The Villainess and I, her Zombie

Chapter 297: Volume 5's epilogue (2)

As amusing as it would be to torment you and lie, fooling you into thinking that I actually managed to erase her files in this playthrough or mess with her in any way – sadly that didn't happen.

Oh...?

I mean, knowing that she's fine is an insanely huge relief but... why are you so nice to me...?

I couldn't help but ask, and honestly, I had more than enough reasons to be suspicious.

Do you remember that the whole Eternal thing you turned into was inside of you all along, but merely sealed by a powerful seal?

Yes, I was able to create and use that red and black right arm since that whole seal partially unlocked at one point – but what about... oh... wait... Once everything went black and the world had started anew, you got sealed inside of me too...?

I realized halfway through my own question.

No, not too. Eternal and I switched places – which funnily enough is very similar to how it should have been in the original story, as you of course know after seeing the savior's memories.

Yeah... still, the Eternal is supposed to be just a sealed entity dormant until the late game – or until someone cheats, you know, with my character being the host of the sealed monster and the capture target from the Sloth family being the embodiment of the seal trigger, the Master of the Eternal Servant. There's a whole damn questline for that. Comparing it to you, a parasitic being that erases the host's personality is a bit too much.

...anyway... There seems to be a bit of a problem – not for just me mind you – since even if I'm sealed inside of you now and locked out of my powers, my presence doesn't put any strain on the system whatsoever and the story should actually follow the scenario that my father wanted – but in that scenario, your precious replacement-villainess dies early.

...Cranberry will manage, she is strong.

I don't doubt her, mind you, the problem is that with the Eternal being a separate entity than you means that when any of the key events get skipped, it will be registered as cheating which will automatically unleash the lunatic level monster straight into the world and destroy everything.

...what the hell?! Can't I just die and become the Eternal servant again?!

That's cute. But how come after all you've said yourself, you forget that Master of the Eternal Servant magic is actually reserved as the subclass for the capture target from the Sloth family? It was only because of my interference that it was granted to that replacement-villainess once she refused her destined necromancy magic?

…

...fuck...

Does that mean that this world will be fucked up in a different way this time...?

Seems like it – but here comes the reason why I chose to reveal myself and speak to you in the first place.

Once I saw what the so-called savior that my creator send here was truly up to, and after unwillingly witnessing what she had done to you in your old world, I came to the conclusion that my creator must have been tricked by her.

That woman isn't what this world needs – hence, I have an offer for you, as the one who has obtained the same kind of knowledge about the game that she has.

Become the real savior.

Make sure that the story will reach one of the happy endings that my creator wanted originally.

...and prevent Eternal from appearing in full power and destroying the world...

And if you do so, I will guide you through the most efficient way to become strong enough to protect your villainess.

...I see... somehow you've managed to take the portion of that filth's memories... pretty annoying, not going to lie...

But then, you are saying that it will be alright if we change who will get the role of the villainess?

You know the answer to that, the secret true ending is only achievable on the second playthrough.

If we go that route, the replacement villainess will actually naturally turn into the original villainess.

...you fucker, why didn't you try to push the story into that route during the first playthrough?!

I trembled from anger and...

"Burp!"

"Ooh! That was a big burp, good boy! Now back to sleep!"

The living stopped patting my back and put me back into the crib.

...you... you're seriously asking me that...? Tell me who was it that killed all those essential characters!? It was the two of you! Even with my full power, I could only resurrect a character a few seconds after they died AND the savior girl clearly wanted to follow a classic true ending! Once I realized that everything was falling apart it was already too late for the secret true ending route!

…

...so that's what you meant back then in the sloth tower when you told Cranberry that she will never have her chance for unlocking a secret route and getting her wish come true, because of her misplaced violence...

What else was there for me but to sigh deeply inside of my brain after finally connecting the dots.

Yes. That is exactly what I've meant.

Patience sounded truly annoyed.

...and as hard it was for me to admit it, rightfully so...

Well then...? What is your answer? Do you want to work together with me and make sure that your villainess and the whole world will not evaporate because the system will count skipping the events as cheating and unleash Eternal unto this world?

Listen, Patience, do you really have to ask...?

I reached out my little hands towards the ceiling and clenched them into tiny little fists.

Huh...?!

For just a split second I could swear that they flashed with violet light...!

Oh, that's right – you didn't just retain your memories from the last playthrough – you actually somehow managed to be reborn with one single skill, unlike your first time.

Are you telling me I still have superbia...?

You do – after all, it is a requirement for the secret true ending route to even trigger – If my calculations are correct, with its help, you will be able to start properly training when you'll be around three months old. It sounds great, doesn't it...? With my guidance, you will be able to get the best results and properly protect your villainess.

There's still a lot of things we need to discuss but, hell, let's get to the ending that will force your father to gasp in awe!

Don't get too cocky, failsafe.

Oh, come on, you know you want to, failsafe.