The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 51
50 – The Secret Plan to Save the Vice President
Bad Ending.
Ancient Dragon.
Summer Demon Palace.
Nikita, who had come to wield the magic of the ancient dragon, kills the third princess Iris with her own hands in the demon palace.
And at this moment, an unexpected situation occurs.
The power of the evil spirit that resided in Iris reaches out to Nikita and engulfs her.
Nikita’s hatred towards the world and the temptation of the evil spirit.
As the two intertwine, Nikita ultimately falls into the hands of the evil spirit.
With the magic of the ancient dragon and the power of the evil spirit.
Possessing these two powers, Nikita completely destroys the world.
That is the bad ending.
The ancient dragon.
「Lucas junior, you know, I wanted to live freely… To do what I want, and marry the person I love.」
Nikita’s tearful cry in the bad ending of the Flame Butterfly episode came to mind.
「I hated my life, bound to the Cynthia family, so much that I could easily throw it away.」
Nikita Cynthia, born without any talent for magic in the Cynthia Marquis family, which excelled in magic.
She lived her entire life bound by the family, and her future life was also entirely determined by the family.
The Cynthia family did not even allow her to wield a sword properly.
They just used her as a useful pawn for a political marriage.
The name of the empire’s marquis is so grand.
This is not modern society.
No matter how hard a daughter tries, she cannot shake off the shackles of the family.
Her brother Nia was the only escape route that could change Nikita’s life.
「This is, perhaps, the sin of relying on Nia brother carelessly. My life is something I must pioneer on my own. When my brother died, I despaired not at his death, but at my life that would not change in the future.」
Nikita shed frozen tears with the magic of the ancient dragon.
After seeing that scene, I played the Flame Butterfly episode countless times to change Nikita’s life.
However, there was no way to save Nikita in the Flame Butterfly episode.
To be precise, even if there was, Lucas at that time could not achieve it.
A grand fate.
Nikita was destined to die there.
“The world has a limit to what it can accept.”
Sharin’s advice came to mind.
To break a great destiny, one must be equally reckless.
So, she waited and waited.
A way for Nikita to live freely, away from Cynthia.
And the only way to pull her out of the inevitable fate of the affair.
My gaze landed on the current Nikita.
The gentle demeanor she once had was no longer there.
Consumed by anger and revenge, she was now nothing but a vengeful spirit.
“Nikita, you don’t look well. Are you okay?”
“Huh? I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
Nikita said with the brightest face she had shown recently.
The flames burned.
The flames burned without leaving even a speck of dust behind.
Her eyes no longer held any attachment to the world.
“Junior.”
“Yes, Nikita.”
“This summer’s labyrinth, you’ll be going too, right?”
“Probably.”
Unless you’re in the special class for first years.
All second years participate unless their condition is extremely poor.
“Then, don’t go too deep into the labyrinth this time.”
Nikita said, turning her body.
“As advice from a senior.”
Nikita left like that.
As I quietly watched her back, I realized my fists were clenched.
***
After that, I sincerely helped as a member of the student council.
Preparing so that the students facing the labyrinth battle could enjoy it comfortably.
Before I knew it, I saw students with full stomachs slowly going to rest.
And among them.
There were still people eating.
‘Nikita.’
Fortunately, she was talking with the professors.
She wouldn’t have time to pay attention to this side.
I quietly moved my steps.
Then I stood next to the person who was still eating.
Next to her, plates piled up like mountains.
Nevertheless, she still had a lot of room in her stomach, as she continued to eat.
Even the big guys were all sprawled out.
She had an amazing appetite.
“Third Princess.”
I quietly called that name as I stood beside her.
Between her jet-black hair, ruby-like eyes turned this way.
Eyes filled with decadent allure held a question.
As if she never thought I would approach her.
“I’m still eating. Is it okay if I eat next to you?”
Eating next to a member of the royal family is not something easily permitted.
But this is Jerion Academy.
A place that pursues equality in its own way.
Above all, Iris was not someone who cared about such things.
“Go ahead.”
True to her nature, Iris didn’t particularly stop me.
Rather, she slightly moved her hips to make room.
“It seems you have something to say.”
I have hardly ever talked to Iris.
To be precise, I judged that it was too early to get involved with Iris.
The enormous flow surrounding her.
If I got involved now, I would be torn to pieces.
So, even if someday I am to be with her.
Until now, I have avoided it.
But now, facing the bad ending, the ancient dragon before me.
I could no longer live avoiding her.
Just in time, I had made a proper impression in the group match.
I decided to convey my desire to her.
“Would you include me in the team for this labyrinth battle?”
In the original story, Lucas reaches Iris’s team just in time when she is in danger.
But now, without Lucas.
None of the students can reach where Iris is.
Then there is only one way.
To be by Iris’s side from the beginning.
Iris’s gaze, as she bit into a piece of meat, lingered on me.
She is smart.
Surely, she knows I didn’t bring this up for no reason.
“That’s difficult.”
Thus, she didn’t easily give in.
“But, if you explain the situation properly, I might cooperate.”
Even if she is interested, she doesn’t help recklessly.
That cautiousness is just like her.
“There is someone targeting the third princess in the labyrinth.”
Iris stopped moving her spoon.
Targeting royalty is a grave crime among grave crimes under imperial law.
Not only does it annihilate the family to which the member belongs.
It can overturn everything related to the family.
Eradicating three generations.
That was the most fitting punishment.
“So, you want to stop that.”
“Yes, I will definitely stop it.”
Iris started moving her spoon again.
