In the dream, due to the awkward posture I had assumed, I found myself on the ground, face-to-face with Nutrice lying there.

Her face, oddly flushed, might have been a result of what had just occurred. Seeing her expression, I fell deep into thought.

Was it the dream’s nature—where even the most surreal events feel oddly natural—that made me overlook so many inconsistencies?

Yes, it was easy to ignore such things because the modern version of me had never been this close to such a beautiful woman.

Actually, I don’t think I’d ever had a proper friend either.

In that sense, the dream Nutrice had shown me felt like it was gently healing old wounds.

By providing a sense of vicarious satisfaction, it helped soothe the pain and struggles I had experienced back then.

Even if it was fake, the subconscious’s perception can change enough to wash away wounds.

Still, how could she have known about my past?

Was it because she could reach into my subconscious?

She didn’t need to go out of her way to do this for me; it wasn’t her responsibility anymore.

"Nutrice, thank you."

"For what?"

"I don’t know why you showed me this dream, but thanks to it, I feel a little lighter."

Would the version of me in that world have had a better life if someone like Chiyo, the girl Nutrice had shown, had been around?

Would I have pursued more meaningful goals, dared to challenge myself with new opportunities?

The conclusion was futile.

To get close to someone like Chiyo, I would have had to put in the effort, and back then, I wouldn’t have had the will to do so.

Expecting someone out of my league to like me without any effort on my part was unfair.

"…I didn’t do it for your sake or anything."

"Hmm?"

Her response was unexpected.

What was she saying?

It didn’t seem plausible for her actions to have no connection to me when they so clearly felt like they were soothing my wounds.

Honestly, until I realized it was a dream, I’d been feeling pretty warm and fuzzy about it.

If this wasn’t for my sake, then what was it?

Puzzled, I tried to return to my original posture.

That’s when Nutrice wrapped her arm around my neck, pulling me close. She brought her lips to my ear and, in a tone reminiscent of the teasing voice she used when she first bound me, whispered:

"It was for my sake, you idiot."

Startled, I shot up, but Nutrice stood with a satisfied smile, brushing herself off.

Staring at her, unable to comprehend her words, I remained frozen. Nutrice sighed.

"Even after I spell it out, you don’t get it? You’re such a clueless idiot."

The scene from the dream—no matter how I looked at it—resembled a date between Chiyo and the past me.

But if it was for her sake...

That meant...

"…Hold on."

"I’m not waiting."

With that, Nutrice snapped her fingers.

A blinding flash enveloped both of us in an instant.

And before I knew it, I was drenched in cold sweat, sitting up in bed.

Catching my breath, I desperately hoped the dream had been nothing but an illusion.

But it had been far too vivid. Nutrice had appeared in that dream.

And everything in that dream had been orchestrated by Nutrice.

Which meant... Nutrice, too, was like the other gods.

Ah, damn it.

This was bad.

 

A series of overwhelming events made it surprisingly easy to digest what Nutrice had said to me.

Of course, that was relative—the pounding headache still lingered.

But I couldn’t afford to neglect my responsibilities. I slapped my cheeks lightly with both hands, forcing myself to regain focus.

I had been postponing this for far too long due to everything piling up, but now the time had truly come.

My steps carried me out of the branch office and into an alleyway. Soon, I arrived at the building I had once visited to uncover Oko's existence.

The familiarity I felt within the building came from the things I had experienced there.

With that thought in mind, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

As before, it was empty.

Inside, an elderly man sat alone, quietly holding his place.

I had always dismissed him as some sort of cultist, but now, the sight struck me as nothing short of sacred.

Perhaps he heard my footsteps.

The elderly man paused his prayer, stood up, and welcomed me with a warm smile.

"Sir Tantan, you've come again. Is there something you need this time?"

"No, I just wanted to thank you for the information you provided last time."

"Haha, this old man only shared what he hoped might be helpful."

His humility was striking.

