Falsehood and truth coexist, just as sincerity can lie beneath a false exterior.
We search for causes and origins, never realizing that the act itself is already part of history.
As countless similar events in the past have shown, no matter how many coincidences are involved, once something has happened, it becomes inevitable.
The waves rise regardless of anyone's will.
A waterfall plunging from a cliff does not stop because jagged rocks stand in its path.
Just like the ceaseless passage of time, every effort I make to change something only produces more consequences.
But that is precisely the meaning of existence.
Because from beginning to end, I have always believed that among all those possible outcomes, there will always be one or several that fulfill the wishes I once imagined and hoped for, or at least come reasonably close.
That is the possibility we possess.
The answers lie in the past, while hope lies in the future.
Because possibilities exist, we can find our way through the mist toward the future we desire.
The former Dragon Emperor, now Gosoythoth.
...
Time turned backward. The hands of the clock slowly reversed until they finally stopped one day earlier.
Hoburns.
Located in the vast western region of the Northern Holy Kingdom, this prosperous city not only carried the long history of the Roble Holy Kingdom, but also served as the undisputed heart of the north and the nation's capital.
Within the city stood a place regarded by the people as sacred, the magnificent structure known as the Great Sanctuary.
This imposing center of faith, with its solemn atmosphere and exalted status, had also become a symbol of the nation's political heart.
As a country deeply shaped by religion, the Roble Holy Kingdom had long seen its people enter the Great Sanctuary with sincere devotion, pouring out their hearts to the Gods and praying for protection.
Recently, however, a subtle change had begun to take place.
No one spoke openly about the reason, but everyone understood it.
Surshana, the God of Death who had once saved humanity from terrible suffering, had returned.
This should have been cause for celebration among all humankind, yet for the Roble Holy Kingdom, it created an extremely awkward and difficult situation.
The Roble Holy Kingdom had never worshiped the God of Death. It had even denied his existence, recognizing only the four Gods of Wind, Earth, Water, and Fire.
Now that the God of Death had reappeared, the Roble Holy Kingdom found itself caught in a dilemma.
Had this happened in the past, it would not have mattered quite so much. After all, the Six Great Gods had been gone for a very long time.
The Theocracy might have been displeased, but it would not have pursued the issue too aggressively.
Three years ago, however, the God of Death returned to the world.
From that moment onward, the previously stable situation began to change.
The revival of the God of Death struck the Roble Holy Kingdom's deeply rooted religious system like a violent storm.
The legends of the Six Great Gods had been passed down for countless generations and were deeply engraved into the souls of humanity.
Humans were free to dislike the Theocracy. Everyone had their own preferences and judgments, and there was nothing inherently wrong with that.
But insulting or slandering the great Six Great Gods was another matter entirely.
It had effectively become an unwritten rule. Even the most vicious criminal organizations retained some measure of reverence for them.
(PS: Eight Fingers, for example, reveres deities associated with the Six Great Gods.)
Following the return of the God of Death, every major nation, whether the Empire that had annexed the Kingdom, the Dragon Kingdom founded by a True Dragon Lord, or even the Sorcerer Kingdom, chose not to interfere with their people's worship of the Six Great Gods.
Temples dedicated to the Six Great Gods could even be found within their territories.
Likewise, grand temples dedicated to the Three Supreme Ones could also be seen within the Theocracy.
Amid this atmosphere of mutual understanding and tolerance, only the Roble Holy Kingdom stood apart.
Silence was often seen as a form of tacit rejection.
In the eyes of the Theocracy's clergy, however, the Roble Holy Kingdom had forgotten its very roots. It was nothing short of outright betrayal.
Worse still, Remedios, the former Commander of the Roble Holy Kingdom's Paladin Order, had verbally blasphemed both the Sorcerer King and the God of Death.
If the God of Death had not explicitly forbidden internal conflict, some of the more extreme elements among the population might already have been unable to contain their anger. They might have tried to reclaim the lands that once belonged to humanity and establish an entirely new nation.
"The situation right now is quite serious. This is one of the drawbacks of a religious state."
"It has its advantages, but naturally it also comes with disadvantages."
A luxurious villa stood in the center of the city. It was both the residence of Pavel, one of the Nine Colors, and Neia's home.
An open terrace extended from the villa.
A large parasol stood over an elegant tea table, which had been carefully arranged with delicate teacups, a steaming kettle, fragrant tea leaves, tempting pastries, and everything else one might expect.
Naraku sat in a chair, took a small sip of his black tea, then turned toward Pavel beside him and offered his thoughts on the current situation.
Ever since arriving in the Roble Holy Kingdom, he had abandoned his original plan to stay at an inn after receiving an enthusiastic invitation from Pavel and Neia, and had moved directly into their home.
Pavel had been exceptionally welcoming.
