Chapter 95: Preparations Before Departure, The Unicorn...
Chapter Ninety-Five
"Regarding this secret realm, Fia, you'll follow my arrangements, okay?"
Bruce tried to downplay the commanding tone, avoiding any emphasis on it. This time was different; it was a trap set for the druids, making it far more dangerous. Enid, of course, understood that there wouldn't be two voices, so she never intended to be part of the scheme.
“Of course, Father, I am very reassured that you are making the arrangements!” Her tone was as firm as ever.
Very well. Actually, Bruce knows Enid very well. Although he knows, there are some things that need to be said. He is not a taciturn person, is he?
Without dwelling on the matter, Bruce took out the detailed school map that Enid had left behind, as well as the defense layout plan he had prepared. The map clearly marked the guard shift changes and the routes to infiltrate the school. Bruce chose the area with magical defenses.
He has already learned these magic arrays, but he has no magical abilities, so these tests have no effect on him; they are, of course, foolproof and tested.
“Great,” Dick said, picking up the map and studying it carefully. “Bruce, what do you think the environment inside will be like?”
This is a murderous intent modified from the original gift offered to the druids, but it is not brainwashing. If they could destroy the original foundation, then the secret realm should no longer exist. The composition of each secret realm is different. Although Enid has not entered this secret realm, she already has a general idea of the type of secret realm.
It is a one-time secret realm with the treasure as its core, meaning that it will disappear once the secret is taken out. Obviously, this incident proves that this secret realm cannot be destroyed or dismantled, and they can only cause trouble in this way.
"Aside from what we originally guessed, it's obvious that there must be someone inside who can tip us off, so we need someone to guard the outside and greet us. Once we've cracked the secret realm, we'll leave immediately. Fia, you close the door right now."
Bruce spoke with a serious and earnest expression, and Enid couldn't help but sit up straight. She nodded knowingly. The selection of people for the secret realm was still under discussion. What was confirmed at the moment was Bruce and herself. Of course, Dick would also go in. The secret realm could only accommodate a maximum of four people, so one more person was needed.
“Damn it,” Jason suddenly said. “Don’t forget that magic is banned inside.”
Jason pulled out his gun. "Good, this is a good one," Damian scoffed slightly, a step behind, but didn't object. With that, the choice of who would be outside was clear: Tim and Damian would stay here, while Barbara, Stephanie, and Cassans would meet them on the other side.
Of course, Aura will also go to meet her. As a unicorn, she is blessed with special favor, and no matter what kind of world she is in, nothing can stop her. Moreover, Aura is actually very good at using magic, well, only in healing, blessing and dispelling control, but that's enough, right?
With the specific personnel arrangements mostly finalized, Enid had a pretty good idea of what the relics inside might be. While browsing the books, Enid had clearly learned that one item, if used in modern terms, would be something like an RPG Maker or Unreal Engine.
It's a treasure used to construct a secret realm, creating the most realistic one, different from their current one. Otherwise, why would the second part of the school's entrance exam involve modifying a previously existing one, instead of using their own as in the first round? Because their current secret realm lacks realism.
“They probably want to get the core of the secret realm…” Enid explained the function of the item, “Of course there should be other things inside, because there are so many things I haven’t found, although some of them may not be true.”
After Enid finished speaking, she sent the recorded information to the group chat. This was a record of the things she had found that were missing, as well as their functions. Dick glanced at it and then spoke in a slightly teasing tone.
“Very good, I’m starting to understand why they don’t want to give it back to you, and why they want to take it back.”
Although he said this, the smile didn't reach his eyes. He didn't approve of such behavior, but he also knew that after obtaining these things, the world might be able to survive a little longer, or perhaps not, it would be shorter. After all, once the things were obtained, they could only become toys for those in power, not flames to save the masses.
“Actually, I thought about… giving it to them,” Enid said.
After speaking, Enid hesitated for a moment before looking up. She was worried about her family's reaction, but no one objected; only encouraging looks urged her to continue. This didn't mean they agreed with her idea, but rather that they respected her choice. After all, it was her property, and whether to keep it or take it was her decision, not something she presumptuously believed was better.
