Translator: yun

Nothing . We are merely here to serve you.

What a disaster. While I was occupied, I noticed more people filling in the spots in my vision. At the same time, the diary began glowing dimly. A haze of purple and gold began to swirl around me. Why was the haze, which had always been purple, also containing some gold now? But I couldnt care less at the moment.

You have no need to be wary. We are not here for a fight.

How can I believe you?

As if to say the woman could not possibly appease my apprehension, I shook my head. Just then, I felt a dull shock strike the back of my neck. As I turned around, frowning, I spotted a face I hadnt expected to see. The shock had felt like nothing more than a throb.

Did you know? You cant feel pain. That is one of the abilities of the Heir of Death.

A slender hand wrapped itself around my neck before bringing something to block my nose. The scent of what smelled like a concoction of a thousand flowers wafted into my nose. Ah, I recognised this scent. I was motionless. With my vision gradually fading away, I fainted.

***

In my dreams, I was wandering through a thick fog.

If I got anything out of the countless nightmares I had, it would be the ability to recognise that I was in a dream. My dreams had always started with me walking along the hallway of a white palace but this time, it started off differently.

I had found myself in a space I had never seen before in my dreams of death.

Woah

These wooden bookshelves were not like the ones I was familiar with. I was glad to see modern bookshelves again. I turned my head a little to see my old desk with its drawer slightly opened. The hat I liked to wear was also draped on the hanger.

How long had it been since I last saw my room? I mean, this was the first time I was seeing it ever since reincarnating into this world. The bookshelves were filled with books. With my most cherished books arranged neatly within. I smiled at the countless novels I had packed onto the shelf. I scoured it before picking one that had been squeezed between two books.

The <Light of Rusbella>.

The gleaming gold leaf on its cover seemed to have an unusual glow. I flipped the book open. I already knew everything but I still read about the world I had been in just moments before in the form of a book. Just when I was about to turn the first page. Someone burst into my room.

What are you doing?

Wondering who it was, I stared at the perpetrator. It was strange. I was sure the voice belonged to a friend I knew and was close to so long ago but I couldnt see her face. As if only her face had been whitened out and I could see nothing behind the white-out. Telling myself that it was just a dream, I nodded my head. My friend waved her hands, gesturing at me to hurry.

I made instant noodles. Its going to get soggy. Come eat!

Ah. Hold on. Let me just read this.

Just as she pulled at my hand, she tilted her head.

What are you reading?

Huh? Of course, this book

There was nothing in my hands.

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What are you reading? Theres nothing there.

The bookshelf looked the same as before. There were no empty spots a book should be in. The only difference now was the disappearance of the <Light of Rusbella>. As if it had never existed in the first place.

But

When I lowered my head, a book appeared in my hands again.

Here it is!

The book existed. How could it not? But when I exclaimed, the <Light of Rusbella> had shattered into shards of light right in front of me. When the book disappeared, as if it had taken off its shell, it left the diary behind.

The diary

The diary was floating in the air and it felt like it was staring at me. I swept my hand across the rough leather cover. It was pulsating, alternating between purple and golden glows.

The diary. It fluttered open and words began writing themselves.

[Its time for you to awaken. Ashley.]

[The truth is not far off.]

When I looked up, I was once again plunged into the darkness.

***

I woke up with a start. Panting for air, I took deep breaths. What kind of dream was that? It was a little vague but I knew that it had been the world I was in in my past life. The dream had faded and disappeared as soon as I woke up.

It was strange. I always had such vivid nightmares. But I never had a dream I could not remember before. I rustled my hair roughly.

Are you up now?

Turning my head, I found someone sitting in front of me. From my tilted vision, I could tell I was lying down. As I took the blanket off me and propped myself up the bed, in spite of my blurry vision, I made eye contact with the boy.

Pontus.

The boy flashed a wide smile.

Yes. I think you know my other name as well.

Squinting one of my eyes, I stared at Pontus. I swept my forehead. I was sweating.

The Head Templar of Snow and the Sea.

He nodded as if to tell me I was correct. What was he plotting? The boys wide smile invoked my vigilance.

Why did you bring me here after knocking me out?

My apologies. That was something I had not expected either.

Erasing his smile, Pontus looked apologetic. He didnt seem to be lying. I could sense a touch of worry in his blue eyes.

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Anyway, you seem to be suffering from pain commonly associated with awakening. The stronger your powers, the worse the pain is and the more vicious your nightmares become.

Perhaps I was sweating too much because my head was throbbing. My vision was shaking. But I tried to maintain eye contact with the boy in front of me.

