Chapter 195

Chapter 195

Bang, clang. Even in a state fully enhanced by magic, the shock penetrated his skull.

Alexander barely swallowed the pooling blood rising inside him and reached out with trembling vision.

He continued to conjure magic as effortlessly as breathing.

– Huuuk, clang!!

He swung his fist and drove it into Ivan’s abdomen. With a booming sound, Ivan’s body lurched and lifted.

However.

– Crack!

Even before the impact of the explosion finished, Ivan’s hand moved again, slamming his head back onto the floor.

“Do you not realize that the structure of this world is wrong!! I have seen and heard about your world!! Colonel Petrovich, are you not from that world as well!!”

– Clang!!

There was no response. Alexander spat out blood and shouted.

“Even if there are hundreds of thousands of deaths, history must move in the right direction!! It is tyranny for a minority of strong individuals to oppress the majority of the populace—!!”

– Kuaang—!!

In another blow, Alexander’s vision darkened. His survival instinct barely kept his head intact.

“Ending the gods’ interference was even agreed upon by Veolgrin! Now that the day of man has dawned, the light of this world must be for the overwhelming majority—!!”

– Clang!!

Ivan still did not respond. Like a machine, he merely pressed his hand down hard against the floor. The fact that Alexander was still holding on was a testament to his training.

Amidst a shock that could crush even substantial steel armor, Alexander gritted his teeth and unleashed a spell with both hands.

– Kuaaaang—!!

Ivan’s body jerked again. This time, the impact seemed significant enough that he staggered back a few steps, unable to shake it off.

Finally free from Ivan’s grasp, Alexander swayed from the shock as he gripped his sword again.

His brain felt shaken. In reality, his sense of balance was completely off. Clenching his teeth, he held the sword and said.

“...I will send you back. I will tell you how to return to your homeland, to where you came from. Ivan Petrovich. Don’t you miss your homeland? Surely you have family and friends.”

“...”

Ivan remained silent, checking his physical condition. The killing intent was still thick around him, leaving the frozen crew members unable to move an inch.

“This is not your world. Your devotion is misguided. Leave matters of this world to those who belong to it, and you should return to your world.”

Crack, Ivan lightly loosened his hands. Seeing that, Alexander fell silent. There was no will to engage in dialogue at all. Convincing that thing would be less hopeful than persuading a golem.

He was someone who had returned alive even from battlefields he thought he could never escape. He was somehow still alive even in moments where he thought he would certainly die.

From the start, he should not have left behind any potential future regrets.

Alexander reached out towards the charging Ivan again and lightly flicked his fingers.

“The Demon King, the Hero, and you. None of you should exist in this world. The life confined in a cage created for the amusement of the gods has come to an end, and our world no longer requires a god to reign over it!!”

The world being toyed with for the amusement of divine beings must come to an end.

At this point, where the end is in sight, the social structure in which a few strong individuals reign over the majority of the populace living like gods must also collapse.

At this moment, where the entire population has hit rock bottom due to the great war with the demons, the rights of individuals have soared higher than at any moment in history.

Through one more war, we can reorganize the entire social structure and build a nation by the people—.

“You should have understood! The world you lived in was my ideal! A world without superhumans... a world where individuals can achieve their honor and status through their own strength and abilities....”

It was once upon a time. Before the war with the demons loomed large. Young Crown Prince Alexander had read the memoirs of a person deemed forbidden by the church.

He obtained information about the ‘other world’ then. He gained conviction through direct conversation with Maximilian. He acquired knowledge by surveying ancient ruins and interpreting artifacts from the lost mythical age.

This world is wrong.

It is a cage created for the amusement of the gods.

However, even if we eliminate the influence of the gods, what about the existence of magic?

Magic is the universal substance that transforms individuals into superhumans. As one blossoms with magic, they can stand against thousands of their kin alone.

Once such asymmetric power is held in the hands of individuals, the state system itself will crumble like a sandcastle.

