episode_0055

Barmonica Great Plain, located at the gateway to the capital of the Empire.

On this vast land, all those from across the Empire gathered in one place to bring down the tyrant.

Those who lost precious family to the tyrant.

Those who think the current tyrant is wrong.

Those who participate for the future as the tide has already turned.

The rebel army formed for various reasons was even larger than the army following Cladia’s orders in the present.

Considering the actions of the fallen Cladia so far, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the rebel army had appeared earlier. However, the fact that the rebel army now appears in full force speaks volumes about how poorly Cladia has ruled the Empire until now.

Facing the rebel army from the opposite side of the plain, the Imperial army lined up.

Although the Imperial army set out to suppress the rebel army, their morale was not high at all.

First, there was the strict military discipline where one could be executed cruelly at any moment.

Second, the righteousness of the enemy that needed to be eliminated seemed valid.

Third, these enemies were fellow citizens of the same Empire they knew and lived with.

Amidst such a grim atmosphere within the Imperial army, a man from the rebel army stepped forward.

“Today! We shall bring down the tyrant who has strayed onto the wrong path on this plain!”

Albert, the Grand Duke leading the assembled rebel forces, declared.

“The past hero we all respected and followed has disappeared somewhere, leaving only the tyrant who has turned into a demon atop that citadel! Our brothers, sisters, parents, children, and relatives have all been unjustly killed, and the wealth we built with our sweat has all been confiscated! How can we continue to tolerate such behavior!”

Drawing his sword and displaying his swordsmanship, the Grand Duke pointed towards the Imperial army.

“It is time to eradicate the false and wrongful tyrant’s army here and establish justice for the Empire! Prepare for battle, all troops!”

Following the Grand Duke’s command, the rebel army drew their weapons and lined up.

Though they gathered from various parts of the Empire and lacked a solid chain of command like a regular army, their formation was no different from a properly trained national army.

It was a testament to the exceptional leadership skills of the Grand Duke.

“Charge!”

With the Grand Duke’s shout, the massive army began to rush forward.

In response, the Imperial army also prepared to face the rebel forces.

Clang clang

Knights clashed swords, and mages unleashed destructive spells.

As the intense battle escalated,

Kwaaaah

A massive explosion erupted in the midst of the battlefield.

The explosion was powerful enough to create a huge mushroom cloud.

“This is…”

“H-how…?”

Those who managed to escape the speechless explosion.

While those positioned in the rear could be safe from the explosion, those engaged in combat at the front could not.

A large hole created in the middle of the battlefield.

Those inside it were wiped out without a trace.

“Guh…”

Only one person.

Grand Duke Albert stood under the hole, barely holding himself together.

But that was all he could manage.

“They used our allies as bait… and erased us together…”

Looking up at the sky, the Grand Duke muttered.

“…Have they given up being human?”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Slowly descending from the sky, Cladia spoke from above.

“They were loyal soldiers and knights of the Empire, merely doing what they had to do.”

Cladia smirked coldly.

“The noble warriors of the empire sacrificed themselves for the lofty purpose of judging those impure souls like you.”

In that wicked face, Alber couldn’t find the image of the lord he once respected and followed.

“Daring to raise arms against my lady. It was difficult to find and judge them all. Thank you for gathering here.”

*Roar*

Dozens of magic circles unfolded behind Cladia.

“Let’s tidy up everyone here in one fell swoop.”

Swords of immense magical power materialized in the sky.

The rebel forces’ main troops on the front lines, comprising most of their strength, were incapacitated, leaving no one to stop Cladia’s attack.

Cladia’s assault wasn’t just aimed at the rebels. The swords targeted everyone remaining on the battlefield, including the imperial soldiers, to annihilate them in an instant.

“Oh, no…”

The Grand Duke’s eyes shook violently.

Everyone gathered here were talents of the empire and its future. If they died, those who would lead the empire would vanish.

“Perish.”

With a gesture from Cladia, the swords began raining down.

