Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 166: Possibilities

Previously, Nol had been quietly listening.

Star Stealer Sol blatantly ignored him, perhaps convinced that his mind was muddled beyond communication. What a logical arrangement… The creator enters the cruel otherworld he crafted, witnessing the twisted fates of many, watching his compatriots crumble before his eyes.

He still remembered the guilt, wandering, and exhaustion from those early days.

Now, having finally grown stronger, he was greeted by a state of chaotic thought shrouded in dark unknowns… Such a path could crush any sane person.

Then someone appeared, offering him the sweet release of death and cutting through the tangled morass.

With his original level of mental disarray, Star Stealer Sol’s stance was like asking a feverish elementary student to solve a world-class math problem. Not to mention the “divine oracle” stirring things up.

Nol was sure that, facing the pain and torment he had endured, he would likely accept.

Not for anything else, but for a justified release.

Unfortunately, Nol had never been so clear-headed.

There were minor flaws in the whole event.

The so-called “prophecy of fate” felt slightly off from the start… When the remains of Perradat provided the “prophecy”, it borrowed the corpse of the Eternal Pope.

But just a short while ago, it had delivered a prophecy in another form right in front of them, so why suddenly change the method?

Was a prophecy appearing before the remains of Perradat necessarily given by “Perradat”?

The “Master” of the Eternal Pope was Star Stealer Sol from the start, not Perradat.

Coincidentally, Star Stealer Sol specifically lured him, a “suspected Demon King’s minion”, to Amazon.

Amazon held the prophecy, “He will grant you the way home”… Clearly, this wasn’t a prophecy the Popes would receive. And even if the situation was still unclear, would the coward Perradat suddenly intervene in the battle?

Prophecies can be forged, both in content and outcome.

The monster-transformed Nol stood calmly, hearing the creaking of his thoughts. Strangely, his mind became clearer after calming down.

Behind the monster, the crack-like wings gradually became transparent, as if the world itself was healing.

Nol tried to hide his wings, continuing to ponder amidst Star Stealer Sol’s buzzing nonsense.

Following this line of thought… Star Stealer Sol used some means to discover the old pope’s death, then immediately dropped a divine oracle, luring the attacker to the Dragon’s Lair.

At the same time, he spread “prophecies” among the nearby Players, dangling the bait of “a way home”. This way, Star Stealer Sol could stir up opposition and even eliminate him, the “unknown attacker”.

“The way home” was too vague; “sending people back to Earth” was a way home; “unlocking the sealed area of this quest” was also a way home.

Similarly, “noble sacrifice”. This was easier to handle; if the hat couldn’t be passed on, Star Stealer Sol just needed to ensure someone died.

If Nol were to write this script, “Players suffered heavy losses, a prophet jumps out to sacrifice himself, summoning the projection of the Goddess, and the Goddess protects the Players with her power”… This situation could serve as a “guarantee for fulfilling the prophecy”.

This would significantly increase the players’ trust in the goddess.

Whether the “attacker” was a minion of the Demon King or the Demon King himself, this setup had too much room for manipulation. At worst, Star Stealer Sol could gain information about the attacker and the trust of the Players, a sure win.

It seemed that from the moment they crossed the oracle’s transmission formation, Star Stealer Sol began its scheme.

For instance, the sudden appearance of Embilly Alva, could he be in the same situation as the prophet in front of them?

The dark, sticky malice pushed them step by step towards destruction, offering an irresistible reason. This thing worked hard to create such a situation. No matter how beautiful its words were, Nol didn’t believe a single bit.

After all, for him, “giving up the future” was never an option.

He and his knight had made a promise.

Nol’s gaze shifted to Teest.

[…Will that soft-hearted Demon King betray everything it protects for you? …You are the “price” that can be sacrificed.]

Star Stealer Sol whispered softly to Teest, every word a stab to the heart.

