"My first offer is quite simple," Zelretch told Kai. "I will send you to a differenttimeline — a Key, of course — where you can start over with your absurd plans."
My absurd plans?! Kai's brows rose as high as they could.
He doubted that his being a Faceless mattered to the Bubble Entity. So, there was no need to hide expressions or emotions if they weren't truly necessary here, either.
From Zelretch's first offer, Kai confirmed that He indeed had been observing this timeline when Black was explaining his plans to Medea.
The entire reason for Black not to use Reality Marble, to keep things hidden, was to let Timeline and Deep Ones listening to him know what he intended to do.
As of this moment, Kai possessed one grave secret that could force even a relatively rational Deep One, like Zelretch, to kill him on the spot — as such a thing was allowed under the Rules of the Great Old Contract.
It was Kai's Cosmic Authority of an Outer One — Nyarlathotep!
Kai's wish of making the Key timeline his, using the Holy Grail, wasn't unknown.
Many Contestants had tried it — at least those who truly possessed the Stats and Will to go after it, even succeeding in rare cases.
However, such a possession of a timeline, using a Holy Grail's Wish, led a Contestant to become a master of that timeline in name only.
In all such cases, the timeline still belonged to the Bubble and, in turn, to the Deep One.
The Deep Ones wouldn't experience any loss of authority because of such shallow possession of a timeline.
Meanwhile, the Contestant would be free to use the timeline's resources as he/she wished, given it didn't go against the Deep One's will.
What Nyarlathotep could do was much worse, not only in name, but also in essence.
Ripping a timeline off from a Bubble meant taking a chunk out of Deep One's authority permanently, leaving them bleeding for eternity.
If it wasn't for Death the Artificer's unique interest in Kai's existence, He would have ended him long ago, something He admitted freely.
Also, even though this Key Timeline knew of Kai's Outer One's status, it didn't matter.
All Timelines also shared a symbiotic relationship with the Deep Ones, who, in turn, protected Them from being stolen by the Outer Ones.
However, this Key Timeline wouldn't let anyone know of his true nature, Kai knew.
First, he wasn't just an Outer One; he was Nyarlathotep. With him, a Key Timeline stood the greatest chance of becoming a Pillar.
Second, by the timetheTimeline had learned his nature, it had already been too late, as The Root itself had acknowledged Kai and Black as the bearers of Berserker and Illya's fates.
Now, they were fully integrated into the Holy Grail War system, and neither the Timeline nor a Deep One could do anything against it.
And that's why Kai couldn't accept Zelretch's first offer.
Going to a different timeline, even if he were backed by a Fate Bubble's Deep One this time, would lead to nothing but disaster.
Of course, Kai wouldn't, and couldn't, let Zelretch know of this.
So, he must think of another way to reject this proposal.
"May I know why?" Kai asked, humbling himself. "For you to recommend a different timeline means that something's wrong with this timeline… Or — Hmm… with the Deep One to this timeline belongs?"
Zelretch's face and gaze held no expression.
But, hidden from Kai's insane AI and Luck-intuitions, the Father of Jewel Magecraft was shocked.
In one sentence, he concluded that there's something wrong with the Deep One, to whom this timeline belongs?! He thought. Incredible. These feelings he's been having… Marvelous. They possess the full quality of becoming…
He couldn't see Kai's Lucky Intuition Elite Ability, but to know that the kid was relying on Luck, along with an AI-based mindscape, was easy.
It was especially so when Kai wasn't trying to hide it at all.
"You are just a pawn in a grand game of chess," Zelretch said flatly. "You don't need to know why I have offered this option to you. Just know that with this option on the table, you stand a better chance of achieving your goal without making a… filthy mess…"
Kai held his chin, openly calculating all possibilities.
For Zelretch to name one of those possibilities a filthy mess, was it related to the Great Spider?
Lucky Intuition $&%$^ — If ORT learns that a Contestant under Death the Artificer's wing has brought Angra Mainyu's incarnation in His timeline, then He wouldn't think twice before raging a Multiversal War upon the Harry Potter Bubble.
Which means… The Ad Infinitum concluded.Zelretch believes I will fail in winning the Holy Grail War.
Of course, this conclusion also wasn't hidden from the Deep One standing in front of Kai, as he wanted Him to listen to his thoughts.
Once again, Zelretch's mouth slightly opened, the Jewel Golem housing His soul expressing a great shock.
There's something wrong…Zelretch realized. Why do I keep recalling The Banished One, comparing Him to this kid?! Are they… related?!
Suddenly, a primal chill ran down Kai's spine.
It was like the universe had taken the shape of a fanged beast and was eying him down, its saliva wetting the back of his neck.
As if time had stagnated, Kai brokenly looked up.
Zelretch was standing in the same position. Same expression. Same gaze.
Neither the AI nor the Luck sensed or figured out anything out of place in Him, either.
Yet, Kai D. Stomrborn's Instincts were shaking like never before, his very Source feeling it — Fear.
And, as soon as that feeling brushed against Kai's existence, it vanished.
For a moment, Kai and Zelretch stared at each other, saying nothing.
It was as if the first to say something would cease to exist on the spot.
Kai licked his lips. "Mr. Zelretch…" he dared to speak, feeling the dryness in his throat. "May I know the second offer?"
The Wizard Marshal, who had fought against many Deep Ones singlehandedly, sighed inwardly.
Forget it…He told Himself. Coming here is already a big enough interference. I can't afford more Akasha Backlash.
So, burying the killing intent, Zelretch voiced the second offer, making Kai's eyes widen in shock.
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