Do Your Own Revolution-Chapter 195

< Final Chapter-009. >

In a corner of our house, there was a basement that no one entered.

Even the mansion staff who always maintained a casual relationship with us, and even Butler Walter never set foot in that basement.

And I remember that as a child, I really hated that room.

The reason was simple.

My father, who always smiled at me with a gentle expression, would emerge from that room looking somehow terrifying.

He would transform into an unfamiliar and frightening person, different from the gentle father I knew.

I never secretly entered it.

After all, I was quite an obedient daughter.

Or at least I worked hard to appear that way.

The first time I set foot in that basement was when I started university at an early age.

My so-called fiancé was wandering across the continent seeking advancement through suppressing civil wars and warfare, while Father put his retired uniform back on to fulfill his ambitions by using Eugene.

Both of them seemed possessed, constantly racing forward without pause.

The newspapers were plastered with news of my fiancé’s victories, and Father’s rank insignia grew more elaborate despite his previous songs about retiring.

As I looked around the empty mansion, I was drawn as if possessed to that room I had never entered in my childhood.

A dark room.

Yet contrary to that, a meticulously organized room that showed signs of recent maintenance.

However, when I saw the desk placed in one corner of the room, I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks.

“This is…”

It seemed to be a photo from long ago, when Father was a junior officer.

The familiar but youthful faces of the mansion staff, and my young father looking elsewhere as if embarrassed to have his picture taken.

And next to Father was…

“…Mother?”

I could recognize her thanks to the painting hanging in the mansion.

But at the same time, it was a completely different appearance.

A haggard face without makeup, wearing a nurse’s uniform stained with soot and blood.

Despite such an appearance, she wore an unreserved, bright smile.

[Imperial Army 72nd Division Special Medical Unit]

[—Year –Month –Day. Eastern Monster Front]

“Come to think of it. They said they first met in the military.”

Though I smiled fondly at that thought, something felt strange.

If this basement was for keeping photos with Mother.

Why did Father always come out with such a frightening face?

With that question in mind, I examined the documents placed on one side of the desk.

“What… is all this?”

Looking at their contents, I could easily understand the reason.

[Research on Monster Body Components and Decay Phenomena]

[Development Progress and Deployment Status of Monster-Specific Biochemical Weapons]

[Plan 48 for Monster Extermination Operation Mobilizing All Available Imperial Population in Emergency]

[Tracking Report on Former Republic Science Ministry Personnel Involved in Monster Gas Development…]

[Interrogation Reports of Former Elcryer Family Research Personnel]

[Current Amount of Anti-Monster Weapons Stockpiled in Kalhyram Army Supply Depot…]

All sorts of strategies and technologies developed to kill monsters.

And meticulously crafted operation plans to utilize them immediately in case of emergency.

This wasn’t content that could be conceived by being holed up for just a day or two.

While Eugene was preparing for war against the Republic.

Father had been researching monsters behind the scenes.

So that when they eventually invaded.

He could eliminate them all without leaving a trace.

“……”

I turned my gaze to Mother’s photo, which was covered in fingerprints as if it had been touched countless times.

Despite so much time having passed.

Father’s time seemed to have stopped in this photograph.

***

Clank-!

“?!”

As her seat shook once, Mari suddenly awoke from her unconscious state.

“Where is…?!”

After hurriedly surveying her surroundings, Mari covered her mouth and swallowed a dry breath.

“……”

“……..”

A chilling space made not of artificial structures like steel frames or walls, but of bones and flesh.

Semi-transparent membranes swollen like balloons and monsters curled up within them as if dead.

Only then could Mari recall what had happened to her.

This was inside a monster.

She had been kidnapped by monsters.

“Stay calm… calm…!”

Though she felt like fainting at any moment, she couldn’t collapse here.

After forcefully collecting herself, she recalled the events up until now.

The chaotic situation while guiding refugees.

The monster that flew at her in that moment.

And the human language that flowed from that monster.

‘The Queen requests a meeting.’

Click.

“Eek?!”

Startled by the sound from beside her, Mari could finally see the monsters standing on either side of her.

The original appearance of monsters was a repulsive sight covered in slimy mucus and black skin.

However, the monsters guarding Mari’s sides looked quite different from that.

Black carapaces in place of skin.

An unmistakably alive presence despite standing there without making the usual cries.

Rather than monsters, they gave the impression of ancient knights from books.

– Are you awake?

Then, one of the monsters standing opposite spoke while looking at Mari.

The monster that appeared in the middle of Viselgrad and kidnapped her.

With crimson eyes flickering beyond sensation, it continued speaking to Mari, who had frozen with tension.

– Are you experiencing any discomfort?

“…uh, ah, um, yes?”

– Are you experiencing any discomfort?

The same mechanical voice down to each syllable.

Nevertheless, Mari forced herself to nod in response to the monster’s conversation.

Monsters that could understand human language and attempt communication.

Just trying to accept the situation before her eyes was enough to give her a headache.

…… frёeωebɳovel.com

After receiving Mari’s non-answer, the monster examined her condition a few more times before nodding several times.

Was it confirming there were no injuries?

While she was thinking that.

Gruuk-!

