Demon King of the Royal Class-Chapter 682 [Illustration]

Time passed.

Charlotte had planned for the wedding to be a simple affair, since given the current circumstances, a grand ceremony would have been a mistake.

A nationwide event was out of the question, yet the wedding still carried immense significance. It would be both a declaration of a New Empire and a stark reminder that humanity was now subject to the Demon King’s reign.

The Gradias imperial family had submitted fully to the Demon King. The previous emperor had fled, and now Charlotte de Gradias, half-demon and the last heir of the Gradias family, was to become the Demon King’s bride as a symbol of this submission.

Similarly, Louise von Schwartz of the first principality of Kernstadt, would also wed the Demon King, signifying the submission of the Schwartz royal family to his rule.

Olivia Lanche, known as the Saintess of Purity, also shocked the world by abandoning her sacred vows to become the Demon King’s bride. The Holy Order was submitting itself to the Demon King as well. Moreover, her decision to marry a demon heralded the dawn of a new era, one where humans and demons would coexist in ways previously unimagined.

While the news that Harriet de Saint-Ouen would also be one of his wives might not have seemed as momentous to some, those familiar with her legendary feats on the battlefield understood its importance. The world’s most powerful mage had also chosen to become the Demon King’s bride.

With this union, a New Empire would be declared. And with it would come inevitable chaos. Whether or not this chaos led to prosperity, or something else entirely, it marked the beginning of yet another long chapter in history.

On the eve of the wedding, I found myself alone in my bedroom.

I needed solitude.

“...”

A bottle of whiskey sat on the table before me, taken from a display cabinet. Drinking on the eve of my wedding was madness, but I convinced myself it didn’t really matter. I could sober up whenever I wanted.

I reflected on the things I had lost. It seemed like just a few, but I couldn’t deny that I had lost something.

Effenhauser. Loyar. The people from the Rotary Club. They were guests who would never return, no matter if I won or lost. They could never be brought back.

Would they be happy if they saw me now?

I was lost in uncertainty.

I thought about all the things I didn’t understand. Vertus and Sabioleen Tana had vanished, and Shanapell and the Imperial Mage Corps had scattered to the winds.

Cristina, Ludwig, Anna, and Louis Ankton were nowhere to be found. I had no idea what had become of them. The Immortals had disappeared, yet the magic that created them was still in the world.

And then there was Antirianus.

I didn’t know if Antirianus was lurking somewhere, waiting for the right moment to strike. The deal had been made, and I knew Antirianus would have tried to kill me once he’d absorbed the spirits.

Yet I hadn’t died.

I couldn’t quite grasp how that had happened.

And then... The words urging me to survive beyond the ending of the story echoed in my mind. I didn’t understand their meaning. Was this not yet beyond the ending? The Gate Incident had concluded. If that was not the ending, then what was?

If they left me alone for the rest of my life, that would be more than enough for me.

The crucial thing was that I was not getting any more popups like event notifications or system messages. Information panels, challenges, and revisions—none of those were visible anymore. Since the last Revise event, all those abilities seemed to have vanished.

Was living on like this the only reward I would receive?

If that was the reward, it didn’t seem so bad. Everything had ended, and the thought of being whisked away to some other place was far more terrifying.

The omnipotent system had vanished, as if disappearing without a word after the ending was somehow noble.

The world left behind was entirely mine. No more cheat-like assistance, messages, or previews... They would no longer be part of my life.

The final Preview had not been a malicious act. At first, I’d thought it was a warning, a sign to brace myself for a pointless death. But in reality, it was a glimpse of what was awaiting me if I had accepted that final deal.

‘That damn swindler...’

In the crucial final moment, that candy vendor had actually helped me.

What was lost stayed lost.

What was unknown remained a mystery.

What had ended was truly over.

I had to face whatever came next.

After taking a sip of whiskey, I gazed out the window. The pale full moon cast a gentle glow into my dimly lit bedroom.

