Chapter 764: Oliver

Even in the era of magic and industry, the so-called golden age of humanity, there were places that did not receive its blessings.

The New Continent, the Land of Sand, and the East were considered savage lands. Yet, in truth, even the divine-blessed nations had such places.

That place was none other than the Central Continent. The reason was a wicked Dark Sorcerer.

A monstrous figure that kidnapped children with overwhelming power and slaughtered anyone who stood in his way. He was known as the Pied Piper.

Because of him, not only did the Central Continent fail to enjoy industrial blessings, but for centuries it remained divided, torn into countless small, impoverished states marked by political, social, and economic turmoil.

However, that history began to change.

The change occurred when the Pied Piper, the wicked Dark Sorcerer who hindered the continent’s progress, was defeated by the Pater Church and the United Kingdom’s coalition.

News of the Piper’s death spread across the world, and the Central Continent, in particular, celebrated the end of their torment.

Although many who returned from the battle were not in good condition, nobody paid much attention to that fact.

It was natural for those who fought in a great war to suffer mentally, and more importantly, parents no longer had to fear losing their children before their very eyes.

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

The problem, however, was that this new feeling of hope was as short-lived and fleeting as a spring day.

“…Various small kingdoms across the Central Continent are currently increasing their military preparations. It’s clear they are getting ready for war.”

In an abandoned village surrounded by the Verdant Forest, Sleeping Beauty spoke.

Opposite her sat Oliver.

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

“It seems they wish to fatten themselves, just as the United Kingdom and Gallos once did before participating in colonial wars. Because of this, a sense of inevitable conflict hangs over the continent.”

Sleeping Beauty wet her throat with another sip of coffee.

“It’s ironic, isn’t it? As soon as the disaster is gone, they start creating their own new one.”

Her tone was genuine rather than laced with sarcasm.

Even after living for hundreds of years and witnessing so many stories, there was always something new.

When one problem vanished, a new issue would inevitably arise to challenge people once again.

The interesting part was that these new problems always seemed to be of human creation.

“Isn’t that what makes life interesting?”

Despite living for centuries, Oliver always found things novel and said so.

Sleeping Beauty reacted with a mix of surprise and expectation.

“…You’ve really changed.”

“I have. My hair’s back to its original color, and I’ve regained weight as well.”

Oliver gently tapped his now-black hair and the body that had built muscle thanks to regular meals.

“Aren’t you amazed? After all that effort to defeat the Pied Piper, now they plan to go to war among themselves.”

“Not really. I learned from the deaths of the Flesh Cook and Eternal Child Fen, as well as the antics of the Dark Sorcerers. When great power disappears, smaller ones run wild.”

Sleeping Beauty asked another question.

“So, aren’t you disappointed by this?”

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s hard to say I’m disappointed. Given how nations work these days, it’s natural for one to devour another. I don’t think it’s right, but it’s inevitable. So rather than disappointment, it’s just…sad.”

Sleeping Beauty quietly reflected on the weight of Oliver’s words.

Not disappointed but saddened. She couldn’t even begin to fathom how much pain and struggle had preceded such a sentiment.

Then Oliver spoke again.

“But in the end, I believe it will get better.”

“May I ask, what makes you think so?”

“After the deaths of the Flesh Cook, Eternal Child Fen, and the Pied Piper, the Dark Sorcerers went on a rampage, but peace was eventually restored, wasn’t it?”

Before war once again loomed over the Central Continent, Dark Sorcerers had already begun to rise, throwing the world into chaos.

When the monster known as the Flesh Cook died, they sought to fill the void in power.

When Oliver defeated the Pied Piper, they wanted to spread misguided faith, twisted beliefs, and apocalyptic doctrines.

But recently, the situation had calmed, and a semblance of order returned.

All thanks to Oliver and the efforts of the newly awakened Sleeping Beauty.

Now surrounded by what had once been countless Creatures in the abandoned village.

The one who helped restore that order finally spoke, cautiously.

“If permitted, may I say something?”

“Please, go ahead. That’s why I’m here.”

“Well then… I’d like to say this: the reason the Dark Sorcerers were subdued was because I intervened.”

“That’s true.”

“And the reason I intervened was because of you.”

Sleeping Beauty pointed to Oliver respectfully.

Indeed, it was true.

It was before Oliver returned to Randa, while he was still wandering aimlessly, that they met. Persuaded by her words, he protected her and, at the same time, imprisoned her forest within her body before he left.

He ordered her to stop the Dark Sorcerers from using his name for their chaotic rampages.

“In short, my point is this: the matter with the Dark Sorcerers is completely different from war. Or are you planning to stay here and personally stop the war?”

Oliver shook his head.

“No, I’m not going to stop the war. The best I can do is offer help. If I were to involve myself in every minor conflict, it would lead the world in a direction that would be most displeasing to God.”

“And what would that be?”

“People would stop finding their own way and become mere followers, like cattle or slaves. And that’s not what people are meant to become.”

“…Even if that means countless lives would be lost in conflict, with pain and hatred spreading?”

“Yes.”

Oliver answered without hesitation.

It was a harsh answer, but Sleeping Beauty couldn’t offer a rebuttal.

While they sat in silence, Oliver gazed skyward.

Even though it was the afternoon, the dense forest made it feel slightly dark.

“…Even if, just barely, on the off chance God were to descend to this land, there would still be conflict.”

“And why do you believe that?”

“Because everyone would want to sit at His right hand. It’s instinct.”

“That…is something I cannot deny.”

Sleeping Beauty could not refute that. Even if God descended to preach love and harmony, humans would fight over who could listen the closest.

As Oliver said, it was simply instinct.

“But wouldn’t God be able to eliminate even that instinct?”

