“I’m not late to the party, aren’t I?” The blonde hero smirked as he reached for the claymore on his back. 

“It’s you…” Diabolos Apocalypsis growled, its large claws pointing to the new arrival. Hearing it talk and feeling the vibration was truly horrifying. “The last descendant of Albion, you’re alive…”

“Hm? I guess?” Maximilian scratched his head, thick golden locks bouncing in minimal movements. In my old world, his hair was a trend back then. People would book hairstylists in an attempt to imitate it. “Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about. You see, I just got here and I need a plentiful amount of rest. So make this easy on me, will ya?”

Chills crept on my skin. The way he talked gave me secondhand embarrassment. They were exchanging lines exactly how it was in the game’s cutscene before the battle. This fight was hard at the beginning as Diabolos Apocalypsis was five times higher than Maximilian’s level. 

“Yeah! Let’s kick his ass and have a large feast after, Max!” I had to squint my eyes to see where the squeaky voice came from. A yellow floating bunny with big flappy ears jumped out of Maximilian’s hair.

How could I forget Charmy? His companion! 

Diabolos Apocalypsis roared once more, lifting its giant spear made of a thousand demon souls. “As you wish.” The demon pointed the hero to the forsakers. “Bring me his head.” 

“Let’s go, Charmy! Everyone!” The mages, knights and adventurers around Maximilian surged altogether towards the demon god’s army.

The scenario was straightforward and happened excessively fast. The smoke from dirt and magic managed to cover the chaotic battle from where I stood. All I heard were roars, magic enchantments, the clashing of metals and the rumbling of the ground. Flashing lights caused by elemental magic would slip through the smoke at incredible speed.

“My lady, look! There’s a carriage over there!” Said the two knights behind me. “Let’s get you home—“

“No, I—“ Maximilian soared in the sky as he struck and dodged the demon’s magic attacks. The protagonist’s attack speed was impressive for someone wielding a claymore. It seemed he worked very hard in Yuria before coming here.

His countless attacks were soon followed by a loud cracking sound. Diabolos Apocalypsis’ defence has been shattered. Maximilian took that as a chance to deliver heavy blows to its forehead—its weak point—as his allies advanced their rallies against the forsakers.

Diabolos Apocalypsis’ shield was completely destroyed at once, deflating its HP down to 50% which could only mean its downfall at any given moment. Since the lines they exchanged in a cutscene were included in this world, a scenario from another cutscene after Maximilian finally defeats the demon god will surely occur. After that, the person behind Diabolos Apocalypsis would disappear and Maximilian has to hunt them in the next quest. 

“My lady?”

I have to know the person behind this boss so I can’t just leave yet. I turned around to the knights. “I’m sorry I—I have to stay!”

“What?! But my lady, we have to—“

The earth rumbled much harder than before. Hot winds gathered around the direction of Diabolos Apocalypsis. It was its last resort to gather its remaining strength in desperation to win against the protagonist. The battle finished faster than I thought. 

The next scenario has begun.

“How… How come? This can’t be…” The demon god growled, its deep voice booming in the whole plaza.

The noise of the surroundings covered Maximilian’s response. But in the game, he said, “Evil doesn’t have a place in this world. Your prime as a powerful demon has been over for a long time, don’t ever think about coming back again.”

Diabolos Apocalypsis replied with its last line. “I will not accept this defeat… not in the hands of lowly mortals… of the likes of you... I have to… tell the Invictus… that the empire of Albion… has not yet fallen…” A light resembling a black hole embraced the demon’s body before it vanished to ashes. The Forsaken Order in the vicinity started dropping like flies, leaving only their cloaks on the ground.

Astaroth has been defeated once again.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

An injured crow fled the scene from where Maximilian had defeated Diabolos Apocalypsis. I watched as it flew south headed to the haunted village of Goulcrest, where the next quest should be located. 

The skies went back to normal and the smoke covering the plaza grounds had dispersed. The citizens of Evermore started surrounding the hero with curiosity.

“Is it over?”

“The demons, they’re gone!”

“Mister, what’s your name? 

“You’re our saviour!”

They cheered for Maximilian with full admiration. He was written to like gaining attention and yet his eyes were set to where the bird had gone. In Remembering World, his next objective was to chase Zathrian in crow form. Using foresight to look for clues, he found the latter in the Goulcrest Village. This village was known to be haunted by aggressive spirits. Everyone in Evermore knew it was unsafe to go there alone. 

“Gah! It’s over! Lady Lilivienne, we really need to send you back home now. Let’s—and she’s gone.”

I felt bad for the knights who only wanted to get me to safety as instructed but it was time for Maximilian to move to the next quest. I marched in his direction despite the crowds blocking my way. Since we share the same goal of finding the culprit behind Diabolos Apocalypsis, it would be better if we looked for this person together. He can fight the spirits while I tag along to seek my answer.

“We need to find the crow fast, Max! Tell these people to step aside!” The bratty floating bunny stomped her feet in the air. 

Maximilian scratched his cheek. “P-Please excuse us!”

The crowds made way for him. He would stride swiftly and decisively despite the layers of his garment. He knew where to go or what to do when focused on one goal. Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist to stop him in his tracks, eliciting murmurs around us. 

“It’s the Chosen Maiden!” 

“She’s alive!”

“Do they know each other?”

Maximilian looked at me with confusion. He was tall and had striking features. His thick golden hair would block his eyes which were as blue as the ocean.

“I know where to find what you’re looking for. Come with me.” I told him.