Chapter 74. Promise Me, Don't Forget Me

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

【I WILL BE GOING ON A TEMPORARY HIATUS UNTIL THE END OF NEXT WEEK!】

This means no update next week, because it'll be my EXAM WEEK! Good luck to anyone who is studying or busy with their exams! ❤️

*****

"Boss!" The loud cry of a subordinate blared in the underground bunker. Several faces ashen with dirt turned at the same time, deadpanned with a serious look to see their own companion. A medium-sized man saluted before the back of a chair. Only a pair of crossed legs could be seen from his position.

The subordinate cursed inwardly, feeling the beads of sweat slide down his forehead. "Boss, I have bad news. Just now, the heroine have just disappeared from view."

In an instant, the tension in the bunker thickened, solid enough to be cut in half by a knife. Every single subordinate of K had grown dark, their faces serious and sickeningly pale.

The man seated on the chair turned his head. A 'K' was scarred across his cheek, situated near his high cheekbone. One would wonder just how painful it was... that scar couldn't have been made by anything other than a blade—just by looking at the ragged edges and sliced ends. New flesh had grown from beneath the cuts, but it wasn't enough to hide the engrossing 'K' on the skin.

"Do you have any clues to the heroine's disappearance?" The Boss huffed.

The subordinate bowed his head, "The heroine was in her herbal shop right before her disappearance. We've had other members take a look behind her vanishment, and it seems that before she disappeared, Daphnne was carrying a candle. It's as if something swept her off her feet... then brought her into the darkness—"

"Don't jump to conclusions!" Another subordinate interrupted. "It couldn't have been the..."

His voice trailed off.

They were all thinking the same thing—so there was no point in saying it aloud. The demons—they've infiltrated Lydia Kingdom since the attack on S Academy, and they must have dug deep into the kingdom within the past three years. Their claws have reached even to the heroine herself...

K was created to kill the villain, but they've failed at the most crucial point.

They had one of their members caught, inlaid with the Sequence Contract (Lucilline: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) you've been scammed), and now there was no way to end the incoming demon war without sacrificing one of their own team members.

"Tch, we should have killed Augustine a long time ago." A subordinate clicked his tongue at the roof of his mouth.

However, he was shunned by an onslaught of glares. Another subordinate kicked him at the knee, "How dare you! Didn't we say to not abandon any of our comrades!? Killing Augustine is not an option."

"Then what do we do? Do we just sit back and watch everything play out?"

That last question made all the subordinates sink into unspeakable dread. Their one mission had lost its meaning—so were they just supposed to witness the demon war to its end?

"However, all the major events are happening much sooner than ever." Another subordinate gave their thoughts. "In the novel, there was no attack at S Academy by the demons. Does this mean that the villain somehow influenced this... or is it another outside force like us reincarnators?"

"You jest," they were interrupted. "How could a reincarnator possibly subdue the demons?"

Silence returned to the bunker.

Two familiar figures had risen from the shadows. Bob and Bill carried two figures, both wrapped in blankets and covered completely. However, both figures were unmoving... probably a sculpture of some sort. Or perhaps they were not sculptures—but rather dead bodies? They set the two wrapped figures aside in a safe corner.

Bob whispered something in the Boss' ear.

It took a few moment for the information to settle in the Boss' mind. A look of contemplation festered in his eyes.

"I have a plan." All of a sudden, their Boss stood up from their chair, with the furniture's legs skidding across the cold soil. His long legs straightened up, and a look of amusement sparked in those dark pupils. "It's about time we contribute to the plot."

He set out orders to the subordinates. "Alert me when the villain and the adventurers come back from the adventure. Then... we'll carry out the plan."

*****

Frantic footsteps skittered across the distorted cobblestone. Lucilline felt that the air was too stuffy and hot, his face burned bright red with shame. He fanned the air with his hands, trying to chase away his stifled feelings. He could remember the words that Azalea yelled out loud to him. "I love you!" Those words echoed in Lucilline's hollow brain.

