Chapter 764: Oliver (5)
During the age of magic and industry, a period often called the Golden Age of Humanity, there were still places that didn’t receive these blessings. These unblessed lands included the New World, the Sands, and the Eastern Wilds. In fact, even the chosen countries, blessed by the gods, had such places.
One such place lay at the very heart of the continent. The reason? A wicked dark magician.
This dark magician, a monster who kidnapped children with overwhelming power and slaughtered anyone who tried to stop him, was known by the alias "the Piper." Because of him, the central region of the continent not only missed out on the blessings of industrialization but was also left fragmented for centuries into countless small kingdoms, mired in poverty, political chaos, and social disorder.
However, that grim history began to change.
The change came when the Piper, the evil dark magician who had blocked the continent's progress, was finally defeated by the Church of Pater and the Allied Kingdoms.
News of the Piper's death spread across the world, and in the central region of the continent, which had suffered under his oppression, people celebrated.
Though those who returned from that battle were often scarred and broken, this was largely overlooked. It was only natural for warriors who had fought such a great war to show signs of mental strain. But more importantly, parents no longer had to watch helplessly as their children were taken from them.
It felt like a new era, as if spring had come after a long winter.
The only issue was that this hopeful atmosphere was as fleeting as spring itself.
"...Currently, each of the small kingdoms in the central region of the continent is increasing its military budget. They’re preparing for war."
In a deserted village surrounded by a dense forest, the Sleeping Princess spoke.
Across from her sat Oliver.
Oliver sat in silence, and the Sleeping Princess took a sip of the coffee he had brought her.
"Like the United Kingdoms and Gallos, they want to expand their territories before engaging in colonial wars. Thanks to that, the scent of war is heavy in the air."
The Sleeping Princess moistened her throat with the coffee she held.
"Isn’t it ironic? They seem eager to create a new disaster now that the previous one is gone."
Her voice was filled with sincerity rather than bitterness.
Even after living for centuries, hearing countless stories, it always felt new.
Once one problem disappeared, a new one always emerged to test humanity.
What was interesting, though, was that these new problems were often ones that people created for themselves.
“Well, isn’t that what makes life interesting?” Oliver replied to the princess, who found it perpetually intriguing despite her centuries of life.
The Sleeping Princess looked at him, both surprised and as if she’d expected this response.
"...It seems you’ve changed."
“I have. My hair’s back to its original color, and I’m putting on some weight,” Oliver said, tapping his body, which was filling out again with muscle and flesh after adequate meals.
“Doesn’t it strike you as strange? Despite all the effort to defeat the Piper, they now prepare to wage war against each other.”
“Not particularly. I learned that when the Flesh Chef and Eternal Fan died, and dark magicians went on a rampage. When great power vanishes, smaller powers rise and cause chaos.”
The Sleeping Princess asked another question.
“Then, aren’t you disappointed?”
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s hard to say I’m disappointed. Given the nature of nations, it’s natural in this age for them to devour one another... That doesn’t mean it’s right, but it’s unavoidable. So, rather than disappointment, I feel regret.”
The Sleeping Princess silently weighed the weight of Oliver’s words.
Saying he felt regret rather than disappointment—it was hard to imagine how much thought and pain had led him to that.
At that moment, Oliver spoke again.
“But, in the end, I believe things will improve.”
“If I may, what makes you believe that?”
“After the deaths of the Flesh Chef, the Eternal Fan, and the Piper, dark magicians did go on a rampage, but peace has since returned, hasn’t it?”
Before the impending war in the central continent, dark magicians had already caused havoc.
With the Flesh Chef gone, others scrambled to fill the void.
Seeing Oliver’s role in defeating the Piper, they sought to spread twisted beliefs and apocalyptic doctrines.
But recently, the chaos had subsided, and some measure of order had returned.
This was partly thanks to Oliver, who had led the Sleeping Princess out of the shadows…
And the creatures that surrounded the now-abandoned village.
The one responsible for restoring this order spoke cautiously.
“If permitted, may I say something?”
“Please, go ahead. That’s why I’m here.”
“Then I’ll say it… Order was restored among the dark magicians because I intervened.”
“Indeed.”
“And I intervened because of you.”
The Sleeping Princess gestured politely toward Oliver.
It was true. Before returning to Landa, a lost Oliver had encountered the Sleeping Princess, who persuaded him. Before he left, he took her into himself, creating the Sleeping Forest within her, both protecting and imprisoning her.
He had commanded her to quell the rampaging dark magicians and restore peace.
“In short, my point is that the dark magician issue and this war are entirely different matters. Or are you planning to stay here and personally prevent the war?”
Oliver shook his head.
“No. I’m not going to stop the war. All I can offer is help. If I meddle in every affair, that would lead to the path the gods least desire.”
“What path is that?”
“For people to abandon their pursuit of their own path, becoming mere followers, like livestock or slaves. Humans must never be that way.”
"...Even if that means countless lives are lost in battles, that suffering and hatred will run rampant?”
“Yes.”
Oliver answered without hesitation.
It was a harsh response, but the Sleeping Princess didn’t reply quickly.
During that silence, Oliver looked up at the sky.
Though it was afternoon, the dense forest made it seem a bit dark.
"...Even if, by some miracle, a god were to descend upon this land, conflict would still arise.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Everyone would want to sit at His right hand. It’s instinct.”
“That… I can’t deny.”
The Sleeping Princess could not disagree. Even if a god descended and taught love and harmony, humans would likely fight to be in the closest position.
As Oliver said, it was instinct.
“Yet, if He were truly a god, couldn’t He eliminate that instinct?”
“It would only be possible if He reshaped humanity entirely, but that would go against His will.”