Nol could see a hint of disarray in Teest’s silhouette; the Mad Monk hid it well, but Nol could see. Perhaps along the way, facing the torments that could crush him, he always looked to Teest.

[…I am willing to do my best to preserve a piece of its soul, to accompany you in a new shell… a shell at your disposal…]

If it were the Mad Monk he first met, he would definitely agree quickly. After all, his knight was a control freak who liked to hang people with gold threads; he would be happy to put a collar on the victim.

But Nol knew that Teest wouldn’t choose this now. He just knew.

Not long ago, Teest said he would offer loyalty. In fact, Teest offered far more than life and loyalty… But his knight hadn’t realized it yet.

[The Demon King will not resist. Everything is destined…]

[No, the Demon King will resist.]

Nol teleported behind Teest, soothingly covering Teest’s eyes. Don’t be tempted by that false light. His chest gently leaned against Teest’s back.

[Even if it’s destined,] Nol said.

[Do you feel shaken when you hear “

[Shaken by “a shell at your disposal”?]

At the same time, Nol sent a telepathic message to Teest in a light, almost teasing, tone. [Wasn’t I enough at your disposal before? I said, you just need to ask me.]

[Honey, you really are becoming more… um, open,] Teest responded, his thoughts carrying a sense of relief.

Star Stealer Sol fell silent for a few seconds. Nol didn’t know if this thing could parse their telepathic message. Never mind. It didn’t matter to him.

[You are stronger than I imagined.]

After a few seconds, Star Stealer Sol still maintained that annoyingly holy tone. [You have unnecessary caution towards me… I admit, I’ve done some things, but that was just for self-preservation. My respect for you hasn’t changed.]

[Regardless of what happened before, the conditions I offer now are genuine. If you have doubts, you can fill in any details you want.]

Her tone was almost sincere. [I understand your concerns. After all, they are your compatriots.]

“Compatriots!” Barto raised his voice. “Damn, I knew it…”

“God has spoken to this extent. I think you just want to live cowardly—”

[Yes,] Nol said.

He released a part of the False God’s pressure on the spot.

Barto was choked up on the spot; Lynn moved slightly in surprise, while Dorothy stood like a stone statue, expressionless. Painter stepped back two steps with the corners of his mouth curved upwards.

[The past is just the past.] For the first time, uncertainty appeared in Star Stealer Sol’s tone. [I sincerely offer you a deal—]

[No,] Nol said again.

The huge monster covered Teest’s eyes, bowing its faceless head.

“Tilia’s” smile faded a bit.

[So you choose to be enemies with your compatriots, and I will give them new rewards—your corpse, your power, will guarantee their way home.]

She looked sadly at the monster in front of her and the white-haired knight it enveloped.

[Is this the path you choose…]

[Yes,] Nol answered without hesitation.

Putting aside the other party’s insidious intentions; even if Star Stealer Sol’s offer was a true escape, he would never become a compliant pawn.

He would forge a new path, a better one—this was his world, and even if such a path didn’t exist, he would create it.

Because he promised someone an ending.

“From this second onwards, every person who dies will be on your head!” Barto roared. “No wonder the main quest is to subdue the Demon King. We will tell everyone the truth—that a Player has obtained the Demon King class! You wait…ugh…”

Before he could finish, the anger on Barto’s face suddenly froze.

His handsome face gradually stiffened, and outlines of doll joints faintly appeared on his fingers and arms. Barto’s eyes widened as if he wanted to say something, but only a clacking noise came from his throat.

Lynn extended her hands, as if controlling a puppet, her fingertips glowing with a dim light.

The ability of the Supreme Domination Witch, [Living Puppet]—

Turns beings of lower strength into puppets to serve as subordinates. The controlled are fully conscious but unable to do anything, essentially making them sentient vegetables.

Unless the spell is actively lifted by the Supreme Domination Witch, the controlled will remain in a puppet state forever.

“I knew this trick would come in handy someday.”