How could the male lead blurt out such words to ME!?! THE VILLAIN!?! His face contorted in shock and flustered surprise. Aren't these words supposed to be saved for the heroine? Does this mean that... he actually likes me?

Lucilline slapped both his palms across his cheeks. "Calm down."

He'd run away from Azalea out of panic. Now he could feel a momentary guilt settle in his chest. "Now isn't the time to think about these superfluous feelings." I need to focus on the situation at hand.

Lucilline climbed the staircase once again. He needed to regroup back with Farrah and find the Book of Memories—wherever it was. His thighs felt as if the flesh within had shredded into pieces, with the vessels ruptured into puddles of blood. Every step up the hundred-steps staircase tore his muscle, but the black-haired nobleman still pushed on.

At last, he arrived on the second floor again.

"Farrah!" He called out.

There was no response.

Lucilline raced around the second floor. There were several bed chambers, all destroyed beyond repair. The shredded curtains were like a tattered cloth, and the crimson red colour faded out into a prudish brown. All the bedsheets had been burned into oblivion.

He opened all the doors.

There was still nobody insight— until the last one in the corner.

It was the smallest room in the whole castle, beguiled in filth and tattered robes. Dust piled up in every corner, festering wildly like a mild disease. Right in the centre of the bed chamber were two women—Farrah was in a stand-off against an elderly.

"Lucilline Rubius." All of a sudden, the elderly woman bellowed out.

Her wrinkles were like creased paper, folding into bundles and becoming baggy.

"Nineteen." Lucilline deadpanned. He could recognize this elderly woman—she was the last one of the trio that Farrah described: Miss A., November, and Nineteen.

"I am glad you know of me," the elderly woman reached out a hand, her baggy skin like a leaf wandering in the wind. "Then can I take it that you've come here to fulfill the end of our agreement?"

"...agreement?" Lucilline pursed his lips.

Nineteen extended out a hand within her sleeves, then pulled out a book. Lucilline recognized that book from the laboratory room in S Academy—its dusty and rusted cover was like a scorched piece of paper, almost on the verge of ashes.

The Book of Memories glowed out a crimson aura.

"You may not know this, but this is your second chance at life," Nineteen spread out her arms, as if she was a worshipper greeting her God. "This Book of Memories contain what you've forgotten from the past—contains what everyone have forgotten. Only I remember—that is why I do this."

She gave a heartfelt smile, but it did not reach her eyes. "Come, Lucilline Rubius. Allow me to awaken the memories you've forgotten."

Lucilline felt apprehensive. A thousand questions surged through his mind. What does she mean by 'second chance at life'? What memories have I forgotten? Has everyone forgotten something?

"Once you regain the memories you've lost, you will come to understand why I did what I've done." Nineteen raised a hand out, as if passing the Book of Memories to the black-haired nobleman. "In return, you must give up our Princess."

Farrah wore a stern expression.

Her crimson red eyes permeated the stench of foul blood, and a raging torrent festered within. The Demon Princess's skin was especially pale like a beautiful ghoul, and her white hair lifted upwards with the current of wind. "I'm not going back."

"I am strong, and you are unable to control us." Farrah seethed. "We will take the Book of Memories whether you like it or not."

Silence ensued in the small room.

Nineteen's raised arms had returned back to her sides. She raised a brow, "Are you sure that you're strong? I am also a Royal Demon."

Lucilline: !!!

He couldn't help but feel in a sharp mouthful of air. Nineteen is a... Royal Demon? I thought that Farrah was the sole survivor...

"Lucilline Rubius, our first encounter in this life was not that pleasant." Nineteen laughed, her giggles like the strings of an old cello wearily plucked. Her high cheekbones made her skin fold up more, creasing beneath her thinned eyes. "Remember that hallucination... about your kiss?"

In an instant, Lucilline froze.

