He pulled out the knife again and stabbed it into his abdomen.

“Anything else to say?”

“…Cough!”

“Anything else to say!”

Despite Khaled’s shout, Raul couldn’t respond, writhing in pain.

Yes, his words were not wrong.

Even though he claimed to have rebelled for the sake of the imperial citizens, in reality, Belia was the only thing in his mind.

If only that one moment they accidentally met had never happened, would everything have changed?

“He’s dead.”

Someone approached, looking contemptuously at the slumped Raul.

“…Duke Elington.”

Even though he was the former emperor and the same age as his father, seeing him maintain a young appearance felt somewhat alien.

“Your death is too simple compared to the atrocities of the emperor. The anger of the entire empire is directed at him. The empire is shrouded in darkness after encountering a catastrophe.”

“Now, if you stop the war and correct everything wrong, many people’s lives will return to peace. It will also provide peace to those who have sacrificed.”

At that moment, Duke Elington asked cautiously.

“Are you sure you won’t regret this?”

“Of course.”

Khaled answered decisively and swung the still-warm knife once, shaking off the blood.

“I entrust the empire to you. While not an affectionate rule for the imperial citizens, please make sure they no longer suffer. They have lived in a hellish life until now.”

Duke Elington nodded in response to Khaled’s words.

One was the uncle of the emperor, and the other was the emperor’s brother. It took longer than expected for them to join forces to overthrow the emperor.

Most of the imperial citizens supported and rallied behind their cause.

Even the emperor’s knights came to Duke Elington’s side every night, defecting.

However, the powerful nobles who held central power named their lavish lifestyle rebellion and organized a punitive force.

After all the just and noble ones were killed and disappeared, the ones hiding in the mansion would be dragged out by the knights.

“Duke Elington. No, my uncle.”

Khaled cast a heavy gaze toward Duke Elington.

Duke Elington silently accepted that gaze.

“…Please be a good emperor.”

Saying so, Khaled bowed his head.

“Don’t worry. Although it started as an interest, I know exactly what I need to do now.”

“…I beg of you.”

Duke Elington smiled slightly and drove the staff he held into the ground. It didn’t seem like he exerted much force, but the staff, made of carved wood, easily pierced the floor, digging into it effortlessly.

“All conditions have been met.”
The madness befitting a wizard engulfed him. Duke Elington’s face was filled with delight.

Khaled sat beside the lifeless body of Raul with a determined expression. He then raised the knife upside down, pointing it towards his own neck.

“I never thought I’d be able to cast this spell.”

“As befitting the name of a genius wizard, I hope you succeed.”

“Of course. The theory is perfect, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Duke Elington said as he infused his magic into the staff.

“I’ve said it before, but if you ever go back in time, you must find me and tell me the results of the magic. If you do, I’ll assist you even in the returned time.”

Khaled replied, agreeing to his words. Duke Elington squeezed all his magic, unfolding the formula of the spell.

And once Khaled confirmed the completion of the magic, without hesitation, he thrust the knife into his own neck.

Soon, his consciousness completely vanished.

⭐⭐⭐

Belia covered her mouth in shock. Tears seemed about to burst forth. Her eyes and nose had turned red, and she sobbed.

“It was a gamble, but as you can see, it succeeded.”

Khaled said with a smirk, jokingly.

“Of course, there was some error in the middle, and you, not me, regained memories and regressed, but…”

“I…”

Belia couldn’t continue her words.

“I intended to go to you first, carrying all the memories, but I failed spectacularly. But you found me first.”

Khaled reached out to Belia and pulled her into his arms.

“If the emotion you felt when you regained your memories was gratitude, can you believe me?”

She wanted to say something, but fearing that she might burst into tears like a child, Belia simply conveyed her feelings by hugging him tightly.

It was an unjust and miserable life and death.

If he had just closed his eyes, he would have haunted Raul’s side forever, spreading curses for all eternity, just like I told Raul.

But thanks to him, she gained one more chance.

It was an opportunity to take revenge on Raul, but it was also an opportunity to reward those who had sacrificed themselves with a new life.

He would never know how much that fact comforted her.

“When you come back, there’s something I thought I must tell you.”

Belia raised her face from the buried face in his neck, looking seriously into his eyes.

“What is it?”

“Khaled, you won the bet.”

Confused by her expression, he looked puzzled. Thanks to that, the tears that had been held back rolled down.

Ignoring his confusion, Belia opened her mouth.

“I love you.”

She lightly kissed him, and as they separated, she whispered, “I admit it. It’s my defeat.”

It was indeed her perfect defeat.

But strangely, the feeling was not as refreshing as expected.

“Congratulations. It happened as you wished.”

Body and soul, you are entirely yours.

As if enjoying the moment, Belia spoke as if to congratulate him, grabbing his cheek and kissing him deeply once again.