Inside a church in a town near the border.

True to Maric's plan, he and Tina went to the church and sat on the long wooden chairs.

For Maric, apart from being a place where he could see the balance between morality and madness, he was also quite familiar with the atmosphere of the church because of the time he had spent.

If Maric walked out of this place now, he was afraid that he might see the exact same atmosphere as someone who came right before the gates of hell. Moral standards had collapsed, and Maric had to create moral standards for himself.

But after all, people always need inspiration for their ideas, and inspiration always comes with atmosphere.

The peaceful atmosphere of the church is the perfect place to think of an idea. It's filled with peace because not even many people go to church and sit on the long wooden chairs.

As far as Maric could see, there were only a few people praying nearby, for a moment to Maric this also proved that not everyone in this town was an asshole or a vile man. There was always sanity amongst the madness.

With all his heart, Maric then spread his ears and closed his eyes. He seemed to be praying to whatever gods existed in this world.

While he continued to do what he had always done, there was a kind of worry in the depths of his heart.

'I beg you priest, don't act stupidly by saying nonsense and remain a good person. otherwise, my little heart might not be able to manage what I think.'

Balance can only be seen by someone who sees two different paths. Because then Maric knows how precious every little favor someone does is.

Although not many people could understand this problem well, Maric clearly understood to some extent.

In a war situation like this, the thing that really upset Maric was the helplessness itself, if Maric could he wanted to go to a safer place than this border town.

And since it was clear that he couldn't, he could only endure, endure in the deserted city from the threat of a few people who would lose their minds wandering on the side of the road.

Maric personally didn't want to lose his mind and morality, so even if he did bad things in the past to survive with this body full of limitations, he would absolutely do good to the people he could and deserved to help.

Maric then clasped his hands together and raised his head slightly.

He then heard the priest in front of him give a lecture.

"Every human being has a conscience. We, as people who have been blessed by the gods, feel the bitterness of life but we must not give up on life."

He heard a word that could calm his mind. Because he was very familiar with the atmosphere of the Church, Maric loved everything here. He could feel the beautiful clarity of mind mixed with the air of heaven.

This was definitely much more delicious than any honey a human could drink.

Even though he was reborn in this world, he was not the type of person who would stop learning new things. Because for him, learning and knowledge knew no place, age or time. This had made an impression on his heart and it all started with the Church.

He wanted to think of himself as a devout believer, but he realized that he was just an ordinary human being full of sin.

"Think and do, what good we can do. Every little good will create a bigger good."

Maric heard the priest speak. Every word made Maric realize the cruel reality of the world, but once again he could do nothing.

A child like him, even words wouldn't be taken too seriously. But he could feel these vibrations, vibrations from the depths of his heart.

The priest continued his words.

"I know and God clearly understands far better than humans like us. Our brothers from the Empire may have strayed into darkness, but we must not fall into that darkness."

For some reason, the sound of someone tapping their feet echoed but it was only brief. Within this limit, it only seemed to cause some minor resistance.

But Maric was worried that what the priest had to say next might cause a disturbance.

"...I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I got a little excited. Because you're so cute right now, so my eyes can hardly look away."

"I know that, I am indeed very cute, but please stop this..."

Tina who was holding back the pain in her cheeks then turned to Maric, she showed eyes that asked for help.

Maric understood that and he then nodded his head.

"Yes, as expected of my sister, she does look cute. By the way, Tina, what gift do you want for your birthday?"

"Wait a minute, Tina's birthday today? How did I not know that? Damn, how is this, I didn't prepare any gift."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The panicked Olivia immediately removed her hand from Tina's cheek, her face slightly full of worry while looking right and left.

"Ah, yes. I'll prepare it next time, for now since it's still winter, I can only give you a warm hug."

'Actually it's already spring.

Tina's face, which had recently brightened up, once again showed a troubled expression.

"Brother..."

Begging and pleading, Tina who was on the verge of tears begged Maric to help her once more.

Maric then sat down beside Olivia, and then suggested a solution.

"Olivia... a hug is not enough. I once heard someone say that a good song is much warmer than a hug."

"Uh...but I can't sing."

"Then, give Tina to me... I'll sing her a song."

"Since when can you sing? I can't believe you can sing."

"Just because I didn't do it in front of you, doesn't mean that I can't do it."

Maric then grabbed Tina and hugged her. He did that on purpose to take her away from Olivia.

With a small smile, Maric started to open his mouth to start singing but a small hand right under his chin stopped him.

"Stop it, that's enough."

'Hey, I helped you just now. Even if you don't thank me, but at least don't make a face like you don't like my voice.'

There was nothing special about Maric, no matter how hard Maric studied he could only discover that he had no talent for singing. Even in some situations where Maric wanted to cheer Tina up, he would make her sleepless because of his own voice.

That was when he started to give up. But now, even though he knew it would only end in failure, he had to finish it to avoid suspicion.

"It's just a little song of happiness. So I thought Olivia and Tina might like it."

"Hmm..interesting...what is it about?"

