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Chapter 77 Part 2 – The prelude to the ball. Alisa clashes against the Light Bat Tribe. Then, I reminisced about the night of 「Thunderbolt」.

「…… Scarlet, you are an incredible woman. Even though you had been treated so badly as a queen, you could not abandon the foolish lambs called the citizens until the end. Ahaha, just like how a child could not understand the feelings of their parents. Those suicidal people who can only see their feet are unaware that they are marching toward the cliff called the four great kingdoms. And so, the more you desperately tried to stop those people, the more resentment they felt toward you as they shouted for freedom, rights, and equality. …… Ahahaha!! How hilarious. They wished to achieve the dream they saw while being protected behind a wall and they could only stare blankly once they were standing in front of the ferocious beasts called the four great kingdoms!! Even a child could see how it would turn out. Foolish, vulgar, vile. There’s not enough words to describe those people. They will make the same mistake again this time. And this time as well, I’m sure you won’t be able to bear abandoning them and will suffer again. …… Fufufu, I understand.」

Alisa’s eyes flared in red.

「…… There’s nothing more pathetic than a fool who thinks he’s smart. The same is true about the rebel army in the previous『108 times』. Out of all people, I am the『Maiden of Salvation』? The symbol of freedom? …… It makes me feel nauseous. Those ignorant people will never understand why『he』got so furious when he heard that title.」

Alisa sneered.

「You see, soft-hearted Scarlet. Let me tell you something. It is not words of love that are needed to lead fools, but fear and violence. If you set the flock on fire, they’ll change direction in a hurry. Make up a foreign enemy and stir up hatred and fear. Nothing is easier to brainwash than people who think they are being treated unfairly and people who feel oppressed. And then if you add the idea of them being part of the chosen people, a flag of righteousness, and love for the kingdom to it …… Ahahaha, the result turns out to be very interesting. Those ignorant people will turn into diligent soldiers in a flash. Then all that’s left is to control them with the tears of a courageous and beautiful queen. Use it to poke at their desire to be a hero. They’re just a paper tiger, but they’re useful in their own way. But well, it is a silly plan that will not work on your father, the Crimson Duke ……」

Alisa spoke like a minstrel.

For Scarlet who can’t turn a blind eye to the sacrifice of someone other than herself, this is a path that she would never be able to choose. On the other hand, even though Alisa understands the value of a life, she can calmly do it without any hesitation. She creates her plans based on the assumption that her people will be harmed.

「Ahahaha, you know, Overly-Earnest-Your-Majesty-Queen-Scarlet. I wonder if the Crimson Duke of the『True History』would be saddened if he had seen your coronation ceremony. Or would he be delighted? The awkward father who couldn’t express his love in words. He would never have guessed that his tomboy daughter would ascend to the throne. No father ever cared for his daughter as much as he did, and yet he was never rewarded in any way. He was a pitiful and honorable man …… A passionate night with him would be amazing.」

Alisa laughed.

She knows.

Alisa knows why only Scarlet’s memories with her father are missing from her memories of the previous 「108 times」. Scarlet does not know yet. How much did her father, the Crimson Duke, wish for his daughter’s happiness and how much he was willing to pay for it. She would have cried if she realized how much she was loved.

「I have always believed that Scarlet would be able to ascend to the throne. However, the Ruby have been missing in the previous『108 times』, so she ended up being the queen of a single kingdom, Hydrangea. You’ll satisfy me this time, won’t you? Scarlet ……」

The people of the Light Bat Tribe looked at Alisa with a chilling feeling.

They were not just a courageous tribe. They were close attendants of the True Emperor, who reigned over nine kingdoms on the continent …… a status that is even higher than any other kings, the pinnacle that no one in the present age had ever seen.

Entrusted by the True Emperor to discern the successor of the Ruby, their eyes are accurate. They see the truth not by logic, but by intuition. They realized that what makes Alisa truly terrifying was not her strength. Alisa is …… They began to tremble. How are they supposed to protect Scarlet from such a monster?

