During the upcoming days leading to the banquet Claudina was...oddly quiet.
After she was healed up she left the temple, she went straight home and didn't come out of her room.
She didn't let anyone in, no matter who it was. Not her father nor her closest aide. She even refused the first princess.
Chronos wondered whether he did the right thing.
He shook his head. "No. This is for the rest of humanity. I can't only be partial to her. Even if she is hurting now she will understand my actions in the future…"
Chronos closed his eyes and reopen them in silent horror.
"...but I doubt if there will be a future with how this is going…"
The kingdom of Chronosits was on fire. Screams of terror were engulfed by the swarming blood red butterflies. Creatures that didn't resemble any known monsters ran out from flaming homes and bit off anything it saw. Swirling in the smoke ravens and bats would swoop down on the helpless citizens like an ink splatter before flying back up again with a head rolling down the streets like a runaway cart wheel.
The square was reduced to smoldering ashes. Buildings of excellent craftsmanship crumbled down. The temple and the palace were standing on its frame.
It had been a day just like every other day…
…As news of the Saintess' triumphant victory over the malevolent force that had long plagued the kingdom spread like wildfire, an atmosphere of jubilation and relief blanketed the land. From the bustling marketplaces to the grand courtyards of the royal palace, a sense of unity emerged, albeit tinted with distinct shades of celebration.
In the heart of the noble district, opulent banners fluttered against the azure sky, their crests bearing witness to the powerful families that had long steered the kingdom's fate. The snobbish and proud nobles, accustomed to asserting their privilege, now found themselves part of a grand spectacle that surpassed their wildest imaginings. Dressed in resplendent attire adorned with gemstones and fine silk, they gathered in the heart of the royal palace, where a lavish banquet was set to unfold.
As silver chalices clinked, the atmosphere crackled with an undercurrent of whispered conversations—compliments veiled in suspicion, alliances masked by formalities. Whispers of courtly gossip, cloaked in layers of intrigue, fluttered through the air like the delicate notes of a harp. While some nobles extended genuine admiration for the Saintess, others masked their grudging respect with thinly veiled skepticism, their pride threatened by the very existence of someone who could command such extraordinary powers.
As the banquet commenced, the king himself offered a toast, praising the Saintess' bravery and resilience, and the nobles raised their golden goblets, casting their enigmatic glances across the glittering hall. They spoke of her exploits, recounting tales of her daring feats, yet their words were tinged with underlying suspicion.
For the Saintess was a noble by birth, but her indifference for the people, her country and even this celebration…it hindered the ease in their hearts. Her indifference was seen as a genuine concern for she loved no one and nothing. With no love in her heart, doesn't it mean it would be just as easy for her to betray this kingdom?
Yet, even as the nobles raised their goblets in toast, a thread of jealousy danced beneath their masks of approval. Her fame burgeoned, a sunbeam penetrating the fog of noble hierarchy, and some whispered that her brilliance eclipsed even their own storied legacies.
Some whispered that her power might pose a challenge to their own influence, while others secretly yearned for her guidance in an uncertain world.
The Saintess' origins as a duchess, her genteel upbringing, sparked a twinge of resentment in their hearts. The nobility, accustomed to power and acclaim, found their influence waning in the face of her unassuming nobility.
A dual perspective emerged: admiration for her accomplishments and trepidation over her rising prominence.
Beyond the palace's gilded gates, a different scene unfolded—a celebration that thrummed with a pulsating energy that could only arise from common hearts united in joy. The townspeople had transformed the cobbled streets into a kaleidoscope of color, banners swaying to the rhythm of laughter and exuberance. The winding streets were alive with a vibrant festival, a mosaic of colors, laughter, and a palpable sense of gratitude. Jugglers and minstrels enthralled the crowds, and artisans showcased their crafts beneath colorful canopies. Stalls offered sweet pastries, hearty stews, and frothy ales, the aromas mingling to form a tantalizing melody of flavors. It was a jubilant affair, a tribute to the Saintess who had brought an end to their suffering.
