Chapter 147: Secrets

“No! This can’t be! We clearly agreed—”

A dagger pierced the madman’s chest, yet the scaly armor that once covered his body failed to appear. Instead, countless strange stones lay scattered across the ground.

“Curious? Even if you don’t understand, I can guess,” Lanser said with a cruel smile, holding the dagger as he looked at the man with wide eyes. “You’ve been betrayed. As for why? I can tell you that too. The arrow that struck you last time wasn’t just an ordinary weapon—it was a treasure. Its power makes those hit betray others involuntarily. But it’s useless against those with strong spirits.”

Surprise and a strange sense of relief filled the man’s eyes.

“Go in peace,” Lanser said, releasing the dagger and gently pushing it backward. Yet the man did not collapse; instead, he shattered into fragments of stone that fell to the ground. The dagger that had pierced his chest dissolved into spiritual energy, vanishing into the air.

“Now, can you tell me something else?” Lanser pulled his cloak back on, ignoring the master shouting behind him and Medusa’s eerie smile at his side. He strode toward the deserted Higashiki Park.

“What do you want to know?” After a moment, Renhua’s voice echoed in Lanser’s ear. But the usual vitality and arrogance were gone, replaced by deep exhaustion.

“The truth about the Travelers! Why do we exist? Whether it’s them or me! Why have we been granted such powers to wander through different worlds?” Lanser’s tone grew increasingly agitated, but he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

“You should know I harbor no ill will toward you. Unlike my sister, I am merely…” Renhua faltered and stopped.

“Sister? It seems they also have a divine overseer like Renhua,” Lanser mused. Although he had gained valuable information, his heart was not entirely unshaken. Even though the other had agreed to cooperate, Lanser decided to seek further intelligence through other means. These thoughts flickered through his mind swiftly, and he maintained his composure as he continued, “Then tell me, what is your true purpose? You should know that with my power, I cannot leave alone. I believe that even if you tell me, I will help you.” He spoke calmly, without malice, only seeking to survive better. According to their previous agreement, he could bring along those he cared for. For their sake and his own, he needed to understand more.

“I am not lying. It’s all for the Seed—the Seed of the world. To create a true world requires many things, and a single seed can inevitably sprout, grow, and sustain a world. But that process is far too long. So I hope you will help me. As for why we must create a true world—sorry, Lanser, I cannot tell you now. Even if I did, it would only burden you. Please trust me; I will tell you in due time.” The other fell silent, waiting for Lanser’s response.

“Very well,” Lanser answered, a man who knew when to stop. Then he raised another question, “I want to know—if you need my help, why didn’t you just grant me the greatest power outright? Instead, you chose to bestow abilities based on some strange criteria.” This question had troubled him since their last conversation. Clearly, with their strength, accomplishing what he could do would be effortless. So why make him labor instead? Why not, like a game, simply grant full level and divine equipment? This puzzled him greatly.

“It’s impossible. Even if I wanted to give you power without cost, since the world’s creation there has been an unchangeable rule—equivalent exchange. Only by sacrifice can one receive reward. The extra I can grant you is very little, for the stronger one becomes, the more tightly bound they are by this rule.” The other explained Lanser’s doubt. Whether mysterious or mundane, they chose to share it.

“I see. It seems that’s your bottom line. Thanks.” Lanser’s final words were ambiguous, but the other replied, “It’s alright. After all, I need your help. And I could never do what my sister does—threaten others by holding their loved ones hostage.”

“So keep helping me. Who knows what might happen if I go to her.” Lanser confessed a secret neither big nor small. “Why would another god want me? I’m just an ordinary…” The thought stopped him cold. He truly saw himself as ordinary, but gods and humans held different values. Perhaps what he considered normal was special to them.

“Don’t worry! I’m a lolicon!” Lanser shamelessly declared again. After all, their strength wouldn’t be much less than that of a little girl, meaning the help they could offer him was limited. So why not choose a boss he liked?

“Thank you!” Renhua vanished upon saying this, and Lanser looked up at the sky with a faint smile. “Alright, today’s business is mostly done. Time to find that guy and have a drink.” Shaking his head, Lanser headed toward the scholar’s home. The Tōsaka household wasn’t really suited for their kind of drinking—not to mention they were too lazy to go elsewhere.

“Yo! Is everyone here?” After a while, Lanser pushed open the back door and stepped inside. The Emperor was gulping down a glass of liquor, while Weber no longer cowered as before but sat openly beside him, refilling his cup from time to time.

“Ha! Of course! Caster, Saber, Lancer—all here! Just missing you,” the Emperor greeted first, tossing Lanser a cup about his size. Lanser smiled and said, “Ha, of course I’d come. If you’re buying the drinks, I’m sure to show up.”

“Ha! As expected of a man I respect! So, how about joining my army? I’ve always kept the door open for you,” the Emperor said with a mixture of jest and sincerity, filling Lanser’s cup and taking a sip himself.

“Rider, enough with the jokes. I’m still here,” Toriyah said suddenly, quietly eating her food.

“Ha! OK, OK! Next time I’ll try when you’re not around.”

“Suit yourself. I trust my knight.”

And so, a lively gathering unlike any royal banquet began.