Finally, the day that seemed inevitable has arrived.
After a long battle, this is the final result.
Fallen on the ground with only broken rocks for support, painted crimson by my own blood, I tried to lift my heavy gaze.
However, the trickling red fluid drenching my eyelid made even the slightest movement difficult for me.
‘Is this the end?’
Everything seemed like a colossal mistake. In the end, he became what I feared the most.
How many people died? Numerous innocents suffered in an unending struggle, but what I got after being sympathetic towards them was….
Death.
‘It doesn’t hurt that much, but…’ Slowly, the dim sound of footsteps moving towards me became more distinct, making me aware that he was approaching me.
“Hmm, so what about you, Karina? Wasn’t your family about to be executed by the Aidiac Royal family? Is it wrong for me to have intervened?”
No, you were right in doing so but…
“You killed them without mercy, and although you saved my family, it was not worth it.”
I retorted back, with the remaining energy. I wanted to tell him, due to his selfish desires, he didn’t know how many people died.
Was killing everyone in his way just to save one life something legit?
“I just saved—”
Again, the same thing. At what cost, Ryuk?
At what cost?!
“It’s bullshit. You could have solved everything peacefully without drawing so much blood.”
‘You could have just given me to them.’ Everything would have solved at just that.
Why did you go this far for me?
Weren’t there others too with you?
You were never alone, everyone was there.
While lying, the difficulty in breathing, exhausted mana and broken body, all this was just too much to bear.
“Haha, Now I see”
I heard his sudden laugh, it was as if he lost his mind amidst all the unfolding events.
Due to a hazy mind, I could only witness him Slowly moving towards everyone—.
‘Wait?’
With struggle, I lifted my gaze to realize the thing in a moment which took me all my life.
Why is he alone?
People say, one’s brain reaches most clarity in his life at the brink of death, their all deeds, bad ones and good ones flash in front of their eyes.
And right now.
Drip
A tear slid past my eyes while my gaze saw the back of a man holding a sword drenched in blood while the only thing surrounding him was loneliness.
What happened, ‘Wasn’t Amaya—’
A surge of emotions shrouded my mind, looking blankly while he beheaded everyone, except me.
Why was I not met the same fate as them, “Cough!”
Thud
‘Hold it, just a moment, please’, My state was on the brink of death, Amayara, Me, and Diana were on the front and also the ones who took most damage in this battle.
I just wanted to stop everything, then why?
SWOOSH
A sound accompanied by bright white light blinded my eyes before a silhouette of a lone figure standing, the only thing my dimming eyes could see was him and him alone.
…..
“Haa….haa….” Suddenly, everything became vivid like a flash, causing me to catch my breath due to overwhelming emotions.
‘Where is this place?’ I turned to see around but found everything somewhat nostalgic yet confusing.
‘Wasn’t I just dead?’ It seemed confusing at first, but slowly rising from the bed, moving towards the mirror, an image of a five-year-old girl with pink hair stared back at me.
Seeing my own reflection, everything felt like a dream, but the feeling was just too real, causing me to slowly believe that I had come back in time.
Time seemed like a fleeting moment, passing at a rapid pace.
Once I was confused and filled with several doubts about the reason for getting a chance, but now after working for these eight years, my only goal is to help my Estate to become what it originally was.
In my previous life, Father had bargained for more than half of his assets to protect me, but everything ended in ruins after Leud ordered me to marry him.
My parents arranged for me to have a safe life outside the Aidiac kingdom while there, I fell for Ryuk. I really loved him but…
He Changed.
His methods seemed too much; slowly his tyranny took him to the point where the cries of the innocent became inaudible to him.
Several nobles like Countess Carlien were burned, the Monastery was set on fire, but I still had faith in him.
Even when he sent my brother to the Borders, which was unsafe for anyone, I remained silent, until Aidiac kingdom sent a decree to Selvius Empire.
Leud wanted me dead or alive. I knew his intentions were not good, but things took a huge turn when Ryuk declared war on the whole Aidiac Kingdom.
At that time, Selvius Empire was one-third of the whole Heindal Continent; it was a massacre. His methods to skin nobles and hang them, everything seemed to point towards his path towards Evil.
