I hate liars, hypocrites, and people who take advantage of people who care about them. But more than these, I hate murderers more. I’m not really a fan of gore movies and I think they are disgusting, I do love horror though. I just don’t understand how people get pleasure by killing someone. Life is a precious thing, even though people act like shits. But there’s still one more thing I hate the most, ever since that time with Haruka. That is… endangering other people’s lives because of me.

“E 50 Ausf. M.” These words were written at the bottom of the portrait.

“Hiiro,” Satrillo spoke. “Are you curious about that picture?”

“Y-yes.”

He then narrated about events of the previous war.

Decades ago, Razzia found a new source of power, called curses. Unlike magic which uses mana, curses utilized the energy that came from the negative emotions of living beings. Lucie’s usage of lust energy is an example. Unlike magic, curses have superior attack power and doesn’t require incantations and runes. Also in special cases, some curses have special abilities that are normally impossible to do. Like Aria’s Cursed Lightning for example.

With this newfound power, the Demon King decided to conquer all of Eteria starting from the Khina. After years of fighting, the Demons almost won the war, their enemy left with only a few cities standing. In their desperate moments, the humans sacrificed a large number of powerful mages, including the prince next to the throne, to create a spell that would call for ‘heroes’ from another world; five were summoned. These heroes were blessed with great power which they used to win their many battles, and soon the humans regained hope. However, it was not enough to defeat Razzia; it could only buy them time. The humans knew that magic alone was not enough to defeat the demons, so they developed a new source of power...

...Satrillo called it “nuclear energy”.

“Sat...rillo?” My eyes stared at him; my body trembled. “What… do you mean… by nuclear energy?”

He then explained the process of nuclear fission.

This… This can’t be. No... This is impossible.

“Written reports from the Razzia’s spies said that the idea came from the summoned heroes.”

“Satrillo, you said that this happened 70 years ago, right?”

“Yes,” he replied. “To be exact, the first nuclear power plant was built in 1951. The tanks appeared a few years before that time.”

Did he just say 1951? Wait, a minute. Calendars already existed?

“Satrillo?” Instantly, I asked him “What is the date today?”

“Hiiro? You seem a little bit off right now,” he responded. “Anyway, today is May 20, 2019.”

When the plane crashed into me, the date was August 11, 2018.

No. This can’t be. Does this mean I’ve been dead for nine months?

“Hiiro?” Satrillo asked; “Is there something wrong? You’re acting weird.”

“N-nothing. I’m sorry, I’m just a bit shocked from what I just heard.”

“Shocked?” he whispered. “By the way, Hiiro, may I ask you something? How did you meet Emily-ojousama?” he asked. “This has been bothering me for quite a while since I met you. Actually, when I saw you fight in the arena, I thought you were a Lich.”

“A Lich?”

Satrillo explained to me what Lich was. When a mage with powerful magic dies, there’s a rare chance of them coming back to life. The negative energy from the mage’s regrets or anger to their killer could combine with their mana cursing them to be reborn as an immortal. This was also how the demons discovered curses.

“When I saw you cast elemental magic in your battle with Lucie, I immediately assumed you were a Lich,” he added. “There’s also the fact that skeleton knights summoned by necromancers would never have a will of their own. However, you seem to be self-aware and in control of your own actions.”

“But I can only feel a short amount of anti-mana from you. Hiiro. What are you? How did you meet Emily-Ojousama?” He added while touching his katana.

This killing intent. What should I do? He’s suspicious of me. Do I tell him the truth? That Emily used a forbidden spell to reincarnate me? He did serve her mother. Maybe he can help me return to my human body.

“Emily… reanimated me from the dead.” I stated.

As these words came out of my mouth, Satrillo’s behavior suddenly changed; his body froze, his face turned pale and his mouth slightly opened. “Hiiro. P-please, tell me you're joking,” he faltered. “N-no, this is just not possible. I can still talk to Emily-Ojousama. There’s no way this is possible.”

“Satrillo? What do you mean?” I queried.

“Hiiro, do you know that reanimation is forbidden? Do you know the reasons why?” he quickly grabbed my shoulders.

“I-I don’t know the reason but I know it’s forbidden.”

“When necromancers use reanimation. They use all of their life energy and give it to their target,” he explained.

“All of her life energy? Does this mean...”

“Emily will die,” he added.

As he said that word, a nightmare suddenly flashed in me.

“I’m sorry, Hiiro”

The day Haruka jumped from the rooftop of our school.

***

---Emily---

“By the way, Aria,” Lucie spoke. “I heard from the king that the scouts already found the new secret lab of Dr. Albert.”

“Dr. Albert?” Aria asked.

“Yes,” Lucie replied. “They found the man who kidnapped you and Robyn seven years ago.”

“Aria…” My eyes turned to Aria who seemed to be looking down while touching her chest.

