Reborn As The Villain-Chapter 348: Volume 5 Intermission 1 Part 2: The Illusion of Choice

Chapter 348 - Volume 5 Intermission 1 Part 2: The Illusion of Choice

After returning to Kohana's side, the three of them, along with Eru, came to a destroyed room that had the view of the oceans. Parts of its walls were destroyed so the sea breeze flew in with no obstruction.

In the middle of the room was a fancy black table and several chairs surrounding it that was a stark contrast to this destroyed ruin.

When Ladiath sat down, Eru hurriedly stood next to him, waiting for his order.

Ladiath turned his head to Kohana and gestured for her to sit down. She nodded with thanks before doing so.

"I do not normally allow guests into my hideouts besides those I approve of but since Arnold is a valuable ally of mine—I do not see the harm in that."

"Uhm, if I may ask—is Lord Arnold your subordinate?"

"No. I'd like to think of us as beneficial partners."

Yeah, right. You indirectly threatened to level the whole continent with your army of Offspring. Could Arthur stop such an onslaught with [Song and Light]? So long as he has enough divine power, he can succeed.

Not to mention, Luke isn't ready yet.

Arnold wasn't looking to fight those things since it's hard to say if he'll win if there are "matured" children among them.

Noticing her glancing between Arnold and him, Ladiath decided to elaborate. Strangely enough, he didn't withhold anything:

"Young Miss, I am looking to invade the Divine Realm but without an army, such a thing is impossible even for me. Arnold will help me complete that army. He also possesses the ability to deliver something precious to me."

'How is getting one dragon lord soul completing his army?'

Does one fighter make that big a difference?

"Lord Arnold, is this... true?" Kohana looked up at him with a troubled expression.

"You should've foreseen this situation when I confirmed I am friends with evil people, as you called it."

"..." she lowered her head, silently accepting that as truth.

"Evil, hm? I suppose when a human—a being created by the Goddess of Life and Beauty—hears that another will invade the Divine Realm, that is automatically what they assume. No, I am not looking to cause suffering—those days are long behind me. The army is not to destroy the divine realm, but to get me there. If a million mortals must die to get me there, then so be it."

Arnold narrowed his eyes.

"You must not know this since you are a mortal born in an age where teleportation is a lost art, but the Divine Realm has many protections in place that forbid even interdimensional travel towards it."

"How is that possible? I can travel to Yorm's house at will."

"That is because her house, located in Ofore, sits on the edge of the realm, where the magic cannot reach. Even if I know this, I cannot force an army through there or go on my own since the troublesome Gate Guardians will arrive before I can even breathe in the divine air."

"Why are you scared of them when you're able to stop any and all attacks coming your way?"

"Haha, I knew you would bring that up." leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs, he continued, "The condition to use my power is that my assailant must be of non-divine origin or not blessed by any gods."

That's... strange... He heard of spells with these ridiculous restrictions but not actual skills. Normally, skills would have side effects but not restrictions. If there are restrictions, it's the kind of things that humans chose not to do willingly.

In those few seconds of silence, Arnold asked the system something.

-It is a [Fate] ability. One called [Inevitability].

It answered.

Impossible! Only those blessed by the Goddess of Fate should have these abilities. They're Unique Ranked and even Lufulur couldn't defeat the demigods that had these powers!

[inevitability] is the most powerful of them all.

How in Melis' name did a being from the Between Realms obtain this ability?

Ladiath isn't just powerful—he was a walking law of the nine realms.

'Don't tell me... Was Ladiath involved in the Fate Goddess' disappearance?'

But if that were true, how was he able to force her to give him this ability? It doesn't work like that because the skills need to be acknowledged by the Father God as well who governs over Order in the Nine Realms.

Then maybe... through genes? The Goddess of Fate was described as a virgin in the game but maybe she had children and... one of them was Ladiath...?

'Should I... ask him?'

"—Can't you attack them?" asked Kohana, invested in the subject, snapping Arnold out of his daze.

"Even I would not charge headlong into the Guardians. Not due to lack of strength, but... because they are shaped by forces naturally counter to my own so I am at a disadvantage in direct combat. That is where Arnold becomes crucial to the war."

"Eh? The thing about completing your army?"

"Well, part of it."

'I knew it. This guy wants me to do something other than getting Suarif's soul.'

