In the darkness black as pitch, where only the two of us existed in this space of consciousness.
It spoke.
“Destiny must be changed.”
The Demon King had laid down this premise upfront.
“The origin of all those rumors about you conspiring with the Demon King and whatnot is probably due to your Empress. Though it might’ve spread differently than intended, it’s likely because Melinos remembered a precognitive dream she once had.”
“…A precognitive dream?”
“While I did purposefully lock it away, it wasn’t permanent.”
“If only Melinos had recalled that dream right after waking up…”
“You wouldn’t be here now, would you?”
“So, does this mean you were able to conclusively tie me to the Demon King without any doubt? Is that what you’re implying?”
“Perhaps. Still, even if Alesia leaked it—there’s some truth to that—but who knows how things played out after the rumors spread. Maybe she suffered or is suffering under the guise of covering it up.”
“That’s…”
Complicated.
Upon reflection, I should’ve considered this earlier.
I foolishly assumed she’d handle it fine.
How incredibly irresponsible…
“I didn’t truly doubt her. But it wasn’t absolute trust either. On some level, I hoped she’d reveal it to protect herself. I inadvertently accepted that, so I didn’t feel anxious about her safety. That’s why I never seriously considered it, right?”
“…”
“Because your memories with her were enough for you. Even if she failed your expectations, since it was a hypothetical future, you dismissed it as irrelevant, didn’t you?”
“…”
I had no words.
Reconsidering, maybe my thinking was way off.
“Should I investigate further and intervene if the situation gets serious?”
“That’s on you to decide. It’s your life, after all. You’re gathering strength; who are you consulting with? Should I teach you how to take baby steps too?”
“…”
Dependence is problematic like this.
Focusing solely on training has hardened my brain in ways that aren’t helpful.
“Understood.”
There wasn’t much to worry about.
“Then, let’s revisit what you mentioned earlier. How exactly do we change destiny?”
Melinos’ precognitive dreams are famous.
During the journey of the Nine Heroes, her foresight was crucial.
None of the Nine Heroes were unnecessary.
Before becoming nine, there were fourteen or so.
Their sacrifices contributed to the current peace of the continent, something universally acknowledged.
The only issue was that most of the Nine Heroes were either from the Empire, exiles, or immigrants to the Empire.
Excluding three, the remaining six served or worked for the Empire.
Gaejef, bound by a pact with a Dragon during their journey, retreated into seclusion after the Demon King’s defeat.
“I’ll need my magic weapon stored in the royal treasury.”
“…You had one of those too?”
Never heard of it before.
“Its use isn’t material or phenomenal.”
It was created for one sole purpose.
“Destiny reversal.”
Known as the ‘Golden Afterimage,’ very few know its true nature or utility.
And worse, the fact that someone who knows about it is using it involving me is infuriating.
“What does destiny reversal mean?”
“I’ve reversed destiny multiple times. What remains from my history, essence, and traces formed this.”
Just as divine beasts and mystical creatures have spirit pills and divine pills.
High-ranking beings of the Demon Realm aim to cultivate powerful artifacts.
If they don’t, they usually possess spirit pills, divine pills, or demon pills.
Thus, killing high-ranking beings and obtaining their remains or demon pills is common practice.
Even so, acquiring these doesn’t guarantee absolute power or complete inheritance of abilities.
Though sometimes, similar natures or constitutions allow for partial inheritance.
This naturally led to the development of communal awareness among demons regarding bloodlines and tribes.
“However, if the owner dies unexpectedly, everything becomes wasted effort. In terms of inheritance, this system is inconvenient.”
Still, traditionally, after the death of leaders, determining successors and passing on even a fraction through special techniques is considered a legacy.
“A magic artifact is convenient to pass down. I can use it effectively too.”
What’s known as a magical treasure in the Middle Realm.
“Just look at the powers acquired by your Imperial Princess and Minette. The Legacy of the Great Demon King is one such fruit. Normally, having even one in a lifetime is remarkable, but the Great Demon King scattered over a dozen. I used my authority to gather some masterpieces, luring countless legions to the Middle Realm expedition under the guise of giving them away. Even the Edenlevan Legion, which supposedly betrayed me, adapted quickly to Middle Realm society thanks to these massive bribes. Your princess mastering it could be considered one such fruit.”