Though the remaining ones tried their best to resist, they were outnumbered.

“Oh gods, are you truly forsaking our empire?”

If the Prime Minister were still here… perhaps His Majesty wouldn’t have ended up like this.

As the Grand Duke sighed in regret…

*Boom*

Swords pouring from the sky exploded.

“This is…”

Two Elemental Kings revealed themselves in the sky.

“Elemental Kings!”

“Has the Prime Minister returned?”

Between the two Elemental Kings, a man floated in the air ablaze with magic.

“…He was alive.”

Cladia licked her lips while looking at Vyrus.

“Your Majesty…”

“Surely banished from the empire. How did you return?”

A cold, disdainful gaze from Cladia towards Vyrus.

It wasn’t the Cladia Vyrus knew; the ‘evil’ had left her, but the influence of the divine being that once resided within her had destroyed her original personality, leaving only the malevolent one in control.

Vyrus no longer harbored any affection for this changed Cladia.

“Indeed, not the Majesty I know.”

However, as Vyrus met Cladia’s gaze, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hmm?”

“If His Majesty were the one I knew, then I would have been discarded by him. If so, there would be no point in living. However…”

*Roar*

A vast amount of magic swirled around Vyrus.

“What the impostor did with Your Majesty’s body is different! Get out of Your Majesty’s vessel now!”

Surrounded by the two Elemental Kings, Vyrus charged towards Cladia.

*Klang!*

Cladia also unfolded magic circles with both hands to counter the attack.

*Boom Boom*

The grand battle between the two transcendent beings painted the sky.

– Vyrus! Is there a way to restore that woman to her former self?

Cladia seemed unlikely to return to her original state.

Seeing Cladia like that, Vyrus clenched his fists.

“I… have thought of several methods. But now that I face Cladia, I realize that only one method will work.”

However, that method… if used, Sylph and Undine will…

Nevertheless, that method… if employed, Sylph and Undine will…

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. Undine. Everyone. I can only apologize to you all.”

– …Huh?

– Vyrus! You wouldn’t!

“If we meet again in the next life, I will definitely repay you then.”

Vyrus jumped straight towards Cladia.

Thud

Then he was pierced by the magic bullet she shot right in front of Cladia.

– Vyrus!

– No!

Cladia’s pupils dilated as she saw Vyrus with a large hole in his chest right before her.

The final means to shock Cladia and bring her consciousness back through the act of his own death.

Not a guaranteed success but the most likely method to succeed.

“If Her Majesty does not return anyway, then my life has no meaning.”

“V… Vyrus.”

Originally, due to the high level of ‘evil,’ Cladia’s personality had been completely destroyed, making it impossible for Cladia’s personality to return.

Even if the saint were to trigger a ‘miracle’ sacrificing herself here, it would be impossible.

“Vyrus? Vyrus!”

However,

“No, no, no, no, no!”

It was possible.

Cladia, with clear eyes, embraced the falling Vyrus.

“No! Vyrus! Please! Please open your eyes!”

“Your Maje…sty….”

Vyrus weakly raised his hand.

“Yes! Milady is here! Vyrus! So please!”

Cladia grabbed that hand.

“Thank goodness…”

“No! There is meaning for me to live only if you are safe! So please, open your eyes!”

“I love you.”

Thump

“Vyrusssss!”

* * *

Crash

“Cough… Cough…!”

Vyrus, waking up from the dream, breathed heavily.

Death

No matter if it was a dream, reliving the death experienced in the past was endlessly painful.

Was the relationship between Cladia and my past self like this?

The actions taken when Cladia met me seem somewhat understandable.

Cladia following me even into the men’s restroom.

If it was a recruitment case for such a competent subordinate, it could make sense.

Thinking so, as Vyrus tried to get up,

“…Huh?”

“Have you had a scary dream?”

!

Someone whispered beside him.

Slowly turning his head, Vyrus saw Cladia from the dream smiling at him as if he found him adorable.