No Salvation
I wanted to say it right away.
That we loved each other more than anyone.
That we were the kind of couple who promised to marry if peace ever came to the world.
I wanted to confess with all my heart.
But what if Rubel died if I told the truth?
No. What if I saw Rubel collapse again, realizing the truth before fate even arrived?
Could I truly bear it?
No.
The weak me cannot bear it.
The weak me, who regressed out of fear of Rubel's death and killed precious people, hammering a nail into the heart of the one I loved... it was absolutely something I could bear.
I thought saying 'I couldn't help it' was just an excuse.
Because there are indeed extremely rare cases where fate is overcome.
But I couldn't possibly stake Rubel's life on such a minuscule chance.
So, I decided to choose evil myself.
I decided to bear the sin for the one I loved.
The sin of stopping the world's time and sacrificing many people for the sake of saving Rubel.
"......Bersia?"
Yes. So this, now.
"Ha...."
Betraying the world for the one I loved.
It was the price for someone who chose evil.
"It seems I've only shown too soft a side of myself until now."
A resentful gaze devoid of any affection.
A contemptuous address.
And.
"It seems I need to remind you once again what kind of being stands before your eyes."
An impossible love.
"Bersia...!"
"From now on, I will go to the Holy Nation."
The prices accumulated even further with each Regression, crushing me.
But I had no intention of collapsing.
Because the moment I collapse, Rubel will die.
"When I arrive at the Holy Nation, countless people will die. The Grand Cathedral will collapse, and the white streets will all be dyed red with blood."
Therefore, I.
Must act desperately.
"My Hero."
So that Rubel doesn't realize that everything I've done now was an act.
I must hide my emotions behind a mask and act.
"If you cannot stop me, then in the end, everyone in the Holy Nation will die."
As I stretched out my hand and opened a portal, a familiar scene became visible beyond it.
The Holy Nation.
The starting point of all stories.
A precious place where I first met Rubel, and at the same time.
A hateful place where those who conspired to make me the Demon King reside.
I decided to destroy that place today.
"If you intend to stop me, then follow."
As I stepped towards the portal, the space shifted.
The Holy Nation, reached in an instant.
Perhaps sensing the Demonic Energy flowing out, the priests standing in the street started to flee in surprise.
"Demons, demons have appeared!"
...Demons.
Yes. That's how you bastards would see it.
You who took everything from me.
To those bastards of The Order who profited by making me walk this endless path of hell.
"Do you think you can get out alive?"
I imbued my sword with magic and swung it lightly.
Followed by a clean slicing sound.
Sguk—!
Following the drawn line, the bodies of the people who were cut fell like chunks of meat.
The blood gushing from the people rained down like a downpour.
"Look closely. Holy Nation."
"De-de-de-Demon King...!"
"That this is the monster you created."
The severed buildings collapsed, crushing the fleeing people.
Screams close to despair could be heard from afar.
The metallic scent of blood strongly pricked my nose.
In the eyes stained with fear, I, who had become the Demon King, was reflected.
"Oh God... please save us...!"
A person who couldn't even flee from fear and sat down, trembled and spoke.
'...Salvation.'
There was a time I thought I would be saved by God.
Because I thought there would be a God who would pity a girl thrown into such a cruel fate.
But now it's different.
"...There is no salvation."
If there were a God, they should have long ago... saved the Heroes who fought for them.
They should have pitied them and not bestowed such cruel fates.
Or at the very least. At least those who follow them.
Should have been stopped from going down the wrong path.
Thus, I bestow upon them.
Judgment for the evil deeds they have continued.
"Even if there is... there will be none for you bastards."
"Save, save me...!"
"I'm sorry, but I'm not as lenient as the God you bastards follow."
The moment I approached the man and was about to swing my sword.
Kagagagak!!
Rubel blocked my sword from the front.
"Bersia, you crazy bitch!!"
"Why so surprised? Didn't I tell you this was my role, my Hero?"
Sguk.
I decapitated the man behind Rubel with my other sword and said.
"And that if you don't want me to destroy the Holy Nation, you should stop me."
"You... rotten bitch...!!"
"If you can stop me, then try to stop the destruction I bring."
