Chapter 44

Thus, having regressed, Kai proceeds to alter the future without a single moment of hesitation.

In the past, he saves Luke, who unjustly met his demise at his own hands.

With effortless ease, he topples the mighty Outsider, Nyarlathotep, rescuing countless innocent civilians who were on the brink of sacrifice.

Ultimately, he thwarts the “Human Ascension Plan” of the Grand Commander and the Senate, preventing the deaths of Linnea, Rachel, and the members of the Illuminati.

And so, at the end…

Once again becoming a god within the 0th Domain, Kai converses with Saya.

“There’s no longer any need for Knight Shin for humanity. So, I wish it… for a world where neither Outsiders nor Knight Shin ever existed.”

“…So that’s truly your deepest wish, huh? Then as the goddess of humanity, I shall merely grant it.”

“Saya. In this newly created world… will I be able to meet you again?”

To Kai’s heartfelt words, his sister, appearing as Saya, gives a sorrowful smile.

“I’m sorry, but that’s impossible. I’ve already become part of the 0th Domain. But…”

“…There’s someone who’s always been by your side, isn’t there? Someone who’ll spend their entire life with you.”

“…”

“Though I can no longer stay by your side, I’ll always watch over you. Whether one year passes or ten, until the moment you leave this world with a smile, forever.”

“So now… farewell.”

“Being born as your sister was truly wonderful.”

“…Farewell, Saya.”

Thus, the world is reconstructed.

A world where from the very beginning, there were no Knight Shin, no Outsiders, no Illuminati—nothing.

…Though, unbeknownst to anyone, a single deity watching over humanity from beyond Earth has emerged.

A peaceful world where no one notices this fact.

And then—

“It’s been a while, Kai.”

“…Eilian?”

Three years later, Kai unexpectedly encounters Eilian on the street.

Surprisingly, Eilian still retains memories related to Knight Shin.

Originally, with the world’s reconstruction, Eilian too should have lost all memories connected to Knight Shin.

Indeed, Linnea and Rachel had forgotten everything about Knight Shin and were simply living as good friends.

Yet, Eilian alone still held onto her memories of Kai.

“…Ah.”

Then he realized.

This was the final gift left behind by his younger sister.

“What, not happy to see me after such a long time?”

“…No, I am. Truly.”

“Of course! Naturally, you should be. Because it’s kind of unfair if only I’m the one feeling glad.”

Eilian pouts slightly as if dissatisfied.

“At first, I thought everything was just a dream. But the memories were too vivid. That’s when I realized it wasn’t a dream. And… I needed some time to sort through my thoughts.”

“…What kind of thoughts?”

“Should I really have to say it out loud? How stupid.”

Eilian smiles warmly at Kai.

“I’ll say it just once, so listen carefully.”

“…Hey, Kai.”

“I like you. Really.”

In that instant, time seems to stop.

The people passing by, the scenery of the street—all fade into white.

In Kai’s vision, only Eilian exists.

And—

“I promise you this: until the day I die, I won’t hold hands with or speak to any other man besides you.”

“All that I possess belongs solely to you, and I am yours alone.”

“…Our shared moments may have vanished, ceasing to exist in this world anymore. But those facts don’t matter at all.”

“To tell the truth, I don’t know what love is. But if loving means thinking of only one person throughout my entire life and cherishing them in my heart, then…”

“I swear to you. In this world, you are, and will always be, my first and last love.”

Saying this, Eilian kisses Kai.

And white snow begins to fall from the sky,

as if blessing the newly born lovers.

Quietly pulling each other close, they share a kiss.

Thus concludes the true ending of “Knight Shin Chronicle.”

“…..”

Without even catching their breath, the Duke, who had been watching the director’s cut of “Knight Shin Chronicle,” realizes something streaming down his eyes.

“…Uh? What’s this? Why am I crying…?”

The Duke quickly wipes away the tears flowing from his eyes,

but like a broken faucet, they show no signs of stopping.

“The rain is coming down hard today. It’s truly… unpleasant…”

The Duke mutters to himself while looking up at the ceiling of his mansion.

Even though the Duke is nearing his mid-40s,

he still possesses the rich emotions of an early teenager.

“Truly… a satisfying ending. There wasn’t a single flaw. However—”

The Duke had one complaint about the true ending.

Which was this:

“Saya? So what happens to Saya? Is she destined to drift eternally beyond Earth, content merely watching over Kai?”

Indeed.

