The Last Monarch : Unlimited Regeneration
Chapter 50: Grief

Chapter 50: Grief

Alvaric’s footsteps echoed faintly in the main corridor of the Ant Bee hive. The light from crystals embedded in the walls reflected the shadow of his body—and Niva’s, whom he was carrying in his arms.

There was no sound. Not from Lyrith, who walked several steps behind, nor from the Ant Bees who now bowed their heads in silence. They knew... all of them knew. Their leader was dead, and their master was mourning.

Alvaric stopped in the middle of the chamber. A large stone—once used by Niva to rest—awaited him. Slowly, he knelt and laid the body on it. He carefully straightened Niva’s wounded hands. Her head rested against the cold curve of the stone. Her eyes were closed... as if she were merely sleeping.

Alvaric stared at her face for a long time. Too long. As though he never wanted to blink.

"I once told you..." he whispered, "...that I would protect all of you, but..." His tears fell, not from rage, but from sorrow. "...I failed. I’m sorry."

His hands trembled as they touched Niva’s cold cheek. He took a deep breath, but his chest felt tight, like a boulder was lodged in his throat.

"If only I hadn’t been poisoned, none of this would’ve happened."

The Ant Bees in the room lowered their heads even further—for it was they who had given the mushroom to their master. They felt guilty.

Tears streamed down his face, but he didn’t cry. His eyes were simply wet, empty, and no longer shining.

He bowed his head. Both of his fists clenched tightly on his thighs.

"I’m sorry," Alvaric repeated.

He was truly shattered. The memories they had shared together still played clearly in his mind. And that made his chest ache. It felt suffocating.

"I’m sorry."

Lyrith approached. She said nothing. She simply patted Alvaric’s shoulder once, then stood quietly at the edge of the room like a shadow. No advice, no words of comfort. She knew—they would be useless.

Alvaric kept staring ahead. His eyes were now red. But not from crying.

"I will burn everything. That city. That kingdom. Their entire world."

"I don’t care anymore who dies. I don’t care who ends up crying. They will all die."

His voice slowly changed—flat, cold, void of any humanity.

"If they want death, I’ll give it to them. If they want a monster... then let me become one."

[New Mission Added]

[Mission: Destroy the World.]

[Reward: None.]

[Penalty: Death.]

Alvaric saw the screen. It was the same kind of mission he had seen when he intended to kill Zurath. A mission with no reward.

Now he understood—this wasn’t a mission from the system he possessed, but a command born from the darkness within his own heart.

Alvaric raised his hands and looked at his palms. "Am I the monster now?"

He shook his head. "No. I’m not a monster. I am human."

He gently brushed Niva’s cheek once more with the back of his fingers, then stood. Not a single creature in the room dared to move.

Alvaric looked up at the cave ceiling. The crystals glowed faintly—like dying stars. Then he spoke softly, but clearly,

"I don’t care if they call me a monster or even a devil. I will still teach them a lesson," said Alvaric with a serious gaze.

He turned. Without waiting for anyone, he walked toward the exit tunnel with firm steps. Lyrith followed behind him, silently.

But Alvaric quickly turned back. "Stay here!" he requested.

"But..."

"I don’t want to lose my family again. So, I beg you—watch over the other Ant Bees. Please!" Alvaric pleaded.

Lyrith hesitated. She knew what Alvaric was going to do. He was going to lose himself and go against the king. Lyrith didn’t know how powerful the king and his forces were, but still—charging in alone wasn’t a wise choice.

"Please, protect my family. You’re all I can depend on," Alvaric repeated.

Lyrith turned toward the Ant Bees, who were still bowing. Seeing that, she finally nodded.

"Alright, but don’t die!" Lyrith begged.

Alvaric nodded. "I won’t."

The Ant Bee mage climbed onto Alvaric’s shoulder. Within seconds, he vanished. He had left.

Lyrith just stood there. She was silent—lost in thought.

***

At the same moment, the Ant Bees approached and rubbed their heads gently against her body. Lyrith could feel their worry too.

She petted each of their heads and forced a smile.

"He’ll be fine."

In the city of Chillg—or more precisely, at the residence of the city’s ruler—Tamae, Raiga, and Brukk sat in the same room.

The room was quiet. No one had spoken since they arrived ten minutes ago. The atmosphere was painfully awkward.

Finally, Tamae broke the silence. "What if that man plans to attack the capital alone? What should we decide?"

Raiga turned around. "What do you mean?"

Tamae scratched her head. "Should we side with him or... just leave him be?"

Raiga shook his head. "I don’t know."

His life had once been calm, very calm. But everything changed just a few days ago. Now, he was filled with fear and anxiety at all times.

His mind was completely clouded with confusion. Perhaps, this was the worst condition he’d ever experienced as the city’s ruler.

"What about you? What would you do?" Raiga asked back.

This surprised Tamae a bit, because normally, Raiga already knew what to do. But this time, he truly seemed lost.

Hearing the question, Tamae scratched her head again. "You know I’m not a smart woman, but..." she paused to think before continuing. "If you ask me, I think I’d side with that man."

Raiga was stunned by her answer. He even frowned. He sat back down and rested his chin on his hand.

"Why do you think that way?"

"My instincts tell me it’s the right thing to do," Tamae replied.

Raiga sighed. He had hoped Tamae had a solid reason. But his expectations were shattered. He was a bit annoyed. He regretted expecting wisdom from his sister, who always relied on brute strength.

"Then I guess I’ll do the same," said Raiga.

Not because of logic or strategy—but because his instincts told him the same. It was rare for Raiga to follow his gut rather than rational thought.

"If..."

Suddenly, they all felt it—a powerful energy approaching their location. The three of them immediately exchanged glances.

They didn’t need to see who was coming. They already knew.

"He’s here."

"What’s he going to do?"

"Let’s welcome him first. Hopefully... this won’t be the end of Chillg," said Raiga.

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