I Became the Narrow-Eyed Character in the Little Prince Game-Chapter 113: Prophet (3)

"But."

My case was different.

I didn’t need any special items to begin with.

Rather than being unnecessary, it would be more accurate to say they had the opposite effect.

Even if I possessed such high-tier artifacts, they would only end up rotting away as unmanageable antiques.

Due to their dangerous nature, I couldn’t carelessly discard or sell them.

If a divine relic were to fall into the hands of a cultist, it would unleash a bloody catastrophe.

Thanks to that, I had my fair share of headaches.

"Fufu."

From that perspective, the Headmaster presented a good opportunity for me.

Not only could I dispose of a dangerous item, but I could also gain insight into the future.

Since I was an anomaly disrupting the original flow of events, I needed to confirm if there were any deviations in the prophecy.

After rummaging briefly through my belongings, I placed something on the table.

Clack—.

"This is what I’ve prepared."

A small, palm-sized case.

As I lifted the lid, a brilliantly glowing stone was revealed within.

A shimmering blue aura radiated from the gemstone.

I tapped its surface lightly with my fingertip, and it responded with an eerie hum, subtly distorting the surrounding air.

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It was as if heatwaves were rippling across the space.

"A divine relic... the heart of an ancient dragon."

It was something I had acquired during a previous event.

The time when I rescued the fox.

A research facility nestled between massive canyons—Baob, infamous for harboring the worst black mages who massacred countless people through their chimera experiments.

I had obtained the item while dismantling that deranged establishment.

A heart that once belonged to a dragon who had protected the world.

When discovered, its power was strong enough to warp the flow of time around the canyon.

If anything could bear the cost of the Prophet’s restriction, it was this.

The Headmaster gazed quietly at the gemstone I offered.

"..."

His expression remained unchanged.

An anticlimactically calm reaction.

At this moment, I came to a conclusion.

‘So, it’s true.’

A Prophet—or a Regressor.

In most stories, when characters capable of glimpsing the future encounter someone who transmigrated, their reactions usually fall into two categories:

One, they only know the future based on the original timeline.

Two, they know the future that accounts for the transmigrator’s existence.

In my case, it seemed to be the latter.

‘Otherwise, this reaction wouldn’t make sense.’

Divine relics weren’t easily obtainable.

Even officially documented ones didn’t exceed five in total.

For a mere student to present such a rare resource should have at least elicited a look of suspicion.

And even more so if that student was a traitor destined to lead the world to ruin.

‘He should be wary of me instead.’

There was no way the original Yuda would have handed over a divine relic to the Headmaster.

The future the Prophet had glimpsed must have revolved around me.

Having pieced things together, I deliberately spoke in a playful tone.

"I said earlier that this was my first time meeting you in person, didn’t I?"

"I remember."

"But it seems that wasn’t the case for you, Headmaster."

"Haha... You really are quick to catch on."

"Please, spare me the flattery. You even anticipated the scenario where I’d say such things, didn’t you?"

"I won’t deny it."

The Headmaster chuckled softly.

His wrinkled hands set down the teacup he had been holding.

Pushing aside the now-cold tea, the old man took the case I offered.

He seemed to have no intention of dragging things out.

Without a word, he covered the gemstone with his palm, as though fully aware of the role I wanted him to play.

"Very well... If you seek prophecy amidst the fog, I will deliver it within the bounds of my role."

Fwoosh—!

At that moment, a faintly luminous aura began emanating from the Headmaster’s fingertips.

The radiant gemstone started to crumble, swiftly disintegrating as it bore the cost of breaking the restriction.

Without hesitation, the old man began to speak, peering beyond providence.

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

"That’s correct."

"The end will be beautiful—so beautiful that everyone will be happy. Filled with hope, they will embrace tomorrow. But..."

"But?"

"Only the liar will suffer. Amid the blooming smiles, you will not be present. The happiness of others will have been built on foolish lies."

"...I see."

It was an incredibly ambiguous prophecy.

While parts of it hinted at a reasonably predictable future, other elements were utterly incomprehensible.

The assurance of a beautiful conclusion gave me some relief.

Yet the statement about the liar’s pain stuck with me.

It was a prophecy that could be interpreted in multiple ways.

As with all prophecies, the more one pondered it, the clearer its meaning would become—but that required time.

Resting my chin in my hand, I mulled over the words.

‘I still have a few more questions.’

One particular question had always lingered in my mind.

It related to the original story.

In the original interaction, the Headmaster hinted at tragedy but never directly mentioned Yuda’s betrayal.

