Black Badger

For a fleeting moment, I remembered what Jaeyeon had told me.

More precisely, what Jaeyeon—while pretending to be the Emperor—had said.

That the dragon’s mana had reactivated the dimensional gate.

Unlike a teleportation array, a dimensional gate consumes an enormous amount of mana—not only to open, but to sustain. There was a reason the mages of the Magic Tower had died in droves that day.

And Jaeyeon, playing the Emperor, had said this:

During the battle with Kysis, the dragon’s mana reopened the gate, and everyone had been swept into an incomplete dimensional passage.

I had dismissed it because it came from a false Emperor.

But apparently, it hadn’t been entirely fabricated.

When I relayed that fact, the Emperor nodded.

“The dying dragon’s mana reignited the extinguished gate. However, the mana was insufficient. That part was true. What followed was conveyed too vaguely.”

“Then how...?”

“Do you remember how a dimensional gate operates?”

I remembered.

How could I not?

Until Cecil cast the memory removal spell, I had never once forgotten that day.

Who could forget it? The day flames devoured the Imperial Capital remained a trauma for all.

In my dreams, I watched Kysis’s final moments again and again and again.

That was why I remembered clearly: once the gate was sealed, one had to inscribe the formula. I could never forget that Grand Duke Jacques had been unable to pass through because of it.

When I nodded, the Emperor explained in detail.

“I did not expect it to reopen, but when the dragon’s mana flowed in and it did, how could we let the opportunity slip?”

“You are absolutely right.”

“The youngest son seemed eager to throw me in.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

My jaw fell open.

I stared at that slight curve in stunned disbelief. I knew it was impolite, yet I couldn’t help it. The smile didn’t feel ceremonial.

I had never seen this expression before.

For the first time, I felt as though I were glimpsing his true self.

He continued speaking, still smiling.

“But the eldest and I moved faster. The younger ones still have much to learn.”

“Your Majesty...”

“I threw the youngest. The eldest threw the daughter.”

The Emperor let out a small laugh.

“You should have seen the youngest’s face when I pushed him.”

There was unmistakable amusement in his voice.

“He could not believe it.”

Of course not.

Suddenly, absurdly, I found myself grateful I hadn’t been there. Kysis would have been furious. I couldn’t even imagine the extent of his rage.

“As you know, those who attempted dimensional transfer before you were either devoured by the gate or lost beyond knowing.”

“I remember.”

“So do not harbor futile hope.”

His voice returned to its usual neutrality.

“If this much time has passed without reunion, then he will not return to your life.”

I nodded slowly.

I already knew. Just as we had never met those of our kin who entered the earlier gate, the possibility of meeting Kysis again—who had leapt into a different passage—was nearly nonexistent.

When Jaeyeon screamed that we would never meet again, I had clung stubbornly to the thought that perhaps, however small, the chance still existed.

But if this was the truth... then I would never see Kysis again.

The moment I ignited my aura in that dream, I had understood.

This is the end.

The realization had come like an instinct—quiet, undeniable.

A farewell.

A final lesson.

I might never learn whether my idol lived or died.

But I understood that I must accept the separation and walk forward.

I blinked repeatedly to cool the heat gathering in my eyes.

Drying them, feigning composure, I offered a small smile.

“And yet, Your Majesty, we have met again like this.”

The Emperor scoffed softly.

That’s harsh.

“Your reaction is rather cruel.”

“I shall briefly explain how I came here.”

“Ah... yes.”

“The eldest opened the gate while coughing blood. Grand Duke Jacques pushed me into it.”

What?

The truth struck so suddenly that I was speechless.

I hadn’t expected that at all.

As shocked as when I had first awakened from the dream, I forgot even to manage my expression.

“And when I opened my eyes, I was here.”

“His Highness...”

“I have grown old. I never imagined the eldest harbored such thoughts. Sitting too long upon the throne dulls discernment.”

He spoke longer than usual.

How could I respond?

I couldn’t even offer premature comfort. I simply looked at him.

I knew he was not a sociopath, nor a psychopath.

He was simply inscrutable, willing to sacrifice the few for the many without hesitation. That made him difficult to love.

But he understood empathy.

Perhaps even love.

“The eldest struck me well.”

He gave a small laugh.

“I should have passed the throne sooner.” 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“Your Majesty.”

“I do not know whether I arrived before Cecil or after her.”

He continued.

“I was not in my right mind for a long time. Perhaps I fell into a coma from mana depletion. I only sensed Cecil and you long after I had made contact with that being.”

“So Jaeyeon stole your memories here as well.”

“I do not understand the mechanism, but it seems that one can absorb the memories of those within this world.”

I see.

At this point, I no longer cared about Jaeyeon’s mechanics.

He would soon be neutralized anyway.

I glanced toward him.

Still unmoving. Whether asleep or pretending, Jaeyeon remained the same.

His face was identical to the painting I had seen in Erich Erhart’s gallery.

I returned my gaze.

Only the sound of cutting wind filled the world.

“I’m glad you awakened.”

I meant it.

“I thought you had been completely brainwashed...”

“You intended to send me off without pain.”

He replied evenly.

