Vol. 5, Chapter 73: Diverging Paths

After Corona and Oro had left the room, I begin to breathe easy, or I would have if not for what is to come. Six and Cecilia, I still have to deal with them. I have to say, I'm getting somewhat cold footed about this.

Surprisingly, those two just stood there, waiting, their eyes gazing expectantly towards me. Frankly, I can't believe they haven't run out of patience with me. Though I can see Six is at his limit, with him staring fixedly at me with his arms crossed.

"We've been through quite a lot, haven't we?"

The moment I open my mouth, I become acutely aware of how dry my throat is. I didn't think I'd be this nervous. I mean, I've been through worst. Then again, what might happen next may very well be the worst of them all.

"Now that we're alone, I'll just get to the point. I... I will destroy the Keepers."

There were no replies. Were they shocked? Were they so flabbergasted that they've gone beyond words? Well no, not really. Rather than shock, those two, Cecilia and Six, they're looking at me like they're looking at a child that is saying that he's walking to the moon.

"I think you went too straight into the point. Maybe elaborate a little?"

To tell the truth, I'm a little disappointed in their utter lack of surprise. I was expecting something more along the lines of, "What on earth are you thinking!?" or "Have you gone insane!?" or something along the lines of, "I can't believe you, it's like I don't even know who you are anymore!" Okay, maybe the last one is a bit too much, but still, it may be strange to say, but I feel that this might be a litter easier if they treated me with a bit more scorn.

"Well, how should I put it... I need their administration rights. With all four Keepers and the Purifier, I can obtain full administration rights, and with that, I'll be able to go see her, to see Zero."

"Oh."

That's all Six had got to say, just 'oh'.

"No, no, no, I don't think you understand. Originally, I should be focusing on getting us back to our own world. This is something of a more selfish endeavor, and if I mess it up, it might cost us the chance to return."

"You say that, but that's the original plan anyways, right? So it's not like what you're suggesting is any different from what we've been doing this whole time."

Cecilia has a point, it's not all that different, but now we have an easier way, namely, the Purifier. If we just use 'it' to purify the rest of the Keepers, we can get the Grand Keeper to send us all home, at least, that's what she promises to do according to Oro and Corona. And with Corona looking through the palace archives, it won't be too long before we figure out how the Beastkins hijacked the 'ritual' either. If we could just establish contact with Seven, the Grand Keeper, then things should get significantly easier, at least on the Dragonbrood's front. Speaking of, I wonder why she didn't stop the remnants of Mankind from attacking. Is their Keeper against her like how the Holy Beast is? I'll ask Seven when we meet. I'll make sure we meet.

"Cecilia, Six, now that we have an easier way to do things, wouldn't it make more sense to head in that direction instead?"

"Sure, but... Wait, are you trying to convince us to go against you? Is that what you're going for?"

"No, no, no-no-no, that's not what I'm trying to do. Your reactions are just throwing me off. I thought you guys would be more against this."

"Well, I mean, there's no guarantee that the Grand Keeper, Seven, right? There's no guarantee that she'll do what she says. We both just figured that you planned for us to go our own way. Is that right?"

Cecilia turns towards Six, who nods in agreement.

"Oh, and it might be too late to say this, but is it alright that she's here? I mean, you just started talking without asking her to leave so I assumed it's fine, but..."

"Oh, yeah, it's fine. I meant for her to hear this too."

"So, why do you want to see Zero? You wouldn't do this without any reason, right?"

"Um, yeah, here's the thing..."

Is it just me, or is Cecilia taking charge a whole lot today? Well, I mean, she is the guild master, so this is appropriate. In fact, isn't she the one taking charge while I was sleeping? Since becoming one with this [Demonic Tree], I felt more in charge than usual, but Cecilia was the one running things while I was stuck in those dreams, wasn't she?

"So, the being that Zero sort of merged into... That's kind of a mouth full, isn't it? Let's call it the 'One Being' for now. So anyways, the One Being created this world, that's what I told you, right?"

"Yes, that is what you said."

"Well, the thing is, this wasn't the only world it created, there are others... Our world is one of them."

I watch them, the look in their eyes, and as if time had slowed down for me, I got to see the revelation slowly sinking in.

"What, seriously!"

"Well, it does make sense if you think about it since there are hints here and there that our worlds might be connected, the similarities between Elysium Online and Elgardia, for example."

Of the two, Cecilia seems to be taking it better than Six, who listened to my reasoning with eyes wide with shock and confusion.

"Wait... if the [Corruption] came from the One Being and if it created our world too, doesn't that mean... our world is in danger to!? Aurelius, dude, that's super bad."

"Well, maybe, I mean, the One Being's influence isn't as great in our world as it is in this. This is actually a more, for the lack of a better word, curated world. Due to the multiple egos that exist within the One Being, there's quite a variety of worlds out there, one of those variations is the amount of influence the One Being may have on it. Only the worlds that have a stronger influence from the One Being are in danger of [Corruption]. The worlds that were left to be without any sort of administration should be safe."

Hearing the explanation, Six promptly stops freaking out, which is good, because if he hears the next part while disturbed, I'm not sure I can handle him quite as skillfully as I would like to.

