I Became a Dark Knight the Empress Is Obsessed With

190 – Epilogue: The Only Way to Survive – (End)

“… … Are you really going to leave?”

“Then are you going to pretend to leave?”

At my words, Captain Yuriad Ielback burst into laughter.

His luggage was extremely simple. A small bundle containing only a black sword, also wrapped in bandages. It was an incredibly meager amount for someone who had been a captain of the guard for more than a few decades.

Perhaps, you have been continuously reducing your load for several years now.

I guess he thought it wouldn’t be strange if he left at any time.

To Tajiro, or to the afterlife.

“Well, actually, I didn’t think I would be able to stand on my own two feet and leave the palace.”

“her.”

It never sounded like a joke.

“It seems like you’ve recovered, but wouldn’t it be okay to wait a few more years?”

“Who are you planning to worry about? Come on. I’m old now. It’s time for me to retire.”

“So you gave it to Lautrec? Leaving me as the right person for the job?”

“You old b*stard. Do you know what will happen if I give you the captaincy of the guard?”

Yuriad said so with a giggle.

In fact, it seemed that Lautrec was set to succeed Uriad as captain of the guard. It seemed that he would simultaneously become the head of the Pendrin family, so it was a turning point in his life.

“Actually, there was a story that you would soon become a state secretary, so that’s what happened.”

“yes.”

National letter.

Since I was soon to be the empress’s husband, being a mere captain of the guards was like using a chicken knife to slaughter an ox.

By the way, marriage was a really unrealistic story.

I was neither rich nor old enough to even think about marriage on Earth.

“Do well. Don’t fall back into old habits and end up breaking up the engagement.”

“Is that the kind of thing you say to a guy like your son?”

“ha ha ha.”

Yuriad laughed heartily and took out her luggage.

While we were having such a pointless conversation, several people came out from behind the barracks. They were the knights, including Lautrec, and my squire, Cora.

By the way, it seems that Korra is training to be officially knighted for her achievements in this matter. She is probably the ultimate winner, having received a piece of land she longed for and a huge bonus.

“Do you have any plans on where you’re going?”

“Lumenel.”

“Are you going to see the Archduke of Hartsfeld?”

“Yes. I plan to rely on that. It’s time for me to enjoy a little more luxury.”

Well, it wouldn’t be strange, since Hartsfeld and Uriad seemed to be quite close.

It seemed that Hatzfeld was visiting the palace at the time, so he seemed to be planning to take that carriage.

“Are you coming back later?”

“……well.”

At my words, Yuriad made an ambiguous expression.

But soon he smiled and said.

“I will return if the Empire is in danger again.”

That is, it meant that he would not return.

I chuckled, and Yuriad also came to me with a big smile on her face and put a hand on my shoulder.

“Anyway, take care.”

“yes.”

“Raising you was… one of the best decisions I ever made.”

“… … .”

Why is this old man suddenly saying such embarrassing things?

When he made a strange expression, Yuriad also coughed in agreement.

“Hmm. I guess this kind of talk doesn’t really suit me.”

“That’s right.”

Suddenly, Yuriad hit my forehead and walked past me.

After exchanging greetings with the knights lined up around me, Yuriad turned around. That was the end of it.

After exchanging final greetings one more time, Yuriad slowly left the barracks.

It really couldn’t have been a more casual exit.

“… … .”

Yuriad ELback.

Commonly known as the wise Yuriad.

His achievements in leading the guards despite his old age seemed to be acknowledged by everyone present. In fact, several knights around him were wiping away tears. Perhaps, like Fried, he was like a father to the knights.

“He’s gone.”

A voice that slowly spreads.

When I turned my head, I saw Millia Liantour looking at the place where Yuriad had disappeared with a bitter expression.

“……okay.”

“… … .”

An awkward silence flows.

Milia looked at me, pouting her lips as if she was dissatisfied.

“You don’t have to be so awkward. You let it all out that day.”

“yes.”

“… … At that time, it was just my own self-satisfaction, but I was grateful that we hung out together.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No. I’m really fine. … … Maybe.”

Milia says with a bitter smile.

I had no choice but to keep my lips tightly shut.

This was the first time in my life that I had ever resisted such a passionate baptism of emotion. That was why I was clumsy and unintentionally hurt Milia.

But seeing her treat me like nothing happened, I realized that Millia was also a strong woman and there was no need to worry.

“I.”

Milia spoke up.

“I’m leaving for Hirings next week.”

“……you also?”

“yes.”

Milia forced a smile.

“I got an offer to become an instructor at Hirings Academy. I’m thinking of starting over there.”

“That’s a good suggestion.”

Millia’s physical condition had long since deteriorated. She could no longer fight.

But I think I’ll be able to make full use of my talents at the academy.

It was a good thing.

however.

“Why is your expression like that?”

“……I?”

When I touched his face, I felt the corners of his lips that were strangely blunt.

“I said I’m fine.”

“that is…….”

“haha.”

It poked my nose.

It was a movement reminiscent of Lincia.

Milia chuckled.

“Before I leave for the last time, I will stop by to say hello.”

“huh.”

“Thank you for everything.”

“me too.”

In the end, that was all I could say.

