86 - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Chapter 86: Lynn, You Must Survive "Please you?" Lynn was stunned for a few seconds but then quickly shook his head internally. He was no comedic genius; his style had always been that of a cold and decisive warrior. How could he ever stoop to shamelessly trying to entertain someone? Moreover, rather than trying to please this emotionless witch who appeared as lifeless as a corpse, Lynn thought it more likely that he could make Iveth fall in love with him. Even though that madwoman had no concept of love and only saw him as a toy and a pet, it was still better than dealing with the misanthropic witch. Lynn didn't believe he had the capability to leave an indelible impression on a deity that had lived for a hundred thousand years. It seemed as if the witch noticed his doubts because she turned around from her high perch. Lynn said nothing as he watched her lightly lift her skirt. Only in moments like these could he sense a hint of elegance from her, rather than her usual detached divinity, as if the noble villainess princess briefly returned to her former self. "The 'me' I ask you to please is not the 'me' of now," her red eyes looked down at him, "but the 'me' of your time." Ah, so that's how it was. But then Lynn became puzzled. Isn't that what he's been doing every day? As frustrating as it might sound, it was true. In order to gain her unprecedented trust and become her most relied-upon close confidant, to have the utmost freedom and authority, everything Lynn had done recently was for that goal. While secretly amassing power, he was also searching for an opportunity to escape. He was out of ideas on how else he could please that madwoman, Iveth. Lynn asked, a bit confused, "What's the point of this trial?" He didn't understand at all. Why would the witch suddenly want him to conquer her past self? It didn't seem like something a deity would do. Upon hearing this, the witch of the end remained expressionless: "You've always wanted to escape from the past me, haven't you?" Lynn gave an awkward smile without replying. "On the last day of your return trip, 'I' will temporarily receive a mission," the witch said as she adjusted her skirt before sitting on a step, "This mission will take a long time to complete, so aside from personnel responsible for combat, everyone else will be sent ahead to the imperial capital." A mission? Hope flickered in Lynn's eyes. It was as if he saw a sliver of light at the end of the tunnel, a chance at freedom within reach. From Iveth and her group's perspective, since he was an extraordinary believer of the "Holy Cognition" with no combat ability, it was unlikely they'd take him along. If that were the case... "All your wild fantasies can wait until after you leave here," the witch coldly interrupted, seemingly sensing his inner thoughts, "Do you think the me of that time would let you escape so easily?" It was like cold water was dumped on him, causing Lynn's face to fall. Indeed. Given her paranoia, knowing he recently tried to run away, was there any chance she'd let him leave so easily? Moreover, Iveth knew very well that once someone like him returned to the imperial capital, there was a high probability he'd be recruited by some other prince. He might even catch the eye of Sherina, his sworn enemy. Considering such possibilities, the likelihood of escape was almost zero. Because with her personality, anything she claimed as hers, she'd sooner destroy than let it fall into another's hands. "So, before she undertakes the temporary mission, you must do everything possible to please her, leaving significant memories behind." "Only then will you potentially grasp the one chance in life for her leniency." "I see, I understand now." After a long silence, Lynn nodded. The one who knows Iveth best is certainly herself. So if the witch had said so, he could only comply. Though Lynn had a vague notion there might be some crucial information missing in her words. And it was also strange; with the witch's aloof character, why was she suddenly so invested in his escape plan, even proactively offering advice? Lynn couldn't fathom it and could only attribute it to divine machinations. Moreover, just because he asked didn't mean she'd answer. After all, it might lead to nothing in the end. As long as the result was gaining freedom from that woman, the process didn't matter. "So, how shall I please you?" Lynn thought for a moment and asked again. "This has nothing to do with me," the witch replied coldly. Ha. You ask me to conquer your past self, yet act so disconnected like a tsundere. Lynn grumbled internally. Momentarily, a silence fell between the man and the god. Lynn thought she'd expel him from the pantheon now that they had nothing more to say. Unexpectedly, after a prolonged silence, she spoke again. "There's one more thing," the witch said softly. "Please, go ahead," Lynn replied. "If you get a chance, pass my thanks to Afiya and the others." For some reason, there was a fleeting hint of emotion in the witch's eyes. As if lost in recalling something from a distant past. "Of course, I'll pass it on," Lynn nodded. It seemed, no matter how long-lived, even a being like her could feel nostalgia for bygones. The witch of the end said nothing more. She waved her hand, focusing on the fissure in space that slowly disintegrated behind Lynn. Feeling the familiar pull, Lynn did not resist, letting his consciousness be drawn into the passage. The grand sight of the pantheon before him gradually faded. The white-haired woman in the black dress slowly turned away, no longer looking at him. Moments later, the great hall returned to silence. Only the faint sound of the chains of order accompanied the witch's steps. She raised her slender wrist, as if sketching something in the air. Moments later, several images materialized before the witch of the end. Had Lynn remained, he would have immediately recognized these figures. The images depicted Afiya, Milani, Morris, and even Rhine, Greya, and the people of the Augusta Manor. Gazing at the cold images, an ineffable emotion flickered in the witch's eyes. "I'm sorry," she murmured to the phantasms, "he was too weak and came too late." "In the end... he couldn't prevent what was to come." It was as if she spoke to herself, or perhaps to the shadows, though they stood still like statues, devoid of life. After a long pause, the witch waved her hand, and the shadows dissipated. Lifting her head slowly, she gazed through the pantheon's ceiling at the colossal Damocles' Sword looming above. "The past cannot be redone; the future can be altered—this, you once told me yourself." "Though I don't know why you possess the power to change the course of fate, you are indeed the key figure ten thousand years later." "So, you mustn't die." "If everyone, including the me of that time, cannot escape the worst outcome, at least... you must leave Orne City." "Lynn Barthleon, you must survive."