Time is a rather strange concept.

Many still do not comprehend it entirely, even among the Leviathans.

How much more so for ordinary mortals? 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

This confusion has now spread throughout the Randalorion Kingdom as a result of the sudden change in events.

For the most part, everyone’s lives are unaffected.

In fact, since all mortals do not recall Lucien’s assault on the Kingdom, they live their lives in ignorant bliss and continue to go about their daily activities.

However, there remain some rather glaring issues and inconsistencies that plague them.

One such problem can be posed as a question.

What would happen to all the mountain-sized boulders that fell in various areas of the Randalorion Kingdom during this great crisis?

Actually, these ’meteors’ were the effects of a certain Leviathan separate from Lucien.

As a result, they would still have fallen in their respective positions.

However, without the crisis that Lucien caused, there wouldn’t be as many Royal Knights in the periphery of the Capital, guarding the garrisons in the outskirts to stop the advance of a powerful swarm of Magivores.

Instead, there would only be ordinary Knights and one or two Royal Knights stationed there for security purposes.

Naturally, with the descent of the meteors, those people would end up dying.

However, without the context of Lucien’s assault to explain much of the strangeness, many denizens will only look back on this incident as rather random.

The meteors also fell in a few other areas—some deserted, while others were rich in life.

They claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Compared to the dozens of millions that perished, this could perhaps be considered a negligible figure. However, this cannot be said to the denizens of the Randalorion Kingdom, who never knew of Lucien or his schemes.

In this new world, the tens of thousands who died would be considered a tragedy.

Many will look back on this incident... on this day... and weep.

So many people perished.

This includes Sir Jerome Sirius—former Royal Knight of the Randalorion Kingdom.

*****

’What is happening?’ Ciel looks around in shock upon realizing that her memories are quite different from everyone around her.

She consults with Sarah, who is the only one who shares her experiences.

Since the two of them are Leviathans, they naturally remember the tragedy that occurred and what it led to. Not only had the Vey’lithars in the Sanctuary returned with some casualties, but they were even in the process of burying their dead when this occurred.

Now, there are no dead to bury.

Only Ciel and Sarah remember the faces of the corpses that now surround them.

They are filled with vitality.

The younger Seeker’s shock is too overwhelming, but Ciel’s surprise doesn’t last very long. A scene plays in her head—almost as though she is remembering something—and she quickly calms down.

She nods in understanding and sighs deeply.

’So it was resolved.’

With a slightly pitiful glance at her disciple, Ciel calls Sarah to her side and begins to explain the concept of Temporal Implosion.

Such a thing has never happened in the Vey’lithar Sanctuary before.

But Ciel knows about all of it.

Why?

The answer lies within the depths of her existence, as do many more which are waiting to surface at the right moment.

*****

"W-what do you mean? Could you repeat yourself?"

Dustin Aditi, also known as the Silent Knight of Darkness, has completely betrayed his mysterious and calm persona while addressing the Chief of Zen Village.

Kelvar Cradle looks at their hero in surprise.

He doesn’t know what is so surprising about the story that he has just told Dustin, especially since there is nothing extraordinary about it.

"W-well, after you saved us from the marauders, you stayed for a few days and left yesterday. I wasn’t expecting you to return. The village has not seen any trouble since, and we are all very grateful for your help."

’T-this... This is completely different from what I remember!’

To say he is confused would be an understatement.

Puzzlement is clearly written on his face, and his brain hurts just thinking about the possibilities.

"But I definitely recall things differently. Do you remember that you gave me a certain Potion? It was Grade 3. You told me all about it—how you found it in a ruin and the description told you to use it in your greatest moment of need, and salvation would come."

"E-eh? How do you know about that?!"

Naturally, Kelvar Cradle is shocked to his bones.

He has never told anyone this secret of his, so he never expected the Silent Knight of Darkness to expose everything so easily.

Dustin proceeds to tell Kelvar details of what he remembers, as well as descriptions that should be impossible to conceive as a lie. Although it sounds so unbelievable, like a tall tale, the Chief of Zen Village listens attentively to all of this.

Then, with heavy breaths, Dustin sighs and mutters, "I know it’s hard to believe. Everything I said sounds so unbelievable, and I have almost nothing to back it up."

Even then, he is certain of his memories.

’Maybe it was some kind of divine revelation. But I would never mistake dreams for reality... especially since I witnessed Sir Evernight descend to save the day!’

Then... could it be because of him?

Maybe Sir Evernight, the Dark Knight of Justice, intervened somehow and messed with everyone’s perception of what happened?

’Does that mean I am the only one who really remembers what happened?’ Dustin nods in silent understanding, about to give up on convincing the Chief, when he notices that the young man in front of him has suddenly turned serious and quiet.

