TFSAWE - Chapter 256: A Change in Fate (Patreon)

My meeting with Aslan was when I lost control of my body.

Suddenly, the sight dimmed, and everything was engulfed in darkness. Contrary to my expectation that I would awaken in Aslan's embrace upon opening my eyes, I found myself standing in the midst of shadows, fully conscious. I pondered whether I had once again entered the realm of Evelina's consciousness while dreaming, but soon enough, a series of visions unfolded before me.

Thus, I was left dispossessed of my body, compelled to witness the destruction of the temples by Evelina after she had completed her pact with Aslan.

It seemed that Evelina had only ordered the desecration of the sanctuary and the annihilation of the temples, without aiming to kill the clergy. She paid no attention to the fleeing individuals.

And now, the grand temple lay before me.

"It would be better if everyone fled."

In that case, while I might be able to preserve my life, I had chosen to confront Aslan rather than flee. I beheld the barrier formed by divine energy. Transparent like a thick glass wall, it blocked all entry and exit. Those who tried to escape the grand temple, startled and desperate, pounded futilely against the barrier.

"If it continues like this, undoubtedly, that barrier would endure Aslan's assault to some extent. But could it withstand it until the end?

Even if Aslan's power had weakened during the destruction of the other temples on the continent, I had a sense that he would eventually shatter that barrier. And what would occur afterward was obvious. I gazed once more at the scene within the barrier.

The grand temple was a place that received and healed a far greater number of patients than the other temples. The people inside had lost any opportunity to escape and would surely meet their demise.

Now, I recalled the distant past, a life that had become so remote. It was a life where I waited for death without venturing out for a whole day. Even if I were to live the remaining time as I had then, I never harbored the desire to end my life at the hands of others, rather than the ailment I carried.

I shouted into the darkness.

"Evelina!"

My voice vanished into the darkness without an echo.

"Evelina! Spare the people's lives!"

Once again, I shouted loudly into the darkness, receiving no response.

"What you desire is Carl and the temple, isn't it? Those people are innocent!"

"You think I desire Carl and the temple?"

For the first time since the loss of my body, Evelina responded to my call. Was she able to read such thoughts within me? Her emotionless and frigid voice resounded once again.

"You believe your body was taken from you. More accurately, it was I who regained my body."

I couldn't utter a single word in response to Evelina's statement. Her words were true. My life had already come to an end. The fortune I had acquired by Evelina choosing me was a stroke of luck, as I had obtained her life.

It was only natural that something obtained without reason would disappear one day, just as tears welled up in my eyes, and a lump formed in my throat.

I knew I was being selfish and audacious. To consider it as if it were mine, a mere borrowed one. Yet, I still desired to live Evelina's life.

"I changed it."

I knew Evelina's fate. Originally, she was destined to be stripped of everything by Iris and to burn and die amidst the cold gazes of Latvan, Leon, and Aslan.

But all those currents had been disrupted. While the power went to Iris, Latvan, Leon, and Aslan loved me and protected me more than anyone else. I didn't yet know what would become of Evelina's life, but now one thing was certain: she wouldn't meet the fiery end in the flames of the stake any longer. So, I wanted to claim that I had contributed to her altered destiny.

"I’ve changed your future. I made you live more!"

Driven by the desire to live, an exclamation fueled by malice burst forth from my lips. In response to my voice, which had been so quiet for a long time, Evelina spoke again.

"Yes, I appreciate it. When I first saw you, I thought you wouldn't last long but you managed to endure here and turned Aslan, Latvan, and Leon to your side. Thanks to you, I can achieve my goals much more comfortably than I had expected."

"Goals? Was your goal to destroy the temple? Just killing Carl would have been enough! Why the innocent!"

"Innocent?" Evelina retorted with a chilling voice. To that question, I could confidently give an answer.

"Yes, what was wrong with those people who had come to the temple seeking treatment? Carl committed the wrongdoing! So, if only he's killed!"

"Just Carl?" Evelina's voice now seemed trembling.

"Don't make me laugh. Everyone is an accomplice."

Not understanding her statement about being an accomplice, I was about to ask again when Evelina's weak voice reached my ears.

"Was I the first?"

Suddenly, my mind went numb as if struck by a hammer.

I had thought that all of this was Carl's fault. An event born out of his improper, wicked desires. But was Carl the only clergyman who harbored such feelings? Was there only Evelina, who dedicated her power without knowing anything, the one who offered herself?

Everyone was an accomplice. A shiver ran down my spine at those words.

There had been numerous saints until now. And the grand temple still stood, seemingly unaffected. How many saints lay quietly buried beneath that grand temple?

When she asked me if destroying the temple was my goal, I answered. "Yes, I will destroy every temple on this continent. So that no power may ever take root there again. So that divine grace and the like cannot reside in this land."

Evelina spoke firmly with a trembling voice.

"So that beings like saints will never appear in this world again."

In the next moment, Aslan's magic flew towards the grand temple with a sharp momentum.