NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: What If: Manipulation Route (Ayatsuru)
FYI
Scene/ POV
: Speech
- Thoughts
[Flashback]
"Quoting"
(Author Note)
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Lugunica Capital City
Koji attended the ceremony as Emilia was made queen and she obtained the blood of the dragon Volcanica.
Emilia returned to his side.
Emilia: I obtained the blood Kiyotaka.
Koji: Then let's go see Sir Wilhelm and Lady Crusch.
Beatrice walked with them as they went to see Reinhard waiting there. His face was in pain. it was like looking at a different person. Reinhard no longer wore the robes of the Knights and no longer had a sword at his hip. Emilia had done as he based and lifted him from his duties upon being selected as Queen.
???: My my what a sad face the Sword Saint wears.
Koji ignored this voice.
Koji: This should wake them up.
A few seconds later Crusch awoke.
Wilhelm: Reinhard?
Reinhard: Yes... it's me, Grandfather.
Wilhelm checked him.
Wilhelm: Lord Barnes. What happened to him?
Reinhard: He's dead.
Koji: I do apologise about what happened. I hope you don't blame me for defending myself.
Reinhard weakly laughed.
Reinhard: Not at all Kiyotaka.
In spite of saying this Reinhard couldn't look Koji in the eye. He was scared that... what he had just said was a lie.
Crusch sat up.
Crusch: The White Whale!
Koji: Dead.
Crusch: Then... I must return to my...
She then saw the crown on Emilia's head.
Crusch: I see... so... I lost without even getting a chance to fight properly.
She seemed saddened by this but was grateful to Ayanokoji regardless.
???: I did as I promised. I do hope you'll praise me later on.
Koji: Crusch. I hope you don't hold resentment.
Crusch: Not at all. It's my fault this happened to me.
This was not true. Koji had manufactured this situation. He intentionally allowed Crusch to be hit by the fog leaving her memories and name to be erased. As for Wilhelm, he lost his memories to the Archbishop of Gluttony which Koji swiftly killed in Pristella.
Koji: I think you should take a rest but afterwards if Her Majesty doesn't mind I think you would make for an excellent general in the royal army.
Crusch hesitated.
Emilia: You would be an excellent addition to our royal army.
The way Emilia spoke did not have any friendliness or warmth. Her voice was that of someone with authority. This is what Koji had moulded her into during the trial. He had forced her to undergo the trial over and over until she like him had lost her emotions. No longer able to feel she passed the trial and became a useful tool for Koji to be able to use.
Crusch: I... will consider it.
Koji and the Emilia camp left.
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Castle
Emilia's camp had settled into the castle.
Emilia: Kiyotaka. We've done it. May I...
Koji stole a kiss from her parting their lips even though neither of them felt any satisfaction from it.
Koij: Yes. You can pursue your goals now. Make the nation to be in your image.
She left to meet with the elders and Koj went to his room.
???: She really is more useful as an emotionless doll isn't she?
Koji: Agreed. My life here is secured now.
???: Do you regret it though? Turning her into that? Wasn't there a part of you that you fancied?
Koji: Yes but this is the path I choose.
???: Pricilla is still out there somewhere you know so your life isn't completely secure yet.
Koji: I know. Echidna. Can you tell me a way to locate her or keep an eye on her?
Echidna: You know our contract.
Koji: 1 should be enough right?
Echidna: Yes.
Koji formed a blade and stabbed himself in the throat.
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The Previous Day
Koji had reset. Echidna often made deals with Koji where she would give him information in exchange for using Rebirth Via Death. He took out the pendant that was under his shirt as it pulsed until its rhythm matched his heartbeat and then his consciousness faded. He appeared in the Witch's Tea Party. He sat down and drank the tea on the table.
Echidna: Enjoying the sweat from my thighs are you?
Koji didn't respond. He had grown sick of responding to her comments. Echidna then described a way to monitor Pricilla.
Koji: I see. That will be all. Stay quiet until I need you again.
Echidna: Using me like some sort of tool. So fascinating. I love it.
Kkoji's consciousness returned to the real world and Beatrice entered the room.
Koji: Beatrice. Welcome.
Beatrice: The Ceremony is tomorrow I suppose.
Koji patted his hand don't he bed Beatrice sat down and Koji began combing her hair. Not because it was needed for her hair but because Beatrice enjoyed the feeling.
Koji- I still remember that day. When I told her that I was that person. Every since then I've always put her first. unlike the others, I think she's genuinely happy. Well her and...
Koji heard a knock on the door as it opened and Roswal entered this time.
Roswal: Oh Kiyotaka-Kunnnn. What a wonderful morning it will be tommorrowww.
Roswal was in an excellent mood as he entered the room.
Koji: Indeed. Emilia will be queen tomorrow.
Roswal: So Beatrice are you happy for Kiyotaka here?
Beatrice: I am happy for him I suppose. But ever since they left the sanctuary Emikli ahs acted strangely I suppose.
Koji patted her head.
Koji: That's nothing to worry about.
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Later
Koji stood on the terrace next to Roswal.
Koji: Tomorrow is the day. And not long after that, you'll leave the castle. Ater all Echidna's resurrection will happen soon enough.
Roswal: Yes it will.
Echidna: Tell the dear boy about it.
Koji: Her soul will be split in two. One that lives in the one body and one that lives in this pendant. Linked together forever.
Roswal: What do you mean by that?
Koji: I made a contract with her. If you want I can help you talk to her.
Roswal smiled.
Roswal: Of course.
Koji/Echidna: You've done a good job providing me a vessel dear boy.
Roswal: Teacher...
Koji/Echidna: When I am resurrected I will grant you one wish. Anything that you desire. The only thing you can't ask is for me to break this contract I have with Kiyotaka.
Roswal smiled.
Roswal: Since it satisfies you I will not deny it from you.
Koji: Now before you say anything let's leave it for when you can talk to her in person? I'd rather not be present when you ask her for whatever it is you want.
Roswal: Very wellll.
Koji sat in his bed and feel asleep. While he was unsatisfied with this outcome he decided to make do. He was the fourth Generation Demon of The White Room. It was Foolish to think a mere 4 years could change him into a better person after all.... right?
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To Be Continued
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