The Legend of Level 0 in Academy City

Page 408

Orelus was puzzled as to what had happened. He looked at Othinus, who was questioning Inoue Eika, and wondered if it was just his imagination, but he saw a subtle look of tension on Othinus's face.

What is she nervous about?

Seemingly unwilling to hear, yet also seemingly eager to know Inoue Hideka's answer, Othinus, seeing that Inoue Hideka did not answer immediately, suddenly raised the Spear of the Gods in his hand, pointed it at Inoue Hideka's head, and glared at Inoue Hideka with an icy expression, coldly raising his voice as he said:

"What...is your purpose?!"

Chapter 504 A Heart Full of Conflicting Thoughts, The Ultimate Goal

"And what is it that you want?"

Unfazed by the spear of the god aimed at his brow, Inoue Hideka calmly looked at Othinus and asked in return.

Whether it's true or not, Hidekazu Inoue did spend hundreds or even thousands of years in the world created by Euthinus.

How could he possibly fear the pressure exerted upon him by Othinus's immense power?

After all, even in a fictional world, Inoue Hideka was someone who had once visited the place and was almost on par with Orelus!

Moreover, over countless years, the tens of thousands of deaths, the countless trials of despair, and the long emptiness in the river of time have honed Inoue Hideka's mind to the point where he is unmoved by honor or disgrace, and can remain calm even if Mount Tai collapses before him.

"...?" Othinus was confused by Inoue Eika's question instead of answering him. He silently watched Inoue Eika, who seemed like a completely different person compared to a day ago.

“Ask your heart honestly, Othinus, is what you really want... just to regain your demonic power and return to the world you once knew?”

Inoue Hideka's eyes held a piercing gaze that seemed to penetrate Othinus's eyes and reach straight into her heart as she scrutinized the demon god who had been so high and mighty just a day before!

"What I really want..."

Othinus lowered the unfinished spear of the gods, which he had been aiming at Inoue Hideka, his eyes gradually becoming vacant as he softly murmured those words.

Someone of Euthinus's stature would not normally be swayed by a few words from others.

However, the sudden change in Inoue Hideka's aura at this moment shocked Othinus. Coupled with her own speculation about Inoue Hideka's actions, she couldn't help but follow Inoue Hideka's words and think along with them.

But, as Inoue Hidekazu said, what is it that Euthinus truly desires?

In order to achieve a 100% victory and to fully unleash the power of her demon god, Othinus is currently creating the Spear of the Gods to achieve this effect. Her initial goal was to return to 'the exclusive world known only to Othinus,' which was the world before she transformed it.

But now, for the first time, Euthinus questioned his own ideas.

Is all she really wants to do is go back to her original world?

What good would it do to go back?

Does that world truly contain anything worth her longing for and cherishing?

……

I don't know.

So in the end, what exactly did Othinus, the demon god who stood at the pinnacle of magic, desire...?

Euthinus was briefly lost in confusion.

Seeing that Euthinus remained silent, Inoue Hideka gently prompted, "Euthinus, how long have you existed?"

"Huh?" Othinus didn't understand why Inoue Eika was asking her age at this time, but after a moment of surprise, she still answered.

Because the answer doesn't require thought, nor is it a secret—"I...don't know."

Yes.

Euthinus had forgotten how long she had existed. After all, she had even forgotten what the world she once lived in looked like, so how could she possibly remember how long she had lived?

"So, don't you feel lonely? In the long years that you've even forgotten about time, haven't you ever thought... if only someone could be there for you?"

Inoue Hideka also experienced years that even time itself seemed to have forgotten.

If he didn't constantly replay certain important, necessary tasks in his mind, he probably wouldn't even remember who Saten Ruiko is now.

Therefore, Inoue Hideka was able to understand to some extent what Euthinus desired.

It's nothing more than—

“It’s the One Who Understands… right?” Guided by Inoue Eika’s words, Othinus finally remembered what saved him in the book called “A Certain Magical Index”.

But does such a thing really exist?

Euthinus asked himself this question.

And even if it could have existed before, it's impossible now after what happened, right?

If the boy in front of you is showing you what will happen in the future, then knowing your future self, you would never do the same thing again.

Of course, it's impossible for them to eventually understand each other over a long period of time.

So what should I do now?

If the ultimate goal of this plan is to become a 15cm figure and live with a boy who has never truly become an understanding person, then what is the point of what we are doing now?

So, in the end, what I should do now is change my plans and achieve my goal in another way?

So the question comes back again: what exactly do I want?

If he were an interpreter, that would be impossible now, unless another Touma Kamijou appears.

If it's about returning to one's original world, then what is the meaning of returning to one's original world?

Moreover, putting all that aside, in the memories of this young man, there is not only one demon god in this world, but also other demon gods in a hidden world unknown to him.

They couldn't possibly condone their own reckless behavior, could they?

However, all of this is based on the premise that what the boy showed him was true.

Then came a series of questions.

If what he showed me was all fake, then should I just kill this boy who was disturbing my mind?

But the truth is, not all of those things are false. The future is unverifiable, but what has already happened, including many of my own secrets and deeds that I have never made public, is all true.

Even putting those aside, the boy's personal experience and ability to foresee the future after coming to this world did indeed change many tragedies.

Among these, Othinus not only saw it from Inoue Eika's memories, but she herself also existed in this world. With her own information, she could also judge whether the things Inoue Eika changed about the future were true or not.

……

Euthinus's thoughts seemed to be stuck in a vicious cycle, endlessly circling in place.

Inoue Hideka noticed Othinus's struggle and didn't interrupt her, giving her time to calmly sort out her thoughts.

Orelus could also sense that something was off, and wisely refrained from asking any questions, even though he had many questions he wanted to ask.

for a long time.

It may not have been very long, but for Euthinus, who was struggling, it was undoubtedly a long time.

Her thoughts drifted far away, then returned, and finally, she brought them back to where they began.

Then.

For centuries, Inoue Hideka endured endless loneliness in the world he created. Even after discovering the truth, he was able to suppress his desire to return to his original world to save the girl he loved and continue onward...

What was his purpose in doing this?

Suddenly, a vision flashed through Euthinus's mind of Inoue Hideka, who had spent a long time in Europe and inquired about his own deeds in the fictional world.

……

Suddenly realizing a possibility, Euthinus abruptly raised his head and looked at Inoue Hideka in surprise!

"Why?"

Euthinus stared at Inoue Hideka in disbelief, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

Why do this? Just because... just for this...?

"If I said that my desire to become your confidant was solely to save Ruiko, would you believe me, Othinus?"

When faced with the emotionally unstable Euthinus, Inoue Hidekazu's cold and stern words to Euthinus were nothing short of ruthless.