Chương 8: A Glimpse from the Past

Sixty years before the hero died.

Under the command of the omniscient Shurahat, the Demon King's army swept through the enemy lines with unstoppable momentum.

Human society is on the verge of collapse.

But at this moment, within the Demon King's castle, the victory at the front could not dispel the gloom in Shurahat's heart.

He stood on the castle terrace, looking down at the demon soldiers who were fully prepared for battle, and once again cast the [Foresight] spell, but after a short while, the magical fluctuations subsided.

"Still nothing has changed?" Shurahart murmured.

"Just as you said, all those who try to peek into fate will ultimately be mocked by fate."

A low laugh came from the inky shadows behind him.

"That's enough, Shurahart."

"But……"

The figure in the shadows waved his hand, stopping Shurahart from saying what he was about to say, and continued speaking to himself:

"The future of the demon race will be born on the Demon King's tombstone. Doesn't that sound interesting?"

"We have been planning this for a thousand years, Shurahat."

Shurahart nodded slightly.

"But the price is far too high."

"Haha, there's a saying in the human world, 'equivalent exchange.' Since I want to reveal the answer, then there's nothing to say if the scales of fate take my life."

Shurahat foresaw the death of His Majesty the Demon King long before the war began.

When he was informed of this, His Majesty the Demon King was not afraid. On the contrary, he accepted it gladly and firmly believed that his death would be the cornerstone of the Demon Clan's path to a glorious future.

After that, Shurahat repeatedly cast the [Precognition] spell, attempting to pierce through the shadows of fate and see more of the demon race's future.

But none of it worked.

From that moment on, fate blinded him, and he could no longer see any future.

"Go back to the front lines, Shurahat, wipe out humanity completely, and let me see the answer to fate."

After saying this, His Majesty the Demon King's aura vanished from the spot.

Shurahat stood there for a long time, gazing at the demon army that roared like a tidal wave below, lost in thought.

Sudden.

A pale purple magic enveloped his eyes.

The magic of "foreseeing the future" was forcibly triggered by some force.

"So that's how it is..."

In that instant, Shurahat saw the future of the demon race once again.

The Demon King's death was inevitable, but he, Shurahat, would lead the Seven Sages to successfully intercept the strongest human, the Southern Hero, bringing a turning point to the fate of the Demon race.

Humanity will successfully resist this war of slaughter and gain a chance to catch its breath.

But the beast is most vulnerable when it licks its wounds, and at that time, the demons will win this millennia-long racial conflict.

Like His Majesty the Demon King, he was unable to witness the final victory.

But it doesn't matter, he doesn't care.

Shurahart closed his eyes and carefully examined the future he had just seen, the name that throbbed on the anchor of fate—Shane.

"What an interesting future."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

At the same time, in a certain mountain forest in the Central Kingdoms.

A tall man carrying two swords stood under the shade of a tree. He was refined and handsome with an outstanding temperament, but for some reason, he had two small mustaches that looked somewhat "playful".

This man is from the southern kingdoms and is known as the strongest human being, the "Hero of the South".

The Southern Hero looked at the elven girl not far away with a smile.

The girl was squatting by the river, washing the freshly picked fruits and vegetables.

The Southern Hero knew that, thanks to the girl's profound magical skills, her "magic perception" had already detected him.

However, since the other party did not greet him, he had no choice but to wait.

After all, it's lunchtime now.

Suddenly, a tremor from the depths of his soul clouded his vision.

[Future Vision] Magic triggers automatically.

In that instant, the hero of the South saw the near future.

He saw Shurahat, who was originally going to carry out the massacre plan, suddenly change his mind; he saw the Seven Sages of Collapse gathered on the northern plateau; he saw the tragic end of his battle with them; and he even saw the future decades later...

The future, which was originally shrouded in mist, suddenly found a clear path after a certain name appeared.

"Shane?"

His smile froze on his face, slowly turning into calm, and finally, he felt relieved.

"So I can't get to the Demon King's Castle after all."

There was undisguised regret in the man's tone.

But in a short while, he regained his confidence, "At least I can take away 3 of the 'Seven Sages,' so it's not a loss."

With that thought in mind, he stopped waiting silently and stepped out of the shade of the tree, coming to the elf girl.

Judging from the magical power emanating from the elven girl, the opponent seemed to be an ordinary mage of mediocre skill, but the Southern Hero knew that this was a "monster" who had been silently cultivating for a thousand years.

His purpose in coming here was to invite the other party to join him in defeating the Demon King.

"I refuse."

After hearing the invitation from the Southern Hero, the elven girl refused without hesitation, stating that she could not defeat the Demon King.

The Hero of the South chuckled self-deprecatingly, "So it really didn't work?"

Hearing his words, the elven girl was somewhat puzzled.

"You sound as if you already knew the outcome."

The Southern Hero stared into the elven girl's eyes for a moment, then re-examined the future he had just seen before continuing, "I do know, because I can see the future."

"One year from now, I will face the Demon King's strongest force, the Seven Sages of Collapse, on the northern plateau, and perish together with the Omniscient Shurahat."

Upon hearing this, Frillie, who had been expressionless, stopped what she was doing. She looked seriously at the tall hero in front of her and asked, "Since you know you're destined to die, why did you come in the first place?"

The Hero of the South smiled.

"I know that I won't be the one to save the world in the end. It's alright, there will always be others who follow on this road to victory."

A boy named Simmel will take up his ideals and beliefs and end the Demon King, while another boy named Shane will lead humanity to completely end this millennia-long racial conflict.

Even if my great achievements are destined to exist only in the shadows of history, it doesn't matter.

The elven girl frowned.

She didn't quite understand what the Southern Hero was saying. If you're destined not to be able to do something, then why bother trying?

The Hero of the South noticed the girl's confusion. He didn't expect many people to understand his ideals and ambitions; he just... wanted to see this girl who would become a legend in the future.

There's still a bit of resentment.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly and turned away decisively.

"Frilian, could you do me a favor?"

"?"

"When you embark on your journey, please pass on a message to that junior for me. Tell him that the Southern Hero, known as the strongest human being, will personally pave the way for him."

After saying that, he raised his head and faced his fate head-on.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Eighty years later, in the southern kingdoms, in the Lamir region, deep within the Ghost Bunker.

Xia En stepped into the secret chamber that had been sealed for a thousand years.

The thread of fate is anchored at this moment.