The words I just spoke carry a certain risk for me as well.
Even though I knew someone was targeting the princess, I didn’t convey it properly and spoke indirectly.
I’m nervous.
If Iris gets upset, my life is at stake too.
This is reality.
It’s not a game where you can try again.
“Alright. That’s not difficult.”
At that moment, Iris answered more readily than I expected.
“But if it’s someone related to you, they will recognize you.”
“It’s okay. I have a plan for that. Could you transfer one of the third princess’s team members to our team?”
“An exchange, huh.”
I followed Iris and took a bite of the meat.
Maybe because I was nervous, it didn’t taste like much.
“Alright. I’ll do that.”
As soon as she gave her permission, I finally relaxed.
I’m glad Iris is more generous than I thought.
‘No, to be precise.’
What was in her eyes was probably curiosity.
Iris was watching me closely.
Starting from the fact that I’m her cousin.
I even defeated Iris’s team in the group competition and took first place.
From Iris’s perspective, I must be a very peculiar person.
Someone like me made a proposal to her first.
Naturally, she would be more interested.
‘She probably doesn’t even consider the possibility of being assassinated.’
That confidence.
It’s not for nothing that she’s called the strongest royal in history.
But even someone like her can’t handle Nikita, who has become the dragon of disaster.
‘Originally, it was Lucas’s role to stop her.’
This time, I have to take on that role.
“But you know.”
At that moment, Iris suddenly spoke up.
“There’s only one member on our side with a similar physique to yours.”
As much as I was joining Iris’s team.
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Someone from Iris’s team had to disguise themselves as me and join our team.
In my case, with the bandages of the veil, it didn’t matter who it was.
But it wasn’t the same for them.
“If it’s just one person.”
Ah.
I realized who it was.
“To avoid suspicion, the day before.”
Iris drew a captivating smile on her lips.
“Switch rooms with them.”
Suddenly, my vision went dark.
***
What is life, really?
What am I doing all this for?
With such thoughts in mind, I walked down a corridor.
The long hair brushing against the back of my neck fluttered.
The original black color was gone, replaced by a light peach hue.
Was it because of the different physique?
I wasn’t yet accustomed to the way of walking.
To be precise, the wider hips and heavier upper body were uncomfortable.
I wondered how one could fight in such a body.
‘Damn it.’
I cursed inwardly as I slowly turned my head.
Then, a very pretty woman was reflected in the window.
Eyes reminiscent of a fox and slightly upturned corners of the mouth.
Red lips that held a charm to stir a man’s heart.
The problem was, this face was now mine.
For a moment, I covered my forehead and sighed.
The identity of this figure now.
The second-in-command of martial arts.
Hania Rapidia.
The daughter of the Empire’s Chief Knight Commander.
Always assisting Iris, she is an idol to men in a different sense.
She knows well how to melt a person’s heart, along with her outstanding appearance.
So, after a few conversations with her, most men were enchanted by her.
The problem is, it’s not just men.
Women are also weak to beautiful appearances.
She knew very well how to make even women her own.
‘If it’s skill, it’s skill.’
She actively uses the weapons she has.
And she clearly draws this out to her advantage.
Hania was also a woman I personally feared.
This type is strangely uncomfortable.
Above all.
“To be separated from Lady Iris. How do I, Hania, endure this?”
I know who she truly loves.
In the distance, I saw someone wiping tears beside Iris.
She had short black hair instead of her original peach-colored hair.
Her eyes were also different from their original color.
Red eyes, like Iris’s, shone following the light coming through the window.
Hanon Airei.
There was Hania in the form of Hanon.
Among Iris’s team, the one closest in build to me.
That was none other than the woman Hania.
It felt very awkward to see her like that, facing Iris.
“You’ve come.”
Iris noticed me and smiled slightly.
It was clear that she laughed at my awkward appearance.
“…Yes, I have arrived.”
“Hania wouldn’t say it like that.”
“Is that so.”
I didn’t have the confidence to mimic her tone.
I should keep my mouth shut as much as possible until we reach the palace.
“Hanun Airei.”
At that moment, Hania turned to me and called my name.
The affectionate gaze she had for Iris just moments ago was gone.
Instead, her cold, icy eyes were directed at me.
“Make sure to assist Lady Iris properly today. If you cause any trouble for her…”
Hania didn’t say anything more.
She just smiled, implying that I should interpret it myself.
“Hania, don’t be so harsh.”
“Yes, yes, if Lady Iris says so!”
But as soon as Iris spoke, the tense atmosphere disappeared in an instant.
Hania truly adores Iris.
So, she would do anything Iris says.
It must be because Hanun is a cousin of Iris.
‘If she knew I wasn’t Hanun but Vickamon…’
Hania would have stopped me even if it meant risking her life.
I must never let this secret be revealed.
I resolved firmly.
“Please take care of my role as well.”
“Hmph, you better do your part properly.”
Maybe it’s because I defeated Iris’s team in the group competition.
She didn’t seem to like me very much.
She finished speaking coldly and left after exchanging intense greetings with Iris.
She was on the verge of tears at the thought of having to leave Iris’s side until the very end.
But there was no way out since it was Iris’s request.
“Let’s go.”
At that moment, Iris turned around and walked away.
“……Are you really going?”
“Hania doesn’t use that kind of tone. Come on.”
She requested again to correct my tone.
Damn it.
“Are you really going?”
“That’s a bit better.”
Iris said that with a smile.
“Yes, I’m really going.”
Disappointment was written all over my face.
Today.
I have to stay in the girls’ dormitory.