CHAPTER 70: HERE WE GO AGAIN (2)

The lids of Arthur’s eyes narrowed as he strode forward with measured steps toward Sylvia and seized her by the collar of her gown.

"What the hell did you do?"

Sylvia offered a warm smile, then leaned in trying to kiss him. "I’m sorry, Arthur."

Arthur pulled his lips away from hers, his gaze still dark and guarded. "I won’t ask again. What did you do, Sylvia?"

Sylvia gently brushed away his hand, and his eyes widened. "You haven’t even awakened yet, so don’t assume you still have the same strength as before."

Arthur exhaled slowly. "So, are you going to answer me or not?"

She glanced at him. "It’s just as you suspect. The world ended, and I used the last of my divine power to regain some control, but even that was limited."

"That doesn’t explain why I’m still alive... and with my memories at that," Arthur retorted.

Sylvia turned toward the courtyard, inhaling the cold northern air. "I told you I altered some things, didn’t I?"

She turned back to him, her coat fluttering lightly in the breeze. "Well, you were one of those things I chose to keep alive," she added. "As for your memories, you can thank your absurdly overpowered authority for that."

Arthur didn’t fully trust Sylvia, but her words didn’t contradict his earlier deduction.

He leaned against the pillar in the courtyard, his nightgown hanging loosely off one shoulder. "So why exactly did you save me... and not Ha-joon?"

She smiled and suddenly rested her head against his chest. "Because I love you, Arthur Arcain." She looked into his eyes. "I’m your biggest fan."

Arthur gently moved her away from his chest, then turned and began walking. "Tsk," he clicked his tongue. "I don’t even know what I expected from a goddess who lost her power."

Sylvia hurried after him. "Come on, Arthur! I spent half of my divine power just to give you stable footing."

Arthur didn’t even glance her way as he quickened his pace. "Thank you for that..." he muttered. "But I’m not making any deal with you."

Sylvia bent forward so their eyes could meet. "Why not?"

Arthur came to an abrupt stop and stared at the beautiful woman, who blinked at him expectantly. "Should I tell you why?"

Sylvia nodded.

"Because I’m a badass antihero, not the damn chosen one."

Sylvia’s eyes widened at his blunt delivery.

Arthur stepped closer, his intense gaze pushing her back until she hit the wall. "I don’t care if you’re my fiancée or anything else. Just scram."

Sylvia’s face flushed as she cupped her cheeks. "Kyaa! Art’s bad-boy side~!"

Arthur’s eyes widened in disbelief as she swooned like some fangirl. She suddenly pulled out a notebook and began scribbling a flurry of nonsense.

Once she was done, she pointed at Arthur with dramatic flair.

"Arthur Arcain! From now on, I won’t just be your wife, but your guardian too." She nodded as if proud of the declaration. "Together we’ll restore your other wives’ memories, make them fall for you again, and save the world!"

She waved her hand through the air like she was painting a rainbow. "The Amazing World of Arthur and Sylvia." She smirked. "How does that sound?"

Arthur stared at her blankly. "No."

"Huh?" she blinked as Arthur turned and continued walking away. "You don’t like the name? It can’t be me, right? I’m too pretty."

Arthur turned to her, one brow raised in disbelief. "No, it is because of you. Everything about you just makes me want to up and die again. And don’t think I didn’t hear what you muttered at the end of your missions."

Sylvia hit her temples slightly while sticking out her tongue. "You caught on."

Arthur squinted at her. "Disgusting."

Sylvia felt tears sting her eyes. "But in your past life, this was cute..."

Arthur sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ’How did this idiot conquer the universe and kill the ancient gods?’

At that moment, Arthur knew with certainty that Tessia was indeed the real villain because there was no way this airheaded goddess was a mastermind.

Arthur made his way to the dining area and gently opened the door.

Inside sat his mother, Alicia Arcain, and his sisters, Selena and Thyra.

Selena smiled as he entered. "Looks like you’re back, Art."

Alicia stood abruptly from her chair and embraced him tightly. "My baby is back!"

Arthur was taken aback by the sudden show of affection.

He glanced at Sylvia, who winked at him. Then he smiled faintly.

"I’m back."

. . .

Selena and Thyra spent the next three hours updating Arthur on everything that had happened.

It turned out each of them had awakened at different times.

Alicia had regained consciousness when she was meant to fight against her mother.

However, the prophecy had never reached her, likely out of fear of Tessia, so none of the previous events unfolded.

And since Alicia retained her past memories, she used them to grow stronger, amass wealth, and build her own secret force, confident that most of history wouldn’t repeat itself.

Just as she had predicted, Amara became Queen of the demonic dragons, and Alicia, her most hated sibling—was cast aside.

The mockery only grew after Arthur was born, though this time they didn’t attempt to kill him.

Arthur was timid, and unlike the future she remembered, even her daughters were different.

But after a certain incident, Thyra changed. Alicia later discovered Thyra’s memories had returned. A year after that, Selena’s memories returned too, leaving only Arthur’s to reawaken.

Six years ago, before the awakening ceremony, the princess of the Avalor Empire from the third continent had come asking for Arthur’s hand in marriage.

She explained privately that she was the goddess Sylvia, and the one who had returned their memories.

Two years later, Arthur failed to awaken, earning the title of trash within the Arcain family. But Alicia, Thyra, and Selena kept waiting for the real Arthur to emerge.

Alicia patted Arthur’s head, which rested on her lap.

"You must have been through a lot... Mom," Arthur muttered softly, savoring his mother’s warmth.

Alicia shook her head gently. "My baby must’ve been even more scared."

Suddenly, mana surged through the room. "I’ll kill that bitch Tessia!"

Arthur let out a chuckle. ’Looks like I’m really back.’

Thyra walked into the chilly room, dimly lit by flickering candles. "So, youngest, when are you going to awaken again?"

Arthur glanced up at her. "Thyra, why can’t you be as sweet as Selena?"

Thyra flinched, her cheeks coloring. "What?! I am sweet too!"

Arthur lifted his head from his mother’s lap. "Really? Then pat me on the head."

Thyra took a deep breath, lips twitching. "Isn’t that a bit much?"

It was subtle, but the resemblance was there.

Her attitude reminded him of Cassie—and that made Arthur want to tease her.

"Then let me pat your head."

Thyra opened her mouth to protest but instead stepped closer. "Do what you want," she said shyly.

Arthur smirked and pulled back his hand. "I don’t feel like it anymore."

Thyra’s face turned crimson with rage. "You bastard!"

Before she could lunge at him, Selena intervened. "Art, stop teasing your sister."

Arthur nodded sheepishly. "Yeah..." He scratched the back of his neck. "I went a bit overboard. I just missed you guys."

Alicia beamed and pulled him into her chest again. "My baby!!!"

Sylvia smiled at the trio from her seat beside the long white cushion Arthur and his mother shared.

She clapped her hands once. "Speaking of awakening, I think I can help with that..." She paused. "Though I doubt you’ll regain your previous ability."

Arthur had already figured that regaining Color would be impossible since this body lacked primordial energy.

And based on what he understood, he had no mana either—at least, not until more affection bonds formed.

Still, he was the original copycat, even without any of those extra perks.

All he needed now were the right skills to tap into that power.

Arthur finally nodded.

Sylvia hesitated for a beat. "I can’t directly give you any skills—that would use too much power and my mother would notice. But... if I randomly draw from the Book of Skills..."

She raised a finger and grinned. "Art, have you ever heard of gacha?"

─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───