Evan D. Sherden, Into the Final Chapter (1)

While feeling the overwhelming power of Annihilation 2 course throughout his body, Evan was speechless as God continued.

[It seems that I have one more blessing to give you.]

“I would have gotten angry if you didn’t.”

[So, you knew. Alright, you deserve the blessing from all the gods as you’ve completed every dungeon. So, here is your reward.]

A shining crystal appeared in the empty air, with a golden liquid splashing inside. Evan knew what it was. He had received it several times in the game.

“The holy water of all gods.”

[How you use it is up to you. Even though it’s a rare item that only those who have completed all dungeons and gained the favors from the gods can receive, it’s not a surprise for someone who has Annihilation 2 like you.]

“I’m sorry, but please don’t call it Annihilation 2.”

The holy water of all gods. It was a treasure that could rarely be obtained after exploring the deepest floors of Sherden, Pellati, and Merdin dungeons, like what God said. It was known for its superb effectiveness as an ingredient to create the highest-tier potion. And what mattered was that it was one of the key items in creating the Elixir!

‘Now, what’s left is the Hell Ruby.’

Evan realized that he still had a long way to go. Of course, it would be hard to obtain Hell Ruby, which could only be found in the Demon realm…

[A child that walks on the path of miracle. Do you know the significance of you completing this dungeon?]

“It means that the Demon King can be resurrected.”

God was surprised and became silent, but as he realized it was Evan whom he was talking to, he started to reply in a calmer voice after clearing his throat.

[If you knew about it, then there’s nothing more that we can tell you. Although we lament our helplessness in not being able to intervene directly and entrusting our children with everything…we ask of you. Please save the world with your demonic power.]

“Annihilation 2 isn’t a demonic power, you know!?”

Before exiting the dungeon, he checked the reward boxes on the 100th floor, but there wasn’t anything special. Well, it would be hard to expect a drop item better than what the members were currently equipped with.

“Master!”

“Master!”

“Commander!”

“Master!”

“Mr. Evan!”

As Evan returned back from the dungeon, his members surrounded him right away. He consoled them and briefly explained what had happened to him.

“I was expecting it would take us about a month to complete the Merdin Dungeon…”

“It’s already crazy when you plan on completing a dungeon within a month, but you are beyond all logic since you’ve completed it in a second, Master.”

“Anyways, things turned out like this, so here’s a change of plan. There won’t be any monsters even if you enter the dungeon now.”

Originally, Evan planned on sending Louise’s party into the Merdin Dungeon like how the story of a hero went. But it had already been completed, and only despair remained in the land of Merdin, so nobody was in the mood for putting up with a celebration.

“All things are set, so we’ll head to the Eternal Glacier.”

“Finally.”

“Yes.”

Four years had passed since Evan actively executed all plans with one goal in his mind. Evan made eye contact with those looking at him, and he made a firm declaration.

“We will defeat the Demon King.”

* * *

Since it was already late, the members decided to stay the night in Merdin. While the priests were busy in their cleansing rituals, Maybell thoroughly cleaned the lord’s castle. The hall shined bright, the displayed decorations and paintings became clean, and all windows were so clear they squeaked when touched. Even the chandeliers on the ceiling glowed brightly.

“It’s as if someone just changed the infrastructure of this castle, right?”

“Ahem, the work of an excellent maid!”

The fact that this couldn’t possibly be done by a maid by herself didn’t matter for now. Evan narrowed his eyes and replied to her appropriately.

“You are no longer a maid but the chairwoman of the Brotherhood Corporation.”

“I always want to stay as your maid, Master!”

Judging by her maid attire, she actually intended to work as his maid. The fact that she was hiding without showing her presence or staying clean with her maid uniform wasn’t tackled by Evan.

“Uh, excuse me…”

“Oh, Lucid. What’s up?”

While Belois was preparing food for everyone, the members were resting together regardless of their groups. This was how Lucid was able to approach Evan.

“Actually…I wanted to thank you for protecting us earlier…”

“Oh?”

Evan sounded surprised when he realized where Lucid was looking. Meanwhile, Maybell pretended she didn’t know and turned her head.

“I’m not sure what you are talking about…”

“Thank you for eliminating the enemies we didn’t notice…thank you.”

“Guess you were discovered, Maybell.”

“No, no way! I’m just your normal maid. Probably it was a sexy cool Unnie that looked like me that helped you guys, isn’t it?”

“Cool and sexy Unnie, huh. Don’t you feel ashamed calling yourself by such a nickname?”

It seemed like she had thick skin. Evan shook his head and turned to Lucid.

“As expected, you can become stronger, Lucid. Do your best as always.”

“Uh. Then, Commander, may I learn the hiding skill from that person!?”

Evan’s eyes widened. What an enthusiastic boy! But taking things objectively, Maybell didn’t undergo training for her hiding skill, so she wouldn’t be the best fit as a teacher. And actually, Maybell was tilting her head at Lucid’s request.

“Hiding skill, I’m not sure. I just learned it since I tried hard to always be next to someone I love…”

“Nice term for a stalker.”

Evan was dumbfounded by Maybell’s answer, but Lucid seemed to be amazed. Huh, was her reply that touching?

“Ah, I see…”

“What’s this? Was there something that the master of hiding learned from that meaningless sentence?”

“Meaningless! How can you look down on the fruits of my love for you, Master!?”

