Chapter 136: I'm Simply… Evil

Shadow… is gone…

Necromancer banished him to… another realm… And I was helpless to stop him.

"Do not worry. You still have a master to pledge your allegiance to, me." I heard him spouting nonsense in his demonic voice.

"What nonsense are you saying…?"

"Remember that before you are Alpha of Shadow Garden, you were MY No.001 first. And as I said before, you've been absent from my lab for long enough. It's time for you to return."

I tried to stand up and resist again, even if I have to die… but he used his sickening magic to control my slime suit again and have it bind my limbs… rendering me helpless to stop him.

"Lady Alpha!" I heard Gamma shouting my name. The rest of the Seven Shades is here, all drawing their respective weapons and are ready for combat… even though they can't stop trembling. We're all helpless against him! Run!

"While we're at it why don't I add the rest of you to my—Aghh…. ARRRGHHH!" Suddenly he drops down to his knees and clutches his head as if in pain. His magic control also seems to falter, almost as if he's experiencing Demonic Possession. While I'm happy to see him suffer, what's going on?

"I… am… myself…! You will not… take control…! Ha ha ha ha! HA HA HA HA!" He mumbled something incomprehensible before laughing ominously… But even in that condition his control over my slime suit didn't falter. The pressure he exudes with his magic is also still terrifying.

Anyway, I can't let Shadow Garden suffer more casualties today.

"Leave me and run!"

"But Lady Alpha!" Epsilon was about to interject, but…

"Just do as I say! We can't let Shadow Garden suffer more defeats this day!"

"But…" Gamma still hesitates.

"Let's go. We must regroup and fight another day." Zeta said with stern voice.

"But we can't abandon her!" Beta shouted.

"Hurry! Before he recovers!" I shouted once again. But it's too late.

"No need. I have already recovered." The monster stood up, still clutching his head.

"Anyone wants to join her can take a step forward." He taunts without dignifying them by facing them, letting them see his exposed back, still daring the Shades despite being weakened. None of the Shades dared to take a step forward despite that, especially after seeing his power firsthand… and with the knowledge that Shadow is not here to help us… Well… everyone except Delta.

"Give him back… Give boss, back!" Delta charges forward furiously and aim her claws at him, only to be blocked by his barrier, producing a loud clanging sound.

"Hyaaagh!" Delta grunted as he used his magic to slam her to the ground without actually touching her with his gloved hands. I don't want to know what happens if he actually touches her.

"Delta! No!" Beta shouts.

"Doggy! Now is not the time!" Zeta also shouts, but hesitates to take a step forward due to Necromancer's threat.

The monster approaches Delta, who continued glaring at him furiously with tears in her eyes.

"Delta! Run!" I shout once again, in vain hope that she would listen… but she didn't move… and so does Necromancer.

"Char…" Hm? He whispered something, though my elven ears were able to hear them. What is he saying? Surprisingly he turns around and walks back to me.

"Heh heh heh… Mwa ha ha ha ha ha!" he laughed again like a madman. What could've gone through his twisted mind? What does he find so funny that he laughs again?

"Out of respect for your master's aid, I shall leave the rest of you alone. Now come, No. 001." He says as he teleported both of us away… only the two of us.

How… uncharacteristic of him to-

I returned to the castle after passing through the chaotic capital city in the company of the Acolyte, the beastkin Adra and the undead Mordred. Even though the Black Rose has been closed, the monsters that have been summoned remains. Necromancer's undead minions held back the monsters currently rampaging around the capital city but the Acolyte said this kindness won't continue forever and won't extend to the rest of the kingdom if I don't accept their master's terms, which he will present once he arrive.

And arrive he did through teleportation magic, with Lady Alpha in tow, which surprises me greatly… though considering the amount of destruction he brought to the wilderness north of town, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. He must've defeated that huge monster and Shadow as well if he was even able to take Lady Alpha, who is Shadow's second in command, as a prisoner of war. She's bound by her own slime suit, ensuring that she's helpless before Necromancer. I didn't dare look at her in the eye after everything I've done.

We now stand in the throne room, accompanied by the only remaining nobles (Marquis Grantz included) and officials that I can trust (though barely) and my royal guards, all of which are worried about the monsters and undead fighting outside and the presence of a mighty being, whose mere presence shook us all to the core. Even the nobles and officials who are not well versed in magic can feel his magic acutely as if they've been Spellswords all their lives, judging from how much they're trembling. Some of them even pissed in their pants.

