Chapter 9 – The Grim Reality Tightens Its Grip (3)

–I don’t crave a pathetic resurrection like those weak Demon Kings of old. You’re intelligent. You can deduce why.–

“You achieved everything you desired,” I rasped, my voice raw. “You were never truly defeated. Humanity’s victory… was a lie.”

–Precisely, little bird.– She discarded the conjured sword with a careless flick of the wrist. –I have no regrets. My invasion… it was a success from the very beginning.–

“But humanity stopped you. You died—” A terrifying thought struck me. “The demons who betrayed you… was that part of your plan, too?”

–A contingency. Ensuring their survival. A king has responsibilities, even to the disobedient. And the Middle World… it’s quite pleasant. The air, the water… you humans take such things for granted.–

Even the betrayal… a calculated move?

–Some of them prefer peace. This world suits them.–

“……” I tried to process the implications.

–You seem confused. My apologies. Boasting before a child… how unbecoming of me.– Her mock humility was a thin veil over her chilling arrogance. This wasn’t mere bravado. There was a terrifying conviction in her words.

–But back to your… predicament. If you continue down this path, your future will be bleak. A life painted in shades of gray.–

“You’ve manipulated this entire situation,” I accused, my voice tight with anger. “Forced me to rely on you.”

–Not at all. Merely… presenting you with reality. I’m not offering mentorship, little bird. No contracts, no soul-selling. That opportunity has passed.–

“Opportunity…”

–Indeed. And whether you seize it… is entirely up to you.–

–Precision, efficiency, sincerity. Remember those three things.–

“Precision. Efficiency. Sincerity…”

–My… theatrics… were meant to illustrate the first two. Do you understand?–

Precision and efficiency. Their vital importance.

“And sincerity… what does that mean? Desperation? A burning desire?”

–Those are… components. But have you ever truly felt it, Cariel? Poured your heart and soul into something, held nothing back?–

“I…”

–Risking your life. Burning your very essence. Pushing past your limits, even when every fiber of your being screams for you to stop. That’s… a starting point.–

–It’s about baring your soul, Cariel. Exposing your true self, flaws and all. Do you understand?–

“Intellectually… yes.”

–That will have to do.– If I couldn’t grasp it mentally, I would never understand it viscerally. Some acted on instinct, but that was fleeting, unreliable. True sincerity… that was something different. Something more.

–Whether you can master this… wield it at will… that will determine everything. Your training. Your potential. Your future.–

“How do I… achieve it—ah.”

–You learn quickly. A valuable trait.– Her smile was bright, sharp, almost predatory. –I won’t tell you. You have to discover it yourself.–

–Start by dying. One hundred times. Sincerely.– Her youthful appearance was a deceptive mask, hiding the Demon King’s cruel amusement. –Don’t worry. You won’t actually die. This is a dream, after all.–

====

I expected the arrows, the desolate wasteland. But there was nothing. Just an empty white space. A small sword on the ground. And me.

I understood. If I weren’t quick-witted, my life would be even worse. A constant barrage of accusations, of humiliation, of despair.

But a sharp mind was a double-edged sword. It allowed me to anticipate the pain, the injustice, the inevitable disappointment.

Die. One hundred times. Sincerely.

“You’re telling me to… kill myself?” The sword was an invitation, a challenge. The stark simplicity of it made my hands tremble.

“One hundred times…” It sounded so… small.

I picked up the sword, its weight strangely familiar. This wasn’t a puzzle to be solved. This was a test. And the Demon King demanded absolute, unwavering sincerity.

Sincerity. Earnestness. Desperation.

Was I desperate? Did I even want to be stronger anymore?

I had, once. But that desire had faded, replaced by a hollow ache of futility. I trained because I was told to, not because I wanted to. There was no joy in it, no sense of accomplishment.

“Meaningless…” It was all meaningless. Effort didn’t guarantee results. Not for me.

I didn’t know how to be sincere. I was lost. My father’s lessons had only highlighted my inadequacies. And the world had mocked me for it, for failing to live up to his legacy. Even in his eyes, I was a failure. I lacked the innate talent for mana manipulation, my potential dismissed.

What other talents did I possess? Intelligence? A strategic mind? No. I had to struggle for every scrap of knowledge, memorizing, repeating, until I finally understood. Theoretical knowledge, yes, but practical application… a dismal failure.

Why was the world so unfair? Why was I so… lacking?

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Don’t run away. The task was simple. Die. One hundred times.

If no one else would do it… I would kill myself.

I raised the sword, the cold steel against my skin. The pain was blinding, nauseating. But the despair of knowing I wouldn’t truly die was worse.

And in that moment of agony, the only thought was: Next time, I’ll do it cleaner. Pathetic. Desperate.

And yet… strangely… liberating.

====

The Mage Empress. Melineos. Consort to the Emperor. A member of the Berke Imperial Family, bearing the prestigious Enjul name. A lineage that, though not originally royal, had become intertwined with the golden bloodline over three centuries.

Twenty years after the Calamity Demon King’s invasion. An era of chaos and upheaval. The royal authority weakened, the nobility grasping for power, the land ravaged by war and famine. Mercenaries roamed freely, and the nascent knightly orders were little more than armed thugs. A decade of conflict, of fear, of faithlessness. The Age of Barbarism.

House Enjul had risen during this time, minor lords who became protectors of the Church. The Pope, recognizing their loyalty, had sanctified them. And around them, the ideals of chivalry began to coalesce. Councils were convened, oaths and vows established, restrictions imposed. Do not fight without cause. Do not oppress the weak. Do not desecrate holy ground. Many resisted these restrictions, these nascent rules of civilized warfare. And so, organizations arose to enforce them. The mages, once reviled as heretics, now aligned themselves with the Church, becoming enforcers, hunters of oathbreakers. The image of the mage shifted from sinister sorcerer to wise sage.

