Chapter 756
"Huh?"
Cromwell's voice sounded dazed.
Just moments ago, she had been fighting.
For the sole remaining goal—conquering the human world, she was engaged in a life-and-death battle with enemies she could no longer distinguish.
But when she came to her senses, she was inside a familiar ship.
The dimensional transport ship that departed from her homeland.
This ship, which carried the demon legion to other distant dimensions, was like a cherished old home for young Cromwell, almost her true homeland.
Cromwell had also reverted to her childhood form.
There were no overgrown antlers, no flesh covered in blood and mucus.
Cromwell blinked as she looked at her small, intact body.
"What is this…?"
Then, footsteps echoed.
Startled, Cromwell turned to see a familiar figure approaching slowly.
Cromwell unknowingly smiled brightly and called out.
"Daddy!"
She quickly corrected herself.
"Oh, no… Elder."
"Your Excellency, here you are."
It was the elder who approached.
The elder, smiling with a more sorrowful expression than usual, slowly knelt on one knee in front of Cromwell.
"I was worried because you weren't at the training ground."
"Oh, sorry! I'll go back quickly!"
The elder cautiously asked the flustered Cromwell.
"Do you not want to train today?"
"Huh?"
Cromwell, blinking her eyes wide, quickly shook her head.
"No, I like training!"
"…"
"I also enjoy the military strategies and politics you teach, and I love the combat techniques and magic."
"Your Excellency."
"You always said, I must not lose. I am the hope of our legion. So…"
"Your Excellency."
The elder gently interrupted Cromwell's words with a soft smile.
"Today, you may rest."
"Huh?"
"It's okay to not study or train today. Today, you can do whatever you really want to do."
"…"
"If you could spend today freely, what would you like to do?"
This had never happened in her life. Not once had there been such a day.
So, with wide-open eyes, Cromwell stood frozen for a moment before finally smiling brightly with a flushed face and grabbing the elder's hand.
"Then, I…! Then, I want to play with Daddy, I mean, Elder…!"
The elder gently patted Cromwell's head, who hurriedly corrected her address again.
"Today, you can call me Daddy."
"Huh…? Really? But I've never…"
"Today is okay. Just for today, you can do whatever you want."
The elder stood up, holding Cromwell's small hand and leading her forward.
"Now, what shall we play today, Your Excellency?"
Cromwell, unable to believe whether this was a dream or reality, followed him with tears welling up.
The two spent a happy day inside the empty ship.
They cooked and ate together in the kitchen, read storybooks while lying down, played hide-and-seek, toured the ship while singing…
Like an ordinary father and daughter spending a weekend together.
Cromwell experienced the happiness of an ordinary life she had never known.
"Yawn…"
The happy day quickly drew to a close.
The elder, seeing Cromwell nodding off, picked her up and carried her to bed.
He laid her head on a pillow, pulled the blanket up to her neck, and sat by the bed, stroking her hair.
"Did you have fun today, Your Excellency?"
"Yes… It was the most fun I've ever had…"
Cromwell smiled sleepily.
"Actually, I… I didn't want to study military strategies or politics."
"…"
"I always envied other children who could sing and play. I wanted to eat sweets like other kids instead of growth stimulants, and I wanted to read storybooks with Daddy instead of training with a sword until my muscles burst."
"…"
"I hated training, fighting, eating, and growing up."
Cromwell's whining confession gradually softened.
"But I am the commander of the legion… I have to take responsibility for our legion. Failure is not acceptable…"
"…"
"I must be perfect, so…"
"It's okay."
Cromwell's eyes, which were closing, opened halfway.
The elder smiled gently and stroked Cromwell's cheek.
"You did your best."
"…"
"It's okay not to be perfect. It's okay to fail. It's okay to lose. You did your best. So, please…"
Don't suffer, and accept what follows failure…
The elder gently kissed Cromwell's forehead and whispered in her ear.
"Sleep well tonight, my daughter."
Cromwell, faintly smiling, responded in a fading voice.
"Good night, Daddy…"
* * *
"…"
Cromwell lay still.
Violet and Dearmudin had their hands on the forehead of the fallen monster commander, with Violet maintaining the daydream and Dearmudin directly infiltrating his consciousness into it.
While Violet and Dearmudin subdued Cromwell with the daydream, I neutralized her.
I meticulously separated and destroyed each of the countless antlers—no, magical parasites that had grown on Cromwell's head.
These parasites were the source of the zombification, stealing the magic and abilities of each legion monster and supplying them to Cromwell.
Using precision akin to surgery, I removed and exterminated each parasite with 'will.'
Originally, I would have been baffled by the complex magical formula, but with the knowledge and experience borrowed from the real Ash, I managed it without much difficulty.
Saaa…
With each antler separated and turned to dust, the other monsters' magic absorbed by Cromwell dissipated into nothing.
Kyaaaa!
Ah, ahhh-!
Each time I exterminated a parasite, distant flesh monsters shrieked their death throes and collapsed. There seemed to be some magical connection.
When I had removed most of the antlers and parasites,
"The eastern wall, monsters subdued!"
"We just received a report of completion from the north!"
"The west is almost finished too! We'll enter the castle and exterminate the remaining monsters!"
The tide of battle had turned, and victory was within reach.
At that moment,
"Huuu…"
Dearmudin sighed deeply and opened his eyes. At the same time, Violet, drenched in sweat, gasped for breath.
And Cromwell, subdued in their daydream,
"…"
She was dying with a faint smile on her lips, still lost in the dream.
I gently patted Violet's back in gratitude and turned to Dearmudin.
"…What dream did you show Cromwell?"
I asked this because Cromwell's face was so peaceful.
Not a typical expression for a monster, especially one that had been rampaging like a fiend after being zombified. It was a startlingly serene face.
Dearmudin muttered bitterly.
"The dream this child most longed for. And… the same dream that her father, the elder, longed to see."
* * *
Dearmudin had heard stories from the elder while living with him at the abandoned cathedral.
"The elder treated Cromwell like his daughter. And Cromwell also regarded the elder as her father."
But it was never expressed.
Cromwell was a legion commander from birth, and the elder was merely her trainer.
