After learning his lesson, Faust no longer dared to harbor any unnecessary overconfidence.
Even though the 【Cinderella】 script had only lasted a few days, if Faust hadn't thought quickly on his feet, he would probably still be locked in that basement right now, hosting some twisted "Faust-Live TV."
Seriously, man, don't. I can't handle any more DLC.
【An addition? You could put it that way. The scripts written by fate are not absolute; there is always room to maneuver. Many characters step onto the stage and then leave it, but this 【witch】 fate will persist until the end of one's life.】
What, a witch for a lifetime?
Faust was about to complain, but he suddenly realized that was exactly how it worked.
No matter what kind of fairy tale it was, they all ended with, "And so, they lived happily ever after."
For a story, that was a sufficient conclusion. But in the real world, summarizing decades or even a century with a single sentence was far too brief.
Wait, could it be...
Faust’s pupils dilated as he looked at the pale-blonde girl who was gently swaying her body, seemingly in a very good mood.
"Viviana, those spells you showed before—what was that about?"
He had been so focused on the fate script earlier that he hadn't processed it. Setting aside the influence that warped hearts and reality, Viviana’s unicorn carriage, her ability to traverse the void of the spirit world, and the way she could bind him until he couldn't move with just a wave of her hand... those were all incredible feats.
"I don't know."
Viviana shook her head and spoke frankly.
"I only possess those incredible mysteries when I wear the mask. I have no idea where they come from; I suppose it's simply an opening within my path."
Fine, fine, you're not even acting anymore, are you?
You were calling it a second personality before, and now you're calling it a mask!
Faust fumed but didn't dare speak out. Who could blame him when Viviana was the great 【witch】? He might as well prostrate himself before the lady 【witch】—whatever she wanted, she got!
This was the true weight of a top-tier fate!
However, his grievances were quickly dispelled by the latter half of the girl's sentence.
"...Since then, it seems I can also try to learn those techniques within my path."
Occultism was inherently an indescribable thing; no one could truly delve into its ultimate truths. While warlocks might have the drive to research it, Viviana was no warlock, so her attitude was less enthusiastic, mentioning it only in passing.
She was never keen on the occult; her sole purpose for acquiring power was to fulfill Faust's tasks.
But hearing this, Faust felt a sudden surge of respect. The Qingxi prince straightened up.
What did she mean? Was the power of 【Cinderella】 not time-limited?
In an instant, Faust realized a terrifying fact.
"Viviana..."
The Qingxi prince took a deep breath and looked at his childhood friend with solemnity.
"Hmm?"
The pale-blonde girl opened her eyes and looked at Faust.
"I plan to go speak with Father now and request to be removed from the position of crown prince."
"...There's really no need to be so hasty."
Viviana’s beautiful eyes widened slightly. She already believed in Faust's resolve; there was no need to supervise the prince in fulfilling his promise.
But Faust was decisive. He stood up immediately and began walking toward the King's bedchamber.
Along the way, the prince's pace quickened. He clenched his fists, trembling with excitement.
The 【witch】 fate was effective for a lifetime!
He had originally thought that the so-called 【witches' feast】 would end after the process was complete, and that did seem to be the case.
However, there was a lot to be said about the final step of that "process."
The vast majority of "fairy tale scripts" ended with the formulaic "lived happily ever after," which was almost a meaningless phrase.
For example, if Faust truly abandoned his ambition and stayed in Qingxi with Viviana forever, then under the arrangements of fate, they would likely live out their lives in peaceful obscurity.
"Mephistopheles, I have a question..."
Faust licked his lips and voiced his doubt.
Normally, Viviana reaching this point would be enough. But what if a powerful external force interfered, making it impossible for the two of them to live "happily ever after"?
【Faust... you actually thought of it. Yes, fate will ensure the completion of the 【witches' feast】 and grant the witch enough power to finish the script. If things go smoothly, the power the witch finally gains is negligible. But if the journey is fraught with hardship... fate will continuously increase the stakes.】
The fairy’s voice sounded almost gratified, confirming Faust's theory.
The Qingxi prince was overjoyed. "If you put it that way, I know exactly what to do."
【How bold. No one has ever dared to do such a thing before. Once it spirals out of control, you will face a disaster from which there is no return!】
The fairy’s warning didn't scare Faust at all—or rather, Mephistopheles wasn't really warning him.
Faust smiled. "Stop pretending, Mephistopheles. I'm no fool. Didn't you deliberately guide my thoughts in this direction? Then I'll do exactly as you wish."
After he spoke, Mephistopheles fell silent. A long time passed before it spoke softly.
【Faust, do you intend to defy fate? Even after seeing what kind of existence it is?】
"I don't have a fixed desire to obey or resist fate; I judge based on the situation. If it's a fate I'm satisfied with, I'll gladly accept it. But if it's an ending I cannot accept, I don't mind putting everything on the line!"
The Qingxi prince’s view on fate was quite simple. He never felt he was being toyed with by fate, nor did he feel a desperate need to break free from his cage.
If fate gave him the life of his dreams, what was so bad about being immersed in that dream?
The problem was that the life offered by the wheel of destiny didn't seem ideal. Even if it was an ending that would be considered excellent for an ordinary person, if it wasn't the fate I wanted, I would reject it directly!
【Hahaha... Faust, you really are adorable. In that case, do as you please. This way, you can also help me achieve my goal.】
As expected, whatever Mephistopheles sought required defying fate. No wonder it had been dropping hints all this time.
Faust nodded. "Say no more. Our contract is right there. So, Mephistopheles, what exactly is your goal?"
Perhaps feeling that it had finally come to an honest understanding with the Qingxi prince, the fairy's calm voice echoed in his mind after a long silence.
【...There are many things I want to do, but first, what I need is—dragonfall.】
Dragonfall!
Faust’s brain stalled for a moment upon hearing that term—a word that could make children stop crying in the night and bring a kingdom to ruin.
Oh, that’s terrifying!
Actually... I should have seen it coming!
Besides dragonfall, with a fairy’s power and status, what else could possibly be beyond its reach?
That's it. That's the only way it makes sense.
Just as Faust was wrestling with whether or not to ask Mephistopheles about the reason for dragonfall, he arrived at the massive doors of the King's bedchamber.
Rate on N.U.