The moment I said that and turned to move elsewhere.
Rubel blocked my path.
"...You can't go."
"Hehe. Are you truly acting as if you can stop me?"
"Yes. I will stop you no matter what."
Rubel stared at me, his eyes wide open.
His gaze, filled with immeasurable hatred, caused a pain in my heart as if a sharp blade had pierced it....
But I forced a smile.
Because this was an act.
Because this was a play where if I failed, I would lose Rubel forever.
"...Very well. Then try to stop me properly."
I smiled with all my might.
***
Kaaang! Kang!
The sound of sword blades clashing echoed incessantly across the battlefield.
A fierce exchange where neither side was pushed back.
However, Rubel knew he was being pushed back.
"Kuh...!"
Each and every attack was so heavy it was difficult to parry.
Moreover, Bersia hadn't even unleashed her full power.
By the time he realized that, it was as good as a defeat.
Nevertheless, Rubel did not give up.
Focusing only on the sword swinging before his eyes.
If he saw an opening, he attacked, and when the sword aimed for a vital spot, he defended.
"Keoheok...!"
Red blood flowed from the wound where his skin was cut.
Torn flesh flew through the air.
His muscles screamed from drawing strength to their absolute limit.
'I... must endure...!'
Looking at the approaching enemy, Rubel thought.
Why did he become a Hero?
What did he want to achieve when he was young that made him become a Hero?
It was.
- Promise me. That you'll erase all evil from this world.
To keep the promise he made with a beloved girl.
To create the world that the girl he loved had wished for.
Kagagagak!!
Regression is like the loneliest hell in the world.
Disappearing from everyone's memories.
He had to continuously watch countless tragedies repeat.
A path like an endless tunnel.
Nevertheless, Rubel endured and ran tirelessly down that path.
Kagaang!!
He endured, looking only at one person.
Just as Bersia had done.
"Hwaaaaaaa!!!"
Rubel screamed a sound close to despair and charged at Bersia.
His footsteps, already slowed due to his physical limits.
Bersia quietly closed and opened her eyes, then kicked the charging Rubel.
"Keoheok!"
"Give up. To stop me... you are still too weak."
Rubel, spitting blood from his mouth, collapsed onto the ground.
Bersia wished Rubel would not get up again.
She wished he would just collapse from exhaustion.
Because she didn't want to see the person she loved become more and more miserable.
"Still...."
But contrary to Bersia's wish, Rubel got up again.
"I... can do it...."
Watching Rubel struggle to get up, Bersia felt like she'd rather collapse herself.
He was already in tatters.
Even though both his body and mind must have reached their limits.
"......No."
Bersia swallowed tears that felt like they would burst forth at any moment, and stabbed Rubel, avoiding his vital spots.
"Kk-heup......!!"
"You yourself should know well... what a limit is."
Rubel knew it too.
It was truly his limit now.
His vision repeatedly darkened and returned.
Because all strength had drained from his body, he couldn't move as he wished.
'In the end, is it impossible again...?'
Despite regressing countless times, can I not overcome it?
Despite being desperate, can I not reach it?
'I......'
Why did I try to protect this place?
What am I fighting for?
Perhaps because he had lost too much blood, his thoughts weren't functioning properly.
"...This is the end. My Hero."
"Ah......"
"......Rest now."
The blood that fell from his mouth stained Rubel's hand red.
...A hand stained with blood.
A single scene flashed through Rubel's mind.
A burning village and wheat fields.
Dying, his body pierced by a Demon's blade.
A girl as lovely as a spring flower petal.
- I'll always be watching you....
He recalled the last promise he made with the girl.
- Please... kill the Demon King... so that tragedies like ours don't continue in future generations....
- ■■■■....
An old promise he couldn't even remember when he made it anymore.
However, Rubel rose again for that old promise.
- I love you.... My Hero-nim.
He rose solely for a promise made with one person.
"......No."
To change the end of this tragic story into a happy ending.
"Unfortunately, that's impossible."
"...Are you getting up again?"
"Yes."
Rubel's eyes began to emit a golden light, driving away the deep darkness that had overshadowed them.
"......Because I promised. That I would never die until I killed you, you bastard."