Chapter 137 – Tasks to Do

‘What on earth is going on here….’

Do you have no intention of becoming mine?

Still, considering the usual Kaiquilia, this was rather mild. The fact that it was closer to a suggestion than a threat or command was something to be grateful for.

If it had been in the past, I would have thought it was a decent proposal and accepted it. Back then, I never imagined the story would twist this much.

The Holy Kingdom had a pretty poor image until I met the Pope due to its characteristic closed-off atmosphere and the obligatory delivery quests for quest progression.

Now it just felt like an ordinary religious nation worshipping the sun and the moon. I wondered if this was also a result of the character’s gender and appearance changing along with their personality.

‘I need to think about what happens after clearing the main story too.’

The main story of Brightest Darkness 4 ends with defeating the final boss of each route, but the ending scroll doesn’t come up right away. The true ending comes after witnessing the protagonist’s actions that follow.

On a small scale, one could live a pastoral life with all burdens lifted, or on a larger scale, ascend to the throne of the Empire. Or one might receive a suitable noble title or cross over to the Holy Kingdom.

Additionally, there were countless endings depending on how many quests and events were completed.

Since my body is here in this world, like many transmigrators before me, I thought I might return to my original world after seeing the ending, but… it wouldn’t hurt to prepare just in case I couldn’t.

In fact, my residence itself wasn’t much of an issue. I had already received an offer to live with the Popes in the Holy Kingdom, and I could choose to maintain my knight status in Aurora’s territory for the rest of my life.

Regardless of which option I chose, it meant I wouldn’t need to worry about how to live in this world after defeating the creature that devours the world.

If anything, if I were to return to my original world, what would happen to this place was a bigger problem. I felt a pang of conscience leaving Lize and the Popes behind.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

“…I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Before I knew it, Kaiquilia’s face was right in front of mine. Her breaths flowed between her auburn lips, brushing against mine before breaking apart, and the scent of her skin rushed into my nose.

I quietly offered my apology. If it were up to me, I would have bowed my head, but since Kaiquilia was firmly gripping my chin, I couldn’t do that.

“Just now, I bestowed upon you a mercy that others would dare not even imagine. That means I hold you in good regard. I have given you sufficient time to think, so now I must hear your answer. What do you think? Will you be mine?”

Though her voice felt unusually buoyant for Kaiquilia, the answer was already predetermined.

I took a deep breath to calm my heart, met her golden eyes, and spoke.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. It seems that cannot be.”

“……”

Kaiquilia’s previously arched eyelids returned to their normal state. The corners of her lips, which had slightly lifted, went back to being neutral as well. In an instant, the stern expression returned to Kaiquilia as she silently gazed at me.

Did she not think I would refuse, or did she expect it but merely pretended to test me with that expression? It was unclear.

Staring at me with a face as still as a statue, Kaiquilia murmured coldly.

“Did you say you cannot?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I do not possess much patience. Therefore, you must properly explain why you have rejected my offer. Is it that the title is insufficient? Is what I offer not enough? Do you wish to have not only the Golden Dusk Knights but the Silver Dawn Knights as well?”

“It is not that I lack what I possess, Your Majesty.”

“Then speak. Why did you refuse my offer?”

My jaw was released. Kaiquilia straightened her back and leaned back against the throne. Her right elbow rested vertically on the armrest, and her fist pressed against her right cheek. Her golden pupils were fixed on me.

Perhaps because of the posture, I recalled what happened during our last audience. I cautiously glanced at Kaiquilia, but luckily, she didn’t seem to have any intention of smashing my head between her legs this time.

If she had, many people behind us would have seen me bury my head in the Empress’s genitals.

“What you promised is nothing lacking. On the contrary, it is exceedingly generous.”

It wasn’t just a cliché compliment but a sincere statement.

I was the guy who had almost thrown away all human relationships to obsess over Brightest Darkness 4. Would a person like that be able to properly lead a knight commander position?

If I were in a position to receive orders, that would be fine. However, being in charge and giving orders wasn’t my style. If I were to take on a position, perhaps being a vice commander would be more suitable.

“Then why did you refuse?”

“There are tasks to do.”

I answered honestly.

“…What?”

