Chapter 16

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 4, 2025

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Thud, thud…

Without a word, I kept walking down that path. My steps were light, yet heavy.

The weight of responsibility for carrying the Saintess pressed down on me like a ton of bricks.

Thud, thud…

“…”

The Saintess continued to exhale breaths that sounded like they could snap at any moment. I firmly supported her hips as I moved forward.

Thud, thud…

Some cried when they saw us, some threw stones at us. Some charged at us, some shot us hateful glances.

KWAHNG-!!

An explosion went off in one corner of the plaza. Calls of “Let’s rescue Lady Saint!” could be heard.

Of course, those voices were mercilessly suppressed by the Demon King’s Army within twenty minutes. The corpses of the rioters who never even reached the guillotine piled up in one corner of the square.

I especially felt the burning stares as we passed by the elves. Elain Asteria, Queen of the Elves and Master Archer, glared at us with tears welling up in her bloodshot eyes.

The elves cried toward the Saintess and cursed me. I chuckled softly enough for only the Saintess close to me to hear.

Maybe because I had the continent’s top-tier woman on my back, the road to the guillotine wasn’t easy at all. It was like walking through a field of thorns.

There was a human-led protest against the execution, a dwarf “rescue tunnel operation,” and dragons who’d lost their leader breathing fire attacks at me.

Of course, all were easily suppressed by winged angels and demons. Now that the Demon King has become a god among gods, angels serving deities are practically demons.

It was quite the tumultuous journey with many twists and turns, but the Saintess and I remained perfectly calm. As if it was just the two of us in this world. Like we were walking our own unique path together.

Thud, thud…

Before I knew it, we’d reached the stairs. Looking up, I could see the guillotine.

“We’re going in.”

“Let’s go in then…”

Lucky or unlucky, the staircase wasn’t very long.

While I appreciate the lessened effort, I must criticize that it shortened our time before death.

Thud…

When we reached the top of the stairs, there were two guillotines placed side by side.

There were four soldiers standing with long rifles, and two giants assigned to each guillotine to release the ropes.

“Can’t you walk by yourself, Lady Saint?”

“I feel my strength returning somewhat… I can probably make it to there.”

“Alright. I’ll take you there. If we’re gonna die, might as well do it comfortably.”

With steady steps, I walked over and laid the Saintess down on the guillotine first.

I helped place her neck in the round hole and gently secured her limbs with the ropes handed to me by the soldiers.

Strangely, the giants and soldiers just watched me silently. They even helped by handing me the ropes.

These guys have gone soft.

“Does it hurt, Lady Saint?”

“It’s fine.”

“If it hurts, let me know. I’ll tie it looser.”

“It doesn’t hurt at all. I’m more worried it might be too loose.”

“You don’t have any plans to escape anyway.”

“That is correct.”

After setting up the Saintess on the guillotine, I lay down on the adjacent one myself, using telekinesis to securely bind my own limbs.

When I looked up, I could see the crowd murmuring below. An endless sea of people stretched out beneath me.

Among them were several absolute powerhouses of the continent.

Emperor Julius kneeling in despair.

Taeseuethes the Righteous Demon staring at us expressionlessly.

Lilith the Duke looking pale and restless.

Elain the Archpriestess shedding tears of blood from her fiery red eyes.

There were also many other transcendent beings and powerful individuals focused on us.

The Demon King and Hero weren’t visible. Are they not even coming to see their friend die? Just because they had a little disagreement?

That Demon King bastard used to be different, but chasing after power and fame has changed him. He’s become petty.

When I raised my head fully, I could barely see the razor-sharp blade poised at the edge of my vision – the blade that will soon be painted red with my blood.

Heheh.

This time I turned my head sideways. What I saw was the Saintess lying on the guillotine in the same position as me, her eyes closed.

“We’re dying together.”

“Indeed we are.”

“You’re still smiling. Feeling good?”

“Having a companion makes it naturally better.”

“To be honest, I feel good too. With you around, I won’t be lonely while getting my head chopped off.”

“I was afraid of having to walk this long and dark path alone. Thank goodness you’re here, Joker-sama.”

Speaking in a cheerful tone, the Saintess responded with a smile that was completely free of any shadow.

“Do you not feel anger that the Demon King who put us in this situation isn’t even showing his face?”

“Isn’t the Demon King present right now?”

“Hmm, can’t see him. Hopefully he’s already dead.”

“Haha… That’s right… That’s how it happened…”

The Saintess spread a meaningful smile and muttered something incomprehensible.

Before I could ask about her cryptic words…

Thump!

Suddenly, my whole body twisted from a seizure. I couldn’t inquire about what she said.

The soldiers above the guillotine looked somewhat flustered, but I signaled them not to come near. The seizures always stop quickly like they always have.

…

See? All better now.

For some reason, I actually felt a bit nostalgic seeing the seizures that have accompanied me all this time finally fade away. Goodbye forever to this wretched pain.

Together we’ve been through hell, so let’s never meet again! Farewell, Seizures!

Clang.

The sun shone down cruelly as ever. I furrowed my brows slightly.

