"Why do you look like that...?"


    The elderly seer peered into the bead infused with my magic, her face suddenly contorting in shock, cold sweat dripping from her brow. She seemed at a loss for words, her eyes betraying disbelief, hesitating to speak but also unable to remain silent.


    "It''s not good... No... It''s serious."


    She rubbed her nose as if the matter concerned her personally, shaking her head in dismay.


    "So, what exactly did you see?"


    I wondered if she was exaggerating to scare me, but her expression was too genuine to doubt.


    "Your fate is the most unique and alien I''ve ever seen. In almost a century of life, I''ve nevere across a fate like yours."


    I had a vague idea of what she meant by "alien."


    Outsider.I came from a world entirely different in era, technology, culture, and race. The reason for her shock must be that my fate is different from the inhabitants of this world.


    "So? If that''s the only problem, it doesn''t seem that serious."


    If it''s simply about having a unique fate, her reaction seemed overblown. I felt a bit relieved, but no sooner had I felt that than the old woman started with something more unsettling.


    "Didn''t I mention earlier? I''ve lived for almost a century, and if I''m surprised by just that, I''m not worthy of my age."


    So, there''s more to it?


    "Then, what makes you so shocked?"


    "I mentioned your fate is very alien, right? The issue starts there."


    She waved her hands around the bead, manipting the cloud-like phenomenon inside.


    "Your destiny is peculiar. It''s so special that it is tempting other destinies."


    "Wh...what?"


    While the notion of tempting other destinies is hard to put into words, I felt that every action I had taken so far in my life had somehow gone awry.


    "People are drawn to and intrigued by the unfamiliar. Just like mas of different prities attract each other, people are also drawn to those who are different from them."


    So, the same applies to fate...


    "Your fate has such a unique personality that it''spletely different from the people of this world. It''s so strong that it''s even tempting fates that humans can''t handle."


    And with that, she swallowed hard, her shocked expression turning to one of sympathy and concern.


    "Great destinies that would make history, dragons that rule the world, even the fates of gods are drawn to your alien fate, leading to either revolution or destruction."


    Her words, coupled with a sense of ongoing relevance to my situation, heightened my anxiety and tension.


    "If you''re upset, I sincerely apologize... but your life ahead won''t be easy..."


    She gently patted my shoulder,forting me with a distant look in her eyes.


    "Persevere. You must ovee the impending crises. If you seed, a promising future awaits. But if you fail, the cruellest end imaginable will be in store. You must give your best every moment."


    With those words, the faded phenomena in the bead seemed to have vanished, and the seer carefully removed her hand from the bead, trying to maintain herposure. "I think I''ve said all I can. My old eyes and abilities can''t see any further."


    Saying this, she handed me an aged-looking scroll and held her chin with both hands.


    "However, the goddess I serve might have a different view. It wouldn''t hurt to seek her out if you''re interested."


    The Goddess of Fate, Mori One... ording to the lore, she can oversee and glimpse into the fates of others, and even slightly interfere with them.


    "What is this scroll?"


    "Mori One has her own principles. She doesn''t casually look into or alter someone''s fate. Therefore, she won''t just tell you your fate if you ask without a reason."


    She ced the scroll in my hand.


    "This is a rmendation letter for a devout follower. I''ve served her for a long time, so I have some standing among her followers."


    "Present this to Mori One, and she might assist you. I sincerely hope you get a favorable result."


    It felt a bit embarrassing to be treated so generously by a stranger I had just met.


    "Thank you. How much do I owe you for the reading?"


    As I reached for my wallet, the old seer stopped me.


    "I won''t ept any money, especially not from someone with such a pitiable fate as yours."


    Her words intensified my gratitude, but also heightened my anxiety about what lies ahead.


    "Thank you. I''ll head straight to the temple of Mori One."


    I started to pack up and head towards my next destination.


    "No, thank you. It was intriguing to meet you. Perhaps meeting you and guiding you to the goddess was fate too."


    Although I had no specific reason, herst words lingered in my mind, hard to shake off.


    "Is this the ce?"


    The location seemed quite a distance from where I met the seer earlier.


    The temple of the Goddess of Fate, Mori One, looked fairly ordinary from the outside.


    "I''ve found you."


    "I won''t let you escape this time."


    I felt a chill from the ominous aura behind me.


    I turned around slowly, only to be met by two young women ring at me with fierce eyes.


    "You thought you could change the location and evade us?"


    "If you don''t answer now, I can''t guarantee what I''ll do."


    Their words seemed to suggest that if I didn''t answer their earlier question, something terrible would happen.


    "Um... about that..."


    I hadn''t yet made a decision regarding choosing between Mir and Erina, so I couldn''t give them an answer despite their threats.


    So, the best I could do was navigate this situation.


    Huh?


    When I clenched my fist, I felt something. The forgotten scroll was in my hand.


    Ah!


    An idea struck me at this critical moment.


    "How about asking the goddess inside this temple instead of me?"


    I pointed confidently to the temple behind me, prompting puzzled looks from the two.


    "What is that building?"


    "It looks like some goddess''s temple..."


    Mir, unfamiliar with the human world, looked suspiciously at the building, while Erina seemed intrigued.


    "That''s the temple of the Goddess of Fate, Mori One. She can observe and foresee the fate of others."


    Both of them seemed to grasp my intention and looked both hopeful and anxious.


    "I don''t really like relying on gods," Mir said with a frown, revealing her distrust of deities. However, Erina confidently responded, "So you want us to ask the goddess directly about our future? Fine, I understand. The result is already decided anyway."


    Seeing Erina''s confident attitude, Mir reluctantly agreed, letting out a deep sigh. "Fine, let''s see with whom Harold will share his future."


    Feeling a temporary relief that my strategy worked, I let out an internal sigh of relief and tried to calm my nerves.


    As I ascended the temple steps with the two women following me, we were blocked by mysterious-looking followers of Mori One.


    However, after briefly scanning our faces, they seemed to deem us eptable and opened the temple doors for us without a word. Their actions made it seem like they knew we would being, which was both puzzling and astonishing.


    ording to the game''s setting, Mori One is the most enigmatic deity, and her followers are the most secretive organization in this world.


    Although there was an uneasy feeling, I chose to ignore it and proceeded straight towards the main hall of the Goddess of Fate.


    Unlike the temple of Abne, this temple wasrge but not particrly spacious, so it didn''t take long to reach the main hall.


    Soon, we stood in front of a grand-looking door.


    Without even touching it, the door began to open with a majestic sound, as if it knew of our arrival.


    Inside was a simple yet uniquely charming structure. The chirping of birds and the trickling sound of water from small streams gave the feeling of being in nature, while the modern design of the main hall blended seamlessly with this natural atmosphere, offering a breathtaking view.


    At the center of the room stood a tall white altar, and atop it was a woman in a white dress, looking serene.


    "Everyone possesses a fate, even beings referred to as gods have their own path. If it''s a blessing, ept it with gratitude; if it''s a curse, ovee it with courage."


    Mori One''s personal mantra echoed gently throughout the vast hall.


    She then slowly opened her eyes, fixing her gaze upon us.


    Suddenly, an intense aura emanated from her, making me instinctively defensive.


    Mir and Erina also narrowed their eyes, sensing the same intense atmosphere.


    However, Mori One''s stern demeanor was short-lived. Recognizing me, she shifted to a brighter expression, smiling and proiming,


    "I''ve been eagerly waiting for this day, Harold, the fallen knight who will be my devoted follower in the future."


    The Goddess, known for foreseeing the fate and future of others, confidently referred to me as her follower.