Dancing on the golden ashes

I knew, without a doubt, that the days of my old life were over. Somehow, seeing them now solidified that truth. And, honestly, I liked this place more. My empire. My people. My new family. Still, a small, toxic part of me hoped those three, my old family, would survive long enough to witness my rise to the top—so they could be jealous of everything I'd achieved. Perhaps my thoughts were darker than they should've been, but considering everything I'd endured because of them... I couldn't help it.

"Give them shelter," I said, wiping the single tear from my cheek as I turned away. "After that, I don't care what happens to them." My words were cold, but my heart felt lighter.

I spread my wings, ready to leave, and added, "Also, I'm going to pay a visit to our new puppet."

"Empress, do you want us to follow?" Park Ji-Hoon asked, his twin daggers glinting faintly, as if they were just as eager for action as he was.

I paused for a moment before shaking my head. "Take care of the people here until I come back. We don't know what could happen to this place while the guards are still so weak."

Their expressions betrayed disappointment, but they nodded in understanding. I could see the tension in their bodies—the itch for battle that mirrored my own. But right now, their place was here, securing what we had worked so hard to build.

As for me, I was hoping for something different. A strong enemy. A challenge that would make me feel alive again. In this world, there were few who could match us now—unless they were far away.

And I hoped to meet them someday. I craved a fight that would push me to my limits. I had always wondered what it would feel like to be strong. Now that I'd reached this point, I felt… empty.

I need a worthy foe.

At that moment, the silhouette of a certain individual flashed into my mind—Nam Ji-Ho. How I wished I could get my hands on him, to repay the humiliation he dealt me. But also… to thank him. Without that defeat, without that bitter loss, I would never have reached the heights I stood at now.

I flapped my wings hard, sending a cloud of dust swirling below me as I launched into the sky. My next target was Han Seungho's empire. It was the perfect stage to demonstrate my power, to show my people exactly why they should follow me, solidifying my leadership once and for all.

"The only thing you'll solidify with this is your own desire for control and power," the eerie voice sneered, slithering into my mind like a serpent. Its timing was impeccable, as always.

Why do you care so much? Even if I were to take over the world, so what? It's not like it's that simple. And honestly, there's no point in actually doing it. But… people want to hear that. They want to believe in a leader with boundless ambition.

"And what if you don't give them what they want?"

The question hit me like a blow to the chest. My wings faltered for a moment as I let the words sink in. It was a good question, one I hadn't truly contemplated before.

Forget this. Why are you back now? I countered, trying to steer the conversation away. We've already had this talk before.

The voice fell silent for a long, uncomfortable moment.
Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

"Why did you rescue them?" it finally asked, its tone colder than ever. "Why didn't you kill all three of your family members?"

My heart skipped a beat. Hearing that question come from what was essentially my own voice… it was terrifying.

I gazed at the distant horizon. The location of my so-called slave was drawing near, and I could feel the tension rising within me.

I… I don't know. I want to. I still desire that. But at the same time… I think I'm not cold-blooded enough yet.

"Even after a thousand years of suffering, you still have a warm heart?" The voice inside me laughed coldly, its tone dripping with disdain.

I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to curse it. Why did it always have to remind me of that? Why couldn't it just shut up for once?

I wouldn't call it that. It's just… family is different. I paused for a moment, a thought crossing my mind. Your family, or whatever they are… don't you feel the same way?

The voice snapped back, its tone now sharp and irritable. "I told you—I'm not like them. I have nothing to do with those brain-dead monsters."

Right. You keep saying that. But when you take control of me, you're no better.

Suddenly, an intense pain slammed into my temples as if something was clawing its way out of my skull. My vision blurred, and the world spun around me.

"I TOLD YOU I'M NOT LIKE THEM!" The voice roared, its power surging through my mind like a raging storm.

The pain became unbearable. My wings faltered, and before I could regain control, I plummeted from the sky. Hundreds of meters vanished in seconds, the ground rushing to meet me as my consciousness teetered on the edge of oblivion.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared in my mind, as though I were witnessing a vision. The figure resembled a woman, her silhouette powerful and commanding. She held a long weapon—its exact form shrouded in the haze of my mind. Then, with a single, devastating swing, she cleaved what appeared to be the world in half, obliterating everything in her path. The woman stood alone in the vast, starry sky, the universe seemingly orbiting her as if she were its center. Yet, in a sudden and inexplicable act, she raised her hand and severed herself in half. A sorrowful, heart-wrenching cry escaped her lips, echoing in the void.

The next moment, my eyes snapped open. I was plummeting toward the ground. With a desperate flap of my wings, I barely managed to avoid a direct collision, though the force sent me crashing through several trees. The impact wasn't as painful as it was shocking. Just what in the world was that vision? Who was that woman?!

"Hey!" I called out to the eerie voice, my frustration boiling over. "Do you plan to kill us both next time?!"

Silence.

I gritted my teeth, brushing dirt and leaves off my clothes as I stood. "Hey, I'm talking to you!" Still, there was no response. That damn voice—now it decides to run away, hiding like a coward. Fine. Fine! Let's see how it likes it when I ignore it next time.

Ahead of me, in the distance, stood a city of marble, its pale buildings gleaming even under the dim sky. At its center rose a massive citadel, a towering structure exuding authority. The unmistakable aura of my slave radiated from there, strong and unyielding.

I started walking toward it, my steps slow and deliberate, my mind still swirling with thoughts of the strange vision.

"My life lately is so restless," I muttered, my voice tinged with exasperation. "Can I just have one day off without any surprises? Just one day?" I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair. "This empress needs a day off!"

The words came out louder than I intended, echoing through the still air. Almost immediately, I noticed movement near the city's gates. The guards—clad in simple armor reminiscent of medieval Europe—had heard my outburst. Their eyes locked on me, their gazes shifting into something unhinged, as though they'd just found their next prey.

A sharp whistling sound reached my ear—the kind men often used to try to attract a woman's attention.

"Hey, beauty, did you get lost?" one of the guards called out with a laugh, his tone oozing arrogance. The other nudged him with an elbow, chuckling along.

"Look at her! She must be a succubus. Those wings and horns, and that outfit... and that body. She must've come to eat us alive." He spat the words with such vulgarity, I felt my stomach churn.

"Is that what you want?" I asked mischievously, tilting my head slightly, a sly smile playing on my lips.

"Of course!" he shouted back, emboldened. "Come to these big brothers, we'll teach you all about pleasure, and you can eat us up all you want."

They laughed like the fools they were, the sound grating on my ears. I could feel the lust radiating from them, thick and disgusting, as if they had no idea what kind of fire they were playing with. Worse, both of them were hideously unattractive. Where in the world did they find the confidence to speak to me like that? Must've never had a woman in their lives.

"I'll eat you up, alright," I said with a smile, my voice laced with mock sweetness.

In the next instant, my scythe appeared in my hand, its dark blade shimmering ominously. With a single, fluid step, I swung it. Two heads hit the ground simultaneously, rolling like discarded stones. Their lifeless bodies collapsed in unison, their souls torn from their flesh, and I devoured them without hesitation.

"Here, I ate you. What now?" I chuckled darkly. "Idiots like you need discipline."

Then, raising my voice, I roared with all the power I could summon.

"HAN SEUNGHO! COME OUT AND GREET YOUR MASTER THIS INSTANT!"