Chapter 43

In this world, there exists a theory called the zero-sum game.

Explaining it in detail would be endless, so to put it simply, it’s the concept that when you gain something, you simultaneously lose something else.

So, I guess you could say it’s similar to the law of equivalent exchange from some alchemist manga.

And.

“Your Majesty, are you out of your mind! Sure, the ending of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ may not have been to your liking, but threatening the director like that is ridiculous!”

“…I apologize.”

Such was the law of the world, one that even the ruler of the empire, the Emperor himself, could not escape.

Because at this very moment, the Emperor was receiving a fierce scolding from Karlreya after she belatedly learned what had happened to Ragnar.

“I never imagined Your Majesty could be so shortsighted. Besides, this wasn’t even something you needed to get involved in.”

Karlreya opened her mouth with an expression as if suffering from a headache.

“The director never intended to end ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ with humanity’s destruction. From the start, he planned to conclude the story with a true ending through the director’s cut!”

That was correct.

Ragnar had no intention of concluding ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ with the annihilation of mankind.

Even though Ragnar aimed to become a legendary pervert, first and foremost, he was an animation creator who wanted to create good works.

He also vividly remembered how deflated he felt watching the infamous “orange juice ending” of that series in his past life.

Thus, Ragnar secretly prepared a happy true ending for the director’s cut while wrapping up the TVA version with humanity’s doom.

Of course, Ragnar’s preparation of the true ending mainly served as an “insurance” against unforeseen circumstances.

But Karlreya believed Ragnar withheld the truth due to artistic pride.

“I thought Your Majesty respected the free will of artists. What possessed you to act so rashly?”

Back in the day, the Emperor encountered a detective novel with a baffling ending.

The author killed off the protagonist, claiming they wanted to write a different genre.

Still, the Emperor didn’t confront or take action against the writer back then.

He merely muttered dark thoughts occasionally about locking the guy in a dungeon and feeding him only dumplings.

So why did the Emperor behave this way now with Ragnar?

“…I know well. I realize I’ve done something I shouldn’t have. But, but…!”

The Emperor wailed like a tragic hero.

“Humanity has perished! All of humanity is gone! Even the citizens of the empire I must protect are dead! I’ll give up treasures, my position—everything! Just save them!”

“…”

By now, the Emperor was confusing reality with anime, completely immersed in ‘Knight Shin Chronicle.’

But that was just his personal issue.

Karlreya responded coldly.

“What if the director decides he won’t make any more animations?”

“…What?”

“You seem to misunderstand, Your Majesty. We aren’t the ones in charge here. We’re thoroughly on the subordinate side. Have you already forgotten who created the genre of animation and whose hands brought forth works like ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’?”

“…”

“Therefore, promise me you won’t interfere with whatever animation or stories the director chooses to create going forward.”

“…Fine, I promise.”

Though the Emperor spoke in a subdued tone, Karlreya wasn’t satisfied.

“And the director mentioned he won’t send you preview episodes anymore.”

“What, what did you say!”

At that moment, the Emperor wore a look of shock.

So, from now on, he wouldn’t get to see the upcoming episodes two weeks in advance?

For the Emperor, who enjoyed spoiling noble gatherings with plot twists, this was practically a death sentence.

“That cannot stand. I admit my mistake. Please show mercy!”

Despite the Emperor throwing away all dignity, Karlreya shook her head firmly.

“Absolutely not. Accept it.”

“Kraaaaahhh…!”

In the end, the Emperor collapsed, losing all will to live.

The law of equivalent exchange.

The alchemist brothers lost their limbs and bodies trying to revive their mother through human transmutation.

And the Emperor, trying to alter the ending of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle,’ ended up being taught a harsh lesson by bullying Ragnar.

Such was the nature of the world.

****

A few days later, the plaza in front of the royal palace.

It was now a chaotic mess, having lost its usual tranquility, with no room to even place a foot due to the crowd lining up to buy the director’s cut of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle.’

Among them was Duke Grinevalt, who managed to secure the director’s cut before anyone else by standing in line since dawn.

Although someone of the duke’s rank could have sent a servant to purchase it, he personally stood in line to buy it.

Because this edition of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ was a limited release, allowing only one copy per person.

And the duke wanted to fully enjoy the joy of obtaining such a limited item.

On the case of the disc he held, the words [RE-MAKE] were written.

“Remake? Does that mean it’s redone?”

Upon checking further, the special feature footage attached to the director’s cut was a mere hour long.

This made the duke feel both anticipation and immense anxiety.

Because, in his view, the ending of episode 50 was beyond redemption.

How could everything be resolved in just one hour when all of humanity had been reduced to a puddle of blood due to the Ascension Plan?

“In my opinion, there’s no clean way to wrap this story up. But… ”

Perhaps Ragnar might show something beyond expectations—

With that thought, the duke hurried back to his mansion and played the artifact.

Static crackled.

The screen revealed an earth drowning in blood, with only Kai and Eilian remaining as survivors.

“…I feel sick.”

Eilian, filled with self-loathing for being the sole survivor amidst the annihilation of humanity, muttered while closing her eyes.

The absolute worst ending—a world devoid of dreams or hope.

Looking at Eilian, Kai closed his eyes guilt-ridden.

Then—

“Huh?”

Opening his eyes, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling.

Confusion spread across his face.

Hadn’t he just closed his eyes in a place where all of humanity had turned into a pool of blood?

Why was he waking up here?

Just then—

“Oh, you’re awake already?”

Someone beside him spoke.

Turning reflexively, Kai’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Le, Rachel?”

There she was—Rachel, who should’ve died because of the Human Ascension Plan, alive and speaking right in front of him.

What was happening?

Was he hallucinating?

Meanwhile, Rachel smirked at Kai’s reaction.

“Hmm, even for you, getting swallowed by the Outsider must’ve been quite the shock, huh?”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t you remember? You got sucked into the 11-dimensional void space created by the Outsider but barely managed to escape. If it weren’t for Eilian and Saya, you’d definitely have died there.”

“…”

He remembered. That incident during the battle with the Outsider.

But that happened—

Months before the entire human race perished due to the Human Ascension Plan, right?

Why was Rachel talking about it as if it had just occurred?

And why was Rachel alive in the first place?

“Could this be…?”

Kai finally realized what had happened to him.

Similarly, the duke, who had been glued to the screen without catching his breath, also understood what had happened to Kai.

“…I see. This is insane.”

To the duke, there seemed to be no normal way to salvage the ending of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle.’

But if salvaging the ending was impossible, why not just rewind time and erase everything as if it never happened?

“Time regression…! So, this was the answer…!”

That was it.

The current Kai had somehow been sent back in time to a point before all the tragedies began.

And he knew exactly what would happen in the future, including the Human Ascension Plan!

“So, this means… I’ve returned from witnessing the end of this world.”

Muttering these words, Kai clenched his fist tightly.

“I won’t let others control me anymore. From now on, I’ll live for myself.”

Second chance at life, Kai the regressed hero.

Solo feasting and leveling up alone.

Let’s go!