The Lone SF Transmigrator in the Otherworld Forum
Chapter 193: Final Act (3)

They called it obsession, infatuation, and wasted time. They said he would not look her way.

It was not out of spite or mockery. The honed instincts she had cultivated through years of sword training allowed her to easily discern the lack of malice in their words.

They’re just worried about me.

Shing-

Virdel drew her sword, her reflection staring back from the polished surface. The same youthful face in her twenties. Empty eyes gazed back from beneath long lashes.

Click.

The sword snapped back into its scabbard.

Finishing her training, Virdel cooled down, glancing at the sky.

“Obsession…”

It was not wrong. She was single-minded, enough to worry those around her. But good intentions did not always equate to helpful advice. To her, at least, their words rang hollow.

Loyalty? Love? Obsession? Longing? A sense of debt? Admiration?

Her deep emotions defied simple categorization. Were they even emotions? If emotions were fleeting, then hers were closer to unwavering convictions.

A purpose in life. A direction.

Some called her foolish, clicking their tongues at her seemingly blind devotion.

-Devoting your entire life to a single event in the past? Don’t you value the rest of your life?

-What’s the point of living like that? You won’t even be repaid.

-Ugh, she’s hopeless. Short-sighted, maybe. What a total fanatic.

Perhaps they were right. She did not begrudge their criticisms.

But… had they ever experienced salvation? If so, they would not speak so lightly.

Moreover…

Doesn’t everyone obsess over something?

Even for those who pretend to be easygoing, those acting like enlightened sages, every human being… harbored a yearning for something.

Survival. Success. Happiness. Conviction. Honor. Money. Dreams.

Anything.

Wasn’t her obsession just another variation of that? She saw no difference. Just another personal philosophy guiding her life.

If I’d lived a normal life, I wouldn’t understand myself either.

But when she lost her mother and her world crumbled, when she had nothing left… her world had already changed.

Only one thing remained—Karlstein Babylon.

Perhaps this was a lifeline she clung to, preventing herself from falling apart. So, she felt nothing when they pointed fingers at her obsession.

While others worked for happiness, earned money, and built families, she merely honed herself, her thoughts fixed on him. She was just different; it was no less valid a way to live, to dedicate oneself to a belief and potential future.

She had resolved this internal conflict long ago. Only…

I ultimately failed to reach him.

That was the problem. Even when the path was invisible, she forged her own way, relentlessly pursuing his shadow. Yet, it was impossible.

A strange anxiety gnawed at her. When she looked at him, it felt like he was always gazing at some distant horizon.

One day, he might vanish, like a fleeting bubble. Indeed, he had been secluded for nearly 20 years.

Nevertheless, her routine remained unchanged. Honoring him, honing her sword, fulfilling her duties. Some gossiped about his demise, but she remained steadfast.

She believed he would not fall so easily. But more than that, he was already her anchoring purpose in life.

She would wait for his return, that was all. Just as people did not abandon their pursuit of success and happiness after setbacks, she would persevere.

That was how she lived.

“Haa…”

Naturally, she had rejoiced at the news of his return. But…

“At this rate, I’ll only be a burden.”

Her skills, her level of power, had stagnated. She was far behind the Great Heroes Maxien and Camilla.

Her lack of ability had worried him. It was not about her lack of progress, but… the look in his eyes was like that of a parent watching a child chase a reckless dream.

He did not discourage her goals, but it felt like he could not bring himself to offer encouragement either.

She hated to worry him. Unable to repay his kindness, she at least wanted to avoid being a burden. Yet, her inadequacy brought him concern.

And that was her sole despair.

No, that’s wrong. I can’t falter. There’s no other way anyhow.

Just as she steeled her resolve and reached for her sword again, she suddenly flinched.

“I had hoped you would live your own life.”

A familiar voice echoed from somewhere. She could not tell how long he had even been there.

She whirled around to face the source, and found a man bathed in a golden aura—Karlstein Babylon.

Perhaps because she had been thinking of him, she responded with uncharacteristic clarity.

“But this is my life.”

A bright smile bloomed on her face. She sensed a hint of resignation in his voice, an acceptance of her stubbornness.