"Years passed, and after Cromwell was killed by Night Bringer, the elder regretted it."
"Regretted?"
"He regretted training his daughter solely to function for the legion. And he also regretted not being more than that."
"…"
"He wished he had treated her more warmly, let her 'live like a person' more… Such belated regrets."
We quietly looked down at the dying enemy commander, who was peacefully dreaming.
With all the parasites removed and the zombification undone, Cromwell was dying quietly.
Dearmudin sighed faintly.
"I understood his regret."
"You understood?"
"I raised many disciples like my own children. I've seen countless young ones leave before this old man."
Dearmudin fixed his intense gaze on me.
"Of course, Prince Ash, I do not regret sending my disciples into harm's way."
"…"
"Human history, magical history, is built on blood and lives. My disciples fulfilled their roles splendidly. It's a cause for sorrow, not regret."
Dearmudin repeated.
"I never had regrets like the elder. But I understood his heart."
Heart, indeed.
"So… I wanted to give this child a peaceful end. To let that father and daughter experience the happiness they never reached, even if only in a daydream."
Not because it was the only strategy.
But to fulfill the last wish of someone he empathized with and understood, even if they were an enemy and a monster.
Dearmudin had proposed this strategy.
"…"
In truth, I had other strategies. Perhaps safer and more certain methods. I possess various powers and abilities now.
But I followed Dearmudin's proposal because…
The 'heart' he harbored would be necessary for my future strategies.
"While living with them at the abandoned cathedral, I thought about the difference between humans and monsters."
Dearmudin tried to speak in a calm tone.
"You once said, Prince Ash, that what distinguishes people from monsters is the heart. If we can hold hands and look in the same direction, regardless of race, we should be treated as the same people."
Indeed, the World Guardian Front is an alliance of various races and nations that once fought each other.
We now stand shoulder to shoulder with enemies from a thousand years ago, a hundred years ago, and even ten years ago.
"I thought the demons at the abandoned cathedral could be like that too."
We tried to build an advanced base fortress at the abandoned cathedral in District 10 of the Lake Kingdom.
The demon survivors were trying to survive against zombies, and we needed bait to draw the zombies' attention and reduce their numbers.
Our interests aligned, and the cathedral functioned as a forward base for a while.
For a time, we were allies.
"The idea of monsters becoming allies is absurd, but… Isn't it no different from the history we've experienced? I thought so."
Dearmudin clicked his tongue bitterly.
"I believed they could become like us. Because they had human nature (인지상정)."
"Human nature…"
"Yes. Even those who mistreated the elderly and tried to burn this world down had a heart that resonated with ours. Despite cultural differences and pointing weapons at each other, there was room for agreement and understanding. Just like the people of our world."
Reflecting on the days at the cathedral, Dearmudin eventually shook his head.
"But I know, Prince Ash. This is the result."
"…"
"Everyone at the cathedral died, and the demon who devoured her kin became a zombie and invaded our world. Granting a peaceful end to such a monster might be nonsensical."
Dearmudin's voice trembled.
"But I… saw a glimmer of possibility, even if it was a fleeting ember. The moment when yesterday's enemy could become today's comrade…"
"…"
"Haha. For the great Dearmudin to say such weak words."
Dearmudin pressed his hand firmly against his chest.
"Perhaps this human nature is our greatest weakness."
"And possibly our greatest strength."
Human nature has led to countless crises but also brought us here.
'And this human nature… '
The ability to empathize and sympathize with the enemy, even a monster.
I need this weak human heart for the path I intend to take.
Dearmudin, letting out a bitter sigh, slowly extended his hand forward.
"Sleep well."
He gently closed the eyes of the monster, who was taking her last breath, and whispered.
"Sleep well…"
Chapter 757
The 45th defensive battle, which plagued us with an unbelievable number of zombies and their infectious nature, ended as anticlimactically as it had begun.
Even after Cromwell was completely dead, some monsters still moved according to their individual principles, but within a day, they each ceased movement.
Like toys with their batteries drained, they stopped and hardened.
"It seems the legion was fundamentally flawed from the beginning and couldn't sustain itself for long."
Three days after the battle ended.
I stood on the wall, looking over the city as it was being cleaned up, listening to McMillan's musings.
"Structurally and fundamentally… they were literally monsters gnawing away at their own flesh. They consumed their limited magic and bodies, as well as their own members, rushing towards inevitable destruction."
"…"
I confirmed through [Map Creation] that there wasn't a single monster left.
I turned to look beside me.
"You've worked hard too, Sir McMillan."
"Not really. I just got up after lying in the infirmary the whole time during the defense."
McMillan, speaking nonchalantly, was missing his left hand, and a metal prosthesis was attached to his lower jaw. He leaned on a crutch.
To keep La Mancha operational and make an emergency landing, McMillan had entered the engine room filled with infected people alone.
Thanks to him, La Mancha made it back to Crossroad, leading to the timely development of the cure, ensuring the patients' safe treatment and facilitating the defense.
But McMillan himself was severely injured.
I looked at the metal prosthesis where his impressive jawline used to be, which once added to his suave appearance.
"No need to be so regretful, Your Highness. I can speak perfectly fine. They say I can even smoke my pipe again once I'm healed. Scars can be covered with a beard."
He spoke a bit awkwardly and then smiled, rubbing his jaw.
He then moved his hand to his philtrum.
"Well, since it won't grow on this side, I'll have to grow a mustache instead."
"Planning to cover your mouth with a mustache…?"
I should gift him a splendid wig… no, a fake beard later.
We stood in silence for a while, looking at the monster carcasses being cleared outside the city, then sighed softly.
"These zombies, in the end, we can only guess at their mechanism, but nothing has been clearly revealed… It's unsatisfying."
"That's the essence of monsters."
McMillan laughed heartily.
"Unknown principles, unknown reasons, shapeless and originless evil sweeping through our world."
"…"
"Your Highness, you've had an uncanny understanding of monsters so far, but in reality, that's… not normal."
Only then did I vaguely understand the mindset of others on this front.
I have information. I know most of what the monsters look like, their weaknesses, their origins.
