Chapter 1148: Blind Spots And Loopholes

"For a spectator, you’re getting involved awfully often don’t you think?" Alice folded her arms with an eyebrow raised.

She stared at the Outer God who had come right as the battle ended with a cryptic message that had been censored by the Cogs of Fate.

Zal-Ka’Rith took no offence to this and simply raised his hands with a chuckle.

"When the story had been tampered with, how can the audience not voice their thoughts?" He joked around in his usual tone before turning serious.

"The descent of a Major Idol is something that shouldn’t have happened. But the sequence of abnormal events had led up to this moment. By this point, it’s clear that even with the guidance of the unseen hand, this world is already barrelling down an unknown path."

Just with this alone, Alice paused before frowning.

"You got new information didn’t you? Care to share?"

Zal-Ka’Rith shook his head.

"Sorry, I don’t want to have my actions restricted. But what I can say... Is that a certain Witch is planning something big. And..."

Zal-Ka’Rith hesitated.

A strange expression appeared on his face.

"I was given a gift. One to prove her sincerity and a proof of what she wanted to accomplish."

Seeing the Outer God’s strange reaction, Alice frowned but didn’t stop him.

Reaching out, a book slowly came into view.

Rather than saying its title, he allowed the book to hover in front of Alice.

[A tale about Yvael’s Fragment named Plume.]

"!!!"

"Since I haven’t ’observed’ them in great detail, the book should’ve been lacking in many ways." Zal-Ka’Rith admitted.

He was one who loved collecting stories of others. Big or small.

Though naturally he preferred the bigger stories like Alice.

But these were gained through observation.

Thus when a book is created, the title is entirely based on what he has observed.

"At best, it should’ve been a title simply as A tale about a Fragment of a Seer or something similar."

Listening carefully, Alice’s eyes repeatedly scanned the cover, almost as if she was hoping the words she saw was wrong.

But they didn’t change.

"But the little witch gave me more than a simple observation. The little girl, scared at the very sight of me, kept giving. She gave and gave until the title changed. It involved her own name. And then... Yvael’s."

The moment Zal-Ka’Rith said this, Alice’s pupil’s trembled.

She could almost see the visage of Plume giving up her pieces of her soul in order for Zal-Ka’Rith to get a better understanding of what had transpired.

And more importantly....

Why did Monika order for such a thing to be done?

Based on her understanding of the Witch, she was someone who treasured the other fragments.

Especially Plume. The two of them were like sisters and yet...

Monika chose this path for them.

Why?

Just as Alice was about to reach out with her hand, Zal-Ka’Rith grabbed her wrist and stopped her.

"The little witch warned me. If you saw this book, you would no doubt try to peer into the past and uncover the ’truth’ of the matter."

Alice furrowed her brows.

"Don’t look. Don’t even think about it. This is a- Urgh... Blind spot that she’s abusing. The moment you mess with it, things get ruined." The Outer God flinched mid sentence.

Just as Alice was about to say something, she noticed black fragments embedded into his throat.

’Chain links?’

They weren’t full restraints but it’s clear his actions are already being restricted to some degree.

But why? Even though he said he didn’t want to be restricted, why is he saying so much.

As if reading her thoughts, Zal-Ka’Rith opened his mouth.

"I was given a trade. A reward I simply couldn’t reject. And in turn, we signed a contract. One that will have me pass the information to you."

Snapping his fingers, Plume’s book opened and inverted itself as a hard cover wrapped around the pages.

A new one with golden words carved into its material while a single flaming butterfly flapped its wings on the corner of the book.

[A tale about Yvael Velcarion’s largest Fragment. Monika, she who rebels against fate.]

". . ." By this point, Alice understood the severity of the situation.

Pieces were moving in the background.

Plans were advancing.

Cogs were being set into place and the final grand arena was being constructed with each passing day.

Being passive and simply letting things was no longer an option.

"Are Monika and Plume still ’alive’?" Alice asked, turning her gaze away from the books.

"Depends. If it’s a physical body you’re talking about... Monika is a rather tenacious one. Plume on the other hand fell into a slumber having given up so much of her essence. Think of it as... the line between life and death suspended in time." Zal-Ka’Rith pursed his lips, trying to figure out a way to explain things without going too far.

