After Returning by Death, a wave of vertigo hit me as I replayed the scenes I had just witnessed. If I did nothing, that same catastrophe would strike again. I had to prevent it at all costs, but how?
I remembered the swarm of dragons descending upon the Royal Capital Lana. Dragons were typically solitary creatures, yet those had moved with unsettling coordination. Most likely, Demon King Zoga had been commanding them; I had heard rumors that the Demon King possessed the power to make all monsters submit to his will.
"If I can just prevent the Demon King’s resurrection, can I stop that unprecedented disaster?"
For some reason, the Demon King—who was supposed to have been slain by the Hero—had appeared in the capital. I couldn't fathom how such a thing was possible, but surely there was a way to stop it. If I assumed the resurrection required the Demon King's remains, then guarding or destroying that body might be the key.
My plan was beginning to take shape. For now, I would regroup with Hero Eligion as quickly as possible and ensure he defeated the Demon King once again.
◆
I moved with purpose, retracing my steps from the previous timeline. I triggered the pitfall trap, evaded the spikes below, and slipped into the hidden room. After claiming Skill: Acceleration from the treasure chest, I made short work of the Bugbears that spawned.
Once I reunited with Hero Eligion, I guided him directly to Demon King Zoga. I stood by and watched their duel, and just like before, Eligion emerged victorious.
He was definitely dead. I inspected the body of Demon King Zoga, his chest torn open. No heartbeat, no breath. There was no sign that he was secretly clinging to life.
"Kiska? You look troubled," Eligion said, noticing my expression. "Is something on your mind?"
"I'm worried about him coming back to life," I replied honestly. "I was just making sure he's really gone."
"Ahaha! Resurrection?" Eligion laughed. "Kiska, you're quite the worrywart."
I couldn't share the joke. I had seen the Demon King alive with my own eyes, but even if I told Eligion the truth, he would never believe me.
"Well, if it worries you that much, we should just burn the remains," Eligion suggested.
"Are you sure?"
"I need proof of the kill, of course, so I'll have to take the head back with me."
As he spoke, Eligion pressed his sword to the Demon King's neck and cleanly severed the head from the torso. Standard practice dictated that bodies should be cremated to prevent them from rising as undead, so burning the rest of him felt like the right move.
"Let’s see, do I have any magic stones... Ah, I just ran out. Kiska, do you have any?"
"I don't have any on me either."
"I know a place where I can find some," I said. "Do you mind if I step away for a moment?"
"Go ahead. Just be careful."
I hurried through the dungeon. While I could have hunted monsters for stones, I remembered that Vampire Eudite had a hideout nearby. In my original time—a hundred years from now—it was a well-known location. There was no guarantee it existed yet, but since she was an immortal True Ancestor, it wasn't a stretch to think she had already established a base here.
I tapped along a specific section of the wall until a passage appeared. Inside, I found a bed and a sofa, clearly arranged by human hands. Eudite was indeed active in this era. Inwardly thanking her, I gathered the magic stones I needed and returned to Eligion.
"That was fast," the Hero remarked as I approached with my hands full.
"I got lucky and found a cache of them."
I noticed Holy Knight Kanaria was now standing beside him. She must have caught up while I was away.
"Kanaria, good to see you," I said.
"Hmph. So you reached His Highness first, did you?"
Ignoring her coldness, I began preparing the fire.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Burning the body to ensure it doesn't resurrect," Eligion explained.
"Hmm. We're keeping the head, right?"
"Of course."
"Then I have no objections."
We used the magic stones to ignite a blaze and reduced the Demon King's body to ash and bone. By the time the dwarf Golgano, the elf Nyau, and the hooded man Noc arrived, the cremation was complete.
Just like in the previous timeline, we used Nyau's teleportation magic to return to the surface. A grand celebration awaited us in Kataroff Village. Food was served and dances were performed, but while the others relaxed, I remained on high alert.
The Demon King's head had been lashed to a pillar in the center of the village as a trophy. I watched it constantly. As long as that head was under my watch, he shouldn't be able to return.
"Kiska, how are you holding up?" Eligion asked, sitting down beside me. "You still seem a bit tense."
"I'm just... uneasy about the Demon King."
"Ahaha, you really are a worrywart, aren't you?"
"I suppose I am," I agreed quietly.
Eligion leaned back. "So, tell me. What’s the story with this Ageha you're looking for? What is she to you?"
He was likely just trying to make conversation. I had asked him about her when we first met, though the name meant nothing to him.
"She’s a very precious person to me," I said.
