Chapter 97

Led by the "Sage of Pharmacology," Raze arrived at a mysterious space. There, the old man with horns was a幻象鬼人 (Illusion Demon), and the sage was a dragon. The two of them said that in order to connect the two worlds with Raze's 【Covenant of the Other World】, the two worlds would otherwise perish. The main cause was the imbalance of the天赋珠 (Talent Orbs), but destroying them one by one was not a realistic solution.

To prevent the collapse of the world, the covenant needed to be nullified. However, if the two worlds were connected, the vicious monsters from the "Other World" would flood into this world.

"Raze-kun!!"

As I left the sage's mansion, everyone was there waiting for me. Mimon, Dantes, Zelly, and the captain and crew who had brought us. Of course, Non and Aisha were there too.

"Are you okay!? I was worried!"

"No, no, I was the one who was worried about you all."

Mimon, who had jumped at me, was now shorter than me. Thinking back to when we first met, I felt the passage of time.

"Did you meet the sage?"

"Ah, yes..."

"......Could you not cure her...?"

Because I had a troubled expression, Mimon timidly asked.

"No, I learned how to cure her. It's not a difficult method, so once we return, I'm sure we can do it."

There was the unpleasant task of persuading Lark to destroy the 【Shadow King Magic Sword Technique】.

"So, what's wrong?"

"......"

I looked at everyone. I had asked the sage and the Illusion Demon for some time to think. The librarian who greeted me seemed to understand what had happened inside or perhaps knew nothing, but he calmly guided me outside.

I thought this was something I couldn't hide. Even if I did, it wouldn't change the fact that the world would perish.

"......Everyone"

It was time for me to make a decision.

"I have something to tell you."

It was time to share everything with these people, whom I trusted.

We headed to the house where Dantes and the others were staying. It was a wooden house like the others, but it had a large single room with beds lined up, a rather bleak interior.

I sat on a bed and looked at the faces of the people gathered there. Dantes was a reliable person. He always acted for the sake of his companions and generously shared all his wisdom about combat with me. Mimon taught me how to live in this world. I had never met such a good person in my past life or this one. Non loved Dantes very much and cherished their father-daughter relationship. Now, she also considered me and Mimon family. Zelly was a real mess, in debt, a gambler, weak, and had a sloppy lifestyle. But without her, I, a runaway slave with nothing, would have been caught long ago, and she had been with me ever since. Aisha chose to go on adventures with me. Despite being torn between her duties as a royal and her desire to solve the "throat" problem, she chose me, perhaps because she genuinely liked me. In any case, she would never betray my trust.

"......There's something I've always wanted to tell you all."

That's why I could talk to these people.

"I was born in this world, but I actually have knowledge from my past life. That past life was in a different world, and my soul has reincarnated across worlds."

Then I spoke quickly. About how, as a result of reincarnation, I had twice as many Skill Holders as others. About finding a Star 10 Talent Orb during the mine collapse at the "Six Heaven Mine" and using it to escape. About how the 【All Things】 allowed me to mimic others' talents and how it awakened my past life's memories. About the history of owners of such powerful Talent Orbs going berserk, and how Japanese reincarnates, with black hair and black eyes, stood out and were killed as "Children of Calamity."

"I'm sure you all thought my combat abilities were out of place for my age, but it's all thanks to the 【All Things】; it's not my own strength."

After saying that, I couldn't lift my head. I was afraid they might be disappointed, thinking, "Oh, that's it?" or angry, thinking, "You were stealing talents!"

"......That's strange."

But Dantes said something I never expected. When I looked up, he was crossing his arms with a serious "I don't get it" expression.

"Strange, how?"

"You do have abilities that don't match your age, but I felt your combat movements weren't brought about by a talent. For example, with 【Swordsmanship】, you can swing a sword without consciously following the form, but your movements were your own."

"That's because I trained without the 【All Things】."

"What? Remove it?"

I took out the Star 10 Talent Orb from my chest and showed it to Dantes. Everyone except Dantes exclaimed, "Oh!" for the first time since I started talking.

"Is this a Star 10?"

"It's beautiful..."

"Wow, I thought this thing was useless, but it turns out someone can use it!"

"It's mesmerizing..."

It was a nearly black Talent Orb with a rotating rainbow light in the center. When I first saw it, I thought it was creepy, but everyone was so interested that I felt a bit embarrassed. Holding the Talent Orb in my left hand, I lit a flame on my right index finger with 【Fire Magic】.