Question is: what?

"Now that you've gotten to know me, human girl, allow me to ask my own questions."

"O-Of course. Sorry for my rudeness... My name is Kohana of Zhurosan. I'm the current empress of my nation."

"I see. Then, Empress Kohana, what brought you here? Or should I ask why Arnold thought of bringing you to me instead of that vampire acquaintance of his."

He knows about Selia as well despite saying he's not spying on Arnold...

"Uhm, my nation... It was taken by force by a usurper years ago and I was forced into hiding, planning a revolution to overthrow him. But we lacked a key component—strength. That is where Lord Arnold came in. But I do not want to burden him any longer, even if I had the means to repay him. Which is why I am here to beseech thee to please offer us your aid."

Kohana bowed her head.

"For these past years, all I could ever think about was not just getting revenge for my people and father, who died in the war, but also to bring new light into their lives. I thought of myself as some sort of savior, hope to my people living in fear. Each time I heard someone was executed for supporting the Revolution, my heart ached but I never gave up on my work to help them one day. Every penny I worked for and spent was solely for the Revolution. Every waking moment was precious to me, because I could not afford to waste a single second while my people suffered under tyranny.

But now, I realize that my resolve alone is not enough. My efforts, my sacrifices—they amount to nothing if I cannot deliver them to the ones who need them most. I needed the help of outside forces to help me get through just one obstacle but now another remains." She stood up from the seat and prostrated. "I stand before you not as an empress, nor as a woman seeking vengeance, but as a daughter, a leader, and a desperate soul begging for the power to vanquish the suffering that plagues my homeland and country. Please, if you have the means to aid us, if there is even the slightest chance that your strength can turn the tides, I implore you—grant me the power to end this nightmare and restore the light my people have lost."

"You sound sincere but I doubt you still harbor the same positive feelings towards your people after what they did to you. And what they 'will' do to you." Ladiath said calmly, the galaxy swirling on his face.

"W-Wha..." taken aback, Kohana's composed expression faltered.

"They enjoyed the luxury of supporting the stronger side. They were certainly scared but most of the supporters, for this new regime, were nobles, no? They capitalized on the fear of the masses—that being commoners—to rise in power. They held more power than what their status would've allowed in a just aristocracy under an emperor who cares for his nation. Soon, even the commoners became used to the society—as long as they obeyed, they will be protected by the stronger side." Ladiath looked at Arnold, "It would've been the same for you."

"I know."

"E-Eh?" Kohana looked confused.

"If I stayed and became emperor, they would've sought to drive you out from your role as empress," he looked at her, "Maybe poison you at a banquet or have you assassinated while out on business outside the city. Then they would've chosen a more suitable puppet—a noble woman who supported Ko, no doubt—who they think can sway me into giving them the same power they had during Ko's reign."

"It is as he said. Would you not also turn into a slave to what little power supporting the strong side can give you? Why would they give it up just because you are now rightfully on the throne?"

"B-But doesn't that mean... they will try to kill me when I return even without Lord Arnold?"

Kohana trembled.

"How will you respond?" Ladiath sounded almost amused.

"I don't... know..." she learned on the chair as she tried to sit back down. After a brief moment of silence, Ladiath spoke again.

"What I would do is strip all those who never showed support for your little revolution. Then just absorb their wealth and assets into the imperial family."

"B-But not all of them knew where I was." she reasoned.

"What does that matter? You were a fugitive briefly so they must've had some sort of meeting where they decided your bounty, no? And I'm sure you had allies among the nobles who could report back to you. Did any of them offer any opposition or even suggestions other than executing you? Or perhaps did they form groups to help each other track you down and secretly support you financially?"

"..."

As mentioned before, only some of her former friends showed such support. A few of their parents chipped in where they could but the funds were being monitored so Kohana couldn't exactly get enough gold to hire an army. Still, they supported the revolution (about 50 or so of them). So, they get to keep their titles—"if" Kohana goes through with it.

There will be some economic problems that arise from this but she knows she can make the nation recover.

"If you don't know then don't do anything right now, Kohana." She looked up at Arnold when he addressed her, "Mian Xi will be able to neutralize all threats and the remaining Inner Martials pledged their allegiance to Rasuke and the Chief. Until you've figured out what you will do, just continue leading your people, making them think you're going to let them all go without punishment."

