Sixty years before the Hero's death.
Under the command of Schlacht the Omniscient, the Demon King's army advanced with irresistible force. Human society stood on the brink of annihilation.
And yet, within the Demon King's castle, the victories on the frontlines could not dispel the shadow in Schlacht's heart.
He stood upon the castle balcony, gazing down at the assembled demon troops below. Once again, he activated the magic of Future Seers—but within monts, the ripples of magic faded into stillness.
"Still no change at all?" he murmured. "Just as you said… all who peer into fate are ultimately mocked by it."
Behind him, from the ink-black shadows, ca a low chuckle.
"That's enough, Schlacht."
"But—"
The figure in the shadows raised a hand, cutting him off, and continued on his own.
"The future of demonkind will be born upon the Demon King's tombstone. Doesn't that sound interesting?"
"We've been planning this for a thousand years, Schlacht."
Schlacht inclined his head slightly. "It is just that the price seems excessively high."
"Haha. Humans have a saying—'equivalent exchange.' Since I'm the one seeking the answer, if the scales of fate take my life in return, then so be it."
From the very beginning of this war, Schlacht had foreseen the Demon King's death.
When he revealed this, the Demon King did not fear it. On the contrary, he accepted it willingly, convinced that his death would beco the foundation upon which demonkind would reach a glorious future.
After that, Schlacht continued to cast Future Seers, attempting to pierce through the shadows of fate and glimpse more of demonkind's future.
But it was useless.
From that mont on, fate had veiled his sight—he could see no further.
"Return to the frontlines, Schlacht. Annihilate humanity completely… and let see fate's answer."
With those words, the Demon King's presence vanished.
Schlacht remained standing there for a long ti, staring at the roaring tide of the Demon King's army below, lost in thought.
Suddenly—
A pale violet magic covered his eyes.
Future Seers was forcibly activated by an unknown power.
"So that's how it is…"
In that instant, Schlacht saw the future of demonkind once more.
The Demon King's death was inevitable. But he, Schlacht, would lead the Seven Sages of Destruction to successfully intercept humanity's strongest—the Hero of the South—and bring about a turning point in fate for demonkind.
Humanity would survive this slaughter and gain a brief respite.
But when a beast licks its wounds, that is when it is most vulnerable.
And at that ti, demonkind would win this thousand-year war between races.
Just like the Demon King, he himself would not live to see the final victory.
But that was fine.
He did not care.
Schlacht closed his eyes, carefully examining the future he had just witnessed—the na that pulsed upon the anchor of fate.
Shane.
"What an interesting future."
————
At the sa ti, in the Central Lands, within a forest.
A tall man carrying twin swords stood beneath the shade of trees. He was elegant and handso, possessing a distinguished aura, though he happened to sport a rather "playful" mustache.
This man was the Hero of the South, known as the strongest among humanity.
He smiled gently as he looked toward an elven girl not far away.
The girl was crouched by a river, washing freshly picked fruits and vegetables.
He knew that with her profound magical ability, her mana detection had already noticed him.
But since she showed no intention of greeting him, he simply waited.
After all, it was lunchti.
Suddenly, a tremor from the depths of his soul clouded his vision.
Future sight activated on its own.
In that mont, he saw the near future.
He saw Schlacht—who had originally intended a massacre—suddenly change his plans. He saw the Seven Sages of Destruction gathering upon the northern plateau. He saw his own brutal end in battle against them…
And even further—decades into the future.
The once foggy future suddenly anchored into a clear path the mont a certain na appeared.
"Shane?"
His smile froze, gradually fading into calm acceptance.
"So… I won't make it to the Demon King's castle."
There was undisguised regret in his voice.
But soon, he regained his resolve. "At least I can take three of the Seven Sages of Destruction with . That's not a bad trade."
With that, he stepped out of the shade and approached the elven girl.
Judging from the magic she emitted, she seed like an ordinary mage of diocre skill.
But he knew better.
She was a "monster" who had quietly trained for a thousand years.
Inviting her to join him in defeating the Demon King—that was the purpose of his journey.
"I refuse."
After hearing his invitation, the elven girl didn't hesitate for even a second. She rejected him outright, stating plainly that she could not defeat the Demon King.
He let out a self-deprecating laugh. "As expected…"
Hearing this, the girl looked puzzled. "You sound as if you already knew the outco."
He t her gaze, paused, then reviewed the future he had just seen before speaking again.
"I do. Because I can see the future."
"In one year, on the northern plateau, I will face the strongest force under the Demon King—the Seven Sages of Destruction—and perish together with the omniscient Schlacht."
At this, Frieren stopped what she was doing and looked at him seriously.
"If you know you're going to die, why co at all?"
He smiled.
"I know I'm not the one who will ultimately save the world. That's fine. Soone will co after to walk the path to victory."
A boy nad Himl would inherit his ideals and beliefs and defeat the Demon King.
And another boy nad Shane would lead humanity to finally end this thousand-year war.
'Even if my achievents are destined to remain in the shadows of history… it doesn't matter.'
Frieren frowned slightly.
She couldn't quite understand his words.
If sothing is destined to fail, why even try?
He saw the confusion in her eyes, but he didn't expect many to understand his ideals.
He simply… wanted to see for himself the girl who would beco a legend.
Still, there was a hint of unwillingness.
He laughed at himself, then turned decisively.
"Frieren, can you do a favor?"
"?"
"When you set out on your journey, pass a ssage to that junior of mine. Tell him—the Hero of the South, the strongest of humanity, will personally carve the path ahead for him."
With that, he strode forward, facing fate head-on.
————
Eighty years later, in the Southern Nations, the Ramiel region, deep within the Ghost Bastion.
Shane stepped into a chamber sealed for a thousand years.
At that mont, the threads of fate anchored into place.
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