Chapter 723 Walking With The Oracle [Pt 2]
There is no such thing as a real 'Choice.'
For everything one does has been somewhat predetermined by biological inclinations and societal orientation. People are predisposed to acting in certain ways due to their upbringing, as well as innate traits inherited through the gene.
These factors make the 'Free Will' they possess as mere illusions.
One does not 'choose' to eat. They are either hungry, satisfying a craving, or following a directive stemming from certain external conditions that is further amplified by an internal response.
…. This is the position of certain philosophies.
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"I am not the one who started all of this." The Oracle began as she looked at Rey with an emotionless face.
Yet, her eyes… something about it felt tragic.
"I am neither the owner of the game, nor the one who designed the board. I am nothing more than a player forced to sit on one end of the board and play with the pieces that I am bestowed upon."
"Bestowed upon by who?"
"I do not know, but… you have met one of them, have you not? The messenger of the ones above." As The Oracle said this, Rey remembered the accident that brought himself and all his classmates before the pearly gates.
Back then, they were greeted by a rather magnificent entity.
"Seraph?"
"So that is their name…" The Oracle smiled softly. "It appears you knew something I didn't."
Rey returned her smile and responded. "Not anymore."
"Huhu… indeed."
At that point, the rain ceased and it became a rather sunny atmosphere. The sudden warmth cleared the remnant cold, though the drenched figure of The Oracle remained unchanged as Rey stared at her.
She wasn't walking, which meant she had more to tell him.
"I know this is asking for a lot, but do not resent me and the Elves. Continue to look after them, even after the conclusion of our deal."
Rey smirked as soon as he heard that. "And what's in it for me?"
She shrugged almost instantly.
"Nothing. Consider it something of a last favor… a dying wish of sorts."
"You're going to die?"
"Not necessarily. Just as with my predecessors, my consciousness and knowledge will be merged with the new Vessel and become the new Oracle. However, I am not certain if I will remain 'me' once this is over. I doubt I was this way before I became The Oracle, and I also doubt I will continue to remain this way in the new Vessel."
Rey understood what she was saying, and it honestly felt scary.
'I guess she was also making tough choices for the sake of the world. Rather than selfishly choosing to preserve her own life, she wants to benefit the larger whole.' The prime reason she couldn't make more egregious moves was because the enemy would do the same—which was why agency was left to the pieces on the board. In a sense, she was a victim of this entire scenario, and while Rey found it very hard to fully absolve her of all the negative emotions he had towards her… he could empathize with her.
'Logically speaking… she has done nothing wrong.'
All the grievances he had were merely emotional; subject to his arbitrary definition of right and wrong… something he felt rather hesitant to rely so strongly on now..
"The truth is… I love this world." Rey confessed, following the same spirit that prompted The Oracle to speak up in the first place.
"Oh, really?"
"While I know that isn't the case, it almost feels like this entire world was made just for me. I got an amazing Skill, was able to experience a lot of amazing things… and even though I've been in a lot of messed up situations… I'm still alive somehow."
Yes, perhaps all of this was mostly luck. Maybe he just happened to be the one to win the lottery, hence becoming special as a result.
It could have been anyone, so having such power fall on him was still perfectly normal.
That was what he told himself.
"I know it's conceited for me to think this way, but I somehow feel responsible for this world—or rather, the people within it."
Rey didn't know the exact moment when his goal evolved from just getting stronger to a much larger ambition, but he knew that within himself now.
"I want this war to end. I want to protect humanity, to defeat the Dragons… and to create a peaceful world for all to live in."
Perhaps this was all just a selfish way of saying he wanted a "Happily Ever After" for himself, but this was much larger than him at this point.
It was probably naive and childish of him, but… he truly wanted to help.
"And, even though I had the chance to be complicit in the destruction of the Elves, and I also despise them for a lot of the things they have done… I still want to protect them."
In his eyes, they were like misguided children who had committed several atrocities. He could perhaps put some blame on them, but it would be unfair to shove all of the responsibility to them—just as it would be unfair to do the same to The Oracle.
'In the end, whoever is behind this is to blame.'
So, Rey made a vow to himself—at least, regarding the matter with the Elves.
"I will show them the right path."
He had all the power and recognition to do so, so rather than just utilizing the Elves for his benefit, he would also give back to them.
"Thank you, Rey." She smiled at him. "Though, I do not think your intentions translate to what would be best for the Elves."
"What do you mean?" He furrowed his brows at this point.
"The current 'problematic' views of the Elves, as well their no-killing policy is necessary for their preservation by Nature."
"Preservation? What do you—?"
"Listen carefully, Rey. In the future, only the Elves will survive the great conflict to come, and they will thrive in the new age." As the Oracle said this, Rey looked at her with horror.
Her expression showed no malice or pleasure—just an emotionless facade.
"I told you already, didn't I? In the end… you will fail."