"That's it?" I ask, surprised that it was something so simple.
"Yes, that's it, Roswaisa." Kaylith says, "That is all there is to the secret of mastering Absolute Frost Requiem. That's how you can get to the roots of it. And that's how you can master it."
"… I see."
If that is really all there is to it, then … then there's nothing left to say, is there?
"Hah!" Kaylith sighs and says, "Yes, you are right. There's nothing left to say."
And with that, he turns around and starts walking. And even though I want to, I have nothing that I can say to him that will stop him from doing what he is about to do. So, I am left alone in the lobby, left alone to think about everything that has happened in just a single day.
*****
"No one can stop Dues ex machina's plans from coming true now." Trevor says as he looks distantly at the coliseum in front of us. "She played us all for fools for I don't know how long. And at the end of the day, she will get what she wants to get."
"Yes, that's true." I say, "That's sadly very true."
"Sadly?" Trevor asks, "Do you have some Angel or Demon friends that you would miss when she destroys our races?"
"Yes, there are a lot of them actually." I say. "At one time, I even used to consider her one of my friends."
"Hah! You did?" He says with a smile, "That could never have gone well."
Yeah, and it didn't. I have now become one of the biggest reasons both the races are getting destroyed.
"I can tell from the expression on your face that you are blaming yourself for what's about to happen." Trevor says, "Well, don't. It's not your fault."
Isn't it?
"She manipulated you, just like she manipulated everyone else."
"You are not wrong about that. But," I say, "Lucifer understood her true nature. But even though I had talked to him before and knew what he thought of Dues, I did not even try to understand why. If I had, her manipulation of me would have ended right then and there and I could have avoided this."
"Nice thought, but I doubt it." He says, "It is Dues ex machina we are talking about here. She would have had some back-up plans ready."
Well, if that is indeed true, then what am I supposed to do? Angels and Demons are going to be history after a while and I am sitting her, powerless. Aside from blaming myself, there's nothing I can do, can I?
"There's no way to stop her, is it?" I ask, hoping somehow that the answer wouldn't be what I know it would be.
"No, there's no way to stop her anymore." And my hope is crushed.
*****
I am standing in front of the throne, the throne whose future is very uncertain. This is the throne from which my father is supposed to rule over an entire realm. I can only wonder what future awaits this realm and its people when he dies.
At the very least, I don't want the throne. Since Dues' plans will succeed, Trevor will also die. So, that leaves pretty much no one obvious who can claim the throne. Trevor says the people can self-govern but there is at least the need for a ruler of the realm. Without one, it will just be anarchy.
"You seem troubled again?" A familiar female voice of a 15-year-old girl comes from behind me.
"That's because I am troubled, very troubled in fact." I say without turning back. "But first of all, what are you doing out of that room? I thought the room protects your existence."
"Yes, that it does." She says cheerfully, "And since now there's no need to protect my existence, I have decided to step out of it and have some fun. You know, sight-seeing and all that?"
"What do you mean there's no need to protect your existence?"
"I already met you and made you remember what you didn't remember. I think my job is done." She says something like that with a smile, giving me a heart-ache like never before.
"Hold on, sis!"
She scoffs at me. And I, unwillingly, 'correct' myself to say, "Nee-san, I still haven't remembered everything. I just remember that-"
"Whatever you remember, it's enough. The rest you will remember with time, by yourself. Just remember what I told you about following your conscience." She says and seats herself on the throne, "So, by the way, how do I look up here? Like a courageous and independent queen?"
"You look like a cosplaying idiot." I say with a deadpan expression.
"You know you'd be dead right now if you weren't my little brother." She asks so with a smile and eyes closed.
"Yes, but the matter of fact is that I am your little brother." I say with the same expressions on my face, "And so you can't do anything to me."
"Tsk!" She clicks her tongue, "Taking advantage of our familial bonds, huh? I can tell from just that you'll NOT grow up to be a fine man."
"Yes, I think so too." I say with a smile.
*****
Glice – the Asteroid Realm created by Lucifer and remodeled and ruled by Kaylith Glice. This golden realm has a population of about 8 million, with about 35,000 living in the capital city – where Irium just walked out from the duel between him and his father.
It is quite an achievement – this realm. I would aspire to achieve just as great results when I am the god.
But, in order for that to happen, I need to take Roswaisa (after she has mastered Absolute Frost Requiem) and use her powers to wipe out Demons and Angels. I am not a heartless fiend though, I would give all of them some time to say their goodbyes and I would wait for Kaylith to have a peaceful death.
Only then would I proceed with my plans.
*****