Reborn As The Villain-Chapter 346: Side Story Finale: The Tyrant’s Last Breath

"Ko Johun, usurper and false emperor—you stand accused of committing genocide, killing the previous emperor, and bringing ruin to the empire."

The voice of a representative of the nobles echoed through the city square, carried by the open space and the thousands gathered to witness the end of a tyrant. The air was thick with tension—some in the crowd clenched their fists, others whispered among themselves.

"Your punishment—beheading by sword!"

A surge of voices erupted at once.

"At last! Justice for the fallen!"

"So this is how the tyrant meets his end?"

"He should suffer more!"

"Uhh, why is no one questioning that Nova is wearing Funiji's clothes?"

The crowd whispered among themselves. All their attention was on a bloodied Ko, the tyrant who singlehandedly brought a prominent empire to its knees.

The tables have turned.

Ko Johun was on his knees in the center of the square, bound and broken. His once-imposing frame sagged, body riddled with cuts and blood and a large gash from the left shoulder to the right side of his hip. His breath came in ragged gasps, his head barely held high.

Arnold stood in front of him, waiting for Kohana to arrive. She was a little hesitant to walk up to the gallows so Arnold had Rasuke go get her after he left her across the street.

Mian Xi and Breuk was at his side, acting like bodyguards, thinking Arnold will be too exhausted to fend off any assailants after that literal world-trembling clash against the tyrant.

Speaking of Ko, he couldn't even muster the strength to stare defiantly at Arnold. He merely looked down with lifeless eyes.

He's clearly saving his last breaths for when his family arrives.

"He's so beat up he can barely fight back...?"

"At this point, he'll hang without fighting back at all."

Some expected him to be defiant until the end, roaring curses at his executioner. But the man before them—this husk of a ruler—looked like he had already lost.

"Is this really the same man who seized the throne?"

"He doesn't even beg for his life."

"He must pay for what he's done! I can finally proudly say I supported Her Highness!"

"Yeah, let that man hang and give the crown to Princess Kohana!"

Whether they were truly still supportive of Kohana and didn't just think Arnold will become a Ko Johun 2.0, didn't interest Arnold.

Arnold opened his mouth: "If things were different and you weren't looking for destruction of the mortal realms through your selfish decisions, I might've made you a general in my city—but as it stands now, you are a thorn in my side. Though you can never defeat me in battle, your actions, if left alone, will impact even me in the end. I hate things that troubles me."

"P-Papa...!"

"Dear!"

Teary-eyed, a pair of mother and daughter finally arrived at the scene. Behind them was Ruria who managed to bring them here. The two of them were suddenly held back by the city guards.

Hearing their voices, Ko's lifeless eyes sprang to life again as he lifted his head.

Arnold waved his hand to shoo the guards away. Quickly, they did as he commanded and dispersed, allowing the two to finally run up to Ko.

But suddenly they stopped right in front of Arnold, trembling and awaiting his permission. Silently, he stepped back.

Zhoming and Sing stopped right when they were about to hug him, scared they'll hurt him even more.

"There is something I need to tell you... Just... listen..." out of breath, he spoke, his throat sounding dry.

Tears not stopping, both of them nodded repeatedly.

"...Take the ring on my left finger... and push the gem on top of it... It doesn't matter where you do—as long as it's in the palace... The room will shift and you'll be taken to the mausoleum's deepest parts where there is a room... There you will find... your... your corpses..."

"...What? D-Dear, whatever do you mean...?"

"You are... not my wife... and you, my little Plum, are not my daughter... You are mere imitations... with their memories..."

"T-That can't be true...!" Zhoming screamed.

"—It's true." Lian, who arrived here silently, appeared beside Arnold.

"L-Lian?"

"You are not humans—you're the homunculi I created. There were many before you but all died much quicker than you who have lived for four years without showing any physical defects."

Aside from Zhoming's lack of libido (something Ko confirmed was not a thing before she died) and Sing's puberty issues, that is...

"While I am only an Alchemist, I can perform rituals involving runes that allow me to do things outside my own power—runes are man's most useful tool and what was once the stepping stone of magic. That is why I could transfer your souls to these... bodies..."

"...." The former empress looked at Ko, "...Why didn't you... trust us enough to... tell us? Or tell me and wait until Sing was old enough!"

