I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 662

Even when the world is on the brink of destruction, people still calculate their gains and losses. It’s a human tendency, I suppose.

Because the world is about to end, organizations are shaken and show signs of collapse. The structures that once seemed so solid are now crumbling.

It’s the leader’s job to embrace such people and bring them back together. To give them a reason to keep fighting, to keep believing.

It’s not an easy task, but this world is always so romantically interesting. Even in the face of oblivion, there’s a strange beauty to it.

With just one letter from the princess who fell into a coma after fighting at the front, the kings’ moods shifted. Some looked touched, others embarrassed, nodding to each other. It was a powerful testament to her sacrifice.

I smiled and looked around at the assembly. A world with the romance to seriously listen to a sincere letter reading. That’s why I like this world. It’s a world that still values genuine emotion.

“Hmph….”

King Arian was a perceptive man. He realized that no matter what he said here, it wouldn’t compare to the words of his daughter, who had collapsed fighting on the front lines. Her actions spoke louder than any speech.

“…I will stay here at the front for a few more days to observe the situation. But the fact that my daughter and our North suffered immense sacrifices…” His voice was heavy with grief and a hint of guilt.

I watched King Arian, who was still trying to say more, then turned my gaze to Kuilan. He was standing there, his expression unreadable.

“You owe Yoon one.” I said, my voice firm but not accusatory. She had risked everything for them.

She had instantly patched up a front line that was about to crumble. I hadn’t intended for her to write a will with this purpose in mind… but thanks to her, I could breathe a sigh of relief. Her sacrifice had bought them time.

“Yoon is a woman of loyalty.” I stated, a hint of pride in my voice.

I nudged Kuilan’s side with my elbow as he silently nodded. He seemed to be grappling with the weight of her actions.

“I heard, Kuilan. You even declared her your betrothed? Are you finally ready to accept Yoon’s feelings?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“…To be honest, I still don’t know.” He admitted, his voice low and thoughtful.

Seriously, even after all this, he still doesn’t know? Does he want to get hit?! I thought, a bit exasperated. This was a bit ridiculous.

This werewolf, who doesn’t seem like it but is incredibly cautious in love, answered seriously. He was a complex character, that was for sure.

“However, since Yoon has shown me such loyalty first, I believe I must repay her with appropriate loyalty.” His words were measured, but sincere.

“Loyalty, huh…” I mused, a small smile playing on my lips.

Is that really the word you’d use between a couple who are flirting? But I guess there are relationships like this too. Maybe this is also a kind of romance. Love comes in many forms, after all.

Anyway, thanks to that, the wavering kings’ discipline(?) was restored, and just as I thought everything was going well…

“Ah, everyone’s gathered here.”

My father—Emperor Traha ‘Peacemaker’ Everblack of the Empire—strode in. His presence was always commanding.

“Good. I’ve already made the announcement throughout the Empire, so informing you all is as good as informing the whole world.” He declared, his voice booming through the hall.

The Emperor came to my side, smiled at me, then raised his large hand to grasp my shoulder. And then he declared,

“I intend to appoint my son, Ash, as the Crown Prince of the Everblack Empire. Starting today!” His words were like a thunderclap.

It was said with a light tone, as if he were saying, ‘I’ve decided to have beef for dinner tonight,’ but the content was anything but light. The surprised kings scrambled to straighten their postures. They were clearly taken aback by the sudden announcement.

Of course, I was calm. This was something I had requested from the Emperor in the first place. It was a necessary step in my plan.

‘Even if I don’t sit on the Crown Prince’s seat, the next imperial power is practically mine anyway.’ I thought, a hint of amusement in my mind.

I’m the only child left that the Emperor has. There’s no one who wouldn’t guess that I’ll be the next Emperor. It was an open secret, really.

But guessing and confirming are different matters. The formal declaration held significant weight.

The appointment of the Crown Prince is as good as declaring to the whole world that I am the next Emperor of the Everblack Empire. It was a clear message to everyone.

And there’s only one reason why this matter was rushed like this. It was all part of a larger strategy.

‘I must become the representative of humanity.’ I thought, my gaze hardening with determination.

I glanced at the glass on the hall table. It was a simple piece, but it reflected something profound.

In my eyes reflected in the glass, a clear golden light was flashing. It was a subtle but unmistakable sign.

Divinization- The process had begun.

The sign that I had finally begun to gain divinity as the ‘representative of humanity’ had appeared. It was a strange and unsettling feeling.

The sensation of drifting away from humanity was eerie, but there was no time to worry about that now. I was in a position where I had to pull in and use every variable I could. Every advantage was crucial.

I suddenly remembered something the Emperor had said before. His words echoed in my mind.

– If the world is truly heading towards destruction. You, as the leader of this front, will naturally have the opportunity to gain divinity. It is with the hope that you will make a good judgment at that time. He had foreseen this possibility.