"Um... forget about what I just sai—"

"I can’t..." Kelvar sighs, slowly reaching for his drawer to bring out a thick hardcover book hidden inside.

This is his most prized possession—The Ancient Grimoire.

He had found it in one of his fortuitous encounters, alongside the Grade 3 Potion.

"I still don’t understand many things about this book, but I have dedicated myself to studying it every day. And... in the final Chapter, it clearly says:

At some point, someone will emerge with the memory of a world different from yours. That person is special and has been chosen for a great task. You will accompany them, and you will also meet another along the same path. Your paths will connect with some heroic figures, and you will go on a crusade to vanquish evil from the land."

Dustin’s jaw slackens as he hears Kelvar’s words, his heart nearly jumping.

He beckons for the Grimoire, and although hesitant, Kelvar finally hands the large book to him.

Without wasting any time, the Silent Knight of Darkness reads through the text.

It says exactly that!

’What is this? Could this be the result of the Potion I drank? Is that why I remember things that other people cannot recall? No, it’s not just about recollection. There were no signs of conflict, which means the world itself did not experience the disaster. Does that mean it was a foretold disaster that never happened? This is so mysterious...’

Fear fills Dustin Aditi’s heart, but also a strange sense of excitement.

After all, this is a mystical experience unlike any other!

Besides—

’This prophecy clearly states that we will travel together and meet another person on this journey. Then, our paths will connect with certain heroes, and we will vanquish evil together!’

Isn’t this exactly what Dustin is looking for?

An adventure!

A way to help people by becoming a wandering knight of justice!

To think there exists a prophecy regarding this precise thing, and it just so happened to be with Kelvar Cradle all this time.

"The Gods... they call for us to walk on this path."

Staring passionately at the more hesitant Kelvar, he holds the young man by the shoulder and beams with delight. "Are you ready for this adventure?!"

"I guess..."

The truth is that Kelvar doesn’t want to leave.

He has found a perfect life for himself here. As the Chief of this village, he has ultimate authority, and his position is highly regarded. In addition, life is so comfortable, mundane, and predictable.

An adventure sounds like trouble.

’But then again...’ Kelvar thinks back to the marauders that attacked a while back.

He also considers Dustin’s memories.

’Danger lurks everywhere. So far, my fortuitous encounters have saved me, and they’re the reason I even have this current life. If I do not follow this prophecy, it’s very possible that misfortune will befall me.’

Sighing rather deeply, he accepts the outcome.

’Even though I don’t know where we will be going, as long as I follow the path set out for me by this mysterious deity, then my fortune should be good.’

"By the way, that Potion... could you let me have a look? I want to see something."

"O-okay..."

Kelvar reaches deep within his coat, at the hidden section, and tries to bring out the Potion embedded there.

However, he does not find anything.

"Strange..."

He always keeps this Potion with him since, other than the Grimoire, it is his greatest treasure.

So where is it now?

Where is the miraculous item?

"You can’t find it, huh? Shouldn’t that be enough proof for you?" Dustin smiles at Kelvar’s confused face. "Although you can’t remember, you gave me this Potion, and as a result, I was able to have that divine revelation."

"Yeah, that makes sense..."

Kelvar knows now that there is no turning back.

He has to journey with the Silent Knight of Darkness and fight the forces of evil.

Perhaps one day... they will find the answers that they seek.

*****

"We’ll be leaving the Kingdom tonight."

Alistair Wormwood calmly says as he stands right in front of me.

The group, consisting of Elma, Richard, Jamie, Amnesis, Rias, and Gabriel, is right behind their Captain, while only I remain opposite him.

We are a short distance away from Aunt Leila’s residence. I wanted to see how she’s doing, and Alistair decided to give me a ride here. I appreciate his consideration greatly, and I have told him as much, but my current expression is solemn.

I didn’t expect them to be leaving so quickly.

"We have to report everything to the higher-ups and sort out a few details as soon as possible. It cannot be delayed, especially since the Temporal Implosion was unexpected."

"I understand..."

"And don’t forget me!" Gabriel suddenly yells out.

Alistair turns to the man and chuckles lightly. "Yeah, we also have to compensate our friend in the Dark Guild for his assistance in this matter. A separate reward would have been given to you as an external party involved, but since you decided to join the Sect, that won’t apply."

My expression slightly twists.

I... actually wouldn’t mind a reward, you know?

Besides—and this is not to extricate myself—I only joined because the Ouroboros Sect would save the Randalorion Kingdom. It turned out to be an unnecessary move in the end since I didn’t even require their help.

Lucien’s Temporal Implosion took care of everything.

In that sense, why am I still considered a part of the Ouroboros Sect?

Sadly, I can’t think this way.

Neither can I bring it up as a justification for my reward.