“What is the will of God?”
“Pride, envy, wrath, and lust—though people possess these sins, they strive to overcome them and become better beings. At least, that’s what I believe.”
“Are you saying you’re uncertain?”
“Being too certain can be a form of arrogance as well. I’m not God.”
Hearing this, the Sleeping Princess let out a small laugh.
Despite emerging from her true shell and changing, some things hadn’t changed.
Even now, as the being second closest to the gods on this earth, he still refrained from claiming absolute certainty.
“Thank you for your wise words. However, you haven’t answered my question yet. How are the issue with the dark magicians and the impending war similar?”
“Before I answer, may I ask you a question?”
“? Please do.”
“It’s true that I asked you to stop the dark magicians and restore peace, but I never specified how. I was in no state to do so.”
This was true. At the time, Oliver had merely requested that she control the dark magicians and quiet them down; he hadn’t instructed her on how.
The Sleeping Princess nodded.
“Yes, you didn’t.”
“Then why did you choose to subdue them appropriately rather than destroy them completely? Why did you choose to suppress them and then persuade them to stop by invoking my name?”
The Sleeping Princess could not answer immediately.
“...Perhaps because you wouldn’t have wanted it any other way?”
“No, at that time, I didn’t care either way. To my shame, I only cared about the outcome, not the process. You must have known that.”
“…”
“You, the Sleeping Princess, chose to save and persuade them despite the additional effort it required. By your own will. Likewise, what will happen in the future is similar. While many sad events will unfold, ultimately, people will make better choices... Does this answer your question?”
Instead of answering, the Sleeping Princess stood and knelt before Oliver on one knee.
“I see now that I stand no chance against your words.”
“I’ve always been better with words, haven’t I?”
“I’d like to argue, but as the weaker one, I’ll simply agree.”
Oliver joked lightly, and the Sleeping Princess responded with humor as well.
However, both of their gazes were as serious as those of people facing a momentous task.
A moment later, the Sleeping Princess spoke in a low, calm voice.
“Mighty one, I have a request.”
“Please, speak.”
“Now... please, I implore you, grant me release from this life.”
The Sleeping Princess bowed her head as she knelt on one knee.
Oliver showed no reaction, as if he had anticipated this.
It was easy to understand if one thought about it.
After living for centuries, one could have ample reason to yearn for death. Moreover, the Sleeping Princess hadn’t chosen this eternal life of her own will.
For her, immortality was closer to a curse, an unintended consequence of the witches' twisted ritual to use the kingdom for their own power.
Above all, the reason she now wished for death wasn’t just to find personal peace.
“Your creatures look far more polished than before,” Oliver observed, looking at the creatures surrounding the forest near the abandoned village.
These creatures were her subjects, twisted by the dark rituals of the witches into monstrous forms. But now, they resembled soldiers and knights with a cleaner, more dignified appearance.
“It’s thanks to the ‘Great Hand’ that passed through them... Yet, despite this improvement, they are still trapped, bound to me.”
Besides these creatures, there were others still within her body—her loyal subjects who had become part of her essence, the source of the power that formed the Sleeping Forest and the strength that shielded her.
Her ultimate reason for seeking peace through Oliver was not simply her own comfort. It was to grant true rest to her people, those who had been unwilling sacrifices to the witches’ dark magic.
For this reason, she had waited for Oliver for centuries, as the Sleeping Princess of the forest.
"Is it for your own rest that you seek death? Or for your people’s peace?"
“For both. Of course, if I still have tasks to complete, I would continue to serve yo—”
Snap!
Oliver snapped his fingers, interrupting her.
It was merely a light snap, seemingly without any effect. But the Sleeping Princess, of all people, was the first to sense the change.
She quickly surveyed her surroundings and examined the state of her creatures.
“I’ve freed your subjects.”
Oliver’s explanation left no room for doubt. The creatures that had surrounded the village had disappeared entirely.
The Sleeping Princess didn’t question it; she was acutely aware of the reality. The souls of her people, once trapped within her, had vanished without a trace, finally finding peace.
“Why… am I still here?”
“Don’t misunderstand. I haven’t kept you here just to assign more tasks.”
“Then…?”
“It’s simply because I want you to live.”
“Live… my life?”
“Yes, as your own person, not as the beloved princess, the hated princess, or the Sleeping Princess, but simply as yourself.”
Oliver placed his hand on her head, bestowing a quiet blessing.
“With this amount of strength, you should have no trouble protecting yourself. Now, live as you wish.”
The Sleeping Princess pondered Oliver’s words, then asked carefully, “...Do you mean there will be no issue if I no longer control the dark magicians?”
“There’s no problem. You’ve done enough. Now, you are free to live your life. You could travel the world as yourself, build a family with someone you love, or help those in need. Live according to your own will. That is why I sought you out.”
As if to affirm his words, Oliver began adjusting his clothes as though he was preparing to leave.
The Sleeping Princess let out a small laugh.
“You truly leave a challenge each time you depart.”
“It’s part of my charm.”
As Oliver finished arranging his clothes and prepared to leave, the Sleeping Princess called out.
“Do you know that it’s not entirely over?”
Oliver answered without hesitation.
“Yes, I know. But it will end soon.”
“Meeting you and serving you, even if briefly, was an honor. My centuries of waiting were worth it.”
On her own will, without any prompting, the Sleeping Princess bowed deeply to Oliver.
Oliver stopped, turned around, and returned the gesture, bowing respectfully.
“It was an honor to meet you as well.”
Then, turning back once more, Oliver stepped into the forest.
Not long after, he encountered a man waiting for him.
“Professor Kevin. Shall we talk as we walk?”