Karolus pulled his sword back and watched on as his father’s corpse slowly melted, pooling on the ground as a viscous black goo. Not a trace of the former emperor was left to be seen; thus, the weary gathering stood alone, victorious, and drenched in quiet contemplation.

  They had won, at last. Against the evil that had reigned unchallenged for decades, Roland, Renaud, and Ruggiero had personally taken their revenge and bore witness to the tyrant’s final miserable moments. His phantom no longer lingered in their wake. They could now truly, without regret or pause, move on from the fear that once haunted them.

  But with victory came a devastating aftermath. The entire capital was destroyed. All along the collapsed alleys, paladins groaned in pain, pleading for aid whilst crippled beneath bloody rubble. Those still of able footing wandered about saving whatever people they could, but the damage had already been done, and the survivors stumbled with haggard expressions as they glanced around the ruins of their former home.

  This was the holy land, the shining center of Francia that had held strong for the empire’s long and cherished history. It was a symbol of their strength and their wealth. For as long as the castle towered boldly above, they wouldn’t need to cower before any foe — such was the Frankishmens’ pride and joy.

  Now, everything came tumbling down. The scourge was defeated, leaving behind the living to deal with the consequences.

  But nevermind all that doom and gloom. It was time to distribute Lucius’s rewards! Yes, indeed: the gentleman had obtained quite the haul this time around. Not only that, but the Crossroads Quest had been completed as well the moment Pepin had, to put it bluntly, kicked the bucket. The system must have waited until Ganelon had lost all ability to resist before popping up.

  >[Congratulations! The Crossroads Quest has been completed. Ganelon’s faction is no more, leaving Roland’s companions with complete freedom and control over the empire’s proceedings. Your rewards will now be issued]<

  *(NEW!) 2000 Cosmic Coins

  *(NEW!) [1] Skill Rank-Up Card

  *(NEW!) Passive title: A True Knight

  Effect: When performing chivalrous deeds, onlookers will view you with more favorability.

  Your skill (Teatime) has ranked up from [Rank D+] to [Rank C]!

  *[Rank C] Teatime (Growth Type): Once per day, conjure up to five cups of tea of your choosing. You may choose to include a pair of chairs and a table as well if you so wish.

  They weren’t quite as plentiful as the main quest’s rewards, but nonetheless Lucius was thankful — a gentleman knew when to be humble, after all.

  His first course of action was to spend all his points on his Nova stat. It was now at ninety-six: so close, so exciting! Only four more and he would finally discover just what exactly this whole ‘divinity’ business was about. Next up were his two Skill Rank-Up cards. He didn’t mull over the decision much. Since his teatime skill had just recently been improved, why not spend the cards on it as well? Thus, the skill for the second time underwent a new transformation.

  Your skill (Teatime) has ranked up from [Rank C] to [Rank B]!

  *[Rank B] Teatime (Growth Type): Upon use, conjure any cups of tea of your choosing. However, you can only make five at a time, and there will be an hour long cooldown between each use. You may choose to include a full tea party set including furniture and silverware if you so wish.

  Splendid! That pesky day requirement had finally been removed. With this, Lucius could host many more tea parties to his heart’s desire… granted that they were held an hour apart.

  Next up was the Armor Enhancement Card. His gentlemanly top hat and gentlemanly cane were already upgraded, so was it any wonder that the good gentleman would upgrade his gentlemanly monocle next?

  Gentleman’s monocle has been upgraded to (+1)!

  Effect: Upon looking at another being through the monocle's lens, their favorite preference for tea and snacks, or what is most likely to please them if they do not have one, will be revealed to you. You may turn off this skill while wearing the monocle, if you so wish. Also passively increases Dexterity by 5.

  With that, Lucius was all finished, and he patted his own back for a job well done. He had also received a plethora of skills and titles that seemed very useful—especially his new Neverending Handkerchief—but the time for exploration would have to wait until a bit later. Right now, something had caught Lucius’s attention.

  “Hm? Oh my, now would you look at that?”

  After a moment, the black sludge that was Pepin began to bubble up, toiling in a rancid display, before revealing the third and final fragment. Karolus and the Peers were too preoccupied with coordinating the rescue efforts to pay it much attention, so Lucius scooped it up and soon immersed himself in another memory of the mysterious Demon King’s past.