"..." she nodded slowly, an unreadable expression clouding her face.

Arnold then looked at Ladiath, "Since you know what she's been through and now know what she wants, what's your answer?"

"Hm, who is the source of your ire?"

"It's... Funiji Kaijin, a warlord. Lord Arnold already executed Ko Johun."

"I see. If Arnold was needed to take down Ko Johun then that means he is surely a rank above even the Archmage and maybe on Suarif's level."

"Who are they exactly...?"

"The second greatest magic caster in the nine realms and the Dragon Lord of Wrath. I'm sure that Arnold knows both of them. Hm, I would rank Arnold slightly above their level."

Suarif is that strong...? Arnold knew the dragon lords were monsters even the High Valkyrie and Giants wouldn't agitate, but he never knew the "weakest" dragon lord was that strong. The dragon lords didn't fight much in the game's DLC story, so Arnold couldn't make an estimate of how each of them compares.

Of course, this doesn't mean Ko died for nothing. Those two martial skills he had—the Sutra Avatar and Black Prism—were forbidden martial arts that could've changed the tide of battle if he mastered them. The Prism—a skill derived from and inspired by Dark Magic—is something Arnold was most familiar with. They were used in the "Invasion of the Offspring" and managed to trap several mature offspring that could be used for study. That's how humans were able to determine divine energy were their weakness and how Luke was chosen to spearhead the war.

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While divinity is their major weakness, dark magic is also one of their weaknesses. The Prism has properties of dark magic so it was the perfect prison for them. Of course, the reason Arnold was able to break free wasn't because the skill itself is weak, but because Ko lacked any understanding of how they work.

If used by an expert in dark magic, it can become one of the most powerful skills in the game. It will benefit him to teach it to Elizabeth once he helps her awaken her incarnation factor powers.

"I shall help you on the condition that I may take their corpses and add them into my army." Ladiath offered.

"T-That's... How will Zhoming take it... And even Sing..."

"And why should you care? Being kind will get you killed, human."

"...Will that really be enough?"

"If both of them are near Arnold's level then yes, it is enough. They will serve as valuable knights for my army."

"Then please... Help me save my country."

Kohana bowed her head.

◊◊

"—Your Elf slave said you wanted to see me."

The location was atop a tall tree that overlooked the entire forest. Standing on the thick branch at the end was Ladiath, the galaxy on his face twisting as if he was pondering curiously. Arnold appeared behind him.

"What makes you think I enslaved these people?" he looked down to the bottom of the tree where there was a village comprised of elves that went on about their day as if there weren't any worries in the world.

With Ladiath here, there definitely isn't anything to worry about.

"I needed somewhere quiet to conduct my plans in peace. What better way to do so than in a remote village with no connection to the kingdom? All I needed to do was get them in my debt and promise I will keep them safe."

"You sent the monsters here and interfered with their barrier, didn't you? That wasn't just a coincidence."

"Indeed. A few lives had to be lost to make it seem like the barrier was ineffective. With this, the elves won't report me to the kingdom and they will not be slaughtered in the process."

Arnold recalled that Ladiath's powers don't work against those blessed by divine beings—which the five High Elves certainly are. They are much more powerful spirit magic users than the Fairy Millenium and stronger than the other Great Nobles. Even Ladiath would struggle against them even if he is incredibly strong. By challenging spirit magic users, you are challenging nature itself.

"Haa... What did you want from me? Kohana is being impatient and looking for you so that the two of you can leave."

"First, let us change location."

"Huh—" before Arnold could blink, Ladiath appeared in front of him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What's... that?" he couldn't stay bewildered by Ladiath's actions because something else caught his attention.

Is it correct to call it a bleeding hole in the sky? No, maybe an 'Oval Lunar Moon'?

When turning his head to look at it horizontally, he noticed that it resembled an eye of some sort.

"I need something from you, something other than the divine soul for my last homunculi—" Ladaith approached the thing in the sky. Looking around, Arnold noticed that they were standing on a rather flat plane, resembling a mountain top.

"!" He looked into the distance, spotting a "familiar" city.

Ignoring Arnold, Ladiath lifted his arm. Almost immediately a purple fog filled the sky and began to expand like sliding doors being pushed open. And beyond the void that followed was hundreds—no thousands of moving tentacles.