Lynn’s expression was complicated. “Don’t worry. You won’t die. I won’t send you to the battlefield—I’ll let you find a quiet corner to gather dust. If our leader is in a good mood, he might mercifully seal you away.”

“Why… Why…” Barto struggled to ask.

“Because I’m not a bullshit saint. I only care about family and friends, not the end of the world.”

Lynn’s expression remained complicated, but her tone was firm. “I support my own people who have helped me, rather than someone who jumps out halfway and speaks pretty words.”

She said this while looking towards Dorothy not far away.

“Even if I make the wrong choice and suffer for it, it just proves I misjudged someone. After all, I’m still young and only understand simple truths—like, if Mr. Demon King truly had no choice, Lady Goddess wouldn’t be in such a hurry to make a deal.”

Dorothy’s expression remained unchanged.

Lynn smiled slightly. “Even the Demon King doesn’t know how to send people back, yet Lady Goddess does. So, who brought the poor Players here in the first place?”

“Now Lady Goddess wants to make a deal with the Players… In a world without oversight, what kind of ‘fair’ contract can be made between two parties of absolutely unequal power? I’m really curious.”

“Pfft.” Painter couldn’t help but laugh. “Sorry, please continue.”

Dorothy’s expression gradually changed, and she looked at Nol with complicated eyes.

The smile on Star Stealer Sol’s face slowly faded. Nol believed that if it weren’t for the Players watching outside the sound barrier, she would have killed Lynn immediately.

What to do next?

Nol subconsciously pulled Teest closer to him.

There were still many Players outside; they needed a foolproof plan. Maybe they should just leave on the undead dragon. As for the problem of Dorothy possibly leaking the situation…

[What are you doing? You, this—] Suddenly, “Tilia’s” friendly and beautiful face twisted. [You blasphemous—]

A mighty magical fluctuation came from Painter’s direction, and Nol immediately realized it was a meticulously prepared ritual magic. No wonder Painter had been mostly silent; this guy…

“As a mere mage, I happen to have studied various magics.” Painter said with a smile, looking at the struggling “Tilia”, his eyes devoid of humor. “My power may not be enough to confront a god, but it’s sufficient to dispel a projection spell.”

“I don’t like your negotiation attitude. Life isn’t something to be bargained with. If you insist on doing so, remember to change your face next time.”

He raised his hand smoothly.

In the dazzling white light, the image of the Goddess of Life melted away. Teest instinctively acted, and the False God level power isolated all surrounding influences, ensuring the serpentman prophet wouldn’t be affected again.

Not just Star Stealer Sol, but Teest and Nol hadn’t expected it either.

In a standoff with a False God, the human Painter dared to pull such a move—regardless of whether the process was pleasant, they genuinely needed to negotiate with Star Stealer Sol. Abruptly interrupting this conversation could potentially offend three False Gods at once.

But Painter still made his move without a moment’s hesitation.

The incident happened so suddenly that Star Stealer Sol didn’t have time to take the sword called the “Dominator” with it. It stood upright in the soil, emitting an intimidating glow.

This wasn’t over.

After the light faded, in front of many players, the serpentman prophet still had the appearance of the Goddess of Life. In contrast, Painter himself disappeared into the shadows, nowhere to be seen.

The “Goddess” gently raised her palm, and the sound barrier set up by Teest slowly disappeared. While casting, the “Goddess” sneakily winked at Nol and Teest.

Nol: “…”

Teest: “…”

Lynn muttered. “You really like cross-dressing.”

“This Villain admires Mr. Nol. He’s not ready to be troubled by ‘rumors’.” The “Goddess”—Painter muttered back. “And I had something I wanted to verify.”

[My children.]

Then, Painter resumed “Tilia’s” gentle and sacred voice. [Remember my words. The strife here has been resolved, and the evil here has been purified.]

Nol quickly transformed back into human form, shadows forming a wide cloak. He “weakly” fell, and Teest caught him in a reversal.

[Your courage and perseverance allowed the hero Drake to awaken me.]

Painter spoke convincingly. [This subjugation was actually a ruse; the Demon King wanted to stir up strife between you and the dragon race. Remember, God loves order and peace.]

[Please think for yourselves, discern for yourselves, and follow your own path. Do not be misled by bloody rumors. Life and goodwill are always worth praising.]

It must be said, Painter looked more like the “Goddess Tilia” than Star Stealer Sol did.

Nol’s speechlessness from within his cloak gradually overcame his fatigue. It was a great sight to see everyone working together…if only the method wasn’t so strange.

But what exactly was Painter trying to verify with such a grand gesture…?

[I have come here at the cost of the precious life of the flesh I inhabit. I will not easily descend again. Drake is my absolute envoy.]

[Warriors, may the truth illuminate your way home.]

Costing a precious life? This serpentman isn’t dead, is she?!

Lynn looked at Painter with an indescribable gaze, then glanced sympathetically at Barto. A real “Saint” indeed spares no possible evil deed, clearly intending to make the serpentman exit from the Players’ side.

The Players cared not for NPC specifics; many moved eyes looked towards the “Goddess”, hope kindling faintly in their gaze.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Painter raised the “Dominator” sword high into the sky. Then, with an illusion…he sneakily slipped it into his magical pocket.

Nol couldn’t help but whisper, “We can all see that.”

Painter whispered even softer, “A little reward is due for This Villain who helped you two wrap things up beautifully.”

Teest whispered with a tinge of pity, “What does a mage need with a sword?”

That was a sword capable of slaying gods! But remembering that Star Stealer Sol wanted him to use it to kill Nol, Teest didn’t really want it.

Painter: “There’s always a time when it’ll be useful. Besides, it looks very valuable. See, Star Stealer Sol would never expect me to take the sword. It will only chase after you, so we can successfully deceive it—since it’s already tracking you, one more reason won’t matter.”

Teest: “How astonishingly shameless. You actually manage to sound so righteous.”

As they spoke, his hand still tightly held Nol’s. If not for being careful, his nails would have dug into Nol’s flesh.

Watching these three secretly muttering, Lynn felt a headache coming on. She snapped her fingers, and the controlled Barto walked over to Dorothy, clutching her wrist tightly.

“We have things to discuss, Miss Dorothy.” In front of many players, Lynn spoke through Barto’s mouth.

Dorothy nodded imperceptibly, sighing.

Amidst the bustling chaos, a system popup suddenly appeared in front of everyone.

[You have completed the time-limited area quest: Divine Revelation.]

[You have met the conditions for completing the quest “Divine Revelation”: Listening to the words of God alongside the hero Drake.]

[Quest rewards: Will be settled in subsequent events.]

The smile on “Tilia’s” face suddenly became meaningful.

She turned towards Nol, pointing to her chest, where Painter wore the Faceless God amulet.

Nol’s mood, which was just relaxed, became heavy again; he understood what Painter wanted to verify—a problem that had always troubled them, a definition filled with mysteries.

“Look.”

Turning away from the Players, Painter silently mouthed.

“A joke-like ‘God’ like myself can actually satisfy the system’s literal judgment.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, fate still holds infinite possibilities.”

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The author has something to say:

Let’s see how many were fooled by Star Stealer Sol’s fake oracle in the previous chapters, huh?

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Kinky Thoughts:

Just for some clarity, there are two terms being used throughout the novel to refer to “prophecy”. The first is “oracle” (神谕). This is a specific term that still refers to a “prophecy” but it’s directly from a God/deity. You can think of it as “God’s decree”. It carries a religious/divine subtext.

The second term “prophecy” (预言) is a more general term that encompasses “oracle” but doesn’t necessarily have to have the implication of a religious or divine undertone (for instance, it can come from a fortune teller).

Note, in this novel’s context, oracles are specifically applied to “Chosen Ones” (like Painter, Eugene, etc.).

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