The appearance of the Demon King has united the demons. It was probably easier since they are tribes that venerate strength.

But what if Maximilian, that great man, were more cunning and selfish? What form would the world have taken then?

A society that must entrust its safety to the mercy and morality of a transcendent individual is grotesque.

Thus, no one should stand above anyone else. Alexander sincerely believed this, acted for it, and now stands in this very place.

“The war with the demons, the many great figures sacrificed for it—yes, a valuable sacrifice. But that was, in fact, a sacrifice for the hundreds of millions of people... for the countless children that will emerge in their future! Ivan Petrovich, if you have lived in such a world, you must understand me!”

Ivan did not stop. He leaped in an instant, stretching his hand toward Alexander, who was preparing magic.

“If not, do you have a better alternative? I want to change this world for the better—!!”

Alexander did not stop speaking and reached out. The spell completed, and a purple flash lit up before Ivan’s eyes.

It was the spell he was most confident in. Illusion. A mind sorcery crafted with such precision it could fool even elves.

Even if it were a member of the Hero Party, it should be possible to deceive their eyes.

“...”

As soon as he recognized the illusion, Ivan halted right on the deck.

And soon.

– Chut.

“Yes, Ivan.”

“I’ll stay here and be an ear for the Privy Council. We need to know first what actions the Elf Council will take in the future.”

“Yes....”

With the Queen dead and Milestone gone, the Elves are nothing short of a ticking time bomb. It’s uncertain where they will explode, and estimating the fallout has become a burden.

As long as Alexander is hidden behind the Elf Council, predicting their future actions is impossible.

“Rundis.”

“Yes... Elder....”

“Contact the homeland. We need to complete the anti-aircraft artillery capable of sinking aerial battleships. Krasilov will provide support, so ensure there are no setbacks in preparation.”

“Yes.”

Assuming the entire Elf population will turn against us, we need to act accordingly. It will require considerable effort to arm Tilese.

And finally.

“Lucia.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Do you remember what I said before we set off?”

“...Huh?”

“You must be able to substitute for me when I’m absent. Do you remember?”

“...Yes. I remember.”

“It’s now. You will take charge until we return to the homeland.”

With those words, Ivan collapsed.

As Lucia hurried over, listening quietly to the conversation, Ivan collapsed weakly, closing his eyes in her embrace.

“It’s exhaustion. You’ve had a hard time,” Dmitri chuckled softly, nodding.

“Didn’t I tell you to live long? Did you forget?”

“No.”

Ivan answered carefully.

“If you’re going to live long, you should also live well. Lieutenant Colonel.”

“That’s true.”

The grumbling tone lightly teased him.

Hearing a voice he hadn’t heard in so long made him a little tremble.

Even though he knew it was a dream, he liked it anyway.

“Can you promise me one thing?”

“...Anything.”

Kim Sun-woo reached out tearfully, waving his hand through the empty air a few times.

Letting his hand drop weakly, he grasped the ground and replied.

“Besides living long and well, just one more thing.”

“Okay... okay.”

“Live happily.”

“...I will definitely do that.”

“For both of us. For our sake. A hundred times... no, a thousand times.”

“Chernovika.”

Kim Sun-woo paused for a moment. No voice called out to him again. He decided to wait a little longer.

Even after a long time passed again, no voice called out to him.

Left alone in the dark space, he grasped the earthen floor tightly, sobbing.

Kim Sun-woo replied with a cracked voice.

“I will... I will definitely do that... and one more thing. I promise to fulfill your one request.”

No matter what happens. No matter the moment.

Even if I have to slaughter all the Seven Warlords of this world, and finally, just like Maximilian, find myself in a situation where I can’t control myself and must be confined.

Still, even then. In that moment. I will surely.

“I remember.”

All of you.

No mortal can live forever.

But yes, within memories. I can be with you forever.

“Definitely.”

Kim Sun-woo got up from his seat and wiped his messed-up face.

Ivan Petrovich quietly opened his eyes.

“Definitely.”

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