With a chilling sound, the air sac surrounding Mari opened.

This way.

The monster raised its hand to guide her.

Even as she walked following that hand, Mari continued her thoughts.

Clearly, the entity called the Queen had said it wanted to meet her.

And to achieve that, it had even sent monsters into the middle of the city.

In other words, they knew who she was.

‘…No way.’

And as Mari traced back that fact, she trembled with an indescribable anxiety.

Among those connected to monsters, someone who knows my name.

And moreover, someone who would do something like this just to meet me.

Only one person came to mind.

But…

‘No, that can’t be.’

Even amid her confusion, Mari shook her head to deny it.

She’s a child who has nothing to do with the war.

A child who fought alongside Eugene while staying by his side.

How could she do something so absurd…!

“Are you not hurt badly? Mari.”

A familiar voice.

Only then could Mari look at the changed scenery upon hearing that voice.

Not monster membranes, but a luxurious space filled with elegant wallpaper and decorations.

Monsters lined up on either side like royal guards, and in the middle, a young girl sitting and waving innocently.

When Mari saw that girl’s appearance, she felt her mind go blank.

“Irene……”

“Yep!”

Irene answered in her usual energetic voice.

Seeing her dressed in an elaborate black dress, Mari ground her teeth with a pale face.

Her thoughts had been exactly right.

“Isn’t this place amazing, like a palace? It used to be used by someone reallyhigh up called the Secretary General. My children made it for me?”

Rising from her seat, Irene began speaking in her usual voice.

Like a child showing off their toys.

But Mari, with her pale face, asked Irene in a trembling voice.

“…Why?”

“Hm?”

She didn’t even think to ask how this was done.

There would be no understanding it even if she heard.

Instead, Mari forced her unwilling lips to move and ask.

“Why did you do something like this?”

“Because I want Eugene to be happy.”

As if to say what nonsense that was.

Seeing Mari’s expression saying that, Irene giggled sitting on her throne as if finding it amusing.

“Remember back then? When we were young, those scary men surrounded us in the back alley.”

“…I remember.”

Assassins sent by the Republic.

When the guard protecting them bled, she had fainted, and when she opened her eyes everything was over.

“Mari, you were originally supposed to die then.”

“Supposed to… die?”

“Yep. This game was originally that kind of story.”

“And then Uncle Keiren would become a much scarier person than now, turning into a great villain who kills lots of good people and the Revolutionary Army.”

Though Irene continued speaking, Mari couldn’t understand a word she was saying.

Supposed to? Game? Story?

What is she talking about?

“From then on, people started gathering around Eugene.”

He became Keiren’s adopted son, became a soldier, became Mari’s husband.

He gained teachers who taught him, superiors and colleagues, and people he loved.

And to grant those people’s wishes, he began sacrificing himself.

He began burning himself to prevent destruction.

“So you’re going to eliminate everything? By opening the Great Rupture? Don’t say such nonsense!”

To Mari’s question, Irene didn’t answer.

She just silently stared at her.

Perhaps finding that frustrating, Mari grabbed Irene’s shoulders and raised her voice.

“It’s not too late even now. Irene, stop this foolish act right now, and the rift…”

And at that moment.

“Mari is unfair.”

With those words, Irene reached out and embraced Mari’s body.

“Bouquet. Letters. Wedding. Ring.”

“……”

“I can barely even ask for things because I’m scared, but Mari just takes all of Eugene’s firsts without a care.”

How nice.

I’m jealous.

Along with the ominous voice, black shadows slowly began gathering around the two of them.

“Just thinking about it makes my whole body feel like it’s going to burst, but Mari can do whatever she wants without any restrictions.”

“…!”

“What should I do? When I want something but can’t have it, what should I do?”

Almost touching, but not quite.

Embracing Mari, Irene devoured Mari’s gaze with unfocused black eyes.

Should I just eat you?

As that voice came from the mouth that sprouted in the shadows that had approached close.

Boom-!

An explosion sound came from outside the window.

A massive and close explosion enough for the vibrations to reach here.

A voice immediately flowed from the monster guarding near the door.

First defense line breached. Simultaneous advance beginning on other fronts.

“What else?”

Aircraft detected forcefully breaking through defensive barrier. Cannot be stopped with current defense measures. 30 minutes until arrival.

“Yeah. That’s Eugene alright.”

He’s superfast.

With those words, the black shadows surrounding Mari disappeared without a trace.

Irene stepped back, sticking out her tongue as if it had been a joke.

“Now Mari is the fragile princess trapped in the tower.”

“……”

“Wait quietly until your prince comes. Okay?”

Then she began slowly creating a form by weaving together the tentacles she had withdrawn.

Crunch, crunch-

Black shadows and countless teeth, eyes undulating around.

Massive wings created by gathering all the ominous things in the world.

Irene with a refreshed expression, as if this was her true form.

Seeing her like that, Mari asked back.

“If I’m the princess, then what are you, Irene?”

“I’m the dragon.”

The black wings formed on both her shoulders.

The tentacles still undulating around even after that.

Seeing them, Irene smiled slightly and said.

“I’m the evil dragon who kidnapped the beautiful princess and locked her in the castle.”