I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 261

But in the end, it was no different from saying that he didn’t trust her, and Raios let out a sigh. At that moment, a strange voice spoke from behind him.

 

“Raios Geranze.”

 

It was a sinister voice brimming with killing intent.

 

Ignoring it completely, Raios made a decision. Let’s trust her. From now on, let’s trust her.

 

“You’re the one who started the war.”

 

Because she wanted it, he would hold faith in her. Just as he once worshipped the sun god Ramun, he would now worship her.

 

“Do you know how many innocent young men are dying?”

 

To him, Dana was no different from a goddess. He worshiped her the way one worships a deity.

 

“You’ve been bewitched by that witch!”

 

So now, he would believe her as one believes in a god.

 

“Die!”

 

At that moment, a bullet flew toward him. Raios turned his head. Before his eyes, the bullet shattered into fragments. And there stood the assassin, pale with shock, gun still aimed at him.

 

“H-How…”

 

Bang, bang, bang! Several bullets flew at Raios, but before they could touch his body, they all crumbled into dust.

 

Raios stared at the assassin with icy blue eyes and murmured, “Did you call her a witch?”

 

“…Yes. A witch.” As if prepared for death, the assassin shouted resolutely. “Danae Geranze will be remembered in history as the greatest witch of all time! Raios Geranze! The witch who seduced the emperor, spread an evil religion, and started a religious war—!”

 

Raios seized the assassin by the throat. He then smiled. “She will be remembered as a saintess.”

 

The next moment, the assassin’s body exploded apart within his grasp. Splatter.

 

Covered in bright red blood, Raios muttered, “Because history will be written by my hand.”

 

That was why. This war existed for that reason. Two years had already passed since the religious war began. He knew the empire was becoming drenched in blood. He also knew she wanted the war to stop. But he couldn’t do that. He had to, no, he absolutely had to uproot the Ramun Church completely. Even if she came to hate him, it couldn’t be helped.

 

Walking back toward the bedroom, Raios recalled the words she had left behind.

 

“I really can’t stand younger man.”

 

Come to think of it, she often said things like that. That he was childish. And she frequently teased him, calling him cute. Raios had always been bothered by that. Does she really prefer more mature men? Among the many men she had met, there certainly had been more older men.

 

After much deliberation, Raios finally called for his close friend. There was only one person in this world with whom he could openly discuss matters of love. The only person in this world whom he truly trusted.

 

“Rumie.”

 

It was none other than Rumie Rolland.

 

“Do I seem childish?”

 

“Not at all.”

 

“Do I look cute?”

 

“Absolutely not.”

 

“But there’s someone who sees me that way. What should I do to give off a more mature impression?”

 

“In that case, how about pushing up your bangs?” Rumie quickly offered his advice. “Your Majesty looks much more intimidating when your eyebrows are exposed.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. Your atmosphere becomes much sharper, so you’ll probably look older as well.” Walking closer, Rumie picked up a comb from the bedside table. It was the comb Danae Geranze had left behind the previous night. “May I comb your hair?”

 

“You may.”

 

At that, Rumie moved even closer. With a careful expression, he brushed Raios’s bangs upward.

 

At that moment, Raios felt a pure sense of admiration. Because the man before him was so alluring. This guy is really handsome. It was his first time seeing Rumie this close, and the face he witnessed right before his eyes looked like a work of art meticulously crafted from jewels. There was a strange fascination lingering in his narrow eyes and red lips, making Raios realize for the first time that even men could possess sexual charm. In other words… Rumie had the kind of face Dane Geranze would drag into bed.

 

“It’s done, Your Majesty.” Rumie stepped back with satisfaction while Raios was lost in thought.

 

The moment Raios checked the mirror, a gasp of admiration escaped him naturally.

 

“Do you like it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Raios’s impression really had become stronger. He looked very arrogant and extremely fierce. More than anything… I really do look a bit older now. At this level, he probably looked older than Danae Geranze. He thought it had been a good decision to overcome his embarrassment and asked Rumie for advice.

 

“So, Rumie. Is guarding Sister Danae manageable?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And how has she been lately?” Raios tried to ask as naturally as possible. “Has she been seeing any other men?”

 

“No, Your Majesty. Her Highness doesn’t have any men she is particularly close with.”

 

“I see.”

 

There was no way she could avoid Rumie’s eyes. So was she really only seeing me? It was surprising. That she wasn’t cheating.

 

“Don’t tell my sister I asked about things like this.”

 

“I have enough tact to know that much, Your Majesty. Don’t worry.”

 

“And don’t do anything beyond guarding her. Even if my sister tries to seduce you.”

 

“I’ll get calluses in my ears from hearing that. How many times must I tell you that will never happen?”

 

Raios trusted Rumie’s words. Separate from whether he loved Dana or not, he couldn’t trust Dana completely. But he trusted Rumie more than anyone. It was a trust built from growing up together since childhood. Rumie had been a street boy abandoned by his mother. And Raios was the one who had helped him return to the Rolland family.

 

“And there’s one more thing that must remain secret.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“That you combed my bangs.”

 

At that, Rumie let out a small laugh. “Of course, Your Majesty. I’d truly hate for that to become known as well.”

 

“Why would you hate it?” Raios laughed aloud. “You combed the emperor’s hair. You should consider it an honor, Rumie—”

 

It was that moment. Right as Raios laughed and joked.

 

“…”

 

Everything disappeared. Even the sunlight that had filled the room, and Rumie, who had been chatting and laughing with him. All of it disappeared like a mirage. Only the crimson glow of sunset remained, flooding the room.

 

“…Ah.” Raios let out a low groan. He was sitting alone in the chair. Rumie was no longer by his side… And the man reflected in the mirror was staring back at him with pitch-black eyes.

 

Raios traced the mirror with his fingertips. Instead of blond hair, there was black hair. And there were black eyes instead of blue eyes.

 

 

So…

 

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

 

Damn it. Turning around with a sigh, Raios saw Count Cedric standing there with a dark expression.

 

“You had another hallucination.”

 

“…”

 

“This time it lasted quite a while. The hallucination continued for around thirty minutes.”

 

Was it the aftereffect of remembering every single timeline in vivid detail? Raios was suffering from mental confusion. He mistook which timeline he belonged to and sometimes saw hallucinations, just like now. Recently, those hallucinations have been growing more severe.

 

“Whenever these symptoms occur, you often call for Rumie Rolland. May I ask why?”

 

“I’m not in love with him, so don’t worry.” Draining his subordinate’s energy with nonsense, Raios tilted his chin. “It’s hard to stay sane without cigars.”

 

“My apologies. I will procure them as quickly as possible.”

 

“What was your business?”

 

“Danaena Rolland has awakened.”

 

“…” Raios didn’t answer. He simply stroked his chin with one hand in thought before asking, “And Rumie?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Is he still getting along well with his wife?”

 

“There is no particular news aside from the fact that they sleep in separate rooms.”

 

“Then you may leave.”

 

Once the door closed, a deep exhaustion washed over Raios. He wanted to smoke the cigar. Since his tolerance kept increasing, he sought stronger ones. Along with that, the side effects were also becoming worse. But it didn’t matter. After all…

 

Suddenly laughter slipped out, and Raios chuckled to himself. Then, all at once, his eyes met his reflection in the mirror.

 

“…”

 

Black hair was scattered across his forehead. It annoyed him. Raios picked up the comb and swept his bangs back leisurely and skillfully, just like the man he had once cherished long ago had taught him.