◈ 474. [Side Story] Clearing up
The emperor was standing in front of the collapsed imperial palace site.
This place, with only the remains of Everblack, which had proliferated and collapsed, was now completely in ruins.
The palace of thorns that had protected the center of the ecliptic for hundreds of years had completely disappeared and collapsed.
“… .”
As the emperor gazed at this desolate and desolate scene, he asked,
“What are you thinking?”
Someone approached from behind with light footsteps. The emperor slowly looked back.
The one who approached the emperor with light steps was the Dragon Lady Dusk Bringer.
The Evil Dragon Duke showed a mischievous smile.
“It’s been a while Traha.”
“sister.”
Soon after, the emperor changed the title to Dusk Bringer.
“no… Long time no see, Duke of Bringer.”
The title was changed, but because it was private, the emperor used respect for Dusk Bringer. As it has been since a very long time ago.
“Hmm? You can call me sister. It reminds me of the old days when I changed your diaper and raised you.”
“Now, we are not in the same position as each other.”
Coming right behind the Emperor, Sundusk Bringer narrowed his brows.
“The greeting is very simple for trying to kill the fruit and the country of the fruit. Do you have anything more to say?”
“I think it would be more ridiculous to make excuses every now and then.”
“Try anyway. Let’s listen.”
“… It was something I did for the Empire.”
At the emperor’s words, Dusk Bringer gritted his teeth.
“You tried to burn my country, which was the shield of the empire, to protect the empire?”
“Because that was Everblack’s prophecy.”
The emperor silently nodded.
“A prophecy that the Duke of Bringer and the principality will become part of the empire’s destruction.”
“What if now? Why don’t you try to kill Guwain now?”
“… .”
The emperor turned his silent gaze back to the ruins of the imperial palace.
“I wonder what the meaning of all the prophecies are.”
despite hearing the prophecy.
The second son rebels and the first son dies trying to stop it… … .
A future like this in which all the foundations of the country are lost along with the imperial palace. The emperor couldn’t even guess.
Dusk Bringer snorted.
“Originally, isn’t prophecy catching vague clouds? Even if I had been properly informed of this future, it would have been difficult to deal with.”
“… .”
It was as it was said.
Everblack clearly warned of the four fates that would destroy the empire—among them, the secret forces of the underworld of the ecliptic.
It’s just that the person entrusted with that response was a traitor… … .
“after.”
The emperor let out a short sigh.
The ecliptic has been preserved. Citizens survived.
However, the two sons who were entrusted with the inside and outside of the country, which could be called the national foundation, disappeared.
The emperor was now unknown. Is it true that Everblack has properly prevented the destruction prophesied? In the first place, was the target pointed out by the prophecy this time?
Clinging to the illusion of prophecy, the emperor continues only meaningless battles on the other side of the sea… … Wasn’t it that I was missing the essence of the world?
So the emperor decided to let go from now on.
I decided to let go of the restraints of the prophecy and face the reality even now.
“The declared war with the principality will be nullified. We will also proceed with compensation for damages in turn.”
Although there was already a temporary truce, the Emperor said he would declare a complete end to the war between the Principality of Bringer and the Everblack Empire.
“But I will not apologize.”
“I didn’t expect damn. Only with a stiff neck.”
Dusk Bringer clicked his tongue.
The emperor gave a look of surprise.
“Isn’t the Duke not angry? To be honest, as soon as we met face to face, I thought you would let out your breath.”
“What’s the matter? It’s like a chimney… … Wine is king. In other words, it means politician.”
Dusk Bringer gave a small shrug.
“I am not so foolish as not to know that fighting to the end with the Empire is a mortal wound to my country.”
“… .”
“As long as there is adequate damage compensation, a non-aggression treaty, and a sincere apology from the emperor! Wouldn’t it be better if we stopped each other at this point?”
“I will not apologize.”
“I can apologize with my mouth! It’s about giving the right material reward. My country is in ruins because of your army!”
Dusk Bringer, who actually gave out a small fire from his mouth, let out a dry breath.
“I get quite a bit of heat. That’s enough, I don’t intend to run amok any more.”
“… Your fever seems to have subsided a bit after you said that.”
Being the emperor who knew Dusk Bringer’s personality well, he was puzzled.
A reward is a reward, a grudge is a grudge.
If it was the usual Dusk Bringer, I would have said this and attacked right away. Why are you so modest?
“Thank you for your youngest son.”
Dusk Bringer snorted and smiled.
“Because he neutralized all of my anger toward the empire.”
“… .”
“At the time when Lark and the 1st Corps almost killed all the people who followed the fruit… … Ash saved us. Thanks to that, I was able to prepare a foothold for my comeback.”
Ash interfered with the dragon blood front.
However, because of that, Dusk Bringer survived as Ash’s ally and contributed to the monster front.
Now the emperor couldn’t know even more. What kind of future did the prophecies of the past reflect?
therefore… I just decided to look at the present.
“sister.”
“It’s a surprise. Actually, it’s really hard to be called that. Why do you call me that?”
“Please take good care of my son.”
The emperor slowly bowed his head to Dusk Bringer in a polite manner.