For the commoners, the Saintess was a symbol of hope and transformation. She had emerged from the ranks of nobility yet seemed unburdened by their divisions, treating all with equal respect. While some held her in the highest esteem, others conflicted by the dissonance between their expectations and the enigmatic aura she projected grumbled about her aloof demeanor, believing she remained distant from the struggles of everyday life.
The distinctions between nobility and commoners had become more fluid, blurred by the enchanting aura of the Saintess' accomplishments.
And so, within the kingdom, two celebrations unfolded side by side—each a reflection of the complex tapestry of society. The noble banquet showcased splendor and suspicion, while the commoners' festival exuded camaraderie and diversity. Amidst the festivities, a singular truth emerged: the Saintess' victory had set the stage for a new era, one where the boundaries of tradition and class would be tested against the backdrop of her indomitable spirit. Whether revered or misunderstood, the Saintess' legacy would forever transform the kingdom's destiny.
As twilight descended and stars blinked into existence, the symphony of jubilation serenaded a realm awakened to the possibilities of unity, poised on the precipice of change...
....And it was precisely why it had been easy for her to attack. With their guard down, Baron led the attack with S-grade monsters upon the unsuspecting party.
Soon the once joyous laughter and lantern lights gave place to agonized screams and fiery ash.
In the middle of this stood Claudina with the blue forbidden grimoire shining ominously. Singing and dancing in the flames that drew away when she came close.
Chronos walked sedately, the flames licking at his feet and robes. Claudina must have noticed him but didn't turn around. She grinned widely when an unkindness of ravens toppled down a burning statue.
"Claudina."
"..."
"Claudina, I know you can hear me. Stop this nonsense."
"..."
Displeased he said, "What is the difference between you and demons? Plundering your own country…This is not the behavior of a Saintess."
"YOUR BEHAVIOR IS NOT THAT OF A GOD EITHER!!!" she shrieked turning around. Eyes wild with fury she stomped on the ground. Fissures of hot steam burst out from the ashen seams. "You won't LISTEN SO WHY SHOULD I?!"
He wordlessly glowered at her.
"If you think you can do as you wish then so can I!!"
Before Chronos could speak something heavy landed near his feet.
A half eaten carcass of his Holy Beast. It was brutally mulled from the middle with bloody stamps where its wings once were.
Baron dropped beside her and lowly growled at Chronos. The rabbit demon laid more waste on the kingdom than anything.
Chronos glared at the demon causing it to shrink back. He sternly gazed at the demon's owner "...Claudina enough of your tantrum."
Claudina smiled dreamily. "Whatever do you mean~ I a- EUGHH!!" She suddenly staggered back, holding her head in pain. The Forbidden Grimoire slipped off her fingers and fell snap shut.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"
"AAAAAHHHHH!! AAAAHHHH!!!" Baron, already knowing what was happening ran to take cover.
Chronos watched stupefied as ghostly appropriations appeared above her encircling her. What truly miffed him was each one of them resembled Claudina. Be it her green eyes, the shape of her nose or her knees and elbows. The only thing they had in common was a snarl and tears of blood flowing out.
Claudina screamed and cried. Banging her head on the aflame ground, scratching her face with sharp nails, biting her tongue, Chronos couldn't help but watch in pity and silence.
Her past reincarnations had come to hunt her.
But why her?
It was both an act of reckoning and a twisted attempt at redemption. Each past incarnation berated her, demanding an explanation for the unforgivable act she had committed. The mental anguish was a ceaseless cycle of pain, reflection, and the desperate quest for absolution that only served to magnify the scars upon her soul.
The souls of her past selves converged in her psyche, tormenting her with memories, guilt, and the echoes of Ophelia's laughter.
Was this Ophelia truly so important that the universe itself is coming to taunt her?
