Read Novel Full Vol 13 Prologue & Chapter 1 Part 1
Vol 13 Prologue & Chapter 1 Part 1
And here’s the last volume. Let’s go~
ED: LonelyMatter
Prologue
I saw a certain beautiful flower garden.
But I could only perceive it visually.
In this world, there was no wind, no scent.
It was an ideal world that existed only in the world of dreams.
But the world she wished for must have been as beautiful as this.
“I broke it all…”
Kneeling on the ground, flowers danced around the boy and grabbed his palms.
But it never soothed, never healed, never filled the void.
“Please tell me… how I can be forgiven.”
Looking back on the path I had taken, I could only be appalled.
By the time I realized that I had taken the wrong path, it was too late.
There was nothing he could do now but to be tossed about by the stormy waves of the times.
But no one despised or resented the boy.
That was why his heart was even more tormented.
The more kindly he was treated, the more he was driven into a corner.
The more he tried to make up for it, the more his sins piled up.
So… when I was called back to this other world again――,
――I thought an opportunity had arrived.
When he met the red-haired girl, he became convinced and realized that his sins had not yet been forgiven.
Therefore, he could not stop crying, he could not stop laughing, and he kept spitting vindictive words at the world.
Like a fool, he kept praying for forgiveness.
Like a clown, he kept on praying to laugh.
Like a hypocrite, he kept wishing for happiness.
He wanted to show her once again the beautiful scenery that he had destroyed that day.
“All is one.”
To achieve this―he would paint the world with his own lies.
Chapter 1 – King of Lies
Part 1
Once upon a time, the world was ruled by chaos.
It was a time when absolute beings called the “Five Great Heavenly Kings” used humans as pawns.
However, there was one “King” who did not participate in the games and remained a solitary figure.
He was called the “Black Dragon King,” and he ruled the sky alone with pure destructive power.
One day, however, the Black Dragon gave up his wings and descended to the ground.
The reason was not known.
However, people who were surprised by the descent of the “King,” who was equal to a god, speculated about it.
Some said it was just a whim, while others thought he was wandering around in search of food. Others claimed that he had descended from the heavens to destroy all living things. Such speculation instilled fear in the hearts of the people and eventually drove them to fight.
Despite their fears, the people set out to defeat the Black Dragon, but all their attempts failed. It was during this time of chaos that a young boy, Hiro Ouguro, met the Black Dragon King and witnessed his battle with the Faceless King.
“What kind of face are you making…? Rejoice. You wanted power, didn’t you?”
A huge dragon approached his face. The dragon’s snort was enough to make him feel like his body was about to be blown away.
It would not have been something that a normal person could have withstood.
However, the current Black Dragon King’s breath was so small that there was no need to step on the ground. It was something weak that could only be endured by exerting strength in one’s body.
Therefore, it was no wonder that after three days and three nights of intense battle with the Faceless King, the Black Dragon King was on the verge of death. The battle between the two was so powerful that it could be mistaken for a natural disaster and so terrible that ordinary people could not intervene.
“Is the Faceless King dead?”
At Hiro’s question, the “Black Dragon King” let out a heavy sigh.
“Even in this state, I am still alive. He will also be alive.”
The Black Dragon King’s abdomen was ripped open. He was bleeding so much that it looked like he was in a pond. It was too dark to see clearly, but it seemed his organs were spilling out.
“What a face you have. Despite this appearance, the “King” is “immortal. Even a wound like this will heal if left alone.”
His tortured appearance did not make it seem that way at all, but since he said so, he had no choice but to believe him.
The Black Dragon King moved around as if he was in a hurry, then let his long neck hang down and rested his chin on the ground.
“It is different from the “Immortality” of “Demonization,” but… well, let’s not get into the details. Once the ‘Abdication’ is over, you will be able to experience this from now on!”
“But how…?”
The huge “jaws” of the “Black Dragon King” opened as he spoke the question.
It had a full set of sharp fangs, so sharp they could cut your skin just by touching it.
A long tongue extended from it. On top of it was a round ball.
“The “Five Great Heavenly Kings” have something called a “core.” It is like a human’s heart, but it cannot be destroyed easily―or perhaps it is more correct to say that there is nothing in the world that can destroy a core.”
The Black Dragon King explained it briefly, seemingly choosing his words with concern.
