Villain's Second Heart: Trapped in A Fantasy Novel (BL)-Chapter 78: The Magician of the Apocalypse

Bree continued to share what she knew of the tragedy unfolding in the northern country.

"The ancients described it as an apocalypse. Famine and War will ravage the land. Disease will spread and bring life unto Death. Then, the Magician of the Apocalypse will be born, and the planet shall become their Vessel. This will destroy our world, and in the ashes, a new one will be born."

Ezra took a deep breath. Magician of the Apocalypse...destroying the world...sounded an awful lot like Rav’s goal.

"They say that’s where monsters first came from. The will of a Magician of the Apocalypse made flesh. But perhaps these are only fairy tales."

"That’s some heavy stuff," Rav said with a frown. "Magician of the Apocalypse, huh? Haven’t heard that one before..."

Rav looked from Bree to Ezra, then back again. "If we went to the northern country, I don’t suppose you’d like to come with us? Having a native could help, hm?"

Bree nodded. "If your goal is to solve the crisis plaguing the northern country, then I am in no position to refuse you, Rav. The people would be overjoyed to hear the Great Sage of the Clouds himself has arrived to save them."

"A lifesaver, as always, Bree."

As Ezra watched Rav out of the corner of his eye, a System message appeared in front of him.

[New Quest: Helping Ravager

Ravager, the Great Sage of the Clouds, needs to prove that he’s not selfish if he’s going to make amends with Breeze’s father. To do that, he’s taken on a task of monumental import - to solve the mystery of the famine plaguing the Northern Country.

Objective: Resolve the crisis.

Reward: 50 FP]

’Fifty!?’ Ezra thought, beside himself. Half of a full charge, just from one quest...

But that meant this would be his most difficult mission yet.

[I’ve taken quite an interest in this.]

The voice that slithered into Ezra’s head suddenly belonged to none other than Alcor.

[I’d like to see how this goes, so why don’t we work together on this one, Ezra? It should be eventful indeed. And you know? Based on what I’ve heard, I think I might even know who’s behind this.]

’Oh yeah, who?’ Ezra thought back.

[I can’t spoil the surprise. But...I think it’s another Harbinger. Like you.]

Ezra gulped.

[I’d say it myself, but it wouldn’t make me very happy to scare Bree. Now, repeat after me, Ezra...]

The words flowed into his brain and he spoke them mechanically, like a man possessed.

"Those who call themselves Harbingers have a belief," he started.

Ezra felt the words rise up his throat before he understood them. His lips moved like a puppet’s - his voice not entirely his own. The room dimmed for a heartbeat, then returned.

"Harbingers are taught that monsters were once humans and animals exposed to the Machination of Sin."

"Mecha-wha?" Rav looked at him, puzzled.

"It’s an Apocalypse Engine. The first one, from which all others were derived. Thousands of years ago, it activated and corrupted everything it touched. Burning avarice infected the hearts of all who beheld it. Uncontrollable rage ran through their veins, and... well, one of the stories says those touched by it were cursed with insatiable hunger. They call it Gluttony."

Bree fell into thoughtful silence, processing everything Ezra had said with an open mind.

"An interesting theory, Ezra. The wisdom of the Harbingers - hmph. And where did you come across such knowledge?"

Her piercing eyes fell upon him, and he knew there was no way for him to lie successfully - not to her. Thankfully, Rav bailed him out.

"He’s a bit of a scholar in the arcane; that’s why I keep him around," Rav said quickly. "Forgive him, he’s often prone to spats of nonsense like that."

"I see," Bree said, her gaze lingering on Ezra for a moment too long before turning back to Rav. "Well, it’s nothing to overlook, if it comes from their stories. Are you suggesting that a Harbinger is involved?"

"Yes," Ezra replied. "That would be my guess."

[Excellent work, Ezra.]

"The only question remaining is where to go from here, hm?" Rav looked from Bree to Ezra, though as he locked eyes with the human, his eyes narrowed slightly, suspicious.

"Indeed..." Bree pondered. "Knowing the cause is still not enough to take action. We know nothing about this theoretical Harbinger."

"I can find them," Ezra said. His hand subconsciously reached for his heart. "To have stayed hidden, they must have some way to conceal their presence - like that pendant Rav showed me once, that can hide magical presence."

Ezra looked to Rav. It was a small lie - Rav gave him the pendant because he himself is a Harbinger - but this wasn’t the moment to let Bree know about that.

"But if I get close enough to a Harbinger, they won’t be able to hide. Not from me."

"You couldn’t be more suspicious," Bree chirped. "First, you look just like another, though bear a different name. And now you speak of Harbingers..."

"Trust me. He’s not plotting anything - not against us," Rav smirked. "He’s a good one. For a human, he’s one of the best." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Then I shall believe it such," Bree said, lowering her head. "I’ve known you to be many things, Rav - a fool, most of all - but never a poor judge of character."

She unclipped the pendant from her neck and set it aside. "You may perform the rites later, Rav," she said, her eyes on the pendant. "I would like a chance to rest, and I have other duties to attend to over the next three days. But if you are serious, I shall return again in three days’ time. And we will journey to the northern country together."

Rav bowed his head. "Indeed."

"If you resolve this famine, Rav..." Bree’s eyes flickered. "Then my father will forgive you for what happened. I am certain."

"I’m counting on it. And, magical famine or not, it’s not job too big for the Sage of Clouds, hm?" Rav winked at her, and she turned her head away, obstinate and dismissive.

"Thank you, Ezra. You’ve helped make my path clear. Might I have a moment alone with Bree? There’s just one thing I’d like to chat about - alone."

Ezra nodded. "You got it, Rav. I better go check on Oby, anyway."

He left them alone, the details of their new mission heavy in his mind.