Thum! Thum! Thum!
The carriage wheels rolled as fast as they could along the muddy road, the horses being whipped to keep up the speed.
Johan knew Sebastian couldn't bear watching the horses being beaten so harshly, but he didn't dare say it out loud. Instead, he quietly told the driver to slow down.
Cold wind rushed in through the open window. Lush green plains and tall trees filled the view, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
The parliant wasn't located in the center of the capital city, Visterea, but in an entirely different dinsion for protection.
It was the effect of an artifact called Junji, which created a 150-kiloter-wide plain. There, the Royal Council of the Aurelian Empire chose to build its most important structure.
Even the king's palace didn't enjoy this level of precaution.
Each mber of parliant was given a green, palm-sized gem-like stone that allowed them to enter the place—with authorization from the parliant guards.
There were also a few manors built for the staff of the parliant, which were rarely used except in ergencies, standing beside the massive, coliseum-like parliant building.
But Johan wasn't focused on any of that. He was sweating profusely, trying to suppress the panic in his heart behind a cold smirk, directed at the people who were staring deeply at him.
Selene, Olivia, and even Sebastian—all stared shalessly at him: one with respect, one with a cold gaze, one with fear and pleading eyes.
Johan nodded reassuringly at Olivia's worried face.
She just wants to see if I don't directly get rid of her and her brother, right? Makes sense. I'd feel the sa way, Johan thought, a bit relieved that he understood her.
Then his eyes turned cold.
But if she even has the slightest plan to betray ... Sebastian will have to do sothing for ...
Johan didn't know that he, a virgin, was already about to be a father.
Olivia's cold eyes wavered slightly, flinching at the icy stare of his blue eyes.
The one with pleading eyes finally spoke. "Father, even if his ability is that... I know Leor is a good person. Can you please be patient with him?"
She hated her father, yet was still willing to beg him for soone else's safety.
So this is the power of the protagonist... Johan thought, amazed at his daughter's loyalty.
Then his thoughts shifted to the subject at hand.
Schrödinger's Cat... basically an invincible ability...
It literally allows the user to choose which reality he would like to experience. Like if there are two outcos—one where the user dies from an attack and one where he survives—he lives both at the sa ti and can 'choose' which becos real, Johan thought, a chill creeping down his spine.
And it applied to everything, not just fights. If Leor chose the reality in which the trial ended in his favor—it would. Thankfully, he was just a naive protagonist who had voluntarily allowed his Aether core to be sealed.
I can understand why everyone fears it so much. The skill's not even matured, and it still poses such a threat, Johan thought with unease.
As if to console himself, he continued,
But right now, it can still be dealt with... If I rember correctly, it has a five-second cooldown after every use, and he has to actually take action to make the preferred future reality. Like, he has to try to dodge the attack to enter the reality where he dodged successfully.
So fucking overpowered... Johan shuddered, but then forced a reassuring smile toward Selene's eager face.
"I'm interested in him too. I heard he wants to beco a Divine General..." Johan nodded in approval, hearing her words.
Selene's eyes widened slightly, but she instantly replied, her voice filled with admiration, "Yes, yes! He wants to beco the strongest protector of the Aurelian Empire, change the world by ending slavery and the tornt of commoners—make everyone equal."
Olivia stared, dazed, at Selene's hopeful face, her heart pounding in her chest.
Johan suppressed a laugh, worried it might sour their relationship even further.
Yeah right. That was an abandoned plot point too. He did achieve peace—if peace ant having 200 children.
Then his expression turned distasteful.
Selene probably gave up on that dream in the future, just to avoid offending him.
Suddenly, he thought of sothing.
"What do you think? Can he achieve that?" Johan asked in a calm voice, betraying none of his true thoughts.
Selene frowned, then her ocean-blue pupils grew firm. "Yes—" Clutching the hem of her light blue gown, she continued, "He has the power, and the thinking. The only one who can do it... is him!!"
Johan wanted to laugh and cry at the sa ti. He internally shook his head. His voice grew serious—
"You're wrong—"
Selene's firm gaze wavered slightly.
Sebastian braced himself to send Selene back to the estate after she broke into tears from the "lesson," or possibly even a beating.
Olivia instinctively frowned, worried about Selene.
But Johan's next words surprised them all—
"You can do it too!!" he said softly.
"And even if you say you lack power, you're the next Matriarch of House Matilda. Many knights already pledge their loyalty to us, and... you also have !" His voice grew more soothing by the second.
Selene just stared at Johan, eyes wide.
"What I'm trying to say is... believe in yourself, Selene Von Matilda. You're alive. You can do anything by yourself..."
That was truly epic. I'm a genius, hahahaha, Johan laughed shalessly in his heart. He had to damage the relationship between Leor and Selene—he might need to fight Leor. He couldn't have his daughter protecting and fawning over him.
The first step was building her self-worth. Only then could the cracks form.
Selene's breath grew ragged, her shoulders trembling visibly.
Sebastian's pupils dilated.
So this is a father... His thoughts wandered back to his own son, who hated him.
Olivia's eyes widened, wondering if she was dreaming.
"We are here!!" the carriage driver broke the silence in a practiced, enthusiastic voice.
*Ding
Just as Johan was about to step out of the carriage, he froze, hearing the sharp, familiar sound of a bell ringing.
New quest?
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