"The book?" Alice pointed with her chin.

"The book."

Her survival was now linked with the book in Zal-Ka’Rith’s possession.

Suffice to say, if the book is destroyed, both Monika and Plume would sustain near fatal damages. Perhaps enough to even kill them, especially for Plume.

"The little witch is still wandering this world. Broken free from the Nightmare Realm, taking advantage of the chaos you left behind, she has slipped out of the cage placed by the Betrayer."

Folding her arms, Alice closed her eyes.

Monika wasn’t someone who- No scratch that. Monika is 100% the type of person to do stuff on a whim. Especially if it meant breaking free from Yvael’s shadow.

However...

Based on the information she gathered, Yvael’s plans are still in action. Her movements are still in effect to this day. If the result is catastrophic, even someone whimsical as Monika would have no choice but to step in.

She enjoyed doing things freely but not in a ruined world beyond repair.

So if she’s choosing to separate a large portion of herself into a book and still roam the world... there are other things that needs to be done.

Coming to this conclusion, Alice exhaled.

Monika’s job was something that no other could do.

Only someone keenly aware of the Cog’s actions could do what she did.

In other words, not even Alice herself could do something about it.

Like an insect trapped in a spider’s web, she can only watch as the end approaches. What happens outside of the web is not within her reach.

But Monika was an unknown factor moving on her own whims while evading the restrictions to the best of her abilities.

What Alice needed to do now was trust Monika.

As hard as it may be, she had to believe in Monika’s character.

That this woman had the same destination in mind as herself.

Alice was about to create an orb when she stopped herself.

The moment she cares about Monika’s safety, to ’protect’ the woman if danger comes to her, is the moment the plan falls through.

That was her not trusting in Monika’s own instincts and power.

"Alright. Let her know that I hope she stays safe. Or at least that I hope her plans succeed." Alice ’gave up’ and let out a sigh.

Zal-Ka’Rith pulled a strange face before plucking a single page from that book.

On it was scribbled a single line.

[How touching. I knew Alice would understand me. That’s right, keep to yourself as you have always done. I will do what I need to do. Trust that all things will fall into place.

I will let the Cogs agonise over the blind spot they fail to perceive. Even if they clasp chains on me now, it is already too late. Therefore, I have only one thing to say to you, little flame.

Go, run wild. No matter how ridiculous, no matter how absurd, no matter how impossible it may seem, go forth and impose your will and vision upon this world.

I look forward to our next tea party~

Monika.]

"And she says she’s not like Yvael. Reading my every move." Alice pursed her lips.

". . ." Zal-Ka’Rith watched as the butterfly scatter into words that floated into the air.

[You’re just predictable my dear. I don’t even need to read fate to figure out how that pretty head of yours work.]

". . ." Alice held back her words.

Though Monika probably already predicted this as no further messages appeared.

"I have delivered everything I need to. The contract is now fulfilled." Zal-Ka’Rith sighed.

Had it not been for how ’delicious’ the stories of Monika and Plume was, he would’ve never agreed to such a thankless job. Even so much as having restriction shards embedded into his own body.

Though in some aspects, the prize was worth the price.

"Thanks. I don’t suppose you can tell me what you’re planning to do now can you?"

"Absolutely not." Zal-Ka’Rith shot down that idea immediately.

With him obtaining a portion of Monika’s power through the book, he could see how powerful fate was around Alice.

Anything and everything involving her will no doubt get dragged into a chaotic spiral.

Therefore, if he wants his plans to succeed, he absolutely could not have Alice involve herself in them. At least not now.

Right as he was about to say something, Zal-Ka’Rith snapped his head towards the sky.

"What the..."

His form shimmered momentarily before stabilizing.

He realised what Alyss had down.

"Alice... Oh Alice. What can I even say? I didn’t think your sister would be capable of such a thing. But though you have gained what she can consider as ’safety’, is it truly safe?" Zal-Ka’Rith let out a helpless laugh.

He could sense the concealment that Alyss had just applied.

The natural barrier that forces Outers to avoid this place instinctively.

However...

What about those currently trapped inside?

When they try to leave and subconsciously avoid the exit, how can they escape?

In other words...

Alyss had just given the Outers a loophole in this world’s laws while trying to avoid other Major Idols.