(The following chapter will continue with Adrian's perspective on the moment.)
(Are you sure about this?)
The voice inside his head asked. It has been 3 years since Adrian transmigrated into this world. Thrown into this unknown world of magic and fantasy, it felt like a kid suddenly thrown into the deep end. But thankfully, he had knowledge of this world, and he transmigrated as an extra, not a main character. That gave him some breathing room. He had time to adjust to the mechanics of this world.
Theon was isolated within his family. His relationship with his family was also estranged. That's made things easier. No need to pretend to be with people close to Theon. And most importantly, he was not alone. The person who was responsible for his transmigration has been continuously looking after him. She did not tell him what to do but offered him encouragement and advice. He also had a system. It had many functions, such as a status window, inventory, and mapping. It gave him quests and rewards, based on his own goals.
He made many changes to this character, such as abandoning the spear-based fighting style, focusing more on magic. With the help of the system, he came up with unique magic circles, allowing him to create a rapid fighting style.
A few months later, he started raising his reputation along with his strength. With his presence increasing, the Ignisborn clan started paying attention to him naturally. He did not have a hostile relationship with any family member. But he did not go out of his way to fix their relationship. Deep down, he could not accept them as his family.
(I know you want to change his fate. But you are being too hasty. Especially with your current situation. You can always point him in a different direction while staying in the background.)
Adrian sighed. She was right. He wanted to change Arden's fate. Even though "The Kingmaker Chronicles" novel was spectacular, it had a great flow. Almost all the main characters have a happy ending, except for the protagonist. Their happiness was born from his sacrifice.
"I know Frey. This is too reckless. But I feel like this might be the last chance to change his story. My instincts are screaming. These instincts I inherited from Theon, they always screamed when something bad was going to happen. I can feel like my time on this world is nearing its end."
(I'm sorry, Adrian. I'm still severely weakened from bringing you here and creating the system. If only I had my powers, I would shield you with fate itself. Even while governing fate, I can't see the threat you are about to face.)
"Don't blame yourself. At the end of the day, we have to do our best to survive. Whoever is plotting against me, I will come out on top."
As expected, it took quite a lot to convince Arden, including getting drunk.
"So let me get this straight. You are from another world. You read a novel called "The Kingmaker Chronicles" and then ended up coming to this world as an extra character."
Adrian nodded.
"And the protagonist of that novel was me."
"Yup."
" I pretended to be a villain, made the entire world my enemy, uniting all kingdoms and races against me, and died uniting the entire world against the demons?"
"Affirmative."
There was silence for a while.
"Who in the world wrote such a shitty novel? It's a shitty plot no matter how I look. Granted, uniting everyone in such a way is an interesting choice. But why would I go out of my way to do that? I can just make allies with powerful people, take over the empire economically, and earn the right to the throne in a much better way."
Adrian stayed silent through his entire outburst. This reaction is mild compared to everything he told Arden. Arden kept rambling about 50 different ways to become an emperor without doing such foolish things. Once he calmed down, Adrian spoke again.
"We don't have much time. So, listen. I have reason to believe that someone powerful is plotting against me. Someone who knows about me."
Arden had many questions, but he started listening. For some reason, Adrian looked desperate.
"Nobles in the Ignisborn clan started moving again. Even my own allies started looking at me strangely. There's a rumor going on that the young master of the Ignisborn clan is possessed. Except for those within Cindervale, everyone else is slowly leaving my side."
Arden observed Adrian for a moment and talked.
'I know. I started noticing it too. I don't have clear evidence, but someone has carefully woven a net around you. After everything you say, all of it makes sense."
Arden took a deep breath and spoke.
"When a person is at their best, they think they are invulnerable. That's the moment they least expect someone to strike. Your change of behavior, rapid growth, strength, and achievements are the perfect basis for people to target you with such a claim. All the wealth you accumulated and the reputation you gained only created more enemies. Now, someone has appeared, unifying them."
"Theon, or rather, Adrian. What are you going to do? I'm sure I can find out who it is. But there's not enough time. If you are right, they will make their final move soon. You have an upcoming duel with Thalia, right? That's the perfect opportunity."
"Arden-"
"Maybe we should fake your death? Draw out that person with your death and then lay a trap?"
"Sto-"
"We can also ask for your grandfather's help. He is the strongest after all. Or-"
Adrian slammed his fist onto the table, silencing Arden.
"I did not come here to ask for your help to find the culprit. I have already done everything I could and made all the contingency plans. There's nothing more we can do."
Arden had a furious look on his face.
"What's up with that pathetic tone? It's like you're planning on dying and came to say goodbye. My intelligence is the only good thing I have. If I can't even save my best friend, then what's the use of becoming an emperor? Are you really giving up after everything that happened?"
Adrian gave a sad smile.
"I have no intention of dying. I will do everything I can to survive. But I'm also prepared for that possibility. You of all people should understand. Besides, even if I die, I will somehow go back to where I came from. There's no need to mourn my passing."
Arden gritted his teeth.
"Then? What do you want from me? If you are revealing this much despite all the dangers, then you must be expecting something from me."
Adrian smiled and took out a diary and a purple card.
"This diary contains information about all the major events that happened in the novel. It also has information about Arden Varenthion in his prime, when he fought against the entire world without a drop of mana. His seven lieutenants who inherited the seven deadly sins and where to find them. I also wrote about countermeasures for Cindervale if they ever faced destruction when I'm not around."
Adrian took a deep breath.
"I know I'm asking for a lot. But please use this knowledge wisely. This is a skill card. Arden from the novel once used this to fake his death. Use it if the same culprit comes after you."
Arden still had a dark look on his face. After a moment of silence, he asked.
"Why are you going so far? You do not owe anything to this world. Why are you trying so desperately to change our fates at the cost of your life?"
Adrian smiled.
"Even before coming to this world, I only had one wish. I wanted to see a different ending for two characters. I wanted Arden to have a happy ending, and for Theon to achieve everything he deserved. I might die without achieving either, but I have to try."
"If I am to die, my system will be inherited by someone compatible. I might be able to preserve my soul within the system for around a year. During that time, I will guide this person on a fateless path, if they are willing. That is my last attempt at changing the direction of the world."