Chapter 1134 (2/2)

The heat in Randidly's chest was so hot that it began to feel cold. But then Ileot spoke and pulled his attention back to the hairless man.

”As I promised, I shared the truth about Vualla. A monster that grew so large she couldn't survive the power contained in her body. And now... I think it's time for us to talk about our own relationship.”

Slowly, the heat in Randidly's chest faded. He flexed his fingers, torn by empathy for the path Vualla had truly taken and annoyance that this grimy being in front of him would paint her life in such broad and inaccurate strokes. But of course, this being was far more powerful than Randidly. To forget that was to throw his own life away. Because the awful truth was that if Ileot truly wanted something from Randidly... it would be almost impossible for him to stop the Duplicator from simply taking it by force.

Which is why it's so important that I condense my own Fate and use that knowledge to create a Class for Lady Iellaya. Randidly's fingers clenched into fists. With her support... maybe resisting will be possible. Although depending on how powerful Ileot is, even she might not be able to intervene on my behalf...

Randidly shook his head and then said aloud, ”So, what does Ileot Swacc want from someone like me?”

Ileot chuckled. ”Don't act like you don't know. Your physical body was examined when it was separated from your images to determine the extent of your uniqueness... and I believe all involved were surprised. You created an entire world within yourself. A REAL world, which should be impossible. There are certain... restrictions to my duplication ability that I hope you will understand that I withhold from you. But suffice to say I cannot simply duplicate you by seeing you or touching you. So I wish for you to assist me in a ritual that will allow me to duplicate you.”

Although it was expected that Ileot's goal was the Alpha Cosmos, it still caused Randidly to shiver that he said it so bluntly. In addition, it was extremely uncomfortable to imagine that in addition to giving Ileot access to the Alpha Cosmos, there would be a duplicate Randidly running around if Randidly were ever to agree.

And if that alternate Randidly was under this hairless man's control, Randidly didn't doubt that he would not have a good life.

Doing his best to keep his worry from his face, Randidly said, ”Is it really that strange to have become a world...? I've seen many wondrous things accomplished with images. Why is it so important that it isn't simply a strong image.”

”Ah, of course, you wouldn't understand. You are too weak,” Ileot said dismissively. Then he waved his hand grandly in the air and the area around them changed. The Great Rift and the broken orange-brown stone around them were gone. Instead, they were standing on a frozen tundra. The wind howled between the two of them, bringing with it heavy snow and sleet. The chilling cold was so abrupt and complete that Randidly gasped. Very quickly a thick layer of frost began to creep across his metallic left arm.

”True,” Ileot said softly. ”Many of us has reached the level that it is simplicity itself to create an image that has the same potency as the real world. Even one that would endure for quite a long time. Yet these worlds we can create... they aren't truly real. They are ultimately hollow, malformed things incapable of growth.”

”Images change all the time,” Randidly said with a frown. He brought his hand up and scratched away the ice that was forming on the slight stubble across his cheeks. He could feel the chilling moisture on his fingers.

”They are tainted by influences. Other images are like drops of paint in water; they dye them varied colors. But they do not truly grow; they cannot. They will always simply be paint mixing in the water bucket. They will always be limited by the Willpower and imagination of the maker. Which is not the case for something that is actually real.”

Just as quickly as it arrived, the tundra around them disappeared. Randidly was extremely annoyed to notice that while Ileot seemed immaculate after their brief jaunt, the melting frost remained on Randidly’s own body. While he scraped it off, Randidly spoke lightly. ”...I have to admit that I don't really understand the fixation with this label of real. If it feels and acts real... isn't that real? Although I suppose I understand the theoretical difference in being limited by the creator of the image. But even then, I think images can grow on their own.”

Ileot shook his head. ”If I was having this conversation with anyone else but you, I would very gladly give them a sharp correction. But for you... perhaps your images truly do grow. But that is related to how special you are. Hum, do you... in your world are you aware of the concept of evolution?”

Not sure where this was going, Randidly nodded slowly. Ileot continued, ”There are two processes that would count as evolution. One is a true evolution, where organisms are growing in response to external stimuli from their environment. That is real. The other version of evolution... is where all beings are randomly growing at all times. Slowly, the unlucky ones who do not develop in a direction relevant to their environment die out and those that do get relevant traits procreate and spread. In the end, both processes lead to the growth of a species.

”But you know... if you actually living through these processes... wouldn't existing with the false evolution be quite fraught with anxiety? Reality is reassuring. To be real is to escape the fickleness of chance… to be immune to the random growth that might hurt you as surely as help. To only be shaped by other images, not dyed by them.”

Randidly frowned at Ileot. He sorta understood that Ileot was trying to defend the odd fixation with reality, but it was difficult for Randidly to follow how the metaphor was relevant.

Perhaps sensing that misunderstanding, Ileot just sighed. ”Ultimately, this conversation is just a bonus. Just know that I deeply value the reality you have been able to create. If a duplicated version of you would be able to do the same... it would be immensely valuable.”

Ileot straightened and put his hands behind his back. ”So, finally, to business.”