Chapter 14: Epilogue
Suddenly, time seemed to freeze in the hall. The Emperor, Xiao Chen, even Ye Wuchen, froze in place like statues. Only Lin Wan and I could move. She lunged at me, a dagger manifesting in her hand from her inventory, aiming straight for my heart.
"Die, Cannon Fodder!"
I didn't flinch.
[System Alert: Counter-measure activated. Unleashing Spiritual Pocket Dimension domain.]
I tapped the teardrop icon in my vision.
CRACK.
The space around us shattered. Lin Wan and I were instantly pulled into my Spiritual Pocket Dimension. She stumbled onto the lush green grass, looking around in utter confusion. "What... a domain?! You don't have a domain in the novel!"
"Because you stole it from me before the novel even began," I said, walking toward her. I raised my hand. The spiritual energy of the entire dimension answered my call. Vines thicker than tree trunks erupted from the earth, wrapping around Lin Wan's arms and legs, hoisting her into the air.
"System! Help me!" she screamed.
A mechanical voice ripped from her throat, glitching wildly. [Error... Overpowered by native origin... Connection lost...]
"Your stolen cheat is broken, thief," I said coldly. I placed my hand firmly on her chest. "System. Extract the stolen Heroine Aura."
A blinding, golden light ripped out of Lin Wan's chest. She screamed in agony as the stolen luck, the unearned charisma, and the fabricated destiny were ripped from her soul. The golden light flowed into me, warm and absolute.
I waved my hand, and we transitioned back to the Imperial Hall. Time resumed instantly.
"...sever their head from their shoulders!" Ye Wuchen finished his sentence, oblivious to the paused time.
Lin Wan collapsed onto the cold stone floor. The mystical aura that had captivated Xiao Chen was entirely gone. She was just an ordinary, plain, pathetic girl crying on the floor.
"Guards," the Emperor commanded, his voice filled with revulsion as he looked at the fake pill. "Take this fraud to the dungeons. She is to be executed for attempted regicide."
As the guards dragged a screaming Lin Wan away, Xiao Chen looked up at me. Without the plot forcing him away from me, the realization of what he had lost hit him like a physical blow. He fell to his knees.
"Luoyan... I was wrong. I was bewitched," he pleaded, tears welling in his eyes. "Please. We can fix the token. You are the future Crown Princess!"
I looked down at the man who had ordered my death. I felt nothing but absolute pity.
"Your Highness," I said smoothly. I turned to Ye Wuchen, linking my arm through his. "I don't want to be the Crown Princess. I think the title of Princess Regent suits me much better. Wouldn't you agree, Husband?"
Ye Wuchen laughed, pulling me flush against his side. "Indeed," the God of War declared, staring down the trembling Crown Prince. "Now, Nephew. Bow to your Aunt."
Xiao Chen’s face crumpled in total defeat as he pressed his forehead to the cold stone floor. I looked out over the bowing court, feeling the absolute freedom of a rewritten destiny.
But as I smiled, my System chimed one final, chilling time.
[DING! Plot successfully altered. However, Anomaly 'Lin Wan' was merely a subordinate host. Primary Invader System detected approaching the capital. Host, prepare for war.]
I tightened my grip on Ye Wuchen's arm, my smile turning into a feral grin. Let them come. The Cannon Fodder was dead. The Princess Regent’s reign had just begun.
[THE END]
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