For me, monsters are targets to be strategized against rather than feared.
But what about most people?
Unknown, strange monsters appearing out of nowhere, attacking in incomprehensible ways, destroying homes and taking lives.
Fear stems from the unknown, and thus, monsters are terrifying.
Having faced these inexplicable monsters several times, I began to grasp the true appearance of monsters as seen by the people of this world.
"No matter how incomprehensible monsters are, they can't be harder to understand than people."
McMillan suddenly laughed shyly. I blinked.
"Is something wrong?"
"Well, ahem!"
McMillan's voice was excited.
"I've had a lifelong unrequited love. I confessed more than ten times and got rejected every time, so I gave up."
He scratched his neck, looking away.
"But apparently, she heard about my severe injury and coma. When I woke up in the infirmary, there she was, nursing me."
"Well…"
"And then, ahem. Somehow, we ended up talking, and… we've decided to get married once this war is over."
The sentence "when this war is over~" is dangerous, but—
The smile on his prosthetic-jawed face looked genuinely happy, so I couldn't help but laugh. McMillan couldn't hold back his laughter either.
"Losing a hand and splitting my jaw, yet ending up with my unrequited love. Life is unpredictable."
"Congratulations, Sir McMillan… Can I congratulate you?"
"Of course, Your Highness. Thank you."
Is this also part of the 'Love Blossoms on the Monster Front'?
For a moment, I had such a whimsical thought and then asked the smiling McMillan.
"Sir McMillan."
"Yes."
"You said understanding people is as difficult as understanding monsters, right?"
"Yes."
"So, are you more afraid of people you can't understand, or monsters you can't understand?"
McMillan smiled with his injured jaw and asked me back.
"Your Highness, are you more afraid of a ghost under a bed in the dark, or a person?"
"…"
I was momentarily speechless.
Just then, a woman appeared, striding up the wall. She wore a practical coat, had a tall and strong build, and her deep eyes radiated intense determination.
"Ah."
As soon as I saw her, I knew she was McMillan's beloved.
McMillan's shoulders tensed visibly, and his cheeks flushed even more in the winter cold.
"Then I'll be going. Have a good time, Sir McMillan."
As I was about to leave, patting McMillan's shoulder, he called out.
"Your Highness!"
"Hm?"
"It may be an incredibly presumptuous request, but…"
McMillan spoke loudly, as if for his fiancée to hear.
"Would you officiate our wedding?"
"Huh."
To ask the crown prince to officiate—
And at a wedding whose date is unknown.
But I nodded readily. McMillan was also my comrade, and this was a very cheap favor.
As I stepped aside and nodded to McMillan's lady, she hurriedly bowed deeply to me.
Then she began to scold McMillan.
Why wasn't he resting when he was hurt, why was he spreading news of the wedding already, why was he making presumptuous requests to the crown prince…
Leaving McMillan to be soundly scolded by his fiancée, I thought.
He's a man who dares to ask such things of the crown prince. Hold onto him tightly. He's a genuine man.
Imperial airship commander McMillan thus withdrew from the front line.
Another cherished hero left my front.
* * *
The sight of Griffins flying over Crossroad has become an everyday scene.
Mikhail and the Sky Knights patrolled from the sky to ensure no monsters were left.
"Mikhail!"
I waved to Mikhail as he landed after his regular patrol.
"Good news!"
"Good news?"
As he dismounted from his Griffin, looking puzzled, I grinned.
"All the other Sky Knights who were being treated at the temple have regained consciousness!"
Among them were Mikhail's five wives.
All infected but safely recovered.
Mikhail's face lit up, and he hurried with me to the temple.
Inside the temple, the five queens of the Vermillion Kingdom were gathered in the same room.
"Mikhail!"
As we entered the room, all five queens rushed out to hug Mikhail.
"We were so scared…"
"We thought we'd never see you again…"
"Are you okay, Mikhail? You're not hurt, right?"
"I'm fine. You all went through a lot."
Mikhail hugged his five crying wives, also tearing up. The young king and queens, still children, touched each other's cheeks to ensure they were safe.
I stood quietly outside the room, watching this scene.
"It's fortunate they survived, but…"
One of the queens looked down at her arm dejectedly.
"Our bodies are covered in scars…"
During the infection process, the infected bit each other.
The queens' bodies bore numerous human bite marks. Some wounds were deep enough to leave scars that wouldn't heal easily.
For newlyweds wanting to look beautiful for their partners, this was a disaster. I felt sorry that they were brought to this monster front during their honeymoon and were injured in their first battle.
But I didn't need to apologize.
Mikhail kissed each scar on his wives' bodies and whispered with a smile.
"It's okay. I'll make sure these scars don't matter by leaving my bite marks on your bodies every night."
…Wow.
What?
Is he crazy?
This is the kind of line a boy king with five wives would say…?
As a lifelong bachelor, I was frozen by this terrifying line, while Mikhail's five wives blushed deeply and playfully hit their husband, saying, "What are you saying in front of guests!"
But they were clearly pleased, their smiles reaching their ears. Does that actually work…? Is this the power of being married?
'If I said that to Serenade… '
I imagined it briefly.
…No, no, I can't. It would be terrifying.
I could vividly picture Serenade, completely out of control, storming towards me like a Terminator.
'I'm scared… '
That line is too heavy for me. I'll leave it for a distant future…
Anyway, the atmosphere among the queens, who were struggling with physical and emotional wounds, quickly lightened. As Mikhail continued to comfort his wives, he glanced at me and whispered.
"Learning from my sister helps in times like these."
"…"
Is this the spouse-soothing technique learned from his sister, who has five husbands?
It seemed the future of the Vermillion Kingdom was very bright. For some reason, that thought struck me.
'…Is this also a conclusion of 'Love Blossoms on the Monster Front'?'
Facing a monster invasion, it almost turned into a bloody honeymoon. No, it was somewhat bloody.
But seeing Mikhail and his queens smiling happily reassured me a little.
As I left the room, I fell into thought.
'Since they came here for their honeymoon, I should provide some entertainment for them… '
In a few days, it would be the New Year.
The usual New Year's festival.