  Unlike before, he saw no fantastical visions or bright colorful fields. Instead there was only a dark and suffocating chamber. Faint slivers of moonlight illuminated a grand throne not too far away, and atop its seat was a wreathed figure in gold. The gentleman couldn’t quite make out their features, but something about them felt familiar. He knew this person. And yet he didn’t at the same time.

  Lucius walked toward the throne. As he did, faint drops could be heard dripping onto the marble floor. It was a steady and rhythmic sound that echoed increasingly louder the closer he approached. Drip-drop. Drip-drop. The air was oppressively taut.

  When Lucius arrived at the base of the throne, he discovered a startling sight.

  It was blood: crimson, vibrant blood that flowed down a sword’s edge and onto the lifeless corpse of a man brutally executed just below. The shrouded figure did not move nor lift a finger. It merely remained there, staring transfixed at their hands now forever changed.

  ———

  The day I took my father's life, a part of my innocence left with him.

  I knew it had to be done, that there was no other way to quell his madness,

  But nevertheless I mourned his death and the life that could never be.

  I mourned the childhood I could never have. I mourned the sister I lost far too early.

  But most of all, I loathed the duty that now weighed on my shoulders.

  Many years did I wish to abandon it all and flee, yet the blood in my veins would not allow it.

  Stuck in this gilded cage, I yearned for an escape, a dream.

  If only I could go back to my youth, forget all the pain and sorrow.

  If only I could remain forever dreaming, surrounded by those I lost.

  My father was right. Heavy is the crown.

  So let it clatter where I cannot see.

  And I will frolic in the fields of swaying gold, swim in the flowing brooks for all of eternity.

  If there is a God, please grant me this one desire.

  Never let me remember again.

  ———

  The last memory was of surrender. They surrendered to their despair and forsook their everything for the comfort of a sweetly-woven dream, unknowing that it would one day become a nightmare.

  Lucius had a feeling he knew who the Demon King was now. How exactly such a thing was possible… well, there was only one way to find out.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Lucius returned from the dream and held the fragment up toward the light. It rustled and jerked in his hand, shifting uncontrollably. Before the gentleman knew it, the fragment ripped itself free and flew high up into the bright purple sky, where it was soon joined by the other two pages which emerged from the castle’s ruins.

  Karolus and the others stopped in place, for it was then that a shiver ran through them, a premonition, and they all directed their gazes up where the three fragments now spun. Higher, ever higher, they rose, demanding attention from all in audience. Light radiated from their ink-stained words; and upon their convergence, a massive ray was unleashed onto the far-away mountains where resided this world’s final challenge. It was as if earth and space and sky had all parted, splitting the very clouds with a bridge of regal gold.

  It was a light that could surely be seen by the entire continent. No matter where they were, from the Franks, to Arabia, to the nations both north and south — all were commanded to look up and witness.

  For this light heralded the end. Lucius could feel it deep in his soul, a single word shouted in plea. “Proceed,” it said. To the lands where lay the root of all Evils, “Proceed.”

  >[The final dungeon, The Mountain of the Demon King, has been opened. The demons have heard the call of their lord and will assemble in great numbers to protect their lair. As a result, all demonic activity in the neighboring regions will be suspended. Go forth, heroes. Assemble what forces you can and ascend the summit’s peak. Your greatest adversary awaits]<

  Thus declared this world’s will. Lucius looked up to the sky and waited for his celestial onlookers’ reactions. Moments such as these often gave them much excitement, which also tended to loosen their lips. But the starry sky this time was eerily silent. Only a select few chose to speak.