I wasn’t sure how much longer I had left, but I knew that every time I saw the moon, I thought of two people.

‘Luna. Ellen.’

Even if I never saw them again, the moon would always bring them to mind.

Ellen had left, and there was nothing I could do about it. I knew she had left out of concern for me. Being with me was too dangerous.

Someday, I would forget.

Being pulled from the abyss that Ellen had plunged into to save me was already a miracle beyond measure. I had to find contentment in having succeeded against all odds.

I took another sip. As I swallowed the whiskey, warmth spread through my throat. I couldn’t quite recall the last time I had a drink.

Time would eventually blur everything. To find myself in such a place was already beyond fortunate, and there was no need to dwell on those who weren’t there with me. They were likely finding their own way, wherever they were. Perhaps, still haunted by guilt, they might be out there hunting monsters.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small object. It was a round, milky-white talisman, seemingly made from the bones of some creature. On it were intricately carved the images of the moon and sun.

Ellen had discarded it, and I had picked it up. Now, it held no significance. Whatever help it had provided Ellen, she was now free from its hold.

It clearly meant nothing to me. I would never see Ellen again. In the days to come, I needed to let go of my regrets.

‘Should I toss it out the window? Should I crush it with a bit of force?’

I pondered for what felt like an eternity.

For a long time.

For a very long time.

Eventually, I realized how absurd it was to spend hours deliberating over something so trivial. I had to face the truth.

Whether I got rid of it or not, it was still a meaningless object. But I couldn’t even bring myself to discard something like this. I couldn’t even let go of a simple talisman that had lost all its value.

“... Damn it.”

Bathed in the cold glow of the moon, I came to terms with the fact that I’d carry my regrets for a lifetime.

So, I took a sip, then another, and another—until I’d downed four glasses.

Knock, knock.

A knock sounded at the door. If I were Emperor, a guard would have been there to announce a visitor instead of me hearing a simple knock.

When I opened the door, a familiar face greeted me.

“Should I call you Your Majesty now?”

“Forget it.”

It was Eleris.

***

“Drinking the night before your wedding isn’t exactly a good look.”

“So what?”

“I guess you’re right.”

Eleris and I sat across from each other, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight streaming through the window.

“As you asked, I looked for any signs of Antirianus, but...”

“There weren’t any, were there?”

“That’s right.”

Eleris had been following my orders, trying to find any trace of Antirianus.

The memory of that last battle in Diane lingered in my mind.

Ever since that battle, Antirianus’s whereabouts remained a mystery. There was evidence that a battle had taken place after I fainted, considering the timing and circumstances.

Could it have been Luna? She had insisted she wouldn’t help anymore, and I believed her. Still, I couldn’t completely rule out the possibility that it might have been her. Perhaps she could not bear to leave me to die without a fight.

Whoever it was, Antinarius had fought with someone after absorbing the souls and then vanished. I did not know if he was dead or alive. There were things I could speculate about, but nothing was certain.

“Well, it’s fine. Whether Antirianus is alive or not, what truly matters is that I’m still here.”

Ellen would have felt the same way.

It had been a long time. A very long time. Meeting Charlotte at the Demon King’s Castle, then fleeing to the capital and wandering aimlessly, unsure of what to do next. And then following the Scribe’s Advice to find Eleris...

It had started at the Demon King’s Castle, but it had only truly begun when I met Eleris. Being here with Eleris, on the eve of the end, felt like destiny.

Eleris gazed silently out the window of the imperial palace.

“You never imagined you’d witness this view from here, did you?” she asked.

“Yes. It never even crossed my mind.”

“It’s ironic, isn’t it? For some, this is a coveted position, yet the one who least desired it is the one who ended up here.”

We both shared a rueful smile at that thought.

Eleris had never wanted war, and neither had I. I never wanted a throne or to rebuild the Dark Land. I had urged Eleris to abandon her role as a retainer of a fallen kingdom, and she had been touched by my desire to avoid war.

