Ch.127Side Story: Each One’s Life

“What? Is that… for real?”

“Yes. Poseidon and Kraud are getting married. And I’m going to marry Arsia too.”

“Uh… um… can we pretend I never said anything?”

“What?”

“You know, when I said I loved you.”

Veichel gasped in shock when Radios mentioned marriage.

She had finally realized her mistake.

She had confessed her feelings to a man who was already engaged to be married.

She truly was an inconsiderate jerk who didn’t consider others’ feelings.

But Radios didn’t seem to mind much.

He would have needed to sort out his relationship with Veichel eventually anyway.

If Veichel tried to seduce him after he got married, that would be a real problem.

Though Radios was confident he wouldn’t give in.

“But is this right?”

“What?”

“When you think about it, Kraud and Poseidon getting married is incest.”

A father marrying his daughter.

What kind of messed-up family tree was this?

Even though they weren’t blood-related, Kraud was Cronos’s reincarnation.

And Poseidon was Cronos’s daughter, so even if not biologically incestuous…

They must know they’re committing incest.

“Veichel. They’re both Olympians.”

“I know that, but— Oh. Okay, I get it.”

Veichel nodded as soon as she heard the word “Olympians.”

Of course, what kind of group were the Olympians anyway?

They were a group of crazy gods notorious for thinking with their lower bodies.

Poseidon was also a married woman who had many sons and daughters.

Come to think of it, Cronos was married too, so they probably agreed to ignore that fact.

Even though they had biological children, they had never been formally married.

So this could be considered their first marriage.

It sounds a bit like hoping for divorce, but let’s move past that for now.

“Strange. But why didn’t they tell me?”

“They’ll probably come to tell you soon. The two of them must be spending some very passionate days together.”

“Hmm… that’s annoying in its own way. Here I am suffering like this.”

Veichel looked at the pile of documents beside her.

That was today’s quota, and the mountain of papers a bit further away was tomorrow’s quota.

If she could go back in time, she’d slap herself for becoming the empire’s emperor.

“Are you really not interested in joining politics? I’ll treat you well. You already know everyone working under me anyway.”

“Veichel. I learned that politics is something you should never start.”

“What? From whom?”

“From my subordinate who comes from a society with much more advanced politics.”

“Ah, Namgung Ihyun?”

Namgung Ihyun was from Earth.

Over the past three years, Radios had gained much knowledge through conversations with her.

Earth, unlike Kadinant, was an era where science was more developed than magic.

Because of this, a completely different environment had formed compared to Kadinant.

Even imperial countries like this one were already relics of the past that had disappeared long ago.

Namgung Ihyun, who had lived in a democratic society, always advised Radios.

She said that once you start politics, you cross a river of no return.

Radios hadn’t fully understood what she meant, but looking at Veichel, he could see it now.

Politics truly wasn’t something humans should do.

Having to live among such piles of documents—Radios couldn’t do it even with a knife to his throat.

In that respect, Veichel deserved admiration.

She was rolling up her sleeves and doing this difficult work herself.

“You’re doing well. The workload will decrease after some time. I know that the early days of founding a nation are always filled with work to the point of death.”

“Do you even know how long those ‘early days’ last before you say that?”

“Well, about 10 years, I guess?”

“It’s only been 3 years, damn it…”

She had expected various complaints, but there weren’t any.

Instead, work kept piling up to the point where she wouldn’t mind dying.

“So if you’re not going to help, get out, you jerk.”

“Hey, is that how you treat a friend?”

“What? Is it okay for a friend to coldly refuse when asked for help?”

“I saved your life, didn’t I?”

“…Damn it.”

With just five words, he silenced Veichel.

It was honestly a cheap shot, but there was no more efficient counterattack.

After all, Radios had given up power that could have overturned heaven and earth to save her.

When he brought this up, Veichel had nothing to say.

“I’m joking, so relax. Don’t get upset over something like this.”