Although it would be difficult to enjoy the festival as leisurely as in previous years with the final battle imminent… it would still be a good change of pace.
Thinking of such peaceful thoughts for the first time in a while, I noticed something strange.
'Wait, but… '
We had definitely defeated all the monsters and the enemy commander.
'Why hasn't the stage clear notification appeared?'
Chapter 758
Why hasn't the stage ended?
Is there still a monster I haven't found?
Could there still be an infected soldier?
I was contemplating whether to conduct another thorough investigation of the entire city when a report came in.
"My lord! A report from the observation team."
"Hmm?"
"They've detected a hidden airship south of Crossroad. It can't be seen with the naked eye, but its position has been confirmed."
Lucas, who reported this, looked slightly tense as he asked.
"What should we do? Should we shoot it down?"
I had a feeling.
I took Lucas and headed to the hangar.
"Launch La Mancha. We'll move directly to that location."
"Isn't that dangerous? Wouldn't it be safer to shoot it down and then investigate?"
"Even if there's a risk, we need to check it out directly. Escort me, Lucas."
"Yes, sir."
Thus, we flew to the designated point on the airship La Mancha.
The enemy airship was cloaked with a magical veil, hiding in the sky, but as we got closer, its shape became faintly visible to the naked eye. The state of the veil wasn't good to begin with.
"Have we tried to communicate?"
"Yes, but there's no response."
"Any sign of hostility?"
"None. It's just floating there."
Even as La Mancha approached to the point of being right in front of it, the mysterious airship remained still.
I called out to the magician I had brought along.
"Junior."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Can you dispel the veil?"
"Of course."
Junior lightly waved his staff, lifting the veil over the area, revealing…
An ancient, otherworldly red airship that looked to be centuries old.
"This airship…"
I murmured.
"It's a demon legion's dimensional transport ship."
"What? Then…"
"Yes. It's Cromwell's ship."
The dimensional transport ship that flew from Cromwell's homeland, carrying her legion to this world.
Despite its grand name, the ship was in poor condition. Built centuries ago, it was worn out, and its outer armor, as if scorched by fire, was crumbling.
"Bring La Mancha alongside. I'll go in and check it out myself."
After several attempts to communicate yielded no response, we decided to board the ship directly.
Torkel took the lead with his shield, followed by Lucas, myself in the center, then Junior, Dearmudin, and Evangeline at the rear. We boarded the enemy ship in that order.
"The hatch is open, Your Highness!"
The hatch leading inside the ship was wide open.
"I'll go in first."
Torkel cautiously checked the entrance and led the way, and we slowly followed.
The interior of the ship was in better condition than the exterior but still showed signs of extensive fire damage.
"They said Cromwell's legion was defeated by the Black Dragon Legion."
I murmured as I spotted traces of black flames—evidence of the Black Dragon Legion's attacks.
"This ship must have escaped during that battle. But all the crew died, and it drifted here following its commander."
We entered the deepest part of the bridge.
There were two main structures: a complex, intertwined magical engine… or something resembling it.
Junior and Dearmudin immediately marveled and approached the engine.
"Wow, I've never seen a magical core like this. It's not just a power source but inscribed with powerful and complex magic."
"It's not merely an engine to power the ship. It's an artifact with higher-dimensional magic. It's like…"
I interjected.
"…allowing it to travel to other worlds?"
"A bold imagination, Prince Ash! But it's plausible…"
In fact, I was likely correct. It was, after all, a dimensional transport ship of the demon legion. This engine seemed to be the core of that function.
"An unexpected find. Let's take it and study it."
I pondered for a moment.
A ship that can travel to other worlds…
'I need to meet Coco.'
Coco the Severer, a mage residing at the dungeon base camp.
As a master of spatial magic, she might help us utilize this equipment effectively.
Aside from the engine, there was another notable device.
"…"
I examined it quietly.
A large tank… containing a huge larva-like creature lying limp inside.
As we approached, the giant larva weakly lifted its body and stared at us.
Suspecting its identity, I spoke first.
"It seems to be the source of the zombification parasite."
"…!"
"So, this grotesque larva is the cause of the zombie outbreak, senior?"
"Strictly speaking, it's a bit different."
Combining the information from the setting book read by the old man and the real Ash's experiences, I formed an interpretation.
The red-skinned demons are a unique race among monsters, generally possessing high stats but no special abilities.
They resemble humans in many ways, including their use of equipment similar to humans.
Their one special ability is Sacrifice.
They can transfer abilities to someone by offering a sacrifice.
This ability manifests through the deliberate implantation of this parasite.
To gain the power to absorb another's life force by devouring or being devoured, demons implant this parasite from the fetal stage…
"Why did they do such a terrifying thing?"
Evangeline, puzzled by my explanation, asked.
"To continue. To become stronger."
They are drifters from another dimension.
No matter where they go, they remain outsiders.
To fully assimilate the knowledge and power passed down from their predecessors, they forcibly developed this ability to use 'sacrifice,' ensuring that adults who are devoured by children pass on everything to them.
To fully inherit the karma of the previous generation.
"This parasite might have been their banner."
Initially, it functioned as a banner to inherit the will and dreams of the predecessors.
But over time, it lost its original intent and began to be misused in other ways, judging by the appearance of their subordinate demons…
And in the end, this parasite was contaminated and altered by 'someone,' causing the zombie outbreak by infecting and reviving the dead.
'If a person's banner… '
Whether by choice or external influence, if altered and contaminated, and if that altered banner continues to be passed down.
Those inheriting it might also become no different from zombies.
They might turn into monsters wielding a distorted belief.
I touched the banner at my waist, [Light and Shadow].
What distinguishes humans from monsters?
Is it parasites?
Is it banners?
Does my banner truly represent the beliefs of those who passed it to me?
"Dearmudin."
I asked Dearmudin.
"Please burn this equipment. Cleanly."
"…Understood."
With a complex expression, Dearmudin stood before the equipment, gazing at the giant larva-like parasite.
He slowly reached out and cast a fire spell.
"…"
The parasite lay down at the bottom of the tank as if sensing its end.
Like a banner that had fulfilled its purpose, it sank powerlessly.