Although the Duke liked all the heroines in “Knight Shin Chronicle” equally,

there was no denying that he felt a special pull toward Saya.

Because his daughter voiced Saya, he often felt as if Saya were his own daughter too.

Thus, he naturally hoped for Saya’s happiness in the true ending of “Knight Shin Chronicle.”

It was unavoidable that this kind of ending would leave him with a lingering sense of unease.

But then, at that moment—

[Eilian Ending – ‘End of Sadness’ Complete.]

[Saya Ending – ‘Beginning of Spring’ Unlocked.]

[Unlock the ‘Final Ending’ by viewing all heroines’ endings.]

Upon seeing these words suddenly appear on the screen, the Duke’s eyes widened in shock.

“What?! What did you say!”

Could it be that not only was there an Eilian ending, but also endings involving Saya and Chloe?

Just as Eilian found happiness with Kai earlier,

it seemed that Saya too had an ending where she could find happiness with Kai.

If that was the case, then the ‘Final Ending’ unlocked after viewing all heroines’ endings must surely—

“Ragnar… you bastard….”

The Duke collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by emotion.

“A harem ending, huh? You really do know your stuff…”

Ragnar Terison.

That guy clearly understood the dreams of men.

***

Thus, the Duke, having devoured every single ending included in the director’s cut of “Knight Shin Chronicle,” left the room with a satisfied expression.

Well, his expression resembled that of a well-fed tabby cat, but if it made him happy, who cares?

As the Duke entered the living room, Serika was sitting there with a cheerful grin.

“Father, did you enjoy the ending of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’?”

“…Yeah, sure.”

The Duke replied with a look of relief.

“It was the best ending, making the time spent rewatching all 50 episodes worthwhile. If that guy were here right now, I’d reward him with anything.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

While listening to the Duke, Serika smiled faintly and said,

“What about me?”

“Huh?”

“If you could give me as a reward to Ragnar, wouldn’t that work?”

“…What?”

For a moment, the Duke couldn’t comprehend what he’d just heard.

Rather, it might be more accurate to say his brain refused to interpret Serika’s words.

Unaware of her father’s inner turmoil, Serika continued cheerfully,

“Father, do you remember what Eilian said to Kai during the Eilian ending when she confessed?”

“…Huh? Oh, yeah, I remember that.”

“That line was actually something Ragnar wanted to say to me.”

“…Hmm?”

“Before recording that line, Ragnar privately called me aside and said it was originally prepared for Saya’s ending, but he was sorry he couldn’t use it for me.”

Serika giggled happily.

“Really, this is practically a confession, isn’t it? Ragnar didn’t need to beat around the bush; I would’ve accepted everything anyway.”

“…”

Isn’t that obviously not a confession but just something said because Serika was voicing Saya?

What kind of happiness circuit in her brain had to fire for her to interpret that as a confession?

The Duke momentarily felt speechless but inwardly sighed with relief.

Apparently, the thing he feared most wouldn’t happen anytime soon.

But that didn’t mean he could let his guard down entirely.

After all, as long as dirt hadn’t gotten into his eyes, he had no intention of handing over his beloved daughter to another man.

However—

“Speaking of which, Father, how about we make a deal?”

“…A deal? What kind?”

“If Father helps me get together with Ragnar—”

Serika whispered seductively into the Duke’s ear.

“—then I’ll suggest to Ragnar that we make an anime based on whatever story Father wants.”

“What, what did you say!”

At that moment, the Duke felt his resolve shaken.

An anime based on the stories he’s only ever imagined?

The plots he’d chuckled bitterly about, thinking they’d never come true?

Are you serious?

“Like, for example, a story about seven pearls granting wishes when gathered together, or humans building massive walls against mysterious monsters appearing across the continent?”

“Yes.”

“Or maybe a tale about powerful orbs scattered across the world, or joining a demon-hunting squad to save a sister turned into a demon?”

“Sure. Of course, it’s ultimately up to Ragnar whether he likes the story Father creates, but I can certainly bring it up.”

Although careful not to overstep her bounds regarding anime production rights, which belonged solely to Ragnar,

this offer was nothing short of a godsend to the Duke.

“Then… there is a story I’d love to turn into an anime. It’s about two proud geniuses with the ability to kill without lifting a finger, engaging in intellectual battles to find each other. The protagonist’s name is already decided—it’s ‘Luarnox.’ If you could just pass this along to Ragnar for me, Serika—”

“…”

And thus, the Duke sold out his own daughter for the sake of creating his dream anime.