“I’m not upset!”

“Oh? You look upset to me.”

“I said I’m not upset, damn it!!”

Veichel grabbed a booklet from the pile of documents and threw it at Radios.

But Radios wasn’t someone who would be hit by an attack from an ordinary adult woman with no magic.

“Wow, that attack is too pathetic to be from the great Veichel.”

“…You’re dead if I catch you.”

Had he provoked her too much?

Veichel rose from her seat, her lips twitching at Radios’s taunt.

Why?

She definitely had no magic, but those glaring eyes seemed to emit killing intent.

Radios began to think something was going wrong.

“V-Veichel. Let’s calm down and talk this out, shall we?”

“What did I do wrong?”

“Huh?”

“I asked what I did wrong.”

“…”

Damn it, if I knew that, would I have an Ascended Order and be this stupid?

Radios wanted to shout, but he kept his mouth shut under Veichel’s fierce gaze.

“Why aren’t you answering? What did I do wrong?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For teasing you.”

“Why did you tease me?”

“Because it was fun.”

“Why was it fun?”

What kind of conversation is this?

Radios frowned at the sudden interrogation-like atmosphere.

But when he glanced at Veichel, she was smiling.

She had been playing a prank on him.

“Is it fun?”

“Yes, it’s fun.”

“Why is it fun?”

“…Huh?”

“Why did you tease me?”

“…Oh, are you angry?”

“Why do you think I’m angry?”

When he gave her a taste of her own medicine, Veichel blinked in confusion.

She seemed bewildered that he was taking her prank seriously.

Radios found her blinking expression cute and wanted to tease her more.

Why is teasing so fun?

Of course, he decided to restrain himself before going too far.

In the end, Radios couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“Pfft. Hahaha! Your expression is really funny.”

“…Is it fun?”

“Do you realize how many times we’ve asked ‘is it fun’ in this conversation?”

“I don’t care about that.”

Veichel pouted with flushed cheeks, having fallen for her own prank.

Yes, this was the scene he wanted.

Freely exchanging jokes, just sitting and chatting, being able to laugh anytime.

A life without threats to his life, without having to draw his sword to kill someone.

This was the peaceful life he wanted.

“I haven’t told this to anyone yet…”

“Hmm?”

“Actually, I’ve gained immortality.”

“…What?”

Veichel looked at Radios as if he was spouting some childish nonsense.

It was understandable that she couldn’t comprehend his sudden claim of immortality.

Radios added an explanation for her benefit.

“So… I transcended the Ascended Order and reached the Multiverse level, but while the Ascended Order disappeared, the achievement of reaching the Multiverse level remained. Thanks to that, I’ve reached the state of immortality. That’s what I mean.”

“I see.”

“Hmm… this is a bit troubling.”

Immortality might sound good, but not for the current Radios.

First of all, those around him had normal lifespans and would grow old and die.

With the exception of Brina.

Arsia, Veichel, Poseidon, and Kraud would all age and eventually face death.

And Radios would have to watch it all.

He couldn’t bring them back to life either.

Even if he awakened the Ascended Order again and reached the Akashic Records, the Records might not listen to him.

Because causality is relative.

Having already defied the records once, he might have to pay an even greater price to defy them again.

In other words, Radios would have to helplessly watch his loved ones die.

“Radios…”

“Just know that’s how it is. I’ll tell the others too anyway.”

“Do you really think you’ll be okay? When Arsia and I die… do you think you’ll be alright?”

“…”

Radios couldn’t answer Veichel’s question.

Would he be okay?

Of course not.

He wouldn’t be able to bear it.

He was the one who gave up his Ascended Order to save the people he cared about.

How sad would it be to say goodbye to people he couldn’t save?

Radios couldn’t even begin to imagine.

“Still… I have to live on.”

With great power comes great responsibility.

Radios intended to humbly accept his life.

So for now, he would enjoy happiness with the people he cherished.

At least until the sadness came.