The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

163 – 163. Usurpation (2)

Usurpation.

I will cast you down from the throne of the One True God.

It was nothing short of the pinnacle of blasphemy, directly rejecting divinity and faith. As Edanant boasted of his usurpation, a look of fury crossed Gael’s beautiful face.

“How dare you, a mere outsider…!”

Of all times,

why, of all things, demand usurpation from an outsider who has flowed in from beyond?

A being that has stolen another’s flesh,

even snatched away another’s life.

Gael, the Earth Mother, is the benevolent creator who loves all humans of this world. Yet, the outsider who has come from the external world was the sole exception. He was not a blessed being created within the realm she governs.

Because she loves the creatures of this world above all else, the being that has arrived from outside must feel like a thorn in her eye.

A child of another’s home.

Moreover, that child of another’s home worshipped the most grotesque war among the calamities of innocence.

A being that sullies the praise of life and providence.

To her, he was a source of anger simply by existing.

“You’ve had your fill for long enough. It’s time to step down.”

“Maybe for someone else, but… I don’t want to hear it from you.”

To eternally end the world’s conclusion, the discrediting of the One True God is necessary.

It is an entirely reasonable assertion.

Gray was a curse born from the collapse of balance.

If by relinquishing the throne of the One True God, the present world and all humans could be saved, she would willingly accept it. The safety of her beloved children took precedence over the honor and glory of the pinnacle.

“I’m furious. Why, of all things…!”

She raged, tangling her beautiful pink hair like peony blossoms.

Then she lifted her gaze and glared at Edanant.

“I hate you, I hate you terribly. How can such a thorn in my eye even exist?”

“I wish I could hate myself less, but here we are.”

The only being hated by the benevolent Earth Mother.

The pain of the farthest reaches of the heavens pierced deeply.

Yet, Edanant, already accustomed to it all, shrugged his shoulders and replied.

—I will ask you, One True God.

—While Ethan saves countless people… what have you done?

The Existence of the World. The Throne of the One True God.

A dry question echoed in the mind of the One True God, standing at the crossroads of a choice that demanded the relinquishment of one side.

It was the voice of Maximilian, who had scorned him.

A wretchedly detestable parasite.

Yet, despite being an outsider, he had desperately sought to save the humans of this world more than anyone else.

Tens of thousands.

Perhaps even close to hundreds of thousands.

Beatrice sacrificed herself to save such a benefactor. Did not the lovers of the saint also accept a noble resolution, choosing the thorny path that led them to become companions of death?

“…I understand.”

The One True God, who had been silent, finally spoke.

Acceptance.

He had acquiesced to the demand for usurpation.

At that response, a look of bewilderment spread across Edanant’s face. He had never expected the One True God, who so horrifically despised him, to accept it so readily.

“But it won’t be easy. The throne of the One True God, which has endured for centuries… can only return to nothingness if someone pulls it down.”

“I know. I’ve already heard.”

The cold, azure eyes of Gael turned toward Edanant’s back. At the end of her gaze stood a girl with flowing red hair.

War.

A wicked calamity that would bring about the destruction of humanity.

Gael and Lier stared at each other with eyes filled with profound contempt. The Creator God, born from the wonder of life, and the God of Calamity, born from the greed of devastation, were as irreconcilable enemies as one could imagine.

– The habit of grinning while feeling the skin of beautiful girls remains unchanged. When will you finally graduate from this childish puppet play?

“…I should have ended you first.”

Gael sighed deeply, tousling his pink hair.

In response, Lier let out a thin, cold laugh.

“An outsider from beyond.”

“Yeah.”

“You have the right to usurp the throne. And you have ample justification to do so.”

“…….”

He encompassed deities as numerous as the stars in the night sky and claimed the throne of the One True God. To relinquish the glory of centuries would require immense courage.

Would it have been possible without the sacrifices of the saintly party?

No,

He would never accept the proposal offered by the outsider.

Gael acknowledged the qualifications and justifications for the usurpation as he gazed at Edanant. At that moment, Lierre displayed a look of bewilderment at the sight of the one true god humbly accepting the usurpation of the throne.

