#764

Oliver (5)

Even during the age of magic and industry, hailed as the golden age of humanity, there were places untouched by its blessings.

Such places included the New Continent, the Land of Sand, and the barbaric Eastern Lands. But even among the nations deemed chosen and blessed by the gods, there were areas like this.

This place was none other than the central continent. The reason? A wicked warlock.

A monster with overwhelming power who kidnapped children and massacred anyone who stood in his way. He was called Pied Piper.

Because of him, the central continent not only failed to enjoy the blessings of industrialization but also remained fragmented into countless small states for centuries, suffering poverty and political and social turmoil.

However, that history gradually began to change.

This change was marked by the downfall of the wicked warlock, Pied Piper, who had obstructed the central continent's development, defeated by the Parter Church and the alliance of small kingdoms.

The news of Pied Piper's death spread worldwide, and in the central continent, where his terror had been most felt, celebrations erupted.

Although most of those who returned from the conflict were in poor condition, few paid it much attention.

It was considered natural for those who fought in a great war to show mental instability, and the relief of no longer losing children right before their eyes was far more significant.

It felt like a new era, as if spring had arrived after a long winter.

The problem was that such an atmosphere, like spring, was fleeting and ephemeral.

"…Currently, the small kingdoms in the central continent are increasing their military spending. They're preparing for war."

In an abandoned village surrounded by a dense forest, Sleeping Beauty spoke.

Sitting across from her was Oliver.

Oliver remained silent, and Sleeping Beauty sipped the coffee he had brought.

"They intend to grow their mainland influence before joining colonial wars like the United Kingdom and Galos. As a result, the tension of war is thick in many places."

Sleeping Beauty moistened her throat with the coffee in her hand.

"It's ironic, isn’t it? As soon as a disaster disappears, they try to create a new one themselves."

Her voice carried genuine emotion, not sarcasm.

Even after living for centuries and witnessing countless stories, it always felt new.

When one problem disappeared, a new one always arose to test humanity.

What was interesting was that people themselves created these new problems.

"Well, isn't that what makes life interesting?"

Oliver responded to Sleeping Beauty's thoughts that life always felt new even after centuries.

Sleeping Beauty reacted with a mix of surprise and expectation.

"…You’ve certainly changed."

"I have changed. My hair has returned to its original color, and my body is regaining muscle and flesh."

Oliver tapped his once-again dark hair and his well-nourished body, restored through proper meals.

"Aren’t you surprised? After all the effort to bring down Pied Piper, they're now preparing for wars among themselves."

"Not really. After witnessing the demise of Human-meat Chef and Eternal Child Pan and the rampage of the warlocks, I’ve learned. When great power disappears, smaller powers create more noise."

Sleeping Beauty posed another question.

"Then, aren't you disappointed?"

"I do find it unfortunate, but it's hard to say I'm outright disappointed. Given the nature of states as organizations, consuming other nations is a natural course in this era, isn’t it? …Not that it’s right, but it’s inevitable. So, rather than being disappointed, I feel regretful."

Sleeping Beauty silently pondered the weight of Oliver's words.

Regretful rather than disappointed—she could hardly fathom the amount of anguish and pain that must have preceded such a statement.

At that moment, Oliver’s voice broke the silence.

"But I still believe things will eventually improve."

"If I may ask, what makes you think so?"

"After the deaths of Human-meat Chef, Eternal Child Pan, and Pied Piper, warlocks rampaged, but eventually, peace was restored, didn’t it?"

Before the current rising tension of war in the central continent, warlocks had disrupted the world.

When the monster known as Human-meat Chef died, others fought to take his place.

When Oliver defeated Pied Piper, false faiths, delusions, and doomsday cults spread in his wake.

Yet recently, the chaos had subsided, and some semblance of order was restored.

This was partly due to Oliver and partly due to Sleeping Beauty, whom he had freed from seclusion.

Now, the one responsible for this restored order spoke carefully.

"If I may, could I share something?"

"Speak freely. That is why I am here."

"Then, I shall speak… The warlocks were brought to order because I intervened."

"That is true."

"And I intervened because of you."

Sleeping Beauty pointed to Oliver with a polite gesture.

Indeed, it was true.

Before Oliver returned to Landa, wandering aimlessly, he met Sleeping Beauty.

Persuaded by her words, he took action, simultaneously protecting and confining her by sealing the Sleeping Forest within her body.

He ordered her to suppress the warlocks who recklessly spread his name and to quell the ensuing chaos.

"In summary, my point is that the warlock incident and the war are entirely different matters. Unless, of course, you intend to remain here and personally stop the war?"

Oliver shook his head.

"No. I will not stop the war. The most I can offer is assistance. If I were to intervene in everything, it would lead humanity in the direction most unwanted by the gods."

"And what might that be?"

"To abandon the pursuit of their own path and follow blindly, like livestock or slaves. Humanity must not become that."

"…Even if it leads to conflict, rivers of blood, and a world filled with pain and hatred?"

"Yes."

Oliver answered without hesitation.

It was a harsh answer, but Sleeping Beauty couldn’t respond lightly.

In the silence that followed, Oliver looked up at the sky.

Although it was afternoon, the dense forest made the surroundings seem somewhat dim.

"…Even if, by some infinitesimal chance, the gods themselves were to descend upon this land, conflict would still arise."

"And why do you believe that?"

"Everyone would want to sit at His right hand. It's instinct, really."

"That... I cannot deny," Sleeping Beauty admitted. Even if God Himself descended to teach love and harmony, humanity would fight to be the ones closest to Him.

As Oliver said, it was akin to instinct.

