We heard an old, gentle yet wisdom-filled voice echo directly in our minds.
[That entity has retreated approximately five years into the past relative to your current era.]
"..."
"..."
"..."
The air grew heavy. Everyone's expression turned serious. "Whose time exactly?" Rihito asked.
The white whale's gaze fell on Hajime and Rihito, making it evident. The whale again began to speak through
[At this moment, the entity remains in a vulnerable state, recovering its power. However, once it regains even a fraction of its former vigour, it will commence a relentless consumption of its entire surroundings.]
"Can't you teleport that thing back as you teleported us here?" Hajime asked the question Rihito wanted to ask.
[I already attempted to do so. However, the creature's innate magic resistance allowed it to shatter the spell and break free.]
"That's…" Everyone grimaced at the revelation.
"Then we have no choice but to go there and take care of it ourselves, before it does irreparable damage," Rihito declared, though inwardly his mind spun with layered plans.
[It appears this is the only option left,] the whale's voice sounded tired.
[A word of warning, however: the abrupt emergence of several people from various points in the past will trigger mounting disruptions within your existing timeline. To maintain stability, I highly suggest that a solitary individual undertake this quest.]
The white whale said, as it gazed, lingering longer on Rihito.
"..."
"..."
Miledi and Naize exchanged troubled looks, already pondering ways to help.
Rihito pondered for a moment; it didn't even take him a minute to make up his mind.
Truth be told, he was truly unbothered by the task. Rather, he viewed it as a prime chance to study the true use of Regeneration and Spatial Magic. There was even the possibility that this might eventually grant him the ability to traverse time. Furthermore, the expertise gained would be invaluable for their eventual return to their original world, making this a pivotal opportunity.
[Yeah, definitely.] Rihito inwardly nodded.
"I will go then," he said decisively.
"Master, I will go too. Isn't it better for two people to be together than one? It would be easier to search, right?" Tohru tried to appeal, wanting to join him.
"No," Rihito's response was immediate.
"B-but." Tohru tried to protest, but to no avail; he didn't agree.
"Didn't you hear him? He did say that only one person should go, or it might cause some untold circumstance in the normal stream of time."
Tohru gave me a pitiful look, which I ignored for the moment.
"What are you worried about? I am pretty sure that after I am done with that creature, the whale can pull me back here, right?" Rihito shifted to a relaxed tone to lighten the mood. He then looked at the whale with confidence. It has already done it once. No reason to think it can't do it again.
"..."
Hajime and Yue didn't say anything because both of them had figured that part out. We then looked at the whale, waiting for it to nod in agreement.
"Right?"
"..."
"..."
But for some reason, it remained silent.
"..."
[Oii! Say something!]
"..."
The silence was almost deafening.
After a certain amount of silence, Rihito looked into the white whale's eyes, his expression completely serious. "You are still keeping information, aren't you?"
Hearing that statement from him, everyone looked at the whale, wondering what else it was hiding.
The whale let out a weary sigh before answering. [I was indeed searching for the right way to deliver this news. Once you have been transported to that era, I would have returned the others to their own respective times. At that point, this entire dimension will simply cease to exist.]
The white whale spoke with finality.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Everyone fell into absolute silence as they processed the information.
"WHAT do you mean?!" Hajime spoke agitatedly.
Yue also regarded the whale with hostility. The implication suggested that the whale was using Rihito as a sacrifice to confront that Creature, without offering him a way out.
Tohru, the angriest of them all, was practically shaking with rage. As a reaction to her anger, her pupils turned to draconic slits. Her body began to partially transform, a change she was struggling to contain. She wanted to rip that whale to shreds. How dare that thing try to send her master back in time and leave him there?! Is that thing trying to dispose of her master?!! Only she knew how she was managing to hold it in.
Her eyes flicked to Rihito to see his reaction. If he shows even a sign of distress, she will attack, no questions asked. But instead of that, he was contemplating something.
"If you disappear after sending us back. How will Rihito get back?" Hajime wanted to say more, but Rihito put his hand on his shoulder, calming him. But the implications remain.
"I think he has more things to say, don't you?"
The white whale met Rihito's eyes, which urged him to spill all the details.
