I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 195

The principal headed not to the church, but to the Dream Within a Dream.

‘No wonder I didn’t see her at the church.’

I had been on alert after hearing that she had gone out on an errand for the church, but in reality, she was nowhere near it.

Was the church just a ruse from the start, and her real destination the Dream Within a Dream?

‘No, there’s no reason for the principal to move like that.’

The fact that I decided to go to the church was true, but I hadn’t told anyone about it.

If I hadn’t met Cloel Martina, I would just vaguely think that I had to go to the church for the Saint’s character event.

I wasn’t even officially going; I was being carted off while pretending to be a sinner, so there was no way the principal could predict I would be heading to the church around that time.

Moreover, the story about the principal’s errand to the church came out before I decided to go there.

‘No matter how you look at it, the principal has no reason to lie about going out for church business. Then… does that mean she really did go to the church?’

If that’s true, it explains why I haven’t heard anything about her.

…But, thinking about it, there was a time when the principal could have been at the church.

‘When I was locked in prison.’

It was less than half a day, but what if she had stopped by the church to take care of something briefly and then left?

But then, wouldn’t she have had no need to use the excuse of “going out”? Would the principal really set out just for something that could be resolved in less than half a day?

──Be careful of the principal and the Pope. Namgoong Min.

Above all, I was also concerned about Raphael’s words left behind.

This was still a hypothesis, but was the principal only concerned with the Pope?

If so…

“The Pope… could they be in cahoots with the principal?”

Those who hear the voice of the Former God, another part of me.

So far, the only ones confirmed were the other me, the Mediator, and the principal, but does that mean the Pope is included too?

“…If that’s true, it could be quite dangerous.”

“The Pope… tsk, <Fool> is quite famous.”

“I’m not joking. It’s a monster that only the instructor Scarlet can barely handle… Min, is that really the case?”

“For now, it would be wise to think that way. In the end, the Pope isn’t going to be on our side.”

While he did side with us at the Tower of Proof, that was only because we offered him 2 trillion dollars.

On the contrary, if you think about it, it means that he chose the fortune teller he saw for the first time over the cardinals he had worked with all this time.

The sum of money is indeed substantial… but he is certainly not the type to indulge; you could say he was driven mad by utilitarianism.

“Namgoong Min, pardon me, but if the principal and the Pope joined forces to ambush you…”

“I would definitely be defeated, but I don’t think such a thing will happen.”

“Why not?”

“If that were possible, it would have been done already.”

No matter the principal, the Pope’s social influence is vast, making it hard to act recklessly.

Yet, here I am walking into the church voluntarily? What’s more, the principal herself had come to the church?

If they really intended to ambush me, they could have done so long ago.

‘Well, even if they did, I could have escaped using <My Own Little Fortune Teller Shop>… with this fountain pen, I could have seized the opportunity.’

I touched the Disposable Life Insurance that I had kept with me since receiving it from Kim Sung-il the other day, shifting my gaze.

It seems more plausible that they could have ambushed me but chose not to, rather than they outright could not ambush me in the first place.

‘As for the reason…’

Both the other me and the mediator who ambushed them likely share only the commonality of hearing the voice of the Former God, but their bonds may be quite weak.

Though it crosses my mind whether the other me came to pick up the mediator, given the principal’s character, it’s unlikely she would like the other me.

Ultimately, it’s all just a hypothesis. Without encountering those guys directly, it’s nothing more than a figment of my imagination.

In that sense, the principal heading to the “Dream Within a Dream”… was definitely an opportunity.

“How long has it been since the principal went out?”

“It’s been ten days as of today.”

“Then it wouldn’t be strange for her to return at any time.”

Oh… honestly, I can somewhat understand why they kept it a secret from me.

It certainly is an opportunity, but the problem is that the principal’s combat power is such that even all those present here combined would struggle to overcome it.

Much less, to take me—who is like the official weakest—there? That should be cause for concern.

But even so, I couldn’t refuse to go.

Just as it says in the job-specific quest… I had to ensure that the person who kept getting in my way was dealt with.

“There’s a high possibility of a fight breaking out, and given the nature of the Dream Within a Dream, a small elite group appears to be advantageous.”