Yet, we were the ones most responsible for everything that happened.

I had delved into the Gate Incident, which might never have occurred if I had just left things alone. Eleris had activated Akasha. War broke out, and I finally found myself in a position I neither sought nor desired.

If a tragedy unfolded because of someone who never wished for it, was it truly their fault? Was it acceptable to avoid taking responsibility?

In the end, whose fault was it, really? Was it mine? Was I the root cause of everything? Was it Eleris, who had directly activated Akasha?

Was it Ellen and Charlotte, who could not find it in themselves to trust me and had chosen to investigate on their own rather than talk to me?

Was it Vertus, who had ordered my capture?

Or was it Antirianus, who had insisted that activating Akasha was the answer?

I didn’t know. And honestly, I didn’t want to know anymore. It was a problem beyond solving, no matter how much I thought about it.

Besides, even if I figured it out, what then? If I pinpointed who was most at fault, what would that change? Nothing was going to change, yet, everyone felt the weight of their own guilt.

No one knew exactly who was to blame, but everyone insisted it was their fault.

In the end, each person reached the end of their own path.

I was Emperor.

Ellen vanished.

Charlotte was set to become the regent of the New Empire.

And Vertus had fled.

“...”

Eleris stayed silent as I sipped my whiskey.

Everyone had walked the path and come to their own ending. Those who felt responsible for what had happened had chosen their own judgments. But Eleris hadn’t reached any conclusion yet.

“Don’t go,” I said.

“...”

I understood why she had come to see me on the night before my wedding. She was planning to leave. Her sorrowful expression gave it away.

“Your Highness... No, Your Majesty... Um... no.” Eleris shook her head, her voice firm yet gentle.

“Baalier.”

If she left, Eleris would no longer be my retainer, no longer bound to serve me.

“You don’t need me anymore,” she said, her eyes filled with sadness.

There was a time when Eleris’s presence had been indispensable. Without her help, my ability to act would have been severely restricted. Indeed, merely continuing to live might have been impossible without her.

Whenever I needed magical assistance, Eleris had always been there to help me. But now, Harriet could fill that role, and if not Harriet, there were others who could.

“As you know, I originally spent a long time in a place far from the Dark Land,” she said.

“...”

“So I’m just going back to where I was.”

Indeed, there was no longer any need for Eleris to stay by my side.

“And although few know that I activated Akasha, it wouldn’t be wise for me to remain with you.”

That was also true.

After leaving the Dark Land, Eleris had spent a long time in a place far removed from it.

“So, now... can I go back?”

Eleris had not been part of the Demon Realm for a long time, and she had never planned to get so entangled in the Dark Land’s affairs. Her stay with me was always meant to be brief. Yet, despite her intentions, she found herself playing countless pivotal roles, each adding to her burden of guilt.

Her decision to leave for my sake made sense, in a way. She was not going to return to the Demon Realm. Instead, she would seek a way to atone for her guilt, likely pushing herself into another challenging situation.

Self-punishment... That was the path she had chosen to walk.

Just like Ellen.

“Eleris, you’re too soft.”

“Yeah, I was,” Eleris said after a moment. She nodded quietly, her face etched with sorrow.

“If you hadn’t believed me when I first told you I didn’t want war and had killed me then, none of this would have happened,” I said.

“...”

Yes. If she had killed me back then, none of this would have happened.

“If you had found my actions suspicious and couldn’t trust me, and had killed me at some point, none of this would have happened.”

“...”

Eleris had always questioned whether she could trust me or not, but in the end, she had not been able to bring herself to harm me.

She was the first person I had confided in, the first to know that I knew the future.

“And if you hadn’t activated Akasha to save me, none of this would have happened either.”

“...”

Antirianus had proposed it and Sarkegar had applied pressure, and it was Eleris who had activated Akasha, triggering the Gate Incident.

