episode_0100

―To Her Majesty, the 18th Emperor:

Erhen Martina Haizan, Emperor of the Haizan Empire.

Military Progress Report.

Imperial Year 420, March 27. The collapse of the frontlines has begun. Starting from the 3rd Barracks under the stewardship of the Holy Knight Commander, all nearby military bases have been completely annihilated. Confirmed survivors: 1. Likely intentionally released.

On this day, the Demon Queen, colloquially known as the “Queen of Winter,” Arina, commenced her official activities for the first time.

Imperial Year 420, April 14. Several major cities of the Kingdom have fallen. Significant damage is presumed to have been inflicted upon the Kingdom’s forces. Confirmed annihilation of dispatched Imperial troops and the Holy Nation’s forces.

Imperial Year 420, April 22. The relocated capital has fallen following the collapse of the royal capital. By this point, the Kingdom’s forces have largely been wiped out, effectively losing all military power.

Imperial Year 420, May 4. The destruction of the Kingdom of Gilnias has been officially confirmed. Scouts were dispatched, but all lost contact. Assessing the internal situation of the Kingdom proved impossible. Upon declaring the Kingdom’s fall, the Demon Queen’s forces simultaneously declared war on two nations: the Haizan Empire and the Holy Nation of Gaia.

Imperial Year 420, May 24. The Demon Queen’s forces launched their invasion of the Empire. Border outposts were obliterated in an instant. Yet, through survivor testimonies and intelligence from the Kingdom, one crucial fact was uncovered—before each invasion, the blizzard ceases. It is reasonable to conclude that the blizzard blanketing the entire continent since last year is the work of the Demon Queen. From this point onward, she became widely known as the “Queen of Winter.”

Imperial Year 420, June 7. Reports confirm that attacks have begun on the Holy Nation as well. The Holy Knight Order, stationed within the Empire, has withdrawn.

Imperial Year 420, June 16. Intelligence confirms sightings of most high-ranking officers of the Demon Queen’s forces on the Holy Nation’s battlegrounds. Despite this, the Holy Nation’s defensive lines have not been significantly breached, leading to the conclusion that the core force rapidly conquering the Empire is centered around the Queen of Winter. The full extent of her power remains speculative. Given the unprecedented meteorological phenomena attributed to her and the horrifying speed of her conquests, her threat level exceeds that of the Demon King himself.

Imperial Year 420, June 18. · · ······

Your Majesty. Before the Empire falls, this servant must voice his final conviction. The Demon Queen is unlike any foe we have faced before. Not a single strategy employed to stall her advance has worked. Even the Guardians—our last hope—have been lost. Perhaps it is already too late. Perhaps we are now resigned to accepting our extinction. But if we are to defeat the Queen of Winter in a final stand, we must commit all remaining forces before further attrition renders resistance impossible. Should even this fail, no hope remains for the Empire. However, action must be taken now before it is too late. For reasons unknown, the Demon Queen’s forces are heading toward Blacksmith ahead of the Imperial capital, Blaze. There is nowhere left to flee. No alternatives remain. The decisive battle must be waged there.

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“So. You’ve all gathered to make my conquest easier—is that your decision?”

Blacksmith, the City of the Artisan—its front gates, the very site where the Archmage Liel Frost once clashed with the Order of the Flaming Knights. There, where the knights were ultimately reduced to icy fragments, the Demon Queen sat perched upon the frozen remnants, waiting.

Imperial Year 420, June 30. The remaining Imperial forces: 438,451. The assembled army, gathered to vanquish the Demon Queen, finally faced her. She does not spare those who stand against her. Even those who escaped alive chose death upon realizing they would face her again, taking their own lives rather than endure another encounter. Thus, the sight of the Demon Queen—whose existence had until now been mere rumor—was witnessed for the first time by all.

The first impression she gave was far from that of a monstrous entity powerful enough to topple a kingdom. She was breathtakingly beautiful—enough to widen pupils instinctively—but that wasn’t the reason for the dissonance. Her appearance bore no resemblance to demons. If anything, she looked entirely human. That incongruity unsettled all present.

