The Twelve True Gods, including Artemis, were working tirelessly to reinforce the world's barriers against the invasion of the Outer Gods. This "reinforcement" was far from a simple exertion of divine power to create a protective shield; it required extremely advanced techniques.
In some world settings, altering the past creates parallel universes. But this world didn't work that way. Time was like the world's trajectory through a vast sea. Changing the past—altering the timeline—would shift the world's trajectory.
What might have been a straight, unobstructed course could suddenly veer sharply, causing the world-bubble to collide directly with the belly of an Outer God.
The principle behind the Twelve True Gods' barrier reinforcement was to foresee a certain span of the future. By calculating the world's subsequent "trajectory," they could construct a safe path along its course using divine power, ensuring the world's stable passage.
"So, if the timeline is altered, the path edited by the Twelve True Gods would naturally become ineffective, because the world itself would veer off course, heading in an entirely different direction."
After explaining this, Artemis, the Moon Goddess, gently opened her small palm, and a scroll with gilded patterns materialized from thin air in her palm. "You don't belong in this timeline. Perhaps this can help you."
"What is this?" Tribios asked, taking the scroll with a hint of curiosity. She unrolled it and glanced at the dense array of symbols, none of which she understood.
Artemis explained, "Long, long ago, my companions and I stumbled upon this time-traveling Magic Scroll during an adventure. You might be able to use it to return to your own timeline. The method is quite simple: lay the scroll on the ground, mentally set the target individual and destination time, then step onto it to activate."
"Companions? Adventure?" Tribios raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you one of the Twelve True Gods?"
Artemis smiled wistfully, a hint of nostalgia in her expression. "Yes, but before I ascended to godhood, I was merely an ordinary adventurer."
Upon hearing this, Tribios couldn't help but gasp in astonishment. So, it's possible that the Twelve True Gods were once ordinary people? Did they actually become gods from mortal origins?
Of course, these were just digressions. Tribios lowered her head and continued examining the scroll in her hands. Ever since she had traveled back three hundred years, she had been desperately searching for a way to return to the future. Even her pursuit of the Demon Lord and Hero's true purpose stemmed from her desire to witness their final battle and look for clues to her return.
Now that the method was finally laid out before her, she hesitated. Could she really abandon Olivia and the others, slinking away in disgrace to escape back to her own timeline?
After a moment's pause, Tribios looked up at Artemis and asked, "Do you... know that you will turn red in the future?"
Artemis' expression shifted to one of bewilderment. "Who? Me?"
A moment of silence followed before she said, "In your original timeline, the moon turns red in the future, is that right?"
Tribios nodded. "According to your logic," she pressed, "even if you knew something terrible would happen to you in the future, you would remain indifferent?"
Artemis sighed deeply. "It's not indifference," she said. "Rather, I will continue to walk the path I must, even if that future holds death for me—or something far worse. But if this is my fate, I will face it without regret."
Artemis concluded, "Please, for the sake of this world, the battle between the Demon Lord and the Hero is a critical juncture in the timeline. Do not interfere."
Though Artemis spoke with gentle courtesy, Tribios had no doubt that if she refused, the Twelve True Gods would turn against her without hesitation.
Tribios paused for a moment, then said, "Let me consider this."
Artemis nodded, offering a slight bow. "May you make the right choice, and... sweet dreams, unknown god."
In the blink of an eye, the sea of flowers before Tribios vanished, and she found herself back in her bedroom. The only differences were that she had entered the dream lying down but returned standing up, and... beside her bed, the Century Gate still lingered.
Does this mean that if I pass through the Century Gate now, I can return to that dream realm?
This is a bit absurd, isn't it? Not only can I freely travel through the material world, but even a place like the dream realm?
After closing the Century Gate, Tribios returned to her bed, lay back, and let her long red hair spread across the bedding. She sighed deeply. "So, what am I supposed to do now..."
Come to think of it, she and Olivia had only known each other for a little over a year. Was it truly worth defying all the True Gods and risking the destruction of the world for someone she'd only known for such a short time?
Moreover, Olivia was just an ordinary human with a lifespan of only a hundred years. Even if Tribios saved her, they were destined to part ways in a century.
Tribios raised her right hand into the air, clutching the Time-Travel Magic Scroll given to her by Artemis. From a rational perspective, bidding everyone a simple farewell and leaving this place seemed like the best course of action.
But... as they say, that's only from a rational perspective. It's impossible for anyone to remain perfectly rational forever.
"I knew it. I still want to try something. If I just leave without doing anything, I'd definitely regret it!"
Regardless of right or wrong, she simply wanted to act. That was all.
However, by dawn the next day, Tribios still hadn't devised a plan. The moon goddess had wished her sweet dreams, but she hadn't slept a wink all night.
Fortunately, as a Demigod, her energy was inexhaustible. A sleepless night left her completely unfazed, with no dark circles under her eyes.
After waking up, Tribios resumed her usual routine, handling the Grand Duchy of Augustus's official duties. Olivia, Jay, and Tide also carried on with their respective tasks as if the Demon Lord's threat had no impact whatsoever.
Yet, there was a subtle shift. Olivia threw herself into her duties with even greater fervor. In her limited free time after work, she used to relax and chat with Tribios, but now she dedicated every spare moment to practicing swordsmanship.