“But I don’t like the fruit of stalking…”

“Thank you…”

As Evan was talking to Maybell with a frightened expression, Lucid spoke briefly and left quietly. Evan thought of a possibility as he watched him leave.

“That guy…so he did.”

“What’s that about, Master?”

Maybell knew what was going on, but she pretended she didn’t and asked. Evan shook his head.

“You really are a fool, Maybell. He was disappointed by the true image of a person whom he wanted to regard as a teacher for the very first time.”

“…I’m not sure who the fool is, really.”

And as the foolish talk was ongoing, the preparation for dinner was finished. The cooking skill of Belois, who was trained by the head maid since she was young, was excellent.

“Master.”

Louise was eating across where Evan sat. The two were able to sit close to each other thanks to the consideration from the other girls. Still, honestly, Evan felt the guilt swallowing him whenever he received such consideration. And the attention from the High Elf and the Succubus Queen who were staring at him bluntly from behind was too threatening.

“What’s up, Louise?”

Evan tried his best to ignore the attention from his back and focused on Louise. She spoke to Evan with embarrassment while biting on an empty spoon.

“Uh…tonight, can I visit you?”

“…”

Evan found his determination while facing her look filled with primal desires, but there was one thing he had to confirm.

“I’m a citizen of Sherden. You sure know what that means, right?”

“Yes, of course. But uhm…I believe there are different types of marriage.”

Louise’s ears reddened.

“Based on the current condition of Merdin…I will be stuck in Merdin for several years until it is restored back to its glory days. I might not be able to meet you properly for a long time.”

“You know about that and you still insist?”

“Yes, that’s why, I want to have proof that I have a connection with you, Master…”

As expected, that was why. He had a vague idea of the emotion that she felt for him. A horribly deep and absolute level of dependence instead of pure love. Probably her emotions were formed by what she had been through including her childhood, the escape from Merdin, and the events during her stay with Astray. But nothing would change from stating the facts. Erasing the painful memories won’t remove their traces.

“So please…Master. Can’t it be done?”

It was Evan who took the responsibility to take her in as his student. Even if establishing such a relationship was needed for both of them, it was Evan who had her take the role in the scenario and participate in the play that led them to this city. So, these side effects must be endured.

“I’ll come to you. Wait for me.”

“…!”

Louise’s expression brightened. And the stares Evan received from behind became more threatening, but he tried his best to ignore them for now.

“So, make yourself prettier.”

“Haaa…!”

Louise blushed even more at Evan’s joke. And even the stares from his back…

‘Everyone knew what would happen. so why are they doing this to me!?’

“Master!”

“No, not now. Not right now. It’s dangerous.”

As Evan comforted Louise, who was overflowing with emotions, he let out a deep sigh. Even Belois, who was having her dinner with Arisha across from Evan, seemed to sigh, as well.

“Then I, I will get in first!”

Louise stood up abruptly. The stares that were stuck on her as she left the hall got redirected to Evan once she completely left.

“What? Did you guys prepare for this?”

“Nope, we just take pity on you…aren’t the burdens too much on you, Master?”

“Pity? It’s not even a burden, you know.”

In fact, it was too much of a burden. But if he were to run away from them, he would have rejected everyone except Belois. Evan finished up his meal in a second and stood up.

“Everyone, you did a good job today. But I’m sure you know that the things that are about to come are more important.”

“Although the Demon King will be done in a second, too.”

“Where did you learn such expressions?”

After scolding Shine for a bit, Evan cleared his throat. And he faced Save, who was silently looking at him.

“Save.”

“…!”

It was a rare sight for Evan to directly talk to Save. It was because of the instinctual denial related to the scenario from Yo-Ma Great War 3. But everything changed to the point that he can no longer linger on the actual storyline. As he now confirmed that the biggest contributor of the denial, Arisha, fell in love with him, he just ended up avoiding Save as a habit.

“I’m listening.”

“I got the vague idea that you know things more than I do. And I thank you for helping me until now.”

“Argh, the honor is all mine…!”

Save seemed to be deeply moved…Yup, this impression of him helped in forgetting about the denial Evan had for him.

“So, please help me once more from now on. Defeating the Demon King, I intend to have you guys take up the task entirely.”

“Leave it to me!”

The Demon King was a formidable enemy, an absolute evil that made everyone in the world shiver. Since Save believed in himself and Evan, his answer in Evan’s call to defeat the Demon King was as confident as ever.

“I’ll entrust it to you. You can confirm the data through Louise by tomorrow. The scenario that started from the moment you entered the city will end by defeating the Demon King.”

“Aaaah…!”

The pleasure that sprung from being chosen by Evan and the sense of achievement that comes from perfectly carrying out all missions so far with Evan by his side! Save was exhilarated as he was overwhelmed by his emotions. Right this moment, a tremendous change happened to his status!

“Yeah, well. So, rest well for the day.”

Evan succeeded in not showing his confusion as he saw what was going on!

“You guys too, so just in case, everyone will take the role of support in the battle against the Demon King. Be ready for it.”

“Of course.”

“Absolutely.”

“So, it finally comes to an end. And it will be the beginning of everything…”

Evan pretended he didn’t hear the last part and let out a deep sigh.

“Good, then I’ll be back.”

“Enjoy your night.”

“Shut up, Shine.”

Evan left and head to the bedroom where Louise was waiting. Thanks to the magical barrier Belois personally cast, the morning came without everyone knowing what happened in there that night.