“Oopsie, I’m sorry, Aria,” Lucie bowed, apologizing. “I just realized that this is not the right time to be talking about this.”

“It’s... okay... Lucie.” Aria let out a hoarse voice. “Please, continue with the information,” she pleaded.

Lucie stared at Aria. “The king is planning for an attack mission a few weeks from now,” she spoke. “So far, we are still having a meeting on how many troops should be sent.”

“Anyway, I already told Robyn about this.” Aria looked at Lucie. “It seems she wants to join the mission.”

“Robyn...” Aria whispered.

“What about you, Aria? Are you also going to join the mission?” Lucie asked.

“I… I don’t know,” Aria responded, still looking down.

“Well, it’s still early so you have plenty of time to think about it,” Lucie added.

“Thank you, Lucie,” Aria said.

“You’re welcome,” Aria responded. “Well, it seems the king is calling me. I need to go now, Aria, Emily. Bye-bye. Enjoy the party.”

“Yes, Thank you,” Aria and I replied.

Time passed, Aria was still sitting near the table. She was deep in her thoughts and kept refusing the food I offered to her. The party that was supposed to be filled with smiles was replaced by the melancholy of a girl wearing a black robe.

“Aria.”

“I’m okay, Emily,” Aria replied. “I… I’ll just go out for a bit. I want to be alone right now.”

She then asked for permission from King Arthur to go out of the hall.

***

---Hiiro---

After my talk with Satrillo, I went to our room and sat on top of my bed, thinking about everything he just said. “Emily... will die?” I whispered, looking at my hands.

Moments later, the door opened, and I caught a glimpse of Emily entering. Everything happened so fast that I never noticed my shouts vibrating throughout the room. When I returned to my senses, I was holding my cheek bone while looking at her red and swelling hand. With the continuous drop of tears from her face, I couldn’t speak.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized and ran outside leaving me still standing on my spot.

“I’m sorry!” Shouting these words, I continuously punched the wall close to the door, almost breaking my right hand. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” I wanted to cry but I couldn't, for I had no eyes. “I’m sorry, Emily.”

I just… I just don’t want others to die because of me. I just don’t want the past to repeat itself.

Staring at my fractured hand, I thought, if I could feel anything, it would stung every time I would try to move it. But, her slap was still more painful. It twinged not on my face, but on my heart. “I need to find her quick. I must apologize to her.” Immediately, I went out to look for her.

Running around, I explored the interior of the castle, but I couldn’t find her. “Please, Emily, where are you?”

The walk took time until I saw Aria entering from the castle gate.

“Aria!” I screamed. Running towards her and panting afterward, I quickly asked if she had seen Emily.

“Emily? I just passed her. She went outside,” she replied. “Hiiro, what going on? She was crying.”

“I...”

“Hiiro, whatever it is, please talk to her,” she pleaded. “I… I don’t want to see her cry again. She already suffered too much from the past.”

“Yes, I will. Thank you, Aria.”

Before I had the chance to ran, Aria stopped me. “Wait, Hiiro, I’ll help you look for her.”

Aria and I decided to split up so we could quickly find Emily. The entire area outside the castle was massive, but I looked everywhere until I was worn out.

“Shit.”

The sky has turned dark and it would be nightfall soon, but, I couldn’t give up.

Despite my fist having cracked when I punched the wall, and my feet exhausted from too much running, I managed to find her, standing beneath the shade of an autumn tree. She was facing the other way.

“Ha...ruka.”

I was too tired. My visions dimming, steps slowing, I forced myself to walk towards the girl wearing a black robe.

“Haruka… I… I’m sorry.” Everything turned black, and I collapsed.

***

Waking up, I found myself lying in Emily’s lap; she was crying.

Slowly, I raised my left hand towards her face, wiping the falling tears. “I’m sorry, I made you cry again.”

“Hiiro.” Tightly, she grabbed my hand. With her forehead touching my fingers; tears filling her eyes. “Hiiro, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

“No, Emily,” I said, standing. “I’m the one who should apologize. I couldn’t control my emotions and I… I did that you. I’m really sorry.”

“But...” Shifting her gaze down, she saw my broken fist. “Hiiro, what happened to your right hand?” she asked, but I couldn’t respond.

Avoiding eye contact, I kept myself silent. “I’ll heal you right now.” She immediately grabbed her scepter and started casting a spell, but I stopped her.

“Please, Emily you don’t need to exhaust your life force on me.”

“Y-you don’t have to worry, Hiiro,” she replied. “I’ll use my mana.” She then cast a spell to fix my broken hand.

Turning my back, I pleaded, “Emily, please; cancel the reanimation spell. I… I don’t want you to die because of me.”

“I can’t,” she responded with a soft voice.

Hearing these words I faced her. “Emi--” But before I could say her name, a guard appeared and interrupted us.