How difficult it must have been for him, spreading Oko’s teachings alone all this time.

Hoping that people would overcome their distorted perceptions, reconcile with the divine beings, and restore peace.

Moved by the elderly man's unwavering dedication, I smiled with newfound respect.

"Yes, thanks to you, I was able to learn everything about Oko."

"Is that so? Then I'm glad—wait."

The elderly man looked up at me, startled by my choice of words.

Then, as if realizing the full weight of what I had said, he smiled warmly.

"…So you've regained your memories, my grandson."

"Forgive me for not recognizing you, Grandfather. I’ve been unfilial."

At my words, he simply patted my shoulder firmly and smiled.

"No, no. As long as you've returned safely, that’s all that matters."

Though he tried his best to maintain a smile, the tears welling in his eyes spoke of the emotional burden he had borne.

All I could do was clasp his hand in mine, trying to convey my gratitude and remorse.

 

"When the Observer hid their traces and was forgotten by all, they left my memories intact so I could help you. Following the Observer’s guidance, I arrived in Lontan, spreading the teachings. I thought you were dead, but meeting you again was… a joy beyond words."

Grandfather explained what had transpired during that time, and at last, things started to make sense.

How I had been able to resist the song of the Giant of the Snowy Mountain.

Oko had planned it all along.

"Grandfather, Oko is still alive."

"Of course. If that weren’t the case, your hair wouldn’t have changed the way it has."

He responded without hesitation, his expression turning serious as he began to share something important.

"Raydan, listen carefully. From now on, you must not create enemies. You must resolve any grievances directed at you and ensure they are willing to hear you out. Do you understand?"

"…Grievances against me?"

"You cannot ignore even the smallest ones. They could become significant obstacles when confronting the Giant of the Snowy Mountain. There’s still time. Observe those around you and strive for harmony. That was the final guidance the Observer left me."

Grievances against me?

As far as I knew, there wasn’t anyone who disliked me.

The entire Knight Order was essentially on my side, and the residents of Lontan’s territory had come to understand me after witnessing my desperate struggles.

The Hunter, the divine beings—they were all the same.

But the uneasy feeling remained, perhaps the very reason Oko left such words and disappeared.

"My grandson, I believe you’ll overcome this. You’ve done well to come this far, and better things lie ahead."

"Grandfather."

I smiled at him warmly.

"Before I go, can I have a piece of bread?"

"…Of course. Wait just a moment."

With a kind smile, Grandfather quickly disappeared into the room where the bread was kept.

Finally, I had found it—the long-lost scent of a cherished memory.

 

Struggling to walk with a stomach stuffed full of bread, I managed to move one step at a time.

I could tell Grandfather was overjoyed that I’d finally remembered him, but wasn’t this a bit too much?

I mean, he wasn’t Grandma, and yet he was trying to stretch my stomach like it was made of rubber.

Still, I reflected on the things Grandfather had just told me.

Resolve the grievances around me, huh?

It would be nice to know exactly where those grievances were coming from. But if I could figure that out, the Empire wouldn’t be frozen over like this in the first place.

Hmm.

Even trying to think about it simply only complicated things. I had no idea where such grievances might pop up.

Right. Let’s keep it simple.

If I haven’t heard of any major complaints so far, doesn’t that mean I’ve been doing a decent job?

Usually, if there’s nothing obvious, you can just move on.

With that logic, I decided to treat Grandfather’s words as light advice and not dwell too deeply on them.

At least, that was my intention.

「…So, you’re saying you’ve been calling our plant friend, dragon friend, and even the chronicler friend by their names?」

「…Hooong. Human, you abandoned me. I’ve been discarded. Now I’ll be packed into a box and thrown away.」

Suddenly, two distinct voices echoed in my mind: one cold and accusing, the other pitiful and exaggeratedly sorrowful.

Oh.

Uh.

Found it.

A grievance I had no clue how to address.