Jay began studying magic late into the night, poring over ancient tomes. Tide, ever direct, simply approached Tribios and asked, "Is there anything I can do right now?"
Yesterday, when Tribios, Olivia, and Jay were discussing the Demon Lord, Tide was also present. Though he remained silent throughout, it didn't mean he hadn't been listening. His slow mind, however, left him clueless about what he should do, hence his current visit to ask for guidance.
To be honest, Tribios had no clear direction either. But like Olivia and Jay, if they lacked a plan, they should focus on improving themselves, becoming stronger. The greater their strength, the more options would naturally open up in the future.
After a moment's thought, Tribios said, "I'll have the blacksmith's workshop forge some custom training equipment for you. Use it to work on your physique. And... eat more."
For Tide, standard combat techniques were utterly useless. Take a simple horizontal slash, for example—a fundamental move, right? But if Tide were to attempt a horizontal slash with a greatsword against an enemy, who would he even hit? If the enemy were even slightly shorter, Tide's attack would simply miss entirely.
Therefore, it was better to focus on developing his strengths. At just seventeen, Tide's body should still be growing. Consistent training and a hearty diet to enhance his foundational physical prowess seemed like the best approach.
As everyone became increasingly busy with their own affairs, their regular gatherings at the Tavern, which had typically occurred every two or three days, were put on hold.
One evening, Tribios went to the Tavern alone, found an empty seat, ordered some food, and brought her own beer, silently eating her meal.
Just then, the Landlady sat down across from her. "Holy Maiden, are you here alone again? Where's Princess Olivia and that big guy?"
After a pause, she added, "Oh, and what about that jerk Jay? Why aren't any of them here?"
Tribios took a sip of her beer, her cheeks flushing slightly. With a sigh, she replied, "Everyone's been too busy to come."
It was like childhood best friends growing up and drifting apart. As they aged, each became absorbed in work, family, and raising children. The spontaneous playdates of their youth, where they could drop everything at a moment's notice, were now impossible. Each person had their own commitments, making it difficult to find time for anything else.
Tribios felt this keenly now, though Olivia and the others weren't preoccupied with marriage and children but rather with other pressing matters.
The landlady said, "Isn't this perfectly normal? Back in the old days, everyone was so idle, they could come to the tavern every day to chat, but they all looked so dejected. Ever since Your Highness the Holy Maiden arrived, everyone has found work and become busy."
"Even though they come to the tavern less often now, every time they do, their faces light up with genuine joy."
As if in response to her words, a chorus of cheers erupted around Tribios:
"Thank you, Holy Maiden!"
"All thanks to you!"
"I raise a toast to the Holy Maiden!"
Tribios naturally drew the attention of nearly everyone in the tavern upon entering. But fearing they might disturb her, no one approached to speak. Inevitably, though, most people kept glancing her way.
The Landlady's words had reached everyone's ears, and now they all raised their glasses in a toast, instantly filling the tavern with boisterous cheer.
The landlady continued, "The Princess and her entourage are very busy this time and couldn't make it. But we can always wait for the next opportunity, right? They can't be busy forever; they'll have free time eventually."
"Hmm..." Tribios managed a smile. "Thank you for your comforting words."
Time passed, and a month later, a crisis struck: Olivia's father suddenly fell gravely ill. Fortunately, thanks to the Century Gate, Tribios was able to summon a skilled Priest from the Kingdom of Ukel. With a single Divine Magic spell, the Priest effortlessly healed the King.
"Thank you so much, Little Trib!" Olivia hugged Tribios tightly, her gratitude overflowing. However, Tribios's most immediate sensation was Olivia's suffocating grip, their chests pressed together so tightly she could barely breathe.
In any case, Olivia's father was saved, further delaying Olivia's ascension to the throne. Yet, after this near-death experience, the King realized that even if he survived this ordeal, he might not survive the next. His days were numbered.
Olivia's father began to worry about her marriage prospects, but she brushed him off. "Are you worried about the succession to the Grand Duchy of Augustus? Don't worry. Even if I don't have children, we can hold an election to let all the people of Augustus choose the leader they believe is most suitable. Isn't that how Grandfather became king?"
"Wouldn't it be better to select a ruler from among the people, rather than gamble on a child whose character we can't know? Wouldn't that increase our chances of finding a wise and virtuous ruler?"
"Besides, I think Little Trib would be perfect! She's intelligent, kind, and long-lived. Most importantly, everyone in Augustus already loves her."
Such words would be considered treasonous in any other nation. A royal family without an heir, allowing an outsider to become king? Unthinkable! The nobles would likely launch a civil war or stage a coup within minutes, installing a puppet ruler.
Yet Olivia's father showed no anger. He simply sighed and said, "I'm not worried about the future heir to the Grand Duchy of Augustus. I'm worried about your happiness in your later years."
"With no one to care for you, will you be alright on your own...?"
"Stop spending every day rushing around for the Grand Duchy. Shouldn't you think about your own affairs for once?"
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PS: In this world, there are no stars. The only celestial bodies visible are the sun and moon, which are two True Gods.
PS2: Because the Protagonist's world is a "bubble" floating in the sea, there naturally exist other "bubbles" representing other worlds. If the coordinates of these other worlds are known, Tribios' Gate Authority can even allow her to travel to them.