Milia shrugged and trudged on.

It was still difficult to see him constantly touching shoulders, as if he was still having trouble moving.

“… … .”

I took a deep breath and turned around.

The destination was Naeseong.

Just as there were people who left me, there were also people I had to seek out.

In this case, or rather in most cases, it was Lincia.

*

“You must remember to dress modestly. On days like today, the glory of the age-old empire spreads across the continent… … .”

Coreld speaks while sweating profusely.

Looking at him, who has gained a lot of weight over the past year and has regressed to his appearance in the Prologue period, I can’t help but think that this is a case of Sumi Sanggwan.

“I know. Isn’t today the coming-of-age ceremony we’ve been waiting for?”

“Yes. So, Your Majesty… … .”

National letter.

It’s a sound I hear over and over again, but I never get used to it.

I pulled in his chin and placed a hand on Coreld’s shoulder.

Now, in every way, I am higher in rank. Even Coreld has to bow his head.

“That Heggins administrator.”

“Yes, yes.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Coreld, a mere administrator, could only reluctantly bow his head to my words, a letter from the state.

I stood in front of the mirror.

A year had passed, but my face was still the same as Fried’s.

The thing called returning to the original world never happened.

“what…….”

But today is the day when the ending of Raising the Empress takes place.

As Coreld said, it would be right to go to the cathedral in a slightly more neat manner.

With that thought in mind, I stroked my hair and checked my clothes. Finally, I put on an expensive necklace, and a noble man who seemed to be living in luxury and pleasure stood before the mirror.

“As expected, water doesn’t drain from a bowl.”

He mutters to himself derisively.

Perhaps because he is a bad boy by nature, no matter how pretty his clothes are and how neat his appearance is, Fried cannot hide the aura of a scoundrel that is revealed deep inside.

In the meantime, Coreld lifted his glasses and spoke.

“ah.”

“Why are you doing that again?”

“It seems that Sir Uriah and Sir Millia are also attending this time.”

“… … Is it not necessary to give it the title of ‘Gyeong-i’?”

“Yes, but… … .”

Okay, that’s fine.

Since it is a coming of age ceremony, it would be right for people who were once important figures of the empire to attend.

A smile naturally appeared on my face as I saw familiar faces that I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Tiring.

A familiar mechanical sound is heard at that moment.

▶ [ Finale – Morning of the Eternal Empire ]

– Clear Condition: Complete the Coming of Age Ceremony

And then I saw the face of a man looking at me from a corner of the mirror.

Of course it was an illusion. But the ugly face that looked exactly like mine in the original world was grinning.

Likewise, there was also the figure of Emma. I turned around to see her smiling with that motherly, loving smile.

“… … Let’s go.”

I slapped both cheeks.

I walk down the hallway, listening to Coreld’s nagging, and open the grand doors of the cathedral.

The cathedral was already bustling with people, but as soon as I entered, an awkward silence fell.

What do you know? I just kept walking and headed towards the top seat.

The main character of the day was already waiting there.

The lord of the empire, who has grown slightly taller and more muscular over the years, is now only one step away from becoming an adult.

Empress Lincia Hodie Airn.

She was looking at me with a bright smile.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“It’s not too late, is it?”

“lol.”

Lincia hugged me.

It looks like he doesn’t care about his appearance.

However, the people of the empire seemed to have already become accustomed to it. Rumors of the Empress and the State Council’s considerable power over magic were probably already widespread throughout the continent.

“Today is my coming of age ceremony day.”

“that’s right.”

“Do you remember?”

Lincia said, pinching my nose.

And then he leans in and whispers in your ear.

“Today, you will cross the front line for the first time.”

“……huh.”

It’s something I can’t refuse since it’s a promise.

When I nodded, Lincia seemed satisfied and came down from my arms.

Then he stepped forward, leaning on his cane.

He stood on the podium, pushing the priest who was present away with just a gesture of his hand.

She opened her mouth slowly.

“In this place today… … .”

A phrase that I’ve been pondering over for days and nights.

Of course, most of it was overhauled and revised by Coreld, but its unique, confident tone remained.

Everyone becomes tense at the sight of Lincia giving a bold speech.

The ceremony then begins.

Lincia’s appearance as she received the power of the gods was just as we had seen in the game.

After staring at this intently, I closed my eyes tightly.

How many minutes have passed?

The signal came quickly.

Tiring.

[ Finale – Morning of the Eternal Empire ]

＞ Clear

[Notice – You have cleared Deathmarch Mode! Congratulations! You have conquered all difficulties of Raising the Empress!]

Open your eyes.

There, before your eyes, is Lincia, shining with splendid light.

“You’ve been waiting a long time, right?”

Lincia came up to me and said with a bashful smile.

Even though she became an apostle of the Creator, she did not lose her personality and remained unchanged.

I also answered with a smile.

“It’s not too late.”

With those words, he hugged Lincia.

A warm sensation spreads through the body.

Light streams in through the stainless steel windows of the cathedral.

“thank you.”

Lincia said that while holding her in her arms.

“Thank you for raising me.”

“… … .”

He smiles bitterly.

I am convinced by her appearance.

Well, I couldn’t deny it.

I just raised the empress properly.