She had told me before that she did not want to lose me. Eleris herself had said those words. That she did not want to lose me, even if it meant sacrificing the world for my sake.

She had always said she hated war. She had always said she despised fighting and death. Yet, in the end, during our time together, Eleris had come to value me more than the world itself.

She was too tender-hearted.

“And now, at the end, you want to be hard-hearted and resolute?”

Eleris remained silent and she lowered her gaze to the ground.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Don’t go.”

She struggled to lift her gaze, to meet my eyes with her own, which had turned red with emotion. I knew mine had to have looked the same. Seeing me like that, she couldn’t help but mirror my feelings.

“I know I don’t need you anymore. Who wouldn’t know that?”

There were plenty who could take Eleris’s place—Lucinil, the other Vampire Lords, even Harriet.

“But you being too soft has brought us to this point.”

Tears finally fell from Eleris’s eyes. In the end, replacing someone was never truly possible. An empty space remained just that—empty.

“Who could possibly fill the part of my heart that Eleris occupies? That’s something no one can do.”

I could try to put someone else in that spot, but while that might mask the emptiness, the loss would remain.

“Don’t go.”

“...”

“I want Eleris to be so gentle and soft-hearted until the very end, that she can’t bring herself to leave just because I asked her not to.”

Loss is still loss. While roles can be filled, the empty space in one’s heart cannot.

“I cannot bear to lose two people when it’s not truly necessary.”

I was not criticizing her. Things had turned out this way because she had been too gentle. I hoped she would stay gentle until the end, that my desperate words would keep her from leaving.

Eleris finally stood up.

“Yeah... Okay. I won’t go... I’m sorry. It must have hurt, but I... I’ve hurt you more...”

Realizing that her talk of leaving had pained me, Eleris wrapped her arms around me softly, offering comfort.

The cold body temperature of a vampire. Cold, yet somehow always warm. It had always been this way.

This feeling had shaped me. Without it, I couldn’t have even begun.

This was not a happy ending, nor had the journey been smooth. But what mattered was that we reached the end together. Because of that, I did not want to part now without reason. Having come this far, I wanted to move forward together.

Perhaps she felt something in the firmness with which I held onto her. She trembled as she spoke with care.

“Even if my presence doesn’t change much... If my absence causes you pain... If it hurts you so deeply...

“Then I’ll spend this immortal life watching over you forever.”

Wasn’t there a saying about each Vampire Lord having a long-cherished wish?

“That’s how my story will end.”

Eleris, after an existence that had stretched endlessly through time, seemed to have finally decided when to place the final period at the end of her story, which stretched across countless ages.

“Just like always, I’ll be with you—forever.”

I held Eleris close, grateful for her promise of eternal companionship.

“Thank you, Eleris.”

Just as we had begun everything together, I was deeply grateful for her promise that we would see it through to the end together.

***

The wedding for the new ruler of the continent was far from grand.

It was not open to the citizens of the capital, and only the leaders and influential figures from across the lands were invited to the ceremony. An official announcement of the marriage and the establishment of the New Empire would be made after.

The atmosphere was somber, not just because of the occasion, but because opulence was out of reach for a humanity on the edge of collapse. So, while it was a modest affair, everyone understood why it had to be.

That did not mean the guest list was small, though. Leaders from each army that had been part of the Allied Forces, along with surviving kings and nobles from various regions, were invited to the ceremony.

Still, it was a far cry from the previous empire’s golden age. Compared to those times, the current scene resembled nothing but a modest banquet in the imperial palace.

Naturally, the wedding guests were filled with fear and anxiety rather than anticipation.

Could they truly trust this empire? Was it possible to rebuild humanity? Was it right to entrust that reconstruction to the Demon King?

Those attuned to the undercurrents of the crowd already sensed the truth.

Despite the large attendance, there were notable absences. Those already plotting to rebel against the New Empire had chosen not to attend. And even among the attendees, there were some with a rebellious spirit, eager to get a grasp on the unfolding situation.