I shifted my gaze back to the Saintess. The giants were slowly approaching because I wanted to take in the sight of the Saintess before dying.

The Saintess seemed to be thinking the same thing, as she was looking at me too, though her eyes were still closed.

The sunlight poured down on the Saintess. Though she no longer emitted her own light, to me she shone brighter than the sun itself.

“…You’re glowing.”

“Huh?”

“I mean you. You’re sparkling unusually today.”

“Haha, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“They say a woman shines brightest when she wears her wedding dress.”

“Because that’s the happiest moment of her life.”

“But Lady Saint, you seem to shine all the time.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, during these past seven days, there wasn’t a single day you didn’t shine.”

“I’ve simply lived each day with gratitude and love.”

At my words, the Saintess showed a bright and cheerful smile. She was beautiful, but her smile was even more so.

“Lady Saint, I have one question.”

“Please speak freely.”

“If I had made different choices, could I have shone like you?”

“No, that’s impossible. Absolutely impossible. I know. There’s no way I could have grown into a radiant being like you all on my own.”

I cut off the Saintess’ response mid-sentence and rambled on. Thinking about my imminent decapitation made me a bit anxious. Afraid I wouldn’t get to finish speaking before dying.

I don’t know what happens after death. Maybe I’ll go to hell, maybe I’ll reincarnate. But whatever life I live next, I know I could never shine on my own.

Hmm, guess I’m experiencing some form of enlightenment as I approach death.

Though I still have some lingering attachments, so it’s not complete enlightenment.

“In any future life, I want to have even a little bit of light. The love, compassion, righteousness, wisdom, courage you’ve shown me… I want to experience even just the simplest form of love. Of course, it’s just a futile dream given my current situation.”

Like a floodgate opening, I couldn’t stop talking. The execution master was announcing something in the center of the plaza, but I couldn’t hear it.

“I never understood love. Didn’t care to understand it either. I preferred chaos and madness, which were the opposite of love. But now I kind of regret it. If I had met you earlier, would my life have been a bit different?”

Like making a confession before a priest, I poured out all my regrets and attachments to the Saintess. She listened silently with a serious expression.

“Back in the day, I once saw someone like you, Lady Saint?”

She finally spoke after hearing my question. She’s quite patient, considering we’ll both be silenced soon.

“Yes.”

“I wanted to corrupt that person into someone like me. I tried to taint a hero with the most righteous beliefs using myself as evil. After years of effort, I succeeded.”

“Ah, I see who you mean. A corrupted hero…”

“Surely you’ve heard the famous story. Besides that, I’ve tried to corrupt countless humans… no, the entire world. It was always fun. But…”

A holy smile graced the Saintess’ features. This pure and noble smile is something I, this ugly and cruel villain, will never be able to possess.

“After spending seven days with you, I found myself wanting to be tainted by you.”

“Haha, wonderful transformation. Redemption is the most beautiful grace bestowed by our great Mother.”

“No, screw the Mother and Lord. I need you, Lady Saint. You’re my Lord, the only God who can guide me.

I have no interest in a God who’s never shown His face. Might as well sneak peeks at your pretty face instead.

“Even at this moment facing you, two desires surge within me. The wicked desire to corrupt you into a villain like me, and the excessive ambition to become a saint like you. Isn’t it interesting? If only I had a bit more time, we could have slowly explored which desire was stronger together.”

The long speech came out in one breath. Not because of lack of time, but because it felt right. The Saintess listening silently without interruption helped too.

The sunset was gradually fading as evening approached. Time sure flies.

The Saintess’ face and hair were dyed red by the twilight. It was a magnificent sight like a masterpiece painting.

The noble and great Sun Saintess, Maria.

She’s multi-talented. Intelligent, beautiful… Though she’s thin now, when she gains weight, she’ll be the kind of woman with curves in all the right places.

Realizing all this after denying it for a week shows what an amazing guy I am.

“Heheh, seems like you enjoy love, Mr. Joker.”

“Can’t deny that.”

“I do too. Even someone as humble and foolish as me receives love’s grace equally.”

Heheh.

“Seeing the greatest villain of the continent wrestling with redemption and corruption… Fortunately, I now realize that my life’s work wasn’t entirely wasted.”

Something feels uncomfortable. Someone’s letting go of all burdens while another’s savoring satisfaction.

That’s exactly how I feel right now. While I was twisted with attachment to the Saintess in the transport vehicle, now I feel as light as walking on clouds.

Whoosh!

Maybe it’s the refreshing breeze blowing past the tall spires at this moment. My hair fluttered vigorously.

“Joker-sama.”

“? What’s with the voice?”

Right then, the Saintess opened her mouth with a smile different from anything I’ve seen before. Her voice had changed too.

At the same time, the execution master waved his arm and the two giants released the ropes they were holding.

“If you wish, I will sincerely help you.”

“Huh? What kind of help is that supposed to be?”

The iron blade was already sliding down mercilessly toward our necks with a screeching sound.

Soon, our severed heads will be rolling around the plaza.

“What exactly are you saying? You’re trying to sell your Lord’s name before dying?”

If that’s true, it’s working. I can already feel the cold chill at my neck.