Chapter 572
Serne sensed it instinctively.
This man too was Simon Follentia.
But the aura he exuded was completely different. He was no longer the “boy Simon”, whose eyes always sparkled with curiosity, radiating purity and passion.
Now, his eyes seemed to have transcended sorrow, pain, hatred, anger—perhaps everything beyond.
There was also a solid stability in him that could never have been seen in the Simon of the past.
His slightly darker hair, the faint beard, gave him a rugged charm one couldn’t help but stare at. And on his lips, the playful, almost roguish smile of a grown man.
—Been a while, Serne.
As he spoke, he reached out with a hand the size of a cauldron lid and tousled Serne’s head.
—A teenage Serne in school uniform, huh? Hah! That brings back memories.
“?!”
Since coming of age, no one had ever dared treat her like a child. For a moment, Serne froze.
—I’d like to greet Feer too, but I guess he’s too busy protecting Simon. And over there… you must be the Ghost of Time, right? A pleasure to meet you!
[Hehhhl! What a curious sight indeed.]
After exchanging light greetings with those around him, the “future Simon” looked down below.
—Something noisy’s coming from underneath.
At those words, Serne snapped back to her senses.
“The Master of the Ivory Tower is on his way! Simon’s condition right now is…!”
—Don’t worry.
The future Simon tapped the hilt of the Greatsword of Destruction.
—I’ll handle it.
With a flick of his hand, the entire structure of the tower shifted.
The floor of the tower turned transparent like glass, allowing them to see clearly far below. And there, around the 70th floor, the Master of the Ivory Tower, Bermude, could be seen smashing his way upward.
[Serne!!]
His furious voice echoed up to them. Future Simon stroked his chin with refined ease, humming softly.
Even with the continent’s top powerhouse ascending toward them, not a hint of tension or unease could be felt from this man.
—Normally, I’d snuff out someone like that with just a flick of the finger.
His scarred, calloused hand rose forward.
—But right now, I can only use the power of my “younger self”.
The future Simon laid a hand on the young Simon’s shoulder.
—I’ll borrow it for a while.
On either side of the young Simon, black power and white power unfurled. The future Simon seized them without hesitation and fused them together.
‘What… what is this?’
Serne’s eyes widened at the supernatural sight before her.
—Chaos is nothing more than the toddler steps before reaching Void.
The future Simon grinned as the two opposing forces intertwined, emitting a blinding radiance.
—Teach chaos order. When Darkness and Holiness merge with nothing else, embracing each other purely.
The world trembled as the two forces merged into a dark-aqua orb.
—A miracle is born.
It resembled Simon’s Darkness, yet it warped the very space around it with violent distortion.
Tup.
Holding the indigo orb, the future Simon smiled. And in that pure smile, he looked exactly like the young Simon.
Hwaaaaaaaaaahk!
85th floor.
90th floor.
95th floor.
The Ivory Tower Master ascended, wrapped in lava, unstoppable, burning through each floor.
“Kh…!”
Serne shielded her head with her arms. It felt like the sun itself was rushing toward her. The heat melted walls, and she could hardly open her eyes.
But—
—You try hard.
The future Simon flicked his fingers.
─────────────!
A black beam slashed through the sky.
The beam seized the sun-like core, then smashed it down with a force hundreds of times greater than its rising momentum.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwaaaak!
90th floor.
80th floor.
70th floor.
60th floor.
50th floor.
Debris exploded in every direction.
The Ivory Tower Master plummeted through yet another hole, collapsing floor after floor of the tower he had once pierced.
40th.
30th.
20th.
10th.
And finally—
Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuung—!
All the way to the first floor.
The beam burrowed through the ground into the depths of the underground before finally dissipating. A massive cloud of dust erupted upward, engulfing the entire surface.
—Well.
With a casual gesture, the future Simon had driven the strongest man of the continent into the depths.
—A fitting exit for the Master of the Ivory Tower. Thanks for the show.
Thud.
Serne’s legs gave out, and she collapsed on the spot.
Overwhelming.
She could not breathe.
