Chapter 398: Chapter 171: Limited Number of Times
Serey was quite sober, in fact, alcohol had no effect on this Night Race Lord, but he loved the feeling of his nerves being numbed by alcohol, so he often put on an appearance as if he were about to drown.
"So, what do you want from me, Bologue?" Serey said.
"Help. I’m not quite sure what kind of help, but I need to gather all available forces," Bologue answered.
Bologue’s words troubled Serey, and he waved his hand, "Sorry, you know we cannot interfere with the world."
"I know," Bologue never expected Serey to take action. "I just thought you might be able to give me some advice."
"Advice?"
"Yes, advice. You are, after all, a Lord of the Night Race. Even if you haven’t experienced time reversal, you should have some insights."
Serey fell silent. With Bologue speaking like this, it would be hard to justify if he couldn’t offer some skill.
"According to your description, the scope of time reversal is extensive, and it is driven by the Fantasy Species, which requires an immense amount of Ether. Theoretically, it can’t last long, which means it will collapse on its own after some time, once the Fantasy Species is fully consumed."
"What are you trying to say?" Bologue pressed further, indeed, he had asked the right person.
"The time reversal caused by the Fantasy Species has a limited number of occurrences. Once the limit is reached, everything will end, and the final time reversal will determine the true reality."
All diverging paths would dim, leaving only a singular trajectory to proceed silently.
Serey pointed out, "This time is different, unlike your Undying Body, this time you don’t have countless opportunities to start over. You need to seize every chance, because this might be the last one."
Bologue questioned, "Have you experienced time reversal?"
"Hmm? I was also forced to participate a few times," Serey rubbed his head and poured himself a glass of water. "I wasn’t like you back then, unable to retain memories from the reversal, but after the event ended, I still understood the whole process."
"There are many ways in this world to achieve the effect of time reversal: powerful Alchemy Armament, extreme Secret Energy, the Fantasy Species, and... the Devil."
Serey self-deprecated, "One big advantage of the Undead is that as long as you live long enough, you’ll encounter some bizarre things."
Everyone is a speck of dust in this tide, but Bologue, due to his Blessing, had a conflict and awakened, becoming an unknown variable in this time reversal.
Now that Bologue had learned new information, he did not feel relieved; instead, he became more anxious.
The time reversal caused by the Fantasy Species has a limit on the number of occurrences. Apart from Aimou, no one knows when the time reversal will end. Perhaps the next time Bologue experiences it will be the last, maybe even this time...
But Bologue knows that once time reversal concludes, an infinite branching future will become fixed and unchangeable.
"Don’t rush, let me think. Although I can’t help you much, I remember someone who can..."
Serey stood up from behind the bar, his body reeking of alcohol, his golden hair slicked back arrogantly, and his collar open to his chest, revealing muscular pecs.
"Let me think... Let me think... I’ve got it!"
Serey leaned against the bar, elegantly pointing towards Bologue.
"Go find Lebius and tell him all of this directly."
"I intended to do that anyway."
Bologue said in a deep voice. From others’ perspectives, they couldn’t sense the existence of time reversal, and Bologue’s words and actions seemed like the words of a madman.
But Belli’s actions gave Bologue some hope. He should trust his teammates more, even if Belli would make such choices, let alone his mysterious group leader.
Bologue believed Lebius would trust him, but the question was, how long would it take for Lebius to trust him?
To tell Lebius, "Time reversal has happened, hurry and save the world with me"?
And then Lebius would believe him and join in a big fight? Wouldn’t that be insulting Lebius’s intelligence?
This is just absurd.
"How could it be? Do you think there would be the sort of high-blood-pressure scenario seen in dumb movies, where everyone suspects each other?"
Serey looked at Bologue’s worried expression and started laughing to himself, as if mocking Bologue for watching too many movies, confusing them with reality.
"Bologue, you’re not the only expert. Everyone here are true professionals."
Serey confidently patted his chest. Despite his confidence, he looked like a customer-enticing stripper.
"I was only forced to join in the time reversal then, but Lebius is different."
The ruby reflected that silent figure.
"Lebius is a personal experiencer of time reversal, navigating different time axes and ultimately steering reality to the most perfect future."
This time it was Bologue’s turn to be astonished; he hadn’t expected his group leader to have such experiences, but it also meant one thing: that he might really be able to convince Lebius of all this with just a few words and start taking action.
"Towards the end of the Secret War, the King’s Secret Sword also launched a time offensive. They orchestrated a time reversal event which, to the outside world, seemed like a decisive battle, but according to those who could retain memories during the time reversal,
they went through hundreds of time reversals, ceaselessly fighting in twisted, branching futures, eventually tipping the outcome towards the most favorable future for them and making it reality."
Serey suggested to Bologue, "Go find Lebius, he will definitely help you."
Bologue nodded and then checked the time. It was still ample, so he could give it a try.
In any case, Bologue couldn’t possibly face the King’s Shield Guard alone.
As Bologue resolved to take action, strange noises came from outside the Undying Club’s door, indicating someone was approaching. He pushed open the door and started walking towards it.
"Did you invite a friend?" Bologue became nervous.
"We only open at night; everyone’s asleep in the morning." Serey shook his head.
Bologue felt something was not quite right. Besides Bologue and the others, no one ever visited the Undying Club, especially not at such a time.
The door opened, and someone whom Bologue could never have expected appeared in front of him. Even Serey seemed dumbfounded upon seeing who it was, then he relaxed, as it was expected for someone with personal experience to show up. If he didn’t, Serey would find it strange.
Yes, this made sense. This was the terrifying and mysterious Order Bureau he was familiar with.
"Geoffrey said you’ve been living here recently."
Lebius stood at the door explaining, casually glancing around the disorderly bar. He has always disliked the chaos of the Undying Club.
Bologue intently stared at his suddenly appearing group leader. Perhaps it was his anxiety, because his mouth acted on its own and shouted, "A time reversal event has occurred..."
"Quick, let’s save the world together" hadn’t finished when his words were interrupted by Lebius.
"Yes, I know, emergency situation 09, time axis disorder event."
Lebius nodded, calmly commanding Bologue.
"According to the Decision Room’s order, Bologue Lazarus, you have been included in the Unshakable list, responsible for this time axis disorder event, and I will assist you in handling this matter."
"Assist?"
Bologue didn’t know what to say. He has always respected his mysterious group leader, and now their roles seemed reversed?
Moreover, how did Lebius know about the time reversal? Wasn’t he the only one who could retain memories?
"I was given the Immovable Armor during the last time reversal. I’m not clear on the specifics of the event... These things, you can explain to me slowly on the way."
Lebius said while pulling open the door, his tone still carrying that indifferent meaning.
"What are you waiting for?"