The Ghost of Vermil - Chapter 14: Marco XI

18 and naive, Belle Hart thought marriage would end her misery, only to realize it had just begun!What started as a promising love turned out to be a facade, would Belle choose between a second chance or leave? She met her mate, the Duke, who she proposed to when she came of age.A month in, things took a turn. The Duke leaves for war before she could inform him about her pregnancy, only for him to return with a mysterious woman whom he claimed to be his new wife! The audacity! Trouble ensued and Belle suffered a miscarriage as a result.…“What did you just say?” He asked, his gaze darkening.“You heard me well, I seek a divorce. I wish for us to go our separate ways,” she replied, her voice steady as she met his gaze with confidence, though inwardly she was shaken by his presence.“You are my mate, Belle, and I am yours. Divorce is the most foolish notion you could entertain. Do you believe any man would take a worthless creature like you as his wife?” He scoffed, his words biting, causing her heart to ache.…The Duke's refusal pushed Belle into the arms of the king. All she had to do was bear him an heir and he would help her get her revenge!“I want you to marry me, Your Majesty, and aid me in seeking my revenge against the Duke and those who have wronged me. In exchange, I shall bear you an heir before you help me,” she said, her voice steady and full of purpose.What will the choice be?

I became the wife of a man with a lover. Well then, I guess I have to protect his chastity?

“You can sleep on the floor then.”

“What?” His eyes said he didn’t want to.

Well, yeah. The floor was hard. Then it couldn’t be helped.

“I’ll just hold your hand and sleep. You trust me, right?”

But, how come the bed broke on my first night with my husband?

*

Aristine, a princess confined out of the Emperor’s sight.

When in reality, she was the owner of the [Monarch’s Sight], able to see the future, past, and present.

She, who became the sacrifice for a political marriage, was married off to a terrifying barbarian…

“The most precious things should naturally be given to my bride.”

But her husband, whose monstrosity she prepared for, was way too normal.

However, he belonged to someone else.

‘I’ll go make money then.’

She might as well make the goldfields her own.

*

Can Aristine really achieve her dream of living freely on a pile of money?

Or will she end up killing two birds with one stone?

When he came to his senses, Hirasawa Kazuki, a normal university student, found himself in possession of the body of a game’s character.

Moreover, it was Harold Stokes, the story’s most hated character who was even given the title 『King of trash』by the players. Myriads of landmines are just waiting for him to step on them, like death flags!

Will Harold be able to clear the survival route while avoiding the countless death flags in his way?!

The Empire's forces retreated in desperation—trampled by faceless horrors bringing darkness and death to these once beautiful lands.Only the most courageous stood in defiance, forming a last defence to buy the people time to flee—fighting until the final embers of hope burned out.A man stands with a silver sword, like a beacon of hope to those around him. He roared with all his might drawing his blade against the overwhelming enemy!“You face Lancelot, Sword of the Empire! ”These horrors tested the Lord's grit and loyalty in the final moments.“Should my blade break, I will use my body!”The knights had fallen, broken swords for their tombstones, and lords fled, betraying the Empire to survive.“If my body breaks, I'll use my Soul!”Lancelot, the sword of the Empire, fought alone.All hope seemed lost.“And if my Soul fails...”What could a single man and his army do?He fights against the dark tide, blade in hand, heart on sleeve.“I will sell myself to the devil for revenge!”But he was too weak, too fragile.The last Lord of humanity stood against the enemy.Lancelot was a master of the sword, a mortal, neither a God nor a Saint.Miracles were beyond his reach.Now only a broken man impaled on his own destroyed throne.His blade shattered—now, like rose petals, it was scattered across the charred ground.Lancelot's soul was fated for the abyss as the light faded from his eyes.His last ounce of resistance used staring at the man who betrayed the Empire.Now with only the desire to kill, crush and seek revenge smouldering inside him.Now unwilling to die and desperate to fight once again.He desired to fight for the people who supported him.Lancelot refused to surrender, to fall like this.As quietly in the abyss, a voice whispered to him.It tried to entice the Lord, ignite his desire to win and fight again.“If given a second chance, to relive your life with a different choice... Would you Accept?”Blood gathered in his throat, forcing him to reply in his mind.A frail and broken voice'There is no reason to ask, of course!'“No matter the cost?”'Even if I were to lose everything...''If my people can live on. I would sacrifice everything I have!'“You will no longer be the same, a monster, twisted and vicious.”“Will you still accept?”The Lord's heart ached, taking great pride in his humanity.To lose that caused his mind to falter.Finally, out of power, unable to speak or reply with a trembling arm.Lancelot reached out.Towards the raspy voice.Towards the abyss.Towards a new future.[So you would accept after all...]'I must accept.''I must stand tall.''I must not break.''Because...''I am the Lord of humanity![Nay, you are the king of demons]