Her whole body trembled with electric thrill; she could not move. All she could do was keep her eyes on the blue-haired man gazing calmly downward.
‘My judgment…’
Her arm shook violently.
‘…was right.’
The future of the continent would be reshaped around Simon Follentia.
His very existence in the present proved that her decision was not wrong.
She couldn’t regain composure.
She was nearly entranced.
By his figure. By his power.
—I’ve adjusted the properties of Void. It’s pure physical force.
The future Simon brushed off his hands. Even such small habits were exactly like Simon’s.
—If this is the Tower of Time, then it’s less than a year since Sillage of the Blood Heaven Cult died, right? Even if outsiders investigate, it won’t look like when I killed Sillage.
With those words, Simon winked at Serne.
—I’ll leave the cleanup to you later, little Serne.
“…Ah, y-yes.”
Her cheeks flushed as she nodded, her heart pounding erratically as if broken.
—Now then. There’s still this problem.
The “future Simon” lowered his gaze to the still-rampaging “young Simon”. Despite the containment of his magic and Feer’s restraint, it was only a matter of time before the rampage broke free.
—We’ll need one more actor.
The future Simon touched the hilt of the Greatsword of Destruction again.
The tower rippled under his command, and from the 100th floor wall, someone was ejected as though spat out.
It was none other than Merida.
“…….”
She wore a slightly sulky expression. She had just finished evading the guards and descended to the first floor, only for the wall to swallow her and throw her back up to the 100th.
“?”
Tilting her head, she looked around.
Simon, whose state seemed strange. Another man who looked exactly like him. A floating ghost. And finally, the famous Serne Eindark.
—To stop Simon’s rampage, I’ll need your strength.
The future Simon looked at the two girls.
—You’ll cooperate, won’t you?
The operation began immediately.
Merida cast Phantasus’ Original Sleep on Simon, maintaining the full 5-stack. Serne attached so many feathers to his back that he looked like a hedgehog.
“I’m ready.”
Serne said.
“Me too.”
Merida said.
The two girls closed their eyes beside Simon. The future Simon directed the plan.
—At my signal, Merida, raise the intensity of Sleep all at once. Serne, push Simon into unconsciousness.
He swept his hand.
—Begin.
Shyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
At that signal—
Rampaging, wandering aimlessly in the labyrinth of time, Simon was dragged into pitch-black darkness.
“…?”
Simon looked around.
An empty void with no sensation.
—Hello.
Before him, the “future Simon” appeared, shining in a radiant form.
Simon’s eyes widened in shock.
“Y-you, you’re… could it be…!”
—That’s right.
The future Simon smiled gently.
—I’m your future self.
“How… how is this possible?”
—Think of it as a brief anomaly caused by the power of time.
Simon’s eyes sparkled as he turned in a circle, examining his future self. He crossed his arms and nodded.
“Pretty cool. Do you think I’ll ever become like you?”
—No.
The future Simon chuckled playfully.
—You’ll be far more perfect than me. A ‘future me’ much greater than this.
“I don’t get it.”
—Neither do I.
The two laughed together in the darkness.
Then young Simon suddenly lifted his head, remembering there was no time to waste.
“Oh, right! There’s so much I need to ask you! About the Legion! About Magnus! About White…! And whether I’ll really succeed in making that dragon, and this midterm exam…!”
—Sorry.
The future Simon shook his head.
—I can’t tell you.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
—The only reason this meeting is possible is because the present Simon and the future Simon are separated into distinct existences. If I reveal something about the future that alters your path, I’ll vanish instantly, and unpredictable errors will erupt in your life.
As he spoke, the “future Simon” glanced at the Necklace of Neftis hanging around young Simon’s neck, smiling faintly. Its power was shielding Simon from being consumed by time.
—And… there are other reasons too.
“Ah… I see.”
—Just remember one thing.
At his gesture, the hilt of the Greatsword of Destruction appeared in the empty void.
—Whatever ending awaits in the future… Whatever despair, doubt, or hatred tries to corrupt you…
The future Simon took young Simon’s hand and closed it firmly around the hilt.
