Chapter 158: This Might Be Karma
Alice unconsciously pursed her lips.
In reality, telling Klein about this matter wouldn't have much impact. Judging from the end of the dream, Klein likely didn't have the power to stop the plague, so she didn't need to worry about it being prevented.
However... could Klein accept that the real her felt no guilt for the poor people who would die in the plague?
Alice had long noticed this about herself.
Even with those inexplicable influences, her true nature probably had nothing to do with words like "sacrifice" or "protection."
— Even now, she was only concerned about whether to tell Klein and how to tell him.
As for those ordinary people who would die in the plague? Ha, what did that have to do with her? She didn't know them.
...
**Meanwhile, in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, Silver City**
It was currently the time of frequent lightning in Silver City, known as "daytime." Derrick Berg, carrying a leather backpack and holding the "Hurricane Axe," stood with nearly ten teammates, preparing to depart.
This "Hurricane Axe" was the weapon he had bought through the "World" at the Tarot Club.
Before obtaining the "Hurricane Axe," Derrick had fantasized about wielding an imposing greatsword. After getting the axe, he realized that a weapon's power was most important.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating the black city walls.
In the cracks between the wall stones, tufts of weeds sprouted from the hard, crumbling black soil, swaying delicately like human hair.
At that moment, he heard faint footsteps and quickly turned his gaze towards the city gate.
In the alternating flashes of lightning and darkness, a tall figure slowly approached, carrying two understated straight swords crossed on his back.
He had pale, disheveled hair, weathered, profound eyes, and twisted, deep old scars. He wore his unchanging brown coat and flax-colored shirt.
This was Colin Iliad, the chief of Silver City's "Six-Member Council" and a powerful "Monster Hunter."
Colin surveyed the group, confirming all team members were present, then spoke softly, "Light the lamps. Let's move out."
...
Before Alice could finish her internal debate, Klein summoned her to the gray fog and began to tell her about a chilling matter:
"I think I've stumbled into another series of coincidences."
Alice's right eyelid twitched violently, having just finished spying on Adam in her dream.
...She decided it was best to tell Klein after all. Otherwise, she suspected Klein might soon meet Adam in his dreams too.
No, it could be even worse. What if Adam silently followed him home or something...
Recalling that moment of eye contact with Adam in her dream, Alice warned apprehensively, "Don't do any divination."
Klein, observing Alice's expression, hesitantly asked, "...What have you done this time?"
"...It wasn't me this time!" Alice angrily slapped the table. "How is it my fault if Fate decides to send visions on its own?"
"...Fate's revelations can do that now?" Klein asked skeptically.
Alice rolled her eyes and quipped, "Didn't someone in Tingen almost go blind just from seeing you?"
Klein bowed his head in repentance for two seconds, then asked, "So... what happened to you?"
"Haha," Alice laughed falsely, "Adam greeted me in a dream."
"..." Klein fell silent for a moment, considered how Alice might act in this situation, then gave her a thumbs up. "That's the third angel, right?"
"Don't worry, the fourth one's already decided," Alice responded very optimistically.
"?" Klein stared at Alice in disbelief.
"Did you forget there's still a 'Mercury Snake' looking for Will Auceptin?" Alice gently reminded him.
Remembering this, Klein felt somewhat psychologically comforted. He looked at Alice and asked, "So, what was the content of the revelation? How did it involve Adam?"
Alice suddenly grew quiet. She pursed her lips and hesitantly asked:
"Klein, if... I'm just saying if...
"If you knew a terrible disaster was about to happen, and countless innocent people would die in it, what... what would you do?"
"I would try to stop it," Klein replied after pondering for two seconds, looking at the unusually serious Alice. "But from your description earlier, I probably don't have that ability, right?"
Alice quietly nodded.
Klein lowered his head, thought for a moment, and said, "In that case, I would try to minimize the losses as much as possible, at least protect those important to me during the disaster."
Alice pursed her lips and continued asking, "...What if your advancement ritual was related to this disaster?"
"Is this your Sequence 5 ritual?" Klein realized from Alice's attitude.
Alice lowered her head, not answering the question.
After pondering for a few seconds, Klein asked, "Alice, what do you think?"
"I... I don't know," Alice replied with a confused look in her eyes. "Those people in the dream, they looked so pitiful, but I realized that I don't seem to care about what happens to them. I just..."
Alice furrowed her brow, organizing her thoughts before continuing:
"I seem to only be pretending to be kind for others to see, maybe for you, maybe for the captain, or maybe for some people I can no longer see...
"I like their kindness, I like the feeling of being loved and protected by them. I think they probably don't like bad children, so..."
She mumbled, not finishing her sentence.
Klein stared at Alice for a while before saying:
"Although normally I should probably comfort you, but...
"For some reason, when I think about the fact that it's you, I can't bring myself to say any words of comfort..."
Alice's mind went blank for a moment. Then, following her heart, she raised her head, glared at Klein, and scolded, "What's wrong with you?!"
"I learned it from you," Klein mimicked Alice's gesture of spreading his hands.
"?" Alice glared at Klein. "Forget it. Do you... do you have any acquaintances in the East Borough?"
Klein nodded.
Alice took a deep breath and said:
"A terrible plague is about to sweep through all of Backlund, using the smog as a vector. It will start in the East Borough, and countless people will die because of it.
"The apparent instigator is most likely a witch, but Adam... considering his, no, Its, or rather the 'Author's' extraordinary abilities, I suspect It might be the true manipulator behind this."