Chapter 73: Encounter with the Dragon God - Part 3
***** Narrator's Perspective *****
"In the end I managed to send myself back in time; into the body of my newborn self. I've used my mastery of magic and knowledge of future events to protect those close to me and, to the best of my ability, combat Hitogami's plans. Despite all I've learned, I understand that I can't defeat Hitogami on my own. He can foresee every move I make and have a counter already prepared in advance. That's why I've come to you Orsted. If the two of us work together, perhaps we really will be able to reach that bastard Hitogami and take him out once and for all."
Orsted remained silent as he contemplated this mass of information. His silence made Rudeus even more nervous with every second putting him that much more on edge.
'Even if he mastered father's technique, from the way this boy is describing things it seems this is likely his first loop', Orsted thought. 'It doesn't sound like he knows I've been going through the same thing although I can't rule that out. The fact remains that I have no way of knowing what this boy is capable of. If there is even the slightest chance that he can end my father's magic that had ensured my victory I need to kill him now.'
Orsted lifted his hand from his side ever so slightly as he contemplated killing Rudeus. As he did so an intense pain shot through Rudeus' head as he analyzed the movement with his eye of foresight.
Orsted's movements from Rudeus' perspective projected into a blur of countless possible outcomes. The various outlines of Orsted's potential futures varied incredibly. Many of them killed Rudeus in various ways while several showed Orsted remaining still in his original position.
Rudeus leapt back several feet in response and pointed his right hand at Orsted while nearly activating the magic circle embedded into the gauntlet on his left hand that would send him back home. It took everything he had to gather the courage to stay here. Every fiber of his being was screaming for him to flee.
Orsted however... lowered his hand back to his side.
"You have good instincts."
'No, I can't kill him', Orsted thought as he lowered his hand. 'If it is true that this boy has somehow mastered father's technique then I have no way of knowing what will happen if I kill him. It's possible that I won't remember any of this as time will just reset immediately to his birth. In that case I will have no way to stop him as he will now be the one guaranteed victory through my father's spell. Worse, he will remember what I have done and I will have made a powerful enemy unnecessarily.'
'Additionally, if he really was an apostle of Hitogami, then that means the worst case of Hitogami learning of my ability has happened. If that was truly the case then it would make no sense at all to have his pawn reveal what he has learned.'
Orsted's already scary neutral expression turned into a frown as he felt like he was stuck in a bind.
*GULP*
The frown on his face terrified Rudeus even more as he was ready to escape at a moment's notice.
"Ugh...", Orsted sighed. "Very well. I'll hear you out."
After saying this he picked up the chair he had knocked over and sat down in it, grumpily resting his chin on his right hand.
A wave of relief washed over Rudeus as he finally relaxed from his tension, though he still kept his guard up just in case. Rudeus sat down in his chair as well with the hope that it will help maintain the calmer demeanor Orsted was currently displaying.
"Well, Rudeus? You came all this way. What exactly are you offering me?"
"That we work together with the same goal. The goal to end Hitogami."
"I am fully capable of killing Hitogami by myself", Orsted retorted. "However, if you really want to help, you can prove yourself useful by killing Laplace."
"That's the same problem I had before", Rudeus said. "I'm human. It's very unlikely I'll live long enough for him to return. Is there not some other way to reach Hitogami? I was hoping you would know of one."
"There is no other way."
"Is it not the treasure itself that we need? Do you know what it looks like? Perhaps we can find it before Laplace returns."
"It is not some valuable trinket like you are imagining. The treasure they hold is a part of them."
"I see... so there truly is no hope for me after all..."
"I wouldn't go so far as to say that. Are there not plenty of ways for you to reach Laplace?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Did you not say you mastered time travel? Why did you send yourself back to your birth? Why not send yourself forward to the point of Laplace's revival?"
"It's not as simple as you make it sound. While I thought I had made a breakthrough, truth be told, overtaking my newborn self was an accident."
Orsted's eyes widened slightly as he heard this. He made sure to pay especially close attention to what Rudeus had to say next.
"I had intended to go back to a specific point. The decisive point in my life just before Hitogami fooled me into the seemingly innocent act that led to Roxy's death. The magic I was attempting was incredibly complex and I was out of time as I was nearing the end of my life. It's true I could spend years continuing my study regarding that ancient magic I discovered on those murals but even if I managed to discover my mistake I have no idea when Laplace will reincarnate."
"It's true that the date of his reincarnation is not set in stone, but there are several possibilities that remain likely."
"Perugius said the same thing. He told me that he was 'Likely to return in a few decades', but it was about fifty years from now when he said that. How do you guys know when he is likely to return?"
"You don't need to know that."
"What? How do you expect me to properly help you if you keep important secrets like that from me."
"It's not important."
Rudeus let out an exasperated sigh.
"There are also other options than just time travel", Orsted continued. "It wouldn't be easy... but it is possible we could extend the length of your natural lifetime so that you will be around when Laplace reincarnates."
"What!? You can do that?"
"No, not me personally. However, I have run across a magic item that seemed to have that effect."
"You did? Why didn't you take it!?"
"... It's not important."
Rudeus nearly fell out of his chair in comedic fashion at the response.
'I can't tell him that I did take it but it was in a previous loop', Orsted thought.
"Do you at least know where I can find it?"
"Yes, but that presents a problem of its own."
"Let me guess, it's at the bottom of the ocean? Or maybe stored away inside a volcano?"
Orsted gave off a look of genuine surprise.
"Yes."
Rudeus nearly fell out of his chair once again.
"It's currently in possession of Lifa, the current princess of the seafolk. She resides in her underwater castle in the center of the Ringus Sea. Be warned however, that her father is the Sea God and is very protective of his daughter."
Rudeus couldn't help but facepalm at the revelation.
"Well, let's keep that as a backup plan for now."
"Indeed."
'Looks like I might have to go hunting for yet another princess. Aisha's never going to let me live this down.'
"If we are to be working together there is one thing I need you to do", Orsted stated.
"What's that?"
Orsted reached into his pocket and tossed a bracelet to Rudeus.
"Wear this at all times."
"What is this?"
"The crest on this bracelet was engraved by the Dragon God with the ability to block Hitogami from seeing the future of the wearer. If we are to be working together, you will need to wear this to prevent Hitogami from interfering with our plans."
"That's amazing!"
"Hmph!"
Orsted snorted, but Rudeus could see a small smile creep on his face.
"This will only protect you however. The same can not be said for those close to you. Never reveal our plans to anyone. It doesn't matter how much you trust them."
"I understand", Rudeus said solemnly. "Speaking of those I love, is there no way for me to protect them? I often fear for their safety whenever I have to leave them alone. I have no way of knowing when Hitogami will strike."
"Hmm...", Orsted put his hand to his chin as he thought. "I'll prepare something for you. They just need someone with a strong destiny to safeguard them."
"Strong destiny?"
"Yes. Those with a strong destiny have resistance to Hitogami's influence."
Rudeus didn't really understand but nodded in agreement anyway.
"How can I get in touch with you in the future?", Rudeus asked him.
"I'll come to you. Where do you live?"
"I live in Sharia. Here, take this."
Rudeus pulled out a scroll from his traveling sack.
"Activate this scroll and it will send you to a permanent teleportation circle I've engraved in my basement."
Orsted had an astonished look on his face.
'He can draw out new teleportation circles? That's incredible! I thought Perugius was the only one capable of that. I guess it makes sense if Rudeus is a student of his.'
'Wait...', Orsted thought. 'If Rudeus is good friends with Nanahoshi from his timeline then I have no reason to continue escorting her. I should just send her with him.'
"Take Nanahoshi with you", Orsted said out of nowhere.
"I will use scroll and meet you once I have prepared something to safeguard your loved ones. We can further discuss our plans then."
"Don't I have any say in this?", Nanahoshi spoke up after silently listening this whole time.
"No", Orsted answered.
Nanahoshi responded by crossing her arms in front of her chest and muttering complaints to herself, but didn't argue with Orsted.
"Ok. Sounds like we have a plan", Rudeus announced.
Nanahoshi, when you're ready, please grab my hand and I'll teleport us both to Sharia.
"Fine, whatever", she said flatly as she reached out her hand.
"See you later Orsted", Rudeus said with a smile right before activating the magic circle engraved into his gauntlet, sending both of them to his manor.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Coolex
Coolex Votes were 5-3 in favor of avoiding the fight at the time I started writing this. Hopefully this chapter turned out ok. Unfortunately it's often not possible to please everyone.
Also, just an FYI, the next couple chapters are going to take a break from the main storyline to cover what has been going on with some other characters who have been absent from the story for a while.
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