—Never waver. Believe in yourself.
“……”
Simon slowly nodded.
“It was great meeting you… my future self.”
The future Simon smiled.
—The same here.
* * *
Moments later.
Simon’s eyes snapped open.
“Ah…!”
Krrrrrrrrrrrrumble!
Kwadudududud!
The Tower of Time was collapsing.
What he and the future Simon had done at the end was issue the dungeon master’s command to destroy the dungeon.
Since the Tower of Time was now fully under the Dungeon Master’s control—and its durability was already shattered by the battle between the future Simon and the Master of the Ivory Tower—once the destruction order was given, it began to crumble all at once.
“The Ghost of Time?”
Simon quickly turned back. The ghost’s figure was already fading.
“Ah…!”
[Hehhhl! Don’t make that face!]
The Ghost of Time laughed.
[I merely placed my bet on the side with more possibility. No regrets now.]
“I’m sorry… If only I were stronger…”
[Once the Frozen Clock runs rampant, no one can control it.]
Ssssshhhk—!
His body dissolved further.
[Still… thank you. I did everything I could. I lived without regrets.]
With that cry of relief, the Ghost of Time vanished completely. Simon closed his eyes briefly, offering a silent prayer.
“Think you have time for that?”
A sudden hand yanked at his wrist, pulling him aside as the floor beneath crumbled.
“Serne…!”
She smiled lightly.
“We’re about to fall from the 100th floor.”
Simon looked up. The ceiling and walls of the 100th floor had collapsed, leaving only the floor. Through the open sky, the dawn of a new morning was breaking.
“My Darkness is spent. I can’t move.”
Merida opened her subspace, rummaging through, and pulled out a blanket.
“If I had to choose how to die, I’d rather die in my sleep.”
“What are you doing, Merida?!”
Even now, she laid out the blanket, set down a pillow, and stretched out on it.
“If we die, we die. If we live, we live.”
Rrrrrrrrrumble!
The pillars holding the 100th floor collapsed, the floor cracked, and Simon, Serne, and Merida all plummeted together.
“Uwaaaaaah!”
Below, countless heaps of stone were tumbling down. From the distant ground came booming crashes as buildings collapsed.
“Fufufu, enjoy the moment, Simon.”
Serne stretched her legs calmly in midair.
“Falling from the top of a 100-floor tower—that’s not something everyone gets to experience.”
“How do you enjoy this when we’re about to die?!”
But even as he yelled, Simon couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. Serne giggled, covering her mouth, and Merida snorted into her pillow.
“Haha.”
Simon gave in, laughing as he looked toward the rising sun.
Night was over, and at last bright daylight had come.
Wooooong! Wooooong!
The feathers Serne had attached glowed, slowing their fall. The three of them drifted down gently, gazing at the breaking dawn together.
“Merida!”
Simon shouted mid-descent. She turned her head.
“My future self told me something!”
The future Simon couldn’t change the future—but he could offer hints that didn’t alter its flow.
“What?”
Merida asked disinterestedly. Simon shouted loud and clear:
“Phantasus-senior! In the future, you get married!”
“??!!”
Merida’s eyes flew wide as her head snapped up.
“No way! I refuse!”
But matters of love couldn’t be dictated by refusal alone. Simon grinned and added:
“And he also said this! The more you cling to Phantasus-senior, the more he’ll keep his distance—for your sake!”
“……”
“So live your own life, Merida!”
Simon turned to Serne.
“Serne!”
“Is it my turn now? What did he say about me?”
Her eyes shone eagerly.
“He said—if you want to find your roots, seek a man named Gafen in the Holy Federation!”
“……”
At the word “roots”, Serne’s pupils trembled. Closing her eyes tightly, she let out a soft laugh.
“Heh. An intriguing offer… but my roots no longer matter. More importantly, Simon—”
“Hm?”
At the crumbling tower’s peak, Serne’s ivory hair streamed freely in the wind.
“Why don’t you try growing a beard?”
Simon chuckled.
“Not even if I die.”
The sun rose fully, turning the world a radiant blue.
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters