I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame【Abnormal State Skill】As I Devastated Everything

Chapter 470 - Today As Well, I Call Out Her Name

I wonder how much time has passed since Thesis returned to Heaven————-

I’m still here in Enoh, the royal capital of Alion.

Quite some time has passed since I became a demigod.

At first, there was a bit of discomfort, but by now I’ve completely gotten used to it.

These days, it’s more like……

“My lifespan’s gotten longer, and my appearance won’t really change for a while huh.”

———That’s about the extent of how I think of it.

I’ve had fewer opportunities to wear the Fly King’s mask———-

……but even now, I’m still often referred to as “Fly King-sama” or “Fly King-dono”.

Loqierra has officially made her existence public as Vysis’s replacement.

We crafted a narrative for it, so there was almost no backlash.

The story we spread was that she was a Deity who came to stop the rampaging Vysis.

That Loqierra cooperated with us and defeated the monstrous, evil Vysis.

The movement of the Goddess Subjugation Army that originated from the Mira Empire was already widely known.

So, it’s not exactly a fabricated story.

“A righteous deity and righteous people defeated a misguided deity and saved the world.”

Even if it was constructed, it’s not entirely off the mark.

Though calling the Fly King “righteous” still doesn’t sit entirely right with me.

Each country has settled down for now.

Everywhere seems focused on reconstruction.

Exchange between nations has also become more active.

The territories newly acquired by the Faraway Country are progressing smoothly for the time being.

There haven’t been any notable conflicts with the surrounding nobles or citizens.

Right now, they’re seen as……

“The Demi-Humans and monsters who saved the world”.

The real test will come when that “spell” starts to wear off.

Also, the Demi-Human corps that Mira had originally been sheltering———the Demi-Humans themselves.

They’ve split between those remaining in western Mira and those heading to the Faraway Country.

So far, there haven’t been any major issues on that front either.

Those guys———– especially Liese, are probably working their asses off.

I get letters from Liese every now and then via magical war pigeons.

……Well, I mean, it’s fine that she writes and sends letters, but……

About 30 percent of it is related to running the Faraway Country.

The other 70 percent is……

“Is this really the kind of thing you send in a letter……?”

———–just casual chatter (and since it’s a letter, completely one-sided)……

……Maybe I should bring Munin and the others and pay them a visit sometime.

I’d like to see the people from the Faraway Country again after so long.

Gio also wrote in his letter that he wants me to meet his newborn child.

Munin and the others are enjoying life here in Enoh as well.

Her daughter, Fugi, has become really close with Liz and Nyaki.

She looks like she’s having fun every single day.

Though when Nyaki’s sisters join in, it gets incredibly noisy……

Eve has acquired land and a house, and is now doing farming just outside the royal capital.

Actually, it’s practically turned into a small settlement now.

Erika has a second house in the capital, but her main residence is over there.

Well…… if you include the house in the Golden Demon Zone, that would make it her third and second, I guess.

Of course, Liz is living together with Eve too.

That life is exactly the one the two of them once dreamed of.

Honestly, when it comes to establishing the foundation for their lifestyle, I stepped in and set everything up perfectly.

Power is something you should wield at times like this.

Also, I regularly invite Eve to the castle and have the knights train under her.

And in return, I make sure to give her a bit of extra compensation.

Eve would probably feel uneasy receiving money without contributing anything.

With her personality, she’d absolutely refuse if I just handed her money.

“There’s no way I can accept payment without doing any work.”

———-she’d say something like that.

So, I was the one who proposed that she take on the role of instructor.

After all, she used to be a top Blood Gladiator in Monroi’s blood arena.

Her real combat experience is more than sufficient.

On top of that, she’s fought golden-eyed monsters from the monster zone, and even Divine Servants.

Eve herself said……

“Fumu, I had intended to step away from battle…… but if it’s just training others, I don’t mind taking it on.”

Saying that, she ultimately agreed.

Incidentally, the ones receiving her training also speak highly of her.

It was the same with Seras, but Eve really is suited for a role like instructor.

She’s good at drawing out the strengths of others or something like that.

Also, Erika has currently been given a small house within the castle grounds and is living there.

Every day, she works diligently alongside Loqierra on research and experiments.

Watching Erika, I’m really glad I brought her here.

Loqierra also……

“Erika is truly a reliable partner.”

———-says so with clear satisfaction.

That said, Erika often stays overnight in the castle’s research lab.

So…… there’s a theory that she hardly goes back to the house she worked so hard to get.

Nyaki lives together with Nyantan and her other sisters.

Her main residence is the settlement where Eve lives.

But Nyantan also has a room in the royal castle where she originally lived.

Because of that, it seems she now moves back and forth between the two homes.

Right———— speaking of Nyantan.

At present, she’s serving as something like a secretary role for me……

And she’s incredibly capable.

Her administrative skills and research ability are nearly flawless, and she works fast.

Her reports are concise and precise.

I see.

Now I understand why Vysis wanted to keep her by his side so badly, to the extent she wanted her to become a demigod.

Now then, as for the current state of the nation of Alion———–

With the former king having been killed, a new queen has been installed.

Two young grandchildren of royal blood.

The boy was excessively shy.

I met him once, and at that rate, it would be extremely difficult for him to appear in public.

The girl, on the other hand, was also timid and quiet in personality.

But she was judged to be somewhat better than the boy.

It’s believed that Vysis deliberately chose to leave behind these two, both of whom had very weak senses of self……

So that they would be easier to control, I mean.

However, governing is difficult for a child monarch.

Thus, Duke Polarie has taken on the role of regent.

The young queen only appears as a symbol during ceremonies and such.

Otherwise, she spends her time playing appropriately for her age.

Or rather, I was the one who stepped in and made it that way.

Of course, it’s necessary to teach her the responsibilities of royalty.

But she was also forced into becoming queen.

So I demanded that she not be deprived of what she should naturally have at her age.

That was my condition.

Speaking of Alion———— the cavalry that once served as its core military force.

The newly formed cavalry, which Vysis had established as a successor to the Thirteen Cavalry, has been disbanded.

Reorganization is underway, centered around the former members of the Ninth Cavalry.

Those from the Ninth Cavalry had survived the Sacred Eye Defense Battle to a fair extent.

Apparently, they had been fighting on the southern front alongside Niko, who had transformed into a dragon, and Immortal King Zect.

“The only reason we managed to survive…… no matter how you look at it, it’s thanks to Niko-san……”

———so said the captain, Nacht Jaeger, with an apologetic expression.

Both he and the vice-captain, Snow Vanguard, had been considering retirement.

However, I asked them that if they wished to repay Niko, they should accept this role.

To be honest, I thought they were the perfect fit.

And in the end, both of them accepted their current positions.

In return, I promised that the orphanage they had long been supporting would continue to be protected.

Speaking of the Sacred Eye Defense Battle, there’s also the Drunken Sword Party.

The Drunken Sword Party will now function as a cooperative force under Loqierra.

The former Drunken Sword Party has rejoined them, and it seems they’re getting along well at their base in Alion.

However, once things in Alion settle down, Loqierra and I will leave the royal capital.

When that time comes, the Drunken Sword Party will strengthen their coordination with Nacht and the others.

That’s right———– not everyone here in the capital will live forever.

Seras, Loqierra, and I will continue to live for a long time.

But when the generations change, we will disappear from the public stage———— that’s the plan.

And after those generations pass……

The next time we appear on the public stage will likely be when the next Root of All Evil descends upon the world.

▼

[Pigii!]

[Pakkyu!]

Pigimaru and Slei had brought in a letter.

Lately, the two of them had been working together more often to carry it.

It seemed they now thought of this as their job.

[Thanks.]

I took the letter and opened it.

[———–I see. So it’s finally happening.]

The Mad Emperor of Mira, Zine, would soon be stepping down from the throne.

After his abdication, he wanted to arrange an opportunity to meet me face-to-face.

The sea routes that had long been unusable due to the descent of the Great Demon Emperor were now open again.

So he would be coming by ship.

[It’s been a while since I’ve met him in person.]

Apparently, there were many citizens who regretted him stepping down.

He must have been genuinely loved as an emperor.

Well…… it’s probably about time he got to live his own life.

I glanced at the clock.

Later, I had a meal planned with Loqierra and Munin.

They were also part of the group that devised the multi-layered Forbidden Curse strategy against Vysis.

It’s just…… those two’s recent strange “motherly” behavior…… couldn’t they do something about that?

After learning a fair bit about my past, they started saying things like……

“You need to experience being pampered by a mother too.”

———-and lately, they’d been treating me in a way that constantly reminded me of that.

I mean, setting Loqierra aside, Munin isn’t even that old……

Before meeting those two, I also had plans to see Nacht and Snow.

I tucked Pigimaru into my chest and left the room, heading toward where they were waiting.

Slei followed behind, making pakyu-pakyu noises.

The sight of the Fly King walking around with these two had already become something everyone was used to.

Nacht’s consultation turned out to be a complaint (?) about Seras.

When Eve isn’t around, Seras teaches the knights swordsmanship.

Seras Ashrain is also known as a hero who saved the world.

No one complains about her position as an instructor.

But Nacht seemed troubled.

[My deepest apologies, Touka-sama…… it’s just…… Seras-sama is perhaps too charming, and the knights’ admiration for her feels a bit too strong…… I’m worried about how to maintain their morale once she leaves……]

As Nacht slumped in exhaustion, Snow responded.

[Isn’t that fine? There was no sign of their morale declining when Eve-sama was absent.]

[Well, yes, that’s true, but…… those kids practically worship Seras-sama…… from my perspective, they’re getting a bit too absorbed……]

I see.

It’s similar to the problem of a company having an overly charismatic founder.

The concern is what happens after that figure leaves.

Seras is only serving in a temporary capacity for now, after all……

Snow, wearing her usual calm, expressionless face———–

[If I may offer my personal opinion, Captain, you worry too much about the future. Besides…… even if they’re absorbed, those children aren’t looking at Seras-sama with indecent eyes like you are. Other than you, there’s no problem.]

[Eh? That’s not even the issue…… and I’m not looking at Seras-sama like that. Besides, I’ve always been devoted to you alone, Snow-chan…… you’re saying this on purpose, aren’t you?]

[Ara? Did you say something?]

[……Sigh. It’s nothing. That reaction is just so like you, Snow-chan…… you’re always so distant……]

[Captain…… would you like to have a drink together tonight?]

[Let’s go.]

……Did I come here just to watch a married couple’s comedy routine?

Honestly, I’ve been thinking this for a while now……

These two…… They should just get married already……

Speaking of which, Seras has recently been able to wear a bit more clothing than before.

It seems not having to rely so heavily on the power of spirits anymore has made a big difference.

Also, this is partly thanks to Thesis’ spirit interference.

Incidentally, her current outfit design was led by Cattleya.

“No matter the attire, if it fails to bring out Seras’s charm, then it’s meaningless!”

———that’s what she passionately declared.

And speaking of Cattleya……

I got another urging letter from her the other day……

“You keep putting it off again and again, but just when exactly will things settle down on your end? Hurry up and hold the wedding ceremony for the two of you here in Neia!”

That’s what it said.

Well, I’m currently discussing the timing with Seras.

Sorry, Cattleya, but she’ll have to wait a little longer.

After parting ways with the lovey-dovey duo, Nacht and Snow, I returned to my room.

There was still some time before dinner with Loqierra and Munin.

……Maybe I should rest a bit.