Despite the restless atmosphere, music filled the air. Leading the orchestra was Lanian Sesor, who had always been a source of comfort for everyone in the Allied Forces through his music. Both during and after the war, music remained essential. Under Lanian’s baton, the orchestra played lively tunes as people mingled and moved about.

It wasn’t just the nobles or royalty who were present.

“Scarlett.”

“Ah, Evia.”

Scarlett, with her striking red hair, naturally stood out among the crowd.

“That dress looks wonderful on you. Where did you get it?” Evia asked, her curiosity piqued.

“The Que—Lady Charlotte gave it to me,” Scarlett replied, her voice tinged with gratitude. “She said I would need it.”

Scarlett blushed under Evia’s envious gaze.

Evia, the telepath, was one of the unsung heroes of the war. Her abilities had significantly improved communications between Allied Forces Command and the various armies, making her invaluable to the war effort.

Not only those who fought on the battlefield were heroes. Among those who didn’t fight, there were countless others who played crucial roles.

Though Titan had vanished in a single, devastating strike from a bizarre dragon during the final battle, Adelia still remained one of the war’s revered heroes as its creator.

Everyone from the Temple who was attending the event had earned the title of war hero.

There was Lanian Sesor, who played music.

Evia, the telepath.

Adelia, who dined quietly with Grand Duke Saint-Ouen and his sons.

And countless others who could no longer be present.

All those who had perished in the war deserved to be called heroes.

Evia gestured toward Lanian Sesor, who was conducting the orchestra, and said to Scarlett, “Lanian is going to become a bard.”

“A bard...?” Scarlett echoed.

“Yes,” Evia confirmed.

Even though Lanian Sesor hadn’t fought in the battles, his contributions were significant.

Lanian had the opportunity to become a court musician at the imperial palace, and there were still plenty of wealthy patrons who would have gladly hired him. But he had chosen a different path. He had decided to become a wandering bard, traveling across the continent, despite the current circumstances.

“He said he would sing about what he’d seen and heard while serving with the Allied Forces. Whether that’s good or bad, I can’t say. But he wants to spread the truth.”

How difficult the battles were.

How tragic they became.

Yet how heroic they remained.

Those were the songs he would sing as he roamed the world.

Scarlett nodded quietly in understanding.

“As for me, I’m still not sure,” Evia said. “My ability... It feels meaningless now.”

Evia’s talent for instant communication had been crucial during the war. But with the Allied Forces disbanded, she found herself at a loss.

With the war over, it was time for everyone to fend for themselves. The Empire wasn’t wealthy enough to provide lifelong support for its war heroes.

The new emperor’s command for each one to live well on their own had not been a gesture made out of kindness; it was a statement of the harsh reality facing humanity.

After all their sacrifices, he was telling them to fend for themselves. It was a cruel message.

Perhaps, in the future, the New Empire might be able to offer something to the veterans of this war, but for the foreseeable future, it would be a struggle. Everyone was starving.

Evia seemed unsure about her future, appearing a bit lost even as she attended the emperor’s wedding.

“Scarlett, have you thought about what you’ll do next?” she asked.

“Hmm...” Scarlett hesitated, biting her lip at Evia’s question.

“I think... I’ll probably become a knight,” she finally replied.

“Oh, a knight? You’re talented, Scarlett, so that makes sense. Are you thinking of being an imperial knight?” Evia asked, gesturing around the banquet hall.

“Yes, probably... I might become the emperor’s bodyguard.”

“Really?” Evia’s eyes widened in disbelief. Even though they were classmates, the idea of someone becoming so formidable and distant left her speechless.

Some of their peers had faced the Demon King directly, but others, like Evia, harbored a vague fear of him, especially those who hadn’t been close to Reinhart when he went by that name. Scarlett becoming the emperor’s bodyguard was a surprise.