Unperturbed by their confusion, the Demon Queen crossed her legs and spoke. “But… huh. Not a bad choice, really. Isn’t it better to die quickly than to tremble in fear, waiting for death when your turn comes? And isn’t it less terrifying if everyone dies together? Or… well, I wouldn’t know, since I’ve never died.”

Regardless, letting her dominate the atmosphere with her rambling was unacceptable. The newly appointed captain of the Order of the Flaming Knights raised his voice to rally morale: “Enough nonsense! We’re here to claim your head! Where have you hidden your forces?”

Indeed, the Demon Queen stood alone. No army. No weapons. Bare-handed, awaiting them as if she had no intention to fight—or perhaps because she needed nothing more.

“They’re right here?” She lazily gestured behind her, where two figures stood with their arms crossed—an orc and a troll, both unarmed. If these were hidden high-ranking officers, they were unconvincing. The knight commander dismissed them as non-threats.

“Do you truly believe this is enough to face us… Queen of Winter?” “Ohhh, is that my nickname? Pretty cool. I like it.” Whistling cheerfully, she clapped her hands in delight.

“You… Are you mocking us?!” The knight commander scowled, flames wreathing his blade. But the Demon Queen’s playful smirk remained.

“Figured it out yet? You all came here ready to stake your lives in battle—but I’m just here to play.” She smiled. A childlike grin stretched across her face as she casually insulted those who had marched to war with their lives on the line.

“You damn witch—!” Enraged at having their courage ridiculed, the soldiers surged forward at their commander’s signal.

As the knights charged, the troll subordinate, Bargan, asked: “What should we do, Your Majesty? Join in?” “Kik! Jahal, kill humans!” “Stay put. No need to pointlessly die. Your real opponents aren’t these ones.”

Arina raised a hand to halt her subordinates, then conjured dozens of ice spears suspended midair—each pillar-sized. The charging knights faltered momentarily but did not stop. Sweating profusely yet still rushing toward death, they pressed on. With a sound like splitting skies, the spears descended.

The frontline soldiers braced themselves, shutting their eyes tightly—they would be the stepping stones for their comrades to reach the Demon Queen. Their sacrifice would lead to humanity’s salvation.

Whoooosh!

Yet their resolve was shattered in an instant. Sssss— High-temperature flames melted the ice, and steam exploded outward like fog.

When the mist cleared, and the Demon Queen reappeared, the battlefield’s atmosphere shifted violently. Though her attack had been blocked, Arina smiled in satisfaction.

“Knew you’d show up… Leona.”

Leona Pyroate. A member of the Hero’s Party now stood before them. The cheers of nearly 400,000 soldiers echoed like thunder.

A symbolic hero—one they could trust and follow. The sheer morale her presence instilled was immeasurable.

‘And just how deep will their despair be when that hope is extinguished?’

Realizing her identity, Leona gasped. “Liel? You’re Liel?!” “You recognized me? Grace didn’t. Guess this is what they call ‘true friendship,’ huh?”

Had Leona not spoken first, she might never have recognized her former comrade. The woman before her bore little resemblance to the Liel she remembered—blackened hair, darkened aura, completely transformed.

“Liel, you—” “If you’re about to ask ‘why,’ don’t. You know the reason better than anyone.” “…I do. I know. You have every right to hate us.” “Then we have no need for words. What we need isn’t dialogue, right?”

Finally seeming ready to fight, the Queen of Winter rose to her feet. She leapt into the air, landing flawlessly at the heart of the army.

Countless spears, swords, and arrows flew toward her. But—

With a wave of freezing air, everything around her turned to ice.

“Don’t stop!” The commander’s judgment was cold but flawless. Soldiers shattered their frozen comrades, pressing forward in a human wave.

A single gesture froze thousands solid. Those who met her gaze had their necks twisted, spines bent unnaturally. A kicked soldier became a projectile, piercing hundreds before exploding in a gruesome rain of gore.

The slaughter continued relentlessly. Corpses piled higher with each passing moment.