“That’s right, Min. In that sense, the list I’ve prepared—”

“Riu, Rain.”

“A fortuneteller… what?”

“Namgoong Min?”

“I can only take these two with me.”

“…Min, can I get an explanation?”

While Eileen seemed to understand and kept quiet, Eun-ha, who had maintained her composure up until now, glared at me with sharp eyes.

I do want to take the Crown Princess, but what can I do…

“Eun-ha, to be frank, your <Desire to Kill> is still dangerous.”

“It’s fine now.”

“Inside the Dream Within a Dream, you can only have a lucid dream. Don’t forget that your Desire to Kill went out of control there.”

“…It could be different now.”

“Eun-ha is merely suppressing <Desire to Kill> through self-restraint. Maybe after a bit more time, it might be okay, but entering a lucid dream is… too dangerous. For both you and me.”

“……….”

If <Desire to Kill> goes haywire inside a lucid dream, not just Eun-ha but everyone else with her could be torn to shreds.

No matter how much of a dream it is, enduring such a process might not guarantee Eun-ha’s mind will be intact afterward.

Eun-ha seemed to grasp my explanation but, still wanting to follow me, hesitated for a moment before eventually lowering her head.

“…Fine.”

“Thank you for understanding. Eileen, you know the reason, right?”

“Of course, Namgoong Min.”

With <Desire to Kill> being dangerous, I also wanted to avoid letting Eileen, who had two souls coexisting, enter a lucid dream.

It could turn either positively or negatively, so I wanted to prevent her from entering the Dream Within a Dream.

“In contrast, Riu can arm herself heavily with artifacts, and Rain… her <Superpower> is gradually exceeding its limits.”

So it was just the two of them. I felt sorry for Eun-ha and Eileen, but I had no choice but to ask them to wait at the Academy.

Of course, it wouldn’t end with just these two.

I had to meet the principal in the Dream Within a Dream and negotiate right there.

It would be better to take along sure members.

‘Principal…’

I would definitely bring this to a conclusion in some form or another inside the Dream Within a Dream.

*

“So… is this all?”

“That’s right, Lucas.”

“………It just feels like we should bring more people.”

Buzzzzz──

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, on the ship heading to the Dream Within a Dream.

Lucas Arthur, with a sullen expression, looked around.

Including him, a Warlock, there were Riu, Rain, the Hero, the Crown Prince, and Namgoong Min, who gathered them all—six in total.

‘I heard it was a small elite group, but…’

Isn’t that a bit too small? Shouldn’t there be at least ten?

Having seen everyone for the first time today after receiving the proposal just yesterday, Lucas turned to Namgoong Min with genuine concern.

“…Did your head go a bit weird because of that incident?”

“Are you angry?”

“Umm, sorry.”

About the stock incident, I sincerely apologized to the Crown Prince.

Fortunately, after reconciling well with Rain and the others at the fortune teller shop, I was able to return to being friends with Namgoong Min.

But now, Lucas began to worry if his close friend had lost his mind just a bit.

Especially…

“Crown Prince Kim Sung-il, are you really okay?”

“Of course. I’m well aware of my position, so don’t worry.”

“…Understood.”

It was most surprising that Kim Sung-il was included.

After the faction struggles in the Daehan Empire, the next emperor was decided, making him one of the busiest figures at the Academy.

It wasn’t uncommon for him to skip classes, and I heard he had gone back to the Daehan Empire to handle political affairs while Namgoong Min was at the church.

It was amazing for someone like him to have this much free time, let alone join us in our mission to capture the principal.

Honestly speaking, if he were to die or go missing in the Dream Within a Dream, it wouldn’t just stir chaos in the Daehan Empire, but also worldwide.

“Lucas, I know you’re worried, but I have my own methods.”

“If you say so…”

“I personally feel quite relieved to break free from Eun-ha. She’s always been so chatty, saying she has no interest in the imperial competition… Namgoong Min, you’re going to have quite a bit of trouble later.”

“Eh? Is that directed at me?”

“Oh, um… you’ll know later.”

“………??”

Leaving the Crown Prince muttering words that made no sense, I turned to Namgoong Min, who also cocked his head in confusion.

I had somewhat braced myself for the situation, but I still wanted to hear it directly one last time.

