CHAPTER 1016: EPILOGUE 19 - A TURNING POINT (5)

"Chihara?" I called out softly, my voice echoing faintly through the quiet hall.

The moment that name left my lips, the woman froze mid-step. Her back stiffened slightly, as if the word had struck something deep within her.

Her hair was different now. It was longer, a little bit darker, and the color had changed to something richer than before. She didn’t look exactly like the person I once knew, but even so... I could never mistake that face. It had only been days since the last time I saw her, yet the image of that woman was burned too deeply into my memory to fade away so easily.

She was the one who had always been there for Tsubasa when no one else was. When he had no one to lean on, she was by his side, quietly supporting him. They had grown close—too close—that every time I saw them together, it felt like someone was squeezing my chest.

And then, she became the reason for his death.

The person Tsubasa saved with his own life. The one he pushed out of the way when that truck came barreling toward them. He took the full impact instead. That person... was Chihara Akane.

"Where did you hear that name?" she asked, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "I’ve heard that name before... in my dreams. But I could never understand why. And you—who the hell are you?"

She turned around slowly, and the instant her eyes met mine, my heart skipped a beat. My breath caught in my throat. For a second, I thought I was looking at a ghost.

This woman... might not have been Chihara at all.

Her presence was overwhelming—different from the Chihara I remembered. It wasn’t the usual coldness that made people uneasy. No, this was something else entirely. Her gaze wasn’t just cold—it was empty. Deep. Like staring into an endless void that could swallow me whole if I stared too long.

"Are you going to answer me or not?" she pressed, leaning closer until her face was only inches from mine.

I could almost feel the warmth of her breath brushing against my skin, but there was no humanity in her eyes—only that dark, hollow stare.

The more I looked at her, the more confused I became. Her face, her tone, even the way she carried herself—it all reminded me of Chihara. Yet deep down, something told me that wasn’t her. It couldn’t be.

When we were transported into this world, she hadn’t even been in the classroom. There was no trace of her anywhere. Which could only mean one thing—this wasn’t Chihara at all.

"Nothing... I’m sorry. I must’ve mistaken you for someone else," I finally said, my voice weak.

For a brief moment, her expression softened into confusion. Then, just as quickly, it faded. Without another word, she turned away and walked off, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.

But even as she disappeared from view, something deep in my gut refused to settle.

There was something off about her. Something that screamed familiarity. She felt like Chihara—looked like her, moved like her—but everything else told me that she wasn’t.

And yet, that feeling wouldn’t leave me alone.

***

Myrcella’s POV

The summoning of the heroes had gone smoothly—too smoothly, almost. The ritual circle had glowed brilliantly, and in a flash of light, a crowd of people now stood in the grand hall, all wearing expressions of disbelief, confusion, and fear. Their murmurs filled the air like an unsettling symphony of voices.

They were being told to rest, to eat, to calm down... but behind that gentle treatment was nothing but deceit.

Because Commander Lilia had lied to them.

She had never intended to tell them the truth. From the very beginning, she had planned every word, every expression, as well as every calculated move to manipulate them. She wanted their obedience, not their understanding. And now, watching how easily people followed her commands, I realized just how much power she truly held over everyone in this castle.

It was terrifying.

The Commander’s presence alone was enough to silence a room. She spoke with confidence that could twist lies into truths and turn people’s doubts into blind loyalty. The way she could weave deception so naturally made it seem almost beautiful—and that was the most dangerous thing about her.

She lied about their mission. Told them that they were chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. She said it so convincingly, even I almost wanted to believe her. Commander Lilia was the kind of woman who breathed lies and exhaled certainty. And people would follow her anywhere, right into the flames, without realizing they’d been deceived.

If someone like her stayed in Milham for too long, I feared what would become of our kingdom.

"Angelica," I said quietly to my knight, who walked beside me with her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Her sharp eyes darted around, alert to every movement in the corridor. She knew better than anyone how dangerous Lilia was—after all, the woman had once tried to kill her. Yet even now, Angelica remained calm, collected, her face unreadable.

"How much do you know about the Commander?" I asked.

"Not enough to give you a concrete statement, Princess," she said softly. "But Commander Lilia... she’s terrifying. I think she’d do anything—no matter how cruel—just to get what she wants."

"If you say she’s terrifying, I believe you," I replied with a faint sigh.

And I truly did.

Even I could feel the darkness beneath the Commander’s composed smile. The way her words wrapped around people, the way even my father—the king—listened to her without hesitation... It was frightening how much sway she had.

As we continued down the hallway, my gaze caught sight of someone standing near the end of the corridor. A girl. One of the summoned heroes.

"Oh my, heading to bed already?" I called out with a light tone.

She turned slightly, and when I saw her eyes, my chest tightened. There was no light in them. There was no spark as well as emotion. Just emptiness. Like someone who had lost everything that made them human.

My smile faltered.

She didn’t reply. She just kept walking past me, her steps slow, her shoulders trembling slightly.

I watched her go, my heart sinking. "I wonder... what’s her problem?" I murmured softly.

"She’s probably just worried she might not get home," Angelica said. "Like the others."

"Maybe," I said, my voice low. "But... that look on her face wasn’t just worry. That was despair. That was the look of someone who’s already given up on everything."

Angelica turned to me, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Angelica," I said, meeting her gaze. "Please watch over her. Make sure she doesn’t find anything she could use to... kill herself."

Angelica blinked, visibly taken aback, but she quickly understood. Her expression turned serious, and she nodded.

I looked down the hall again, the fading figure of the girl disappearing into the shadows.

I didn’t know what the future held, but something deep inside me stirred.

It was a feeling that everything was about to change. This wasn’t just the beginning of a new Chapter for our kingdom... it was the start of something much larger. Something that would shake the world itself.

It was a turning point.