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.

choices that

back

plotline. The

"Was it, though?"

mid sentence and I felt a cold gaze fall on my face. I turned to look at him, and he

think the situation was getting out

his head a little, staring intently in my

getting out 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 just been obedient

"Eh…"

I smiled at him.

worked out in the end, didn't

because

gaze stinged, and I turned my head away from

you had followed the plotline. You would have probably suffered less, and you

I don't regret my

under my

I regretted none of them. Sure, in the end, those choices ended up being accounted for by him, but it helped me get out of that mentality that this world was

That…

probably the most

you don't regret your decisions. If you had, I'd

me looked back at me and

time. Start practicing again. So long as you carry out my plan, we'll be able

"Got it."

the sword and got into

deep breath,

Swoosh―!

***

his throne,

sense that the time

it in any longer;

Rustle―!

his thoughts, and Jezebeth's eyes slowly opened, revealing his crimson-colored pupils, which were stained

head, his gaze rested upon the demon

of him

"Your majesty, we're ready."

demon said, his voice

lips curled into a

Seven

"Yes, your majesty."

The demon replied.

"Good. Let us go."

the armrest of his chair, Jezebeth helped himself up and stood up from his seat. His figure towered over the

of the tent and

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

Rustle!

down in front of him. They numbered in the millions and covered the large plot of land that stood before his very

"We greet his majesty."

chanted in

his eyes

the Seven Patriarchs, their presence imposing and formidable, and felt satisfied. They weren't as strong as him, but they were strong in their

coming out of their bodies,

looks like everyone

said, a small smile tugging at the corners

on a certain someone beside him; he wore a white mask and had his gaze directed away from him. Jezebeth smiled at him before turning his