I will not die a Villainess's death

The thing about magic circles was, it was extremely difficult for them to be deactivated once they get going. That was something Elysia knew fully well and that was the only reason she stood still once the circle beneath her feet did go live.

Shocked eyes met a bored grey one before a genuine smile broke free on Axia's face.

"Well, looks like you managed to achieve your purpose. Now, I hope we never have to meet each other again."

The light from the magic circle shined brightly and energy rushed toward Elysia. She reached out toward the world's consciousness but her body began to ache. She was disappearing into light before her hand reached the grey-haired man.

"I guess it's time to say goodbye. It was nice knowing you this far."

The world was blinded by a flash of light and everyone looked toward the temple's direction and into that light. The world was being forced to forget a very prominent existence and the resultant energy was making everything more stable.

Outside the temple, a tear escaped Eve's eyes as she fought to regain her memories. She could feel her memories being tempered but she had no idea what was changing in her mind. All she knew was that she needed to jot forget whatever was going through her head.

"Don't try to fight the feeling. This pain is a brief one and you will be able to overcome it once you let yourself forget."

Head Priest Yohan's hand rested on Eve's head and she flinched. She knew something was wrong but she had no idea why she felt like this. All she knew was that she needed to fight her additive father because of-

Who was it that she needed to remember? She was sure that person had been a significant part of her life but she could no longer think about it.

She was not the only one who had this problem. Adam's head was in pain as well as he tried to keep a hold of his memories. Unlike Eve, he felt it the moment the world touched him. But he was a dragon and he could resist it to some degree.

However, that proved to be insignificant in the grand scheme of things. He had underestimated the scope of the world's power in the end. It managed to lock the memories behind a wall of mental power.

The only one who was able to remember what happened. Lucas Dirac was the sole person who remembered Elysia and who she had been. And it was all because of the kid in his arms.

Lucas might have forgotten Elysia for some time but the child had no intention of not remembering the person who had given birth to him. And as someone who had received a part of Elysia's magic, he was the only one immune to the effects of memory-wiping magic that had been used.

"I-Huh? What happened here?"

Lucas tried to shake off the weird feeling he got when the magic had passed over him. But even he had lost himself to the magic before Adrian's crying voice had snapped him out of it.

It was then he remembered what had happened and Lucas could not help but shake his head. All his power and preparation had been for nothing in the end. He had ended up being subjected to the power of this world.

"Adrian, thank you. I don't know what I would have done if not for you. You miss your mother as well, right? I understand the feeling."

Lucas hugged the tiny bundle in his arms. If he looked carefully, he could make out Elysia's features in Adrian's face. The shape of his nose and his eyes was similar to his sister's. Looking at the child reminded Lucas why he was doing everything he could.

That day, a fundamental change occurred in the empire and the whole world. The peaceful days snapped over in a frenzy and everyone was getting ready for the upcoming war.

And things were not any better on the other side of the sky-hole.

It was the second time this kind of thing had happened to them and it worried everyone. Especially the higher-ups on the chain of command.

//////////////////////////////////

"Lexus, Serina, you both were put in charge of observing the hold because this was what you requested. Were you able to find anything?"

Lexus looked at the elder in front of him. The people on the security council had freaked out as soon as they noticed the second black hole in the sky.

The first one had been disastrous enough and a lot of people had lost their lives. It had also been difficult to kill the monsters that had emerged from the hole since they had been resistant to their aura.

The second coming of this disaster was more than what the people wanted and it was also more than their world could handle.

"I am sorry but we were not able to find a reason behind this second occurring. All our energy signature tests came back as normal and even the scientists were not able to figure out a reason behind this occurring."

Serina apologized as she faced the elders. She had come a long way from that whiny kid and had finally bloomed into a woman worth consideration.

She might still be a child but her powers were coming along well. In other words, Serina was someone who had potential and the elders liked her for that reason.

It had taken Lexus some time to accept her because of all that had happened between them but he had ended up giving her a chance. And now he was thankful that he had given Serina a chance.

She had proven herself to be a reliable partner and not as annoying as some of his other options had been.

"Ugh, what use are you powerful nobles if you cannot even find a solution to our problem? How did you solve this case the last time? Can we not use it again?"

One of the representatives of the council moaned. He was a selfish man with no morals and Lexus knew him well. He would not even hesitate to see his kids if it meant he would profit.

Lexus wanted nothing to do with that man but there was nothing he could do. His age did not allow him to wield his family seat, despite having the qualifications.

"I told you before - Elysia Dirac was the one who sacrificed herself to close that door. If there is someone who can close this door except her then we would have gotten them to do that already."

This was something Lexus had confirmed so many times by now but the elders were not ready to accept his words. They were just not ready to believe that Elysia had been special.

"Let's not fight about this issue. Lord Lexus, we are not doubting your words but Elysia Dirac's sacrifice did not solve our problem. Hence, you will have to be the one to go to the other side of the hole and solve it. You can do that much, right?"

Lexus bit his lips as he considered his options. He could refuse the elders but they will just find a way to corner him again. In the end, the only way for him to get out of this situation was to agree with the elders.

Any other argument would only end up in a stalemate that no one wanted to be a part of.

"You don't have to give in under the pressure, you know right? You can take it easy and-"

"Fine, I will do it. But this is the last time I accommodate your selfishness so you have no right to ask me anything else ever again."

Serina was stunned at Lexus's words. He was not one to back down easily and especially when it came to the elders and their unreasonable demands. He was someone who liked to keep his options open

And yet, despite all that, Lexus had agreed with the elders. It pointed to his wish of finding Elysia soon and take care of her.

And even though Serina shared his belief and his dream, she was much more rational than him and knew when to back down. She could not help but think of Lexus as someone irrational fro making this decision.

"Alright. Since you both have agreed to this demand, then you will be granted the right to manage this case. Do not disappoint us this time as well."

The elder spoke like he had ever right to demand this of Lexus and Serina's cooperation. But they both did not speak up against this unfair terms.

It was not like anything was going to change even if they did speak up and no one was going to take their side anyway. But taking a case on their terms did help the pair gain access to other resources they did not have. And that was all that mattered in the end.