Mortimer Frostblade’s POV
“Are you absolutely certain the next chosen ones are going to be announced soon?” I asked in a calm, measured tone, standing before a pristine white screen that concealed the identity of the person behind it.
“…. Yes… The time has come for the new world to awaken,” a hoarse, elderly voice rasped from behind the screen, carrying a weight of authority and mystery.
“Finally, it’s real! This is incredible news—we must inform everyone immediately,”
“May God protect us,”
“The prophecy… It’s unfolding,”
I glanced to my side, noticing a small group of nuns kneeling reverently, their hands clasped tightly together in prayer as if holding on to their faith for dear life.
With a composed demeanor, I turned to them and said, “Why don’t you go and spread the word? Her Majesty will undoubtedly take great pleasure in hearing these revelations.”
The nuns exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with elation, before nodding eagerly and hurrying out of the temple to deliver the momentous news to the world.
Left alone, I turned my attention back to the white screen, staring at it intently, my mind churning with possibilities…..
“Mortimer… Do not do this. You must realize the consequences of your actions could be dire—far beyond what you anticipate,” the hoarse voice cautioned, its tone laced with both apprehension and…. a hint of resignation?
A faint smile tugged at my lips, “So you do understand my thoughts… Truly, you are the only one who knows me this well. It’s almost uncanny,” I mused softly, chuckling as memories of my past life flickered through my mind.
“It’s not uncanny, Mortimer. I know because I’ve seen it—the chain of events you’re trying to set into motion,” the voice replied, its tone growing sharper. “If you proceed with this, you won’t just regret it—you’ll curse the very day you were born.”
“Hah,” I scoffed, my amusement briefly surfacing before it was replaced by a steely resolve. “If I don’t act now, I’ll spend the rest of my life drowning in regret” My fury boiled to the surface as I continued, “After The Glimpse of Truth, I finally understand what must be done….”
“Mortimer… you are gravely mistaken!” The voice now carried a desperate urgency. “What you saw… what you glimpsed… was never meant for mortal eyes. It’s not something you can tamper with on a mere whim. Have you forgotten? Look at yourself! Your body—aged, decayed beyond its years—all because of your insatiable curiosity!”
The words struck a nerve, and for a moment, my resolve faltered.
I glanced at my hands, wrinkled and withered, the veins standing out like stark reminders of my transgressions. By all rights, with my level of strength, I should still appear as a man in his prime…. Yet, my reckless pursuit of knowledge had cost me dearly. Clenching my fists, I muttered, “I know what I’ve done.” My voice then took on a cunning edge as I continued,
“I’ve seen the truth, and now… all I need is to learn how to wield it. That’s why I’m here. You know where the child is, don’t you?” My words were calm, but a subtle menace underpinned my tone.
“…..”
For a long moment, there was only silence from behind the screen. I waited patiently, knowing that the person would eventually yield…. And as expected, the words finally came:
“Let me warn you, Mortimer… Your actions will not just endanger yourself or your family. They will ripple outward, threatening the very foundation of the every empires. No one—not even you—can predict the changes your path will bring. And you… you will pay a price greater than you can imagine… whatever you take” the voice declared, heavy with ominous finality.
I stood firm, undeterred, waiting for the answer I sought….
“In an hour,” the voice finally relented, “A child from a village called Ebonhollow will rise to claim the title.” The words were delivered in a calm, almost indifferent tone, but their significance was undeniable.
“Ebonhollow?” I repeated, frowning deeply. “I’ve never even heard of such a village. Can you be more specific about its location?” I asked, pressing for clarity. Yet, the person behind the white screen remained silent, refusing to elaborate further.
Letting out a sigh of frustration, I turned on my heel and began to walk away from the temple. However, just as I reached the exit—
“I promise you this, Mortimer…” The voice broke the silence once more, its tone now laden with a cryptic mixture of foreboding and… amusement,
“The power you so desperately crave, even if it appears within your grasp—mere inches away—you will never be able to claim it…. And when that moment comes, you will lose everything.