  >[Virtual Goddess of the Wired congratulates you on defeating the vile Pepin. Truly, he was a man who deserved to meet a foul end, but the Star warns that your next foe will be beyond anything you’ve fought so far. You will need to defeat a Nova Soul]<

  >[Priestess of the Lily Tree sadly nods. The first world’s boss is always the toughest for the newly ascended, and it’s also where the most tend to perish. After this round, the Star believes only ten percent of players in every server will advance. Even those with great talent and promise like Lucius will find themselves culled if not careful]<

  >[Sinister Interdimensional Bureaucrat says to pay the righteous Stars no mind. The Bureaucrat’s employers are willing to sponsor you should you sign a cooperative contract. The Stars will ensure you make it to the next round in safe health, but only if you comply]<

  >[Number 1 Salesman 1997 whips out a cigar and takes a puff, before dramatically raising their fist in protest against the system. The Star complains that the difficulty for the first rounds are always too damn unfair. How’re a bunch of snot-nosed brats supposed to level up enough here to beat a Nova Soul of all things? They haven’t even unlocked divinity yet]<

  To think these great beings of unfathomable power would be nervous about the players’ prospects — how fascinating. Was this supposed Nova Soul truly that dangerous? Lucius had already slain one back during the tutorial, although admittedly lady luck played a big role. This time, however, he had a feeling he’ll need more than miracles to defeat the Demon King.

  But let tomorrow’s Lucius handle those problems when they come. Right now, the gentleman set to work and helped with the relief efforts. According to Sir Roland’s words, fortunately, he didn’t need to worry about his companions' safety.

  “Do you by chance happen to know an otherworlder by the name of Colt, Sir Lucius?” the man had asked him.

  “Mister Hemingway? Of course! But why the sudden mention?”

  “I thought as such. It was he who rescued the Peers and I when we were buried beneath the city. Had the man not intervened, I would never have reunited with Renaud. Your fellows should also currently be in his company. In my haste I had not the chance to thank him, so do pass on my warm regards if you’d be so kind. I suspect many a long evening will await me in the days to come.”

  Roland scowled and looked up at the ruined castle. Forget bringing the citizens back, it would take months to restore Francia to its original state, not to mention they also had other dire matters that needed to be addressed.

  The most glaring of which being what to do with Ganelon.

  Karolus walked up to the crumpled form of the High Tribunal, who had long sunken into the ground. His eyes were dim and his complexion was sickly. A twisted smile wore at his lips whilst he stared at Pepin’s gooey remains, yet hidden within his joy was a misery too despondent to put to word.

  How long had he dreamed of such an opportunity, to personally slay the very monster who ruined his life? Yes, he imagined it, indulged in it, obsessed over what-ifs and possibilities he knew would never come. Yet come it did, only for his chance to be ruined by his own inadequacy.

  He failed. That was the undeniable truth. For all his words of action and taking charge, he failed to contribute anything of worth against Pepin, and only when the boy he thought naive stepped up to protect him did the tides change in their favor. Ruggiero, Roland, and even Renaud of all people — they came to the emperor’s side and brought the wicked monster down, together. Together without him.

  What was he to do, when his life’s work was proven all to be for nothing?

  “Uncle, I did it. We won just like I said we would.”

  Karolus awkwardly approached Sir Ganelon and met his eyes. The two looked at each other for a quiet spell, until Ganelon broke away out of shame and lowered his head.

  “You really did, my boy,” he muttered. “You proved this pathetic fool wrong.”

  “Uncle…”

  Ganelon let free a bitter laugh and collapsed on his back. He stared at the sky, at the golden bridge leading to the mountain range, and then he frowned. He frowned, because he knew that bridge would take Karolus far beyond the safety of the empire’s bounds.

  He had kept him trapped here all these years, but in the end there was no stopping fate. He tried. Oh yes, he tried to delay the inevitable as long as he could. But would you look at that? The boy that once was no taller than his knee was now a capable, independent young man, one with dreams and wishes and a goal he could no longer contain.

  Karolus no longer needed his uncle’s guidance.

  “You know what has to be done, Karolus,” he said blandly. “You know what must become of me.”

  “... I do,” the boy said, kneeling down.

  Ganelon smiled. “Good, I was worried you’d become sentimental for a moment there. It wouldn’t do to play favorites, my boy. If you’ve truly decided to become the emperor, then you have to be firm, be fair, and be unyielding in your commands, especially when someone you thought a friend betrays you.”

  “I know.”

  “People are a deceitful, manipulative lot. You can’t trust them, Karolus. You just can’t. Listen to what your heart tells you and always remember to heed your instincts. Only you can rely on yourself.”

  “I don’t really agree with that, but I’ll keep it in mind.”

  “Haha, when did you become so blunt? Oh well, now listen closely. This is my final lesson.”

