Read ahead on my P@treon...
p@treon.com/MayaMatengele01
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If the purpose of returning to the past is to change past misfortunes, then it's equivalent to denying those misfortunes. But if you've already denied those misfortunes, what reason is there to go back and change the 'denied misfortunes'?
Haruya believed that his Checkpoint ability represented this idea. It wasn't about going back to the past, but rather about starting over and doing better.
That said, if he kept using this ability recklessly, there would come a day when his mind would break.
Besides, the Checkpoint ability he possessed might disappear one day, and when that happened…
Well, instead of worrying about such complicated and troublesome things, Haruya preferred to focus on the present.
The method to conquer the Siren Queen was simple: change Queen Laila's perspective on the world through actions like criticism and insults.
Let her know that not everything could be obtained, and not everyone would be captivated by her beauty.
In other words, it was about using a sadistic approach to make the masochistic Queen fall in love with him.
With that in mind, Haruya quoted a passage he had read before, adding his own lines to it.
"You're so old, yet you're still daydreaming in your sleep? Are you an idiot? Who do you think you are? A fool? Do you think it's natural for everyone to treat you well? Even kindergarteners are smarter than you! Do you even realize how long you've been asleep? Eight Centuries! That's Eight hundred years! Did you think you were some sleeping beauty waiting for her prince? You're over eight hundred years old! You old hag!!"
"I said you're old, but there's a limit to how old you can be! I love older characters, but only if they have brains!? And most of all, I can't stand your attitude of 'every man will fall for me'! If the world were that simple, it'd be great, but thinking you're special just because you're beautiful is laughable. Even if you're a beauty, if you don't have any brains, you're worthless."
Of course, everything in this world was built on the foundation of beautiful girls.
If Asuna from Sword Art Online weren't a beauty, she'd just be a spoiled girl stealing her brother's things.
If Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion were fat, she'd just seem like a socially awkward idiot.
Haruya had heard and seen many such hypotheticals, and while he thought there were both right and wrong aspects to them, he had more to say.
"Women should know how to hold back! So-called sexiness only has meaning when paired with modesty! Do you think it's right to strip naked just because someone asks you to? Or are you one of those idiots with a romance IQ below 20 who take off their clothes and glasses the moment things get serious? If you think showing more skin is better, then stop half-heartedly covering up and just become a nudist!"
"You're such a half-baked idiot! And why should I bother pleasing a woman I don't like? From a common-sense perspective, that's just a waste of time and energy! Are you stupid? I'd rather chase after 2D girls, it's more meaningful, cost-effective, and won't hurt my wallet or heart! And one last thing, I don't know if it's some water spirit or what, but you only have that charm because of it. Honestly, your face is only above average. You should realize that if you just looked in the mirror! You sponge-brained idiot~~!"
After delivering his pre-prepared lines in one go, the Queen, instead of being hurt, looked dazed.
She grabbed Haruya's shoulders, "I've been waiting for you… my prince…"
She had closed the distance between them at an alarming speed, her eyes shining, "To think, Immanity had such capable individuals, ahhh, my beloved husband… please scold me more☆"
As expected, some part of her brain had completely lost its original function. She was a fool without common sense…
But Haruya was still surprised at how quickly she accepted it, "Don't get too close. I'm not really into cougars, especially one that's hundreds of years old. Physically, it's acceptable, but psychologically, it's a bit repulsive!"
"Being… being disliked feels so good too☆"
And just like that, under the wide-eyed gazes of Amira and Plum, the century-long game came to an end today.
The surrounding scenery gradually disappeared, and the world woven by magic shattered before their eyes.
Their consciousness sank and then rose, returning to the original city of Océando.
"Why did the Queen turn out like that?! What did you do to her?!" Amira closed in on Haruya, her flapping tail fin showing her panic.
"Why? Isn't it simple? According to the Queen's desires, all I had to do was give her something she couldn't have."
"T-that's…"
"Born into an environment where everything was handed to her, the thing she wanted most was something she couldn't have. Precisely because she couldn't have it, it felt precious and novel." Haruya explained.
"But… insulting the Queen like that…" Amira clasped her hands over her chest, "It feels… a little satisfying, ahhh, no, what am I saying?"
'Well, that makes sense...' Haruya patted Amira's shoulder.
After all, as the acting representative of the Sirens, she had suffered a lot because of Laila's irresponsible decision to enter cold sleep.
"You really have a way with things… Haru-kun." Plum sat to the side, speaking in an envious tone.
As they talked, the ice encasing the Queen began to crack... The cracks slowly spreading until...
*Boom*
The entire block of ice shattered like a dream, revealing the Queen in all her glory...
The Queen wasted no time and swam to Haruya at top speed, her tail swishing as she rubbed her face against his, "La la~! Hmm, the first person I've interacted with in so long is an Immanity. I'm surprised~"
To speak so childishly, even though she's over eight hundred years old…
"Your Majesty, welcome back." Plum welcomed.
"I'm back~ thank you, little Dhampir brother over there."
"Ugh…" Plum, who was called 'little Dhampir brother' shrank back and whistled to the side.
In any case, the Queen whispered into Haruya's ear, word by word, "From now on, our happy life begins~ My darling! My dear! My honey!!!"
Conquering her was great, but Haruya suddenly felt… annoyed...