Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 104: The End and Beginning of Volo

Ugh... What happened? Last I'd seen was a bright flash of light and voices echoing in my head after seeing Origia admitting her "crimes" of sorts. The next thing I know, my head is pounding in pain and I haven't done anything yet. Unless I did and might have ruined the flashback scene.

[Don't worry, young man. I assure you everything remains untouched.]

Huh? That voice... That sounds very familiar. More importantly, where the heck am I? This isn't the flashback! Looks like I'm in some sort of a black void filled with nothing all around me. It seems like I can move here, yet I can't leave at the same time. I guess I need to deal with the voice before I can do anything else. And I think I have a few ideas. But just in case...

"Who are you? Are you one of the gods who responded to Origia's message?" I ask. "Unless I'm talking to her directly, that is."

I feel like it's a stupid question. But I'm already detecting some red flags about this voice. Their voice sounds like her and I doubt the gods are willing to meet me so soon. If they do, it might be what Hayate and Zac called "Deus Ex Machina" and after learning what it meant when I read the worst fantasy novel (in my opinion), I fear that it might ruin the game's story as well.

[Well, aren't you a smart boy? You remind me of myself. Creative and determined to make dreams into a reality. I think you can inherit my legacy.]

Before I can ask, another white light flashed around me, and as I open my eyes, I gasp in shock. Because the person appearing right before me is Origia herself. She looks young just like her flashback self. Yet something about her seems different from before.

"I-I can't believe it," I mutter while trying to retain my sanity from meeting her in person. "You're the first person, or [Insignis] in this case, to create a [Sign]!"

[I'm glad you've paid attention to my memories. It seems my successors managed to preserve my legacy untainted as I wished.]

"Y-Yeah, I'm glad, too." Oh man, I'm now shaking in excitement, yet nervous to meet a major NPC in person for the first time in [Isekai Online]! "Sorry to be rude, but why did you interrupt the memory? I thought the playback wasn't finished yet."

[Yes, I'm very sorry about that. But it has been a while since I met a young [Insignis] for millennia. I've awakened from my respite to observe the latest generation undertaking the [Sign Creation Ceremony]. Out of all children, you and that other boy show promise.]

Other boy? "Do you mean someone named "Yur1"?" I guess, to which Origia responds with a nod.

[I can take a gander that you're an acquaintance of his, correct?]

"I prefer him as a "friend"," I say with the most honest tone I can even say. "Still, why see me? I know I did a lot such as beating that huge Tempest bird and making some magical pens and inks beforehand..."

[It's more than that, young Kazu. I said before you remind me of myself. The self where I was determined to make my dreams a reality,] Origia repeats. [You are currently walking on an aimless road, but I can see potential just from your creations and eyes. The potential that you can change the world with a simple action.]

Change...the world? Whoa, I didn't expect the whole "chosen one" twist. "Are you saying I'm going to save the world?"

["Change", not saved. In this era, there are no lone Chosen Ones. I can sense several disturbances around <Volo>, but I have faith in all kingdoms and races who can band together and stop them. You, on the other hand, have the power to change the logic and beliefs everyone has been clinging to after the new beginning.]