I stood in front of the throne whilst eyeing him as he walked closer and closer. The closer he gets, the more nervous I become… though… thinking of how he manipulated my father… and probably me as well…

"Good to see you, Queen Rose." Before I know it, he already stood in front of me, staring at me with his glowing red eyes.

"Finally we meet… Necromancer… or should I say… Phantom of the Opera?" I remain defiant and glare at him in return, though he only find my defiance amusing instead of intimidating.

"Took you long enough to realize that, my queen. Heh heh heh." He mockingly called me "my queen" like he did as the Phantom of the Opera.

"Why did you… do it?"

"Why did I do what? You have to be more specific, queen. I have done so many things after all."

I unsheathe my blade and points it at him in rage "Everything! From manipulating my father and my kingdom… to me as well!"

"Heh heh heh. What can I say? I am simply… evil."

Author's Note: I recommend listening to "The King of Villains/When I Said I Was Evil" by Aurelio Voltaire in this scene.

"Evil…? That's all the reason you…"

"Yes! I am evil! That's a fact! Because I'm evil, I turned your father into an obedient puppet using hypnosis, replacing Perv Asshat's crude method of drugging him! Because I'm evil, I made your father kill King Klaus of Midgar in order to spark the flames of war between Oriana and Midgar! I even prevented Shadow from saving him! Because I'm evil, I killed your father and replaced his hypnosis with necromancy once he started defying me, ensuring that he remains my puppet even in death!" What….? He killed my father…? Then… the one who talked to me back then was…

"Because I'm evil, I had your undead father rouse the military of Oriana into civil war so I can collect more corpses and souls! Because I'm evil, I assumed the role of the Phantom of the Opera in order to deceive you into betraying Shadow Garden! I even used your father's corpse to convince you! Because I'm evil, I gave you the key to the Black Rose!" I grit my teeth and tighten my grip on my sword as he kept listing his own crimes against me and Oriana proudly as if announcing his achievements, with the simple reason of him being evil. How come such evil is allowed to exist? Oh goddess…!

"And even with all of that, I'm still proud to share my gloriously evil accomplishments in this kingdom with you." He said as he pointed his fingers to me.

"What nonsense are you spouting!?"

"You played the role of the tyrant very well even though you haven't received your coronation ceremony yet. Look at all those severed heads of your political rivals that now decorates the road to your castle! It's beautiful! I never told you to do all that! You did it yourself!" I hate that he's… correct. I thought I had to be strong in order to maintain control over my crumbling kingdom… But it cannot be denied that I'm responsible for the deaths of many and terrorized the rest. The nobles started whispering amongst each other when they heard that.

"Also, I only gave you the key to the Black Rose… but I never told you to use it. I never influenced you with any hypnosis. The one who opened the Black Rose and allowed the monsters currently rampaging outside to ravage the kingdom… is you." When he said that, all eyes are on me. And I can't even deny it. I did all of that… because I believed in his lies…

"I-It's because you deceived me!"

"Because I'm evil, I lied to you about many things… but I never lied to you about the Black Rose. When I handed the key to you, I was completely honest with you. You knew the risks and still chose to use it out of your own free will."

"But you never told me that it would summon hordes of monsters!"

"You never asked. If only you were a bit smarter and actually pay attention to such a crucial detail. Heh heh heh."

"You… You…" I dropped to my knees in despair, tears falling across my cheeks. It was perfect. I had been played all this time. The one scheming to take over Oriana through manipulation is not Shadow… but him. Using the only person I can trust, which is my father, only made his stories more convincing. And I not only deserted Shadow Garden… I even defied Shadow himself by unleashing the Black Rose against him. And he still saved me even after I did that. How pathetic of me… to betray the one who saved my life thrice. Where is he now? Is he okay? I have no idea. And it's all my fault.

Things would've been fine if I didn't use the Black Rose. It was me who brought us all into such a desperate situation. It was me who brought the end of Oriana.

I'm such a failure… Father… I'm a failure, both as a princess and as your daughter. Instead of fixing things, I made things worse.

