Chapter 218: System
Purgatory, The Land Where Life and Death Intersect
POV of Domeric Bolton
To become Lady Death's champion again, or not? That was the choice Domeric had to make. But his previous thoughts remained unchanged.
If becoming Lady Death's champion would make him stronger and keep his loved ones safer, it was an easy choice for him.
But first, he wanted to learn the benefits of becoming a champion again. If it didn't benefit him, he might as well not take on the new moniker.
"What are the implications of accepting becoming champion again? If possible, I would like to know all the pros and cons before making my decision," Domeric said, looking at Lady Death seriously.
"Haha. You're hilarious, Harry. We both know you've already made up your mind. You're just trying to find an excuse for your decision, but if that's what you want, I'll happily go along with it," Lady Death said with a chuckle and then continued.
"First of all, I may have given you Death Prince-level power, but it doesn't mean you have the title of Death Prince. I can only force Death Knight or White Knight titles onto someone. For higher-level titles other than these, the person must willingly become a champion and accept the title." Lady Death said.
"Death Prince... will there be any benefit to me obtaining this title? After all, don't I possess the same level of power?" Domeric asked confusedly. After all, what good would a title do him?
Both goddesses in front of him chuckled at Domeric's question, and this time it was Lady Terra who answered the question.
"Of course, there's a difference, Domeric. But it's not the title itself that makes the difference; it's the fact that you accept it willingly. As you can understand from our previous conversations, when we give someone our power through a blessing, that power merges with their soul. But there's a big difference between someone accepting this power by force and someone accepting it willingly."
Lady Terra stopped speaking here, and Lady Death continued where she left off.
"Forced powers are generally in their raw form and more challenging to control. They are also more difficult to reach their full potential. However, those who willingly accept the title and power gain greater control over it and even have the opportunity to use their powers more easily and realize their full potential." Lady Death said.
Then she picked up her teacup, took a sip, put it back onto the coaster, and continued.
"This control over power often manifests itself as an interface for its user. This is why many people generally refer to it as the System."
"A System? Is that what I get when I agree to become Champion?" Domeric asked.
"Yes. This will be the most obvious change. The system will allow you to use your power's full potential more clearly. This way, you'll gain a few new powers along with the interface. Also, since your title is at the Death Prince level, you'll gain knowledge about the normal destiny line of this world you're in when the system is active." Lady Death said.
"Knowledge about the normal destiny line of this world?" Domeric asked in surprise. This couldn't be what he expected, right?
"When you become my champion in this world, it will be your duty to solve the problem that will disrupt the destiny line in this world. To do this, you need to know the original destiny line. And yes, as you guessed, this destiny line contains information about this world's past and future. Although your arrival in this world has caused a slight change in what should have happened, it is not enough to disrupt the destiny line." Lady Death explained, answering the question on Domeric's mind.
"But isn't it risky to give away knowledge of the future? Many people will exploit it," Domeric asked. According to him, those who gained possession of this information would inevitably use it for their own gain.
"It doesn't matter to us if the champions use this knowledge for their own gain. What matters is that they don't make changes that would harm the world's destiny. Listen, Harry, that doesn't mean you can't make changes in the future once you have this knowledge. But if you make a change in the line of destiny, your current world or the Young Gods will strive to correct it." Lady Death said.
"Does this mean that world destiny can be changed or not?" Domeric asked. He was a little confused by what Lady Death had said.
"With enough powers, anything can be changed, Harry. But you must never disrupt the world's destiny line. But that doesn't mean you can't change the events in the destiny line. You just have to make sure the destiny line continues in the same way." Lady Death said it, but frankly, it wasn't very descriptive for Domeric.
Lady Terra chuckled at this and joined the conversation.
"Let me explain, Domeric. For example, if you save someone who is destined to die according to the world's destiny line, that person may die later due to the world's influence or the Young Gods' intervention. However, if that person's cause of death according to the world's destiny line is for someone else to live, and you save the one who is destined to die, and then ensure the survival of one who is destined to live, the changes you made will be ignored by both the world and the Young Gods."
"Oh... I understand now, so I can make changes as long as I get the desired result," Domeric said.
"Yes," Lady Death said sullenly. Apparently, she was not pleased that Domeric understood Lady Terra's explanation but not hers.
Then she continued, "But it's not as easy as it seems. The apparent cause of an event in the line of fate may not always be the same. And any changes you make due to your misunderstanding could put you at odds with the Young Gods."
"I understand. Thank you for the explanation. I have no intention of making any changes to events affecting the destiny line unless I deem it necessary." Domeric said.
"So, have you made up your mind? To be my champion or not to be. Which one?"
Lady Death asked with a grin. Apparently, she was pretty sure of Domeric's answer.
Domeric grunted but still answered Lady Death's question. "Yes, I agree to be your champion."
At Domeric's response, Lady Death threw her head back and let out a loud laugh. "Hahahahahaha..."
Domeric briefly wondered if he had made the wrong decision, but before he could think further, a voice from above made him look up.
When Domeric looked up, he saw dark clouds gathering on the ceiling of the Grand Hall, and they had gathered a dark electricity. But before he could even ask what it was, the electricity in the clouds transformed into black lightning and struck toward Domeric.
"What the fuck…"
"Language."
"Language."
The two goddesses criticizing him were the last thing he heard before the black lightning struck him.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.219: Golden Orb
Ch.220: A Letter from Sirius
Ch.221: The Conversation Ends