The Kingmaker System
Chapter 286 - 285. What Ifs (1)

Chapter 286: 285. What Ifs (1)

There were things to do as well as things to confirm first. I wondered if I would survive this or not, I had a plan but, I didn’t know if I was strong enough to execute it. There wasn’t anyone else who was strong enough to help me and involving anyone else would put them in danger.

If Silas knew of what I was planning then he would fly all the way up here and chew my ears before dragging me back. I had people waiting for me, people who trusted their lives in my hands, people who loved me.

Was I really ready to take this step?

"Would I be able to handle it?" I mumbled to myself as I sat in my room.

[Defender of Divine Glory advices that if you aren’t sure you must not go ahead with it.]

"There aren’t many options, that demon... He knows a lot and he has been creating troubles for a long time."

[Goddess of Wisdom asks you to find an alternative method.]

"The said alternative method is not acceptable." I clarified.

[Giver of Gifts says that everything will end of you fail.]

This hit me like a punch in the gut. If I died here then everything that I did would go downt he drain, the time might go back again and someone else will be in Reina’s body with the responsibility of this world.

"What if I fail?"

For the first time in this lifetime, I was scared of this possibility.

I could die or worse lose myself and give my power in the hands of a demon who would bring chaos to this world.

I suddenly felt as if I was standing on the edge of a cliff and below was nothing but pitch black abyss. I couldn’t go back and I couldn’t use my wings. The only thing I could do was taken a leap of faith and hope that I would be able to land somewhere and get on my feet again.

But what if I couldn’t land?

[Defender of Divine Glory warns that if you submitted to the demon you would lose the support from the system as well as from him.]

[Goddess of Wisdom says she agrees with Defender of Divine Glory and that you will also lose her support.]

I waited for the Giver of Gifts to threaten me with withdrawing her support.

[Giver of Gifts prays that your plan would work.]

I stared at the notification of one support and felt a tug at my chest.

"You think I’ll manage to make it work."

[Giver of Gifts says that you have a lot of people’s love and support and that you have successfully reached this far, that explains her trust.]

I almost chuckled at that and felt the surge of motivation fill me again.

"It’s fine if you guys withdraw your support," I said.

"But I’ll make this work, if not then, I’ll at least take down that demon."

[Goddess of Wisdom insists that you will still fail.]

[Defender of Divine Glory says that they don’t have any more chances to turn back time, if you fail this world will end.]

"Then I’m your last and only bet."

I stood up and looked at the mirror, my reflection was the same, there were scales on my skin, the black inky tendrils were still latched onto them.

"Give me an all in guys, trust me on this one. You have been entertained by my actions for a long time now, if I were the end this now, I’ll make sure to give you an ending worth remembering."

There was silence for a moment before a notification popped up and I almost chuckled.

[Defender of Divine Glory and Goddess of Wisdom have assigned you a compulsary task.]

[Survive the Demon’s plan no matter what.]

[Reward: The Unconditional support from both the Patrons.

Failure: Death.]

"You guys love me too much, don’t you?"

It was just a couple of hours before dawn when I found myself standing in the dimly lit cell, facing Marvoni. The so-called Pope sat hunched, his once regal demeanor reduced to fear and uncertainty. He looked up at me, his lips trembling, his eyes wide and bloodshot.

"Wha-what now? I-I told you everything," he stammered, his voice raspy and coarse.

"To me," I corrected coldly, my arms crossed as I loomed over him. "But now you have to confess your crimes before the people."

His eyes widened further, panic flooding his features. "N-no! I can’t!"

I rolled my eyes, unimpressed by his pathetic attempts to evade responsibility. "I’m not giving you a choice here, Marvoni. I’m telling you: either you tell the truth, or I will."

