I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines-Chapter 113 - Prophet (3)

In that sense, the Dean presented a convenient opportunity.

A chance to both get rid of a dangerous item—

And gain insight into the future.

Since my very existence was a disruption to the original flow of events, I needed to confirm whether the prophecy had shifted in any way.

After rummaging through my coat for a moment, I placed something on the table.

Clack.

"So, I came prepared."

A small case, just about the size of my palm.

When I gently lifted the lid, a single, radiant gem revealed itself within.

A brilliant blue glow shimmered from the gemstone.

I lightly tapped its surface with my fingertip, and in response, a faint ripple distorted the air around us—

Like heatwaves rising from the ground.

"A Divine Relic… the Heart of an Ancient Dragon."

I’d obtained it during the mission to rescue the Fox.

A research facility nestled between massive canyons—

A stage of madness where the worst black mages from Baob gathered, massacring countless lives through their grotesque chimera experiments.

This was one of the items I recovered during the destruction of that deranged facility.

The heart of a dragon that once guarded the world.

When it was first discovered, its power was so immense it twisted time itself within the canyon.

With output like that, it was more than enough to shoulder the price of a Prophet’s revelation.

The Dean stared quietly at the gem I had offered.

"……"

But his expression didn’t change.

An indifferently calm reaction—almost disappointing.

And with that, I could confirm my suspicion.

‘As I thought.’

Prophets. Regressors.

Characters capable of perceiving the future often react in two distinct ways when faced with someone like me—a person who’s “possessed” another’s body:

1. They only know the future based on the original timeline.

2. They know the future as it revolves around the existence of the possessed individual.

In my case, it was clearly the latter.

‘There’s no other explanation for this reaction.’

After all, a Divine Relic isn’t something one can just stumble upon.

There were officially fewer than five known relics in existence.

So if an ordinary student suddenly appeared with one in hand, a normal person would at least show some suspicion.

And if that student also happened to be a traitor destined to bring about the world’s downfall?

All the more reason to be cautious.

‘If anything, he should be on guard.’

Besides, there’s no way the original Judas would’ve ever handed over a relic to the Dean.

The future he’d glimpsed was undoubtedly related to me.

Having pieced everything together, I decided to play along, throwing out a few casual remarks.

"I mentioned earlier that this is the first time we’ve met face-to-face, didn’t I?"

"I remember."

"But it seems that’s not the case for you, Dean."

"Haha… Sharp as ever, I see."

"Let’s skip the flattery. You already knew I’d say something like this, didn’t you?"

"I won’t deny it."

The Dean chuckled softly.

His wrinkled hand gently set down the teacup he’d been holding.

Pushing aside the now-cold tea, the old man picked up the case I’d presented.

It seemed he had no intention of dragging this out.

Without another word, he placed his palm over the gem.

As if he already knew exactly what role I expected him to play.

"Very well… If you seek a prophecy from within the fog, I shall recite it within the bounds of my appointed role."

Fwoooosh—!

At that moment, a faint glow of energy flowed from the Dean’s fingertips.

The radiant gem began to crack, crumbling bit by bit.

It was rapidly disintegrating under the weight of the Restriction’s price.

Without hesitation, the old man recited a prophecy from beyond the laws of the world.

"You wish to know the world’s conclusion, don’t you?"

"That’s correct."

"The end will be… beautiful enough to fill everyone’s hearts with happiness. They’ll greet tomorrow, brimming with hope. But—"

"But?"

"Only the Liar will suffer. Among the countless smiling faces, you won’t be there. After all, their happiness will be nothing more than a foolish lie you crafted."

"……I see."

It was a frustratingly vague prophecy.

Some parts seemed to hint at a future I could guess, yet other parts were utterly incomprehensible.

I felt a slight sense of relief at the mention of a "beautiful ending," but the line about the liar’s pain lingered in my mind.

A prophecy that could be interpreted in any number of ways.

Like all prophecies, it would only make sense with time.

I rested my chin on my hand, deep in thought.

‘There are still a few things I’m curious about.’

One question had always lingered.

It was something related to the original story.

In the game, the Dean’s prophecies always hinted at tragedy, but he never once mentioned anything about Judas’s betrayal.

As a Prophet, he should’ve known about the betrayal looming on the horizon.

It had been nagging at me ever since I’d started compiling lore videos.

‘Even with the Restriction, shouldn’t there have been at least some sort of hint, like now?’

The questions kept piling up, one after another.

I considered asking the Dean directly—but quickly dismissed the idea.

The Prophet’s Restriction was absolute.

It was already a stretch for him to answer even one prophecy.

"I’ll answer that question as well."

"……?"

A voice that pierced through my inner thoughts.

I couldn’t help but be startled.

What?

This was new.

In all my playthroughs, I’d never seen the Prophet deliver two prophecies at once.

This was an original event—something that didn’t exist in the source material.

The old man continued.

"You’ve never betrayed anyone."

"…What?"

"Perhaps that’s how it seemed to others, but from what I’ve observed, you’ve never been a traitor. Even in worlds you don’t remember, the same holds true."

