The World After the Bad Ending

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Bad ending.

Elder Dragon.

Summer Magung Academy.

Having mastered the Elder Dragon’s magic, Nikita kills the 3rd Princess Iris with her own hands in the academy.

And at that moment, an unexpected situation unfolds.

The power of the Malignant Being dwelling within Iris reaches out to Nikita and begins to consume her.

Nikita’s hatred for the world and the temptation of the Malignant Being.

The two intertwine, and Nikita ultimately falls into the hands of the Malignant Being.

With the powers of the Elder Dragon and the Malignant Being,

Nikita brings complete destruction to the world.

That is the bad ending.

It’s the Elder Dragon.

“Lucas, I just wanted to live freely… to do what I want and marry the person I love.”

In the bad ending of the Flame Butterfly chapter, Nikita’s tear-stained shout comes to mind.

“I hated my life—my life bound to the Cynthia family—so much that I wanted to throw it away so easily.”

Nikita Cynthia, born without a single talent for magic from the illustrious Cynthia Marquess family.

She lived her entire life shackled to her family, her future entirely determined by them.

The Cynthia family didn’t even allow her to wield a sword upright.

She was merely an expendable pawn in a political marriage.

The title of Marquess of the Empire is so grand.

This isn’t modern society.

No matter how hard a daughter tries, she cannot shake off the family’s chains.

Her brother Nia was the only escape route that could change Nikita’s life.

“This must be a mistake to rely on Brother Nia. I should be forging my own path. I despaired not over my brother’s death but over the unchanging life that lay ahead of me when he died.”

Nikita shed frozen tears due to the Elder Dragon’s magic.

After witnessing that scene, I played many times to change Nikita’s life in the Flame Butterfly chapter.

However, there was no way to save Nikita in that chapter.

To be precise, there was, but at that time, Lucas couldn’t do it.

A huge destiny.

Nikita was surely destined to die there.

“There exists a limit that can accept all things in the world.”

Sharine’s advice came to mind.

To break a massive destiny, one must be just as reckless.

So, I waited and waited.

A way for Nikita to escape the Cynthia family and live freely.

And the only way to pull her out of the undeniable fate of a political marriage.

My eyes fell on the current Nikita.

There was no longer any trace of the gentle demeanor she once had.

Filled with rage and thirst for revenge, she had become nothing but vengeance itself.

“Nikita, you look terrible. Are you okay?”

“Yeah? I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Nikita spoke with the brightest face she had in recent times.

The flames burn.

The flames were burning without leaving even a speck of itself behind.

Her eyes no longer held any lingering attachment to the world.

“Junior.”

“Yes, Nikita.”

“You’ll be going to the summer magung, right?”

“I’ll probably have to.”

Maybe if it were the special class for first years.

For second years, unless the condition is drastically poor, everyone’s expected to participate.

“Then don’t go too deep during this magung.”

Nikita said this as she turned her body.

“This is a piece of advice from a senior.”

Nikita left just like that.

As I quietly watched her back, I noticed I was clenching my fist.

＊＊＊

After that, I diligently assisted as a member of the student council.

Having prepared for the students at the academy to enjoy comfortably before the magung palace.

Soon enough, I could see students with full bellies gradually heading off to relax.

Among them, some were still having their meals.

“Nikita…”

Fortunately, she was in conversation with the professors.

She wouldn’t have a moment to spare for me.

I moved quietly.

Then I stood next to someone who was still eating.

A mountain of plates was stacked next to her.

Yet she seemed to still have an appetite, continuing to eat.

Even the big boys were all sprawled out.

What a remarkable appetite.

“3rd Princess.”

I quietly called her name as I stood by.

Amid her black hair, ruby-like eyes turned towards me.

Eyes filled with seductive charm were laced with curiosity.

It was as if she had never expected me to come near her.

“I’m still eating, so is it okay if I sit beside you?”

Eating beside royalty is not something easily allowed.

But this place is Jerion Academy.

It’s a place that seeks a degree of equality.

Moreover, Iris wasn’t someone who cared much about such formalities.

“Go ahead.”

True to her character, Iris didn’t particularly hinder me.

Instead, she slightly shifted to make room.

“Seems like you have something to say.”

I almost never talked with Iris.

To be precise, I judged it was too early to get involved with her.

The enormous currents surrounding her.

If I were to get involved now, I’d likely be torn to shreds.

So even if I would be with her someday.

I avoided until now.

But facing a bad ending, with the Elder Dragon right in front of me.

I could no longer run away from her.

Meanwhile, I had properly made an impression during the group match.

I decided to convey what I wanted to her.

“Can you let me join your team for the upcoming magung?”

Iris, who was biting into a piece of meat, paused her gaze on me.

She was sharp.

There was no way she wouldn’t realize this wasn’t just a casual remark from me.

“It’s troublesome.”

With that, she didn’t easily agree either.

“But if you explain everything properly, I might consider cooperating.”

Even though there was interest, she wouldn’t lend a hand without reason.

That was the cautious Iris I knew.

“There’s someone targeting the 3rd Princess at the magung.”

Iris halted the movement of her utensils.

Targeting royalty is an offense considered among the gravest of crimes in the Empire.

It could lead to the destruction of the entire family’s lineage.

It threatens to overturn everything related to the family.

Extinguishing three generations.

That phrase suited the punishment perfectly.

“So you want to prevent that.”

“Yes, I will definitely stop it.”

Iris resumed moving her utensils again.

What I had just said carried a certain level of risk for me as well.

Even knowing there’s someone targeting the princess, I spoke indirectly.