– Once you gain divinity, you will know the ugly truth of this world. And you will never be able to go back to the way you were before. It was a warning, a caution about the path I was taking.

– But if the world is truly heading towards destruction, you will surely gain that power. Because it will be a situation where you have to grab at any straw. His words were both a prophecy and a grim assessment of the situation.

It happened just as he said. The situation was dire, and I had to act.

I was in a situation where I had to grab at any straw, and to accelerate my own divinization… to spread the idea that I am the representative of humanity throughout the world, I spread the announcement of this Crown Prince appointment. It was a calculated move to solidify my position.

Under the Emperor’s orders, the news spread through the temple communication magic scattered throughout the Empire. Now, all the citizens of the Empire would have accepted that I am the next Emperor. The message was clear and undeniable.

“Would it have been easier if you had requested it sooner?” The Emperor asked, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

The Emperor looked at me with a slightly teasing expression, as if asking why I was only now stepping into divinization. I smiled back. It was a fair question.

“The Emperor’s seat, and the position of the guardian deity of a race, are both lonely and difficult positions.” I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

The Emperor squeezed my shoulder once and whispered softly in my ear. His words were meant for me alone.

“It’s a hardship you’ve chosen for yourself. Please accept it willingly.” His tone was both supportive and challenging.

“……” I remained silent, acknowledging the weight of his words.

Then, after letting go of my shoulder, the Emperor walked towards the kings and shouted heartily. He was a master of shifting the mood.

“Come on, why is everyone so down? This is an event to cheer up the warriors before they leave for the final battle! Let’s send them off with laughter and joy!” His voice was full of energy, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere.

***

The send-off ceremony was held in front of the South Gate, which had been completely restored. It was a symbol of hope and resilience.

It was dark because there was no sun, but the southern wall illuminated by the torches looked magnificent enough. Today’s event was also to commemorate the completion of the restoration of this southern wall. It was a testament to their efforts.

The ceremony proceeded. It was a carefully orchestrated event.

The kings of each country offered blessings and advice to the warriors who were leaving for the expedition. Their words were filled with hope and determination.

Next to them, the children of Crossroads made flower wreaths and placed them around the necks of the heroes who would leave tomorrow. The citizens applauded thunderously each time. It was a touching display of support.

“……” I watched the scene, my heart filled with a mix of emotions.

The expressions of the heroes flickering in the torchlight were solemn, the expressions of the kings were determined, the expressions of the citizens were worried, and the children were laughing, oblivious to everything. It was a poignant tableau of the world they were fighting to protect.

It was my turn to speak as the commander-in-chief of the World Guardian Front. Instead of a declaration of departure, I read Yoon’s letter once more. The people looked touched, but I suddenly became worried. I hoped she wouldn’t regret this later.

‘Isn’t this something Yoon will be embarrassed about later when she wakes up?’ I thought, a hint of amusement mixed with concern.

I, I don’t know. It was Yoon herself who told me to read this. I don’t know about the aftermath. I could only hope for the best.

The event ended around noon, and people began to disperse in groups of twos and threes. The atmosphere was still heavy with anticipation.

I summoned the heroes who would depart tomorrow. Wearing flower necklaces around their necks, the heroes stood neatly before me. They were ready for whatever lay ahead.

“Gather in the backyard of the Lord’s mansion by 7 a.m. tomorrow.” I calmly conveyed the previously announced information once more. It was important to be clear and concise.

“Make sure you have your equipment ready, and today… rest comfortably. Don’t drink too much or overexert yourselves. I hope you each spend meaningful and precious time.” I added, my voice gentle but firm.

I smiled faintly and nodded. It was a small gesture of encouragement.

“Dismissed. See you tomorrow.” I said, my voice filled with a quiet confidence.

Clack!

The heroes, who had all saluted me at once, immediately began to disperse into their respective groups. They were all eager to spend their last moments with loved ones.

Each went to their own places to spend the eve of the final battle with their acquaintances, colleagues, families, or alone. It was a time for reflection and connection.

Watching this scene quietly, I suddenly looked towards the open South Gate. My gaze was drawn to the darkness beyond.

At the boundary with the darkness, where the light barely reached—a woman with light blue hair was standing. I walked towards her. I knew who it was.

It was Serenade. She was always there, watching over me.

She was wearing her usual suit, with a coat draped over her shoulders, facing the cold wind with her back. Her posture was as elegant as ever.

Her long blue hair and the hem of her coat fluttered in the wind. It was a beautiful and melancholic sight.

Serenade was looking south through the open South Gate. Her gaze was fixed on the horizon.

Towards the enemy territory where the expeditionary force would depart tomorrow—the direction where the Black Lake was. She was facing the heart of the darkness.

“Serenade.” I called her name as I approached, my voice soft.

“……” Serenade remained silent. She didn’t turn around.

