Chapter 203: The Root of All Evil (2)

My head was spinning.

It felt like I’d been struck hard on the back of the head with a hammer.

‘Uh…….’

My thought process ground to a halt.

I mean, if I described it as the feeling of suddenly hearing the secret of my birth from someone I never expected, maybe you could understand the extent of the shock I was feeling right now.

Specifically, it was the secret of my possession.

Anyway, I was that confused.

“So. The reason I came to this world is entirely because of that object called the Dimensional Harmonization Device?”

“That is correct. I call it the ‘Dimensional Pillar,’ but how it is called is not important. Since it is not an object of humans anyway.”

“How do you know that? Did Uriel tell you? Wait. Then, how much does she know about me? Was it also her arrangement that I entered the body of a thief? That I entered the Academy, and struggled to survive within it. And the continuous string of luck, whether known or unknown, was all her influence too. Ultimately, is the fact that you and I are facing each other right now also her calculation?”

Did I get uncharacteristically excited due to the sudden confession?

Before I could even gather my wits, my mouth was spewing out the questions that had been inside me like rapid fire.

Honestly, even I didn’t really know what I was babbling about at this moment.

“Was I playing on a board set up by Uriel?”

“……Gerard.”

Oho. Right.

She knows my name too, is that it?

“Answer carefully. If you happen to lie, you will never hear her voice again.”

Along with the warning, I turned on my Mana Circuits.

Four daggers floating at my waist using [Telekinesis] finished preparations to pierce Roland’s vitals.

That wasn’t all.

Sensing the agitation in my emotions, Clatter split the subspace and came out to block the room’s entrance. Spinning the dagger I gave him on his finger, he glared at Roland.

“…….”

Roland still maintained his silence.

For a very brief moment, I wondered, ‘Does he not understand the current situation because he can’t see?’ but I immediately shook my head.

Because his instinct, another sense gained after losing his sight, is sharper and more sensitive than anyone else’s.

He didn’t look nervous either; it seemed he was organizing his thoughts.

A moment later, Roland’s lips parted.

“Before I answer, I must tell you that it is not a lie. Also, what I know is not as much as you think.”

“…….”

“First, you said you were playing on a board set up by Lady Uriel, but that is not true at all. Even if she is a Dimensional Administrator, she does not have the authority to control a human’s life. Looking at the big picture, Lady Uriel is also nothing more than a creation made by the Lord. Just like us humans.”

Roland continued.

“And while I had heard and knew that Cadet Gerard was the Revelator, I only learned a short while ago that Gerard was Skull Mask.”

A short while ago.

I had a feeling when that was.

“When did you lend me the Devil Slayer?”

“That is correct. Personally, I believe that meeting was the trigger. A Villain trying to exorcise a demon. I read a revelation in that contradiction and gave you the Devil Slayer, and the opportunity to meet Lady Uriel.”

“You were aiming for it?”

“Rather than aiming, please think of it as excellent momentary improvisation.”

Right.

The explanation was long, but I roughly understand how this situation was created.

Anyway, it means it was a coincidence, right?

Though I’ll have to watch further to see if that claim is one hundred percent trustworthy.

“So, why does the Dimensional Harmonization Device, that Dimensional Pillar, have to be destroyed? I’m already here. It’s not like fixing the stable after losing the cow, but what changes if it’s destroyed now?”

“It changes. If the Dimensional Pillar continues to operate as it does now, eventually the two dimensions will merge into one.”

Two dimensions merging into one.

The picture that immediately popped into my head was the web novels of the Hunter genre I used to read on Earth.

A worldview where the game becomes reality, gates suddenly appear in the world, and monsters pour out…….

It might not be exactly that, but I could clearly see that great chaos would befall both worlds.

‘What the hell is this? Is this for real?’

Ah.

My brain capacity is about to overload.

Let’s think step by step.

The original work. Meaning, the content of ‘Heroes of Frey’ that I cleared dozens of times, is a royal road story of saving the world against the Great Demon Angmar.

Naturally, if Angmar is annihilated, it ends with everyone living happily ever after—ending.

But where on earth did this worldview get twisted that a more terrifying disaster awaits behind the Great Demon?

‘Is it because it’s a side story?’

No.

Even if it’s a side story, this is too much.

Predictably.

Whatever it was, the sudden appearance of the phrase ‘Side Story’ on the ending of the game I cleared dozens of times also seemed to be because that Dimensional Pillar was created.

‘And the possession must have happened as soon as I clicked Yes.’

My guess hit the mark exactly.

“It hasn’t been long since the Dimensional Pillar was recreated. It was half a year ago.”

If it was half a year ago, it was the period that perfectly overlapped with the time the possession occurred.

I asked, a bit pissed off.

“Who on earth made such a thing, and why?”

“The ones who made it are Dimensional Administrators like Lady Uriel. They said it was a matter related to their continued existence.”

“Continued existence? Then are the Dimensional Administrators not infinite beings?”

“I do not know the details either.”

In the setting book of Heroes of Frey, Dimensional Administrators like angels, dragons, and spirit kings were beings who transcended death.

In other words, they were described like gods.

But listening to this, it seemed that wasn’t the case either.

‘Or, the situation changed so much that it’s hard for them to exist without the Dimensional pillar.’

So they erected the Dimensional Pillar.

But Uriel seemed to foresee the massive side effect called Dimensional Fusion and was trying to destroy it…… Huh?

‘Wait a minute.’

