Defying the Fate of Beheading

It took me a long time to understand that, at least with the current "New Book of the Dead," there's no way to reverse tragedy.

What I longed for was nothing but an illusion.

I have awakened and found relief.

I've decided to destroy the "New Book of the Dead."

But I never expected that the Mad King's legacy had already caught the attention of a group of people.

They dragged me into an alternate dimension with the shackles of war.

There, I smelled a familiar stench.

It was those bastards from the Rudelson group!

In anger, I engaged in combat with them.

Although I successfully killed dozens of enemies, I still suffered fatal wounds.

My body has reached its limit.

I suddenly began to think.

I can finally be relieved, and I can go to see her.

The inhuman body and identity that was difficult for outsiders to accept made me lose hope in living after losing her.

Just as they began to transform me into a living dead, in a daze, I seemed to see her silhouette.

She ran towards me, holding my scarred body tightly.

I knew it was an illusion before death, but as that familiar warmth came over me, long-lost memories were gradually awakened.

The overwhelming guilt almost crushed me.

"I'm truly sorry, I couldn't save you in time back then."

"...I miss you so much."

Tears burst from my eyes, and at this moment, I was no longer a cold and ruthless killing machine but a pitiful person yearning for love.

"Seeing you before death isn't so bad."

She gently held me: "I've always watched over Mr. Rogen!"

I whispered: "It was so great to have saved you back then."

Looking at her angelic smile, I seemed to have found redemption.

"So, Mr. Rogen, please don't blame yourself, instead of me..."

"Use these hands to protect the ones you need to protect!"

"Just like how you protected me back then."

"Make sure to live well, Mr. Rogen."

As her image gradually faded, I heard the discussions of the Rudelson organization members.

...

"How about dismembering him and then reviving him?"

"Don't joke around; what if it affects his combat capabilities!"

"Then find a way to turn his daughter into a living dead too!"

...

Suddenly.

I've never felt my consciousness as clear as now.

To have me live alone, my wife truly made a willful request!

Since that's the case.

Then I'll finish all this, and then come to see you...

Even if...

I become a monster neither human nor ghost again!

A bunch of fools.

The living dead draw strength from the shadow plane.

The Fallen Shadow Nether Realm is also a part of the shadows!

As a heart-wrenching sound reverberated.

My body cracked inch by inch, revealing that ghastly white skin.

Also revealing a beast-like posture.

"Rudelson!"

"I will kill you all! Destroy the demon book! And then! Live on!"

The demon is weeping.

The fearsome face beneath the human skin is exposed.

Revealed along with it is a heart that has long been shattered.

When I awoke again, I was already bathed under the Black Sun.

I heard the Emperor's sigh:

"The time left for you isn't much. Do you have anything else you wish to do?"

I asked the Emperor, "How much time do I have left?"

"The power of the Fallen Shadow has re-corroded you. If you get rid of this power, you should be able to live for a few more years, Rogen, you still have a daughter."

I shook my head.

Uncontrollably, I recalled the first half of my life.

The pain of not protecting my wife, the guilt of not safeguarding my daughter and family intertwined.

I said, "She should have become an outstanding Iron Guard by now."

The Emperor replied, "Of course, exceptionally outstanding."

Looking over this life, what I have left is mostly regret and pain.

But at this moment, I smiled.

"Well, of course, she's my daughter after all!"

"So how will you choose?"

"Your Majesty, if I don't eliminate the power of the Fallen Shadow, how much longer can I live?"

"The time might be halved again."

I exhaled a long breath:

"Then let's wait a moment, until I finish my duties as a teacher, I'll return to the Fallen Shadow Nether Realm with this regret and guilt."

"The matter of the 'New Book of the Dead' started because of me, so let me complete my final task."

"The power of the Fallen Shadow will respond to the most sincere plea from the depths of my heart, even if it becomes twisted..."

"By then, what sprouts from my corpse will be the purest hatred in this world."

"That will be my last strike against demons, the undead, and the living dead."

Time flies.

When I came to my senses again, I closed the textbook and looked at the students in the classroom.