Turning around, Ladiath faced Arnold again—

"In the coming future, I need you to free them from this prison so that the war against the Divine Realm may begin."

...

...

...

"...Arnold?" Lian's voice snapped him out of his daze.

"—Huh?" he realized that they were still in a carriage, one that was heading straight for the Wood Elf Country border. A few hours has passed since they left the forest and parted ways with Kohana and Ladiath.

"Are you okay? You look pale."

"I'm fine."

He was anything but that.

Soon, he will be forced to release a horde of demigod-level threats that can level this continent in one night.

And there was nothing he could do to stop it except fight it. But as mentioned before, a "matured" Offspring could certainly kill him.

Now then, why was he in a carriage with Liwei and Lian? Well, he's taking them to the elves' country border. They couldn't just arrive at the front gates of the palace and demand entry. That will certainly lead to imprisonment. Arnold wasn't in the mood to fight right now just to settle a misunderstanding.

Breuk, Kairi and Ruria were waiting at an inn where they hired the carriage. Surprisingly, the coachman is a human. You don't see human coachmen near the Deeper Ground very often since savage demihumans usually lurk in camps near the border. But they never dare to cross into elf territory. Elves don't hide their hatred of humans and are quite hostile when spotting one.

"Uhm, what are you coming to do here again, Lady Lian?" Liwei asked as a border castle came into view when they left the forest path. The blades of green tipped over as a strong wind almost blew her strawhat off but she managed to catch it in time.

Arnold could spot several griffins flying in the sky, all with elven knights atop them.

"We're here to heal the World Tree." Lian answered with a smile.

Arnold looked at her silently.

"But what's wrong with the World Tree? It looks just like it was described in books back home—golden leaves and glowing bark."

"Well, we will hear the full explanation from the High Elves once they let us in. I know I can help them."

"W-Wait, alchemy can even help the World Tree!? That's so cool!"

"Yes, I'm certain it can. Alchemy is the study of all life—including plants."

After a few more minutes of riding, the carriage arrived in front of a patrol.

"—Human travelers are not allowed here. Turn back or force will be used to dispose of you." One of the two full-armored knights stopped them.

Lian looked at Arnold.

With a sigh, he hopped down.

"Stay where you are!" the elves took out their spears and pointed it at him. But he kept on walking. Seemingly paralyzed by fear, the knights couldn't move.

Once he was in front of them, he leaned forward and whispered into their ears so that the coachman and Liwei couldn't hear:

"Is that any way to treat the only mortal capable of entering the Spirit Realm?"

As if a switch had been flipped, they dropped their spears and also fell on their knees.

"...The World Tree is saved..."

...

"What did you tell them?" as the coachman road off, Lian came up to Arnold. She sent Liwei into the fortress first since she wanted to talk with Arnold.

"I told them the truth about your power."

"W-Why would you do that!? You're placing a target on my back!"

"Do you think they would let you in if I said you can help the High Elves? Many people claim that but none have proven it so far."

"But... why tell them and why did it even work?"

"Two of the most important ingredients for the Divine Fertilizer can be found there. They know this as well as I."

Lian's eyes widened.

"Have fun." Arnold turned around and was about to walk away. He wanted to stretch his legs for a bit before teleporting back to his city, "I'll visit you in the near future. Just tell them to expect me."

"W-Wait...!" Lian called out. She took a step forward. "Uhm... thank you—for everything you've done."

Arnold paused but didn't turn back.

"Kohana and Rasuke... they have their empire back. Kairi and Liwei can build a new future for themselves. And I..." Her voice wavered, trembling with something she couldn't yet say. "I've found a new purpose in life. One I will truly embrace once I make up for my past life's mistakes."

Lian stood there, watching his back—that strong, reliable back—her heart pounding in her chest. She opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated. Her brows knit together. Lips parted. A breath caught halfway out.

"T-There's something I... want to..."

But the words wouldn't come.

'There's no way he would... not to an old woman like me...' she thought bitterly.

"...Never mind." she whispered instead, a faint flush creeping up her cheeks.

Arnold glanced back at her, his expression unreadable.

"Take care, Lian."

Then, without another word, he disappeared.

Left behind, Lian whispered quietly to herself:

"He said he will come to visit someday... I'll be waiting..."