The Alliance never stopped their efforts to end the Demons.


    However, with the Hero Party absent, both sides eventually drew a stalemate.


    As a result, it bought us enough time to traverse the world.


    How and when we discovered the Arcanas is a tale for another time, but our Party ventured into the most amazing and deadly of ces in our search for an alternate.


    As a result, after a year psed, we were able to find three.


    And, of those three… I was able to obtain the perfect catalyst for my Miasma Generator.


    “The Devil.”


    An ominous Arcana that only I could wield without being absolutely corrupted—thanks to my Inept Status.


    Also, while I didn’t discover it until a pivotal point in my life, Karlia’s Original Magic [Dual Cultivation], actually had an effect on me.


    My body’s physiology had been slowly altered thanks to coption between myself and a Demon such as her.


    We did it so many times, so the change ran deep—until it became irreversible.


    As a result, my body became extremely resistant to Mana.


    Not only could I somewhat sense it, but the positive force was also repelled by my body.


    As a result, Magic cast using Mana, below the Advanced Level, had no effects on me whatsoever.


    Even Advanced Level Spells had only minimal effects.


    That was Karlia’s final gift to me.


    It served as both a blessing and a curse.


    Most offensive Magic would leave no scratch on me—considering the fact that most Mages could use beyond Advanced Level Spells at that time.


    I was somewhat invincible.


    The disadvantage was that Healing Magic was also rejected by my body, so unless countless Advanced Healing Spells were performed—or a Peak Spell was used—I couldn’t magically recover from even the slightest injuries.


    Miasma-based Magic could also affect me, so it wasn’t a total buff.


    Still, I was able to survive many things thanks to this ability. In addition to my Mana Rejection, I had Martial Arts, Magic technology, and unmatched intelligence.


    That allowed me not to fall behind my other powerfulrades.


    As a result, during our adventures, my inability to use Magic never bothered my friends. It was something I intentionally made sure of.


    After all—


    “Lewis… it pains me to say this, but… you’re in the way.”


    —Those were words I never wanted to hear again.


    ************************


    “Let us make a truce!”


    After gathering the appropriate materials to make my project a sess, we returned home—to the ensuing chaos.


    Due to the current state of the war—as well as the clear stance I and myrades took in opposition to further conflict, the higher-ups had no choice but to agree.


    Since we realized that they would change their minds if they knew of our possession of the other Arcanas, every member of our team swore not to mention it to anyone else.


    As a result, their existence was kept a secret.


    After settling matters with everyone on our end, the next step was to deal with our adversaries—the Demons.


    …


    Somehow, we managed to do that.


    I personally sought an audience with the Demon King.


    I and myrades appeared before the noble ruler of the Demons.


    As I thought, he wasn’t the viin everyone painted him to be. He was the same as any leader.


    The Demon King simply wanted the best for his people.


    Once we revealed the cards up our sleeves, including the Arcanas in our possession, and our ns to settle things peacefully, he had no choice but to ept our ns.


    “I… do not want to see any more of my people perish.”


    And so, the war came to a conclusion.


    All thanks to the resolve of one man, and the aid of many, we were able to prevent the extinction of a whole Race—as well as any further sacrifices of our people.


    It truly was the happy ending I desired.


    ***********************


    Emilia and I moved to the Eastern Empire, and I nned on us spending the rest of our lives there.


    But, strictly speaking, only my life would be expended.


    I noticed something after spending much time with Emilia.


    Even though vestiges of wrinkles had slowly begun to form on my face—normal and symbols of advancing age—her skin remained smooth and fair.


    She never aged in the slightest.


    Emilia would go on to live for a few hundred years, even after I died.


    It made certain dark thoughts linger in my mind. However, even before those thoughts fully manifested, our life together was interrupted by the most unexpected incident.


    ************************


    I was already 37 Year Old.


    The Celestial War was over; Emilia and I had just moved into our home.


    The affairs with the Demons hadpletely stabilized, and the machine was working perfectly.


    Myrades returned to their respective homes to spend time with their families and loved ones.


    We were happy.


    I… was happy.


    Until—


    >BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!<


    An explosion urred within the massive courtyard that surrounded therge mansion where Emilia and I resided.


    It was in the middle of the day, and I had been taking a stroll in mypound when the explosion urred right in front of me—a small distance from me.


    It was as if something heavy and powerful had just descended from the sky—no, that was actually what happened.


    The quaking ground forced me to fall to the ground, and I groaned as my buttocks hit the smooth surface of the floor.


    Even though the area before me was partially destroyed, whatever fell made sure to have enough consideration of me and my immediate vicinity.


    But, much to my error, it wasn’t a ‘thing’ that fell.


    From the thick smoke and likes of dust that gathered around, I could decipher the form of a being within.


    It didn’t look like a regr human, but it was definitely a person.


    “W-who’s that?!” My body instantly took an offensive form and I drew the sheathed sword strapped by my waist.


    I felt no bloodlust, but, certainly, an intruder who so rudely charged into my territory didn’t deserve a warm wee.


    As I focused my gaze, a voice emerged from the smoke.


    “Jeez, that’s awfully cold, Lewis…”


    My heart nearly stopped when I heard it.


    Instantly, my eyes widened, and I shook. The voice that echoed in my ears was something I couldn’t forget no matter how hard I tried.


    ‘Could it be? N-no, that’s… not possible!’


    Just as my mind struggled toprehend what could or could not be, the figurepletely emerged from the pirs of smoke and revealed herself to me.


    “N-no… it can’t be…” My whisper contained so much emotion that it almost felt like I would break apart.


    The red skinned, exquisitely dressed, and inhuman-looking being smiled at me.


    Her wings pped behind her, and her tail danced in the air. The curved horns on her face and her ck hair added even more to her allure.


    Yes, this most certainly wasn’t a human. However, she had touched a deep spot within me that no member of my Race had ever arrived at


    “… Karlia…?”