As a Prophet, he should have been aware of the impending backstab.

It had been a point of curiosity ever since I first worked on summarizing the story.

‘Even with the restriction, shouldn’t there have been some kind of hint, like now?’

My thoughts spiraled endlessly.

I considered asking the Headmaster further questions but quickly gave up.

The Prophet’s restriction was absolute.

After answering one question, he wouldn’t have the capacity to answer more.

"I will answer only that question."

"...?"

A voice pierced through my internal monologue as if he had read my mind.

I was stunned.

What was this?

This wasn’t a pattern I’d ever seen before.

Across all my playthroughs, I’d never encountered a situation where the Prophet gave two prophecies in a single interaction.

This was an original event, absent from the source material.

The old man spoke again.

"You have never betrayed anyone."

"What...?"

"Others may see it differently, but at least from my perspective, you haven’t. Even in a world you don’t yet comprehend, it was the same."

His pale eyes stared into mine.

Through his winter-like pupils, I could see only a golden serpent coiled within.

The old lips delivered a piece of advice.

"A doll does not cry. But shedding tears does not necessarily make one human. I hope you reflect on this difference."

"..."

I couldn’t respond.

Confusion overwhelmed me.

How did he know about the doll and its tears?

And what did he mean that I had never betrayed anyone?

"Wait."

I tried to stop him and ask more questions, but the allotted time had already run out.

The Headmaster gently set the gemstone aside.

Its once-brilliant blue surface had already dulled to a lifeless gray.

Moments later, its fragile form shattered into dust.

"...Ah."

Swish—.

Perhaps due to the strain of defying the restriction, the hand that had touched the gemstone also began to disintegrate.

The left hand continued to crumble until it was entirely gone.

The old man gazed at the falling dust and added briefly:

"It seems this is where our conversation must end."

"..."

"I dragged on the earlier discussion for too long. We didn’t even touch on the reward for winning the showdown. If you ever think of something you want, feel free to let me know."

"I’ll think about it and inform you."

"You may leave now."

"Understood."

I rose from my seat without resistance.

My thoughts were tangled.

Knowing there was no more information to be gained, I forced myself to move my reluctant legs.

Leaving the Headmaster’s office, I walked away with empty waves crashing behind me.

Once more, the serpent ventured into the unknown.

The Prophet, seated behind him, watched his retreating figure for a long time.

Until the fluttering shadow disappeared into the distance.

***

A beautiful ending where everyone is happy.

The only one in pain: the liar.

A betrayer who has never betrayed.

A doll that does not cry.

Step, step.

Even as I left the main building, my mind was tangled with the Prophet’s words.

Meaningless fragments, twisted into an incomprehensible mess.

Just thinking about having to untangle and interpret them later made my head ache.

It was while I sighed and walked through the academy’s streets...

"Y-Your Grace...!"

I spotted Rezia lingering nearby.

Her pink hair fluttered lightly in the wind.

I had told her to wait inside the library building, but it seemed our protagonist had chosen to stay and wait for me until the consultation was over.

Exchanging a few words, we walked together toward the carriage stop.

Beyond the horizon, the sky glowed with the setting sun.

The evening was tinged with the cool breeze of autumn.

As I turned my head slightly, my gaze met her green eyes.

I asked softly.

"How are you these days, Miss Rezia?"

"Huh?"

"I was wondering if you’re enjoying your time at the academy."

"Oh... Y-Yes! Lately, I’ve been spending time with more people, my practical scores have climbed to the upper ranks of Class A, and... a-and there are so many more people who acknowledge me now!"

"As expected, you’re amazing."

"Hehe... That’s all thanks to you staying by my side, Your Grace!"

The girl answered as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Her eyes curved into a soft smile.

Talking with her, sharing in her bright expression, I felt the complicated thoughts from just moments ago slowly begin to wash away.

I started to let go of the worries I’d been dwelling on.

‘Yes.’

This is enough, isn’t it?

The protagonist’s smile.

Children who would have spent their days crying and hurting were now able to laugh.

The efforts I had put in so far had not been in vain.

A final scream from a life with nothing to lose had managed to rewrite many stories.

And it would continue to do so.

‘I shouldn’t get too caught up in the prophecy.’

I was doing well enough as it was.

Of course, I’d have to keep trying harder.

But for now, I decided to set those worries aside.

I quickened my pace.

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

"Yes!"

The shadows of a boy and girl stretched across the setting sun.

Setting aside the thoughts we had carried today, we walked toward tomorrow.