"But now, you even know the specific function of the Hourglass of Time, one of the oldest Sacred Relics."
The girl in the black dress sized up Shiayar with her red-gold eyes. "Have you also obtained an all-knowing Sacred Relic?"
"'The Fool's Great Library,' 'The Destiny Slate,' 'The Observer's Diary'… or is it that damned cup that talks so much?"
The Fool's Great Library, The Destiny Slate, The Observer's Diary… are they all all-knowing type Sacred Relics?
Listening to Augutina's question, Shiayar couldn't help but ponder silently.
There were no options for these Sacred Relics in the exchange at the Sands of Time Mall… Was it because they weren't unlocked, or were they simply unobtainable?
And then there was— "that damned cup that talks so much."
It seemed the reputation of the Little Prison Cup had always been quite poor.
Wait. Judging by Augutina's tone, it seemed she hadn't just heard about it, but had actually come into contact with it—and even suffered a loss at the hands of the Little Prison Cup.
According to the Little Prison Cup's own words, it had been lost for over two thousand years… He drew a sharp breath. Augutina's origins seemed to be even more ancient than he had imagined.
No wonder in her eyes, even his primary wife, Silvia, was just a "little girl."
That would make Augutina's age…
Shiayar carefully tucked away this impolite thought.
He had learned his lesson from Silvia. The spiritual power of those on the Thrones was formidable, each one stronger than the last. If his emotions fluctuated too much without his guard up, one of them might overhear his thoughts at any moment.
Shiayar's expression remained unchanged. "Her Highness Augutina is truly the greatest purveyor of information… the queen of the gray world. You've approached the answer so quickly."
Opposite him, Augutina's posture relaxed, becoming languid once more.
Her pale fingers tapped lightly in The Void.
The next moment, inky black shadows wove themselves into two chairs behind Augutina and Shiayar.
"Since you've acquired an all-knowing Sacred Relic, I imagine you understand what you're about to face."
Augutina leaned back on the shadow-wrought seat, scrutinizing Shiayar with her red-gold eyes.
"You're willing to take such great risks to return to this Echo of History, presumably to save that little girl, Isadella."
"But you need to be clear about one thing."
Her eyes rested on Shiayar's face for a moment before she looked away, no longer meeting his pitch-black gaze.
Instead, she cast her gaze down towards the vast lands of Escarnia below the Millennium Castle.
That was the former Royal Capital of Escarnia, and also where the White Chalk City—Camelot—was now being constructed.
"That Knight King has already severed her past and future."
"Using the power of the Sacred Sword, she has carved out her own Imaginary Zone beyond the river of time."
"I'm different. I merely use the ability of the Hourglass of Time to send my future consciousness back here. The power and Authority I can wield are no different from before I did so, and I'm also bound by the Corrective Force, unable to act too outrageously."
"However, as the King of the Imaginary Zone, she stands independent of history, possessing no moment of weakness."
"Even if you exhaust yourself to return to the First Year of the Holy Calendar… the Isadella you will face won't be the young Knight King from your memories. She will still be that Scarlet Queen from the future—a version of her corroded by a millennium, her Divinity overshadowing her humanity, her obsession twisted by the Crimson Moon."
"Even if you reveal your true identity as Cain, under the Crimson Moon's distortion, it might be of little use… Everything may be irreversible."
Augutina gazed down at the distant lands below, her voice soft.
"Even so, are you still going to try and save her?"
"Of course. In my hometown, there's an old saying: 'Every sip and every peck is preordained.'"
"Since I forged this chain of cause and effect, it is up to me to resolve it."
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be myself."
Shiayar's response was unhesitating, without a shred of doubt.
He didn't stand on ceremony, settling directly into the seat behind him.
But then, Shiayar turned his gaze to the girl in the black dress before him.
"However, you're mistaken about one thing."
"I didn't come just for her this time. I also came for you, here in the Millennium Castle."
Shiayar paused for a moment, then, meeting Augutina's somewhat astonished gaze, he spoke softly.
"My 4th Soul Pact, and that strange undying nature of mine…"
"They're because of you, aren't they, Miss Black Princess?"