He remembered about that hallucination during Grand Duke Delta's birthday banquet. In his dream, Azalea passionately kissed him... and it's not that he didn't hate it— But the stab afterwards made him pale increasingly. He could clearly remember every scalding stab of the knife, and how the blade lodged deeply into his ribs and slicing his flesh.

It was like an unknown force violently tearing him apart.

"...that was your doing?" Lucilline clenched his hands, his nails digging into his soft palms. He couldn't sense anything slipping into his mind.

The entire dream resembled real life.

If Nineteen had the power to infiltrate the mind so strongly... then would it be possible for them to take her on...?

"I am the Fourth Demon Princess," Farrah scowled. "It should no problem for me to take you on—"

"Oh really?" Nineteen gave a mocking laugh. She sneered with an amused look, "Now that I think about it, you don't have any memories of your current life either. No wonder you don't remember who I am. Otherwise you'd be down at your knees in respect and begging for me to forgive you, young woman."

Neither of the two Royal Demons dared to back down.

They glared at one another, the murderous glare clearly reflected in their demonic nature.

Lucilline witnessed this stare-down, and didn't know whether to interrupt or mediate them. "Don't you dare use your full power on me," Nineteen scoffed, "If you release all of it, then what would happen to this measly human here?"

At that moment, Farrah faltered.

She wanted to oppress this grandma, but if she were to release her aura... then what would become of Lucilline? He was only a young man, and was thrown into this demonic mess.

"You've become weak, Farrah." All of a sudden, a hand smacked down from above. It slammed Farrah down to the cobblestone ground, the Demon Princess' face directly meeting the ground. Nineteen wore a malicious smile, "You are nothing without your present memories."

Farrah struggled to climb back up from the ground.

However, her flailing limbs felt as if they'd been tied down with boulders, dragging her beneath the surface of waters—her head sinking beneath, and she drowned.

"Lucilline—" She halted in her cry. Farrah noticed the black-haired nobleman standing in a daze, his once beautiful golden eyes dull and having lost its shine. Right before him was the Book of Memories, its pages wildly flipping, while levitating in the air and exuding a brilliant glow.

Nineteen laughed. "I've already activated the Book of Memories."

An insane and contorted expression outlined the elderly demon's face, as she laughed crazily. "The Book of Memories have the ability to take someone's memories—which I've done with you, Farrah. It can also show someone memories of anyone." Farrah's pupils diluted, as she realized something. "He will encounter billions of memories of ice people, humans, mages, elves, demons, and more. Alive and dead, they're all there." Nineteen raised her arms upwards frantically. "By the time Lucilline wakes up... well, you won't be here to see it."

*****

Lucilline could feel himself soaring up, the night skies enveloping him in a blanket of pitch darkness. There was a million stars shining above his head. Those stars exuded a certain powerful wave, making him mesmerized and inching closer to touch it.

Before he could, he noticed something dart briefly.

It resembled a beautiful maiden—her dress wine red—and her hair slick black. Her every movement were like twirls upon the ball floor, and she carried herself across the midnight sky.

Lucilline could recognize this woman anywhere. "...Mother."

Her hair flowed in the galaxy, undisturbed by the thousand constellations above. She danced, then turned around. Her golden eyes pierced into Lucilline's own, then extended out a slender hand—oh so similar to his own. "Son, follow me."

Without even thinking about it, Lucilline followed suit.

Their figures drifted past several constellations, allowing the stars to envelope them in the brilliant light. It didn't take long for Rachelle to stop before a singular star.

The singular star wasn't actually a star—but rather a door gauzed in luminescence. It shone like liquid gold, but surprisingly, the light did not hurt Lucilline's eyes. "Go in," a soothing voice enthralled him by his ear. His mother smiled gently, "This is what you're looking for."

The black-haired nobleman hesitated.

He lifted a hand, then set it upon the doorknob.

In a split second, the bright door distorted into blatant darkness. It was like a bubble floating above the surface of a pond—then popped into nothingness. All the light tumbled down like the collapsed castle, and Lucilline felt his heart violently surge. He wanted to retract his hand, but found that his palm was stuck to the doorknob!

