The Oracle Paths

950 Rules and Duties

A poignant silence enveloped the room following the petite Overseer's inaugural revelation. Each grasped his words in isolation, yet wrestled with visualizing their practical implementation.

The snag was that participating in an Ordeal bore no resemblance to acquiring a movie ticket. Not only was the choice of "film" beyond one's control, but reservations were utterly unattainable.

Each forthcoming Ordeal resembled a lottery draw for the Players, and until now, no known method existed to influence this gamble. Their sole stratagem was to enter a Red Cube with all their companions concurrently, ideally the same Red Cube, in hopes of landing in the same Ordeal World thereafter.

The Quanoth Ordeal stood as an anomaly, as the pool of contestants from B842 was sparse. By synchronizing their participation on a single day, it was effortless to arrive in the same locale.

Yet, Oros seemed to imply that, commencing with the Fifth Ordeal, influencing this whimsical draw was feasible, despite participants being indiscriminately selected from planets spanning one or more Systems.

I'l know what you're thinking, but there's no need for doubt." Oros chortled as he gauged their skeptical reactions. "You've likely all beseeched the heavens to land in the same Ordeal World when entering a Red Cube with your comrades, and barring exceptions, your prayers have been answered, haven't they?"

Jake, the other Oracle Knights, and their retinues instinctively sought to refute him, but as they sifted through their recollections for a counterexample, they realized the extraterrestrial was right. Jake had never truly concerned himself with this matter, but in hindsight, a single Quanoth did not exist.

No guarantee existed that Ruby and her team from New Earth would materialize on the same Quanoth as him and his cohort. And yet, it transpired nonetheless.

Keenly observing their shifting expressions, Oros discerned that most were swayed, and continued with his didactic tone, "I see you've grasped that too. Never forget, the Oracle System is omniscient, all-knowing, and invariably makes the optimal decisions, whether for your gain or that of the Mirror Universe. As for who holds more significance between you and the Mirror Universe, I'll leave that for you to determine..."

The hearts of the Evolvers in the chamber chilled upon hearing that ominous remark. Indirectly, it could be construed thus: If the fate of the Mirror Universe hung in the balance, the Oracle System would not hesitate to betray them.

Pleased with the stir he had created, Oros resumed in a more jovial tone, "In any case, to summarize, as long as you intend to participate with a particular individual, the Oracle System will strive to make it feasible. Ordinary Players may proceed as usual, but for you, a distinct system has been established. It is quite elementary. Agree beforehand on a date for your Fifth Ordeal with at least two Oracle Knights of your choosing and be committed to adhering to it, or face grave consequences—whose particulars I shall spare you. But trust me, attempting to evade them is ill-advised...

"On this subject, there is indeed a rationale for assembling you all within this chamber. If you have taken a moment to scrutinize one another, you must have discerned that you bear a certain semblance to each other. By this, I imply that your statures and forms are rather alike. Possessing allies of similar species and appearances significantly enhances your likelihood of participating in the same Ordeal, whilst ensuring a more balanced contest. This nuance is of paramount importance, for if one of the Oracle Knights or their underlings with whom you desire to confront your next Ordeal is an enormous alien the size of a small planet, rest assured that at least one comparably sized alien or something equally daunting will emerge on the opposing side. All this, to maintain unmitigated impartiality for both factions. Unless you possess absolute confidence in your prowess, I strongly advise you to ally with those who resemble you. Certainty is elusive, but if it can increase your odds of victory even slightly, the endeavor is worthwhile."

As Oros concluded his elucidation, Jake's mood grew somber. His faction boasted dragons, gargantuan beasts, and even a tree. If he persisted in desiring to partake in the same Ordeal as them, then they would indeed have to steel themselves for the enemy camp to include analogous creatures within their ranks.

Jake harbored no trepidation toward his companions, but he was uncertain how a dragon like Immyr (Hade's dragon) compared to others of its ilk. If the opposing camp's Oracle Knight were selected from another race with a considerably higher innate potential, they might confront an adversary that bordered on invincibility.

This intelligence could prompt him to reevaluate the choice of faction members permitted to participate in their Fifth Ordeal beside him.

While Jake agonized over these uncontrollable variables, his comrades and those of the other Oracle Knights had already commenced assessing one another to determine who merited becoming their ally for the imminent Ordeal.

The lone Oracle Knight standing without a subordinate in a corner of the room was discontented with this new regulation and inquired with a hint of vexation, "What occurs if we find no Oracle Knight to participate with?

Does that render it impossible for us to engage in our Fifth Ordeal?"

Oros nodded inwardly, anticipating this query from the outset, as it frequently surfaced at every ceremony. Patiently, he replied, "I may have misled you earlier. The rule merely mandates you to plan the day of your Ordeal, but you are certainly at liberty to participate solo if that is your preference. Just as you can elect an ally as colossal as a behemoth the size of a solar system if it pleases you.

"However, keep in mind that as long as you are an Oracle Noble, you are bound to defend the interests of the Mirror Universe, and your survival and performance in the Ordeals are part of that. Going solo means you will be isolated in your next Ordeal. In an Ordeal where the mortality rate exceeds 97% and the fate of your camp affects your survival chances far more than your individual skill, I strongly advise against such a gamble. It's okay if you die. You won't be around to pay the price. But if you survive your Ordeal and the Mirror Universe camp loses, I can assure you that you will bitterly regret it. The penalty for failing your Main Mission will be the least of your worries."

The Oracle Knight who had just asked the question shuddered at Oros' last words. He had no desire to discover what the alien meant by that.

Directing his mental sense at each of the other Oracle Knights, who stiffened slightly upon feeling his spiritual pressure, the Oracle Overseer resumed his lecture in a more solemn tone,

"The second rule is evident, yet I shall reiterate it: you must pledge unwavering loyalty to the Mirror Universe. The third rule is that to maintain your noble title and aspire to higher ranks, you must also accomplish a certain number of objectives.

Now that we've covered the rules, let us move on to your duties and responsibilities. As you may have deduced from these first three rules, your foremost and singular responsibility towards the Mirror Universe is to ensure its prosperity by any means necessary. Conversely, ordinary Players focus on their individual performance for promotion and maximum credit acquisition, while your noble title is directly influenced by your contribution to your camp's victory. Those individualistic, yet immensely strong Players who act selfishly to the point of compromising their camp's victory will never be promoted to Oracle Knights. For instance, the Anti-Life super-faction, which seeks the destruction of all life forms in the Mirror Universe to create their new order, has virtually no Oracle Nobles within its ranks.

"This gives rise to numerous duties. You have grasped the concept for the Ordeals, so let us now discuss other aspects that concern both you and me more directly. In the constant pursuit of the Mirror Universe's prosperity, you have the duty to defend it against all internal and external threats, including the Digestors and beyond. Other Evolvers are not obliged to risk their lives, but you must."

Cho Min Ho immediately raised his hand as Oros mentioned this last point.

As comfortable as possible in front of the diminutive alien, the Korean cleared his throat without showing any sign of nervousness and expressed his doubts, "While conducting my research, I read that, on the contrary, an Oracle Noble cannot be forcibly mobilized, and my Oracle Al confirmed this information. Are the Oracle System Archives incorrect?"

As Cho Min Ho's incisive inquiry echoed through the chamber, a shudder rippled among the Oracle Knights, each arriving at the same startling revelation. Jake's mind flashed back to a similar sentiment uttered by Xi, not so long ago. But if that were the case, who was in error? The notion of a flaw lurking within the impregnable database of the Oracle System seemed inconceivable to Jake. And if it were true, then they would have every reason to be truly alarmed.