I was tense.

If Iris got upset, my life would be at stake.

This is reality.

I couldn’t restart like in a game.

“Fine. That’s not hard to sort out.”

At that moment, Iris responded more agreeably than I had anticipated.

“But if it’s someone connected to you, they’ll recognize you.”

“That’s fine. I have a solution for that. Can we swap one of the members from the 3rd Princess’s team to our team?”

“A swap, huh?”

I took a bite of the meat alongside Iris.

Due to anxiety, it didn’t taste good at all.

“Alright, I’ll do that for you.”

With her permission, I finally relaxed a bit.

It was a relief that Iris turned out to be more generous than I expected.

‘Wait, no. To be precise.’

What dwelled in her gaze was likely curiosity.

Iris was looking at me intently.

Starting with the fact that I was her cousin.

I even defeated Iris’s team in the group matches and claimed first place.

By her standards, I would undoubtedly be a very peculiar person.

So of course, my proposal would pique her interest.

‘She probably didn’t even consider the possibility that she could be assassinated.’

That confidence.

She truly deserves the title of the strongest royal.

But even someone like her couldn’t handle Nikita, who had become the Disaster Dragon Maiden.

‘Originally, that role was meant for Lucas to take on.’

This time, I must fulfill that role.

“By the way…”

At that moment, Iris suddenly brought up another topic.

“We only have one member on our side who has a similar physique to yours.”

Since I was joining Iris’s team.

Someone must transform into my form from her team to join ours.

That wouldn’t matter for me because of the disguise.

But not for her side.

“If there’s only one.”

Ah.

I realized who it was.

“I’d rather not raise suspicion, so let’s do this the day before.”

Iris wore a charming smile.

Suddenly, my vision went dark.

＊＊＊

What is life even?

What am I doing all this for?

I passed through a corridor with such thoughts in mind.

Long hair that was swaying annoyingly at the back of my neck.

The original black color had disappeared, replaced by a light peach-colored mane fluttering.

Maybe it was because of my unaccustomed physique.

My walking style was still awkward.

To be precise, it was uncomfortable with a wider pelvis and a heavier upper body than usual.

I thought it was ridiculous to even fight in this body.

‘Damn it.’

As I mumbled curses inwardly, I slowly turned my head.

There, reflected in the window, was a very pretty woman.

Somehow reminiscent of a fox, her eyes had an upward tilt, and her lips curved slightly.

Her red lips bore an allure that could cause men to lose their minds.

The issue was that this face belonged to me.

I sighed, having just wrapped my forehead for a moment.

The identity of this form is—

Martial Arts Deputy

Hania Rapidiah

Daughter of the Empire’s Chief Gunner.

Always assisting Iris, she is in another sense a male idol.

Along with her outstanding looks, she knows well how to melt people’s hearts.

So after just a couple of conversations with her, most men would be enamored.

The problem is, it’s not just men.

Women are also easily swayed by beautiful appearances.

Even she, as a fellow woman, knew how to claim others as her own.

‘If it’s a matter of skill, then it is.’

She actively uses the weapons she possesses.

And clearly makes it work to her advantage.

Hania was someone I personally feared.

This type can be oddly unsettling.

Above all—

“I have to be away from Iris… How am I, Hania, going to endure this?”

I know who she truly loves.

In the distance, I could see someone wiping their tears beside Iris.

She had short black hair instead of her original peach-colored locks.

Her eyes were different from before as well.

Red irises like Iris’s sparkled in the light filtering through the window.

Hanon Irey.

There, Hania appeared, taking the form of Hanon.

Among Iris’s team, she was the only one with a similar build to mine.

It felt extremely awkward to see her looking that way toward Iris.

“You’re here.”

Iris spotted me and smiled slightly.

It was clear she was laughing at my awkward demeanor.

“…Yes, I came.”

“Hania doesn’t say that.”

“Is that so?”

I couldn’t even mimic her tone.

I would have to keep my mouth shut until we head to the magung.

“Hanon Irey.”

At that moment, Hania turned to me and called my name.

The affectionate look she had toward Iris just moments ago vanished.

Instead, her cold gaze now fixed on me.

“Today, I’ll properly assist 3rd Princess Iris. If you happen to cause any trouble for 3rd Princess Iris…”

Hania didn’t continue.

She merely smiled sweetly, conveying to interpret it how I saw fit.

“Hania, don’t be too harsh.”

“Yes, yes, if the 3rd Princess says so!”

But as soon as Iris spoke, the vicious atmosphere instantly dissipated.

Hania genuinely adored Iris.

So if she said that, it would be a death sentence.

At least Hania got through by being a cousin of Iris.

‘If she had known I wasn’t Hanon but Bickamon…’

Hania would have done anything to stop me.

This secret must never be revealed.

I resolved firmly.

“Please take care of my role/”

“Hmph, you should be doing the same.”

Maybe it’s because I defeated Iris’s team in the group match.

She didn’t seem fond of me at all.

After sharply finishing her words, she left, exchanging fierce greetings with Iris.

Even to the end, she felt like she was on the verge of crying at the thought of being separated from Iris.

But for Iris’s request, there was no choice.

“Alright, let’s go.”

At that moment, Iris turned around and walked away.

“…Are we really going?”

“Hania doesn’t use that tone. Come on.”

She asked me to revise my tone once more.

Damn.

“Are we really going?”

“That was slightly better.”

Iris said that while smiling slightly.

“Yes, we’re really going.”

Despair set on my face.

For today.

I must live in the girls’ dorm.