Ryuk was wrong all along: I would have protected thousands at the cost of my beloved’s life, but he chose otherwise.
I am Karina Reinguard, a sword which protects the Aidiac Kingdom, and as protectors, our life is nothing but to exist to serve till death.
knock knock
Suddenly, a call on the door attracted my attention. Slowly closing it, I stood and left the room after being informed to have a meeting with Mother.
“May I enter, Mother?” I entered the room where, as usual, Mother was busy with her blade, just like always, sharpening it.
That same dark black blade, the hilt of white color which was once painted red by blood. ‘Why him, Mother?’
It was her favorite sword and also the one that caused my death at hands of Ryuk.
“You are already inside, aren’t you.”
Even though her voice was cold and calm, I couldn’t stop myself from acting like a spoiled child, could I?
“Mother!” I sprinted towards her before hugging her, causing her to again say the same things.
“Be careful, child. You will hurt yourself.”
Her voice was, as always, filled with care. Hugging her tightly, I felt her wearing a facade of a smile for us.
Mother is the one who taught me everything; her sword skills are some of the strongest I have ever seen.
But somehow, she always remained silent on matters of the Royal Family.
“Celestian, you will take Karina to Selvius Kingdom. I will help you. Let’s leave.”
I realized that Celestian was also present inside the room. Seeing Mother with her sword again, I understood her intentions were the same as before.
In my previous life, she had caused monster rampages by single-handedly entering the dense forests of the Aidiac kingdom and going on to kill each one of them.
While hugging her, my only sadness towards her was due to those words of hers when I requested the Reinguards to help me in the battle against Ryuk.
Her silence at that time was what became the cause of our end. A battle is fought with an army, and to lead an army to victory depends on its commander.
‘If only you were on my side, Mother.’
.
.
.
.
“By the way, Celestian, how was the crown prince?” I couldn’t help myself, even though it felt complicated to see him again, my curiosity wanted to know about the present him.
“N-no, I didn’t get any chance to meet him.”
“I see,” I replied and turned my attention towards the window. Everything was similar; people bustling and an energetic environment.
‘I will just spend some time there without interacting much with him.’ I had decided to avoid him since the training ground was the place where our story started.
Finally, the carriage had arrived at the Royal Palace, halting before Celestian disembarked first.
“Sister, come.”
I came down on my own, already decided to avoid Ryu—
“Welcome to the Palace. Mother has informed me about your arrival, Miss Karina.”
badump
The same voice, tone, triggered a surge of memories flooding my mind.
‘Calm down, Karina.’ I couldn’t seem to control my trembling hand.
Was it fear or something else?
I couldn’t understand.
“I hope you have a very good stay here.”
thump thump
I was not able to understand why this was happening to me all of a sudden. It felt as if guilt was filling my mind.
What guilt?
I didn’t do anything wrong in the first place. But why?
My hands clenched my dress on their own, eyes trembling, yet they lifted to look towards him.
Same amber eyes and that smile. He is the same but somehow distant.
‘Should I apologize to him?’
My mind was in a battle with its own. Initially, I had decided to not pay any attention to him, but now, talking to him would not be that bad.
‘Yes, it’s not like he has any memories in the first place.’ Coming to this conclusion was due to the huge difference between his present attitude and the one when he fought against me.
At that time, his eyes were…
‘I-I don’t remember.’
I never noticed it inside the battle, since my aim was to kill him.
I couldn’t understand why my mind was playing tricks on me. It was confusing since I couldn’t even understand my own actions.
“Phew~” Exhaling breath seemed slightly effective. Turning towards Ryuk, I wanted to thank him for helping us.
“Your Highness…!”
‘!?’
‘Who is she?’ Seeing how a girl ran towards him while calling him before falling and getting caught by him.
Why they seemed that much close to each other, he seemed tonhave genuine care for that girl,’ Stop it Karina, are you jealous of a little girl’
I can’t believe myself, all those years of mental training, everything seemed to destroy the moment it saw him.
“W-who is she, Your Highness?”
My mind seemed to confused causing me inquire about the identity of that girl, whom I have never seen before.
