The Tyrant’s Dream and the Hero’s Legacy

I had a dream. In it, a girl who looked remarkably like me lay upon a bed of opulent splendor.

“Before I die, I have but one request… How can I ensure our newborn son remains far from the struggles for the throne?”

The young man beside her hesitated for a long moment.

“Then let him be raised as a princess! I… I happen to be in need of a daughter…”

His voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

“Please… let our child… live a simple, peaceful life…”

With those words, the girl closed her eyes for the last time.

The young man stood stunned for a long while before finally releasing her cold hand. He then rushed out of the girl’s bedchamber.

The maids, imperial physicians, and ministers waiting outside the door all fell to their knees in unison.

“Your Majesty, please restrain your grief!”

His eyes were bloodshot as he uttered just a few words.

“I shall destroy the world!”

“Your Majesty! Please consider the common people of the realm! You absolutely must not!” an elder minister pleaded, kowtowing.

“I couldn’t even save one woman! Yet you ask me to care for the common people of the realm????”

I awoke with a start.

What was happening to me? I was clearly asleep, yet tears were streaming down my face…

“Your Royal Highness, you’re awake.”

My gaze drifted towards the voice. A semi-elf loli, with hair as curly as instant noodles, was arranging tarot cards.

“I had already divined that you would be waking soon,” Sharabelle said.

I tilted my head, looking at her.

“You can divine the future?”

“Just a bit of entertainment now and then.”

“How long was I unconscious this time?”

“Only three days and three nights.”

“How is Maple? His eyes—”

“Please rest assured, Your Royal Highness. A unicorn’s horn possesses detoxifying properties. With the antidote I’ve prepared for him, he will make a full recovery. It will simply take some time.”

I let out a deep sigh of relief.

“It’s good that he’ll recover… I almost thought he would never see again.”

“As long as it’s not a witch’s curse, there’s always a cure,” Sharabelle said meaningfully, staring at the ‘Tower’ card on the table.

‘???’ I felt utterly bewildered. Wasn’t she a witch herself?

“You seem quite concerned about Prince Maple, Your Royal Highness?”

“N-not at all! He was injured protecting me, after all. Isn’t it perfectly normal for me to show concern?” I explained, my face flushing.

Sharabelle offered a smile that clearly said, ‘Yes, yes, whatever you say,’ which was truly annoying!

“What happened after I fell unconscious? What became of those who tried to kidnap me?”

“You may rest easy. Your Imperial Father has taken care of the aftermath for you.” She smiled meaningfully, revealing her cunning nature.

At the mention of my Imperial Father, my gaze involuntarily dimmed. I hugged my pillow, saying worriedly, “Those people said my Imperial Father is a tyrant…”

Sharabelle calmly arranged her tarot cards.

“People’s positions differ, and so do their perspectives on matters,” she said indifferently.

“But is my Imperial Father truly a tyrant?” I pressed.

She put down her tarot cards and glanced at me.

“Well, Your Royal Highness, would you like to hear my personal account?”

“Please do tell.”

“Humans, elves, dwarves, demons, cat-eared folk, and rabbit-eared folk have been warring amongst themselves for a thousand years,” she said with profound meaning.

“So, that’s what the so-called Millennium War refers to.”

“For these past thousand years, the six races have been embroiled in endless conflict. Your Royal Highness, can you imagine the dire lives the people of the six races have endured during this millennium?”

I remained silent, listening to her continue.

“It was your Imperial Father who gave the people of the six races a chance to recover and rebuild. Only with a unified world can countless children like you be spared the ravages of war.”

“!?”

“Therefore, I can tell you with full responsibility that your Imperial Father is the great hero who ended the Millennium War.”