"It is scary to face what was forgotten," Rachelle softly spoke. "But don't let the past hinder your happiness." She gave a gentle push.

The door opened, and Lucilline felt an unknown force drag him within the abyssal depths!

He desperately tried to leave, but he was heaved into the horrific door! "...Mo—" The black-haired nobleman reached out a hand, those fingertips wildly stretching out for the imagery of his mother.

Rachelle merely smiled.

"After you learn of everything, promise me... don't forget me, okay?"

The door shut, and Lucilline was bound by the endless darkness. They tangled his body, dragging him roughly past the fields of darkness. He could feel his body sinking, as if he was sunken beneath hell's fire pit. His throat burned as he held his breath, and then a light shone before his eyes.

Then, the light abruptly touched his forehead.

Strangled screams gurgled out from Lucilline. It was a searing pain—like a blade stabbing past every blood vessel, muscle, and vein... penetrating right into the core of him. A rush of memories surged in the black-haired nobleman's mind. It pained him. He was seeing everything—remembering everything. The load of memories almost made his head explode... like a timely bomb ticking down digits.

The pain tore past his being, rupturing every blood vein and explosions of red bridged his senses together. Lucilline could feel the agony climb up his body, then devour his heart—

He opened his eyes.

*****

Nineteen heaved the unconscious Demon Princess under an arm. The elderly demon hummed to herself, It should be time to leave.

All of a sudden, her eyes widened in shock. "What—"

Before she had time to comprehend, a hard fist flung her across to the other side! The Royal Demon slammed straight into the wall with a loud BANG!, shattering it into crumbles of debris. Nineteen wobbled on her feet, feeling blood drip down from her head. Her wound quickly healed, but she could not shake away the nausea that clogged her throat shut.

"You...!" A fanatical look appeared on the elderly woman's face. "You woke up already...!"

A beautiful young man stood up, his back bent lazily like a sly cat, and his locks of silky black hair nestled comfortably by his shoulder. He crossed a leg across another, his leather black boots polished with not a single trace of dust. His black waistcoat and white collar-shirt underneath fitted his thin waist perfectly, and a crimson red coat loosely draped across his back.

This man was Lucilline Rubius—but he did not resemble the Young Master in the slightest.

He was elegantly poised, his curtain of eyelashes fluttering open. His golden eyes lost its once gentle shine, and contained a hint of murderous intent.

"I am upset that you're still alive, Nineteen." He spat. "Why won't you stay dead?"

The Royal Demon shivered in fright, but also felt a different emotion—worship.

"Lucilline Rubius, it seems like you finally remember everything." Nineteen spread out her wrinkled hands, the creases smoothening out for a rare moment. "Come now, let's destroy Lydia Kingdom together again...! Let's do it... and this time, let's destroy it completely FOR GOOD!!!" Her zealot eyes were like an ocean of abyssal muck, threatening to drag any living being below.

However, her wicked dreams were interrupted by another punch.

Lucilline rammed his fist straight into the demon's cheekbones, feeling the skeleton break beneath his knuckle. The Royal Demon was thrown off her feet again, then crashed into the wall head-first.

"Didn't you hear me the first time?" Lucilline sneered, "I am upset that you're still alive."

He rolled his eyes, "How are you still alive in the first place?" The black-haired nobleman strolled around the small bed chamber, then noticed the unconscious white-haired demon on the ground.

Unbridledly, Lucilline carried Farrah on his back, having her arms slung over his shoulder. "Forget it." He examined the cobblestone window, squeezing his figure and Farrah's within the frame. "You clearly don't understand me as much as you think you do."

A crazed smile graced his lips. "How could I possibly team up with you again? Next time we meet, I will properly kill you."

By the time Nineteen healed her wounds and dislodged her head from the debris, the figure of Lucilline Rubius and Farrah disappeared already. The elderly demon gnashed her teeth in anger, "...how could he..." All of a sudden, she realized something.

The Book of Memories was missing.