Everything!!! But don’t despair, Your end will have both hope and joy… a unique fate, indeed!” The hoarse laughter that followed echoed ominously as I stepped out of the temple.
Determined, I immediately began my search. Scouring every book, map, and record I could find for the village of Ebonhollow, I even enlisted the help of mercenaries to aid in my quest. And finally, after relentless effort, I found… HIM.
Ether
Yet, instead of claiming the power for myself, I remembered the words of the prophecy.
I… I hesitated.
As much as I longed to hold this power—though it was within my reach—I faltered.
I didn’t fully understand what I might lose, but the prophecy always comes true. Reluctantly, I gave the power to my grandson…. Perhaps it would be best to see how this decision might shape the future.
Though I was a little skeptical about letting go of such immense power, I consoled myself with the thought that it remained within our family. Surely, Kai would listen to me and I will use him when the truth comes… I couldn’t foresee any significant problems arising from this choice… or so I thought.
Present….
“Oh, come on, Snow, you need to cook it just a little longer…”
“Really, Master? It smells so nice already… I want to eat now! Please, Master~”
“Sigh… Go ahead if you must, but you’ll regret missing the juicier taste once the Kraken’s properly cooked.”
The word Kraken snapped me out of my stupor, and my eyes fluttered open slowly. What greeted me was beyond anything I could have imagined—Ether cooking a Kraken’s tentacle over an open fire?
“W-What?” I stammered, my mind reeling in shock.
“Oh? You’re awake?” Ether remarked, his focus momentarily shifting to me. His initial surprise quickly gave way to amusement as his lips curled into a wry smirk. “Damn, old man, I thought you were dead! You nearly gave me a heart attack,” he added, sighing in what sounded like relief, though I could sense an undercurrent of deep annoyance in his tone.
My lips twitched as I attempted to lift myself, but—
“Hmm?” I frowned, realizing something was wrong. My body was tied to a stick, suspended horizontally above a pile of firewood.
My eyes widened in shock. “W-What the hell?” I immediately tried to break free, but to my dismay, I couldn’t even move a finger. My entire body was too strained and sore from the battle I’d endured earlier.
“Tsk, tsk… Look at you, already trying to escape the moment you wake up. Don’t you have even a shred of gratitude for being kept alive?” Ether’s voice cut through my panic like a blade, his tone laced with irritation as he stood over me.
My lips curled in a sneer. “You… fucking sla—”
Slap!
A sharp sting erupted across my cheek. ‘What the…’ I thought, too taken aback to react.
“What did you just say?” Ether’s voice was low and dangerous as he loomed over me. Before I could respond—
Slap!!
“Answer me, you bitch,” he growled, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he delivered another stinging blow.
“You… How dar—”
Slap!!!
“Y-You rotte—”
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For every word I attempted to utter, whether it was out of defiance or sheer frustration, he silenced me with a harsh slap, his expression disturbingly satisfied with my humiliation.
“Master, let’s cook him too~”
I flinched at the sound of the soft, almost playful voice. Turning my restricted head as far as I could, I froze… There, perched beside Ether, was a snake—no, not just any snake.
It had golden eyes that glimmered with malice and a strange… rainbow-colored arcane crystal embedded in its forehead?
“What in the name of…” My voice trailed off, my thoughts racing….
A new arcane crystal?
My mind whirred, momentarily distracted by this extraordinary discovery. But before I could process it further, the snake reared its head and unleashed a small burst of fire onto the woodpile beneath me.
“Hehe… He’s going to be so tasty, Master~” the snake hissed gleefully, its golden eyes fixed on me with an unsettling hunger.
At that moment, the horrifying realization dawned upon me.
To that snake,
I wasn’t a man!
I wasn’t a warrior!!
I wasn’t even Ether’s prisoner!!!
I was nothing more than food!!!!