After all, since Lucien Zevalis no longer exists, then there really was no threat to the Randalorion Kingdom to begin with. That means I didn’t actually contribute anything to the team, and as such... there should be no compensation.

’Sigh... even so, I am feeling a little regretful.’

I really didn’t expect to be affiliated with a Leviathan Organization so early, especially since I still don’t know how it operates.

The only people I know from the Ouroboros Sect are these five.

That doesn’t mean I can trust the organization.

There would surely exist other people like Lucien Zevalis among their ranks, which means it might not be a very favorable environment for me.

In fact, it’s very possible that Alistair and his team are exceptions when it comes to the standard of the Ouroboros Sect. A normal Leviathan would not risk so much to save the Randalorion Kingdom just to preserve my life, and a normal team would not consent to this.

’Alistair didn’t have to help. He could have ignored me. No one would blame him. Everything he said about joining the Ouroboros Sect so that he would consider me a part of the team was just an excuse to help me. From the start, he wanted to assist me... which is a strange thing for a Leviathan.’ I stare into his deep eyes and smile softly. ’He likely also cares about other humans the way I do.’

"I understand, but what should I do now? You know, as a member of the Ouroboros Sect..." I chuckle with self-deprecation, realizing how this makes me appear ignorant and helpless.

But it can’t be helped.

I truly have no idea what to do at this juncture.

"No need to worry about it. To be honest, you’re only a member-in-training, so not much will be expected from you. You’ll be contacted at some point and will be required to go through the Sect’s Initiation. Only then will you become a true and active member."

"I see..."

So there’s a difference between a temporary member, a member-in-training, and a true and active member. Duly noted.

"What are your plans?" Alistair asks. "I’d like to know so I’ll know what to tell the superiors and how to schedule your initiation."

"I plan to go to Dustinville for my university studies later this year, most likely during the winter. I’ll be free before that time, mostly preparing for the travel and gathering my assets for a new life there. I would have traveled this year, but... well, you know what happened. The window of resumption has closed since this is practically June."

Alistair chuckles while nodding.

"I should be predisposed for initiation before my travels since I’ll mostly be relying on my subordinates to liquidate my assets and transfer my business to prospective buyers. I have no idea how long I’ll spend in Dustinville, so it’s best if I don’t take any half measures or have things holding me down in this Kingdom. As such, by the end of this year, I’ll have enough wealth to comfortably make a proper trip to the Kingdom and enroll in the university."

"I understand you. Hmm..." Alistair creases his brows for a moment and sighs. "Unfortunately, the Randalorion Kingdom is too remote, and the nearest initiation site will be a great distance away. I think we’ll have to wait until you arrive in Dustinville before we go ahead with that."

"Ah... is that so?"

I nearly chuckle in further self-deprecation while lampooning myself.

’The same Randalorion Kingdom that I spent my entire past life in is considered the countryside to people from the Ouroboros Sect...’

"Just proceed with your plans. Don’t worry, the Sect will contact you at a later date when the time is right."

’Why do I have a feeling like I have involved myself in far deeper waters than I realized?’ I almost sigh out loud, but I control myself. ’But I had no choice back then. Besides, since this is a Leviathan Organization unlike the Dark Guild, I will surely be able to learn more about Leviathans, specifically on how to save my family.’

There’s no reason to be too hesitant.

I am now very certain that it had to be a Leaper that caused my regression, and jumping to the past is the most realistic way to save my family.

The Ouroboros Sect has become my best shot at solving this problem.

"Take care of yourself, Alistair. Gabriel. Richard. Amnesis. Jamie. Rias. Elma... you too."

I smile at everyone, giving them a pleasant nod.

"You too, Javier." Alistair nods with a calm smile.

"It’s a shame someone as competent as you is leaving the Randalorion Branch of the Dark Guild, but it’s fine. I had quite a wonderful time, Javier. Let’s keep in touch." Gabriel beams with a strangely familiar and friendly smile.

I can only nod in response.

"Later, kiddo!" Amnesis smiles with an elderly disposition.

"This has been rather fulfilling." Richard chuckles.

"I’ll miss you, Javier!" Jamie waves excitedly.

"Don’t get into too much trouble... not without me!" Rias pummels her fist into her open palm while grinning like a beast.

"Hmph! May our paths never cross again!" Elma scoffs and looks away, but I notice her gaze landing on me a few times.

After a number of intervals, she finally sighs.

"I’ll remember you, though..."

I don’t know whether to be happy or sad about this development, but alright.

All I know is that I had the most amazing experience with these people.

It’s a little bittersweet to say farewell now.

Even as I watch them vanish from my vision, ascending to the Flying Bug Construct high above, I can’t help but look at the small winged wooden statue that I slowly take out of my pocket.

As I observe its oily black sheen, I remember the words that the Captain—that Alistair—told me.

"We saved Randalorion."