episode_0282

Episode 282 The Day Before Graduation (1)

Finally, the end has come. And now, there was only one thing for me to do.

To tidy up. I needed to organize my life in preparation for the death that would come tomorrow. So, just as I was about to leave the gap between dimensions, Chloe grabbed me.

“Don’t go…”

The arm holding my sleeve trembled violently, and her voice was also shaking severely. I pried off Chloe’s fingers one by one and said,

“You know I have no choice but to go.”

“Then, let’s go together…. I want to be with you, Senior…”

“Are you going to make my sacrifice meaningless?”

“……”

I knew what Chloe was trying to say, so I quickly cut her off. I stroked her hair again and continued,

“And you know it won’t work out the way you want it to.”

The protagonist wins, the final boss dies. It is the law of the world, one that is upheld no matter what among the countless laws that exist in the world.

Not to mention, Chloe is currently in a state where the fate of an extra is imbued. There is no room for extras to interfere in the final episode. Rather, the will of the world will prevent her from approaching. That’s what extras are.

“You said you love me… Why won’t you grant me even one request… Why, why are you always so selfish…?”

“Didn’t you know? Villains are originally a selfish bunch.”

A villain is fickle as much as they have a nasty personality. Why is she acting like this when she knows it so well?

“Senior, you, you’re really a son of a bitch…”

“I know. That I’m a son of a bitch.”

“……”

Thud, Chloe pushed me away. But in the fingertips that pushed me away, I could see hesitation not to let me go.

“Get out of my sight. You damn bastard.”

A sound I missed and longed for. I smiled and replied.

“Then goodbye. Chloe.”

I slipped out of the gap in space. Through the departing vision, I saw her crying, but I pretended not to see it. Now is the time to steel my heart.

“Haa…”

That doesn’t mean I don’t sigh. My heart is in turmoil. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this emotion. I guess my personality has changed a lot too.

“Then first…”

Where should I start tidying up? Actually, there’s not much to do.

From the beginning, what I planned to do properly was after my graduation, and after Evan’s graduation. So, there’s nothing I’ve done in particular. I’ve tidied up the family affairs appropriately, and most of it has been taken care of while coming here.

If there’s anything left, it’s just my status. Even that is nothing really, except for my status as a saint.

So, if I have to tidy something up…

“Shall I go say my goodbyes?”

Tsk, I smacked my lips for no reason and used teleportation.

The first place I arrived at was the Imperial Palace. Everyone else is at the academy, but Ariel is working hard as the emperor in the Imperial Palace today.

As soon as I arrived at the Imperial Palace, an unwelcome shout greeted me.

“Hey, friend! Long time no see!”

Kiran Trianis. The appearance of the ‘former’ protagonist, who originally shouldn’t exist. I stared at him silently.

“Oh my, the atmosphere is unusual today?”

“…Can’t I just go?”

“Haha, I can’t do that. It feels like I won’t be able to see you after today.”

“……”

Damn, as expected of a protagonist. He notices it remarkably well.

Perhaps it’s only natural. The meaning of ‘former’ protagonist is a completed protagonist who has seen the end of the world. Of course, that’s just a thought, but there is a clear difference from a protagonist who hasn’t reached the end and is still on the way. It would be stranger if he didn’t notice unless he was deliberately pretending not to know.

Kiran sat down next to me. I stood there as I was. Because I don’t really want to deal with him. He’s a good guy if you talk to him moderately, but he talks too much.

“Tsk tsk.”

“Why are you clicking your tongue?”

“Why else? I’m just sorry. I really liked you, but you’re leaving like this. Aigo, what about our Kyle?”

It’s like he’s already treating me like a dead person. Anyway, his playfulness is the best in the world. I tapped my toe and said.

“I’m not dead yet, you bastard.”

“That’s right. You’re still alive. But it’s hard to see that body as alive.”

“…Shut up.”

“Oh ho, look at you swearing because you have nothing to say. Fix that habit. What will people think?”

“I’ve lived my whole life with this kind of tone. And if you’re going to complain to me, change your vulgar laughter. What is that, what is that.”

“Hehehe, if you put it that way, I have nothing to say either. More than that…”

Kiran started talking and continued.

“What are you going to do about Ariel? Are you going to leave her a widow like this?”

“…What do you mean widow? We’re not even married.”

“You haven’t done it, but you have feelings for each other. I think you’ve planned it to some extent in your heart. Above all, if I, as the ancestor, allow it, that’s marriage! In my eyes, you guys are already a couple, a couple!”

“I’m really going crazy because of you…”

If it’s words, what can’t he say. Anyway, it’s so noisy, I’m going to die.

“Do you have a plan?”

“How could I? It’s an unavoidable death from the start. Well, I don’t know what will happen after that.”

Death itself is unavoidable. That is my fate.