"Emp—Zhoming," Lian knelt next to Zhoming, "It's not that easy to get a proud martial like your husband to admit to something like this. It's not that he doesn't trust you. He was just afraid. He is the reason you died and wanted to be the one who revives you completely by challenging the Death God Thanrion."

Zhoming's breath hitched. "Challenging... a god?"

Ko let out a dry, bitter chuckle. "I thought if I could bring you back—not as imitations, but who you once were—you would forgive me. I wanted to become the Papa who is strong enough to protect his daughter and make sure no boy can break her heart." He lifted his gaze to his daughter, putting his bloody hand on her cheek, wiping her tears. "It's true that I'm selfish and it's for that reason that both of you died... I am ashamed of myself... I wished so many times to turn back time but that's a past I will never be able to change unless I face Thanrion."

At that moment, he looked at Arnold, "But going through with such a thing will create problems for everyone else."

Arnold knew Ko would still go through with it. He doesn't care about anyone else besides his wife and daughter. But if he were to outright admit that, his wife would hate him because the Ko she fell in love with during her youth was never such a person.

He was kind and brave.

"Dear..." unable to say anything else, Zhoming held his bloodied hand to her chest, "I... I still love you... Nothing can change that... I am sure that... that the Zhoming you are fighting so hard for would've felt the same..."

"I want you to know... I've never once thought of you as anyone other than my wife—" Ko said before going into a fit of coughs, his blood staining Zhoming's dress.

Hearing what he said, Zhoming's tears flowed. She lowered her head to hide her crying face.

It was right to show grief at a time like this—her husband is going to be executed, after all.

Even if she wanted to protest against the man who defeated her husband—something Funiji could never do—she fears she has nothing to trade Ko's life with. She would be a fool to think her and her daughter's bodies would be enough to repay such a kindness.

"I-I'll find a way to bring you back!" Zhoming shouted, "L-Like Lian said, if we find the right runic formula—"

"—Making such a promise in my presence," Arnold held his sword at her throat, feeling the cold steel, Zhoming stiffened, "I'll cut you down along with him. As long as he desires to fight Thanrion, he can't be allowed to live."

Ko shook his head, "Listen to... to him... We—We'll see each other... again in the... afterlife... But if you want to move on and seek another then you don't... need my permission..." the life in his eyes were beginning to fade. He might die from blood loss and not beheading if this continues.

"It's... also okay to hate me for what I've done..."

"Ko... I could never hate you. All along, I thought you were seeking strength for selfish reasons but in the end you were doing it for us. Oh, Ko, you're making me fall for you again." A smile that she has never shown anyone appeared on Zhoming's face, a smile that—just like she said—was that of a maiden's who was looking at the man she fell for.

"Papa... H-Hey, let go of me!" the same guards from before dragged the mother-daughter pair away after Arnold gave the signal.

They glared at Arnold as if they wanted to kill him but knew that was something way beyond their capabilities.

"Do you have any final words, Prin—Empress?" Arnold asked, his voice steady as he levitated to Ko's left side, Luxtivin drawn. For some reason, Luxtivin was giving off a strange malice. It was clearly the intent to kill, which Arnold just ignored.

Kohana inhaled deeply, her expression unreadable, before stepping onto the execution platform.

"Your family has not harmed me. And though they do not deserve it in the slightest, they will be treated as guests of the palace. Zhoming will be given a position in the court—she has shown such competence as an Empress—and Sing... I will see to it that she is educated and can one day stand on her own."

Ko said nothing.

"Nothing...?" Kohana's voice trembled, but her rage was unmistakable. "You murdered my father, turned my own people against me, placed a bounty on my head—killed anyone who so much as whispered their support for the Revolution! And yet you have nothing to say!?"

Her palm struck his face.

The impact was weak, meaningless to him. But the trembling of her hand, the pain in her eyes—it was the rawest hatred he had ever seen.

Ko remained silent. There were no excuses to make.

"Lord Arnold... Please... proceed..." Kohana turned away, her body rigid as if she could not bear to witness what came next.

Arnold locked eyes with Ko.