What felt like hours the appropriations left and Claudina collapsed in gasping heaves. Her long hair acted as a funeral curtain.
"...Chronos…" He unintentionally jolted back.
Claudina slowly got to her feet, swaying. "...Chronos if you don't do as I say, then…" She pulled at the chains that Baron left her.
"Ugh!" The king fell forward. One of his eyes was gouged out and his legs were missing. Behind him the Head Pope cowered in fear. "...the so-called ruler of Chronosits will die…"
She pulled at the chains again. "So tell me, what will it be?"
"The answer is no." He narrowed his eyes in ire. "Resurrect the humans you have killed and I will forgive you."
"...No."
"No?"
"Are you deaf? I said NO!!".
"If you want those humans back, resurrect them yourself!! But I promise you this; I will kill them all over again as many times you bring them back."
Chronos looked around at the carnage she caused. Ten of thousands of people died.
He then looked at her, eyes dilated and shaking. He raised his brow and held his head high. "So be it…"
Claudina's mouth hung open. She didn't expect Chronos to accept her provocation. Then she growled. "WHY?! WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?! WHY ARE ALL OF YOU LIKE THIS?!? YOU ARE THE ONES WHO DROVE HER TO WHERE SHE ONCE STOOD YET YOU WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY?!?!"
Chronos frowned, realizing she was projecting whoever turned Ophelia to Evil on to him.
"...Claudina, I-"
"SHUT UP!! You have lost the right to say my name!!"
She whirled around. "Baron!"
In an instant Baron appeared. "yEss, duChesS…"
"Kill that brat!" Baron disappeared in a trail of dusty ash. Chronos looked confused. Claudina smirked, a mad glint in her eyes.
"...hahaha…Chronos aren't you curious why you haven't seen Esme until now?"
"Hah?" The temperature dropped and flames flickered.
Claudina had a crazed look in her eyes. "Elpis stopped Esme's aging to contain the demon within. Aren't you curious what will happen if the shell dies?"
"...Claudina I am showing you mercy. Tell me where Esme is."
"If you reverse time both this kingdom and Esme's seal will be safe."
"CLAUDINA!!!" Chronos surged forward but before she could touch him the red butterflies crowded around him.
One of them bit him and Chronos yelped. The carnivorous insect took away a piece of his skin in its mouth. He looked horrified at his peeled of skin. Golden flesh and black veins. A glow emitted and his skin was healed.
"You know if I set them on you, my pets will have an endless supply of meat." He glared at her. "But I won't do any such thing. Because unlike you I know when to show compassion."
"This is your compassion?" He gestured to his burning nation. "Don't delude yourself!"
Suddenly in the distance Esme screamed. Long agonizing screams.
"...What have you done?" Chronos softly whispered.
Claudian glanced at him. "I did what I did. Now the Demon King will arrive for his bride. Now even if all the Saints and Gods fight I doubt they will win. Of course I will fight with the Demon King."
Chronos looked at the sky, his eyes dull. "I know.'
She had a wicked smile now. "...But Chronos, there is a way to undo all this. A very simple one. One that you should agreed to long ago."
The sky gathered dark clouds. Yonder he could hear imps giggling and demons howling. The Demon King had arrived.
"...I know," he repeated. "It was my mistake. My mistake to make you a Saintess in the first place." In slow steps he reached her. He gently placed his hands on her face. "I shouldn't have agreed to let you enter the temple."
"..."
Demons landed in their surrounding vicinity. The evil laughter of the imps crackled alongside the fire.
A large surging figure rose up from the forest beyond. With bleeding wings the large creature took flight, screaming. As it did the trajectory of the burning kingdom changed.
It was the first sin of the Chimera.
Chronos gazed at Claudina in sorrow. "...But I need to undo these mistakes." Bumping their head together, the infinity symbol glowed. The demons shrieked back.
"...In return, I want you to promise me this…" Claudina locked eyes with Chronos.
"...No matter what happens you won't be my Saintess..."