“Anyway, you’re so you. Giving up your life to save a woman. If you had just loved one person, this wouldn’t have happened. Heroes have three wives and four concubines, but… Tsk. And Ariel is just staying still because she feels guilty towards you, but if it were normal, she would be executed for deceiving the emperor by having other women.”

“…Believe it or not, it’s pure love. I’ve never not been sincere to anyone.”

“Hmm, the meaning of pure love must be very different from what I know?”

Unlike before, his sarcastic remarks have increased considerably. But it can’t be helped. That’s the instinct engraved in his soul. The protagonist and the final boss are designed to look at each other with animosity. Just like I did to Chloe. Even if she’s not my destined partner, it doesn’t change.

“I’ll say it again, I’m just treating them differently, but I’m cherishing them all to the best of my ability.”

“All six of them?”

“How do you know that… Haa, to be honest, one of them is a bit ambiguous. It’s a feeling that started from pity.”

As I answered that, Kiran’s lips turned upwards. He smiled and had a satisfied expression on his face, stood up, and patted my shoulder.

“Haha, sorry friend. Don’t be too upset. I just said it a little strongly, but I was just curious.”

“……”

“Ah, she’s coming over there.”

Kiran pointed straight ahead. She hasn’t arrived yet, but I could tell who it was right away.

Ariel… was coming.

“…I was going to take care of it myself, why are you calling her and making a fuss.”

“Just because I was frustrated? You should say goodbye properly before you leave, friend?”

“……”

He patted my shoulder once again, then stepped back slightly. Kiran Trianis, the ‘former’ protagonist, bowed and said.

“Thank you for your sacrifice, and may your future…”

And I also stepped back slightly, bowed, and continued the words.

“Always be filled with good fortune.”

This word is also an instinct engraved in the soul. It’s very rare for protagonists to meet each other, so if they do, they exchange these words.

After finishing the greetings, we raised our heads. Kiran said.

“Then friend… If there’s a chance to meet again someday, I hope we can meet again.”

He said that and disappeared. There was no time to answer, and then Ariel arrived.

“Huff, huff…”

She looks like she ran in a hurry. She’s breathing quite heavily. Sweat was dripping down her forehead. I greeted her.

“Hello, Ariel? How have you been?”

I started with a light greeting. As you can feel from the words, my heart is full of joy. It’s the first time I’m meeting her since I left for the family. As an emperor, Ariel couldn’t come to that dangerous place.

“Yes… I’ve been well, no, I haven’t been well. Because of you.”

“Why are you angry? It hurts my heart.”

“Then do I look like I wouldn’t be angry? The first news I heard when I came back was…”

Ariel couldn’t continue her words. She pressed her lips together for a while and barely said.

“Is that true…? What the ancestor said…”

“Do you think it’s true or false when you look at me?”

At my words, Ariel stared at me silently. At the same time, a strange force was shot at me. I accepted it without resisting. And she, who had confirmed the truth, said.

“It’s true…”

A hollow and futile voice. Her voice was filled with sadness.

“Why… Why does Kyle have to sacrifice himself every time? I also received a report from Arden. If it weren’t for you, we could never have won this war.”

“Why are you leaving Evan out? He worked hard too. If you only consider the ratio, it’s half and half, right?”

“This isn’t about Evan! What’s important to me is not Evan, but you, Kyle!”

At her frustrated shout, I just smiled.

“Well, isn’t it karma? I’ve done so many villainous things.”

“That’s only true when you keep committing evil deeds! It’s not a word that applies to you, who has changed and has done good deeds in the world!”

Ariel shouted so loudly that she was panting. After calming down her excitement, she came closer. But her steps, which should have been full of dignity as an emperor, had no strength and were very light.

She came closer and murmured softly.

“I haven’t been able to do anything for you yet… I’ve only received from you, and only given you pain… I haven’t given anything back…”

I hugged the tearful Ariel. Her black hair touched the tip of my nose.

“Don’t feel guilty. I’ve forgotten everything. What I’ve received so far is enough. And an emperor doesn’t cry.”

“…Are you going to preach even at a time like this?”

“I’m doing it because it’s this kind of timing.”

When else would I do it if not now? Then Ariel grabbed my hand silently. It hurt a little because she pulled it slightly strongly, but it looked like a cute grumble to me. After that, she hooked her pinky finger with my pinky finger.

“It’s just a prank that kids do in the continent, but the ancestor said that it’s done by both men and women in his world. And… he said that it also contains the meaning of definitely keeping the promise.”

At her words, I scratched my cheek. It’s true that hooking pinky fingers means a promise, but what’s contained inside is different in every world. But I didn’t bother to say it.

“So, promise me. Promise me that you will definitely… come back. Promise me that you will somehow come back and appear in front of me again.”

I couldn’t help but answer her earnest words. I gave strength to my hand and finger and said.

“I will definitely do so. Your Majesty.”

Your servant will definitely keep his promise.

My one and only king, whom I uniquely acknowledge.