The Author's POV

Time flew by.

It was unclear to me how much time had passed, but I was aware that there was not much longer to go before Jezebeth would show up here on earth.

Had it been before, by now, I would've been palpitating with fear over the prospect of Jezebeth coming, but at the moment, I was rather calm.

Nervousness stems from one's lack of confidence. If one wasn't confident in what they were up against, that'd be when one would start to feel nerevousness.

More than anything, I didn't have the time to even think about those matters.

"Your entire body is a mess. I don't understand why you'd let so many different types of energies roam inside of your body?"

I was currently being scolded, if one might call it that.

"When you made the decision to allow so many energies to enter your body, did the thought 'more is better' cross your mind?"

"No."

I shook my head, keeping my head low at the same time.

"…I just wanted to use methods that you wouldn't be able to predict or be familiar with."

The room fell into an abrupt silence as a result of my words, and when I looked up, I saw my own love in his eyes.

His face was as indifferent as it always had been, but for some reason, he had a look that seemed to be looking down on me.

"I'll have to praise you for that."

To my surprise, I was complimented rather than reprimanded.

It came as a bit of a surprise to me given that, ever since he began helping me, all he ever did was criticize everything that I did.

It brought to mind instances when we had been together in the Demon Realm. Back then, he used to treat me the same way that he did now.

He was a harsh teacher, but he was the best teacher I could ever ask for.

There was no one else who understood me better than he did.

"On more than one occasion, I found myself rather taken aback by the actions that you took. It's true that some of them were incredibly dimwitted, but there were also some that were admirable... having said that..."

He looked at me dead on in the eyes.

"The key word here is 'some', and that's on rare occasions. Do you really think I haven't tried everything in my pursuit of power? You think that I've never taken the path that you're currently undertaking? Scrap that nonsensical thought from you mind. Whatever you tried, I've tried it before…"

He pointed at his head with his index finger.

"…You've only caught a glimpse of my hell. Not the entirety of it."

"…"

I pursed my lips and didn't say anything at his words.

Deep down, I knew that he was right.

If there was anyone who knew the best path, it had to be him.

"It was as simple as following the story's plotline. I made it so that the only thing you'd be able to concentrate on is following the plot line, and yet... like a complete moron, you chose to deviate from the plot line that I designed for you to take advantage of."

I wasn't completely certain, but I thought I detected a hint of irritation in the tone of my other self's voice.

he was dissatisfied with the choices that I made in

the back

to discard the plotline. The butterfly effect was

"Was it, though?"

was stopped mid sentence and I felt a cold gaze fall on my face. I turned to look at

really think the situation was getting

his head a little, staring

of control. Everything is in my control, and what you think of as a butterfly effect, I've already factored in a long time ago... You should've

"Eh…"

I smiled at him.

worked out in the

only worked out because I

and I turned

You would have probably

so... Even then, I

muttered under

Sure, in the end, those choices ended up being accounted for by

That…

most important

your decisions. If you had, I'd be rather disappointed

look toward the sky, the other me looked

So long as you carry out my plan,

"Got it."

I unsheathed the sword

a deep

Swoosh―!

***

throne, his eyes closed

could sense that the time was drawing nearer

his throne, his entire body would shake from time to time. He was unable to hold it in any longer; he wanted nothing more than to travel

Rustle―!

Jezebeth's eyes slowly opened,

gaze rested upon

sight of him and quickly bowed his head in

"Your majesty, we're ready."

said, his voice

curled into a

the Seven

"Yes, your majesty."

The demon replied.

"Good. Let us go."

himself up and stood up from his

strode out of the tent

he moved, separate components of his armor suddenly materialized from thin air and began to attach themselves to his

Rustle!

the sight of an army of demons kneeling down in front of him. They numbered

"We greet his majesty."

demons chanted

nodded in acknowledgement, his eyes scanning

presence imposing and formidable, and felt satisfied. They weren't as strong as him, but they

a certain something coming out

like everyone is

a small smile tugging

he wore a white mask and had his gaze directed away from him. Jezebeth