Chapter 179


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    Two weeks ago.


    Inside the World Tree.


    Since the Demon Lord led to your birth, death shall also apany the Demon Lord.


    Lace seemed quite surprised by my reaction after hearing the prophecy.


    My, you seem rather unfazed.


    I cant help but be unfazed.


    It was the first time he showed a mncholic expression.


    Why is that? Its natural for mortals to be indifferent to the prophecy of death.


    I expressed my thoughts without reservation.


    The demise of the Demon Lord is still a distant tale for humanity.


    In fact, Im not sure if such a miracle is even possible.


    Theres only the will to make it happen somehow.


    I slowly nodded towards Lace.


    Moreover, theres still quite some time until he returns.


    So?


    Worrying about death that will arrive far in the future in these times would be just as foolish, wouldnt it? Now is not the time to tremble in fear but to strengthen our foundations.


    So, thats how you live.


    Thats how I was taught.


    And if this absurd prophecy that the Demon Lord and my demise will be together is true.


    I was willing to ept it.


    Haha


    My response seemed to have some effect on Lace.


    He chuckled softly and then whispered.


    We worried for nothing. Both I and him.


    Him? Are you talking about Zero?


    Why would you think that?


    Youre the one who said he took the ce of cause and effect for me. Wont you tell me what that means?


    Lace responded with silence.


    A moment of stillness.


    I was the first to break it.


    But why bother asking suchplicated questions? Just look into the future, and youll know my answer.


    Half of the price has been paid, so now your future is only half as distant from me. Its vague and unclear.


    So, if its half as distant then does that mean even the answer youll give me is uncertain?


    Well, it depends on the question.


    Conversations with the prophet are ambiguous, making it hard to find definite answers.


    That was my conclusion.


    So, I decided not to beat around the bush anymore.


    Ill get what I can get for now.


    Now, I demand one answer.


    Have you already decided on the question?


    I nodded and looked straight at Lace.


    The overwhelming presence I felt when I first faced him had diminished considerably.


    Perhaps it was because, as he put it, hes now only half as distant from my future.


    But it didnt matter.


    The question I was going to ask wasnt that difficult.


    To achieve my goal, what is the most urgent task I should undertake?


    Lace remained silent upon hearing the question.


    If it werent for his slowly blinking eyelids, he would have seemed like a statue.


    I spoke to the frozen Lace.


    The answer is taking quite a while.


    Surprising, isnt it?


    What do you mean?


    I thought you would ask a different question. A macro question like will humanity be saved in the end? Something like that.


    Lace seemed to understand me well, but somehow, it didnt bother me.


    I recalled what he said.


    The salvation of humanity.


    I can give you that answer.


    For a moment, I was tempted, but then nodded again.


    If observation is made and an observer exists, it bes reality, doesnt it?


    Thats right.


    So?


    Thats irrelevant.


    My efforts, the efforts of children.


    And the efforts of countless humans still struggling across the continent.


    I didnt want them to be swayed by Laces words.


    I admit.


    Certainly, I have arrived here through a grand design and meticulous nning beyond my understanding.


    It was a fact I felt every time I used the Iris of Lace.


    .But thats not all.


    We are not cogs.


    I refuse to believe that well end as mere devices of destiny.


    With that determination, I looked at Lace.


    So, whats the answer to my question?


    My, the most urgent task you should undertake to achieve your goal is


    His unfocused pupils stared directly at me.


    Thepletion of the seasons.


    After a brief silence.


    I couldnt help but suppress a chuckle.


    You seem to know everything.


    Lace knew more about me than anyone else.


    I dont need an exnation about how he knows.


    Hes a transcendent prophet who can perceive the past, present, and future, and hes Zeros coborator.


    If he had been watching over the sessor of Lace with the Iris of Lace for some purpose, then everything fell into ce.


    Suddenly, I remembered Ted calling this artifact shackles.


    So, thats what it was.


    Iris of Lace.


    Indeed, it was an artifact that bore the literal meaning of its name.


    As I pondered that thought, Lace smiled as if he knew everything, with a sly grin.


    p


    Laces hands pped once.


    Simultaneously, a strange sensation was felt from across the pond.


    I focused my gaze.


    Wooden doll?


    Mud on the ground and surrounding branches were sticking together, forming something.


    Not just any but arge wooden doll.


    It was as tall and bulky as me.


    The figure, kneeling, gradually rose.


    Its movements followed smooth curves.


    Its natural movements felt as if it were a living organism.


    Ssshh


    Branches and leaves nearby clustered together, forming another figure.


    It was a very familiar greatsword.


    The size of the ck de was the same as ck Hope, and the stance taken by the doll gripping it indicated Teds swordsmanship ritual.


    Although there were no eye sockets it was definitely looking at me.


    I looked at Lace, expecting an exnation.