"Wha-"

"I will make a scene so grand that not even the heavens will overlook it," I interrupted, my voice carrying a dangerous edge. "I’ll arrive before the people in my Dragon form and personally recite every vile act you’ve committed. You’ll be burned at the stake, the Temple will crumble, and the faith in the Saintess and the Dragons will shatter—all because of you. Do you think you can bear the weight of that kind of sin?"

The blood drained from his face as he stared at me, his pupils quivering. His breathing quickened, his chest heaving as the gravity of my words sank in.

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "I’m giving you a chance to redeem yourself, Marvoni. Confess with your own lips, and perhaps the people will show you mercy."

"I-I will die either way!" he croaked, his voice breaking.

"You think you’re not responsible for your actions?" I asked, my gaze growing colder with each word. "You think you can escape judgment?"

He gulped audibly, his body trembling as he avoided my piercing stare.

"Think about it, Marvoni," I said, my voice sharp. "You have until dawn. If you’re not ready, I’ll make the decision for you."

I turned on my heel, leaving him to stew in his own misery. Outside, Lyall was waiting, his sharp eyes watching me closely as I exited the cell.

"Come with me," I said, gesturing toward the staircase that led to my room. "We need to talk."

Once inside, I let out a long breath removing my earstud and reverted to my real form. Lyall’s sharp intake of breath made me glance at him, and I noticed his expression shift from surprise to concern.

"The scales and black tendrils are gone," I muttered, inspecting the smooth, unblemished skin on my arms. The lack of cursed markings should have been a relief, but something felt...off.

"Is the curse lifted, Master?" Lyall asked tentatively.

"No," I replied, shaking my head. The dark void that connected me to the cursed child still pulsed faintly, like a distant heartbeat. "But for some reason, it’s not affecting my physical body anymore."

His expression tightened, but he didn’t question further. Lyall had always been an anchor in moments like these—calm, steady, and fiercely loyal.

"There’s something I need your help with tonight," I said, turning to face him fully.

"I’ll do whatever you say, Your Majesty," he replied without hesitation.

A small smile tugged at my lips. Lyall had been my right hand for two years now, his loyalty and competence unmatched. Even in life-threatening situations, he had proven his worth time and again. If the world weren’t teetering on the brink of disaster, I might have considered grooming a successor and entrusting Lyall to guide them. But such luxuries were not mine to claim.

"Can I ask you a question, Lyall?" I said, my tone softening.

"Yes, Master," he replied, his expression calm but curious.

"If I were to die tomorrow—"

Lyall flinched as though struck, his jaw clenching tightly. His fists curled at his sides, but I continued before he could protest.

"And if the world were to go on," I said, my voice steady, "I would want you to train the Saint child and the others in my stead. Drac and he will take care of the Ryujin and Oasis Foundation. I want you to support them as you’ve supported me."

His arms trembled, and his gaze bore into mine with an intensity that could melt steel. "Why...are you saying this now, Master?" His voice was strained, almost breaking.

"Because I haven’t made a will yet," I said simply. "And if my final moments are to be witnessed by anyone, it will likely be you. So I thought I’d leave this message with you."

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the room. Then, in a sudden burst of emotion, Lyall swung his fist into the wall beside him, the impact splintering the wood. He didn’t even flinch as he turned to me, his eyes blazing with fury.

"I beg you, Master—don’t speak of such things!" he said, his voice trembling with anger and desperation. "We need you. All of us under your wing need you. You’re strong, capable of overcoming anything, but that doesn’t include leaving us. So please, never bring up your death again. No one else can finish what you’ve started."

I was momentarily taken aback by the sheer intensity of his words. Lyall rarely lost his composure, but in this moment, his emotions spilled over like a dam breaking.

Still, it was him I trusted most. If I had to entrust my will to anyone, it would be Lyall.

"One last thing, Lyall," I said, my tone gentler now.

He stiffened, still visibly upset, but he listened.

"That child," I continued, "I want to give him his name after all of this is over."

Lyall’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching again. "Master—"

"Please," I interrupted softly. "Tell him his name is..."