His pale eyes—cold as winter—gazed directly at me.

Reflected within them was the image of a golden serpent.

The old man’s wrinkled lips offered a final piece of advice:

"Dolls don’t shed tears. But shedding tears doesn’t necessarily make one human, either. I hope you reflect on that difference."

"……"

I couldn’t respond.

My mind was a whirlwind of confusion.

“Dolls don’t shed tears…”

How did he know about that?

And what did he mean—I’ve never betrayed anyone?

"Wait."

I tried to speak, as if to catch him before he left— but the time granted to me had already run out.

The Dean gently placed the gemstone back on the table.

Its once-vibrant blue surface had faded into a lifeless gray.

Soon after, the fragile structure crumbled—disintegrating into nothing but dust.

"……Ah."

Shhhh—

Perhaps it was due to the strain of defying the Restriction.

Even the Dean’s hand, which had touched the relic, began to crumble.

The disintegration didn’t stop until his left hand had completely vanished.

The old man glanced down at the falling dust and spoke quietly,

"That’s all for today."

"……"

"I suppose we dragged the conversation on too long. We didn’t even discuss the original matter—your reward from the exhibition duel. If anything comes to mind later, feel free to ask."

"…I’ll consider it."

"Then be on your way."

"Yes."

I stood up without protest.

My mind was tangled with thoughts.

Even though I knew there was nothing more to gain,

I had to force myself to take each reluctant step toward the door.

Leaving behind the echo of an empty tide, I exited the Dean’s office.

Once again, the serpent walked into the unknown.

And behind me, the Prophet remained—

watching my fading silhouette for a long, long time.

Until even my shadow disappeared into the distance.

* * *

A beautiful ending where everyone is happy.

The liar who suffers alone.

The existence of a traitor who’s never betrayed anyone.

A doll that doesn’t shed tears.

Step. Step.

Even as I left the main building, my mind was still tangled with the prophecy.

Meaningless words, bound together in confusion.

Just thinking about having to decipher them made my head ache.

As I walked the academy grounds with a sigh—

"Y-Young Master…!"

I spotted Regia waiting nearby.

Her pink hair fluttered slightly in the breeze.

I had told her to go ahead to the library, but it seemed our little heroine had decided to wait until I was done.

We exchanged a few words as we made our way toward the carriage stop.

The horizon burned with the colors of twilight.

The evening air carried the crispness of autumn.

When I turned my head slightly, our eyes met—her green gaze warm and gentle.

I asked quietly,

"How have you been, Lady Regia?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, are you enjoying your time at the academy?"

"Ah… Y-Yes! Lately, I’ve made more friends, my practical exam scores are in the top ranks of Class A, and… a-and I’ve received a lot of recognition!"

"Impressive as always."

"Hehe… It’s all thanks to you, Young Master!"

She answered without hesitation, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Her eyes curved naturally, her bright smile chasing away the thoughts that had been clouding my mind.

Bit by bit, the worries I’d been mulling over began to fade.

‘Yeah.’

This is enough.

Her smile— the smile of someone who would’ve been lost to tears and pain if not for me— was proof that my efforts had been worthwhile.

A life that once had nothing to lose had now changed countless stories.

And it would continue to do so.

‘No need to get too caught up in prophecies.’

I was doing well enough already.

Of course, I still had to keep pushing forward.

But for today—I decided to set my worries aside.

I quickened my pace slightly.

"Fufu… Shall we head to the library? The others must be waiting."

"Yes!"

Our shadows stretched long under the fading sunset.

Leaving today’s thoughts behind, we walked onward—toward tomorrow.

* * *

Meanwhile—

In the Empire’s underbelly.

"Hmm."

A shadow perched upon a throne broke the silence.

In their hand was a newspaper—one reporting news from the academy.

Splashed across the front page was the headline:

[A Student Who Overwhelmed a Professor Appears!]

It covered the recent exhibition duel.

"Interesting."

The figure scanned the article with amusement.

Crimson eyes fixated on the photo of the Serpent printed in the center.

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Their lips curled into a whisper.

"Looks like the pieces are finally moving."

Thud.

The newspaper dropped to the floor.

Before the throne stood four members of an elite guard—known as the Five Negatives.

"In that case… it’s time for us to join the fun."

A command, laced with a twisted sense of anticipation.

"Perhaps it’s time I paid him a little visit."

"You mean… the Serpent?"

"Tsk, tsk… Who else could stand as my equal?"

"We’ll make arrangements immediately."

"Good."

The prompt response seemed to satisfy the figure.

They knew the Serpent wouldn’t be challenged by mere guards.

But they didn’t need to be.

At the very least, they could provoke him into coming to them.

The shadow absentmindedly brushed over their right arm—where nothing remained but empty space.

A sinister smile crept across their face.

"Let’s see what happens."

The world stood at the brink—like the calm before a storm.

After countless wars, tension lingered in the darkness.

"Right into the heart of chaos."

The Sovereign had begun to move.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]