However, when shown such a thing, Hiro did not know what to do and could only wear a puzzled expression.
“So don’t look at me like that. In this world of the weak and the strong, if you can’t break it, there are two choices: to usurp it and make it your own power or to give it up. That’s why. But it’s no good if your body can’t take it.”
“This is unbearable….. What happens if I fail?”
“I would say you will die, but unlike other vessels, your case is a little different.”
The Black Dragon King opened his mouth again, looking a little hesitant as to whether or not to say it.
“If you can’t stand it, you will serve as a vessel. In other words, I will take over your body.”
“Isn’t that as good as being… dead?”
“Don’t be so picky if you want to defeat the Five Great Heavenly Kings. Besides, there is a possibility that the ‘Vessel’ will take away the power.”
“Then if she can endure…”
“That is impossible. As I said, it’s not the same with you who have been demonized. The five great heavenly kings are insured on their original vessels.”
When Hiro was told this, he realized the true meaning of the Black Dragon King’s words.
Even now, the unspeakable evil within the First Princess Shrine Maiden continued to eat away at her body.
Remembering the pained expression on the face of the First Princess Shrine Maiden Rei, Hiro wore a serious expression.
The “Black Dragon King” saw this and narrowed his eyes somewhat enviously.
“Those who are chosen to be the “Vessel” of the “Five Great Heavenly Kings” invariably die young. The very woman you want to help is sick―to put it bluntly, she is suffering from the incurable disease called the ‘King’s Curse’ that cannot be cured.”
That was why Hiro came to see the “Black Dragon King” to obtain the power to save her from an irresistible existence.
“If I had your power… how can I save her?”
“Eat the core of the other Five Great Heavenly Kings. That way, the curse will be weakened. But as I said before, there is a high possibility that you will be taken over. But this is the best you can do at this time to save the woman you love.”
“Wait, how do I get rid of the curse completely?”
“The Five Great Heavenly Kings… If you combine them all into one, you’ll understand. Defying the power of a god… there must be a reasonable price to pay.”
The Black Dragon King stopped speaking once and said clearly and audibly.
“――Are you ready for this?”
“My feelings have not changed since the first time.”
It was an immediate response. The words he answered without hesitation; there was no deception at all in his eyes.
“That’s why…”
He only wanted to save her, only wanted her to be happy, only for her,
“I came to see you.”
Originally, he had approached the Black Dragon King to gain power, and even though he had been lucky enough to establish a friendship with him, it could only lead to the eventual death of one of them.
“Then you must promise me one thing.”
As the Black Dragon King muttered, the small ball had disappeared from his tongue.
It emitted light and disappeared as it was sucked into Hiro’s chest.
“Eh? Ah――gah!”
In the short time that Hiro was surprised, his vision went dark, and he almost lost consciousness with a shaking sensation in his brain. The pain was so intense that it felt like his brain was being squeezed, but he managed to hold on and continued to stare at the “Black Dragon King.”
“You must save her. Don’t die until you do.”
The Black Dragon, who had spoken harsh but kind words to him until the very end――,
――disappeared after that day.
In a world of diffuse light reflections, Hiro continued to stare at the “Black Dragon King” so as not to lose sight of him.
The promise was still rooted in his heart so that he would not forget his words.
“I am sorry… I kept you waiting for a thousand years.”
Hiro, who had been thinking about the past, turned his attention to the real world.
A woman―her backside reflected in his field of vision.
The red-haired princess who had grown wild and heroic, transforming herself into the envy of everyone.
The red flames swirling around her were beautiful.
At the same time, it was even nostalgic.
In the past, it was a reliable sight to see his brother-in-law destroy his enemies with his signature technique, freely manipulating the flames like limbs.
“But… now it’s just terrifying.”
Her back gave him peace of mind as she confronted the Faceless King.
The confidence that he would be safe with Liz’s back―just as he had felt with his brother-in-law, Altius.
The baby bird, having left the nest box, no longer needed the charity of others.
So――,
“Finally, we have come this far.”
In a world covered in blood and flames, Hiro’s mouth hung open.
“I’m changing my mind… you’ve become stronger than I ever imagined.”
He laughed softly, his shoulders shaking as he fought back the urge to speak.
“It’s all coming together now.”
He laughed in the depths of the darkness so that no one would notice.