“Lady Charlotte said... my powers are very strong defensively, so she asked me if I was willing to take up that position,” Scarlett explained.

It was Charlotte’s suggestion.

Scarlett’s power, when wielded against the Immortals, had been used for destruction and neutralization. However, its true nature was rooted in protection. If a knight capable of nullifying all magic and supernatural forces stood by the emperor’s side, his safety would be assured in any situation.

“Of course... I suspect I’ll end up being the one who needs protection more often...” Scarlett mused.

Despite her supernatural abilities, she was convinced there would be few instances where the Demon King would actually require her protection. Instead, she imagined the absurd scenario of the Demon King risking his life to save his own bodyguard during a crisis. She was almost certain that such a situation was more likely.

As Evia and Scarlett quietly observed the bustling banquet hall where the wedding was taking place, they noted the presence of many guests. Among them was Grand Duke Saint-Ouen and his family, quietly enjoying their meal.

“It’s... a feeling that’s hard to describe.”

“I understand.”

They watched as their beloved youngest was preparing to be wed.

But it wasn’t just any wedding. The Demon King was marrying five brides, and their youngest was among them.

Adelia, sitting at the table with them, still struggled to comprehend Harriet’s circumstances. They had spoken at length recently, yet nothing seemed to change.

The duchess wept quietly, and the duke couldn’t find it in himself to reprimand her. It was natural for her to feel uneasy. There were so many things that could contribute to that feeling.

At one corner of the table, Heinrich von Schwartz sat with his mouth agape, utterly dazed. Around him were Erhi, Kaier, Connor Lint, and Cliffman, all mirroring Heinrich’s bewildered expression in a collective stupor.

Whack, whack!

Riana de Granz laughed heartily, giving Heinrich a playful smack on the back.

“Hey, you should be congratulating him, not just sitting there like that. Your moth—Your sister would be thrilled to see you there, wouldn’t she?”

“Shut up, Riana...”

“Mmph! Mmph!”

Even the usually composed Cliffman placed a hand over Riana’s mouth to keep her quiet. That was how stunned Heinrich and his friends were by the shocking situation—they were completely dazed.

Soon, the wedding began. The music shifted, quickening slightly.

All the banquet attendees rose to their feet.

In an instant, the Demon King and his brides took their places, with the Demon King at the center.

Closest to him on the right stood Harriet de Saint-Ouen.

There were no elaborate ceremonies, no drawn-out speeches from an officiant, and no grand declarations from the new emperor about his vision for the empire.

Louise von Schwartz, Harriet de Saint-Ouen, the Demon King, Charlotte de Gradias, Olivia Lanche, and Airi.

The Demon King, standing in the middle of his five brides in their magnificent dresses, quietly addressed the crowd.

“Those who know me understand I dislike long speeches. Surely, everyone here knows who’s marrying whom, right? So I’ll skip the explanations. As you all see, we’re getting married. And today marks both our wedding and the proclamation of the New Empire.

“From this moment, I declare the New Empire. Now that I’ve announced our marriage and the establishment of this New Empire, I’ve done what I needed to do.”

He looked around the room. “In these times of hardship, it’s shameless to linger over food and conversation. Thank you for taking the time to be here. Not just me, but everyone here has much to do. I don’t want to keep you long. So eat moderately, drink moderately, and return to your homes after a reasonable time.

“I’m tired of anything long-winded. The war and the discord between us has dragged on for far too long. So let’s keep everything brief from now on. Let’s proceed quickly, and bring this banquet to an end.”

Everyone was left stunned by his unexpected words. There was no formality. It felt rude. There was no official ceremony whatsoever. Everything seemed rather reckless.

Was this the New Empire?

“We’re getting married. There’s going to be a New Empire.”

He had declared everything in just two sentences.

Could the new Emperor, the new ruler of the continent, really govern like this? Was this the right way to rule?

Despite what everyone was thinking, the new reign had already begun.

What could they do when the Emperor had chosen to go about it in this way?