Chapter 279: Fixed Constants and Variables
Prophecy?
The power to glimpse the roots of all things?
At first, Ruger nodded as he listened, but then he paused. He continued giving slight nods in agreement with the girl's account while turning his head to glance at Layden. Layden held his teacup, looking as though he wanted to speak but held back.
Ruger considered Layden far more knowledgeable than himself. Seeing that Layden wore the same expression, he was surely thinking the same thing Ruger was.
That so-called glimpse into the roots of all things was probably that thing again.
The petite girl continued speaking, imagining her future, but the two beside her no longer had the heart to listen. Or rather, they could not put themselves into the beautiful scene her words painted.
What was this supposed to be?
To cast aside the past, cast aside the road of fate, and be reborn—had she cast away too much? Had she done it too completely?
Had everything, everything, been for nothing?
Fate? This was fate? Because she had touched fate, was this, as that person had said, fate's mockery? Or had fate always been like this? Whether one touched it or not, there was no mockery at all. To fate, there was no such thing as offense.
Ruger caught sight of Layden seeming to want to speak, to try to do something, yet also hesitating.
Ruger sank into thought.
Had all that effort and sacrifice truly been for nothing?
He was not thinking only for the girl sitting diagonally across from him, imagining her future. He was also considering the matter itself, considering so-called fate, and considering it for his own sake.
The fur on the back of his neck suddenly stood on end.
He thought of another possibility. Was this truly