Olivia then stroked her chin as if showing some kind of interest. On the other hand, Maric continued to try to explain.

"It's a story about a prince and princess of a land. They have been together since they were little, passing all the time together filled with roses and clear skies. Then one day, they promised to live together, in the past, present, and future. The hope and promise materialized as if the world expected it to happen to them..."

This would be a perfect song filled with joy. A little girl would not be able to resist such a song.

Unless, of course, it was on the premise that the girl was still normal.

"That's a bad song..."

"What?"

Maric began to question what Olivia was really thinking. He also immediately glanced at Tina to see if she would be distracted.

So Maric began to prevent that Olivia might touch things that the girl should not touch.

"Someone who will have happiness and joy in their every life. How would that be a bad song?"

"Of course it would be a bad song because- you know Maric? The future can't be predicted, it would be arrogant for someone to determine the future when they don't know anything."

"The future can be predicted, Olivia. Because the future is determined by what we do now. If our lives continue to be filled with goodness and continue to do good, I'm sure in the future, we will definitely walk the path of goodness."

Hearing Maric's answer, Olivia then shook her head, she clearly rejected what Maric said.

"Let's say, for example, a bad person who kills many people may become a good person in the future. And it also works the other way around, good people can become bad people in the future. Even if you see a very good person now, it doesn't determine that he will still be a good person in the future."

"People don't change that easily..."

"People can change at any time, Maric."

Olivia emphasized that with all the tone of her voice coming out. Maric had no idea that Olivia would be so sensitive when it came to this issue.

Occasionally Maric looked at Tina. Fortunately, Tina did not understand what the two of them were talking about.

'Gosh Olivia, you don't understand the situation at all.'

The worry spread even more when a familiar word came out of Olivia's mouth.

"If you're still thinking like that, what if you see it for yourself?"

"Wait."

Olivia reached into her pocket to reveal a glowing stone. Maric then grabbed the stone and found a strange inscription carved into the stone.

'Let me guess. Would you say that this is a magic stone that can see one's destiny?'

"It is a magic stone capable of glimpsing the future."

'Yes, that's similar. But, geez Olivia, must you plan to deceive me just to convince me?'

A magic stone that can see the future? Someone like Olivia has it? That's definitely not possible.

If it really was a magic stone that had that much power, the person who possessed it would have to be a royal family or a noble and the empire's war against the kingdom would be impossible. There was not a single possibility that a girl like Olivia could possess it and even show it to Maric who was just an ordinary citizen.

Besides all that, no one would be stupid enough to give a magic stone to an ordinary little girl, even if they gave it out of affection, they would definitely think a thousand times.

Although Maric realized that the World did not know what science and the concept of rationality were. But he did not think that the world was filled with a bunch of fools.

There were always competent people even among the majority of idiots.

For a moment Maric then looked back, the magic stone that was said to be able to see the future had an extraordinary beauty, he had never seen this beautiful stone before.

A part of the stone had a transparent surface with mysterious inscriptions making it very unique and showing a kind of confidence that it must be a rare item.

In other words–

'This stone looks expensive, I might be able to sell it in the future when the money exchange rate and the economy in this country have fully recovered.'

So with a little plan, Maric played with his hands while closing his eyes. As if a pulse had run through his body, he then opened his mouth and explained the feeling he had not long ago.

"My hand...my hand, my hand is shaking a little...you were right, Olivia. This stone can see the future."

Tina and Olivia then reacted with interest to what Maric was saying. Maric soon continued.

"I can see into the future. That Tina will meet a handsome hero and get married..."

"Ah?! You saw that? Now I'm sure that it's really a magic stone like Olivia said."

"I'm sorry, Olivia, you were right and I was wrong. This really is a magic stone that can see the future."

In contrast to what Maric wanted, Olivia then showed a reaction of rejection, her face seemed to freeze.

"You're lying. That magic stone can't see the future of others, it can only see the user. And you didn't even activate the magic."

The instant Maric looked at Tina, his sister's expression immediately turned to disappointment.

While hiding his reaction, Maric shouted one word in his mind.

'Olivia....!'

Olivia continued.

"I'm not sure how. According to Lady Slivani, to activate the stone, you must read it in the Ancient Kislev language."

"Ancient Kislev? I've heard that witches do use the Kislev language to activate magic, but I've never seen witches using the Ancient Kislev language."

"That's because Ancient Kislev is a secret language that will not be taught to others and only a few people can read it."

'Again, secret again? Good job Olivia, you're good at lying now.'

Before Maric could react, Olivia took Tina back and placed her on her lap, she also glanced at Maric.

"If you still don't believe me, consider the magic stone a birthday present from me. You and Tina were born at the same time, but I still want to give each of you a gift. How about Tina, do you want a doll? Next time I see you again, I will definitely give you one."

'Since when were Tina and I born together? Do you think we're twins?'

The moment Maric heard Olivia's words, he almost lost control and smiled widely. But he quickly hid it and put the magic stone into his pocket.