Chapter 1892: Chapter 1892

"But... is there really no version of me in this possibility? Could it be like the last world, where another Jenkins with the same name lives here? That must be how she knew my... No, that's not right. She recognized me from my face. It can't be like the last possibility."

He speculated internally, continuing to comb Queen Windsor's hair. He'd never done anything before, but he often ran his fingers through Chocolate's short fur. He figured the two tasks must have something in common.

She spoke his full name softly, her face graced with a gentle smile as she looked at him through the mirror.

"I've known this name for a long, long time, but today is the first time I've ever spoken it aloud."

He asked slowly, carefully and deliberately drawing the comb from the crown of her head to the very tips. The motion met no resistance from tangled strands; her hair was of exceptional quality, incredibly smooth.

"No, I don't know you."

Queen Windsor denied it, and the slight shake of her head briefly hindered Jenkins's combing, but he was able to continue. Standing so close behind her, he could smell her scent.

"What am I thinking?"

He chided himself internally, then realized that he had only ever noticed the color of a young woman's hair, never its actual condition.

"I possess the vast majority of my memories, from my earliest recollections to the present moment. I can clearly recall everything I've done in the past. Especially after becoming an Enchanter, my ever-growing soul and spirit have given me an even more detailed grasp of those memories."

She spoke as though she were narrating a story:

"But I've understood for a long time—though I can't say exactly when it started—that these memories are not my own. This world doesn't have such a long history, and I am not that old. All of it is false."

Jenkins didn't pause his combing this time; he had already suspected as much. A world without him... of course it would give rise to such bizarre events.

This proved it: both the original Jenkins and the current stranger were crucial to the world's stability. No matter which soul piloted the 'Jenkins Williams' identity, and no matter the direction the individual named 'Redemptor' might steer the material world, the very existence of Jenkins Redemptor Williams was of monumental importance to the entire world.

"So when did you realize?"

Jenkins asked, following her lead.

"From what my memories tell me, this idea has been with me for as long as I can remember. But to be precise, this world and I have only existed for less than an hour. So, this idea must have simply appeared in my memories along with my own creation an hour ago."

The logic was a bit convoluted, and it took Jenkins a moment to grasp it.

"It sounds incredible, doesn't it? Even my realization that this world is false is a conclusion brought to me by false memories."

Queen Windsor remarked, then added in a soft complaint:

"Have you truly never combed a young woman's hair before? Even if you're only combing a little at a time, must you keep pulling on that one small lock?"

"I've never met you, yet I know of you. I was able to perceive the falseness of this world from within my memories precisely because I was aware that it was missing a person named Jenkins Williams. By the same token, that very awareness was also granted to me by those false memories."

The implication was clear: the Windsor speaking before him seemed to know everything.

"What exactly do you know?"

"I know this world is an illusion. I know someone would appear here, making it real for a short time. And after they leave, everything will vanish."

She suddenly reached backward in a very awkward posture, catching the hand with which Jenkins was combing her hair. He naturally tried to pull free, but was surprised when she, still seated, twisted around and grabbed his hand more forcefully.

"I also know that if you existed, everything here should be yours."

"You're right... huh?"

This place should be his home, but something was off. This was the stranger's home, not the original's. The last two worlds had already proven that in a timeline where the stranger never arrived, the house on St. George Street was perpetually for rent—and never actually rented out due to rumors of it being haunted. It had nothing to do with the original Jenkins.

But his Lie Godhood judged her words as truth. Therefore, Jenkins concluded, the "Jenkins" she knew of—the one who was supposed to exist—was most likely not the wanted fugitive.

"But why is that? Why does she know of me, and not the original?"

At first, he couldn't quite grasp it, but then a thought struck him: possibilities were based on reality. Perhaps when he had entered and exited the last two possibilities, the Mysterious Realm had already detected an anomaly and initiated some kind of corrective mechanism.

This solipsistic world wasn't some rigid simulation run by a giant computer; the idea that it could change in response to reality seemed perfectly plausible.

"Including me. I should be yours, too."

Because Queen Windsor was seated while Jenkins stood, she had to tilt her head up to look at him.

"Sorry, what do you mean?" The most update n0vels are published on N()velFire.net

"If you existed, everything here would be yours. I don't believe the meaning of that statement is particularly profound."

"What do you really want? Where are my friends?"

Queen Windsor smiled, turned back to the mirror, and gestured for Jenkins to resume combing her hair. Unlike the Jessica Windsor of the previous two worlds, this Windsor was a genuine demigod-level Enchanter. Subduing Magic Miss would likely have been easy for her, but Jenkins wasn't certain what the outcome of a fight between the two of them would be.

"My memories tell me I prepared a great many things in anticipation of your arrival, including purchasing this house three years ago. But, as we both know, this world has only existed for an hour. Everything I know is what I'm supposed to know, not what I've actually done. It's a curious phenomenon, one that signifies your importance to my existence."

Jenkins didn't respond. He held the comb in his right hand while his left gently stroked her hair. His hand was very close to her neck, almost resting against the back of her head. From this range, he could unleash either Blasphemous Creation or Knowledge Bestowal almost instantaneously.