「Come up here, Scarlet. Know the true pinnacle. I’m tired of dancing alone. Until the day you can skillfully dance, I will lead you. But I’m not going to go easy on you. Because I want a partner I can seriously fight against.」

Alisa’s every word backs up her horrifying answer.

「…… I can’t believe it …… How can there be such a thing …… You ……!!」

But before they could utter their thoughts, Alisa cut off the rest of their words.

「…… Ahaha. That’s right. I’m stronger than the True Emperor when I’m being serious. So, Scarlet, if you want to survive, you must do your best to struggle desperately.」

It was as if she was implying that any further discussion would be tactless.

「Now, for the first time in a long time, let me see your adult form.」

But then, with her blond hair fluttering leisurely in the rushing white light, Alisa tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

「…… That’s strange. Bradd is the only one who didn’t change as much as I expected. I wonder why.」

The way her eyebrows frowned slightly and her expression as she pondered cutely was like an angel from a painting.

「The lid of Bradd’s blood vessel is broken. …… This is the same life-threatening problem as the one Ageros has ……? Why?」

But if the perspective is slightly pulled backwards, the painting instantly turns into hell.

A demonic beast that was as big as an elephant was sneering ferociously behind Alisa and the spirits of the Light Bat Tribe were frozen in fear below its feet. The skies and the ground are distorted and crumbling. Alisa’s astounding beauty looked unpleasantly fitting in its center. It’s like a painting titled Fallen Heaven.

Then Alisa realized something and burst into laughter while clutching her stomach.

「Ahahaha!! I see!! Ahhh, that’s funny. Poor Bradd!! You’ve been cursed by the world!! If you’re going to hold a grudge, hold it against 「him」 for wielding such a great power that is capable of destroying the world’s order. But don’t be sad. Now you are a part of this side. I welcome you. I love tough opponents. But you should give up your role as Scarlet’s escort now. Give it up to Seraphy or Arnold. As a gift, I will prepare an appearance suitable for the current you. Bless you, poor Bradd ……!!」

The Demon’s Cry became a roaring tornado that tore the skies apart.
The loud laughter of madness echoed through the world that is dyed in white.
Is it a fanfare that heralds a new era?
Or is it the sound of bells that mourns for the world?
A fork in the road at the end of a long tunnel of destiny.
It will be a while before the answer becomes clear.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

「…… Mnn, mnnn, if Scarlet-sama is a girl, we would marry and have children. If she’s a guy, we’ll stay together until we die ……」

I trembled at Alisa’s terrifying sleep talk.

I reflexively threw Alisa out of my lap pillow and stood up from the carriage seat.

You’re going way too extreme!! Besides, that’s way too long of a sentence for a sleep talk!! And in the first place, the genders are reversed!! Are you planning to impregnate me!?

「Scarlet-sama’s breasts are full of milk ……」

I shuddered.

The mistakes are extreme here. Don’t turn me into a woman with engorged breasts as you please. The number of milk an animal produces is determined by the number of offspring it produces at one time. Is this girl trying to get me to have sextuplets? A stupidly determined fool can eventually penetrate even a rock. The stupid Alisa who has extreme assumptions and does not have any common sense is capable of doing it. Marriage is also called the graveyard of life. And yet, if I got into such a situation with this fool Alisa, it would be tantamount to going to hell, not just to the graveyard.

「But they’re still tiny ……」

She even added a punchline ……!!

All right, let’s hit her.

「Stop it!! Scarlet!! You shouldn’t do that against such a small child!!」

If my arms hadn’t been bound behind my back by my flustered mother, I would have punished the thoughtlessly snoring Alisa with an iron fist.

Please let go of me!! Mother!! Sympathize with all the other young ladies out there!! This girl will grow up to be a man-killer with huge breasts!! And yet she dares to insult those with small breasts!! In the palace …… No, although it’s in the carriage, let me at least strike her once with a sword!!