Come to think of it, I felt like I let something important slip by just now.

Didn’t he say earlier that the Dimensional Pillar was ‘recreated’?

“That Dimensional Pillar thing. Did it perhaps exist before?”

Roland paused, then nodded his head.

“I was intending to explain it anyway, but that is correct. This is the second time the Dimensional Pillar has been erected. And the ones who destroyed the first Dimensional Pillar were also the thieves of Shadow, of which you are currently the Master.”

I opened my eyes wide.

I’m really getting surprised many times today.

***

The long talk with Roland only ended at the tail end of dawn.

The light of dawn leaking through the crack of the opened window.

Checking the time, I stood up from my seat with a stiff expression.

Before I knew it, it was time to return to the Academy.

“It’s already this time. I should get going.”

“Is it time to return to being a cadet?”

I shook my head and asked.

“What will you do in the meantime? Do you plan to keep staying here? Or, will you return to the Holy Kingdom?”

“I am no longer a paladin. I am a Villain. I cannot stay in Icata, nor can I return to the Holy Kingdom.”

Ah.

Right.

“Then how about staying with us?”

I asked in a passing tone, but with subtle expectation.

Paladin, Roland.

Since I’m not yet sure if he’s a trustworthy guy or not, I can’t have him join Shadow.

However, since his ability is sufficient, there would be moments where I could receive help if I keep him around.

To be blunt, I got greedy.

The War of Villains, which was the first power struggle with the Beltus Cult, ended with our Shadow’s victory, but that is just the beginning.

The Cult was still going strong, and we don’t know when another all-out war might break out.

And the Evil Eradication Squad we clashed with yesterday too.

The Beltus Cult and the Frey Empire.

And even the Zain Cult.

Growing the guild was still homework I had to shoulder, and from my perspective, Roland was a very covetable talent.

You know, like a hanger-on.

Receiving labor in exchange for providing a comfortable place and safety.

Also, when Uriel occasionally enters Roland’s body, he could also serve as a means of communication to talk with her.

‘Because I still have a lot to ask Uriel.’

“Didn’t you say you have nowhere to go anyway? We have also settled down in Icata to some extent now, so hiding one person like you isn’t a problem.”

“Do you need my power?”

I furrow my brow at Roland’s straightforward way of asking.

This is why guys who are quick on the uptake are. Tsk.

Well, it’s not something to hide, nor is it in my personality to do so, so I coolly admitted it.

“Honestly speaking, yes. I judge that your power would be quite a big help in dealing with the Cult bastards who worship demons.”

“However, I cannot even use divinity. Did I not tell you I made a pact with the Order to seal it myself?”

“If you are talking about the Covenant of Absolution, I understand that its effect only activates when you are a paladin.”

Flinch.

“But you just said with your own mouth that you aren’t a paladin. Then the covenant or whatever doesn’t matter anymore, does it?”

“……Huhu. To think you even know the regulations within the Paladin Order. Indeed. They say the Revelator knows everything, and it seems those words are true.”

Revelator or whatever.

It was a setting you naturally learn if you repeat the same game damn frequently.

“And you can even use Uriel’s power, can’t you?”

“…….”

“So, your answer?”

Roland bowed his head.

“Since the Revelator regards me this highly…… I am truly grateful. However, unfortunately, I also have things to prepare in my own way. I am sorry.”

As expected.

Since I had guessed to some extent, I turned around without clinging further.

“Understood.”

I left the room.

Just before I closed the door like that, Roland’s request was heard.

“Please keep in mind. Dimensional Fusion is progressing even at this moment. 6 months. It is difficult to give you more time than that.”

“…….”

“By then, please make sure to select and prepare four trustworthy personnel excluding yourself.”

I came out of the inn.

Coming outside, I felt my heavy head becoming a little lighter.

After inhaling the clear dawn air through my nose a few times, I immediately returned to the Academy dormitory.

But as soon as I entered, I changed into sportswear instead of lying down.

It is to do the dawn routine I couldn’t do because I overslept yesterday.

At the same time, to organize my thoughts.

Tak! Tadak!

Running the course at a moderate speed, I ruminated on the conversation with Roland.

First, it was about Uriel’s request.

Roland entered Minas Forest to destroy the Dimensional Pillar but failed.

The cause was──,

‘He said it was the Forest Keeper.’

A guardian protecting Minas Forest; he said he was arrested because he couldn’t break through this guy.

It wasn’t because Roland’s preparation was insufficient, and it was even less because the guy was superior to Roland’s martial power.

What held him back was the Forest Keeper’s ability.

[There are five Forest Keepers. You must destroy the cores of those five simultaneously.]

So, the cores must be destroyed at the precise timing.

If not, they don’t die and revive in an even stronger form.

In other words, if you fail once, you are forced to board the train to infinite hell immediately.

So what Roland proposed was five people who possess outstanding skills and are compatible enough to move like one body.

I asked for time to prepare.

Because I heard that the strength of one Forest Keeper was enough to suppress Roland, who used Holy Magic, with difficulty.

‘Me and Clatter are fine. But…….’

The rest.

Luis and Dayle are honestly difficult.

That doesn’t mean I know when Evan will return to Shadow.

If it’s Carl, he would run over with his hair fluttering like during the War of Villains, but he isn’t Shadow, and the problem starts from matching our coordination, which is most important.

‘Is there no one else?’

I racked my brain to mobilize all the connections I knew.

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