Chapter 42

"You're at a loss."

Yuuji stood alone in a desert, a black figure slowly materializing behind him.

"What are you thinking about?"

"My past."

Yuuji glanced back at the shadowy figure and spoke quietly.

"Why?"

"To remember your name."

"Why?"

"Strength. You see, knowing your name makes me stronger."

"Huh, not yet."

Yuuji watched the figure before him begin to fade away, reaching out to stop it.

"Don't go, I need your strength."

"It's not time yet. You need to remember my name on your own."

The figure vanished, leaving Yuuji alone.

"It's okay."

He turned around, and black and white shadows emerged behind him.

"We will always be with you."

"Thank you all."

Slowly, Yuuji opened his eyes. He was lying in an unfamiliar room, with Louise asleep beside him.

"You're awake, my master," the Lich said, entering and bowing respectfully.

"No need for formalities, Kel'Thuzad. I suppose you came to save me."

Kel'Thuzad approached and spoke about Yuuji's unconscious state.

During Yuuji's coma, the Lich had sworn to protect the Lord Lich King at all costs and to keep any disturbance away from his rest.

After receiving Yuuji's final message, the Lich and the Crypt Lord had rushed to the royal city, guarding the fallen Yuuji and Louise.

"Don't let them escape." The Juggernaut and the Prophet arrived, protecting Uther and glaring fiercely at the undead.

"Let them go," Uther, now awake, told the Juggernaut and the others.

"But... let them go?"

"It doesn't matter. I think this time the Lich King might be different," Uther said, watching the carefree beings under protection, an idea forming in his mind.

"Hmph, fine. I'll listen to you—for now."

The Juggernaut knew keeping them detained would be a huge effort, so he relented.

"Very well, Uther. I respect you as a hero." The Lich spoke before departing with the Crypt Lord, the undead army, and the Dreadlord who had been holding back Illidan.

"Hmph, Uther... I never expected you, a human, to let them go." Illidan, arriving just then, frowned at Uther's decision.

"Illidan, set aside your hatred for now. Your real enemy is the Burning Legion."

"I understand my goal. Don't preach to me." Illidan left, walking away alone.

"Sooner or later, he'll understand my thinking."

Back beside Yuuji…

"So, we were saved by Uther?"

"Exactly, my master. If he hadn't let us go, escape would've been impossible."

Yuuji looked at the loyal Lich and sighed inwardly, amazed at the Lich King's power—enough to command a hero like Uther.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave, Kel'Thuzad."

"Yes, my master."

After the Lich departed, Yuuji's thoughts turned to Louise, who had just awoken.

"Louise, we need to talk."

Louise rose, realizing she couldn't hide anymore.

"Louise," Yuuji called softly, pulling her close.

"Louise, I know your worries."

Yuuji studied her carefully, understanding she blamed herself for past shortcomings.

"Louise, I am your envoy. As your master, you must be unique—you can call on me. You must be confident. There's something only you can do."

"Really?" Louise's eyes welled with tears, but she looked more carefree.

"Absolutely." Yuuji wiped her tears away.

"I read in the book that only legendary void magicians can summon humanoid envoys. Louise, since you summoned me, it proves you are that kind of void magician. If you master legendary void magic, you will surely succeed."

"Really?"

"Trust me."

Louise nestled in Yuuji's arms, feeling his genuine care.

"No matter how strong the enemy, trust me—I will win. You don't need to cry for me."

"I will. Don't worry, Yuuji. I'll master the magic of nothingness. Next time, you won't have to fight alone." She smiled confidently.

After a while, Yuuji and Louise stepped outside, where three figures awaited.

Yuuji finally wondered whether he was truly good.

A lich, a giant beetle, and a vampire—no matter where they went, no one thought they were good people, and in their own right, they weren't.

"Master," they all bowed.

"There's no need for formalities. But thank you for saying that," Yuuji said, somewhat speechless.

"Master, thanks to you, we escaped the continent of Azeroth and came to this new world. The Scourge's banner will now be raised here." Anub'arak, Lord of the Crypt and loyal servant of the Lich King, spoke.

"Yes, master, you gave me life again to fight for our cause," Desailoc, one of the Three Devil Kings, added.

"Yes, master. Let us bring plague and disaster to this new world," Kel'Thuzad said, his hollow eyes gleaming.

"Enough about the future for now. We'll talk later," Yuuji said, turning to plans.

He agreed with the three to return to the mainland for cultivation, and when the time was right, they would return.

"Good. We'll be ready, waiting for you to bring us back, master." They stepped through the portal, returning with their army.

"Master, I understand," the Lich said before leaving.

"You're different from Arthas. You're not controlled by the Lich King. I haven't heard the Lich King's voice recently."

"You're truly unique," Kel'Thuzad said, leaving with words Yuuji couldn't fully understand.

Once they were gone, Yuuji and Louise went to find Princess Anrietta to restore life.

After their departure, the Juggernaut appeared in the shadows, muttering to himself.

"Sure enough, very different from the Lich King. I'm beginning to understand, Uther."

Looking toward the distance where Yuuji disappeared, the Juggernaut said, "This kid might just be the one to defeat the Burning Legion for us someday."

"What's wrong, Louise? You seem unusually cheerful."

"Nothing. Just glad the man isn't here to fight."