Chapter 266
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 266
Swoosh—
With a soft ripple of mana, Ciel teleported away, accompanied by the three Venerables.
They arrived atop a high cliff, a vantage point overlooking the Demon King’s castle. Cradling Roen’s lifeless form, Ciel gazed down in silence at the cheering crowds below.
“…”
The Revival Ritual had been successfully activated, exactly as Roen had planned.
Through Elena, the event had been staged as a divine miracle, safely returning the resurrected to the arms of their grieving families. In the process, the memories of everyone involved—the demon researchers who participated in the study, as well as those Roen had healed or revived—had been meticulously altered.
This included Yutena, Ariel, Wodanaz, and even Aslan.
They would all return to the human realm and resume their lives as if nothing had changed.
And so, while the world was swept up in a festive fervor—celebrating the subjugation of the Demon King Roen, hailing the victory, and rejoicing in the return of the dead—someone else wept with a sorrow beyond words.
Ciel clenched her fists, her knuckles white, and gently laid Roen’s body on the grass. She turned to the three Venerables who had served Roen until the very end.
“You… may leave now.”
Even when others had betrayed Roen and staged a rebellion, these three had supported him to the last, aiding him in his final work. She didn't know what had motivated them to help him, nor did she know the extent of the sins they had committed in the past.
But they were the ones who had stood by Roen until his final breath. Regardless of everything else, Ciel felt a profound sense of gratitude toward them.
“Hoo.”
With a deep sigh, Carmilla knelt and used her blood magic to treat Roen’s wounds. The bleeding gradually subsided, and the jagged gashes began to knit together. Outwardly, the body was restored to perfection, but it was nothing more than an empty shell.
His soul was no longer there.
After cleaning the last of the blood from Roen’s skin, Carmilla asked softly, “What will you do now?”
Ciel, who had been staring blankly into the horizon, slowly shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
She had never once considered a future where Roen was gone. Her entire life had been lived solely for him. Ciel looked down at Roen’s peaceful face, her voice barely a whisper.
“I think… I’ll go on a quiet journey.”
With Roen’s diary in hand, she wanted to travel the continent, cherishing the memories of the days they had spent together. She wanted to follow in his footsteps, to understand the thoughts and feelings that had guided him on his lonely path.
And at the end of that road...
“I want to go to his side.”
Ciel bowed her head, burying her face against Roen’s chest. This was the world Roen had sacrificed his life to save, but Ciel didn't have the strength to continue living in it. She knew Roen wouldn't want this for her, but she no longer wished to exist in a world where he was absent.
Amur spoke up, his voice gruff but kind. “Don’t say such things. He fought to the very end to protect you. He would never wish for your death.”
“…”
Gilean watched the scene and let out a silent, heavy sigh. He had achieved his wish, but this girl had lost everything. All he could do now was mourn his king.
…A true king.
A king who had sacrificed his all to save the world. Though he was ill-suited for the title of Demon King, he was, at least to the human realm, the greatest of saviors.
Even if no one would ever know the truth.
The true hero who saved the world would be buried in an unmarked grave in a place unknown to all, while others were hailed as champions in his stead. It was a heartbreaking reality, but it was the path the king had chosen for himself.
“Ahem.”
Carmilla subtly glanced at Amur and Gilean, signaling for them to step aside. The two nodded, giving Ciel a moment of privacy.
Ciel caressed Roen’s cheek and pressed her forehead against his. Clutching her chest as if her heart were physically tearing, she called his name.
“Roen… Roen.”
She didn't care about saving the world. The lives of millions meant nothing to her. If only Roen were safe, everything would have been fine. If only Roen were alive, she would have been content.
Why did he have to be the only one to sacrifice himself while everyone else rejoiced? Why did their long-held love have to meet such a tragic end?
Ciel sobbed, her head resting against his, before pressing her lips to his in a final, lingering kiss. A farewell.
But in a corner of her heart, Ciel was still hoping for a miracle.
Couldn't he wake up again, just like he did when he fought the Demon God?
It was a desperate wish—that like a character in an old fairy tale, he would awaken from his long slumber and greet her with a smile.
It was a kiss filled with longing.
But in the end, he did not open his eyes.
“…”
Slowly pulling away, Ciel wiped her tears and rose to her feet. Her voice was composed now, though hollow.
“Sir Gilean.”
“Yes.”
“Could I, perhaps… borrow a coffin?”
Understanding her intent, Gilean nodded. He, too, had preserved his beloved in a coffin for a long time; he understood Ciel’s grief better than anyone.
“Of course.”
Thud.
Gilean summoned an ornate black coffin from the void and set it on the ground. It was an artifact capable of halting time within its confines, perfectly preventing a body from decaying.
It seemed she intended to travel the continent with Roen by her side. Gilean didn't know how her journey would end, but he decided then to place a tracking spell on the coffin to prevent any mishaps. He couldn't save his king, but he couldn't simply abandon the girl the king had loved.
Ciel lifted Roen’s body and carefully laid him inside, nestling him among the pure white linen. She gazed at him with profound affection before slowly reaching for the lid.