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    Its a guardian with abilities simr to yours. Though limited tobat.


    Was that also created by Zero?


    Lace chuckled lightly.


    We created it.


    With a gesture from him, the wooden doll walked towards me.


    Your task is to subdue that Mirror Sentinel.


    Mirror Sentinel?


    Thunk


    I quickly scanned the approaching wooden doll.


    It doesnt seem like a particrly challenging opponent.


    My or rather, my doppleganger, had abilities simr to Polymorphs.


    But certainly, its aura wasnt as threatening as Teds perfected form.


    It probably doesnt even use up 70-80% of my full power.


    Of course, considering that Ive grown and now, unless one is a member of the Dawn Knights, theres no match for me, its quite remarkable.


    Anyway, if I go all out now, it wont take more than a few minutes to bring down the opponent.


    Is this task significant enough to warrant the title of task?


    I poised myself to fight at any moment.


    Before I knew it, the wooden doll was only five meters away.


    However, Laces next exnation quickly diminished my confidence.


    You just have to use the abilities of one of the children that can be cloned to subdue it.


    What?


    I doubted my ears at the absurd demand.


    Of course, I havent been negligent in refining the abilities of the children either.


    No, rather, Ive devoted tremendous effort and time to it.


    Ive trained tirelessly with real battles and avatar duels, and thanks to that, I could raise the understanding and utilization of each childs abilities to a high level.


    But in any case, their essence is far inferior to Teds perfection.


    No matter how much I replicate them to the maximum, I cant even use half of the avable limit.


    So, Ive oftenbined two or three of them to use.


    But now, I have to defeat the Mirror Sentinel using only one.


    Even if the upscale applies, my power will decrease to less than 50%.


    I looked at the wooden doll and mentally sketched out the course of battle.


    Evergreens archery doesnt cut it.


    Geralds spear techniques wont work either.


    Even if I draw out the essence of Cuculli and Leciel, I cant guarantee it.


    As it turns out, its an impossible task.


    Moreover, Lace deepened the difficulty.


    The season you are trying toplete is nothing less than a connection of clones.


    Thats right.


    Thats why its meaningless to achieve victory with only one ability.


    I narrowed my eyebrows in anxiety.


    Just as expected .


    At least seven. In order toplete the seasons, at least seven clones must beplete enough to defeat the mirror sentinel.


    In other words.


    With just one, Evergreens archery alone, Geralds spear techniques alone, or even half of Bans swordsmanship, I have to defeat a foe as strong as myself.


    Its impossible to achieve that in a short time.


    Just focusing on one is already a difficult demand, let alone digging into it.


    I slowly realized the absurd difficulty of the task and lowered my head.


    Is it possible to go back before the start of the semester?


    Was this task even possible from the beginning? You might know, but Ive been maximizing the replication and training of the childrens essence so far.


    Lace chuckled leisurely.


    Of course its possible. You still dont know how amazing your potential is.


    My potential? It seems like its already beenrgely realized.


    The day wille soon when you will realize that it was an illusion.


    Lace uttered such an unknowable statement and gestured to the wooden doll.


    Tension filled the air.


    I reflexively clenched the Key of Valber, realizing that a battle was about to unfold.


    Whom Whom should I choose first?


    First, lets start with the strongest, Leciel..


    But at that moment.


    Lace dropped apletely unexpected deadline.


    For your information, you will have toplete the task and leave the Great Forest within 18 days.


    18 days?


    I was dumbfounded.


    It was an unreasonable timeframe, to say the least.


    Why is that? No, wait a moment.


    I realized there was another question that needed to be asked urgently.


    I met his opaque, unreadable eyes.


    For some reason, my heart raced with a rising sense of unease.


    What happens if the task is not aplished?


    Lace opened his mouth with the same calm and slow tone.


    If the season is notpleted within 18 days.


    Being within the World Tree, perhaps my mind was ying tricks on me.


    The inexplicable uneasiness I had been feeling intensified rapidly.


    It was difficult to wait for his next words.


    As his wrinkled lips parted and closed slowly, an unbelievable, or rather, unwanted prophecy resonated in my ears.


    You will die at the hands of a traitor of the Dawn Knights. Along with some of your disciples.


    Immediately after, I realized a chilling truth.


    This future had just been observed.


    .


    .


    .


    Thunk!


    Without further thought, I rushed at the wooden doll.


    There was no time.


    * * *


    24 hours before ???s death.


    26 hours before ???s disappearance.


    Woo-hoo, been waiting for today!


    Bought a new swimsuit too!


    The children burst intoughter as they dashed out of the resort.


    The bright summer sun seemed to bless the exciting schedule that awaited them.


    Today was a day nned for hopping tours, parasailing, and the eagerly anticipated alcohol party.


    Yahoo, Im going to enjoy it properly!


    A fresh smile quickly spread between the flushed cheeks.


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