Caught off guard, I gave an awkward smile. He scoffed.

“It was a thoughtful judgment.”

“I am aware it was my unilateral decision. Violent...”

“Why unilateral? Was what I told you on my sickbed an empty statement?”

It’s not easy to believe that words spoken while unable to rise—‘If I completely lose my mind, ease my passing with your blade’—were absolute sincerity.

But I kept that small complaint to myself.

“No, Your Majesty. It is an honor to see you again.”

“Yes.”

He answered.

“I am glad I may grant you one final blessing.”

My head snapped up.

Final?

What does that mean?

“Your Majesty.”

I steadied my voice.

“It is too soon.”

“I believe I have given sufficient time.”

His answer was firm.

I knew that look. In this state, no counsel would sway him.

“I confess that casting the spell upon you was no easy feat. I spent most of my time in coma and under brainwashing. My mana never fully replenished.”

“You are speaking to me perfectly well.”

“You can see I am exerting effort. There is no need to pretend ignorance.”

“Now that I am here, you will gradually recover.”

“I have been cruel to you since the day I ascended the throne.”

The topic shifted abruptly.

And I did not like the direction.

I looked desperately into those sky-blue eyes.

He did not meet my gaze.

“So I shall remain cruel to the end.”

“Your Majesty.”

“The act has changed. As a character of the previous act, I must exit.”

“No.”

“In truth, I should have gone much earlier. I realized too late that I missed the proper time to die.”

He stared into empty space, speaking as if to himself.

Then those unreadable eyes returned to me.

I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood.

He smiled faintly.

“I apologize. I knew you felt great aversion to inhalation, yet I paid it no heed at the time. I thought there was no need. You were my sword.”

“I still am.”

“No.”

He brushed my white hair behind my ear.

He looked into my golden eyes.

“Just as that one consumed my memories, I glimpsed some of his. You have grown considerably.”

“I do not know what you saw, but the past and present differ. My revenge is nearly complete. When it ends, you will be able to walk Earth freely.”

“My body will collapse the moment it leaves this place.”

He spoke gently.

“But I do not wish to live here forever.”

I...

Since receiving my title, I had never served another lord.

Kysis had been my idol. But you were my true master.

After gaining immortality, I often thought: I will live as the Emperor’s sword and die as the Emperor’s sword. That was my second life, begun after the Temple burned.

As if reading me, he said,

“You are no longer my sword.”

“Your Majesty!”

“That child calls for you desperately.”

His gaze shifted behind me.

I knew he meant Luke Lyle.

But I did not turn.

I had already confirmed his safety by the steadiness of his breathing. Surely I could focus on this long-standing bond for a moment longer.

And I did not have the courage to look away from my lord.

Even knowing he spoke the truth.

“Why that expression?”

He laughed softly.

“You have lived well enough believing I was dead.”

“But now that we have met again, the situation has changed.”

“Not significantly. ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) As you faced the youngest within my spell, consider that you faced me briefly through that strange being’s magic.”

“There is still too much I have not heard.”

I spoke desperately.

“There are countless matters requiring your wise judgment.”

“Your wicked friend has grown formidable.”

He murmured, still smiling.

“Had I been as greedy as before, you would have lingered here far too long.”

He bent forward.

Ignoring my instinctive movement to support him, he placed both hands upon the ground.

“If I were the man who, even while dying of the World Tree’s curse, stubbornly continued receiving transfer from you. If I had failed to break free of brainwashing and sealed this world’s exit.”

The ground beneath his hands began to glow faintly.

“If I poured in my last mana and still lacked the strength to open the exit for you.”

I could not move.

Golden lines flowed like liquid.

From his hands they spread, curving around where I knelt, splitting to either side like a parted stream, flowing down the slope I had ascended.

It was beautiful.

Like a river of gold in motion.

I understood something unavoidable was approaching.

And I realized I had already prepared myself for it.

That did not make it bearable.

Everything has an end.

Even so...

“Tell Kyle I am sorry.”

The Emperor coughed blood.

“That I could not die by his blade.”

“...You remain cruel to the end.”

“Fairness demands it.”

As I murmured numbly, he smiled while igniting the dimensional gate amid immense wind and light.

“As I am cruel to you, so must I be to him. I have always tried to treat you both equally.”

Light flared behind me.

I knew it was the pillar rising from the opened gate.

Luke’s startled voice from below the slope confirmed it.

But I could not turn.

I...

Again...

“Hildebert.”

He smiled at me.

“My loyal and radiant knight. Thank you.”

Mana poured from him.

Light like life itself.

He became engulfed in golden radiance, reminiscent of drifting spores.

Soon I could no longer see him.

Light accumulated where he had stood, as if I were receiving a blessing.

Only in the final instant, as that light began to fade, did I feel his presence fully.

The Sovereign of the Empire.

Even as he vanished, his presence was so intense it could never be forgotten.

***

Jaeyeon opened his eyes.

He sensed the gate had opened.

Has that much time passed?

Or has the lord granted his knight yet another reward?

The answer came instantly.

Hildebert stood in the ashen world, sword in hand.

“Jaeyeon.”

Without even glancing at him, the knight spoke.

“Let’s finish this.”