“Tsk-tsk. Always so stubborn.”

He chided, but the slight smile playing on his lips betrayed his true feelings. Just a few words, but she understood.

She could hardly the suppress the gratitude welling up within her.

“Please.”

She bowed deeply.

Flit-

He vanished in the blink of an eye, but when she looked up, her face radiated joy.

“I guess you could count this as acknowledgement?”

She had devoted her life to earning his recognition through strength. Yet, she received it for something else entirely.

Still, she did not mind.

***

“What happened? Another woman?”

“Hmm… I wouldn’t necessarily count one of them as a woman.”

Maxien’s sharp gaze swept over Camilla’s chest and hips.

“W-what? S-stop looking at me like that!”

“I do hope you won’t drop the stutter act. Gotta capitalize on your cuteness somehow, right?”

“What?! I-it’s not an act!”

Flit-

Karlstein appeared behind the bickering Maxien and Camilla.

“Energetic as always. Good to see it.”

“…”

“…”

They were not surprised by his sudden appearance. They simply continued their conversation.

“Your Majesty. Virdel is certainly talented, but isn’t she dangerous to keep around?”

It could have come off as jealousy, but Maxien’s face betrayed no such emotion. Only genuine concern.

“Protecting your disciple, are you?”

“Disciple? What a joke.”

Maxien dismissed the notion, but considering her subtle emotional cues, it was hard to believe.

“Putting that aside. Maxien, isn’t it fine to drop the formalities now? Ranks don’t matter anymore.”

“…”

Karlstein had already made preparations to abdicate. The title of Emperor no longer bound her.

“Alright, Karl.”

“Haha.”

“Brings back memories!”

He had wondered if their formal behavior after his ascension signaled a growing distance, but apparently not. It felt like they had returned to the days before his reign, when they had struggled together.

“Karl oppa, stop changing the subject! Why do you have another woman, huh?!”

“Hmm?”

Perhaps because it was just the three of them, but Camilla spoke without her usual stutter, her words sharp and direct.

Karlstein chuckled, watching them so readily abandon all formality.

“You could’ve dropped the formalities sooner.”

“You’re doing it again! Changing the subject!”

Camilla’s pouty growl felt nostalgic.

“Hmm, another woman…”

For some reason, Karlstein felt a bit wronged by the way they stared at him, as if he were a playboy.

“I mean, isn’t that a bit harsh against someone who hasn’t even held a woman’s hand?”

As one of those who vehemently opposed every Empress candidate, they definitely had no right to berate him so.

“I wonder.”

“Hehe. It’s an unavoidable fate for someone surrounded by beauties like us.”

Camilla contorted her slender frame into what she presumably considered a seductive pose.

Shake shake-

“A dummy in a gas mask would appeal more.”

“Shuddap! I don’t need a gas mask when it’s just us!”

Karlstein was simply amused by the boisterous, nostalgic mood

“Anyway. What will you do, Karl?”

“I’m not sure…”

Karlstein trailed off at Maxien’s serious question.

“About the future…”

He had given it some thought, but was there any point? Planning was about preparing for predictable events. He could not answer with certainty when the future was a complete unknown.

“Well, that’s so like you, Karl.”

“Right, right. I don’t like that digital hussy, but in situations like this—“

“Haha, Camilla. Digital hussy? Aria might be offended.”

“Hmph!”

Still, one thing was certain.

“We need to take down the last Single Number.”

“Hmm.”

“Is that so?”

Taking down the No.1 Single Number would not be difficult for Karlstein now. Their indifferent reactions confirmed that.

The real issue was the world that would unfold afterward.

“Which is why…”

“Hm?”

“…?”

“I’m planning to leave the last one entirely to you two.”

“What do you mean?”

“Is there a particular reason?”

Karlstein nodded seriously.

“It’s kind of a test.”

“Huh?”

“…A test?”

“A rite of passage, if you will.”

“…”

Maxien and Camilla stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Mhm. Actually, I figured I’d give you two some hardship too.”

Karlstein gave them a bright, cheerful smile.

***

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