“There are still tasks to be done, so I cannot accept Your Majesty’s offer.”

It seemed like Kaiquilia’s eyes were trying to discern the truth in my words as they bore into mine. I stood there stoically. The fact that there were still tasks to be done was undoubtedly true.

At this point, giving up on just progressing the main story as it was would be the right choice, but I still had to capture the creature that devours the world. I couldn’t leave that monster running loose; it unsettled me.

Unlike in the game, where neglecting the main story won’t lead to its destruction, in this world, it could really wreak havoc.

Moreover, if it had visited me once, it might come back again. I had to at least eliminate the invincible essentials in advance.

And I had a fair number of personal tasks as well.

I needed runes to ignore combat fatigue debuffs, and I had to level up further to catch the creature that devours the world more easily, but I hadn’t fully completed the final build for my melee character yet.

Wingless Nightmare. Specific runes. Dark magic for enchanting. And another rune to properly utilize that dark magic. These four were the key components of the Darkest Light mod melee build.

Until I gathered all four, I needed to keep moving around the Empire, and for that, staying in Aurora’s territory was the best option.

“What tasks are you speaking of?”

Since I had expected that question, I opened my mouth without a hint of hesitation.

“To fulfill Your Majesty’s wishes.”

“……”

Kaiquilia’s previously expressionless face cracked slightly.

I hadn’t originally intended to hunt demons, but considering what had happened with Kaiquilia before, I thought it might be a good opportunity to gain experience and take them down casually.

With the Wingless Nightmare, solar and lunar eclipses involved, demon bosses weren’t even a problem. No matter how strengthened by the Darkest Light mod, the fundamental weaknesses hadn’t vanished.

I could just swing by when I had the chance and whack them. Fighting those within the Empire and the Holy Kingdom would be enough to grant Kaiquilia her wishes.

Anyway, the demons in Hell won’t come out if I leave them alone.

Kaiquilia, who had been staring down at me from her throne for a while, suddenly muttered something. It was too quiet to hear, but from the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like it was anything bad.

“If that is your intention, I will not force you.”

As I sighed inwardly in relief at those words, an additional statement was tacked on.

“Then choose.”

“Excuse me?”

“You were instructed to choose the members who will serve under your knights. Did I not say that I would give you half of the Golden Dusk Knights?”

“……”

I looked at the Golden Dusk Knights with a bewildered expression. I had to choose them instead of Kaiquilia just picking for me?

What should I do?

Now, the half of the Golden Dusk Knights under Delta had vanished, and the Silver Dawn Knights, Aurora, and the remaining half of the Golden Dusk Knights were all gone from the Central Hall, leaving it eerily silent.

The remaining Kaiquilia leaned back against the throne, tilting her head slightly upward to stare blankly at the chandelier on the ceiling. She had been thinking about the words she had once uttered in her past.

“If there is a man who can surpass me, Kaiquilia Libanus, then he would be a man without a single deficiency as a lifelong partner… wasn’t it?”

At the time, it was a statement tinged with pride, but now it was different. It was gradually becoming the truth.

“Surely, you too must have received assistance from that man, Minerva.”

Minerva had been holed up in the Mage Tower since yesterday, showing no signs of coming out. The wizards under her were the same.

They would likely remain in that state for at least a month or more.

The Mage Tower stood right next to the Imperial Palace. Thus, saying that the garden of the Mage Tower was the same as the garden of the Imperial Palace made sense. There was no way Kaiquilia wouldn’t have noticed the happenings that took place in such a location.

She had long known that Minerva brought back a Crystal Scroll. And she also knew that Minerva was, on the surface, the one who discovered the scroll.

However, Kaiquilia had realized long ago that it was a laughable lie.

Had that girl really known where the Crystal Scroll was located, she would have fought tooth and nail to secure it, even if it meant using wizards as fodder.

Of course, Minerva hadn’t done that, so one possibility remained. The person who truly discovered the scroll was Delta, but for some reason, the two conspired and fabricated lies.

Gradually, I became more curious about that man’s identity. To think he even knew the location of the Ancient Scroll now?

“It is regretful that I cannot have him by my side immediately….”

Given her assertions, it would only be proper to wait.

There was no way the flame within Kaiquilia would extinguish first.