I heard his footsteps… and drops to a knee in order to speak his words directly to my ears, like the whispers of a devil. "Now then. Now that we're done talking about my great evil deeds, let's talk about business shall we?"

"What… do you want…?"

"I'm offering you salvation from the monster problem you caused… and even aid for the upcoming war. In exchange for you and your entire kingdom to swear fealty to me and me alone."

"You mean for us to join the Cult?"

"Oh no no no. You misunderstood even though I made it very clear. I said swear fealty to me! Not to the cult of losers who constantly spread measly diseases like the pests that they are! Not to the Rounds rats who only know how to hide in their cesspool! Swear fealty to ME!"

"What do you want… with my kingdom? You've already ruined it so much!"

"What a silly question. I told you that I'm evil, didn't I?" Of course. He's evil and proud of it. Do I have any choice other than accepting this offer?

"What happens if I refuse? Will you destroy us all with your terrifying magic?"

"I'll do nothing."

"Nothing? Why?"

"Because I don't need to lift a finger. I'll let the monsters do the destroying for me. Heh heh heh." Of course he will watch with great satisfaction as the monsters destroy my kingdom.

"Will you be the king of Oriana then?"

"Oh no. I am already a king. A king of death. You will remain queen of this ruined kingdom. But both you and this kingdom will serve and obey me. Now choose."

I gave myself some time to think. Is it worth it to become his slave for salvation? Will the people of Oriana be grateful for this salvation? Or will they think death is preferable?

I looked at the expressions of everyone present while thinking. Marquis Grantz and the nobles from his faction who came to the capital to attend my upcoming coronation in hopes of peace talks… are frowning in disappointment. I have betrayed their expectations after all. The rest of the nobles may act horrified but I know they are fine with serving anyone as long as they can keep their titles and privileges. The royal guards… are tempted by Necromancer's power and thus, from the barely concealed grins they made, they are already considering, if not outright deciding, to serve Necromancer regardless of my wishes.

I also glanced at Necromancer's minions and… Lady Alpha. Lady Alpha merely observed with an expressionless face. I cannot read the Acolyte's expression due to them wearing a mask. Adra remained indifferent to everything as if he didn't hear what his master just said. Mordred… just smirked as if enjoying my suffering. If I recall from my father's journal, the Cult blackmailed the royal family using the Black Rose in the past too. My fate would've similar or worse than Clara's if not for my father's bravery and defiance… whereas I...

In the end… I could not think of any other way to save my kingdom. Shadow Garden will not help me now that I've betrayed them, leading to the capture of one of their leaders. Our former ally Midgar is currently our enemy and if the monsters didn't destroy my kingdom, they will. No other kingdom would help us, not when Necromancer's scheme perfectly alienated us from the international stage. The Church is the right hand of the Cult, which has always been our enemy and I refuse to make a deal with them again. Necromancer is one of them… though he seems to have his own agenda if Mordred's death is any indication.

But… I fear that making deals with him will be much worse than dealing with the Cult. At least the Cult didn't demand servitude when they offered to close the Black Rose in the past. All they ask is monetary tribute, the defanging of Oriana's military and the royal blood to serve as their experimental subject. Necromancer however is brazen enough to show up in public and not only freely and proudly admit his crimes, he even demanded our servitude. That's how powerful and terrifying he is.

"Well? What is your answer, queen?"

"Will… the people of Oriana live freely and peacefully under your rule?"

"Yes yes… they will live peacefully. As peaceful as I defined it."

"And how do you… define peace?"

"Look at the Lawless City for the answer."

"You… want to turn Oriana into something like… the Lawless City!?"

"Or a kingdom of death inhabited by only the undead if I so wishes. Which means all depends on my whims."

"Whims!? The fate of an entire kingdom… based on your whims!?"

"Yes. I'm evil, remember? I certainly will not be kind toward you all. I've never been. Your best hope is to obey me to the letter and never even think of defying me."

"How do you expect me to accept your offer, then? If there's no benefit for us?"

"Benefit? I offered you salvation from your own mess and you have the gall to demand more? How greedy are you Tyrant Queen, Rose Oriana?"

"Greedy!? Isn't it you who are greedy!? Demanding an entire kingdom to serve you!?"