The last parasite burned, its smoke rising into the winter sky.
We salvaged the smoky enemy ship and returned to Crossroad.
* * *
[STAGE 45 — CLEAR!]
[STAGE MVP — Dearmudin (SSR)]
[Level Up Characters]
— Ash (EX) and 70 others [Expand List]
[Deceased Characters]
— None
[Injured Characters]
— McMillan (N) and 50 others [Expand List]
[Acquired Items]
— Demon Guard Captain's Magic Core (SSR): 1
— Flame Giant King's Magic Core (SSR): 1
— Bride Devourer's Magic Core (SSR): 1
— Decagon Magic Core (SSR): 1
— Wingless Cicada Lord's Magic Core (SSR): 1
— Vortex Magic Core (SSR): 1
— Hellhound Gatekeeper's Magic Core (SR): 5
— Others: [Calculating]
[Acquired Special Equipment]
— Demon Legion's Dimensional Transport Ship: 1
[Stage Clear Rewards Have Been Issued. Please Check Your Inventory.]
— SSR Grade Reward Box: 10
]] Get Ready For The Next STAGE
]] [Next STAGE: Final Act]
* * *
January 1st, 652 Imperial Year.
A new year's morning dawned.
Waking up at dawn, I sat blankly on my bed, gazing at the faintly brightening eastern sky.
'I woke up in this world… '
On the last day of February, 649.
The final battle of the tutorial was on the next day, March 1.
It's been 34 months already, and now it's my third New Year here.
"…"
What's left is two months.
The final five stages.
Not much time remains. The end is really close.
'Can I really… '
With no regrets, with no lingering attachment.
Can I achieve a satisfying ending?
Can I truly reach the 'True Ending'?
Lost in such thoughts…
Bang-!
The door burst open,
"Happy New Year, Your Highness!"
"Yay! New Year's Festival, New Year's Festival-!"
Reenacting the now-familiar New Year's morning scene, the main party's shield-bearer and mage jumped into the room cheerfully.
I couldn't help but laugh. This is already the third New Year's morning here, but these guys never change.
"Get up quickly and give us our New Year's money, New Year's money~!"
"Yay, New Year's money! Bonus! Incentive!"
Evangeline, holding a ladle, and Junior, holding a pot lid, cheerfully banged them together, then widened their eyes upon seeing me already awake.
"Huh? What, you're already awake, senior?"
"Oh my, it's true. Isn't it a tradition to see His Highness just waking up with swollen eyes and bed hair on the first day of the year?"
"When did that tradition start…?"
Mumbling, I got up. My New Year's reflection time was shattered by the kids' clamor for New Year's money.
"What about the others?"
"They're all in the dining hall! Waiting for you!"
"Getting up early and coming here made us hungry, Your Highness… Let's go and have some meatball stew…"
Yes. New Year's morning calls for a hot bowl of rice cake soup… I mean, meatball stew.
"Alright! Let's go and have a hearty bowl!"
"What about New Year's money, senior? New Year's money-!"
Sheesh, asking for New Year's money without even bowing. I must have turned the New Year's bonus into a proper name by joking about it before.
"Don't worry, it'll be given out. Don't be so impatient."
"Yay~"
"Awesome~"
Evangeline and Junior, walking ahead of me, joyfully clanged their ladle and pot lid together. The energy was off the charts from the morning. Is this the power of the New Year?
Entering the dining hall, Lucas and Damien greeted me.
"Good morning, my lord. Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year, Your Highness!"
"Yes. Thank you for your hard work from the morning. May you both have a prosperous New Year too."
Sitting down at the prepared table, the person bringing out a large pot of stew on a tray was…
"Did you sleep well, Your Highness?"
Serenade.
Seeing her smile as bright as the early morning sunlight, I smiled back without realizing it. But simultaneously, I felt a faint void.
The figure of my aide and director, Aider, who always brought the meatball stew on the first day of the past two New Years, was no longer visible.
"…"
Pushing away thoughts of him, who disappeared after fulfilling his final role.
I beckoned Serenade.
"Good morning, Serenade! Happy New Year. Sit and eat with us."
* * *
After breakfast.
While each of us sipped warm tea, New Year's wine, or a mix of dried fruit and milk jam, chatting away…
"Today's the New Year's festival, right? What are your plans?"
I asked casually, and Lucas answered immediately.
"I have a date with Hecate."
Pffft-!
Everyone around us spewed what they were drinking.
"…"
Watching the spectacle of various drinks being sprayed around like New Year's fountains, I had a feeling.
With the New Year's festival, 'Love Blossoms on the Monster Front' would also reach its conclusions for each character.
Chapter 759
Under the snowflakes pouring from the sky.
Crossroad was bustling with life for the first time in a while, making it hard to believe that just a few days ago, it had been the site of a fierce battle against monsters.
The citizens who had fled returned, and the city was filled with the steam from food preparations everywhere.
People from various countries made their traditional New Year's dishes and shared them with each other. It seemed like a competition to show off their country's food culture, as they eagerly handed out food to guests.
Originally, Crossroad did not have a culture of New Year festivals.
However, due to the absence of the autumn festival in the second year, a simple event of sharing food and setting up street stalls on the first day of the New Year took its place…
This event was well-received, and it seemed like everyone needed a moment to catch their breath. So, starting this year, it was officially made into an event.
Strictly speaking, today is not a festival. It's just a day to share food, pray at the temple, and enjoy the peaceful day together.
'What is a festival anyway… if everyone is happy, that's a festival.'
As the size of the World Guardian Front grew over the year, people from more diverse countries brought out various dishes to share.
For some reason, this food-sharing event turned into a scene from a food fight manga, with countries competing to see whose food was the tastiest based on sales. Serenade, was this your doing?
However, this year, the presence of the Bringar Duchy was noticeably absent.
"…"
Suddenly, the scene from two years ago came to mind.
The image of Dusk Bringar pouring meat stew over roasted vegetables in a large pot.
The dragon lady smiled as she joked about controlling the fire herself to roast the vegetables, claiming that it was all about fire control. I kept looking around, raising my head.
"…"
The people I saw on the first New Year's, the people I saw on the second New Year's, were not here today.
