Story Reader / Affection / Vera: Geiravor / Story
When the last petal falls from the rose, the curse will take effect.
As the final petal withers away, the Demon Lord and everything within the castle will fade into nothingness.
Rose petals now carpet the floor, and the countdown has begun.
This time, the villagers' wish will finally come true—for the "Demon Lord" has made contact with the shadows, hastening this countdown.
When the midnight bells toll, the Demon Lord who has struggled on Earth for hundreds of years will finally perish.
The Demon Lord sits in a chair, gently toying with the withering rose.
The rose brought by that puppet will soon vanish too... What a pity there's only this one.
The puppet "hero" who suddenly appeared in the castle has long since departed, their brief time together like a beautiful dream she had not experienced in ages.
She still remembers when the puppet handed her the rose, with that familiar hesitation written across its face.
You dare to give me something like this... Was it truly unintentional?
Did my subordinates not tell you what "roses" mean to me?
But that puppet—with the same look as the human—replied:
"The fire is here."
...Hah, how thoroughly prepared. Did they even fabricate identical memories? To think you could say those exact words.
But regrettably, even a puppet so uncannily similar, I won't keep it by my side.
I've always wanted that person to find their way to somewhere more vast and free.
Alright, you persistent "system" that keeps watching me, you can piss off now.
You've gotten what you wanted. Your precious "hero" has been sent beyond the shadows by me and will likely return safely to your village soon enough.
As for me... in these final moments before the Punishing Virus devours me, I'd like to be alone.
She brings the rose gifted by the puppet to her lips, savoring the soft, moist texture of its petals.
Invisible shadows have begun to corrupt her fingertips. Soon, humanity's final stronghold—the Demon Lord's castle—will also be engulfed in darkness.
She quietly surveys the great hall bathed in moonlight. If only, she thinks, beautiful dance music could fill this space.
...Ah, thinking about it now, it's somewhat regrettable. Had I known better, I wouldn't have said so much to that puppet so soon.
If I'd kept the puppet in the attic, perhaps I could have found some other amusements before everything ends.
...Forget it. Let's toast to everything that's about to disappear.
To the last castle, to the "Rose Curse" coveted for centuries, and—
To my own struggle.
Vera raises her glass, the bright red liquid gently swirling within.
She glances at the clock hands approaching midnight, then drains her glass in one go.
But before the midnight bell can toll, a knock at the door shatters the silence of the long night.
The crisp sound cuts through the howling blizzard, like the first ray of dawn piercing the lonely darkness.
Vera glances toward the source of the sound, but only offers a self-mocking smile in response.
Heh, what am I even hoping for at this point... Has the Punishing Virus concentration risen high enough to cause hallucinations?
But the door swings wide open—and she suddenly realizes this is no hallucination.
She sees a familiar figure.
The blizzard sweeps up rose petals from the floor, obscuring the human's face and making it impossible for her to read their expression.
The human's snow-covered steps slowly approach her—with a noticeable limp.
ZZZZT!
The "system" in your head shrieks so loudly it nearly blows your skull apart—the surviving "humans" seem furious and shocked that their fabricated puppet has gone haywire.
The protagonist of this hero's tale approaches the Demon Lord, step by step, despite their opposing sides.
...Why did you come back?
This place will be devoured by the "New World" in no time. Do you really want to stand against the "villagers" who worship you?
Whether in reality or illusion, the human's "soul" never wants a story to reach a regretful ending.
The human staggers, nearly falling to their knees—but manages to stay upright—using the "village's finest sword" for support.
You're such... an idiot!
A [Good Ending]...?
The human extends a hand to Vera, the only warmth in a world full of swirling snow.
There is not a trace of hesitation in their eyes, only a hopeful question, as if this were merely an ordinary ball, and they were extending a polite invitation to a dance partner.
After a long silence, she finally responds to the hand extended toward her.
As their fingers intertwine, she feels the warmth emanating from that hand.
The light casts their silhouettes against the wall, and watching the flickering shadows, she realizes just how close they are to each other.
You haven't changed at all. You're exactly the same as when I first saw you.
You really are... a naive and stubborn fool.
She places her hands on the human's shoulder and waist, her face lighting up with a radiant smile.
If you want to be my dance partner, you'll have to follow my lead. Can you keep up?
Well then—[player name], are you ready?
Let's dance together... until the very last moment.
The music begins, echoing across the floor bathed in moonlight, as the lunar glow through the windows illuminates their silhouettes.
A tale that should have reached its ending now begins to be rewritten anew in this moment.