"Yes I am! But are you in the position to be making such demands here? The monsters are currently ravaging the country as we speak. And my time is also limited. Many things to research. I've even obtained a new test subject." He said while glancing at Lady Alpha, who remained expressionless, hiding her true feelings from everyone.

"Think of it this way. The monsters will not hesitate to destroy everything you hold dear. I, on the other hand, may or may not destroy everything you hold dear. Easy choice, wouldn't you think?" Easy for you to say when you're not the one in the position to lose no matter what you choose!

"Choose wisely and make it quick. I'm a busy villain." I have to make my decision here and now… Not like I have a choice in the matter. I'm sorry my people…

"Fine… I accept your terms, Necromancer." I said as I kneeled before the monster.

"From now on, I, Rose Oriana, and all of Oriana kingdom… shall serve you. Please… save us from the monsters…" With that declaration, the royal guards eagerly joined me in bowing, followed by the spineless nobles. Marquis Grantz and his faction paused for a second but joined us all in bowing.

"Wise choice, my tyrannical queen. From now on, Oriana will be…" He said as he snapped his fingers, which summons rows of armoured undead soldiers which stood in between the red carpet leading to the throne, all carrying spears with modified Oriana banner, where a skull is added on top of the Rose symbol of Oriana's banner, symbolizing Oriana's takeover. "…under the management of the Necromancer."

He finished by sitting on the throne… my father's throne… my throne. The undead soldiers thumps the floor with their spears ceremoniously.

"And this shall be my first order. Prepare for war against Midgar."

And so Oriana kingdom, after suffering a brief but devastating civil war, is reunited, not under my banner… But under the banner of Necromancer.

Author's Note:

Oriana is now officially under the rule of the Necromancer. Yes, the King of Villains/When I Said I Was Evil song I suggested is in reference to Jujutsu Kaisen's SPECIALZ moment in season 2, just like Shadow's banishment is a reference to that anime as well.

TheAbyssWatcher: With Shad banished, has the time come for Necro to finally face the 1st of the Round and take over the Cult? And Alpha's incompetence in the face of her worst nightmare shines through once again. You really need to get over it, stupid elf.

Answer: It will not be that fast. I'd like to expand the Rounds members one by one, it's why I made some of their members OCs after all. And after Alpha, we have Rose facing despair as well.

The Walt: Well, someone is feeling special

Answer: And someone's feeling evil too.

DerTrap: Goodbye Shadow! (At least for now)

Time to put the Seven Shades and especially Alpha on fraud watch. Seems like Alpha will now be captured by Necromancer once again. I'm so excited to see Necromancer on an absolute rampage, now that his biggest enemy is gone and of course for all the experiments he will conduct on Alpha. After all she is his special ("Specialz" starts playing in the background)

Answer: I considered making Alpha have her SPECIALZ moment in this chapter but after re-thinking it, I eventually decided that I should go like I originally intended and focus on Rose in this chapter. That's why the King of Villains song plays in her scene, just like what I've planned since I listened to this song for the first time.

Guest: Funny that Zero mentioned Sonic music as I was listening to "Open Your Heart" from Sonic Adventure during the Thanatos battle. It's the music I always listen to whenever anime protagonists fight large monsters. And to me, some of the lyrics can be attributed to Necromancer's and Shadow's rivalry:

"You and I are the same in the way that we have our own styles that we won't change"

"Yours is filled with evil and mine is not"

"There is no way I can lose"

Alpha's thoughts on Necromancer:

"All your cunning tricks make me sick"

Cid and Claude insistence on doing things themselves despite the wishes of the Seven Shades and Claude's family respectively:

"Nor will I count on others"

Answer: Interesting song.

borregodillon9: The Japan arc begins

Answer: Not yet. There's still the Jack the Ripper arc and Midgar's own civil war that's still left unresolved.

TheVirtualPug: RoSS was probs also inspired by Re:Zero.

Answer: Indeed. That's why time resets every time there's death.

Guest: Jeez Alpha, attempting to backstab during a hero villain team up is something only the bad guys would do. You're supposed to be the good guys here.

Answer: She can't help it. ;)

Guest: Back in chapter 81(or is it 86), Claude hypothesized that his soul was damaged during reincarnation. Is Thanatos perhaps a piece of his soul? It would explain why it is fixated on sucking out his soul. It wants to become one whole soul again.

Answer: *Claps hands*