Suddenly, the shadows of the missing people passed by in a vision on the New Year's streets.
When I closed and opened my eyes, the shadows were gone, and only the laughter of people enjoying themselves with plates of food remained.
As I absentmindedly chased the traces of the disappeared with my eyes.
"But still, our Leaf dumplings are the best, aren't they? The taste that peels the roof of your mouth!"
Kuilan grinned as he took dumplings fresh out of the oven.
These were the unique dumplings of the Leaf tribe, said to bring good luck for the year if eaten hot and swallowed quickly.
Of course, like last year, I just took the plate and left it on the table to cool down because I detested burning the roof of my mouth.
The place where I was sitting was at the Leaf tribe's stall.
It was as popular as last year, bustling with other customers. I was sitting in the prime spot right next to the oven where Kuilan was baking dumplings, watching the scene.
"This is the last peace before the storm, isn't it, Captain?"
Kuilan asked, wiping the sweat off his forehead after adjusting the oven's fire.
"Everyone's taking a breather before the final sprint, isn't that right?"
"…"
I chuckled softly.
"For someone who knows, your voice doesn't seem scared, Kuilan?"
"The trials we've gone through have been so harsh that we're getting used to them… It's not good to be careless, but honestly, it feels like, whatever comes, let it. We'll break it all anyway."
Kuilan showed his determination by bumping his fists together.
I quietly smiled and grabbed my dumplings… then quietly put them down. Still hot. Ugh.
'Kuilan is right.'
This is the final calm before the last five rounds.
After this peaceful period and the final preparations, from the forty-sixth stage to the fiftieth stage… it will be relentless.
The citizens who barely returned will have to flee again, and we will have to endure harsh battles at the end of this winter.
"But if we win this, it's really all over, isn't it?"
Kuilan grinned as he placed another dumpling on my plate. Hey, I'm letting it cool, and you're giving me another hot one?
"Thinking that way makes it feel more manageable, doesn't it?"
"…"
"If this ordeal is the last hill we have to climb… it even makes me a bit happy. Because we just have to push a little more."
Is that how one can think about it?
If we endure just these two more months, it's the end…
'I am… '
As I tried to find the shadows of those who never returned, I closed and opened my eyes tightly.
'Am I leading them all to the right end?'
As I led everyone, in the right direction…
Just then, a group from the temple and retired soldiers from the old barracks came into Kuilan's dumpling stall. I waved at Torkel, who was at the forefront.
"Torkel!"
"Ah, Your Highness! Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year to you too. Want a dumpling?"
I subtly handed Torkel one of the two steaming hot dumplings on my plate. Torkel took it without hesitation and popped it into his mouth.
"Wow, isn't it hot?"
I asked, amazed at Torkel's unfazed expression, to which he calmly replied.
"Nope, perfectly fine."
"Did you burn the roof of your mouth…?"
Even the best tank on the front line can't avoid burning their mouth…
As we exchanged various New Year's greetings, I noticed a few missing from the group of retired soldiers.
The Glory Knights were one thing, but Chain, who always hung out with the retired soldiers and was close to Torkel, was not there.
"Where's Chain?"
"He left in a hurry the other day."
Torkel smiled inside his helmet.
"He exchanged letters with his daughter… Luckily, her response was not bad. He returned home to visit on New Year's Day."
"Huh."
Knowing Chain's situation, I felt a bit worried.
"He's been away from home for quite a while. His wife was very angry too. Will it be okay?"
"It's New Year's."
Torkel said softly as he handed out dumpling plates to other retired soldiers.
"There are few days when people's hearts are more forgiving than today."
"…"
"We don't know when the world will end, so the sooner they reconcile… the more time they have to love each other."
His voice was still blunt and awkward, but Torkel had become as eloquent as any skilled speaker.
Yes. Whether today is the last January 1st in this world or not, we don't know yet.
I hoped Chain would return home safely, reconcile with his wife, apologize to his daughter, and kiss his grandchild's cheek.
…And, of course.
I also knew that people's hearts don't always work out so conveniently.
"…"
Listening to the conversation, Kuilan glanced briefly towards the north of the city — towards the Ariane Kingdom camp.
With a shout, he resumed baking dumplings.
After sneaking a glance at the parallel line of unfulfilled connections between Kuilan and Yun, I ate my now suitably cooled dumplings and turned my gaze to the other side of the city.
Wishing that on New Year's, everyone would touch each other's hearts with generosity.
* * *
"Hmm…"
Evangeline walked down the street with a serious face.
Snow was falling from the sky, but the weather was mild. The street lined with hot pots was slightly warm just from the presence of people and food.
Walking alongside other heroes from the Sky Knights and shoveling various foods into her mouth, Evangeline kept groaning.
"Umm."
The other heroes walking beside her looked puzzled.
"You seem more worried than usual today, President."
"Indeed. Normally, you'd have eaten five more plates by now…"
"To think you'd be this down in the face of free food."
"What's wrong, President?"
"Well, it's not a big deal."
It's not a big deal at all.
'It just bothers me!'
Lucas and Hecate's date!
But I couldn't tail them like before. This time, it seemed like they were going to have a serious conversation.
'But I'm curious! What's going to happen?! How does Lucas really feel?!'
As she grew increasingly frustrated, Evangeline felt her temper flare.
Why am I the only one worrying about this when he doesn't even care if I get confessed to?
"No, the more I think about it, the more it pisses me off!"
Why does it feel like I'm the only one losing out?!
'I'm going to stop caring too! You two live happily ever after on your own!'
Fuming, Evangeline started a rage-fueled eating spree. The heroes from the Sky Knights applauded as she devoured the New Year's food stalls one by one.
"That's right! This is our President!"
"Please break your record, President!"
"Heh, let's destroy this event that dares to offer free food!"
"Crossroad…! You underestimated the greatness of your future lord…!"
As she received the cheers and wicked laughter of the members, Evangeline energetically filled her round belly.
"Ah."
"Ah…"
Before she knew it, she was at the familiar cafeteria street, and in front of her was the New Terra restaurant where the Sky Knights often had gatherings.