  Ganelon took a deep breath, before reaching out and softly ruffling the boy’s hair. “Be happy, Karolus. That’s all I want. It doesn’t matter if you rule over this damnable empire, run off to distant lands, or abandon the crown. Nothing and no one in this wide world is more valuable than you, so live for yourself. Live selfishly and free.”

  The dandy fellow looked at Karolus, but his gaze was much farther away. Perhaps the words he spoke were directed more to himself than any other, toward the he of his childhood that would eventually walk down the wrong path. History needed not to repeat itself. The world would be better off if someone like Ganelon would never appear again.

  But before the man’s sincere plea, Karolus shook his head. “I can’t promise that, even if I wanted to.”

  “As long as you remember, then that’s good enough.”

  A few weighty footsteps thumped around them. Roland, Ruggiero, and Renaud surrounded Ganelon along with a company of paladins, and they raised him up before locking a pair of crystal handcuffs around his wrists.

  “Ganelon,” Roland solemnly declared. “For the crime of plotting an Archbishop’s death, illegal smuggling, treachery, theft of a holy relic, and insurrection, you are hereby detained and will be thrown into the gaol, where you will wait until a trial can be held deciding your sentence.”

  “Roland, my boy, must we go through such tedium when you know my head’s destined for the guillotine? You can make this quick. Stab my heart here, and no one would blame you.”

  “The law is the law, just as it’s my duty to follow the proper procedures and tenets of Chivalry.”

  “Again with that damned Chivalry… well, so be it. I suppose it would make for better show to have the villain justly condemned. The people need an enemy, no? I’ll play the role just for you.”

  Ganelon obediently followed the paladins and trailed off, his figure steadily becoming no more than a faint blur. Roland meanwhile got permission from Karolus to seek out the other Peers and ensure their safety.

  The city, or what was left of it at least, was slowly coming back to life. People ran here and there and every which where busying themselves with some manner of work; but in the midst of them all, a lone boy stood with his head raised up to the clouds.

  “What will you do now, your Holiness?” Lucius asked.

  Karolus winced in response, for the gentleman’s tone was noticeably more cordial. He was not speaking as one would to a friend, or an acquaintance, or even a kindly stranger, but to someone important.

  He was no longer Karolus, but His Holiness. He was no longer a ‘servant’ boy who ran innocently throughout the castle halls, but the ruler of a nation filled with millions. And they would all look up to him now harboring expectations he knew not if he could fulfill.

  “What else?” he said with a sad smile. “I can’t let Roland deal with everything by himself. We’ll rebuild, and then I’ll have to hold my coronation ceremony, where I’ll officially don the crown and the people’s hopes.”

  “What then?”

  “Then… um, I don’t know.” Karolus shyly rubbed his palms. “Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. When I picked up the Joyeuse, I just—I felt that I needed to do this. I had to protect you, and Ganelon, and everyone else from my father. It was my destiny as someone who shared his blood. Now that he’s gone, I’ll have to atone in his stead.”

  With that, the boy was soon mobbed by a concerned group of priests, who then took him away to a place, as they said in their own words, would be more ‘suitable’ for one of his holy calling. Karolus had not the heart to refuse them, nor the strength to resist. Thus they carried out their beloved heir, and Lucius was once again left by his lonesome.

  This day had taken its toll on everyone. The Franks were no doubt exhausted, and the players, as well, needed someone to guide them when all seemed bleak. The gentleman would take on that role and mold the remaining players to his liking, so that their inevitable clash with the Demon King would proceed smoothly.

  But first, Lucius had a very important appointment he mustn't miss. The former emperor’s sudden revival was certainly unexpected, and it did twist his plans off course by a slight margin, but with every surprise came another opportunity so long as one had a can-do attitude! Pepin had groomed Ganelon far more than the gentleman could have asked for. This was Lucius’s chance to finally bring it out, the truth so close to unearthing.

  In the cold, dark confines of his prison, Ganelon waited for his end to come. But even in the absence of light some flowers persisted stubbornly, clinging on until the moment of their inevitable decay.

  It was time for Ganelon to bloom.

  The Esteemed Gentlepeople of the , to whom I am forever grateful.

  [The Distinguishedly Dandy Gentlemen Hall of Fame]

  Lucius's Stat Changes

  *Lucius Rose*