In the tranquil mountain forest, by the placid waters of the pond.
Clutching the black shears, he plunged them into the body of the old crone, who stood like a frozen sculpture; the young prince seemed to be venting his fear and anger.
However, when the peak of his emotions had passed and he looked at the dark gold blood seeping from the ancient deity's body, Paris's reason gradually returned to him.
The golden blood, that was the color of Divine Blood, borne of the Divine King's lineage, confirming this result.
Offspring of a Deity or a Deity itself.
The reason it couldn't be confirmed was the grey matter mixed into the blood.
The prince didn't know what kind of backlash fate held, but his instincts told him this was nothing good.
"Mr. Paris, it seems that what you saw in the pond was not very pleasant."
"But you needn't worry, whatever you saw was just one possible direction for the future."
"Just as you now walk a completely different path. War and Death no longer accompany you."
Seeing the prince's bewilderment, Laine offered a consoling smile.
No matter what, Paris had done him a favor today, and he shouldn't leave empty-handed.
Perhaps he could offer him an escape, to avoid the war that was going to engulf the world... However, just as Laine was about to continue speaking, the prince suddenly lifted his head.
After a glance at the black shears, Paris's gaze slowly rose.
As their eyes met in midair, Laine didn't see fear in the prince's eyes, only desire and struggle.
"She's dead now, so those things she showed me probably won't come true, right?"
Paris spoke slowly, as if choosing his words carefully.
"That's correct, at least you can see it that way for yourself."
"Atropos won't come for you anymore... And as for those things she showed you, they were never going to come true."
Laine nodded slightly in agreement.
The prince's eyes flickered, his hand subconsciously brushing over the black shears.
The dark golden blood flowing over them made this seemingly ordinary tool mysterious and dangerous.
Yet feeling its cold touch, Paris's heart grew fervent.
"So, Your Highness, it seems you've gotten what you wanted, killed your enemy—though it's not exactly what we agreed on, but I did indeed provide some help, right?"
"That's also true, so if there's something you want to know, I'd be happy to enlighten you."
"If there's something you desire, I can also try to fulfill it for you."
Frowning slightly, Laine nodded again.
And at that moment, he realized the prince's intentions.
One's nature is hard to change... Perhaps some things are destined to happen, even without the influence of fate.
Even though he had guessed, Laine still asked one last question.
"So Paris, what is it that you want?"
"Power, wealth, or life?"
"Whatever you choose, I can satisfy you."
"No, I want none of that."
The prince spoke with conviction, "I desire them all, but I have experienced them all."
"Power, I was born a prince, wealth, I have never lacked."
"As for life, I'm not yet old, so why should I worry about youth?"
"So if I must choose the one thing I want the most... my answer is singular."
Deliberate in his words, Paris finally uttered the name that haunted him in the illusion before Laine.
"Helen, I want Helen."
"I only want her, I am her true love, and she is my only one; and having witnessed the hardships of the future, we will definitely not repeat the same mistakes."
"...If you want to find her, why come to me?"
"You should know where she is and how to bring her back."
After a moment of silence, Laine looked at Paris as if staring at a raft willingly heading towards the Abyss.
Yet standing by the unnamed pond, the prince was completely unaware.
"Of course, I know where she is, I will never forget her place, although it was just a meeting in an illusion."
"But this time it's different, this time, I won't sneak her away, I will openly take her from home; and this time, even without Onone's healing potion, I could live until the end of my life."
Onone, the River God Kobren's daughter, was Paris's true wife and the only one in the Prophecy who could save him from the grasp of death.
Originally, in his fated path, the prince had abandoned her for Helen.
And ultimately, with a wound from an arrow and no cure to be found, he had to face death in despair.
This time, although circumstances had changed, Paris harbored the same thoughts.
"You want this pair of shears, right? But they were given to me personally by that witch."
"Although I do not know the true use of it, I understand that without the user's permission, others shouldn't be able to utilize this special tool."
"Since you claim to possess greater skill than her, then demonstrate it, enabling me to withstand a hero's arrows, enabling me to take Helen away from Sparta."
"One item for another, the shears for you, strength for me, that is my only request."
Even though he knew the man before him might not be of good nature, and he might harbor resentment for his request.