True Magician

Chapter 189

The core of the world.

For a while, nothing changed. I was still grinning cheerfully, while the old woman glared at me with quiet fury. But in an instant, the malevolent aura suddenly disappeared, and she removed her hood, revealing the face of a sweet old neighbor, from whom you would never expect any kind of malice.

- "Hello, Romani. I am Lasketia, protector of this world, as well as the mother of Larentia and Lorendo, whose reincarnations are Celestine and Serafina," said the old woman with a sweet smile. "But first, let's change the setting to something more pleasant."

Then a staff appeared in her hand, which had a typical cheap fantasy design, that is, a straight stick with a round pommel and two white ribbons attached to it. And after she tapped it gently on the ground, the landscape before us changed from an empty white space to a garden blooming with life and greenery, with a small wooden table and two chairs.

- "Sit down," she continued and invited me to the table, where light snacks, hot tea, and even coffee, as well as a plate of fruit, instantly appeared. "If you want anything, don't hesitate to tell me. I will gladly fulfill your every request."

- "Oh? Why are we being so friendly all of a sudden? As far as I remember, you threatened me and even tried to kill me, didn't you?" I smiled, but still sat down at the table opposite her and took a sip of the local coffee she had offered me. "Not bad, but the one I drink is still better."

- "Yes, and I hope you'll accept my apologies. At that moment, I couldn't appreciate you for who you are," Lasketia replied guiltily. "But I'm surprised you're acting so casual, considering the misunderstanding between us and what one of my rebellious children must have told you."

- "That, yes, thanks to him," I shrugged. "But I'm still curious as to why you decided to change tactics. Don't tell me you got scared, huh? And one more thing. What exactly prompted you to act? The death of a corpse or the unification of countries?"

- "A little bit of everything. You possess a frightening power, and I have come to the conclusion that a battle with you will lead to the destruction of the world, and my mission as a protector will be a failure," Lasketia sighed. "And you're right. The man named 'Vult' did indeed act on my orders, and the creation of a united country did not evoke positive emotions in me."

- "And why is that?" I raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me it's for the greater good, to save lives, or any of that nonsense. That would be too cliché, although it is justified in some cases."

- "You're right again, Romani," she said with a sad smile. "How long do you think this world has existed? Its energy is not infinite, and in order to replenish it and allow the world to continue to exist, a sacrifice is required. Souls. Many souls, and the number required with each cycle keeps growing and..."

- "Oh no, not that again, okay?" I interrupted her, making a face of absolute moral exhaustion. "Cycle and blah-blah-blah, right? That's complete nonsense."

- "And yet, that's how this world works. Haven't you ever wondered why I acted so categorically and why I look so... tired?" Lasketia sighed. "I am old, Romani, and my time is coming to an end. I can't even remember how many cycles have passed since I began my service. There have been many attempts to break out of this endless cycle, as well as many promising cycles, but each of them has failed."

Yeah, just as I thought. Such worlds have a limited lifespan, and therefore it is necessary to prolong it.

Lasketia found a way, a working one, but not a perfect one. She feeds the core of the soul, as I once said, almost the most perfect and pure source of energy, suitable in principle for everything. And since the required amount is growing, this world will eventually perish, just like Lasketia herself, and quite soon.