"Ayleth Rodeline, you should know which iteration this is, right?"

"101st iteration."

"Just as I thought. So, you must have a rough understanding of the situation. I don't need to tell you that I'm feeling quite discouraged after what happened in the 100th iteration."

"..."

Of course. After failing to destroy the world.

"Well, I guess it's my fault for not being able to sway you."

"..."

It was dangerous to be fooled by his words, as if he were engaging in self-reflection. His eyes, fixed directly on mine, were gleaming with something dangerous.

Is that madness?

It's better to pretend I didn’t notice.

How should I cut this dangerous conversation short? While I was frantically ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) thinking, Reed nonchalantly changed his posture.

He leisurely propped his chin up and tilted his head sideways. It was a look of someone deep in thought.

He stayed like that for a while, and I couldn’t help but ask.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm recalling the 100th iteration."

From the way he spoke, it seemed like he hadn’t given up on his dream of world destruction.

He was trying to figure out what went wrong and looking for ways to do better. He could be seen as a role model for a returning soul who strives to improve and develop.

Before the plan to burn the earth and rain down the stars from the night sky in that dark head of his becomes more concrete, it would be best to put a brake on it.

"Hey, Reed. I know a powerful way to stop your return..."

"Sorry, Ayleth Rodeline. I’ve already gone through the 100th iteration you’re in. Whatever you know, I already know."

"R-really?"

"Didn't you say that after making the 'Word of Building the World' the new god of Serenetra, you could save the world?"

"...That's right."

"As you know, I've fallen too far to believe in gods."

Mission failed!

[‘The Word of Building the World’ mutters that such a twisted character is the reason it ended up in the 101st iteration.]

[‘The Sardonic Critic’ guesses that the ultimate villain would hate saving the world more than being sent through the return cycle.]

[‘The Eye Watching All Chaos’ feels sorry, wondering if the same crazy things from the 100th iteration are going to happen again.]

It seemed like his desire to break the cycle of reincarnation was intense, but he definitely didn't want to go through the process of saving the world.

I understood. It's wrong to force someone who’s been used as a tool to preserve the world to dedicate themselves to that same world again.

To be honest, this world doesn’t deserve his salvation, does it? In the midst of that, I don’t want to become cruel to him by siding with the world.

That said, I can’t just leave it at “Let Reed do whatever he wants.”

I can’t just be passive, since I and my loved ones are also part of this world that he seeks to destroy.

So, there’s only one way.

Neither salvation nor destruction, but a third method.

"Reed."

He snapped out of his thoughts.

Before speaking, I adjusted myself. I made my voice sound as trustworthy as possible, gave him a friendly gaze, and put on a kind expression.

"I promise you, this timeline will be your last life."

"That’s sudden."

His eyes, which had briefly widened, returned to their normal size.

"But it’s exciting, so keep going. Since it’s you, I might be able to tolerate hearing you talk about saving the world just once."

"I'm not talking about saving the world."

"Then what?"

"Since it’s going to be your last life, let’s live it a little differently."

"Differently?"

His voice joined the low chuckle that rumbled from his throat.

"Just by having you around, this timeline already feels different to me."

"..."

Suddenly?

<Who’s trying to make a move on our Ayleth?>

I almost panicked, but thanks to Agnes, I managed to stay calm.

"Getting flustered?"

"No, I’m not."

"I see. Continue the story."

[‘The Scales of Soul Judgement’ admires the smooth way of quickly getting in and out.]

That's not important right now.

Since the conversation started, Reed didn’t hide his interest. And, as usual with people who’ve lost their grip, that interest resembled madness.

Seeing his dangerously gleaming eyes, I reminded myself not to provoke him unnecessarily.

"So?"

"..."

"What kind of way do you plan to make things different? Are you going to help me destroy the world too?"

"Well, that’s a bit much."

"Of course. You're on the side of the world. There's no way you'd stand with someone who’s hated by the world... It's a shame."

I wasn’t expecting much, so there’s no disappointment. His reaction was more moderate than expected, so I felt relieved...

"Ah, no. I take back the offer to listen to your world-saving talk."

Hmm?

