TL/Editor: raei
Status: 5/week mon-fri
Illustrations: none
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The space-time wizard had made a prophecy.
This act simultaneously altered the future and shook reality.
'... Gerard has handed the [future] over to me.'
Let's say, for example, that person A is destined to die in a car accident 24 hours from now.
The space-time wizard accidentally foresaw A's death and kept quiet to allow the prediction to come true.
So what happens to A?Naturally, they die 24 hours later.
By not revealing the future, the wizard succeeded in making a perfect prediction.
But what if the space-time wizard went to A and revealed the future?
A, who was supposed to die in a car accident 24 hours later, would get scared and stay locked up at home without moving an inch for 24 hours.
Would A still be alive after 24 hours?
The answer is 'yes'.
How could they get hit by a car if they never left the house?
This is where the problem arises.
One person's fate has been changed, but the wizard's prophecy clearly [failed].
The person who was supposed to die in 24 hours is alive and well!
As a result, all future predictions about [the world after A's death] go straight into the trash.
Because the world has been altered.
New prophecies must be made about [the world where A is alive], and preparations must be made for those prophecies to be exposed and changed!
That's why space-time wizards set up a rule among themselves.
The rule was [Let's not reveal the future unless absolutely necessary!]
Whether A dies in a car accident or not, they want to prevent other predictions from becoming useless.
So these crafty space-time wizards of the medieval fantasy world try to guide the world towards their desired future by knowing and sharing the future only among themselves, through consultation.
That's why space-time wizards get a bad rap.
But now.
Gerard had openly prophesied Ian's future.
... That Ian would become a [teacher].
'A teacher, huh.'
Ian tilted his head.
It seemed a bit lame...?
It's not like he'd become the emperor of the empire. Or a great wizard who becomes a hero.
Just a teacher?
But Eredith thought differently.
"Hey, Gerard."
Eredith spoke with a frown.
"What kind of half-assed prophecy is that? A [teacher]? Isn't that just a word you can slap onto anything?"
She had a point.
Gerard said he wanted a future where Ian becomes a 'teacher'...
But 'teacher' was a word you could attach to pretty much anything and make it sound plausible.
To put it bluntly, if Ian were to start a red-tide in this medieval fantasy world and be called 'Great Comrade Ian!', he could still be addressed as 'Excellent! Teacher Ian!'
It's weird in many ways, but he'd still be a teacher, right?
Similarly, if he took a prince of a country as a disciple and raised him, he could be called a teacher.
Become a teacher at an academy? Teacher.
If he becomes a respected wizard and has a statue built of him, it could be 'A statue of the great wizard, Teacher Ian'.
In other words.
Gerard had essentially prophesied that Ian would become [a great person] in the future...!
"If you're going to do it, be a bit more specific..."
"That's impossible."
Ian couldn't help but chuckle.
Just when he thought he was getting a proper prophecy.
Typical space-time wizard level~
But one thing became clear.
"Then if I start causing trouble and going wild from now on, there's no way I'll reach the future Gerard wants, right?"
Ian could now intentionally ruin the future Gerard desired.
... Of course, Gerard might have foreseen even this deviation of Ian's and deliberately revealed the future, but.
If we go down that rabbit hole, there's no end to it.
Space-time wizards aren't gods.
There are limits to prophecies, and incorrect predictions pop up and disappear every moment.
"Of course."
Gerard smiled awkwardly.
He looked uncomfortable making an expression he wasn't used to.
"I peek at the future. But Ian, you're someone who creates the future directly."
"..."
"You will reach a future that no one else can reach, by your own power."
The space-time wizard's prophecy was more like a blessing.
That's why Ian could smile.
"Thanks for the kind words, Gerard."
------
The carriages Gerard had brought were loaded with large amounts of preserved food and alcohol.
These were supposed to be given to Lucy by Duke Araz...
But since Lucy had abandoned everything and come back, Gerard had brought them instead.
Gerard said he would meet Lucy and discuss how to handle the goods.
As Gerard was about to leave, Eredith stopped him.
"Let me ask one last thing."
"What is it, Eredith?"
Eredith had known Gerard for a long time.
That's why she sensed something unsettling from Gerard.
"About the prophecy that the empire will fall."
"That's certain information."
"Space-time wizards don't easily share even the most certain information, right?"
That's what felt off to Eredith.
A prophecy that was too specific and accurate.
It was too rough for a space-time wizard's style.
"... The information that [the empire will fall] wasn't important to you."
Eredith said sharply.
"The key was delivering that information to Ian, wasn't it?"
She knew the ways of space-time wizards.
The most important information is revealed only after everything is over.
Until then, all the information that comes out of their mouths is infinitely trivial.
"Another test remains."
Gerard answered with an expressionless face.
"That's right. The information that the empire will fall will be an important guide for Ian."
"... A guide?"
Gerard nodded.
"In the forest of infinite possibilities, a massive tree like [the fall of the empire] is easy to spot."
"!"
Eredith couldn't help but cover her mouth.
Infinite possibilities meant...!
"You mean Ian... will be able to foresee the future? Now?"
Gerard slowly nodded his head.
It was affirmative.
"You already know that Ian has the talent of a space-time wizard, don't you, Eredith?"
"But...! That's a different matter from becoming a space-time wizard!"
