Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Fate Works in Mysterious Ways
His connection with Celebi faded like mist dispersing in the wind, and he finally removed his hand from her head.
Rubbing his temples, his cautious expression, initially touched with a hint of surprise, gradually returned to its usual calm disposition.
His cold, eerie scarlet eyes regained their typical serenity as he murmured softly.
"So, you're here too... Leora."
Meanwhile, Celebi, who had been floating beside him, suddenly shook, her energy reserves were nearly depleted after having pushed herself too far. Just moments ago, she had strained herself by viewing both the past and present of the timeline's anomaly, and the toll it took was intense.
"Hah... Master, that…"
Celebi's voice was faint, and her words trailed off as she struggled to stay afloat, her tiny body swaying in midair like a kite losing its wind.
Noticing her condition, Aurelius acted without hesitation, catching the delicate girl in his arms before she could fall. His cold expression softened just a fraction as he retrieved a couple of healing and recovery potions from his [Subspace] and brought them to her lips.
"Drink."
Celebi obediently swallowed the potions, and as her complexion turned rosy and the exhaustion in her eyes began to lift, her energy slowly returned.
"Woah~ Master, Celebi thought she was going to die there. Thank you so much."
She floated upright once more, regaining her usual posture, though her curiosity quickly overtook her.
"Master, Leora Ekklesia…"
Celebi was well aware of who Leora was—Aurelius's sworn sister from Yggdrasil. Although she wasn't an official member of Nazarick, her connection to Aurelius made her almost like an honorary guest.
Her strength, too, was on par with that of some of the Supreme Beings.
But Celebi's concern wasn't about who Leora was; it was about her presence as an anomaly that could hinder her master, Aurelius's plans. And, being as carefree and bubbly as usual, she made a bold suggestion without a second thought.
"Master, she's an anomaly in this timeline. Should we capture her? Or..."
Little Celebi paused, swiping a finger across her neck in a mock gesture of execution.
"How about ordering Albedo to form a team to kill her? Should I call Rubedo? With me here, there will be no problem."
If anyone else from Nazarick had made this suggestion, it would have carried a serious, heavy tone—perhaps even intimidating some of the weaker members. But coming from Celebi, with her innocent face and petite body, it felt more like a child trying to pretend to be serious in an adult conversation.
The entire scene was so absurdly comedic that Aurelius's lips twitched. He couldn't help but rub his temples once more, wondering where he'd gone wrong in creating this mischievous girl.
She might look innocent, but was anything but that.
"And what exactly would you do?" Aurelius asked dryly.
"Of course, Master, I would sit back and cheer for the others!"
Celebi declared proudly, patting her flat chest—a gesture that made tick marks appear on Aurelius's head, and he barely resisted the urge to pull this girl's ears.
Despite being just as loyal as the other NPCs, who often clamored for more responsibilities, Celebi always seemed to find ways to avoid work.
Even Aurelius had to sigh that she was indeed a unique character. Of course, he didn't want to dwell on her antics for too long.
So, he simply shook his head, his gaze shifting elsewhere.
"There's no need for that."
"But Master, Leora... she's dangerous, isn't she? Her appearance is outside of our plans."
Upon hearing her words, Aurelius's expression grew contemplative, and his mind drifted back to that day—just before the Yggdrasil's servers shut down.
That day, he had purposely sent Leora away on errands, ensuring she wouldn't be present during the critical moment when he alone would make the transition to this New World.
And yet, here she was—an unexpected variable in a carefully laid-out plan.
"Fate works in mysterious ways sometimes."
He muttered softly, more to himself than to Celebi.
Suddenly, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Celebi. I have my own plans for Leora."
Then, without waiting for Celebi to speak, he let out a quiet chuckle, though it was void of warmth. His gaze, as cold and calculating as ever, fell on her.
"Besides, if she's the Leora I know, she wouldn't dare harm my interests even in her dreams. She knows the consequences—more than anyone," he said, his tone growing sharper.
"She is my sworn sister and, in many ways, a daughter I picked up and raised from the ashes. She knows that mercy is not something I give freely—not even to her."
His words sent an involuntary shiver down Celebi's spine, and she instinctively floated back, as if fearful her master might catch her and grill her alive for his dinner the next moment.
She even vaguely remembered some terrible stories he had shared with her.
But ignoring her theatrics, Aurelius stood still, deep in thought.
In fact, being from Earth, Aurelius had never been bound by the sentimentalities of this anime world. His ambition, his power—those were his priorities. Anyone who dared threaten his interests, sister or not, would feel the full force of his wrath.
Noticing that Aurelius hadn't reacted in any of the terrifying ways she imagined after a brief silence, Celebi instantly regained her confidence.
"Then what will you do, Master? Will you meet her and bring her to Nazarick?"
This time, an amused smile crossed his lips as he glanced at her.
"Why would I go to her? She'll come to me on her own. So let her do what she wants."
"But what if...?"
Celebi didn't say anything more, but Aurelius understood her thoughts.
"Your memory seems to be getting weaker, Celebi... Then let me put it this way. If, by some infinitesimal chance, something goes wrong...
His eyes shifted upward, toward the towering Tree of Life, Sephiroth.
"Can't I just reset it all?"
Celebi followed his gaze, her throat tightening as she swallowed hard, fully grasping the gravity of his words.
"Y-yes, Master."
"Good," he said with finality. "Since Leora is here, let her play for now. With Leora there, I don't have to worry about Calca's safety."
Those words sealed Leora's future as well as her life in the Roble Holy Kingdom. However, this was of no concern to Aurelius. Instead, he shifted his focus and asked a question.
"So, Celebi, how much longer?"
Celebi gulped nervously.
"A few more months at most, Master. Should I ask Rubedo to open the entrance?"
"No need," he waved his hand in dismissal.
"I came here to check on 'its' progress anyway. Since there's still time left, there's no reason to create another variable by opening the entrance early because of my curiosity. It will be completed before Calca gives birth, correct?"
Although he directed the question at Celebi, his gaze remained fixed on the towering Sephiroth, more specifically, on the massive concentration of energy swirling within its core.
'It' was locked within another space-time, but 'its' immense presence could still be felt radiating outward.
This time, Celebi didn't dare play around.
"Yes, it should be finished well before then."
"Good."
With that, Aurelius patted Celebi's head gently and made no move to linger any longer. He had other things to do, so he turned, casting one last glance at the Sephiroth before leaving the 8th floor, deep in thought.
'Soon, very soon, I will eliminate even the smallest chance of my death. Time, fate, reality—everything will be within my grasp. Soon.'
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