"Family?"
"No."
"A lover, then?"
She wasn't, but I didn't have the words to describe what we were. I just knew I had to save her.
"Yeah... something like that," I replied, deciding that a simple lie was better than a complicated explanation.
"I see. If I ever run into her, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
As I spoke, I wondered where she could be. Ageha was a Hero; I had expected her to be the one to slay the Demon King, yet she was nowhere to be found. I wanted to leave and search for her immediately, but preventing the resurrection took priority.
"Hero, what are your plans now?"
"We'll stay here tonight and head for the Royal Capital early tomorrow morning."
So the Hero was going to the capital. In the previous timeline, he must have been there when the dragons attacked.
"And the head?"
"I'm taking it with me."
"Would it be possible for me to accompany you?" I asked. I couldn't let that head out of my sight.
"Of course," Eligion said instantly.
"Wait—really?"
"You're one of the heroes who helped take down the Demon King. It’s only right that you're treated with honor."
I bowed my head in gratitude as Eligion laughed warmly.
◆
The next morning, we boarded the carriages. We split into two groups; because of my request, I was placed in the first carriage with Eligion and Holy Knight Kanaria. She had complained loudly about my presence, but the Hero had overruled her. I sat right next to the carefully packed head of the Demon King.
In the second carriage were Golgano, Nyau, and Noc.
"The capital will be in an uproar once they see His Highness," Kanaria mused as the carriage rolled forward.
"I hope so," Eligion replied.
"The city must be celebrating already. We'll have to hold a triumphal ceremony as soon as we arrive."
"A ceremony, huh? That's a bit embarrassing. Will you join me, Kanaria?"
"If that is what Your Highness desires."
The two continued their lighthearted banter.
"Kiska, will you walk with us?" Eligion asked. "You've earned the right."
"I... are you sure?" I looked toward Kanaria, unsure of the etiquette.
"It is His Highness's request," she said, her tone surprisingly neutral. "It would be polite to accept."
"Then I'd be honored."
The conversation continued as the carriage rattled along the road. The Demon King’s head remained motionless beside me. If we could just reach the capital like this, everything would be—
The carriage lurched to a violent halt.
"Did something happen?" I muttered.
"I'll check," Eligion said, reaching for his sword.
I opened the door and called out to the driver. "Hey! Is everything okay out there?"
Squelch.
A sickening sound of something being crushed echoed behind me. I spun around.
Splatter.
A hot, crimson liquid sprayed across my face. I wiped my eyes, my hand coming away stained a vivid red. It took several seconds for my brain to process that it was blood.
"Ahaha... finally. I killed him. I killed him, I killed him, I killed him, I killed him, I killed him! I KILLED HIM!!"
The laughter was high-pitched and frantic, punctuated by manic muttering. It was Holy Knight Kanaria.
"Huh...?"
The scene defied logic. Eligion sat slumped in his seat, a dagger buried deep in his throat. Kanaria stood over him, her eyes wide and overflowing with madness.
"Why...?" I managed to whisper. Why would she do this?
"Why?" she repeated, her mouth twitching into a horrific grin. "Because he was in the way. The Hero was just... in the way."
She turned her gaze toward me, her hand tightening on the hilt of her sword. "Oh, that’s right. I can’t have any witnesses."
I barely managed to parry her strike with the Sword of Raging Flames. The sheer force of her blow sent me flying backward, tumbling out of the carriage and onto the dirt road. My mind was reeling, but instinct took over. If I didn't fight, I was dead.
"What's going on!?" Nyau shouted, poking her head out of the second carriage.
"Stay back!" I screamed.
I gripped my sword, every nerve on fire as I waited for Kanaria to leap from the carriage to finish me off. I steadied my breathing, watching the door.
One second passed. Two. She didn't come out.
"Fire Magic, Fourth Tier: Scorching Flames: Fuego Trio!"
A roar of flames erupted behind me. I turned to see Nyau directing a massive pillar of fire at a dragon that was blocking the road. Its presence was so massive I should have seen it instantly, but I had been too focused on the carnage inside the carriage.
I was trapped between a traitorous knight and a dragon.
The carriage creaked. My heart hammered against my ribs. Kanaria was coming.
"I see. I suppose I should kill this one too."
A voice spoke—but it wasn't Kanaria's.
I watched in pure horror as the figure stepped out of the carriage. It wasn't the Holy Knight.
It was Demon King Zoga, brandishing his massive greatsword.
"What...?"
The question died in my throat as his blade tore through my body, cutting me down where I stood.