? It’s Over. And It’s Irreversible. ?

    As the sun dimmed further and further compared to the time when Frey and Ruby were engaged in their battle, the day slowly turned into night. If one did not look closely, it would be hard to even discern that the sun was losing its light.

    “......Brother.”

    Amidst the now shadowed palace gardens, Abraham was smoking a strong cigarette, while Aria sat on the ground in a daze.

    “........”

    And in such a scene, the only person who had been standing guard until the very end was Ferloche, who stood watching in silence.

    “Ugh...”

    Why was Ferloche the last person to remain in that spot?

    The reason was obvious.

    As no one could bring themselves to speak of Frey’s whereabouts, Abraham, thinking there might still be misunderstandings, cheerfully revealed the whole truth of affairs to the people in the garden with a bright smile.

    And as if to prove Abraham’s words, various messages and reports swiftly reached the members who were once part of the supposed Hero’s party.

    Lastly, Ferloche’s trembling voice drove the nail into the coffin, as she revealed fragments of what she had witnessed and heard during her prayer, thus providing more evidence while the sun gradually set forever.

    Everyone who heard such stories and information had complex thoughts. They dispersed while coping in different ways:

    “I-I can’t acknowledge it. The Hero is Ms. Ruby. It’s impossible for Frey to be the Hero.”

    “Let me investigate this first. If what I heard is true... then surely there’s some kind of evidence remaining.”

    The majority of the sub-heroines quickly left, grappling with their inability to accept the information they had just heard.

    “Ah...”

    “..........”

    For reasons unknown, Isolet and the main heroines with faces pale as if possessed, displayed unwavering determination even in this dark moment, as they made their way toward the adjacent command post.

    “Heuk...”

    Although everyone left for various reasons, Ferloche remained in the garden until the day grew completely dark.

    It was because when Frey’s family heard that Ferloche had shattered him into pieces with her last blow, she chased everyone out of the garden before anyone had a chance to give their condolences, assuming that they even wanted to in the first place.

    “My son...”

    “H-Heuk...”

    Ferloche couldn’t leave Abraham and Aria in the garden since they were still oblivious and in shock to what was happening.

    “E-Excuse me...”

    Burdened by guilt, Ferloche wished she could strangle and end herself as she approached Aria, who was curled up on the ground.

    “...Ah.”

    However, Ferloche immediately stopped as she realized why Aria was kneeling.

    “Brotherrrr...”

    Frey’s younger sister, who once thought of killing Frey daily, now found herself in utter despair. She murmured to herself, as her fingers brushed through the dirt infused with the shimmering energy that was all that remained of her brother.

    Once again, Ferloche attempted to approach them.

    “.....!”

    Even when she was in front of Frey’s family, Ferloche only trembled with guilt, unable to utter a single word to them in such a situation.

    I’m able to observe everything through your eyes, but it seems I still can’t hear very well.

    In her mind, she heard the arrogant voice of the Demon God that had been stringing her all along.

    “Ugh...”

    Stepping forward, Ferloche firmly closed her tear-filled eyes. For now, she needed to comply with the Demon God’s commands in order to buy time as requested by the Sun God.

    “Uh... Ms. Aria.”

    At that moment, she saw that Aria was a mess, her knees marred with deep purple bruising.

    Upon learning the truth from her father, Aria fell as she rushed from the house. Her suppressed memories had flooded her mind, completely overwhelming her with emotions.

    “F-First, let me heal your wounds...”

    Just as she always did when she saw someone sick or injured, Ferloche tried to heal Aria’s knee wound with her holy powers.

    “...Huh?”

    However, she was surprised when nothing came out of her hand.

    “W-What’s wrong...?”

    Because of that, Ferloche was at a loss. What should she do with Aria’s bleeding knees?

    “...Saintess.”

    Aria spoke in a spiritless voice as she gulped roughly with tears.

    “The things you said earlier, did it truly happen...?”

    “T-that’s...”

    “Did... my brother really choose death instead of his revival?”

    “...Yes.”

    With a hard pang to her conscience, Ferloche answered while reminiscing back to that scene.

    “Then... I would never be able to meet my brother again...”

    Her hollow gaze remained fixed on the glistening soil as she continued to touch it.

    “Moreover, when my brother was imprisoned within the mansion... I was the one who helped the assassins break into the mansion! It was my actions that robbed him of any semblance of peace for months...!”

    “...Ah.”

    “That wasn’t the only thing. I’ve done so many bad things that are now irreversible...!”

    Not knowing what to do, Aria continued to speak.

    “I have to apologize to him, I can’t let him go like this.”

    Aria started pleading as she held onto Ferloche’s leg.

    “I feel so guilty for my brother, who had been suffering all this time, and about his decision to rest. Please convey my message to him.”

    “I-I can’t...”

    “You can communicate with those who are in Heaven, right? Please, convey my message to him. Just one message, please...”

    “...Ms. Aria.”

    So, Ferloche responded to Aria’s plea.

    “I can’t do it.”

    She replied with a heavy heart.

    “Mr. Frey has chosen ‘Annihilation’.”

    “.....Huh?”

    Aria’s eyes grew wider upon realizing the implication of those words.

    “Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? The word I used when I told you that Frey has chosen to rest in peace. The explanation I made after that.”

    “Ah, ahh...”

    Ferloche’s subsequent words left Aria speechless, frozen in place.

    “..........”

    “H-Heuk... ”

    Just like that, Aria continued to shed endless tears.

    “Brother...!”

    She collapsed onto the glistening soil that Frey had left behind and began wailing.

    “.........”

    While Aria despaired, Ferloche just sat there and stared blankly at her. She felt utterly dead inside. Then, she cautiously spoke to Abraham, who was in the distance.

    “E-Excuse me... Lord Abraham.”

    “Uh, Lord Abraham. Please, I... uh?”

    However, her words faltered as she rose from her spot and saw Abraham’s current condition.

    “.......”

    Overwhelmed with anguish, Abraham had taken a potent medicine and had fallen into a deep slumber.

    “Aaahh...”

    It was a potion that would put him in a coma for a few weeks after he consumes it.

    “Ah, ahhhh...”

    As she witnessed this scene, Ferloche finally lost her mind, falling unconscious and crumbling to the ground.

    By the time she eventually regained consciousness, the truth would have been revealed to everyone.

    The last thing she heard before darkness enveloped her vision was the gleeful voice of the Demon God.

    That’s right. Show me a Hell on Earth.

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    Meanwhile, at the barracks for the operations headquarters near the palace.

    “The Demon King’s Army has been completely defeated!”

    “Additionally, we have received news that Strategist Lemerno’s head has been severed, and...”

    “Breaking news! All the newspapers have simultaneously published expose?s about corruption and mismanagement within the Sunrise Empire!”

    Messengers arrived one after another, bringing news of the battle’s conclusion and its aftermath.

    “.......?”

    Yet, the messengers found themselves puzzled by the reactions they encountered. Most of those within the barracks wore hollow and ghostly expressions, maintaining an eerie silence.

    “Um, everyone?”

    “...My memories.”

    Among those people, stood a figure with a sword strapped to her waist.

    It was Isolet, who was caressing the beloved sword that had been gifted to her by Frey.

    “My memories... have returned.”

    She murmured, her voice devoid of spirit.

    And in that moment, the memories of those manipulated by a young Frey surged back like a wave.