“…”
This could be classified as secret lore. Not many in the Middle Realm know the truth.
“Given the Demon Realm’s nature, continuing the Great Demon King’s legacy is impossible. If anything, bringing it here and integrating it into the culture and civilization itself is better. While the Demon Realm allows the Demon King to invalidate and reset everything due to its principles… here, that’s not possible.”
“So your expedition was primarily aimed at preserving your culture, traditions, technology, and history, right?”
“One of the intentions was that. And now, it’s the responsibility and duty of our kind living alongside you. Simultaneously, it’s the only anchor allowing them to survive in the Middle Realm. Otherwise, why would the residents of the Middle Realm accept and live peacefully with outsiders and enemies?”
Harsh talk.
“No matter how vast territory expands, it eventually hits limits. Once civilization stabilizes, technology advances, and systems solidify, population will grow exponentially while territory shrinks. Eventually, resource issues arise. Things seemingly useless now may surpass gold in value later, and whoever secures them could gain dominance. As a national leader and authority figure, could you ignore such potential? Absolutely not.”
This isn’t just talking about years or decades ahead.
Maybe even centuries from now.
Somehow, an instinct or premonition hit me.
“After all that rambling, see for yourself what future Melinos foresaw.”
Thus, through the perspective of Magic Empress Melinos, Carriel also glimpsed part of it.
Specifically, the empress lying incapacitated on her bed, with one arm missing, looking pitiful. Ellie saw herself as the Demon King, standing against her, and even her father Ruelde prepared to confront the Demon King Carriel.
“…”
Demon King?
Me, of all people?
Why?
“You obviously wouldn’t want that. But think about it.”
What if a series of shocking, despair-inducing events occurred repeatedly until you became that?
“…”
Carriel closed his eyes and thought deeply.
His consciousness expanded.
Like a sprout growing into a tree, branches spreading out.
Vaguely observing the branching paths of his life shaped by countless choices and variables.
“I’m starting to get the gist.”
“Are you developing the ability to glimpse the future too?”
“…No, unlikely.”
The moment you glimpse the future, it gains certainty.
You become merely an observer, neither more nor less.
Like Grandeous, who fell into that trap, abandoned the pursuit of changing fate, and cast himself aside for the future.
“I predict possibilities. Anyone can do it by reasoning and speculating.”
Though the method and results differ somewhat from the norm.
“Yeah, I figured. Someone who sees the future wouldn’t find much use in my magic artifact.”
When the Great Demon King asked if he wanted to see the future, the immediate refusal came from her alone.
That’s why she was once called the Demon King’s Eye.
Eyes symbolize wisdom.
Not the right or left arm, nor his legs or heart, but the eyes.
And the ultimate victor, Gold, claimed wisdom.
“There’s a line and a degree to knowing. Wisdom means maintaining and navigating that line without getting trapped within it.”
Avoiding failure and missteps along the way.
“Mistakes happen, but errors are another matter.”
“Falling and getting hurt teaches caution and awareness of your footing. Lessons from mistakes are valuable, provided they don’t escalate into catastrophic damage… though that’s easier said than done.”
“…”
“Based on what you pursue, here’s roughly what you should focus on.”
The Demon King snapped his fingers, and glowing letters appeared in the sky.
First, completing the contract with me.
“I won’t elaborate further on this.”
The battle with your father.
A definitive victory.
“…”
This fundamentally explains why Carriel must grow stronger.
Otherwise, everyone connected to him would face extreme misfortune.
The Demon King guaranteed it would far exceed normal endurance.
Needless to say, what Carriel himself would endure.
“And.”
Her slender finger pointed elsewhere.
Second, the essence of the Sacred Tree of the Demon Realm.
“If you’re not going to the Demon Realm, you’ll have to deal with the World Tree here sooner or later.”
Considering the timing, it’s clearly related to that incident back then.
If you’re curious, you can delve deeper into this topic.
Incidentally, you might uncover some lost memories too.
“And third.”
Third, deciding how to handle the prophecy of becoming the Demon King.
Accept it or reject it.
And if rejecting, how exactly will you alter and carve your own destiny?
“Boiled down, these three points? What do you think?”
“…”
The past.
I knew I’d have to uncover it eventually, but now facing the truth head-on feels… strange.
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