[My daughter has always been so withdrawn, and she finally managed to make a friend. Of course I have to treat him properly!]
Those words alone made it obvious that Pavel was an incurable doting father.
Whenever someone praised his precious daughter, he would immediately stiffen his expression and look terrifyingly stern.
By now, however, Naraku understood that Pavel was not actually angry. He was simply too embarrassed to know how to respond to compliments about his daughter.
As long as one understood how to deal with him, Pavel of the Nine Colors was actually quite approachable and easy to get along with.
Over the past half month, Naraku had traveled throughout the Roble Holy Kingdom, visiting different places and leaving his footprints behind.
At the same time, he continued his daily reading, expanding his knowledge and increasing the number of professions he could potentially convert into.
Outside of that, he would occasionally chat with Pavel after the latter finished work.
Whenever they did, Pavel would carefully avoid Neia and indirectly probe Naraku for details about his precious daughter's everyday life in the Sorcerer Kingdom.
Recently, that had become the subject they discussed most often and with the greatest enthusiasm.
Once, after becoming particularly carried away during their conversation, Pavel had nearly suggested that he and Naraku become sworn brothers.
But perhaps something suddenly occurred to him, because at the last possible moment, he firmly abandoned the idea.
Immediately afterward, a faintly scrutinizing look appeared in the father's eyes.
Naraku could only feel somewhat helpless about it.
He was no fool. He could more or less guess what was going through Pavel's mind.
Following the principle that the more he tried to explain, the messier things would become, Naraku said nothing more and simply avoided the sensitive topic.
Pavel seemed to understand and smoothly changed the subject without either of them needing to say anything.
He began asking Naraku, with considerable interest, for his views on all sorts of matters.
Naturally, that included the subject they were currently discussing, the political and religious situation within the Roble Holy Kingdom.
"Those people are perfectly aware of the problem. In the past, there was simply no need to pay attention to it. Now they have no choice."
"As for solutions, it's not as though there aren't any. The real issue lies with Her Majesty the Holy Queen..."
As Pavel reached that point, a trace of frustration and helplessness appeared on his previously calm face.
Long before the Six Great Gods descended into this world, the humans of the New World had already possessed a primordial faith in the Four Great Gods of Wind, Earth, Water, and Fire.
The Theocracy later incorporated those beliefs into its own theology while also establishing the God of Light, representing life, and the God of Darkness, representing death. According to their doctrine, light and darkness existed first, and the Four Gods were born afterward.
That was precisely why serious doctrinal conflicts had arisen between the Theocracy and nations that worshiped only the Four Gods of Wind, Earth, Water, and Fire.
"The Theocracy has always believed that Surshana, the God of Death who can grant living beings eternal peace as well as endless despair, is the strongest of the Six Gods."
"The Roble Holy Kingdom's refusal to acknowledge this God has subtly placed it in opposition to the Theocracy from the very beginning."
"And now that the issue has been brought into the open, the situation has become even more complicated."
Naraku gently shook his head as he analyzed the matter from his own perspective.
"I know that. Her Majesty and the nobles know it too, but they simply can't bring themselves to make any changes. The divide between north and south, the threat from Demihumans, and the instability that would come from changing the nation's faith are all holding Her Majesty the Holy Queen back."
Pavel said this in agreement, but his voice gradually weakened, as though even he found the explanation unconvincing.
Deep down, he knew very well that these supposed reasons were little more than excuses.
If Her Majesty the Holy Queen possessed the same iron resolve as the infamous Bloody Emperor, and stopped hesitating over every decision, perhaps these problems would not be particularly difficult at all.
After all, if the ruler of a nation could not display sufficient decisiveness, others would inevitably regard them as weak and incompetent, someone who could be pushed around at will.
"I often hear people say that [the beginning is the hardest part]. But the [beginning] itself usually isn't that difficult. People simply imagine the whole thing as something far more complicated than it really is, and then become afraid to take the first step."
"[It sounds impossible. I should just forget about it...] I've heard things like that plenty of times. But if you break the goal down into smaller pieces, the first part is often quite manageable. Sometimes it's even easy."
Naraku explained it another way.
Doing something and doing nothing were two completely different things.
[My dream is to create an ideal nation where no one ever has to cry.]
It was a beautiful and grand ambition, one that embodied the Holy Queen's purest hopes for the world.
But from Naraku's perspective, it was far too naive.
Reality was filled with countless difficulties and challenges. Creating a nation without sorrow or tears was hardly something easily accomplished.
Having dreams was certainly admirable. Dreams gave people a reason to move forward and a direction to pursue.
The real question was whether those dreams were rooted in reality and whether they had any possibility of being achieved.
If they were nothing more than fantasies floating in the air, those chasing them would ultimately find themselves lost and disappointed.
Naraku only had to consider his own experiences and those of his true self.
