Why do you think the Arwen Empire will lose?

No matter how excellent magical engineering weapons are, they are ultimately wielded by people. In terms of military strength, the Arwen Empire cannot even be compared to the Karlua Empire. And even if they fall short of what you have created, the magical engineering weapons possessed by the Karlua Empire cannot be ignored.

That was not wrong.

The world did not have only the magical engineering weapons I had created. Considering that weapons could also be acquired through other arms dealers, the Karlua Empire, with its overwhelming military power, had a higher probability of victory.

Askan, who until recently served as the captain of the royal guard, would have a more accurate judgment than I did.

… If what you say is true, then I should think of a way for the Arwen Empire to win.

At my declaration—utterly refusing to give up—Askan’s expression grew complicated.

I won’t tell you to abandon revenge. But how about waiting a little longer and observing the situation?

Why? Even if we wait, nothing’s going to change.

I wasn’t necessarily insisting on starting a war immediately, but I had to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

Given that the Arwen Empire already had low odds of winning the war, even starting preparations now might take a very long time.

Askan looked at me, puzzled, and answered in a low voice.

Things will change. I intend to destroy the Karlua Empire myself someday.

This was the first time Askan had directly said something like this.

Just as I had been honest with him, he seemed to have decided not to hide anything from me anymore.

Suddenly, I recalled what Askan had told me when he left the Karlua Empire.

—I could have killed the Emperor, but I didn’t. Given what he did to you, killing him a thousand times wouldn’t be enough—but for me, there’s a reason the Emperor must stay alive.

Thinking back, Askan had chosen not to kill Helsion even though he could have.

—I’ve been secretly planning something with Bill. If the Emperor dies, it’ll all turn to nothing. I can’t reveal everything right now, but someday I’ll tell you honestly.

It was probably something related to the world’s destruction.

I’d long suspected this, but there had never been a right moment to bring it up. Now that Askan had opened up like this, I couldn’t help but ask what I was curious about.

Let me ask you bluntly. Are you planning to use the Karlua Empire to bring down other empires?

At my question, Askan’s eyes widened in surprise.

Apparently, he hadn’t expected I’d guess this far.

In truth, based solely on his actions, this would have been impossible to deduce—but I had read the novel, so I knew the hidden storylines.

… How did you know?

Askan didn’t deny it. He only seemed curious about how I had found out.

Since I couldn’t honestly say I’d read the novel, I was pondering what excuse to make when I suddenly remembered—he suffered from amnesia.

Well, ten years ago, you often said you wanted to destroy the entire world. So I just had a hunch.

Askan’s expression shifted subtly.

But back then, I wasn’t exactly burning with revenge—did I really say that?

Though events weren’t unfolding exactly as in the novel, the death of the laboratory children occurred when Askan was recaptured and taken back to the Karlua Empire.

As he himself said, the time he spent with me had nothing to do with revenge—but once words were spoken, they couldn’t be taken back.

I quickly thought on my feet and replied.

Yes. I know you were subjected to human weapon experiments. You probably wanted to take revenge on the world that made you like that.

Askan looked slightly skeptical, but since he wasn’t being fully honest, there was no way for me to know the truth—he accepted my explanation.

I see. I never expected I’d have told you all that.

It’s not pleasant, so I also deliberately pretended not to know until now. But it’s something I’ve always wanted to discuss with you someday.

Ha. Ten years ago, I really had a loose tongue. I intended to reveal it someday, but learning you already knew everything feels a bit disheartening.

It wasn’t just anyone—I felt a pang of conscience lying to Askan.

But since this was the world inside a book, and I couldn’t honestly tell him he was the ultimate villain character, I had no choice.

Askan had endured a tragic past severe enough to make him wish for the world’s destruction. If he learned his suffering was merely a fictional story, he might be deeply hurt.

It wasn’t that I feared he wouldn’t believe me because it sounded absurd.

Sometimes, the truth can wound—and that’s why I couldn’t reveal it.

Askan spoke.

Since you already know everything, I can speak more freely. As you guessed, I need the Karlua Empire to bring about the world’s destruction. I plan to topple other empires first, and finally make the Karlua Empire self-destruct.

Indeed, my suspicions were correct.

If I were in his position, I’d certainly have done the same.

But I didn’t fully sympathize with his decision to choose world destruction.

… Since we’re talking about this, let me be honest. Do you really have to destroy the world?

Askan stiffened, clearly not expecting me to say this. He answered in a slightly roughened voice.

The children who underwent experiments with me are dead. Having promised them revenge, I cannot live without fulfilling that promise.

There are many kinds of revenge. Among them, choosing world destruction—is that really you?

… You’re not wrong. But among the powerful figures of each nation, is there anyone capable of conducting human weapon experiments who would choose not to? They are potential individuals who could restart human weapon experiments at any moment—greedy people could revive them anytime.

I understood what he meant.

There could be more victims like Askan and the laboratory children.

Having lived as an orphan in my previous life, I knew well—it was profoundly unjust for powerless people to suffer such fates.

But isn’t it too generalized to say all powerful figures are like that? Surely some, even if capable, would never attempt human weapon experiments.

Cutting out the rotten part of a spoiled apple doesn’t make the apple fresh again.

His words carried deep meaning.

I couldn’t say Askan was wrong. But since countless lives depended on his decision, I couldn’t simply back down.

As you know, war means many people die or are injured. Have you thought about how many lives would be lost in destroying the world? Countless civilians will perish before any powerful figures do.

Perhaps it’s better to die than to be treated as less than human.

That’s a decision for them to make. You cannot decide it for them.

Askan stared at me with dark eyes, then answered in an even deeper voice.

