My Measurement: The Villain Desires a Satisfying Payback

Chapter 164 - 164: 156: Arrival in New City

My goal is to return to Earth.

This young but supposedly genius mage, Lud, had claimed that magic is capable of carrying out that task, at least in theory.

So far, I have identified three things holding me back.

First of all, is the magic itself―Since learning magic myself would take too long, I need someone capable of casting either top-class spatial or dimensional magic, which are both apparently exceedingly rare.

Secondly, I need an immeasurable amount of pure magic energy. Lud wasn't able to give me a quantifiable number, but by his rough estimate, the amount of magic energy required to travel worlds would likely be about a fifth of this world's total magic energy.

Lastly, I need the coordinates of Earth for the magic to be cast successfully. If teleportation magic is ever cast without the right coordinates, Lud said, then whatever is being transported will be destroyed with a 99.999% failure rate.

Overall, it sounds very implausible, but I think it can be done.

No, it must be done.

However, in order to do so, I will probably require the assistance of one of the Twelve Transcendents just like I was first told.

The only issue is that I need to select a particular transcendent to enlist, as not all of them would be able to help me.

We start with 12.

For starters, let alone spatial or dimensional magic, I have been informed by one of the other party members, the archer Gil, that not all transcendents are even capable of casting magic in the first place.

That alone narrows down the

"Saving 'the' B-rank adventurer party, Steel Balance, and single-handedly escorting them home without so much as a slight disruption... You look young to accomplish such a feat."

Then, he asked.

"Sorry, but do you have I.D.? I can't let you through without it, even if what Rhode here said is true."

"..."

At that, I wordlessly reached into my pocket and took out a small card. "Does this work?"

"Hmm... F-rank, huh." Handing over the adventurer card I had just received before leaving the abandoned city a few days ago, he muttered before asking. "Did you recently apply, or are you hiding your true rank?"

"I just applied. I come from a faraway place, so I didn't possess the I.D. used in this land until recently."

Nodding at my reply, the man handed me my card back and took a few steps away from the carriage. "Well, if Rhode's fantasy-like story is to be believed, then I expect to hear stories of your name in the future, Cee."

He lightly smiled.

"Welcome to River."

Thus, we passed the checkpoint without any issues.

Everyone exited the carriage at the city stables and gathered for a final goodbye before we departed.

"Hm. Cee, I know it's been a short time, but I'm really glad you were with us. It made travelling a whole lot easier, you know?"

"That's right! And, I've yet to pay you back for saving my life―if there's ever something you may need, don't hesitate to give me a call!"

"We could always do with more reliable guys like you."

Elle, Lud, and Gil each said their pieces with vigour, and finally, I turned to the party leader, Rhode.

"Cee. You saved the life of one of my party members, and since I'm not sure we could've made it back with just three, potentially even all of us."

"I can't thank you enough; for that, Steel Balance is in your debt."

"If ever you're in need of a party to go adventuring with, we'll be there."

"You might be thinking it's a drag because you're strong, but always remember―"

He formed a fist with his hand and gently bumped my chest.

"―What's most important is to make sure that this never loses."

"..."

"Maybe you don't understand right now, and you will probably forget about it in a few days or weeks, but engrave it into your heart and you'll always be reminded when the time comes."

He lowered his hand and started walking away with the rest of the party.

"We'll be taking a short rest before getting back into things, so maybe we'll see you around. Stay strong, lad."

"See ya~!"

"Goodbye! Send a message through the Guild if you need something!"

"'Till next time."

Watching their backs as they all headed off in separate directions, I turned my head down.

I looked at my chest; the spot where Rhode had pressed.

"..."

To be honest, I had no idea what he was talking about when he said that stuff at the end.

'What's most important is to make sure that this never loses.'

It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but it doesn't matter anyway.

Because...

Moving away from the stables, I walked down the street and looked around me as I went.

This giant, mediaeval city, teeming with people.

In a sense, it could be considered real, but in reality, none of it was.

In these past few days, I have come to realise a few things about the world―about reality.

It's quite simple, really.

It's that things exist―just not in the realm of reality.

It could thus be called the realm of the imaginary―a false, or imitation reality.

This Otherworld resides in a place of lower status than my Earth due to its creators being from that world, but they share the same false reality.

My power, Reality, the evolution of Truth.

Compared to Truth, who could answer any question about 'reality' I asked, be it the fake or real version.

In essence, I could exert my own influence over the fake reality in which I live.

It was close to being granted editorial rights.

With this power, I will return to Earth and carry out my revenge on those who have wronged me, those who can't seem to leave me alone no matter what.

I will rid of them once and for all.

And once that is done, I will escape this cursed false reality.

I don't need lower existences such as yourselves to interfere with that.