Eredith knew that Ian had overflowing talent.
But to become a space-time wizard, talent alone wasn't enough.
One had to satisfy certain [conditions] to become a space-time wizard.
"You have to pass the space-time wizard council's test to become a space-time wizard..."
"Ian can do it."
Gerard turned around.
"If you don't want Ian to become a space-time wizard, tell him right now. Tell him not to become one."
"..."
"But Eredith. Ian must become a space-time wizard."
Eredith fell silent at his confident voice.
She could tell.
Gerard was serious.
"If it's that important... why didn't you say so earlier?"
To Eredith's question, Gerard replied stiffly.
"Sometimes, only the ignorant can reach certain places."
"Damn space-time wizard bastard."
Eredith spoke as if throwing a tantrum, but she wasn't really angry.
This was typical space-time wizard behavior after all.
As time passes and the moment comes, all the puzzle pieces will naturally fall into place.
Just like how Ian has now defeated the dragon.
"Fine. Let's wait and see."
That's why Eredith could say that.
------
After parting with Gerard, Ian went to see Salvador.
He had heard that Salvador was severely injured during the battle.
Though his life wasn't in danger, it was questionable whether he could run around energetically like before.
'He's healthy, but he is an old man after all.'
Salvador was a medieval man over 50 years old.
In the past, on the Korean peninsula, there was a beautiful custom of holding a 'hwangap celebration' for elders over 60.
Hwangap meant the return of the sexagenary cycle, an honorable title given to elders who had survived a full 60 years.
With poor medical care + terrible nutrition, pre-modern humans rarely lived to 60 years.
Sir Salvador was at an age where he should be getting his coffin ready.
From what he'd heard, Salvador had been hit by the dragon and sent flying.
It wouldn't be strange if he died from the injuries he sustained in this battle.
If that happened, there was nothing Ian could do.
It's not like Ian was a medical student. He didn't have the medical skills to treat an old man's wounds and save his life.
He could only hope that Salvador was alright.
"Hm?"
Ian arrived at Salvador's lodging.
There was no hospital in this era. Just resting in a good room was the extent of medical care, so Salvador was receiving the best service available.
That was all fine, but there were some strange people there.
"Belenka?"
"Oh, Ian. You're here?"
It was Belenka and the Knights of Santiago.
They had set up a large cauldron in front of Salvador's house and were boiling something vigorously.
"What are you doing?"
Ian guessed as soon as he saw the boiling cauldron.
These people...
They're preparing Salvador's bath water!
Given the knights' custom of revering bathing, it wouldn't be strange for them to try to wash Salvador clean.
But Ian tilted his head.
Isn't it boiling too much for bath water?
At this rate, they'd end up with Salvador-soup...?
"Oh, this?"
Belenka grinned and said.
"It's a local healing technique to drive away illness, they say."
"Healing technique?"
Ian immediately made a sour face.
Local healing technique = folk remedy.
And Ian obviously didn't believe in folk remedies.
Instead, suspicion started creeping in.
These medieval bastards. What are they trying to do to the patient...!
"Is it okay for the Knights of the Holy Order to do this?"
"If it can help Sir Salvador, what can't we do?"
Hmm. Fair point.
Ian shrugged.
In the abysmal medical standards of the medieval era, folk remedies were somewhat acceptable.
As long as it wasn't too outrageous...
"So what exactly are you doing?"
When Ian asked, Belenka excitedly explained.
"First, we go around the village collecting unwashed spoons!"
"...?"
"We pick out the dirtiest spoons and boil them in the pot!"
"..."
"When you boil dirty spoons, the impure energy flies away and a potion with healing power is created!"
Ian trembled, clenching his fists...
Wait, that recipe...
Where have I heard this before...?
"Who the hell said such..."
"Hm? I heard it's quite famous in the areas around Talian. They say it's a healing technique taught by the 'Black Crow Wizard'."
Ian was dumbfounded.
The Black Crow Wizard? That's me!
I did once trick some mercenaries by giving them spoon-boiled water with salt, calling it a 'potion of vitality'...
But for that bullshit to spread and become a local traditional healing method!
Ian could easily imagine the medieval folk remedy.
'Cough, mother. I think I've caught a cold.'
'Oh dear~ Go fetch some spoons from the kitchen!'
'Why spoons?'
'Spoon-boiled water is the best for colds~'
'Oh my, really? How amazing!'
"..."
Ian felt his sins deepening...
Somehow, he had created an absurd folk remedy!
"Hmm. Come to think of it, Ian. Have you ever met the 'Black Crow Wizard'? He sounds similar to you."
To Belenka's innocent question.
Ian awakened his inner crankiness!
"I am! The Black Crow Wizard!"
Ian kicked the cauldron hard.
The boiling spoons clattered and fell.
"Ah! Lord Ian! What are you doing!"
"Sir Salvador's healing...!"
"This shit doesn't work at all! Just boil some bath water instead!"
Belenka asked in surprise.
"Is it really not effective?"
"Yeah! If boiling spoons cured diseases, why would people die from illness?"
As the Knights of Santiago dejectedly(...) picked up the spoons, a hearty laugh was heard.
"Ian, you're always so cranky, aren't you!"
"... It's a misunderstanding, old man."
Sir Salvador was leaning against the door, laughing, wrapped in bandages.
---
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