“Master Hiiro, Lady Emily,” he shouted. “King Arthur wants to see you two in the throne room. Please, go there immediately.”

***

At the throne room, King Arthur sat in front with Satrillo, Lucie, and Robyn standing beside him.

“Emily, answer me.” King Arthur slowly spoke, looking at us with glaring eyes. “Did you really use reanimation?”

My gaze turned to Satrillo. “My apologies, Hiiro,” he spoke. “I had to tell this to the King since this is a serious matter.”

“Answer me!!!” King Arthur’s loud voice echoed through the entire room.

With her trembling hands, Emily answered while looking down. “Y-yes, Your Highness.”

There was a bit of silence before King Arthur let out another word; his face became sullen.

“Tell me, Emily,” he said with a soft and slow voice. “Where did you learn this spell and how did you survive?”

Survive?

“I-I learned reanimation from a book I picked up in the forest,” Emily quivered; her hands were shaking. Immediately, I held her right palm. It was the only thing I could do.

“Where is this book right now?” King Arthur slowly asked.

“I-it’s in our room,” Emily answered.

King Arthur commanded his guards to search for the book. The throne room became quiet after that.

“Y-your Highness...” Looking at King Arthur, my voice stuttered. “Can I ask something? What do you mean---”

“Allow me to explain...” Satrillo interjected. He explained the process of reanimation.

In order to perform reanimation, the necromancer must offer their life force to their target. In other words, for reanimation to be successful the necromancer must first die. Emily being alive contradicted that one requirement of the spell. She shouldn’t be breathing right now.

The guards returned, one of them held a worn-out book in his hands. He walked towards King Arthur and handed him the book. Reading its pages, King Arthur’s expressions suddenly changed. He had the same eyes as when I told Satrillo about Emily reanimating me.

“No, this penmanship. It can’t be...” He looked at Robyn and called out her name. “Go to the Village of the Necromancers right now and look for Oliver. I need him to explain this to me!”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Robyn replied and walked out of the room.

“Your Highness,” Satrillo spoke. “May I ask the matter?”

“The reanimation spell on this book had been altered,” King Arthur responded. “It seems Oliver is trying to resurrect a necromancer.”

“A necromancer?”

Satrillo looked at me. “In order to reanimate someone, the target must have a soul. However, due to the contract of the necromancers to the Demon King, if they die, their souls would vanish.”

“Then, that means...”

“Yes,” Satrillo responded. “It is impossible to reanimate a full-blooded necromancer.”

Hearing this, Emily fell on her knees. “I-I can’t reanimate mother?”

Shit, I forgot Emily is here.

“Then, for what reason did I learn necromancy. For what reason do I have to live!!!” Emily shouted.

“Satrillo, take Emily back to her room, immediately,” King Arthur commanded. Satrillo then went to the king and whispered something, but I couldn't hear them since they were too far from me.

As the three of us walked towards the door, King Arthur called me, “Hiiro, please stay. I need to talk to you.”

As the door closed, King Arthur began to talk. “I never thought the reason why she’s looking for Marina is so she could reanimate her.”

“Your Highness!” I shouted. “Please, tell Emily to cancel the reanimation spell she cast on me.”

King Arthur looked at me. “I’m sorry, Hiiro,” he apologized. “But that is impossible right now. Reanimation is a one-time spell; the caster is supposed to die after using it. There is no known way of canceling it.”

“No... This can’t be.”

“However, Oliver might know something about this,” he added and coughed after. “Anyway, Hiiro, I know this is too sudden, considering what just happened, but I want to ask you something. This is important so please don't lie to me.”

King Arthur flicked his finger, and a number of guards entered the room, each carrying a weapon. “Are you a spy from Khina?”

“Y-Your Highness, w-what do you mean by a spy?”

“Tell us the truth, Hiiro,” he insisted. The guards raised their weapons and aimed it towards me. “We can tell if you’re lying using Lucie’s curse.”

What’s happening? Spy? Me? But I never even went to Khina.

“Hiiro, we’re waiting for your answer,” King Arthur demanded.

Since I had no choice, I told them everything. How I came from another world. How a plane crashed into me. How I don’t have a memory of anything that happened before I died. And how Emily and I met.

“I have never once set foot in Khina Your Highness.”

“Are you really sure, Hiiro?” Lucie spoke.

“Lucie? What do you mean?”

“Based on the information that we have gathered from Aria.” Lucie walked towards me. “The humans who attacked the Village of the Necromancers were shouting ‘Glory to the Summoned Heroes!’ Which means that the humans already tried to duplicate the summoning magic they used in the previous war. Don’t you think they’re planning to start another world war?”

“Another... world war?”

“Yes.” Lucie placed her right palm on my forehead. “Sweet dreams, Hiiro~ I hope that when you wake up, we’re still allies.”

Again, my vision slowly fades, and the sounds become muffled. As my sight completely vanished, my skeleton body fell to the ground.