“I will wait in the land where the era of the one true god begins. So go ahead, try to pull me down from the throne. If your usurpation succeeds, you will bring the era of the one true god to an end with your own hands.”

“Very well.”

As soon as the words were spoken, Beatrice’s body swayed precariously.

She must be trying to end the possession.

Edanant hurriedly stepped forward and embraced the staggering Beatrice. The saintess, with her pink hair cascading like peonies, fell into his arms.

“…Beatrice.”

A warmth as gentle as sunlight enveloped him.

Through him, he realized that Beatrice had finally returned.

* * *

The decisive battle was over.

The icy winds that had scattered like a momentary spring breeze spoke of victory.

The clouds of death had lifted.

Even the permafrost plains, covered in snow and ice, would someday return to their original form.

As the dark clouds dispersed, brilliant sunlight bestowed its radiance. The great mages, who had engaged in a back-and-forth struggle against the minions of death, inadvertently uttered impure words that tasted of divine miracles.

“Son!”

Pash-.

The chains of the fallen angel scattered like grains of sand.

At the same moment, a slender man collapsed with a thud.

Shoulder-length indigo hair.

A face as haggard as a wasteland, with sharp features.

The archlich, symbolizing the pinnacle of corrupted magic, instantly transformed back into the form of a youthful man. With a scream that bordered on a shriek, Querisa embraced her beloved son.

“Ma, Master of the Tower…?”

“…Call me mother.”

She caressed his face.

And then she traced his neck and shoulders.

He was not undead.

He had returned to being human.

The information conveyed by sight made it difficult to fully accept the miracle unfolding before her. So, Querisa held Madveigh tightly, as if to confirm his survival, her embrace fierce enough to elicit a scream from him.

“I’m in pain all over! Just like that time I got beaten up by dozens of people in a bar…!”

“Perhaps, it seems Ethan did it.”

A miracle unfolded that was utterly incomprehensible.

Felix and Regnas were convinced it was Edanant’s doing.

“Felix, Regnas.”

A young man with black hair approached, limping on one leg.

As he reunited with his comrades, who had returned to their original selves, a faint smile etched itself onto his previously stoic face.

“Ethan defeated the Essence of Death. No, to be precise… he transferred the Essence of Death to another vessel.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“It’s a long story to explain. I’m at a loss as to how and where to begin.”

“I understand. There must be limits to your desperate rhetoric when it comes to grand explanations.”

The sage who had accepted the Essence of Death, along with the Mercenary King and the Swordmaster, also returned to their human forms.

Upon hearing the news, Ludmila and Jeblin gazed at the Demon King’s castle with trembling eyes.

It was all over.

Now Ethan would surely return with Beatrice.

He wanted to rush into the Demon King’s castle immediately to find Edanant, but he decided to wait. After overcoming all adversities and realizing a miracle, the hero needed nothing more than a warm welcome.

“Ethan!”

As he anxiously awaited in vague anticipation,

Edanant finally revealed himself.

He was not alone.

He returned with Elizabeth, carrying the unconscious Beatrice on his back.

The war fanatic was in tatters, a testament to the countless hardships he had endured. Yet, the princess and the saint greeted him with bright smiles.

“Hey, you reverse harem slaves. Take the sleepy saint away.”

Regnas. Madvey. Felix.

After confirming the safety of his comrades, Edanant shrugged his shoulders and spoke.

Then the Swordmaster, the sage, and the Mercenary King staggered over and embraced Edanant.

“Thank you, Ethan!”

“You saved us once again.”

“I’m sorry…! I love you…!”

With Beatrice on his back, there was no way to resist the fervent camaraderie of his comrades. Edanant screamed in the grip of the men who held him tightly.

And Maximilian quietly watched this warm scene from behind.

“It’s a bit unfortunate to have my turn taken away… but I can’t disrupt my comrades’ hospitality.”

“Well, they are comrades with many stories to tell. Let’s make an exception just for today.”

Ludmila and Jeblin knew better than anyone the efforts that Edanant had made to find their missing comrades.

At last,

At last, they were reunited.

It was all the result of Edanant’s desperate efforts and attempts up to this point.