Do you think I haven’t considered that? Since you’re saying this much, let me ask you one thing—if the deceased laboratory children had been your father or twin sibling, would you still say the same?

…!

My words caught in my throat.

Because of Charles’s death, I had steeled myself for war against the Karlua Empire.

I couldn’t say my desire for revenge, shared with Orland, differed from Askan’s feelings.

Of course, my revenge was limited to the Karlua Empire, whereas Askan went a step further, desiring world destruction.

Askan continued in a low voice.

I’ve concluded that holding a few people accountable cannot satisfy my grudge. I simply want the entire world—which turned its back on us—to taste the same despair and misfortune.

The more he spoke, the more I felt the depth of Askan’s desperate rage.

Human hearts are strange. Sometimes, you wish others never endure the pain you felt—but other times, you simultaneously wish they suffer exactly as you did.

Askan wanted to return to the world the same pain he had endured.

If the deceased had been Orland, Noxia, or even Askan himself—could I still speak so calmly?

Since I hadn’t personally experienced it, I couldn’t be certain. Perhaps my emotions would have overwhelmed me, making rational judgment impossible.

… You’re right. If I were in your situation, I might have made the same choice.

I knew Askan’s desire for world destruction didn’t stem from shortsightedness—his heart carried immense, accumulated fury.

He looked surprised, apparently not expecting me to concede so readily. I met his gaze squarely and continued.

But precisely because I’m an outsider, I can tell you objectively—the path you’re heading down is not right.

…

Askan said nothing. Only a flicker of emotion passed through his abyss-like eyes.

According to your logic, all powerful figures of every nation must die—so does that mean you’ll kill me and my family, the Brellof House?

… Are you testing me with your life right now?

Yes. If you spare me and my family just because I’m your lover, that’s unfair. It would make you no different from the powerful figures you despise.

Askan frowned. Gently caressing my face with a sorrowful expression, he slowly spoke.

Do you ask this, knowing you’re my greatest weakness? The one I’d give my life to protect—you think I could possibly kill you with my own hands? That’s absurd.

Askan’s gaze toward me was unbearably tender. Even in this moment, I felt his love for me—and I laughed helplessly.

Truthfully, I didn’t want to reproach him—I wanted to embrace and comfort his wounded heart.

If Askan truly desired world destruction, a twisted affection in me even wanted to support him by creating excellent magical engineering weapons.

But I didn’t—because more than anyone, I wished for Askan’s happiness.

Ever since I transmigrated into this book, I resolved—the ending of this novel must be a happy one.

And the person I most wanted to make happy was none other than Askan.

I do too—I cherish you most of all. That’s why I won’t stand by and watch you become miserable, left with only emptiness and desolation after the world’s destruction.

To destroy the world meant staining your hands with the blood of countless people.

Having killed so many, Askan could never be truly happy—and that was the one thing I could never tolerate.

Tanashia…

Askan tried to speak, but I didn’t stop.

You said holding a few people accountable wouldn’t satisfy your grudge—but I think differently. Let’s identify everyone actually involved in human weapon experiments and punish them all. Then, let’s create laws to ensure no nation ever conducts experiments on humans again. I’ll help you every step of the way.

I’d thought long and hard—how could I resolve Askan’s fury?

My conclusion: to create strong, preventative laws ensuring such tragedies never happen again.

Applying them across all nations wouldn’t be easy—but if Askan permitted it, I’d work tirelessly until my death to make it happen.

If successful, those involved in human weapon experiments would be punished, while other innocent people would remain unharmed.

My proposal clearly surprised Askan—astonishment flickered in his eyes.

After a moment of deep thought, he answered in a low voice.

… I understand what you mean. I’ll think about it.

It wasn’t a firm answer, but for now, it was enough. I never expected him to abandon his long-held dream of world destruction overnight.

I clasped Askan’s hand and smiled happily.

Thank you. Maybe I overstepped by interfering. But please, think about it seriously.

At my sincere words, Askan nodded as if to say he understood.

We started talking about the Karlua Empire, and somehow ended up here. I understand you’re prepared even for war. But for now, I hope you’ll put it on hold.

To destroy the world as Askan intended, the Karlua Empire was necessary. He hadn’t yet made his final decision, so starting a war prematurely was impossible.

Of course, war wasn’t something Orland and I could decide unilaterally.

Understood. As you said, the Arwen Empire is currently at a disadvantage—starting a war immediately is difficult. The problem is Father—he might act rashly out of anger… I’ll watch him carefully.

Yes. In the meantime, I’ll sort out my own thoughts.

Nothing had been decided yet—but having told him everything I wanted to say, my heart felt lighter.

After our heated discussion, a brief silence settled between us.

Suddenly, Askan spread his arms toward me and said,

May I hold you?

His unexpected question made me laugh softly without realizing it.

Though the request came out of nowhere, I rose without hesitation and stepped into his embrace. Then, feigning sternness as if scolding him, I said,

Between us, that kind of question is forbidden. Whenever you want to hold me, just hold me.

I felt Askan tighten his arms around me even more firmly.

Burying his face in my neck, he spoke in a deeply subdued voice.

Please… don’t hate me.

At first, I didn’t understand—but soon, I realized what he meant.

Today, we’d spoken about human weapon experiments and world destruction—all the secrets Askan had hidden until now.

He was worried that, having seen his dark side, I might come to hate him.

I found it both exasperating and unbearably cute—I wanted to pinch his cheek.

Honestly, you’re so cute I could die.

… What?

Clearly caught off guard by my unexpected reply, Askan sounded flustered.

Ah, I meant to think that to myself, but it slipped out loud.

At my words, Askan chuckled lowly, as if he couldn’t help himself. Nestled in his arms, I too smiled happily.