Seeing the subtle and even terrified expressions in their eyes, my heart was so calm.

"Next are the options for the list of exchange students from the Tunisian Republic. I hope everyone will actively perform over there."

I have already felt the call of the Fallen Shadow Nether Realm, and the time left for me is getting shorter and shorter.

I want to do a bit more.

Arrange a little more work.

Ah, and Alice... my proud student, it's me who wronged you.

Originally, as the power of the Fallen Shadow increasingly caused me to lose consciousness, I was like a candle flickering in the wind.

But on this day, I felt an immense lightness.

It's not because I recovered.

It's because time is almost up.

The things I've sought in this life aren't many, but I haven't been able to protect any of them.

Now looking at these future pillars of the empire, I suddenly feel that choosing to retire and become a teacher was a pretty good decision.

Thinking like this, my mood brightened.

"So everyone must strive hard and become strong, especially those of you from less privileged families; effort is the only variable you can control..."

My consciousness began to blur.

My eyes couldn't focus.

Perhaps they seemed a bit lifeless and hollow?

Fortunately, I am a Nine Sword, and I can still use my spirit to see this world.

Suddenly, a student below the stage softly said:

"Teacher, you don't look well."

"Teacher, should we sit down and rest for a bit?"

Suddenly, he sensed a familiar presence appearing in the Imperial Capital.

It was a deeply dark power.

I am very familiar with that scent.

It was the aura of my most hated nemesis.

But the next moment, I suddenly smiled.

My intent to kill wasn't strong, but it was incredibly pure.

I just want them dead.

The blade sharpened from this body will become the sharp edge against the dead and undead.

Perhaps this is the fate I was meant to have!

It was really good not to listen to the emperor but to choose to forge my body into a sword.

...

Suddenly.

I slightly lowered my head, and in a daze, I seemed to hear the call of the Fallen Shadow Nether Realm, or perhaps it was the emperor's call.

He said to me:

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Yes."

"No regrets?"

"None."

"Your corpse will never know peace until that magic tome is destroyed."

"I know."

"Your soul might never be able to transcend, trapped within the demonic blade, suffering torment."

"Yes."

"Rogen, you will be eternally mad."

"It's alright."

"You haven't seen your daughter one last time."

After those words fell, he was silent for a moment, the body that had already gone cold bore a smile on its face:

"When Your Majesty went to block the door, wasn't it to protect the world she was in? It must have been tough all these years."

The Black Sun in the sky remained silent.

After a long while.

The Black Emperor issued his last command.

"Then... rise, my warrior!"

...

Louis snapped back to his senses, realizing he had been kicked out of the first-person perspective.

He, like an observer, quietly watched Rogen's end.

The surging power of the Fallen Shadow engulfed him.

Death transformed into the warrior's blade, hatred propped up his body.

A demon blade designed solely for killing the dead and undead was born.

His gaze scattered, consciousness sinking into an endless abyss.

"The magic tome, finally destroyed."

In the treatment room of the Church of the God of Glory in the Imperial Capital.

Rogen fell into an eternal dream, as if he would never wake again.

Suddenly.

His heart convulsed with pain.

His gaze instantly tore through space, seeing the blazing power of the magic tome within a black-red demonic form.

——And the Master of Demons, deeper and shadowy than the magic tome itself.

Reason had been completely burned away by the power of the Fallen Shadow, and in his daze, he could only open his eyes with the last of his will.

"Kill!"

Amidst the murkiness, a pair of eyes full of killing intent opened.

"Kill..."

"Stand up, the magic tome is still there, protect... the students."

He let out a hoarse wailing:

"And then, kill him!"

And then, his consciousness plunged into chaos.

...

When Louis slowly opened his eyes.

Rogen's figure had already dissipated into the air.

The violent energy within the Longsword of bones had completely dispersed, and in his hand was a longsword clean and transparent like ice.

Louis tentatively reached out, gently grasping the hilt, a gentle power akin to flowing water seeped from the sword.

At that moment, the leftover fragments of Rogen's memory chased him.

He gently gripped the hilt and lowered his head, saying softly:

"So warm."