Even in the relatively ordinary world of their first life, achieving a state where everyone could be happy had been practically impossible.
How much more difficult would it be in this fantastical New World?
His true self was powerful. Nazarick was powerful.
Yet even they did no more than encourage everyone to seek their own happiness.
"So that's how you see it..."
"Exactly. Let me give you an example. Suppose I tell an ordinary person, 'You've gained weight. You should eat less meat and drink more vegetable juice.' What do you think they'd imagine?"
"Most likely they'd think, 'So I won't be allowed to eat meat anymore, and I'll have to drink bitter vegetable juice three times a day while starving for months...' Naturally, they'd resist the idea."
"But at the beginning, all you really need to do is [eat a little less meat at each meal and drink some vegetable juice to balance your nutrition]. You don't need to suddenly become an ascetic."
"Your Holy Queen simply thinks about too many things at once. She hesitates and hesitates until she can no longer bring herself to take that crucial first step."
"Whether it's the intense conflict over religion or the long standing divide between north and south, all of it makes her worry about every possible consequence before she acts."
Naraku shrugged helplessly as he calmly expressed his opinion.
He could not guarantee that every single thing he said was completely correct, but he believed most of his conclusions were fairly reliable.
"Then, in your opinion, is there an effective solution?"
Pavel hesitated briefly before finally asking.
At that moment, the scales within his heart were quietly shifting.
The weight representing the Holy Queen's side was gradually growing lighter, while the weight on the opposite side was becoming heavier.
"Hmm... If you ask me, there are only two paths."
"The first is to solve the problem at its source. In other words, try to persuade the Holy Queen to change the way she handles things."
"Of course, if that doesn't work, then there's only one other option. Replace her with someone..."
Naraku spoke calmly, then deliberately stopped there.
His meaning could hardly have been clearer.
After a short silence, Pavel stared at him in surprise before gradually coming to some realization. A faint smile of relief appeared on his face.
"Heh. I have to admit, you really do see things clearly. You deserve your reputation as a Genius."
To analyze the entire situation so systematically despite having almost no reliable internal information was genuinely impressive.
Pavel had still harbored some hesitation and doubts, but now he realized that if he continued wavering like this, he might never achieve any meaningful change.
There were already more than enough people like Her Majesty Calca, constantly worrying about every possible consequence and hesitating to act.
"I merely happened to stand on the shoulders of a giant dragon."
Naraku murmured softly, with a trace of humility in his voice.
To everyone else, especially Pavel, the boy named Naraku was merely an exceptionally gifted student.
Only Naraku himself knew that these judgments and opinions were simply the occasional observations his true self had made while looking down upon everything from above.
"Kid, the more I look at you, the more I like you. How about it? Interested in becoming my adopted son?"
"If you agree, I promise I'll teach you everything I've learned in my entire life, without holding anything back!"
There was no denying that the boy was exceptional.
He remained calm and rational even when dealing with complicated matters, and he could offer his own thoughtful insights.
Judging from the fact that he was the top student at the Magic Academy, his strength must also be considerable. He had probably reached at least the Realm of Heroes.
Most importantly, he could notice the adorable qualities in Pavel's daughter that other people failed to appreciate!
Taking Naraku as a disciple was not particularly realistic.
After all, Pavel himself was not completely confident that he could defeat this young man with seemingly limitless potential.
But adopting him as a son was an entirely different matter.
Besides, there seemed to be something rather ambiguous about the relationship between this boy and his daughter Neia.
If they could at least become brother and sister, then no matter what happened in the future, Neia would have someone she could rely on.
Without realizing it, Pavel's way of thinking had already changed.
"Uh..."
"I don't think my family would agree."
A bead of cold sweat slid down Naraku's forehead as he answered somewhat stiffly.
[You really dare to say something like that!]
[If I actually agreed, my true self would definitely tear me apart.]
[Suddenly gaining another elder out of nowhere would probably drive even someone with my true self's temperament insane.]
Pavel did not press him any further.
Since Naraku had clearly refused, continuing to insist would only make Pavel look shameless, and that was not how he conducted himself.
With that thought, Pavel took out a book and handed it to Naraku.
"All right, I won't force you. Still, considering how much you've looked after my daughter, you can have this."
"It contains some of my personal insights and experience with archery. I originally planned to leave it to Neia, but unfortunately, that girl has absolutely no interest in archery. Sigh..."
Building a little goodwill with someone was never a bad thing.
This archery manual had originally been intended for his precious daughter, Neia, but the girl simply refused to learn.
Leaving it unused would be a waste, so he might as well give it to this young man he had taken a liking to.
"Then I'll accept it."
After a moment of hesitation, Naraku reached out and took the book with a smile.
He might never need any of it, but having something was better than having nothing.
Besides, although the people of the New World were weak in terms of raw strength, some of their ideas and perspectives were quite original.
"Hey, you two! It's time to eat!"