"You truly fooled me..." Ko murmured. "I did not trust my old friend enough to believe he wouldn't break an oath. For that, I hope he can forgive me. It seems I will take two things I'm ashamed by, to the grave."

A shadow passed over Arnold's face. "The two of you will be seeing each other soon. He's next."

Ko's lips twitched—something between a smirk and relief. "Then I am glad. I can accept my death without regret."

Arnold narrowed his eyes. "...And why is that?"

Ko closed his eyes, a faint smile lingering. "Because I was able to witness the birth of a new Divine Dao. I clashed with him with all my might. If there is an afterlife, I hope I can carry this memory with me. I have no qualms with surrendering the pure martial art book to such a man either."

Then, he lowered his head. Ready.

Luxtivin gleamed in the light.

A single stroke.

The sickening sound of flesh and bone giving way was drowned out by a heart-wrenching scream.

"NOOOOOOO!!! PAPA!!!"

Sing's voice cut through the air like a dying bird's final cry.

Ko's head rolled down the stairs, bouncing once, twice, before coming to a stop.

The crowd erupted. A thousand voices chanted as one.

"ARNOLD! ARNOLD! ARNOLD! ARNOLD!"

A pair of hands lifted Ko's severed head above the crowd, his lifeless eyes staring into nothingness.

"Ahhhhhh! Give him back! GIVE HIM BACK!" Sing broke free from the guard's grip by punching his groin and ran up to the cheering crowd. She clawed at the man holding her father's head, her small hands trembling.

"Tch—get off, brat!" The man sneered, raising his hand to strike her.

Before he could land the blow, his wrist was caught.

Arnold stood between them, his grip like iron.

Silence fell over the crowd.

"It doesn't matter that he was a tyrant," Arnold said, his voice like steel. "I will not have you treat his body like a trophy."

The air was thick with tension. The mob, hungry for blood, hesitated.

That was the most respect he could give Ko.

And it was the last.

"Sing, calm down please..." Ruria held back the little girl who looked like she wanted to kill the man that held her dear father's head like that, "I'll help you bury him—H-Hey!" feeling something being pulled out from under her skirt, Ruria stiffened.

It was a dagger and Sing was the one who took it.

"Ahhhh!"

In her futile attempt, she tried to stab Arnold in the back but was obstructed by his skin hardened through years of training and internal aura control.

"Die, die, die, die! Why won't it go through!!!??"

Zhoming could only look at this scene with widened eyes and a hand over her mouth.

"Former Imperial Princess—stop." At that moment, Mian Xi appeared and held Sing's hand, the dagger inches away from Arnold's heart, "Even if you are incapable of harming him, I will not allow this kind of behavior."

"W-Why are you protecting him!?" her rage was now directed at Mian.

Why was the person she loved protecting this man? There was only one explanation she could think of—the two of them were in a relationship.

Thinking that even the person she admired the most was siding with this man made the tears cloud her vision. Her grip weakened on the dagger and it fell down.

"You'll understand one day the consequences your father's actions would've brought..."

Mian hugged the little princess as she bawled her eyes out.

Her wailing was the only sound in that silence.

◊◊

Two figures were alone in a dimly lit room. The candles was the only source of light.

One of the figures was a woman in a long white dress, putting on light makeup to touch up her youthful visage. The other was a tall young man with striking silver hair, wearing all black with a single sword at his waist. Strangely, his sword wouldn't heed his command to return into his body as if to say "use me and no other".

It was quite troublesome since the sword's energy is limited and he didn't want to refill it in the long term just to make sure it's combat-ready. Using a blade of Aether would be more efficient in comparison but not by a big margin though.

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"—The nobles are asking for an emergency meeting to decide how land will be divided and how to restructure what was changed by Ko's administration... Not doing so in the next two days at least will cause issues to arise throughout the empire. What do you think I should tell them?"

"You don't owe them anything. None of them extended a hand to you, even in secret so why give them the courtesy of telling them where you're going?"

"Those are my thoughts exactly..." she said that but still looked apologetic.

This kindness of hers will cause her death someday.

"Uhm, how do I look?" after standing up, Kohana turned to Arnold with a flushed face.

"Casual clothes would've been fine too."

"I'm meeting a possible ally of our nation, I must wear clothes befitting a ruler!" she retorted.

"Well, it's up to you. Let's go."