Or rather……

I shouldn’t really have that much to do in the first place.

Unlike Vysis, I have neither the intention nor the need to interfere excessively in the affairs of the nation.

But Duke Polarie and the others regularly come to me for opinions on state matters.

Most of the time, it’s about wanting me to make the final decision.

If it’s diplomacy, I might be able to help somewhat by using my position……

But when it comes to internal affairs or matters within the castle, honestly, I’m at a loss.

I just manage somehow with advice from Seras and Nyantan mixed in.

[……………………]

A breeze drifted in through the slightly open window, stirring the hem of the gathered curtains.

Suddenly———- I found myself thinking about them.

[……Those guys……]

Did they make it back safely———– and are they doing well now?

I want to believe that Uncle and Aunt are doing well too.

Well, on that front, there’s also a part of me that feels at ease.

I still feel bad about pushing such a troublesome request onto her, but————

The one I entrusted my precious people to was none other than Takao Hijiri.

If it’s her, she’ll surely handle things well.

That’s the feeling I have.

I gazed at the blue sky stretching beyond the window.

———–So?

[How are things on your side……? Are you doing well?]

▼

The underground ritual chamber where Class 2-C was once summoned.

Kneeling down, I placed my hand against the floor engraved with magic circles.

This place wasn’t just for summoning.

It was also where they returned.

……And……

I’m not the only one who remained in this world.

Sometimes, I feel that way.

Yasu Tomohiro and Ikusaba Asagi.

With me, they stayed behind too.

For example———–

If I go to Asagi’s grave, there’s proof that Ikusaba Asagi once existed.

Well, the other three who died…… our connections were thin, so it feels a bit different……

Actually, when it comes to Oyamada, I wouldn’t mind if he ended up in the same place as Vysis.

But Yasu and Asagi———- It still feels like they’re here in this world with me.

With my fingertip, I traced a short line across the floor.

Yes, this world still retains a “touch” of their existence……

That’s how it feels.

[……………………]

Someday, when the Root of All Evil descends again……

New Heroes from Another World will likely be summoned here.

When that happens, I’ll have to guide them.

Together with Loqierra.

I’m no longer the one being summoned——— I’m now on the side that does the summoning.

The same side Vysis once stood on.

Becoming a demigod has certainly enhanced my physical abilities.

Equal to, or perhaps even beyond, the stat boosts of a Hero.

However, some of my Skills have disappeared.

What remains are———- <Paralyze>, <Sleep>, and <Berserk>.

I can no longer use the others.

These three likely remained because they were the ones I used most frequently.

When Loqierra learned that these Skills remained, she casually said———

“Maybe someday, you’ll even learn entirely new status effect skills?

……but that’s probably too much to hope for.

Though honestly, I’m relieved these three are the ones that stayed.

They’re all incredibly useful, especially when used in combination.

But…… now that I’ve become half divine……

Next time, I’ll inevitably be affected by the influence of the Tyrant’s Miasma.

That’s why———-

I’ll have to properly control the Heroes summoned from another world.

Looking toward the place where the ritual that once discarded me was engraved, I spoke.

[……If we’re going to impose unreasonable demands on them, then I at least want to make sure they all return safely.]

At that moment……

[Touka-dono.]

A voice came from behind.

I had already noticed the footsteps.

[What is it?]

[Eshine-sama wishes to consult with you.]

……Again?

There are plenty of others she could consult instead of me.

[Does it have to be me?]

[Fufu, yes…… Her Majesty the Queen has specifically requested Fly King-dono.]

It seems I’ve been completely taken a liking to by the young queen.

[……Alright.]

With a sigh, I stood up and turned, walking toward Seras.

And just like always———–

[Well then, let’s go.]

Today as well, I call out her name.

[Seras.]

<Afterword ———Shinozaki Kaoru>

This ended up becoming a long-running series spanning about eight and a half years, far longer than I myself ever expected. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart, for staying with it all this time (and sincerely, well done for making it to the end).