[I had intended to convey this as a final message after sending you to the past era, but perhaps it is best addressed now. My primary mandate was to contain that abomination within this realm to prevent it from ravaging the world. However, as the seal deteriorated over the ages, your intervention became necessary. The fact that your restoration of the crystal provided me with the strength required to strike down the monstrous king was entirely unforeseen. For that, I offer my gratitude. However, the sudden turn of events- that the monster slipped out of my domain was unexpected. As you all have seen, this dimension is already at its last breaths. Even though you hand-repaired the magic crystal and renewed the power source, it is still not enough. Until now, this space had been held in a delicate balance between the mana crystal and the leaking mana of the Monstrous King. Now that it is gone, the balance is lost. It's only a matter of time before the dimension collapses. It's better for me to disappear before something unseen happens or the false god tries to take advantage.]
"..."
"..."
That last part of the speech attracted everyone's attention.
"False god? You mean that bastard?!" Miledi, who had been silent till now, spoke up, her voice filled with hostility and filled with hatred.
[I presume you have realised by this point how this formerly flourishing Kingdom was brought to such a calamitous end,] the voice continued. [Throughout our world's sorrowful history, numerous monarchs have suffered a similar destiny, all for the sake of that false god's entertainment.]
"That bastard!" Miledi spat like she tasted something repulsive in her mouth. "Always pulling shit like this as if we are his plaything." Her teeth creaked in anger.
Beside her, Naize stood silently, yet his eyes burned with fury, all directed towards the false god.
[And now that the monstrous king has fled, and should he discover that thing, he will undoubtedly seek to seize it for himself. There is also the risk that he might allow it to lay waste to the remaining nations, only intervening through his church to feign protection and keep his machinations concealed while attempting to seize it for his own ends. Such an outcome would undoubtedly rewrite the course of your current timeline.]
"..."
"..."
Hearing all those details, Rihito spoke with a weary sigh, "You are urging me this much; that means there is a way to get back, isn't it? Or is it just me?"
["Rest assured, I have no intention of betraying one of my benefactors,] the whale clarified. [In truth, you have two possible paths to return. The first would require you to remain entirely hidden from the world after neutralising the entity. By staying out of sight until you reach your original point in time, you will preserve a stable temporal loop, eventually arriving at the exact moment of your departure to reunite with your companions.]
"..."
Hearing that, their anger somewhat simmered down.
[Although it will take time and patience, it's the most optimal option
Rihito mulled over the thought, [So, after taking care of the monster and keeping my head out of any trouble. I have to wait and watch till I reach the present.] His eyes narrowed at this option. For some reason, it kind of rubbed him the wrong way.
"What's the other option?"
[The second path is…] the whale continued, [The alternative involves conquering the labyrinths to acquire all the ancient magics, utilising their combined strength to pave your own path back to the present. These are your only two choices. Keep in mind, however, that any alterations you make in the past will have consequences for your future. Furthermore, once you arrive in that era, time will flow in parallel; consequently, the duration of your stay there will result in an equal passage of time in your original timeline.]
"..."
While Rihito and Whale were conversing, Miledi picked up some keywords. "Labyrinth? Ancient magic?" She murmured, glancing at them as she began to piece together a fraction of the truth.
"This is such a pain… not only do I have to deal with that creature, but I also have to find my way back to," Rihito said in a whiny grumble.
"Fine, I will do it," although Rihito grumbled, but he accepted it decisively.
[Then we should begin…]
"Hold your horses now, not so fast. I still have to inform the rest of my companions." Rihito cut off the whale.
The white whale paused. [I understand. But I urge you to hurry.]
"Hmmm… is this considered going ahead if you go back in time and conquer all the labyrinths? What do you think, Hajime?" Rihito asked.
"Haaah… even in a situation like this, you still joke around?" Hajime shook his head, seeing his nonchalance.
"Meh, if I have no choice but to do it, might as well have some fun while at it." Rihito held his own shoulder and rolled it, and stretched his arms, indicating his tiredness.
"Well then, let's go and regroup with others. Damn, those three will probably chew me out, too."
Stare...
He could also sense Tohru's gaze drilling a hole through his head. His head slumped in defeat.
[Should I run away now?] he thought wryly.
He shook his head in denial; that would land him in deep water if he tried that.
They regrouped with others and explained the situation. As expected, they didn't take the news well, and for another two hours, he had to convince and ease them into accepting his departure.
…
Chapter end
.
.
==Insert IMG of the greatest Aura farmer==
.
.
******************************************************************************************
Author's note:
...
(If you like my story, give me power stones. If you don't have power stones. Then, please comment and rate my Fanfiction. It will motivate me plenty to write more. Thank you.)
Join My Patreon. Currently, there are 8 advanced chapters present, and soon, more chapters will be uploaded.
Link: [email protected]/RoneMix71
Change "@" to "a"