"W-Wait, you didn't answer my question!"

**

When the two came down to the reception room, they noticed Lian and the rest were waiting for them there.

Arnold could see Kairi and Breuk talking about something off to the side. They haven't noticed the two yet. He wondered what they were talking about.

"You're off then, Sis?" Rasuke came up to Kohana. His body language was rather awkward in front of his sister. Gone was that confident smile and bravado he had before the events that took place yesterday.

"Yes, Ko was our biggest obstacle but there are still rogue armies and Funiji Kaijin to worry about. I'll make sure to bring support to aid us in the conflict."

"Sister, are you sure you can do this alone? Can't we wait a few days at least? After what happened..."

"I can handle it." Kohana reassured, though her thoughts were different.

She wanted to run away, far away and creep into the closest corner where no one can find her.

"...I'm sorry I couldn't be there when they—"

"Stop." Arnold told Rasuke, "Showing your doubt in her ability as the empress will just ruin things for her right after she prepared herself."

"Y-You're right... Sorry..."

Kohana smiled silently.

Chief Soryu, whose arm was being supported by a sling, came up to her. Miraculously, he only got out of that conflict yesterday with a broken arm. "Your cowardly fiancé couldn't be here today to see your rise as Empress. He will probably be here in a few days. On his behalf, I'd like to apologize, Your Majesty."

"It is fine... Chief, speaking of him, I would like to tell you something—"

"I know, you can't marry my son anymore."

"U-Uhm, I'm..."

"No need to apologize. He is not fit to be Emperor or your husband. He would break if he went through the same things you did."

"Chief..."

"We'll be waiting for you and praying silently in our hearts that you will succeed."

It wasn't farewell so the two didn't hug, merely looked at each other with smiles. Though Kohana's smile didn't match the cheeriness of the chief.

"Lian, are you ready?" After their talk ended, Arnold glanced at Lian who was looking at the red crystal with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Eh, ah, yes. Liwei, did you make sure to empty my lab? I won't be coming back and I have important tools here that I created myself." She looked at the young woman by her side. There were bags at her feet and she was dressed in casual clothes instead of her usual kimono.

"You... You're going with Lian?" Surprised, Arnold asked her.

"That's right! I'll become an apprentice alchemist and help Miss Lian at the Elven Kingdom!"

"Are you aware you could never come back here?"

That's only assuming Anais doesn't succeed in creating teleportation portals.

Thinking about it now, how much should he charge for interplanetary teleportation? Is a million gold for a back-and-forth reasonable? He'll need to consult Lunaria.

"I'll have Kairi by my side so I won't feel lonely! Right, Kairi!?" she called out to her friend.

"—Eh? Ah, right." She replied quickly before continuing with her conversation with Breuk.

"Why is she coming along?" Lian asked curiously, "I thought she wanted to rebuild her sect..."

"She says she wants to ask Lord Arnold's master to train her! Just like Breuk!"

Arnold sighed. She doesn't know what she's getting herself into. Thinking about it, she didn't even ask his permission to go.

"Don't worry," Breuk and Kairi came up to Arnold, "I'll keep an eye on her." he assured.

"When did you two suddenly become... buddies?" Rasuke asked in confusion.

"Seeing as how we're going to be students of Lord Arnold's master, isn't it obvious?" Breuk replied as he scratched his nose, "I've always wanted a lil sister anyway so this feels right."

'Don't blush please. You're a guy with a rough face, not a cute girl.'

"You're leaving behind your brother?" Rasuke asked again.

"I asked if he wanted to come with me but he said the path of a martial artist isn't his ideal way to live. He'll probably become a pirate or join another thief guild."

Off to the side, noticing Arnold staring at her, Kairi asked timidly, "I-Is something wrong?"

She thought his gaze was his disapproval of this but in reality, he was just pitying her. She won't be his problem so he doesn't care what either of them do.

'You might be a woman but that doesn't mean Sebastian will go easy on you.'

"It's nothing. If you're done saying your goodbyes, we need to get a move on." Arnold turned around and began walking out of the reception room. "I'm not coming back."

"But how will I return without the ring?" asked Kohana.

"The person I'm taking you to doesn't need an artifact to teleport across worlds."