And standing awkwardly at the entrance, greeting customers, was the now-familiar waiter.
"Um, hello, Miss Evangeline."
"Ah, um, ahem!"
Feeling awkward, Evangeline turned her gaze and greeted him back.
"Hello. Waiter."
…Something felt off.
The waiter looked at her with a determined gaze.
The heroes who had been following Evangeline and wrecking the food stalls fell silent. Suddenly, the area around the restaurant entrance was wrapped in a silence that did not match the New Year's atmosphere.
"It's the first time seeing you since that battle. You didn't get hurt, did you?"
"No. Thanks to you saving me, I'm safe."
Another brief silence.
Evangeline, not knowing how to handle this atmosphere, turned around and signaled for help from the members with her eyes, but they were all snickering evilly while eating popcorn. These brats!
"Once again, thank you so much. You're my lifesaver."
"No, it's nothing… it was my duty as the heir to the border count title…"
Evangeline stammered in front of the waiter, who was bowing deeply and muttering.
It was then.
"And… after participating in that battle and facing the monster up close, I realized."
"Huh?"
"I realized just how incredible you are, Miss. And… how unfit I am for this world."
The waiter murmured bitterly.
"This is not a place for someone with childish courage like me. The warriors on this frontline are fighting a much, much more grueling and harsh battle than I had ever imagined."
"…"
"I wanted to show you. That my feelings for you were real, by facing the monster head-on. But now I know how utterly childish that idea was."
The waiter bowed deeply.
"I overstepped, driven by my own emotions, causing trouble for you and many others. I'm truly… sorry."
"No, it's not that…"
"I'm leaving this city."
The waiter smiled sadly.
"Because I'm a coward. Since that day, I've had nightmares about the monster every night."
"…"
"I will pray for your, and Crossroad's, fortune from afar."
Admitting his shame and weakness, the waiter looked much more at ease and bowed once more.
"Please consider that confession from that day as if it never happened. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused."
"…"
"So… would you like to have a meal?"
Of course, she didn't eat there.
Evangeline and the Sky Knights walked past the cafeteria to the next street.
"…Wait a moment."
Feeling dazed, Evangeline walked on with a completely unrelaxed face, murmuring.
"Did I just… get dumped?"
I didn't even do anything, but he just confessed and took it back on his own.
"Wait, hold on, waiter, stay there, this doesn't make-"
0 confessions, 1 rejection.
Evangeline, who had just achieved a legendary score, clutched her head and roared.
Uwaaaaaah…!
"…?"
Meanwhile, in the opposite alley.
Sitting with Hecate at another cafeteria, Lucas glanced in the direction of the wail.
"What's that, a pterodactyl?"
Chapter 760
Against the backdrop of Evangeline's distant scream.
Lucas and Hecate sat silently by the window in a café, drinking coffee.
Lucas wore a cold and functional expression, as he always did when not with his master, and Hecate watched his face as if she were appreciating a sculpture.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you out of armor."
"Hmm?"
Hecate smiled faintly as she looked at Lucas's coat.
"Yeah, really long time."
Lucas absentmindedly touched the collar of his coat.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Even at the academy, you always wore your uniform."
At the academy, it was uniforms, and here on the front lines, it was armor…
Lucas was almost always armed. It was an expression of his will to always be on guard as the prince's escort, but Hecate now understood a bit more about his true feelings.
'He was closing off his heart, too.'
So seeing him in casual clothes after such a long time was both comforting and…
It also hurt to confirm once again that Lucas had been closing his heart to her all this time.
"It's peaceful like this, even if it's just a brief respite."
Hecate spoke gently, not showing her feelings, and teased with her eyes.
"You asked me out on a date first, but no special plans?"
"I only thought about having a meal and a cup of coffee."
"That's so you, Lucas…"
Or maybe it's impressive that he managed to ask her out on a date and have a meal and coffee together.
For a human golden retriever who only knew swordsmanship and his master, it was a huge leap forward.
Clink.
At that moment, Lucas set down his coffee cup and looked at Hecate seriously.
"So, Hecate. Have you figured things out?"
"…"
Lucas's question was direct.
What Hecate, who could no longer live as a knight, would do next and where she would go.
"…Well."
Hecate chuckled softly and stirred her coffee with a spoon.
"I was hoping a handsome knight would hold onto me. But that doesn't seem likely."
"…"
Lucas lowered his eyes and hesitated before speaking cautiously.
"Hecate. If you really want…"
"Lucas."
But Hecate cut him off.
"I know. You never had feelings for me, right?"
"…"
"That's why you've always pretended to be oblivious and kept your distance. I know it all."
Lucas remained silent. Hecate eventually stopped stirring her coffee.
She was tired of going in circles without meaning.
So she put down the spoon and slowly, but surely, finished the bitter coffee left in the cup…
Summoning her courage, she faced Lucas.
"I'm not that selfish. I have pride, too. I don't intend to cling to you out of pity."
There was a time when she did.
When she wished he would look at her, even out of pity. Not long ago, she certainly did.
But…
'Sigh.'
Now, she didn't want to do that anymore.
For the sake of all of them.
"I still don't know what I'll do in the future. But when I almost died to those zombie flesh things, I thought of one thing I wanted to do."
"Something you want to do?"
"Yeah. Something I never dared to imagine, but maybe really want to try."
Hecate smiled like a mischievous child.
Seeing such a smile from her for the first time since she was very young, Lucas blinked stupidly.
"It's a very small and trivial wish. Can you grant it?"
"If it's something I can do. Anytime."
Lucas nodded.
Then Hecate took a deep breath.
"Lucas. Can I dump you?"
She said something like that.
"…?"
Lucas, not understanding, couldn't react. Hecate covered her mouth and giggled.
"The girl who clung to you her whole life, finally kicks you away at the end. Yeah, that's my wish. How about it? Can you grant it?"
"Huh…?"
Still not grasping it, Lucas stared at her as Hecate suddenly remembered something.
That day. At the end of the world, facing the monsters, what Junior had told her.
— When you lose everything, you just become… yourself.
— Not the heir to a curse, nor a revenger of an old war, nor an imperial knight. Just twenty-four-year-old you.
