"With this, Demon King Annon was defeated by Sword Hero Orion, and peace has returned to rightful hands… The End."
…What?
WHAT THE HELL KIND OF ENDING IS THIS?!
I screamed inside my head as the words burned into the small screen of my phone.
What kind of sick author gives a tragic ending like that to my glorious king, Annon?! Sure, he was a tyrant—no one denies that—but everything he did was to protect his land and the family he built! How does that deserve an ending this miserable?!
I leaned back against the cold window of the late-night train, the rhythmic rattling of the tracks humming beneath me. My body was heavy from overtime, my eyes aching from hours of staring at spreadsheets—but I couldn't pull myself away from the novel.
Around me, exhausted office workers dozed in their seats, the fluorescent lights flickering faintly overhead.
I let out a deep sigh and unlocked my phone again, scrolling through online forums and comment sections.
"Perfect ending.""Annon finally got what he deserved.""Top-tier tragedy!"
…
No. Just no.
Not for me.
I—Yoshi Nakagawa.
Yeah, I know my name sounds old-fashioned, but that's what my parents gave me.
Why was I this mad over a novel?
Because of the hottest story trending right now—
"Harem Legion 666."
Sure, the name was cliché as hell—but the moment it introduced the Demon King, I was hooked.
Ironically, Annon barely had any real screen time.
But his harem?
Damn… unforgettable.
Still, it hurt knowing he was doomed to die—especially like that.
Betrayed.Stabbed in the back.Disposed of when he wasn't ready.
I sighed for the third time and stared at the digital cover on my phone, the Demon King standing tall amid flames and ruin.
Then I muttered quietly—
"I wish I was the Demon King… Annon…"
The train lights flickered.
The hum of the rails suddenly went silent—
Whoosh!
Meanwhile—
On the shattered continent of Asterfall, the final battle reached its climax.
High above the battlefield, two figures clashed in midair—raw power colliding like collapsing stars.
Steel screamed.
Wind pressure exploded outward, shattering stone and cratering the land beneath them.
Two beings stood unmatched—known across the world as the strongest.
Demon King Annon.AndSword Hero Orion.
Annon laughed wildly as their blades locked together.
"Is that all the strongest hero can manage?! Huh, Orion?!"
Orion smirked as he parried another relentless strike, eyes burning with rivalrous respect.
"Heh, you're still not satisfied, you bastard? Some things never change!"
Their clash continued for hours, tearing the sky itself apart.
At last, they separated and descended to the ruined surface, both breathing heavily, eyes locked with unwavering intent.
Annon chuckled and wiped blood from his lips.
"You've truly become strong, Orion… Just as I hoped! Hahahaha!"
Orion returned the grin.
"And you're still the same monster as ever. But tell me—since when did you rely on a sword instead of magic, Demon King? Looking down on me since I never use spells?"
"Me? Looking down on my rival?"
Annon burst into laughter.
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm honoring you with pure strength alone!"
"I see… then let's make it truly even."
They raised their weapons—
SHRRK!!
Suddenly, a blade pierced straight through Annon's back.
Annon's eyes widened as blood spilled from his lips.
He slowly turned—
Behind him stood one of his own Seven Lords…
Raven, Lord of Time.
Raven wore a twisted grin, the assassin's blade still buried in Annon's spine.
Then—
Warp.
In an instant, he vanished.
Annon dropped to one knee, clutching the bleeding wound.
"ANNON!!"
Orion shouted in horror.
Where's his passive shield?! Why didn't it activate?!
Before Orion could rush forward—
"Orion!"
Annon snapped, forcing himself upright.
"What are you doing? Spacing out already?"
Orion stared at him in disbelief.
"You're hurt—!!"
"What wound?"
Annon smiled faintly.
Orion blinked.
"…Oh. Right… your regeneration."
He exhaled in relief.
"Alright then—let's end this."
What Orion didn't know…
Annon had sealed all his power long before this battle began.
His regeneration was gone.
His mana was empty.
His shields were nonexistent.
The Demon King standing before Orion—
Was just… a dying man with a sword.
The battle resumed.
Steel clashed against steel once more.
But this time, every single wound Annon took stayed open.
Blood soaked through his dark armor.
At last—
Annon staggered and dropped to one knee.
Orion froze.
"Annon… I don't feel any mana from you at all—what have you done?!"
Annon averted his eyes.
"That's none of your concern."
He coughed up blood.
"Now… finish it."
"But—!"
"Sword Hero Orion."
Orion stiffened.
Rarely did Annon ever call him by his full title.
"Please…"
Annon whispered.
"End it."
"You were betrayed! You were stabbed—your shield never activated! I can tell the world the truth—I—"
"JUST DO IT!"
Orion's hands trembled.
Suddenly—
Shouts echoed from the distance.
Multiple demonic auras surged rapidly toward the battlefield.
"STOP, SWORD HERO ORION!!"
Orion's heart sank as he recognized their voices.
The Six Commanders of Annon's Legion.
They approached at full speed, their figures racing across the shattered land.
Seeing them draw closer only made Orion more hesitant.
If they reached him now—
There would be no ending to this war.
More blood.
More deaths.
And perhaps…
No peace at all.
Annon noticed his hesitation.
With shaky breath and failing strength—
He reached out,
Grabbing Orion's wrist.
Before Orion could react—
Annon forced the blade forward—
straight into his own chest.
"You won…"
Blood poured from his lips as he smiled faintly.
"That's the ending this story needs."
Orion stared in disbelief.
Annon leaned closer, voice barely audible.
"No matter what… don't tell them about the betrayal…"
Orion shook his head violently.
"Annon—!"
"Claim victory…"
"And please… don't hurt my girls…"
The Commander's silhouettes grew closer in the distance.
"They just followed me… I don't want them walking this bloody path any longer…"
Annon exhaled softly.
Demon King Annon died.
Tears streamed down Orion's face.
He gently pulled the sword free.
As the Six Commanders arrived and skidded to a halt before them—
Orion stood tall, forcing strength into his voice despite the pain tearing through his chest.
"The Demon King… has fallen."
Thus, the war ended—
With a victory forged from lies,
And the silent sacrifice of a betrayed king…