“Namgoong Min.”

“Yes? Lucas?”

“Are you really okay? You can still turn back now.”

“…I appreciate your concern, but I’ve already made up my mind. I feel bad for dragging you all along.”

“Hah! Compared to what you’ve done for our siblings, it’s hardly anything… well, not precisely, but you should certainly be allowed to tag along.”

I had been shocked to hear about going to capture the principal yesterday.

The principal is a renowned Battle Wizard, and although her personality issues are significant, she’s a hero who has entered the gates countless times. To say we’re going to capture such a being?

Normally, I would have advised against it.

“Since she touched you first.”

“Hey, you’re the head of the Arthur family… if this thing becomes public, cleanup will be anything but easy.”

“I didn’t expect to hear that from someone who suggested we go together. Quite frankly, it’s more of a problem for you than for me, Crown Prince.”

If you consider the political influence Lucas holds, if news spread that he ambushed the principal, it could indeed be precarious.

But what does that mean? The benefactor and friend who helped me get to this point proposed we go together.

‘If Namgoong Min hadn’t won his duel against his father…’

Ruin would have awaited Rain, who would have had to enter an unwanted marriage, and though Lucas is the head of the family, he would have only moved as a puppet under his father’s influence.

Since Namgoong Min won against his father, Hector, Lucas has been able to grasp power far surpassing that of a mere head of the family.

…Thinking that way, I could understand Kim Sung-il’s feelings about coming on this trip as well.

‘He said that even if he doesn’t know all the details, Namgoong Min made a significant achievement.’

I had heard directly from him that Namgoong Min’s contributions were almost comparable to that of the founding meritorious retainers, so how could he refuse when someone like that asked him to join?

As a politician, it might be too soft, and as someone important, it could be a risky action, but… as friends, it was only natural to show loyalty.

Ultimately, both Lucas and Kim Sung-il are still in their 20s, full of youthful vigor.

Isn’t it only fitting to find the person who struck first and deliver justice?

Although the scale was significantly larger, it was as simple as that.

Moreover, even if I truly failed and word got out, I could use the full support of the Arthur family to cover things up.

Sure, my standing would be diminished, but given that diminished status would likely flow to Rain, the recent rising power, it wouldn’t matter much.

“But are we going to kill her?”

“I don’t really know if we’ll have to fight. I’ll try to resolve this as best as I can with words… If not, then we might see blood. But I don’t think we’ll kill her.”

“Namgoong Min, I feel like you should stay at the back. Wouldn’t you just end up like someone who trips and hits their nose?”

“True. Couldn’t her magic wipe me out in one go?”

“……Stop saying scary things, both of you.”

Hehe.

As the three of us joked around and laughed, the previously silent Hero quietly murmured.

“Please… I’m so nauseous…”

Uwweeeek.

The Hero had already poked his head outside the ship several times, now looking all droopy while staring at the two laughing and joking.

“………….”

“…………….”

The same for Riu and Rain, who had been silent, but the difference was that they had become exhausted from arguing over who would sit next to Namgoong Min rather than seasickness.

“Ugh…”

“I can’t believe this paranoid girl…”

Ah, she’s getting seasick too.

Lucas, protected by the Job Skill <Master of Magic> to use anti-nausea magic, looked down at his little sister, who was doubling over.

With the superpower she possessed, she should be able to ward off any motion sickness even better than this, right?

Looking at his little sister on the floor, he chuckled, but Rain shot him an annoyed look.

“It’s not because I’m nauseous…”

“Then what is it?”

“Something just feels… off.”

“Hm?”

“Extremely disgusting… uneasy… and unpleasant. But definitely…”

With <Superpower>, Rain lifted herself into the air, staring off into somewhere.

That location was where the ship was heading, where the Gate of the Dream Within a Dream lay.

As she gazed at the now vast expanse of blue ocean, Rain murmured.

“…Why do I feel so nostalgic…?”

It seemed she herself couldn’t comprehend it, shaking her head.

Lucas, watching her, also shook his head.

“Finally lost your mind, huh.”

“…Hey.”

“Namgoong Min! Rain says she’s losing her mind because of you!”

“Yaaahhh!!!”