Though they were parting now, she told herself they would surely meet again soon. Forcing a small, sad smile, Ciel made a final request to the Venerables.
“It’s all over now. I’d like to… rest for a moment.”
But just as Ciel fully closed the lid and stood up—
Thud.
Something knocked on the coffin lid from the inside.
The lid flew open, and someone sprang out from within. Ciel and the three Venerables stared, frozen and speechless.
The man who emerged from the coffin tore off the linen shroud wrapped around him and grinned.
“Hey, you can’t go burying a living person.”
“…!”
Ciel’s eyes flew wide. Was this a dream? A hallucination?
“Lord… Roen?” Ciel’s voice trembled violently.
Staring at him as tears welled up once more, Ciel struck his chest weakly. “You’re… you’re too late.”
Roen pulled her into a fierce, tight embrace.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “From now on, forever… I’ll never be late again.”
*
Two years later.
The Human-Demon War had ended in a total victory for humanity. The demons, having suffered catastrophic losses, declared they would retreat to the demon world and never emerge again. Humanity signed a semi-permanent peace treaty with them and withdrew across the border.
Two years was enough time to begin healing the scars of war.
Normally, the greatest tragedy of war is the loss of life, but this time, in a miraculous turn of events, the dead had returned. Everyone across the continent sang the praises of Saintess Elena for her "divine miracle."
With the war won and loved ones returned, a hopeful atmosphere prevailed, and the restoration of the nations was completed in record time. Union Academy, too, dismantled its wartime footing and returned to being the premier center of learning it once was.
*
Union Academy. Traum Fountain Plaza.
It was a bustling weekend evening.
Next to the statue of the first emperor, Kyrus the Great, a new monument had been erected: a statue of the Hero’s party.
It featured the Hero Freya, alongside the three student council presidents: Beatrice, Elena, and Kiriel. Standing with them were the Holy Sword, Leonhardt, and the Magic Swordsman, Gawain. The achievements of those who ended the Human-Demon War would be passed down for generations.
The war was over, and peace had returned. Each of them had returned to their respective positions, working to the best of their abilities.
Freya had rebuilt the Gunhild family and succeeded the resurrected Wodanaz as its head. Kiriel had succeeded Ariel as the Witness of the Covenant, leading the Sea People to restore the World Tree. Saintess Elena, credited with the mass resurrection, had risen to the position of Pope, spreading the light of Ru across the continent. Beatrice had solidified her position as the imperial heir, assisting Emperor Marcus in stabilizing the realm.
Students and tourists alike looked up at the statue, honoring their legends.
Amidst the crowd filling the plaza, the Chairman stood at a distance, hands clasped behind his back, quietly observing the monument.
They were my finest students.
Ain Soph had served as the Chairman of Union for a very long time, but this generation was the pride of his life. Every single one of them had been a handful, but they possessed immense potential. They had made their talents bloom and brought peace to the land. They were Union Academy’s greatest legacy.
There was, however, one small regret.
That the student I consider the very best… is not among them.
All his students were precious, but there was one he worried over more than any other. A boy who would be recorded in history as the Demon King who threatened the world, despite being the one who single-handedly prevented its destruction.
Though few would remember the truth, the Chairman intended to pass down the secret record for a long, long time. Perhaps, after a few generations had passed and the scars in everyone’s hearts had healed, the hidden truth could finally be revealed.
Ain Soph smiled faintly and looked around the plaza. The area was bathed in the golden glow of the sunset. Warm streetlights flickered on one by one, illuminating the magnificent fountain. Families enjoyed their strolls, and lovers walked hand in hand. Children ran around the water, their laughter ringing through the air.
Watching this peaceful scene, the Chairman clenched his fists.
This peace… Roen, is what you protected.
As the thought crossed his mind, his eyes scanned the crowd. He suddenly froze.
“…!”
He saw familiar figures in the distance. They seemed to be using transformation magic to alter their appearances, but they couldn't fool the eyes of a Grand Mage.
…Roen, and Miss Ciel!
The two were spending a quiet moment together by the fountain. He had suspected they were alive, but he never imagined they would so boldly visit Union.
After staring in shock for a moment, Ain Soph broke into a warm, genuine smile.
Still, I’m glad to see they look happy.
The Chairman watched from afar as Roen supported a visibly pregnant Ciel. Sensing the gaze, Roen glanced back and gave a small, knowing wave.
“…”
Oh dear, did I interrupt their date?
Before the Chairman could even raise his hand to wave back, a crowd passed between them, obscuring his view. When the path cleared and he looked again, Roen and Ciel were gone.
The two had vanished like a mirage. In their place, a single white fountain pen lay resting on the ground.
*
Click.
In a dark room, I watched the end credits roll across the monitor and leaned back deep into my chair.
This was the 101st ending.
One might think it would get boring after clearing a game so many times, but reaching the end of a story is always a special occasion for a gamer. That love for the narrative was the driving force that had made me the best player.
As I sat lost in thought after finishing my latest playthrough of Myrillin Saga—
Bzzzt.
The smartphone on my desk vibrated. I picked it up to see a message from Director Lee Yeon-hee of Mir Corp.
< How to Survive as the Academy Student Council President — END >