“It’s shameless, but just like you helped me when I was young… Please take care of Ash by your side from now on. Because he will one day become the emperor of this country.”
“… Okay.”
Dusk Bringer did not immediately respond.
The Emperor looked at her with wonder. Dusk Bringer smiled brightly, showing sharp teeth.
“Yeah, of course Gwain will continue to help Ash. But will he really become the emperor… … Wouldn’t it be something to know when the time comes?”
“yes?”
What is this?
Ash is now the only royal descendant left in the empire. Then, who else could be the emperor besides Ash?
“I also care for Ash quite a bit, but where is he… Aren’t you an ordinary extraordinary guy?”
It’s good to say, it’s an extraordinary.
To be honest, there was a lot of idiot-like sides.
Dusk Bringer twirled his index finger next to his temple.
“I have a feeling. The bastard’s enthronement also… … It will be quite difficult.”
The emperor burst out laughing.
“Inherently, all rulers are broken somewhere, one by one.”
“You and me too?”
“I learned from my sister.”
“You are laughing. You too were an asshole from birth, Yonsuk-ah.”
A smile finally crossed the corner of the emperor’s hardened mouth.
But that smile quickly disappeared. The emperor looked back at the collapsed imperial palace site and raised his voice again.
“We have a long way to go.”
“The road is always far. There is no end.”
Dusk-Bringer slapped the Emperor’s back with his hand, spitting out words like a sage with the appearance of a young girl.
“The important thing is not to look at the road, but to take one step at a time, right?”
match!
Dusk Bringer shouted boldly at the emperor, who staggered greatly.
“Come on, move. Emperor! Reviving a fallen country must also be the ruler’s duty! And I will go to my country and do the same.”
“… .”
The emperor thought as he touched his aching back.
No matter how much I think about it, the sword was full of emotions just now… … .
***
After sending the serenade towards the mermaid king.
I hurriedly walked inside the ecliptic to join the other party members.
Since everyone was scattered, it was also a task to convene in this large city.
The boulevard was crowded with people pouring out.
I made my way through the face of people who were relieved by the lifting of the emergency situation and still anxious.
It was then.
“… ?”
A series of groups appeared before me and stood in front of me. I looked around at them in bewilderment.
Power is female.
Everyone was dressed in mourning clothes wearing black dresses and hats with black veils.
These women look sad and nostalgic through the veil… … He gave me an unfamiliar gaze.
I was embarrassed and broke into a cold sweat.
“hmm… Any business for me?”
“no.”
Among them, the woman who stood at the front responded to my words.
“Your Highness has no business at the moment.”
What kind of bad things did you do?
The answering woman’s face was red and bruised under the veil. Had he been subjected to severe torture?
But the way she looked at me with that face was affectionate. As if those wounds were decorations, he was proud.
Suddenly, I felt like I knew their identity.
“Okay, that’s right… .”
I looked around at the women and nodded.
“They are ‘windy women’ to me.”
“no.”
The woman denied it again, then calmly continued her explanation.
“We were blown away by the former Highness, not the current Highness.”
“… .”
“I was indebted to him and fell in love with him.”
Does it even bring back memories?
The woman closed her eyes and continued talking.
“The you of the past was so beautiful and dangerous that I couldn’t help it, and… He was a lovely person. To the extent that we would risk our trivial lives for you.”
And so it was.
They risked their lives and worked as a secret force against the Aegis task force in the ecliptic under Fernandez.
If it were not for their duke, the shutdown protocol would have been triggered long ago and the chance for a counterattack would not have come.
also… If it wasn’t for the piece of flag they took care of.
If it weren’t for the letters from the past me to the present me.
I, too, might have been defeated in the decisive battle with Fernandez.
“I… .”
I opened my mouth carefully.
“What can I do for you?”
“… .”
“What reward do you want? I want to thank you for your hard work and pay the price you deserve.”
“It was something we did voluntarily. I don’t need any compensation.”
The woman looked at me with kind eyes… … no.
I looked at Ash before the memories were overwritten.
“I just wish. Please live.”
Power entered the woman’s hand holding the hem of the skirt.
“As the person we loved. Undeterred by any adversity… … .”
“… .”
“Please enjoy the peace and happiness he never had.”
People who love me I don’t remember. I gave you such a heartfelt congratulations.
“We will watch and support them from afar.”
“… .”
“The person I loved.”
The woman showed a sad smile.
“I hope you were happy. And I wish you happiness in the future.”
Dozens of women in black all at once grabbed the hem of their dresses and bowed toward me.
And all at once, they turned around and disappeared through the crowds all over the city.
slap… !
The dispersing women took off their black veiled hats and threw them into the sky.
The neatly tied hair of different colors fluttered behind the dress. The women disappeared into their respective worlds with lighter steps.
“… You too.”
I quietly gazed at this magnificent view and whispered softly.
“I hope you were happy, I hope you are happy again.”
and.
I hope that the lengthy funeral of your lover, which you all went through, will also be completely over today.
I stood there and watched until the backs of the women disappeared completely.
As I also said goodbye to the past me who would have been with them.