Having continued serialization on “Shousetsuka ni Narou” for so long, this work, “I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame【Abnormal State Skill】As I Devastated Everything”———– now reaches its conclusion here.

I do believe I was able to make use of the reflections I mentioned after finishing my previous work, “Sword of Beelzebub”. Still, I never imagined it would grow into something this long, nor that it would be read by so many people. Even the cumulative rankings and total points exceeded all my expectations…… As the author, I feel both delighted and astonished. (Incidentally, I had a lot of fun writing “Sword of Beelzebub” and wrote it quite freely. However, I also felt that approach could be seen as a point for reflection when writing on “Shousetsuka ni Narou”, and I approached this work with that in mind.)

And the only reason I was able to finish writing it like this is, above all (and not just as lip service, but truly), thanks to all of you who continued to support “Failure Frame”.

Because, to be honest, there were several times when I considered deleting the entire WN section or even quitting writing it altogether. I don’t think I ever mentioned that in the forewords, afterwords, or activity reports, but those thoughts did exist. However, during those times, seeing the warm support and encouragement from readers, not just through comments and reviews, and also (though this may sound a bit greedy) the LN sales far beyond what I had imagined, pushed me forward. I told myself, “No matter how long it takes, I can’t abandon this halfway.” And so, I was able to keep writing (and perhaps became a bit tougher along the way).

To be honest, this was a work that often felt more painful to write than enjoyable. There were many moments when I grew tired of various things (or perhaps it was closer to resignation). Even so, because it wasn’t all suffering, I was able to keep going until the very end. And now, having finished it, I truly feel that I’m glad I saw it through. In that sense as well, I owe all of you my deepest gratitude.

……………………Errr…… I had planned to write a few more things, but now that I’m actually sitting here writing, my mind has gone blank and I’m left wondering, “What else was I going to say……?” (sweat)

Well, if something comes to mind, I might add it later in an activity report in the form of reflections or little behind-the-scenes notes…… if I remember, that is……

……I’ve gone on quite a bit talking about myself, but everyone, did you enjoy “I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame【Abnormal State Skill】As I Devastated Everything”? (That title really is long……)

I’m sorry that I couldn’t respond individually to your reactions, but through the forewords and afterwords of the WN, as well as the afterwords of the published volumes, and through your kind comments and reviews, I felt something like a gentle “conversation” or exchange as I continued writing. (At least for this series, I’m glad I never closed the comment section.)

————–Now then, with that said, the main story of the WN has reached its conclusion…… However, as I briefly mentioned before, I do plan to add more chapters featuring Seras and Touka in the LN (I feel like they deserve a bit more of a reward, after all). Additionally, I’ve actually had ideas for an afterstory depicting Touka after taking on Vysis’s role, something like a “fan movie” set after the main story. There are also concepts like a spin-off focusing on the Takao sisters (though the protagonist would likely be Aoshima Mitsuru’s younger brother), or even self-parody-style isekai reincarnation or parallel stories using characters who ended up in certain situations in the main story…… those ideas exist as well.

As for the final volume of the LN mentioned above, I’ll make an announcement in the activity reports once various details are finalized (it may also be announced alongside an update to a side story). As for the after-story and spin-offs mentioned, there are currently no concrete plans to write them. However, if I suddenly feel inspired one day, I might start writing them. So, I’d be happy if you could wait with a light expectation, something like “Maybe someday, there’s a chance it might be written?”

……I’ve written quite a bit extra, but part of the reason I’m not making firm plans right now is simply because I want to cherish the lingering feeling of having brought this story to a close. Yes…… for the time being, I hope we can all continue to savor this sense of completion together for a while.

Since this is the final afterword, it ended up quite long…… I hope you’ll forgive me.

Lastly———–

This is a work that was able to come this far because of your support.

It is a work that was supported by so many people.

Once again, I offer my deepest thanks.

Thank you very much.