“STOP IT!” A burst of flame repelled the frost as Leona’s sword clashed with Arina’s. The Demon Queen caught the blazing greatsword bare-handed—then froze it instantly. The cold traveled up the blade, swallowing Leona’s arm.

She barely tore free, but shock paralyzed her. The gap between them had widened beyond comprehension.

‘Liel… Just how much stronger have you become?’

“…Fight me. Leave the weak alone.” “No.” “What?” “You’re the finale—the cherry on top. Know what I mean? Wait your turn while I deal with these ants.”

With that, Arina soared upward and resumed the massacre.

“You—!” Leona gave chase—but doubt gnawed at her. Was this lunatic truly Liel Frost? Had something stolen her body? Was this all an illusion?

The fall of Liel Frost—to those who knew her, it was unimaginable.

“LIEEEEEEL!!!!” A full-powered slash sent Arina crashing through the earth. She rose almost immediately, unharmed.

“So angry~ Are you throwing a tantrum because I ignored you?” “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Betraying you, handing you over to the Packmule—it was all our fault! So please… stop this!” “…Are you apologizing now?” Arina blinked in exaggerated surprise.

Spotting a fragment of her old ally in that gaze, Leona pressed on desperately. “Yes! So please—” “…………” Silence. But the slaughter ceased.

The Imperial soldiers watched warily as the torrent of magic halted. Leona sheathed her sword and embraced Arina.

This was her sin. Their sin. The world’s sin. Had she not yielded to the Packmule… Had someone in the party stopped this before it went too far… Had the three nations not cornered her… Had even one person stood by her side…

None of this would have happened.

“Leave it to me. I’ll convince everyone—Marika, Yuria, even the Packmule. We’ll make sure you’re forgiven.”

A single tear rolled down Arina’s cheek within Leona’s embrace. “Don’t lie… You’re tricking me… You’ll betray me again… You’ll… hurt me again…” “No. Trust me. I won’t let anyone curse you or lay a hand on you. Not even the Packmule.”

A gentle hand stroking her hair triggered something. Arina burst into tears, burying her face in her former comrade’s chest. “Leona… I… I didn’t… really…” “I know. You never wanted this, right? It’s not your fault. So come back. Don’t add to your sins.”

That warmth—like a mother’s voice, now barely remembered—made her cling tighter. “I didn’t… really… really… kill……” “Huh?”

BOOM!

The trembling, tearful voice suddenly cut off—replaced by an explosion and agonized screams.

By the time Leona turned, Arina had already slipped free from her arms. Gazing at her stupefied expression, the Demon Queen laughed hysterically.

“Pffft—BWAHAHAHAHA! Masterpiece! Absolute masterpiece! Ahahaha! You almost killed me—with laughter!” “Liel…?” “‘Don’t add to your sins’? Do you even understand what I am now? I’m a demon. How is killing humans a sin? They’ll reward me for this back home!”

Around 10,000 had died from that attack alone. Yet she wiped happy tears away, as if recounting a joke.

Watching this, Leona shuddered. “You’re insane… You’ve lost it, Liel…” “Oh? Wrong. You’re the insane ones. After the Packmule came… after I became a woman… everyone went mad. I was the only one-eyed person in a village of the blind—so I plucked it out. Now I’m finally normal, just like all of you.”

Her words were incomprehensible. The way she stared at Leona—as if beholding an entirely different species—sent chills down her spine.

“Of course you wouldn’t get it. I’m the only one who realized… that this world has gone mad.” “You’re the only mad one here, Liel! Enough! If you’re beyond saving… then I’ll end you myself. For your sake—!”

As Leona reached for her sword, Liel appeared before her instantly, gripping her shoulders. “Ah, no need for that.” “Huh?”

BOOM!!!

A spell pierced the heavens, exploding through the clouds. The sword fell. Still attached to a severed blackened hand. But the arm that should have connected it was gone.

Blood gushed like a broken water main from the stump of her shoulder.

Clapping her hands gleefully, the Demon Queen beamed. “Now then… shall we begin?”