"If you keep going like this, I think I might want to destroy everything."

"...Huh?"

Red numbers appeared in front of my eyes. The destruction meter was rising.

It’s already 81%! This is bad! I need to fix this quickly!

"That can’t be. Let’s at least hear him out."

"What are you trying to talk about?"

"You said the world hates you. So, I’ve been thinking, and it’s clear that this world is messed up. It's completely ruined, you could say."

"..."

"Didn't you hear me? Want me to repeat it?"

"I’d prefer that."

"This world is wrong. Completely."

"..."

You probably want to hear the reason, right? You probably do.

"You’ve been grinding away your body and soul for this world more times than I can count, right? It's been sustained by feeding off your sacrifice. So, the world should at least know its place!"

"..."

"If this world was the right kind of world, could you imagine it daring to climb over the hero of salvation? Oh, dear Tesilid, every iteration you’ve worked so hard, thank you so much! Thanks to your efforts, the world keeps moving even without a wayward god! Please, take a little break and indulge in some self-promotion while you’re at it!"

"..."

That silence must be agreement, right? Alright, let’s go with this.

"After all the sacrifices, the world still hates you! It’s obvious this world is totally wrong! So, we need to fix it!"

"...Fix it?"

Now, here comes the conclusion.

"Instead of destroying the world, let’s conquer it."

"..."

"Let’s conquer it and pass a law so the entire world loves you!"

[‘The Word of Building the World’ stands and applauds your perfect logic.]

[‘The Spy on Heavenly Secrets’ is bewildered by such nonsense.]

[‘The Sardonic Critic’ clicks his tongue, wondering if that would actually work.]

Whether it works or not, we'll see.

So, what do you think, Reed? Doesn’t it sound tempting?

"Make a law so the whole world loves me?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Yes."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course. Don’t I look enthusiastic?"

"Ah, really... you're serious..."

"......"

"That's unbelievable."

Even his light laugh was charming. He didn’t try to hide his emotions. I stood firm, waiting.

I’m sure of it.

"Unbelievable..."

"......"

"Interesting."

I knew it.

[ World Destruction: 66% (▼15%p)]

Reed spoke, his expression calculating.

"One thing I want to confirm."

"What’s that?"

"What's the scope of the world?"

"Huh?"

"Are you part of the world?"

"Uh... I guess?"

I answered naturally, since it was a simple question.

"I like it."

He gave a charming smile, his eyes curving with pleasure. He seemed genuinely happy.

[‘The Word of Building the World’ disapproves of the final villain's scheming gaze.]

[‘The Sardonic Critic’ calculates the toxic clauses of the contract and clicks his tongue.]

[‘The Scales of Soul Judgement’ is thrilled with the quick progress and excitedly suggests buying a genre change card.]

[‘The Eye Watching All Chaos’ still can’t give up on GL and glares.]

It’s too late to turn back now.

Reed crushed the apple core in his hand after eating it, and the seeds vanished without a trace.

He extended his clean hand toward me.

"It’s decided then. I’ll leave it to you, Ayleth Rodeline."

"Uh, yeah, okay."

I shakily accepted his handshake.

It felt like a contract had been made.

"But when are you going to let go of my hand?"

"Now."

He pulled his hand back without hesitation. I had no idea what he was thinking.

<Are you really going to do this? Conquer the world?>

"It’s better than destroying it."

Reed glanced back, his enthusiasm clear.

"I’ll get started right away."

It didn’t take long for him to shift into deep thought, staring into the distance. In that short time, he must have already devised a plan, using all the knowledge and information from his previous iterations.

It’s best to give him as much autonomy as possible in deciding the plan. I leaned in to listen.

"First, Ayleth."

"Yeah."

"Do you have money?"

"..."

That’s right. Conquering the world is a grand undertaking. It requires astronomical investments.

He easily interpreted my silence.

"We need to go out and earn some."

"Okay."

Reed tore off a silver button from his sleeve and pretended to divide it between his two hands. He extended his clenched fists toward me.

"Pick one."

He looked like the most elegant con artist in the world.

"Why suddenly?"

"Depending on what you pick, that’s how we’ll make our money."