"By training without the 【All Things】, I realized that my movements after incorporating the 【All Things】 improved. Just relying on the 【All Things】 would only allow me to follow the form, as Dantes said..."

"You've done a lot of training, haven't you?"

"It's been four years since we parted ways."

Then, Dantes chuckled.

"......Dantes?"

"No, if that's the case, your combat abilities are yours, not just from the talent."

"But, without the 【All Things】, I wouldn't have this strength..."

"Then, tell me, can anyone with a Talent Orb fight like me?"

Dantes' combat style—his abilities are "abnormal" in my opinion. Maybe all high-level adventurers are like that, but he seems to easily surpass human limits.

"There's no way! Dantes' combat style is a culmination of his experience, thorough consideration from various angles, and rigorous training. And he does all this without using special talents, which is incredible—"

"Exactly. You casually used magic without a talent, which is abnormal in itself, right?"

"Ah..."

"You're right. Not only can Raze use magic without a talent, but he can use multiple types. There's no genius like that anywhere, and if he achieved it through effort, Raze is a genius of effort."

Mimon also agreed.

"Raze is kind-hearted, so maybe he felt like he was 'stealing' other people's talents... but I don't think that at all. You've mastered talents through your own efforts, just like I have. So, you can be proud. Your strength is yours alone."

"......Dantes"

He was right. Deep down, I felt that the strength I gained through the 【All Things】 wasn't really mine. That's why when I argued with Lark,

—Even your little brother, he got his incomprehensible strength from a talent, didn't he?

I couldn't say anything in response.

"......"

I felt like crying from happiness. It felt like I had confessed all my sins and been forgiven. But—there was still more to say. What I needed to talk about now was different.

"Raze... Is your situation related to what you discussed with the sage?"

Aisha timidly asked. I nodded and, while incorporating the 【All Things】 into my body, took out another Talent Orb from my bag. When I unwrapped the light-blocking cloth, a busy Talent Orb that changed colors rapidly appeared.

"This is the Star 12 Talent Orb 【Covenant of the Other World】. I obtained it in the 'Other World.'"

Everyone squinted to count the stars. I covered it with the cloth after a while to avoid the flashing lights.

"That's amazing... What kind of effect does it have?"

Zelly's eyes didn't turn into gold coins because she intuitively understood that a Talent Orb with more than eight stars couldn't be sold.

"It seems to provide a perfect understanding of the covenant that connects the two worlds and the ability to nullify it."

I explained the eight covenants and the mediators. The world was divided into two by a goddess, and the mediators, who are dragons and Illusion Demons, manage it. Dantes recalled fighting a dragon in the capital of the Ahnhein Duchy, Yuelvmainz. The dragon was obsessed with Talent Orbs and was destroying them. Aisha had some understanding, but everyone was surprised to learn that her clan were covenanters. The librarians in this town were also surprised. And the fact that the "Sage of Pharmacology" was a dragon shocked everyone even more. The mansion had a door that led to a different space, similar to the black dome used by mediators in the past. I relayed the story I heard from the sage and the Illusion Demon about the world being in danger of collapse.

"......"

"......"

"......"

"......"

"......"

The five people were silent. They seemed to understand why I looked so troubled when I returned.

"......Can the librarians here nullify the covenant? I don't think Raze should bear all the responsibility."

Non was the first to speak, showing concern for me.

"It seems they can only nullify specific items of each covenant. The librarians can only nullify the structure of the covenant, and doing so could destabilize the world's balance, so they can't do it."

On the other hand, the Holy Water People—covenanters from the Curvain Holy Kingdom—maintain the covenant. Nullifying it would allow the mediators to influence all covenanters and nullify them one by one. However, this is unprecedented and carries significant risks.

"......The 【Covenant of the Other World】 can nullify all covenants at once, so it's the safest for me to do it."

Saying it was "safe" when something terrible could happen was a contradiction, but...

"Raze, is it certain that nullifying the covenant will connect the two worlds?"

"Yes."

I told them that the covenant's "nullification" clause explicitly stated this. There was one final clause in the 【Covenant of the Other World】 that even the sage and the Illusion Demon didn't know about. Perhaps, since the Talent Orbs and the covenant were not created by them, they didn't know everything about it. I decided not to tell Dantes and the others to avoid overwhelming them with information.