"Oh, that's good. That's one less thing to worry about at least. But in that case, why do you want to see Zero. Just now I thought it's because our world would be in danger too if nothing is done about her, but if that isn't it, then why?"

I scratch my head. This is going to be awkward, I just know it.

"Well, I got to know her and I can't just leave her be, you know. Maybe I'm just at that age when I'm trying to take care of the kids around me. Not to mention that I sort of made a promise about saving this world a while back... Now that I know what's causing the problem, I thought I'd go take a look..."

I know what I said to them, to Cecilia and Six and Toto. I told them that we'll get home, that we'll go back together no matter what. That being said, I also said to the princess that I'll save this world. Is this it, is this where my empty promises return to bite me in my ass? No, not yet. If I can handle it properly, I might be able to arrange something with Seven. But, will she condone the slaying of the Keepers? I mean, if I kill them all, it'd be pretty much the end of this world, won't it? Unless I can get Zero to fix it all properly, that is. The short and long of it is, I have to convince Seven to let me gamble with this entire world. That's possible to pull off... right? Oh, who am I kidding? I wouldn't let me do it if I'm in her position. To being with, is there even a possibility for me to convince not just Zero, but the whole of the One Being as well? I can't say I'm confident about my odds. Still, if there's a possibility, I want to aim for it. I don't want to just take the easiest way out like I did back in my world. I'll do it, even if I have to do it alone.

"So here the plan. First, we'll purify the Keepers. Then, we get Seven to send all of you back to our world. Once that is done, I'll stay behind and finish this on my own. That's the best way I can think of to keep both my promises."

Originally, I wanted to keep this plan a secret. I didn't want to be stopped or for someone to talk me out of it. I am afraid I don't have the kind of resolve and stubbornness to push my way through if that happens. But, I don't want to leave them any nasty surprise. And besides, if I'm weak-willed enough to be so easily persuaded, then it probably won't go well when I actually get down to it.

I look towards the Bestial Champion who had been standing in the corner, listening tentatively. Due to her helmet, I can't tell what she's thinking, but most probably, she doesn't like this one bit. She, no, Nine will want as many Champions as possible for what is to come after all. They too wished to reach Zero, to take Zero's place in the One Being and set her free. I have no plans to let them drag the rest into this, however. They either take just me or no one at all.

"Hmm... Alright then."

Alright then? That's it. Six, you're not going to stop me, or talk me out of it? Like, "I thought you said we're going back together!" or something along the lines. I know it's starting to sound like I'm hungry for attention, but, I mean, I thought they liked me, you know. I was under the impression that they'll be sad to see me stay behind. Now it feels like I'm just some guy they raided some bosses with in some game and chatted with for a bit when there's nothing better to do.

Six wordlessly leave the room without being prompted to, as if his business here is concluded and there's no more reason to stay. Only when his figure can no longer be seen does Cecilia turn towards me. She sighs.

"Six must be pretty upset."

"Is that how it looked?"

"Well, I'm sure he's trying to not seem needy. Still, it's not just him. I was expecting you to ask for help too. After all we've been through, you act like we're just tagging along so that we get to go home."

"Is that not the case? I mean, that's what we're fighting for this whole time, right?"

"It is, but it's not just that. You said we're going home together, right? So many times it was starting to sound like a mantra."

"Hey, I didn't say it that often."

"Aurelius, I want to go back with you, with Six and Toto, with as many of us as possible. If one of us ended up staying behind to fight, I'm not just going to just smile and say, 'alright, you do you,' and just leave. Would you do that, Aurelius."

"Well......"

I try imagining it, a situation like the one described. I wouldn't know what I'd for certain till the time comes, but I don't think I'll be happy about leaving someone behind.

"No, I wouldn't want that, at least. But, this is different, if you follow me, you might not find another chance of getting back."

"Maybe, but I think Six, and me too actually, we would have liked to see you ask for our help, tell us how much you need us and how you can't do this without us. As much as we rely on you, deep down, we want you to rely on us too. I think we, as people, like to be needed by someone, and it's sad when it feels like you're not wanted."

"That wasn't my intention. I mean, I just... I don't want to drag you two into this."

"I know, or rather, I guessed it to be the case, but we can't read minds, Aurelius, we can never know for sure unless we're told out loud."

"Alright, sure, fine, but this isn't what this is about. I just want you guys to be safe and back home. I really don't care what you feel about it. As long as you're alive, you'll get over it eventually."

"So you say, but you looked like you were about to cry when Six got upset and left."

"N-n-no, I was not!"

"Oh, weren't you though?"

"I mean... a little, I guess."

"Really?"

Cecilia looks surprised. Why? Wasn't she the one who said that I looked like I was going to cry? Wait a minute...

"I wasn't looking like that at all was I!"

"Oh, who knows~"

Oh man, I am going to miss this. I am going to miss this so much. I'll bet Zero misses this too. I do understand, why Nine is so desperate. If he could set her free, to let her be with the others, with that red-headed girl, with Seven, Four, and Thirteen, I could see him giving everything he has. But Nine, what about you, won't you miss it too?

***

End of Chapter 73