Humanity, burdened by vast territories they could barely manage, had expanded relentlessly. The Berke Empire, however, had endured, uniting the fractured kingdoms under a single banner. Knights, protectors of the Church and the people. Mages, guiding lights in the darkness. All by the grace of the divine.

And she… was the Empress of this mighty empire.

====

“Your Majesty… are you awake?”

I couldn’t move. My body felt heavy, as if pinned down by an unseen force. I managed to raise an arm, but it fell back powerlessly.

A hand grasped mine.

“El…?” My daughter. Elhermina. But… something was wrong. Her right arm was gone. A golden eyepatch covered her left eye. Her face was pale, gaunt, devoid of its usual vibrancy.

“Agh…” I couldn’t speak. My throat felt raw, burned.

A dream? No. This was more than a dream. This was a vision. The gift, the curse, that had made me a hero. A glimpse into the future. Uncontrollable, unwilled, but undeniably… real.

Why was Elhermina like this? What had happened?

“The Empire is in danger, but don’t worry. Uncle Luelde is prepared.”

Uncle Luelde? Elhermina would never address him so informally. Calm yourself. Observe. Remember. This was a warning, a glimpse of a potential future. A future I had to prevent.

“Ugh…”

“Don’t strain yourself, Mother.” I needed to ask her, to understand, but I couldn’t speak. My throat felt as if it had been scorched by dragonfire.

“Sometimes… I wonder if this is all… a bad dream.” A nightmare.

Yes, a nightmare. I silently pleaded with her, willing her to tell me more.

“It hasn’t even been ten days since Father died. And since you… collapsed… the coronation… it’s done.”

He’s… dead? Luelde… what had happened? A wave of grief washed over me, tears streaming down my face. Not my grief, but hers. Melineos, the true owner of this body.

“Perhaps… this is the end.”

The end?

“He’s coming… in a few days.”

He?

“I’ll do my duty… as a pillar of the Empire. Even if it costs me my life.”

“No…!”

“Don’t worry… If I die… I’ll be with Father. It’s… an honor.”

No! This can’t happen!

“If… if the capital falls… Alessius will take care of you.”

Alessius… he’s alive…

“I have to go… Please… rest.”

No! Even knowing it was a dream, I screamed silently, a desperate plea.

And then… understanding. My time was running out.

Elhermina left, her steps firm, yet somehow… fragile. The room was empty, the opulent furnishings a stark contrast to the desolate emptiness within me.

The door opened again. A girl stood there, radiating a golden aura. Beautiful, arrogant, dressed in a simple white gown that did nothing to diminish her presence. Her aura was unmistakable. Oppressive, almost suffocating. A nightmarish familiarity.

She kicked a chair closer to the bed, settling into it with casual arrogance.

–Well, well. What a delightful little scenario. So, this is it, then? Cariel, the Demon King? Intriguing.– She seemed to be talking to herself, piecing together the situation.

I still couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening, who this girl was.

–With a little… encouragement… a bit of… manipulation… he could become quite the formidable Demon King. How… amusing.–

“What…?”

–Too weak to understand? Let me summarize.–

Cariel, the Demon King. The world in ruins.

Five seconds. Such a concise, terrifying summary.

–Half the Nine Heroes are dead, including your husband. Luelde is prepared to kill his own son.–

And then… she laughed. A sudden, explosive burst of laughter that shook the room.

–Oh, this is too good! Someone get me wine! And cheese! This is… exquisite! This is paradise! Are you trying to kill me with joy?– She clutched her stomach, tears streaming down her face, her laughter echoing through the vast, empty halls. –My teeth are rotting! This is too sweet! I wasn’t even planning revenge, but… this is even better! The Demon Lord’s foresight… truly magnificent!–

“Gah…!”

–Don’t strain yourself. Your vocal cords are… a bit crispy. Just enjoy the show. Isn’t it… entertaining?– Her laughter was infectious, unsettling, a wave of madness that threatened to consume everything. –I want to see how this ends, but… your mind wouldn’t survive it. A parallel world… how fascinating. Even the wisdom domain struggles to comprehend this. A true… superpower. And the me in this world… so fortunate. Such a… delightful existence…–

Her laughter faded, replaced by a cold, indifferent mask.

–So. Do you recognize me now?–

“……” I knew. I knew exactly who she was. This was… worse than any nightmare.

–But taking this memory back… it would only create another hell for Cariel. This world, or something similar. Perhaps they would kill him, to prevent it. Hmm… a dilemma. I enjoy watching him suffer, but… I prefer things… aged. Like fine wine. Or cheese.–

–So, unfortunately, you’ll have to leave this memory behind.–

“No…!”

–Don’t resist, child. Your magic is… insignificant. Yours, and your teacher’s. Ants before the Demon King.–

I was the Archmage, the Great Witch, but my true power… my gift… was foresight. The ability to glimpse the future. And if I had seen this coming… could I have prevented it?

Demon King… why? Why wait until… death… to do this?

No. She didn’t die…

Then… who was this girl?

The realization hit me like a physical blow, and then… darkness.

–Ah, I wanted to see the ending…–

I woke with a gasp, drenched in sweat.

“What… was that…?” A chilling premonition lingered, a sense of dread I couldn’t shake. I remembered nothing, and yet… I knew I had to remember. Something important. Something vital.

“Are you alright?”

A familiar voice, warm and comforting. Luelde.

“…….” I’m alive… Relief washed over me, and I clung to him, tears streaming down my face. My husband. My love. He held me close, not as Emperor, but as my partner, my equal.

This… this moment of connection… I would never forget it. Never let it go.