"Still, wouldn’t God be able to eliminate even that instinct?"

"Perhaps if He twisted humanity’s nature entirely, but that would contradict His will."

"And what is God’s will?"

"Pride, greed, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, sloth—despite these sins, to overcome them and strive to become better beings. At least, that’s what I believe."

"Are you saying you're not certain?"

"Being too certain is also a form of arrogance. And I am not God."

Sleeping Beauty chuckled softly at Oliver’s words.

Despite breaking out of his former shell and changing, he hadn’t completely transformed.

Even now, as someone perhaps second closest to the divine on this earth, he remained reluctant to claim absolute certainty about anything.

"Thank you for your thoughtful words. However, you still haven’t answered my question. How are the warlocks and the war the same?"

"Before I answer, may I ask you a question?"

"? Please, go ahead."

"I did ask you to stop the warlocks and quell the chaos, but I never specified how to do so. I simply didn’t have the capacity at the time."

This was true. At the time, Oliver only demanded the sorcerers be stopped and silenced; he gave no instructions on the method.

Sleeping Beauty nodded in agreement.

"Yes, that’s correct."

"Then why did you choose to stop most of them at a moderate level? You could have simply wiped them all out, yet you restrained yourself and persuaded them to stop, using my name as leverage. Why?"

Sleeping Beauty hesitated, unable to respond immediately.

"Because… you wouldn’t have wanted it that way?"

"No, at the time, I didn’t care either way. Embarrassingly, I only wanted results and paid no attention to the process. And I believe you knew that."

"…"

"You, Sleeping Beauty, chose to save and persuade rather than kill, even though it required more effort. It was your will. The events to come will likely be the same. Many tragic things will happen, but in the end, people will make better choices. Does that answer your question?"

Sleeping Beauty did not reply with words. Instead, she stood and knelt before Oliver on one knee.

"I no longer see any way to win against you in words."

"I’ve always been better with words, haven’t I?"

"I’d argue, but as one without power, I’ll concede this time."

Oliver joked lightly, and Sleeping Beauty responded in kind.

However, their gazes remained as serious as those of people facing a crucial moment.

After a brief silence, Sleeping Beauty spoke in a subdued voice.

"Great One, I have a request to make of you."

"Speak."

"Now… please, I beg you, take my life."

Sleeping Beauty bowed her head while still kneeling on one knee.

Oliver showed no particular reaction, as though he had expected this.

In truth, it wasn’t difficult to deduce.

A life spanning centuries provided more than enough time for someone to yearn for death.

Moreover, Sleeping Beauty hadn’t chosen to live for centuries willingly.

Her immortality had been an unintended curse brought upon her by witches who sought to use her kingdom to gain power.

Above all, her wish for death wasn’t driven by selfish desire for peace.

"Your creatures look far cleaner than before," Oliver remarked.

Oliver looked at the creatures inhabiting the forest surrounding the abandoned village.

They were all citizens of Sleeping Beauty, reshaped into twisted creatures by the witch's warped rituals.

Yet now, they resembled clean and orderly knights and soldiers.

"Thanks to the touch of a great hand... Yet, the fact remains that they are bound to me, unable to die," Sleeping Beauty said.

Not only the visible creatures but also the citizens within her body were still present.

They were the source of her centuries-long life, the power that formed the Sleeping Forest, and the very creatures that protected her.

The true reason she sought rest through Oliver was to grant genuine peace to the citizens who had been offered as sacrifices against their will.

For that purpose, she had waited centuries as Sleeping Beauty.

"Do you wish for death for your own peace, or for the peace of your people?" Oliver asked.

"Both. Of course, if there is still work for me, I would gladly serve you a little longer—"

Snap!

Oliver interrupted her by snapping his fingers.

It was a simple gesture. On the surface, nothing seemed to change, but Sleeping Beauty immediately sensed something was amiss.

She quickly scanned her surroundings, examining the state of her creatures.

"I have released all of your people," Oliver explained, referring to the creatures that had vanished in an instant.

Sleeping Beauty could not deny it. She knew better than anyone that the suffering souls who had been trapped within her were now gone.

"But why...?"

"Please, don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I left you behind to continue serving me."

"Then… why?"

"Because I wanted you to live your life."

"My life?"

"Yes. Not as the beloved princess, the scorned princess, or Sleeping Beauty. I want you to live as yourself, as a human."

Oliver placed his hand on the head of the kneeling Sleeping Beauty, bestowing a blessing upon her.

"With this power, you should have no difficulty protecting yourself. From now on, live as you wish."

Sleeping Beauty pondered his words deeply before asking, "…Are you saying it will be fine without me controlling the warlocks?"

"It will be fine. You’ve already done more than enough. Now, it’s time for you to live your life. You can travel the world not as a princess but as a person. You can meet someone you love, start a family, or help those in need. Live by your will. That is why I came to you."

Oliver adjusted his coat, preparing to leave as if to prove his point.

Sleeping Beauty let out a small laugh.

"You always leave trials in your wake, don’t you?"

"That’s part of my charm."

As Oliver finished straightening his coat and prepared to depart, Sleeping Beauty spoke again.

"Do you know that this isn’t entirely over yet?"

Oliver responded without hesitation, "I do. But it will end soon."

"Meeting you and serving you, even for a short while, has been an honor. My centuries of waiting were not in vain."

For the first time, of her own will, Sleeping Beauty bowed deeply to Oliver.

Oliver paused mid-step, turned back, and returned her gesture with a polite bow.

"It has been an honor to meet you as well."

With that, Oliver turned back and walked into the forest.

Shortly after, he encountered a man.

"Professor Kevin. Shall we talk as we go?"