“Although I don’t agree…” Jason leaned back in his chair, “it’s up to you, just think it through.”
"Could you tell me why, Fia?" Bruce asked gently.
Feeling the obvious encouragement in her words, Enid didn't hesitate any longer. She reached out and instinctively grasped Dick's large, strong hand. Dick instinctively grasped her hand in return, and his body heat transmitted through their skin, making her feel a little stronger.
“I still can’t bear to watch the world perish, but… I don’t know, or rather, I can’t save them. They don’t believe in the existence of God, so in the end I chose to take these things with me, because these gifts were given by the Mother Goddess, and I can’t give them to people who don’t respect the Mother Goddess.”
All her gentleness and kindness are based on the God of All Things, whom she is the most loyal believer in. Therefore, she cannot accept their insults to the gods, especially after becoming a member of the Wayne family, she has a clearer understanding of the meaning of respect.
They are not believers, but they still respect the existence of the Mother Goddess, and that is enough.
Looking into Enid's bright green eyes, Bruce reached out and patted her head, smiling gently.
"You always have the right to decide where your gift goes, don't worry about the child."
"I was just thinking about it, but I still gave up the chance to save them... like this..."
Enid nuzzled Bruce's palm and slowly voiced her concerns. Her nature dictated that she should have compassion and love for all things. Although it wasn't her home, and although she had no obligation to save it or owed it anything, she still didn't want to see a world perish.
But Enid also knew she was powerless. She always felt that she hadn't grown up or matured, and that she was still as weak as she was at the beginning.
“Of course I understand you, Fia. In fact, it’s not just you; there are people we can’t save,” Dick’s voice was low. “It’s not a mistake.” It was a lie, and he would also think it was his mistake, wondering if things would have turned out differently if he had been stronger.
But there are no "what ifs" in life, Dick thought, subconsciously suppressing all his emotions. Bruce, however, had already seen through it. He looked at Dick, Enid, Jason, Tim, Damian, and the others, speaking in a gentle yet powerful voice.
"Yes, that's not a mistake. Nobody is asking you to save everyone; you just need to be yourself."
Bruce wasn't speaking to Enid alone, but to everyone. Alfred was listening nearby, but he couldn't say anything; he just swallowed his words. He knew very well that Bruce was absolutely right, but he also knew that it would be even better if Bruce could let go, as he had suggested.
The spacious area was just enough to accommodate the unicorn. Aura emerged from the void, her horn emitting a soft light. Aura rubbed her cheek against everyone's, as if it were her unique way of showing approval. No one could refuse the unicorn; yes, no one.
“Aura is saying that you all did a great job.”
Aura was a divine messenger, a child left behind by the Mother Goddess. Enid noticed those gentle eyes, as if all her emotions had been soothed. This wasn't Aura speaking, but Him. They understood that although they weren't believers in the God of All Things, true divine approval came from all things acknowledging the humanity that grew within Him, which inevitably brought some joy.
"Just as Lady Niaf helped Lady Oko, if Oko were here, I would help her too."
She suddenly understood Niaf's actions back then, but it was a pity that there would be no more Oko in this world. Enid knew this, and everyone else knew it too. Although bright flowers could bloom from the rotten ground, seeds were still needed.
Setting aside the topic of salvation, Enid had actually sensed something from everyone's repeated concealment, but she still believed that the seeds existed somewhere, she just hadn't discovered them yet. She figured she probably had such a plan too. Stopping thinking about it, Enid turned on her phone.
Tim devised the general layout of the secret realm based on everything he knew, referencing a lot of information provided by Enid. Tim now has a good understanding of the general behavior of the secret realm, so he can easily draw out the most suitable scenario and prepare the traps according to the highest specifications.
"The situations listed so far may not be accurate, but they are just in case."
"Tim! You must be a genius!"
Tim raised an eyebrow, not refuting Enid's praise, after all, she was right, wasn't she?
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Author's note: In fact, Enid is wrong.
Perhaps there will be no more Oko in that world...
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