"…"
Hecate closed her eyes for a moment and took a breath.
"I still don't know what kind of person I'll become. I can't use my sword anymore, I've lost the curse, and the stage for revenge has disappeared."
She had lost everything.
And, because of that.
"So I'm going to be reborn."
From the beginning.
On this ruin.
She could start anything, any way, any direction.
"Now, I'm just… me. Detached from the past, able to find anything I want to do, just twenty-four-year-old me…"
She knew.
Maybe this was just wordplay. Maybe it was an excuse for a loser.
But Hecate decided to stop looking at the end of a dark tunnel.
Like that young wizard who survived the country she hated but saved her in front of the monsters…
Even if she couldn't dream of a resort with a sparkling pool in the south, she decided to look for something else that might shine.
"I'll leave the past behind and find a new goal to start over from the beginning. So, I'll stop clinging to you now."
Someone she loved so much.
No, perhaps still loved.
But never opened his heart to her, this wretched and cruel first love, Hecate declared with a refreshing smile.
"Live happily, you bastard."
"…"
"This is me dumping you. Got it? We're agreed on this, right?"
"No, wait."
"Then I'm leaving."
Hecate, clutching her chest that was both painful and relieved, stood up and smiled.
"I enjoyed our first and last date."
"…"
"Goodbye."
Leaving behind Lucas, who stood there with his mouth slightly open, Hecate walked out of the café and disappeared into the snow-covered winter street.
"…"
Watching her back quietly.
After recording another 0 confessions, 1 rejection score.
Lucas, sitting blankly, finally managed to make a sound.
"Uh…"
It was a very bear-like sound, not much different from Evangeline's pterosaur-like scream.
* * *
Crossroad city center, street stalls.
"Wow, there are so many delicious foods!"
Hannibal shouted with a bright face in front of the stalls from various countries.
Holding Hannibal's hands were Zenis and Rosetta.
"Let's go, Dad! High Priestess!"
"Uh…"
"Okay…"
Zenis and Rosetta both had uncomfortable expressions.
Understandably so, since with Hannibal between them, it looked just like…
'A family… '
It looked like a couple with a young son.
Of course, this was a deliberate atmosphere created by Hannibal, who played the role of an innocent young son leading the two inside the street.
Zenis and Rosetta were quite flustered, but they weren't unhappy with the situation.
The three tasted New Year's foods from various countries, holding snacks in their hands, laughing and joking together as they walked.
"Oh, cotton candy!"
Hannibal shouted as he spotted a cotton candy stall.
"Let's get cotton candy!"
"Sure. I'll go get it."
Rosetta winked at Zenis and headed to the cotton candy stall to order three.
While Rosetta was getting the cotton candy, Zenis knelt down to match Hannibal's eye level.
"Hannibal."
"Yes, Dad."
"I know you want a mom, but… don't be too insistent with High Priestess Rosetta."
At the sudden, but piercing comment, Hannibal's large eyes wavered.
The young spirit mage stammered.
"B-but, you two get along well, don't you? And it's not like the Goddess's priests are forbidden from dating or marrying."
"Well… yes, we get along. It's not bad."
Zenis laughed bitterly.
"Honestly, I even liked her at one point."
"Really? Then why…?"
Just then, Rosetta returned with the cotton candy.
Hannibal urgently asked Rosetta.
"High Priestess, do you dislike my dad?"
"Huh? I don't dislike him. Although I almost had to execute him for heresy and he's diligently earning heresy points, I don't dislike him."
Rosetta chuckled.
"In fact, I even liked him when we were young."
"Really? Then you two…"
"We had feelings for each other, though our timing was off."
Rosetta calmly handed them their cotton candy.
"But we have a deeper relationship than simple affection."
Life savers, sworn siblings, comrades, and followers of the same deity.
Rosetta and Zenis's relationship was complex and multi-layered.
"If we became closer as a man and a woman, all those other relationships might lose their depth. We were afraid of that."
"…"
"So we pretended not to know each other's feelings. And a lot of time has passed since then."
Rosetta looked at Zenis, and Zenis smiled awkwardly.
"Our young and tender feelings have faded appropriately. We're comfortable as we are now."
"But…!"
"Hannibal."
Rosetta gently comforted Hannibal.
"There are many forms of relationships in this world. And you and I don't necessarily need to fit into the family mold to be together."
"…"
"I can't be your mother. But I can care for you, bless you, and think of you."
Rosetta softly stroked Hannibal's hair.
"Why don't we start from there?"
"…"
Hannibal nodded slowly, his head bowed, and quickly wiped his eyes before running into the street stalls.
"I'll… go buy something else…!"
Watching Hannibal's retreating back, Zenis sighed deeply.
"It seems we told a child too harsh truths on the first day of the New Year."
"It's not a world where you can get everything you want."
Rosetta smiled. Charming wrinkles formed around her mouth and eyes.
"But that child's idea is quite clever. Trying to match us together. Naive and bold, it actually seems plausible."
"Haha…"
"It's not a world where you can get everything you want, but those who don't give up and strive will eventually hold fitting fruits in their hands."
Rosetta made the sign of the cross and whispered a prayer.
"May many good connections come to that child."
Zenis prayed alongside her and smiled quietly.
"May many people form new connections, as many as the missed connections in Crossroad."
The two priests prayed together.
For Hannibal's future and for the intertwined fates of others in Crossroad to be blessed.
On this New Year's Day, for everyone…
'…But, wait a minute.'
Suddenly, during the prayer, stray thoughts entered the minds of the two priests.
'We never actually confessed our feelings to each other, did we?'
'Did I just get rejected without properly confessing…?'
The two priests glanced at each other, then closed their eyes again.
"…"
"…"
The 0 confessions, 1 rejection score was spreading throughout Crossroad.
* * *
A small town near Crossroad.
In front of a small brick house on the outskirts, where the steam from freshly baked bread wafted.
"…"
Standing there with crutches.
Clutching the letters exchanged with his daughter.
Chain closed his eyes tightly, inhaling deeply several times.
Slowly, he raised his hand to the door.
And,
Knock, knock-
Mustering his courage, he knocked.