Eren led Alephee and Ivor to the very edge of the cliff before turning around. He faced Ivor before speaking in a serious tone.
"Ivor, I'm not a firm believer in predetermined fates or a set future for anyone," Eren asserted, his gaze locked with Ivor's.
"However, I must acknowledge that we were meant to be chess pieces that this world was using to play a game of its own. Our futures were interwoven right from our birth. But what we will do from now on will depend upon us."
Ivor wore a perplexed expression, struggling to discern the true meaning behind Eren's words. Unbeknownst to him, Anfang's World Will had a plan in which he would bear the responsibility for Eren's actions. This knowledge had been conveyed to Eren during his Master Ranked breakthrough.
Eren paused, taking a deep breath, and began to share some of the insights he had gained from his conversation with Anfang's World Will. It was only then that Ivor grasped the reasons behind his false identity as the Osan Woods' Butcher.
Eren, however, omitted certain details, indicating that he had been entrusted with a significant task by Anfang's World Will but remaining vague about the particulars.
With a solemn demeanor, Eren slowly unveiled the enigma surrounding their shared history before proceeding with his narrative.
"Ivor, our encounter was rather fortuitous for me. I understand if you don't share the same sentiments, and I won't hold it against you. But know this. I thank you for shouldering the blame as the Osan Woods' Butcher to protect my interests," Eren conveyed sincerely, offering a respectful nod to Ivor.
Ivor found himself slightly taken aback by Eren's candidness. Memories of their deal in the Purgatory, which had irrevocably altered his life, flashed through Ivor's mind.
Eren retrieved a bottle of rare White Raven ale from his ID storage along with three small glasses. Seating himself on the verdant grass, he gestured for Alephee and Ivor to join him. Placing two glasses before Alephee and Ivor, he secured one for himself.
Carefully, he poured the ale from the bottle, filling all three glasses to the brim.
Eren felt a strong inclination to down the ale in a single gulp, a vice he'd occasionally indulged in from his past timeline. However, he reined in his urges and instead lifted his glass. Inhaling the rich aroma of the ale, a product of his own craftsmanship, he took a deep breath before continuing.
Eren's expression turned solemn as he addressed Ivor, his words carrying a weight of sincerity.
"Ivor, it's because of you that I've come this far. Even if the world were to uncover the truth about me tomorrow, it wouldn't matter. Even if you were to try and betray me tomorrow, it wouldn't matter.
That old hag, your family, your loved ones, and the very world that gave you life, they all viewed you as nothing more than a tool or pawn to further their own agendas."
Ivor couldn't help but let out a wry smirk at Eren's words. "Haha, you're no different, Eren. You've used me too."
Eren nodded without hesitation before continuing.
"You're absolutely right. I won't deny that I used you. But I used you when I could have easily ended your life. I used you because I had this inkling that you held some significance for me, something that made it worth keeping you alive. Now, after speaking with Anfang's World Will, I'm even more convinced of it."
Ivor recalled a conversation Eren had with Sage Eliza during his captivity in Purgatory, where Eren had argued against killing him. Eliza had agreed, not wanting to displease Eren. Eren's revelation left a bittersweet smile on Ivor's face as he acknowledged that his life had been spared thanks to Eren.
Eren sensed Ivor's unspoken thoughts and decided to elaborate further.
"The Lazarus Project is on the brink of conclusion, one way or another. I've done everything in my power to safeguard my interests. During this time, I handled everything alone to ensure I did things right.
But perhaps for the first time, I want to place my trust in someone other than myself and the ones I consider a part of myself," Eren looked at Alephee as he said. Alephee smiled at Eren and raised her glass as well, waiting for him to finish what he wanted to say to Ivor.
"The infamous Osan Woods' Butcher suddenly wants to have a friend? Why the change of heart?" inquired Ivor with a curious look.
Eren shrugged before explaining.
"Because I, too, have been manipulated by someone else. Not that I find fault in it. When you're strong, you use others, and when you're weak, you're used by others. It's one of life's fundamental truths.
But as pawns, it's our responsibility to rise above our circumstances, to free ourselves from the control of others. Nobody is coming to rescue us. We must pull ourselves out of the pits others have pushed us into."
Eren raised his glass, brimming with White Raven Ale, in front of Ivor, a silent toast to their shared resilience.
Ivor chuckled at Eren's words. "So you're suggesting that us pawns should stick together?" Eren joined in the laughter and then nodded.
"Yes, something along those lines. We both hail from the same city, and you've been one of the few people to stick with me for a significant period of time. From one pawn to another, you're as close to a genuine friend as I could think of. So, I need to know: Are you with me or against me?" Eren inquired in a neutral tone.
Ivor adopted a slightly sarcastic tone. "Let me guess, if I choose to stand against you, you'll eliminate me during the Lazarus Project?"
Eren's response was a serious nod.
"Yeah. But why wait until then? I'd have to deal with you right here and now if you're going to oppose me. I'll give you a painless death, something I rarely offer to anyone," Eren said with a plain look in his eyes. It was as if he was talking about killing someone completely irrelevant to Ivor or him.