In the darkness where the curtain was drawn and the shadows created by the lights… her expression with her eyes closed was not clearly visible. I couldn’t read her thoughts.

I was a little worried, so I lowered my head towards her. I wanted to make sure she was alright.

“Serenade, are you okay? Are you hurt-” I began, my voice filled with concern.

The next moment. Everything happened so fast.

Serenade’s long, white hand shot out, grabbed my collar, and pulled my face down— Her actions were swift and unexpected.

She kissed me. It was a sudden and passionate gesture.

It happened so quickly that I couldn’t even think of what to do and just stood there stiffly. I was completely taken by surprise. And unlike my stiff body, Serenade’s lips were endlessly soft. It was a strange and wonderful sensation.

…No, no, they weren’t. I thought they were soft, but they weren’t. My mind was racing, trying to make sense of it all.

Her lips, exhausted from overwork, were dry and chapped. She had tried to cover it with makeup, but the fatigue and pain inside didn’t disappear. It was a stark reminder of her struggles.

And that… made it even more heartbreaking. It was a painful realization.

Before I could come to my senses, the kiss ended, and our lips slowly parted. The moment was over as quickly as it had begun.

Serenade slowly let go of my collar. I awkwardly stepped back. I was still trying to process what had just happened.

My face flushed belatedly. Serenade, with her face equally red, whispered with her head bowed. Her voice was barely audible.

“If I could, I would want to stop you from leaving.” Her words were filled with a raw and vulnerable emotion.

“……” I remained silent, listening to her heartfelt confession.

“I want to grab the hem of your pants and beg you not to go into that darkness… into that hell where monsters lurk. I want you to stay by my side. I want to say, ‘Why should you risk your life among so many people in this world? Let others protect the world, and let’s run away. Let’s go far away…’ That’s what I really want to say.” Her voice was trembling with emotion.

Serenade’s silver eyes, slowly lifting her head, were shimmering with tears. Her vulnerability was heartbreaking.

“It’s selfish, isn’t it? But this is my true feeling. If the world is destroyed, I want to hold your hand and run to the other side of the world until that destruction catches up to us…” Her words were a testament to her love and fear.

“…Serenade.” I said her name softly, my heart aching for her.

“But that’s not your path.” She said, her voice filled with a sad acceptance.

Serenade tried to smile, but in the end, the overflowing tears streamed down her cheeks. Her pain was palpable.

“Because you are the kind of person who would try to save others, the world, even if you are in pain. That’s why… that’s why I love you.” Her words were a declaration of her unwavering love and admiration.

“……” I was speechless, overwhelmed by her emotions.

“I’ll wait here. Until the moment you return in triumph… so…” Her voice was filled with hope and determination.

I approached Serenade, who was finally unable to hold back her sobs, and gently embraced her, kissing her softly on the forehead. It was a gesture of comfort and affection.

As my lips touched her, Serenade closed her eyes tightly and her back trembled. It was so cute that I couldn’t help but chuckle. Her vulnerability was endearing.

“I’ll be back. So, believe in me.” I whispered, my voice filled with reassurance.

“……” She didn’t say anything, but I could feel her trust in me.

Then, Serenade looked up at me with a somewhat sulky silver gaze and said,

“Not on the forehead.” She suddenly said this, her voice a bit petulant.

I blinked, not understanding. I was completely caught off guard.

“Huh?” I asked, my voice filled with confusion.

“Not on the forehead, properly… on the lips.” She clarified, her cheeks flushed a deep red.

“……” I was completely flustered, my face probably mirroring hers.

Serenade’s face was as red as if it would burst. I was probably the same… I was at a loss and stammered, and Serenade closed her eyes tightly as if she didn’t know anymore. She was clearly embarrassed by her own boldness.

Hey! You’re supposed to lead me, what are you doing leaving it all to me! I’m a no, no, noob…! My mind was a mess, trying to figure out what to do.

‘Oh well, whatever.’ I thought, a sense of resignation washing over me.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and slowly lowered my head… and kissed Serenade again. This time, it was a more deliberate and tender kiss.

In the pitch-black winter night, we kissed for a long time. The world around us seemed to fade away.

The whole world was cold and dark, but the body heat we shared was warm. It was a small beacon of hope in the darkness.

Even if everything was submerged in darkness, if we had this warmth… I could be sure that we wouldn’t lose our way. Our connection was a source of strength.

Yes, I will never forget. This moment would be etched in my memory forever.

This small, trembling warmth that faintly filled my arms… It was a precious and irreplaceable feeling.

***

The next morning. The day of the expedition had arrived.

With a grand send-off from the soldiers and citizens lined up on either side of the teleport gate, the Black Dragon subjugation expedition departed. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of hope and trepidation.

Without any idea of what would happen in this battle. The future was uncertain, but they were ready to face it.