo. If an ‘ancient star’ is artificially engraved into one’s soul, they can use divine power. That is, anyone who inherits the power of an ancient star becomes a Prophet. However, Kara’s constellation tattoo was not like an ancient star. In Roland’s words: “It’s the mark of a hero.” Heroes. Beings who achieved historically immortal feats and possessed mighty power, and upon death, raised the power of their stars high into the sky, creating their own legends. The constellation engraved on Kara’s left arm was a mark indicating that she had ‘artificially inherited’ the power of a star from one of those created in such a way. In other words, it meant she was born with the destiny to become a great hero.

‘Someday, the day will come when she goes out into the world.’ When that time comes, she will catch the eye of the Prophets, and the girl from the cursed city will have become a hero. Unlike me or Roland, she will have become a star risen high into the sky. ‘When that time comes.’ When that time comes, will I be able to stay by Kara’s side as I am now? Will she perhaps leave forever? Every time I thought that, my chest ached.

“Kara.” “Hm? Why?” Kara, making an innocent expression. Her harmless face, as if she couldn’t even hurt an ant, didn’t look at all like a hero who defeats countless evils and protects the world. Gazing at her innocent and beautiful country girl-like face, I asked her what her dream was. “What’s your dream?” “My dream? Suddenly?” “Just curious.” “You’re saying a lot of random things today, aren’t you? Is something wrong?” Looking at her worried face, I gave a faint smile and caressed her cheek. “It’s just… there’s something I want to say.” “Something you want to say? What is it?” “I’ll tell you after you answer.” “Tch, what’s that?”

After pouting her lips for a moment, Kara began to seriously ponder my question. Her hair, white as pure snow, and her eyes, like a night sky embroidered with constellations, looked downwards as she pondered deeply. “There are so many.” “So many?” “Yeah. But among them, there’s one. One dream I definitely want to achieve.” “What is it?” “Having children with you.” A grin spread across her face. “Having children, building a harmonious and happy family, and living happily ever after.” “That’s my dream.” “The dream I want to achieve more than anything else.” At her words, I was speechless. Even as she wore a mischievous smile, as if playing a trick, her eyes were utterly sincere. Was that why?

“Hahahaha!” Upon hearing the unexpected confession, I couldn’t help but laugh. At that, Kara’s face turned red. “W-what?! Why are you laughing?! Are you making fun of me right now?!” “No, I’m not. Why would I make fun of you?” “Hmph! You *are* making fun of me right now!” She continuously pounded my shoulder with fists like cotton balls. Feeling punches that felt weaker than a massage, I laughed even louder. And after laughing for a long time, I composed myself. For a brief moment, I felt relieved by her words. Because, at least for now, her feelings were the same as mine. Because, at least for the time being, the future I feared most was not being depicted. The future where I couldn’t be by Kara’s side after she became a hero.

Thinking that far, I took out the small box I had prepared. Kara’s gaze fixed on the small box. “What’s that?” “Kara.” *Click.* I opened the box and held it out to her. Then, as she saw the contents of the box, her pupils constricted. “Agape…” It was a ring. A ring made from pure white lilac, permanently preserved with a magic scroll to prevent decay. The lilac ring, maintaining its blooming shape as if time had stopped, shone with its presence, emitting a white color like her hair. Her indigo eyes were tinged with white.

“You asked what I wanted to say earlier, didn’t you?” “……” “This is what I wanted to say.” “Agape, I…” “Kara.” *Click.* I took the ring. And slipping it onto her ring finger, I carefully asked, “If we leave the city, will you marry me?” At those words, Kara’s body stiffened. She had expected it, but hearing the words she had hoped for directly, her tears wouldn’t stop. Tears streamed down. “T-this isn’t a dream, is it?” Kara wiped away her tears with a sniffle. And then, she personally slipped another ring onto my ring finger. With a sudden embrace, she hugged me tight. She said nothing, spoke no words, just held me tightly. After a long while, Kara, still holding me, nodded and said, “Yes…! *Sob*…! This is a promise, okay?” “I promise.” “*Sniffle*…! If you don’t keep your promise, I’ll beat you to a pulp.” I burst into laughter at her cute threat.

“Hahahaha.” “D-don’t laugh!” “Hahahaha!” With this cursed body that cannot see a single star. I swore upon the unseen stars in the sky. That I would become a great knight like my father— A knight who stands by her side when she eventually becomes a hero, defeating the evils that threaten her. Gazing at the dark sky, I made that vow.

***

*Click-flick.* *Puff.* “Haa, is this the last of the city’s cigarettes?” It must be. I had probed through countless futures searching for cigarettes, but after this one, I couldn’t find any in any other future. “I really am a severe case, aren’t I?” To squander my foresight just to find a single cigarette. I must be a serious chain-smoker. *Throbbing.* A headache surged, and I unconsciously grimaced. It was a side effect of foresight. More accurately, it was a natural phenomenon that occurred when the brain is overloaded from having to view countless futures, but I had overworked my brain too much just for this one cigarette. Of course, it wasn’t purely because of the cigarette that my brain was overloaded, though.

‘Ah, our fates are truly mischievous, aren’t they?’ Agape. It truly is the City of Fate, it seems. Considering that the three most important people on the continent were born in this one city. “……” I should pray for things to go well. For me, for Kara, for Agape. For all of us. May the future I saw, the path I found, truly be the right choice for everyone.

*Flutter.* The magic scroll I found by sacrificing a leg. I took out the item from the royal palace vault, which only Prophets with foresight could use, and held it high in the sky. *Rip!*