“Miss Karina, you may not be aware, but she is my heart and soul, my future life partner, Adanyl Von Selvius.”
‘…..’ The moment his voice reached me, somewhat I felt empty from within, a deep sense of loss filled my heart.
Was my buried emotions from before trying to take over my senses?
‘It’s good that he is not alone now.’ I consoled myself with a very pitiful excuse that was already like a thin thread to my turmoil-filled heart.
Slowly taking steps towards him, expecting some self-satisfaction that could soothe my surging emotions, I told him what I wanted to say since coming back in time.
“I am sorry for everything.”
‘I am sorry for not realizing how alone you were. I am very sorry, Ryuk.’ I bowed while understanding he must be confused due to the out-of-context thing but…
“Do you really think you did something that deserves forgiveness, Miss Karina?”
‘!?’
thump thump
My heartbeat increased as my gaze met with his. It was cold and felt as if he was saying those words straight to me, yet I knew he meant otherwise.
“I-i see.”
drip
But my heart seemed to believe those words, causing a tear to slide past my eyes, which I swiftly hid by bowing.
“No, I don’t.” My heart opened itself. It was true, I don’t deserve any forgiveness. ‘I want to leave this place now.’
Not wanting to stay here for even another moment, “Forgive me, Your Highness. I am a bit tired.”
******
«-250»
“Johan, show Miss Karina the way towards her room inside Elysium,” Ryuk commanded, already aware of the small sound of tears trickling.
Johan bowed and led both Celestia and Karina towards Elysium’s direction, while Ryuk’s cold gaze remained fixed on their disappearing backs.
“If His Highness is generous enough—” Adanyl, lying on the ground, attempted to request Ryuk to lift her up, but was swiftly rejected.
“Don’t eat too much if you can’t even lift yourself,” Ryuk retorted, his mind preoccupied with thoughts about his reasons for not killing Karina first among others—a promise and a bargain he had made with a woman to spare her daughter’s life for a mere sword, the only thing holding him back until the end.
GASP
‘Why are they eyeing on my food?’ Adanyl felt frustrated being ignored for a while and then referred to as heavy, but suddenly, she had an idea.
“HOHO, you really know how to jest, Your Highness,” Adanyl exclaimed, standing up on her own and dusting off her clothes. She smiled at Ryuk, already determined to feed him that chocolate at all costs.
While Ryuk narrowed his gaze, blankly observing her antics, her laughter reminiscent of an old man made him feel somewhat irritated in a situation where he had just lost half of his control upon hearing Karina’s words.
He was aware of his feelings for each heroine, but they all seemed to care about everyone except for the one who cared for them the most.
When his mother disappeared, there was no one there for him to lean on; he was human too and needed support.
Of course, he didn’t care about that now.
Calming himself down, he turned his attention towards Adanyl, who had just offered him a chocolate.
“Please taste this, Your Highness. I made it myself,” Adanyl said, not wanting to miss the chance when Ryuk’s attention was elsewhere.
Unaware that he was the most focused one inside the whole Selvius Kingdom right now due to the property of his restrictions.
Ryuk slowly moved his hand and took the chocolate, directly eating it.
crunch
As he swallowed the chocolate, three pairs of eyes fixed on him from all directions—Alisia looking from her office window, Bella observing from Elysium due to her enhanced eyesight, clearly seeing the subtle movement of his throat, and most excitedly, Adanyl.
‘Finally!’ Adanyl’s eyes lit up, realizing she had completed her first mission. “fufu.”
‘Well done, Adanyl,’ she praised herself, lifting her gaze to meet Ryuk’s. Puffing out her chest, she turned and waved towards Bella.
Of course, Adanyl was not foolish enough to take all the blame on herself. She knew her image was innocent, and Bella was an enemy of Ryuk’s. If he realized that Bella was behind all this, then she would remain safe.
Ryuk understood Adanyl’s shrewdness but, sensing the urgency of these people to thwart him from leaving, turned towards his palace before commanding.
‘System, remove all the restrictions, Plan seems to change a bit’
Sigh, So, Chapter was good right, then give a Golden ticket