"......Raze, it's not right for you to bear this alone. I think we should forget what we heard today and focus on treating your sister."

"I agree with Mimon. It's too much."

Mimon and Non said I didn't need to do anything.

"Umm, I think you should do what you want. If we know when the world will collapse, let's spend all our money on good drinks before that happens!"

Zelly was as usual. She talked about spending all our money, but I doubt she would help pay off my debts.

"......I think we should consult King Sylvius. It feels like the covenanters should take responsibility."

Aisha made a positive suggestion. Indeed, calling for caution among world leaders was beyond my capabilities, but the covenanters could hold a discussion. The High Elves, the librarians here, and the Curvain Holy Kingdom could talk.

"......Raze"

Finally, Dantes said,

"You don't want this world to perish, right?"

"Of course."

"Then, the only way is to nullify the covenant. And the only one who can do it right now is you. So, if it comes to it, do it."

"!"

He pushed me in the back. No, he supported me.

"The rest is the responsibility of adults. As Anastasia suggested, we'll do what we can. So, you just focus on nullifying the covenant if it comes to it."

He said he would take care of everything else and just wanted me to push the final button. He said I didn't have to choose.

What a warm person. Just hearing his words made my worries melt away.

"......Thank you, Dantes."

My mind was made up.

"But, I will act too. I'll do everything I can! Everyone, please—can you help me ensure this world doesn't disappear?"

Mimon smiled,

"Okay. If Raze says so."

Non sighed,

"I really don't think you need to bear this much, but I'll handle the church."

Aisha said seriously,

"We just got out, but we'll have to return to the Sylvius Kingdom."

Zelly looked puzzled,

"I don't seem to be able to do much..."

"No, Zelly, you'll come with me to the Adventurer's Guild."

"Eh...? Mr. Dantes, I can't do anything!"

"You're fast. That's important."

"You want to use me as a messenger!?"

I told Zelly,

"Zelly, you've worked hard this time, so I'll forgive your debt to me when this is over."

"Mr. Dantes! I've been known as 'Messenger Zelly'! I'll go anywhere!"

Her sudden change was remarkable. It was a shame to lose the "debt" card, but Zelly would probably borrow from me again.

"Alright—Raze, first, focus on your sister. You can act once she's fully recovered."

"......Understood."

"Leave it to us for now!"

Everyone was so kind, and their kindness made me want to cry. We decided to act on two fronts: a discussion among covenanters and raising the alarm.

★ Mysterious Space ★

"......He chose to nullify the covenant. That boy has good companions."

The "Child of Calamity" Raze had just left, determined to find a way with his companions. The "Sage of Pharmacology" muttered and transformed from an old man into a massive dragon. Though his body was a plump gray dragon, his mane from the back of his head to his back was white, and his scales were dull.

"Hmph. You're eccentric. What's a 'Sage of Pharmacology'? How is deeply involving yourself in this world 'mediation'?"

《Illusion Demon, you've been idle for years and now desperately send puppets. That's even more unbalanced.》

The dragon sage spoke in a voice that shook the air.

"Mostly, your race started hoarding Talent Orbs instead of circulating them, which was the beginning of the failure."

《That's unknown to anyone... Perhaps the goddess intended for the two worlds to eventually become one.》

"......You didn't tell him. If the two worlds merge, we might cease to exist."

《Was it necessary to say?》

"Hmph..."

The dragon and the Illusion Demon, the overseers and mediators of the two worlds, were chosen by the goddess. If the two worlds were to disappear, their roles would be over.

《I didn't want to burden the boy with more.》

"You're quite kind."

《Aren't you the same? You moved your puppets to avoid burdening the lives in the world...》

"Idiot, that's not it. I just didn't want to be expected to clean up the monsters after the worlds merged."

《Understood. The eight giants will take your place. If you free their souls and give them wisdom...》

"......Most are dead. I worked hard to create them... But, well..."

The Illusion Demon muttered and then said,

"If he can defeat them, the 'Child of Calamity' will manage even after the worlds merge. He will surely become the 'Child of Hope.'"

《Exactly, I agree.》

They remained silent for a long time. It felt like time had stopped, but compared to their long lives, it was just a blink.

This chapter ends here. The final chapter, "The Reincarnated Goddess and the Child of Hope," begins in the next episode.

The manga version is updated on Comic Walker and Nico Nico Manga. Please read it during the publication period (you can access it via the links at the bottom of the page).

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