“Only by twisting the very essence of humanity, but that would go against His will.”

“And what exactly is God’s will?”

“That despite humanity’s sins like pride, greed, envy, and wrath—or even lust, gluttony, and sloth—they strive to overcome them and become better beings. At least, that’s what I believe.”

“So you’re not entirely sure?”

“Too much certainty is also a form of arrogance, isn’t it? After all, I’m not God.”

Sleeping Beauty chuckled softly at his words.

Though he had emerged from his former shell, fundamentally, he remained unchanged.

Even now, in this place—or perhaps anywhere—and as the one closest to God, he remained wary of being too certain.

“Thank you for your wise words. But you still haven’t answered my question. What is the commonality between the Dark Sorcerers and war?”

“Before I answer, may I ask a question in return?”

“? Please, go ahead.”

“While I did ask you to stop the Dark Sorcerers and calm the chaos, I never told you how exactly to do it. Did I?”

This was true. Oliver had only asked her to quell the Dark Sorcerers’ rampage, not instructed her in how.

Sleeping Beauty nodded in agreement.

“Yes, you were quite vague.”

“Why did you stop at merely subduing them? You could have killed them all. Why did you choose to spare them and persuade them using my name instead?”

Sleeping Beauty couldn’t immediately answer.

“…I suppose it’s because you didn’t want me to kill them.”

“No, at the time, I didn’t care how it was done. To be honest, I was only focused on the result, totally indifferent to the process. You probably knew that.”

“…”

“Instead of killing them, you chose the more difficult path of sparing and persuading them. That was your choice. The same will be true for what happens next. There will be more sadness, but in the end, people will make better choices… Does that answer your question?”

Sleeping Beauty rose from her seat and knelt before Oliver.

“I’ve realized I can’t win a battle of words with you.”

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

“I’d object, but I lack the strength to argue, so I’ll concede.”

Oliver cracked a light-hearted joke, and Sleeping Beauty responded in kind.

Despite the lightness of their conversation, their eyes conveyed the seriousness of two people about to face significant decisions.

After a moment of heavy silence, Sleeping Beauty spoke in a subdued tone.

“Great One, I beg of you… please, take my life now.”

“Speak your mind.”

“Now, I request… that you relieve me of my life.”

Sleeping Beauty remained bowed, one knee still on the ground.

Oliver showed no surprise, as though he had been expecting this.

And, indeed, it was something that anyone could have guessed with just a little thought.

After all, hundreds of years were more than enough for anyone to yearn for death, especially in her case.

In fact, Sleeping Beauty hadn’t wanted to live for centuries in the first place.

Her immortality had been an accidental curse, a result of witches exploiting her kingdom for power.

More importantly, Sleeping Beauty’s desire for death wasn’t just solely for her peace.

“The Creatures surrounding the village look much more orderly now.”

Oliver glanced at the many Creatures that surrounded the abandoned village.

These were her subjects, twisted into Creatures by the rituals witches had used to curse them.

Now, though, they looked more like tidy knights and soldiers.

“It’s thanks to the Great One’s intervention… but the fact that they’re bound to me in misery has not changed.”

Of course, those Creatures were still part of her being, as were her original subjects, forever tied to her fate.

The Creatures were both her life force, and the power that sustained the Sleeping Forest that protected her.

The true reason she sought release through Oliver was to free her subjects, who had been sacrificed for their failed rituals.

For this reason, Sleeping Beauty had waited for Oliver for centuries.

“Are you seeking death merely for your own peace? Or for the peace of your people?”

“Both. But if there is still more work to be done, I’d gladly serve you—”

Snap!

Oliver snapped his fingers, instantly cutting off her next words.

It was merely a light snap of his fingers. On the surface, nothing appeared to change, but the Sleeping Beauty knew better than anyone.

Sensing the sudden shift, Sleeping Beauty looked around to check on her Creatures.

“I’ve freed your subjects from bondage.”

The suddenly vanishing Creatures had all disappeared without a trace, and Oliver explained what had happened.

Sleeping Beauty couldn’t refute it. She could feel it more profoundly than anyone else.

The groans of her suffering subjects, once trapped inside her, had ceased completely.

“But why am I still—?”

“Don’t misunderstand. You’re not being kept alive so I can continue giving you tasks.”

“Then, why?”

“Because I want you to live your own life.”

“My own life?”

“Yes. Not as the beloved Princess, nor as the hated Princess or the Sleeping Princess… but as a human being.”

Oliver placed his hand atop her bowed head, giving her a blessing.

“With this power, you will at least be capable of protecting yourself. Now live, and do what you desire.”

After pondering Oliver’s words carefully, Sleeping Beauty asked a question,

“…Do you mean that I no longer need to watch over or control the Dark Sorcerers?”

“Yes. You’ve done enough. Live your life as a person. You can travel the world as a woman, you can meet someone you love, even start a family. Or help those in need. Make your own choices. That’s why I sought you out.”

As if to prove his words, Oliver adjusted his clothes and prepared to leave.

Sleeping Beauty let out a small laugh.

“You always seem to leave me with a challenge.”

“That’s my charm.”

As Oliver finished tidying himself and prepared to depart, Sleeping Beauty stopped him with one last question.

“You realize this isn’t completely over, don’t you?”

Oliver answered without hesitation.

“I do. But it will be soon.”

“Having met you, and having served you for even a brief time, I feel honored. My centuries of waiting were not in vain.”

For the first time—of her own volition—Sleeping Beauty knelt and bowed to Oliver.

Oliver paused in his step, turning to offer her a proper farewell.

“It was an honor to meet you as well.”

Then he continued onward,

entering the forest soon after, where he encountered a man.

“Professor Kevin, mind walking with me and chatting on the way?”