A clear, loud voice called out.
Looking toward the sound, they saw a graceful woman approaching from nearby.
The beautiful woman was Pavel's wife.
As a member of the Paladin Order, she was normally busy with missions and training and rarely had much time to spend at home.
This time was different, however. Because of her daughter Neia, she had specifically requested a period of leave.
She approached them with light steps.
When her gaze fell on Naraku, a polite smile appeared on her face.
But when she turned toward her husband Pavel, her expression immediately changed, returning to its usual impassive look.
"Over here."
Neia poked her head out from behind her mother and waved at Naraku.
"Coming."
Pavel's lips twitched as he watched his wife's expression change faster than a page could turn, while his daughter openly favored someone else.
[Have I really become that unnecessary in my own home?]
The thought left him feeling rather depressed.
Naraku walked over to Neia with a smile, watching the scene with quiet amusement.
It was an utterly ordinary life.
Nothing more than the peace and comfort that came from simple, uncomplicated happiness.
The meal was not lavish, but it was perfectly decent and more than enough to leave everyone full.
There were simply a few unusual dishes mixed in from time to time.
Naraku glanced at Neia's mother without saying anything.
According to Neia, while her mother was very skilled at chores such as laundry and sewing, she knew almost nothing about cooking.
Whenever she prepared food, she tended to be careless and all kinds of problems occurred.
Sometimes the roasted meat would be left half raw. Other times the seasoning would be completely wrong.
Such mistakes were practically routine.
When Neia was younger and knew no better, she had even innocently assumed that fathers were responsible for cooking in every household.
...
After eating and drinking their fill, it was time for a walk.
It was midday, and sunlight poured across the streets of the Roble Holy Kingdom, coating the entire city in a faint golden glow.
Naraku walked slowly, taking in the scenery around him and experiencing the city's distinctive atmosphere.
The standard of living here really was quite good, at least considerably better than that of the former Kingdom.
The buildings lining both sides of the streets were neatly arranged and varied in style. Some were tall and imposing, while others were small and elegant.
The roads themselves had also been carefully paved, leaving them flat and clean.
As Naraku moved through the crowd, he also noticed several Demihumans.
At a nearby street corner, for example, a heavily built Minotaur and a tall Dragonoid were arguing furiously.
Neither side was willing to back down, and their voices grew louder and louder, drawing the attention of nearby pedestrians.
Beside them, a huge lizard lay sprawled on the ground with its long tongue hanging out, watching the argument as though such scenes were perfectly normal.
Naraku watched with interest for a moment before continuing onward.
When he reached a corner, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure standing at the entrance of an alley ahead.
As he drew closer, he recognized the White Dragon Lord in humanoid form.
The White Dragon Lord smiled, bowed respectfully toward Naraku, and said, "Naraku-sama."
The White Dragon Lord had appeared here in Dragonoid form, and a faint pressure emanated from his body.
As a magical system unique to the Dragon Race, Wild Magic allowed the White Dragon Lord to freely transform into various forms.
Compared to Tier Magic, the ability was undoubtedly far more convenient, while consuming almost no Dragon Soul at all.
"So, how exactly is your mission going? My true self really is something else! I may be a little weaker, but surely I'm not that useless."
Naraku shook his head helplessly as he complained.
Still, he understood his own value, so there was nothing wrong with being cautious.
After all, as a thought-form, if he happened to die, he could indeed be brought back through the memories of his true self.
But whether the professions he currently possessed would also be perfectly preserved after his Resurrection was an entirely different question.
"Naraku-sama, because this operation must remain concealed, I am unable to use magic on a large scale."
"As a result, I have still been unable to locate that Sea Dragon. It appears to be hiding, so I fear I will need a little more time."
Despite Naraku's constant complaints beside him, the White Dragon Lord remained completely composed, as though he had heard nothing at all.
He knew perfectly well which things could be said and which things should never leave his mouth.
After all, it was precisely his talent for reading the situation and knowing when to keep quiet that had allowed him to rise within Nazarick all the way to the rank of True Dragon Lord.
"You really..."
Naraku looked at the man before him and sighed inwardly.
This fellow understood the art of self preservation far too well.
If the enemy was overwhelmingly powerful, he would tuck his tail between his legs and behave himself.
But if the enemy was weaker than him, he would strike without mercy.
Naraku shook his head, but did not criticize him further.
Everyone had their own way of surviving, even if Naraku did find his approach somewhat exasperating.
He had been about to say something else when the sky suddenly changed.
Naraku instinctively looked up.
At some point, the previously clear blue sky had become covered in a dark purple hue.
The deep, mysterious color seemed to come from another world, bringing with it an inexplicable sense of oppression and fear.
Then a sharp cracking sound rang across the heavens.
It sounded exactly like a mirror shattering, piercing and deeply unsettling.