Soon, the six of them vanished from sight after Arnold told them to grab on.

Rasuke and Soryu prayed in their hearts that Kohana will succeed.

**

The six of them emerged in the sky above an endless ocean of emerald green, the vast expanse of the World Tree Forest stretching far beneath them.

The air was fresh and crisp.

Above the treetops, the canopy was so dense it looked like a living, breathing landscape, shifting and swaying with the wind.

In the distance, a colossal tree dominated the horizon. Its sheer size warped perspective, making it seem deceptively close, but the further they drifted downward, the more they realized the true scale of the behemoth. Its trunk was thick enough to dwarf mountains, and its branches stretched endlessly, cradling the sky itself. It was a sight that could humble even the proudest warriors.

"H-How are we floating? Wait, what energy is this?" Liwei clutched Arnold's arm, scared that she'd fall, and cried out.

All six of them were surrounded in Arnold's Aether. This was necessary to make them all fly so that they don't fall. He could've teleported right into the Elven Kingdom's capital but didn't want to risk upsetting the elves.

They are highly territorial, and an unexpected intrusion—especially one as disruptive as a sudden teleportation could provoke hostility, even from supposed allies. It didn't help that all six of them are humans as well.

Instead, he chose the safer option. They would land near the outskirts of the Fairy Kingdom so that Arnold can use his system's [Search] function.

'System, search for Ladiath.'

A soft chime echoed in his mind as the system processed his request.

—

Meanwhile, within the pristine halls of the Fairy Palace, a lone figure walked with quiet purpose. The corridor was grand, its white marble walls lined with intricate carvings of ancient elven history. Golden chandeliers hung from above, their warm glow illuminating the delicate floral patterns woven into the silk curtains that swayed gently from the open windows.

She moved with the grace of a noble, her long, pale green hair flowing down her back like cascading silk. Clad in an elegant emerald dress adorned with silver embroidery, she radiated an ethereal presence.

Her name was Sylphiel Virelen, a High Elf of noble birth, one of the oldest and most powerful of her race. She was one of the only five High Elves left today and has lived for ten thousand years.

She embodied a perfect blend of beauty and elegance, her modest yet regal dress accentuating her grace. Though it concealed most of her form, it tastefully revealed her supple legs, complemented by open-toed heels that added a subtle touch of allure. A sweet, intoxicating scent followed her.

She suddenly stopped mid-step.

A familiar sensation washed over her, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.

It was a soul so dreadful that she could never mistake it for anything else.

She turned her head toward the large arched window to her left, her gaze locking onto the distant sky beyond the palace ground—no, even beyond the Elven Kingdom.

A presence she had not felt in a long time.

"I feel him..." she whispered, her fingers unconsciously gripping the windowsill. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath catching for just a moment.

"Arnold."

**

"—Goddammit, why didn't I push him down!?" a frustrated woman's voice echoed in the dimly lit room.

Shlick, shlick.

The sound of something wet echoed in the room along with faint moans.

"I could... see his thing... in his underwear! It... It was sooo.... Huuuuge~! I hate being human... I hate it! B-But this pleasure..." she clenched her teeth, her drool dripping onto her large breasts exposed to everyone to see. Well, she was alone but the door was unlocked so anyone would be able to see her in this embarrassing position—her fingers rapidly going in and out of her while the other fingers pulled her nipple.

Pssh!

A brilliant arc of water splashed onto the floor. The source of it collapsed on her bed while still pinching her nipple.

A knock came from Mian Xi's door.

"—J-Just a moment!" she grabbed a towel and wiped her face. After snapping her fingers, a magical glow engulfed the room and the previous mess she made in her moment of ecstasy was cleaned up in an instant.

She was now standing in her usual attire.

She quickly opened the door, thinking the head maid wanted to order her around this late at night. Even if she is the personal guard of the Empress, Suesei holds more authority now that the previous head butler was fired on order by Rasuke and his position left open.

"...Former... Princess?" standing on the other side was Sing, the little girl who never leaves Mian's side, always looking for her in the palace throughout the day.

It was obvious that she admired Mian and wanted to be close to her every day.

'Maybe she's sad she can't be with me at night?'

"What can I do for you?"

"Please teach me how to fight like you!"

"—Eh?"

-Volume End-