What...the fuck happened here?
The moment I return to Lorain, horrors engulfed my sight. As I stand motionless on the broken wall, the crushing weight of disbelief paralyzes my limbs. My mind attempts to grapple reality but such a scenario failed my rationality.
Widespread devastation and eerie silence of buildings reduced to rubble. Smoke and dust pallors hang heavy in the snowy sky. Once bustling with life, now remains remnants of death and corpses sprinkled amidst the wreckage. I jump from the wall and head towards the utter desolation. Some parts of the city are charred, Mina fought here. But against what?
This...doesn't make any fucking sense! Lorain was not supposed to fall now!!
I sense some humans ahead. One particular strong presence. I immediately run towards them through the scenery of destruction.
At the outskirts of the fallen city is some knights with IAA agents and...Zepdas. he notices my presence from afar and looks at my direction.
"Oh? You are alive," He says nonchalantly when I stop before him. "This is an order-"
"What happened?!" I blurt.
...
Zepdas sighs and pinches his forehead, furrowing his brow. "Failure and insubordination. That's what. Your father was taken into custody and is undergoing interrogation. He will most likely be executed for treason."
!!!
"NGHHH?!!" Surrounding knights and agents trembles in suffocation.
Intense bloodlust is pouring out of my soul as my face contorts in rage. "What did you say? Why...?"
"He was searching for you and he disobeyed my orders to retreat."
"You fucking-"
"Are you going to make the same mistake as your father?" Zepdas asks.
...
My gritted teeth and clenched fist holds back my anger imploding within. My glare stabs thorns into Zepdas' gaze.
I can't...I can't attack him yet.
I need to...I need to know the full story.
Fuck...
This bastard...
"Well, due to unforeseen circumstances, this battalion is disbanded. Return to your camp as soon as possible." Zepdas smiles. "I will inform you of your father's final fate."
"Kegh...Zepdas..."
"Since you are young, I will forgive your impudence. We've seen all we can, let's return," He says as he exchanges glances with everyone.
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Zepdas walks away with his subordinate and the agents.
...
...
My heart sinks into an emotional turmoil, shattering my hopes of the future. Sorrow overwhelms the aching emptiness in my chest.
"Ah...what's the point of regression if I can't even...change the fate of my family..." I mumble under my breath.
No...this is my fault. I fail to account for variables and the damn consequences of my changes. I am aware things will change due to the butterfly effect but for it to be this extent...it's insane.
...
I need to find Mina. I need to ask her what happened.
=============
One week later...
=============
Mina disappeared. I went to the Magic Tower of Research in the City of Mania, west of the Capital, but they noted her disappearance ever since the fall of Lorain.
The Organisation governing Jurisdiction, The Court of Affairs, refused to acknowledge my testimony and Zepdas zipped his mouth and ears tight, not listening to a single word of mine. Weird. Are they in cahoots?
...
Fucking hell...
I place my head on the table, lamenting the frustration of how powerless I am. Currently in a tavern with nothing but alcohol, surrounded by laughter and ignorance of the common population.
"Finally, I found you," a familiar voice whispers.
I glance up and find Julius wearing an oversized coat and cap such that it covers his entire hair and most of his body.
He has grown in the time we didn't meet.
He sits opposite me and takes a look around.
"What do you want?" I ask.
...
"So many fucking things are happening around you. After some investigation, I am one hundred percent sure something is sabotaging your plans."
"Even I know that, get to the point."
"I've invested so much in you, I won't let you die without my permission," Julius says. "Two months later, I will need your strength and call for you. Until then, you can't...die."
"..."
"I already know what you plan to do. You are going to save your father. Do that and you will die."
I click my tongue.
Julius catch my gaze and avoids it. "Ah fuck. I was planning to make a deal with you regarding your father but...I will die. How strong have you grown?"
"..." I simply glare at Julius.
He sighs. "Alright alright, stop stabbing me with that bloodlust." He raises his hands. "I will help you save your father and escape with your family. I will see where you can migrate to. Afterwards, I can forge a new identity for your family. But...you have to deal with any variables, Loi."
...I lower my gaze to the table.
"If...you can help my family, I will repay this favour. I will let you sit on the throne." I stand up and bow until my head hits the table. "I will even pay my respects to your majesty and wish for longevity."
Julius jolts back, surprised by the sudden gesture.
"Alright, I will take your word," Julius says.
...
As I sit back down, Julius lowers his head to hide his expression.
"And I'm saying this as a fellow...classmate. Don't die," He mumbles.
!
...
"I can't make empty promises."
Julius looks up to find me gone. Only a chair opposite of him.
"Come to the sewers behind the palace tomorrow, midnight sharp," Julius mumbles to thin air.
...
He scratches his head, unsure if I heard that.
I did.
A few hours later, I meet up with a servant of Julius at the sewers and he hands me an envelope along with some documents and an ominous colourless potion.
"My lord mentioned this potion should be used as a last resort. It consumes a portion of your lifespan for immense temporary power. After a duration of five minutes, you will not be able to move for a few hours."
I nod.
The paper within the envelope reads in short sentences:
"Execution three days from now.
Public display through beheading.
Fall of Lorain blamed on Vincent Krist.
The cause is said to be a monster attack but many irregularities question legitimacy. Actual cause unknown.
The best clue is Mina who fought said cause. Current whereabouts are unknown."
The documents seem to be a citizenship for Icaris Kingdom and relevant identity papers for my family and I. The quality is good for a forged document. If we stay low, it might work.
...
I head out of the sewers and return to the eerie streets of white snow.
...
"Haah..." I sigh as I gaze at the moon.
I don't know if this will be the last time I walk through this street. Words of Merline flood into my mind, reminding me of the true enemy I must face. A terrifying existence.
Fate.