Tell me what you want. You didnt bring me here just for that explanation.

My head was throbbing. I couldnt bring myself to speak well. And I couldnt understand why he was looking at me so forlornly. Perhaps it was because of Hernan but I was wary of unprovoked goodwill. Pontus smoothly steeled his expression before smiling calmly.

Let me formally introduce myself. I am Pontus. The Head Templar of Snow and the Sea.

I could hear distant footsteps.

I also serve the Heir of Death and lead the Templars of Chaos.

The next moment, my eyes widened.

I have been looking for you, searching for you for a long time now.

Now kneeling on one knee, the boy looked up at me.

I pledge allegiance to milord.

The boys eyes were swirling with colours of indigo-violet. The colour dyed his eyes and diffused into his eyes like a haze.

What are you talking about?

You are the Heir of Death. The only one who can oppose the Heir to the Lord of the Gods.

I raised my head at the unfamiliar title.

I am the Heir to the Lord of the Gods

No. You have both powers simultaneously. But you are definitely the Heir of Death.

Pontus held my hand before planting a kiss on it. Just then, a chill clawed into my spine. I stared at the white smoke rising from the ground.

I have been waiting for the day I finally meet you.

A purple haze rose. Before wrapping itself around Pontus. Just then, the hand that was grabbing mine seemed to grow bigger.

I had been cursed by the Templars of Death to be unable to grow. I am a traitor who betrayed Auresia.

As the boys shoulders grew, I had to raise my line of sight to maintain eye contact. Before I realised it, I was staring at a grown man looking back at me with a serious gaze. This was a look impossible to find in that boys figure before.

You are the one to end all tragedies. To lead the Templars of Death who had been massacred so long ago and the Templars of indiscriminate Chaos.

The man planted another kiss on the back of my hand.

Milord, please become the emperor.

He then lifted his head.

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Please end the tragedies. Everything has been prepared for you.

I didnt speak for a while. The heavy atmosphere was weighing down on me. The throbbing headache and the countless thoughts in my head was making me dizzy. It was not like I didnt understand him. But what was he talking about? Me, the emperor? Where else could I hear such dreamlike nonsense? It felt like he was making fun of me. All that I had dealt with. All that I had been through.

And I wasnt talking about my deaths.

As a princess, as an unknown Imperial member, I had been humiliated to the point of disdain. I had adapted and endured all that was thrown at me because I had no desire to climb up the ranks. Because I had no interest in the power and authority that would make everyone look up to me.

But what did this man just say to me? I let out a bellow. All I could think about was all the scorn and sneers I received.

Is that why you brought me here? This useless nonsense?

I had enough of the dirt caking on my skin after rolling in an unimaginable amount of mud. And this man was now offering me a ticket to another hell. The throne, huh. Who would I have to compete to reach it? Castor?

Of course, I loathed him. But I didnt want to drag him down just to get up there. Why? Why was I responsible for saving the Empire? I was just a small citizen who only wished for the happiness of the people I loved and myself. I knew myself well. I was not fit to be emperor.

Look here. Head Templar.

Moreover, it was impossible.

I am the Princess.

According to the Empires laws, a princess could not become the emperor. I had been sick and tired of hearing about that law.

Theres no way you would be ignorant of the Empires laws.

He looked at me seriously before saying.

You can become the new emperor.

I couldnt hold my anger back any longer. What was he trying to make me do? I threw what was in my hand.

Do you have any idea about the life I had been living? !? I have lived through hell!

A hell he could never possibly imagine. I had not lived a day without being reminded of hell through my nightmares. So that I could be happy one day.

Who do you think you are to burden me further?

I would have never reacted like this if someone I loved had brought this up. They had seen me, they knew me, they had watched me. They never forced me to sacrifice anything. Instead, they would take the burden for me. Which was why I tried to protect them. I tried to shoulder more for them.

To become the emperor, I would have to win against the 2nd Prince and Castor. And when I become emperor, what then?

The screaming female templars can return to their lives.

I stared at him with my mouth agape. Looking as serious as before, Pontus held my hand. In his multi-coloured eyes, a purple haze was fading into his eyes like flowers. The chill from under my feet was getting stronger.

And princess, you can get your life back too.

My life?

Do you not know why you were sent here?

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What was he talking about? The emperor had sent me here. To find evidence of collusion to hold a coup between the Templars of Snow and the Sea and the Templars of Chaos Hold on, Pontus had just said it himself. He had confessed that he was the Head Templar of Snow and the Sea and he was also leading the Templars of Chaos at the same time.

Was the emperor not aware of this?

No.