CHAPTER 17 — The Left Hand Woman: Witch of Knowledge

Seven long days.
Seven days drifting through the pitch-black universe alone—an endless ocean of silence, stars, and cold emptiness. My army guarded the kingdom with Tsukiko, while I journeyed through the void toward the place I had abandoned for centuries.
Despite the distance, I kept a mental link open at all times.Through my mind, I spoke with Tsukiko, Saigo, and my commanders.They kept me updated on every movement near the kingdom, every breath of the wind, every disturbance in the atmosphere.
Everything remained peaceful.
But peace never lasts in my life—not for long.
Two hours before arrival, the universe changed.
A shadow appeared in the distance.A perfectly round, pitch-black sphere surrounded by hundreds of drifting asteroids—a silent fortress floating alone in the cosmos.
It wasn’t a planet.
It wasn’t a star.
It was my spell.
A barrier cast by the previous Crish, created so no god, demon, angel, or cosmic entity could enter this domain—except me, Saigo, or Yuka.
A warmth hit my chest.
Home.
After centuries of death…after a month of revival…after everything…
I was finally returning to Hell’s Paradise,my palace,my fortress,the resting place of my 10,000 loyal troops.
And I wasn’t returning to a building—
I was returningto her.
My Left Hand Woman.My other wing.My balance.Yuka Harima — The Witch of Knowledge.
The closer I got, the faster my heartbeat grew.My army, my commanders, Saigo, Yuka…Together, we were meant to rule the Three Worlds.
People hear “king” and think it sounds cool.But being the one at the top of everything—having thousands depend on you,having worlds rest on your shoulders—it’s not easy.
And I knew it.
I always knew.
At last, I pierced through the black barrier—and everything exploded into light.
What lay inside wasn’t a palace.
It was an entire world.
Massive stadiums stretched across the landscape, places where my soldiers trained day and night.Structures stood tall like giants, built to sustain 10,000 troops in perfect discipline.And in the center of this domain—
Floating in the airsurrounded by swirling crimson cloudsand glowing like a hellborn sun—
was my palace.
HELL’S PARADISE.
Before I could even admire the overwhelming scenery—
ZZZSHHHHH—!!!
A magical arrow screamed past my skull, slicing a few strands of my hair.
I jerked back.
What the hell?!
A crushing demonic aura—stronger than anything I had ever felt—appeared behind me.Raw power.Terrifying pressure.The kind of presence that could crush planets.
Before I could even turn—
She was already kneeling behind me.
Yuka Harima.
Her head lowered.Her voice trembling.
“Welcome home…my beloved lord.”
I froze.
She was beautiful—a violet aura swirling around her like a cosmic storm,a magic staff in her hand,small curved horns on her head,brown hair flowing down her back,eyes shimmering with intelligence and heartbreak.
She looked like a demon.
She felt like a demon.
But everything in her presence screamed—
angel.
I forced myself to reply gently.
“Yuka… I’m sorry.I made a huge mistake.I left this burden on you for thousands of years…and even after my revival, I made you wait another month.”
Her breath caught.
Tears dropped to the ground.
“Welcome back…my lord…My King…”She stepped forward, voice cracking.“I waited for you for centuries… without complaint… without sleeping… without leaving this place.But after your revival…why didn’t you come for me?Am I no longer part of your army?Am I just a guard meant to protect this prison alone for eternity…?”
My heart tightened painfully.
And for the first time—
A king bowed to his soldier.
Yuka’s eyes widened in shock as I lowered my head and said,
“I can’t undo the past.But I’m here now.I came to take you home.Your suffering ends today.You protected your king even after he died.You carried a burden no one should have carried alone.I’m late…But I returned for you,my precious Yuka Harima.”
Before I could finish, her magic wrapped around me—forcing me to stand upright.
Her voice trembled with anger and love:
“A king should NEVER bow to his troops…no matter what.You truly haven’t changed…even after a thousand years.”
She knelt again in respect.
(…So the previous Crish was like this too?Maybe I’m not so different after all.)
I reached out and lifted her gently.
“No more tears.No more waiting.You’re coming with me.And on the way, I’ll tell you everything—about my reincarnation, my revival, everything I’ve been through.”
I lifted the ancient spell that bound her.
At first nothing changed.But the invisible chains that held her for millennia shattered.
“Try stepping outside the barrier,” I told her.
Her expression darkened.“I… can’t.I failed too many times.I stopped trying long ago.”
“You can now,” I said softly. “Trust me.”
With trembling steps, she walked toward the barrier.She reached her hand out—then froze.
“I can’t…”
“You can,” I whispered—placing my hand on her back.
I pushed her gently forward—
She stumbled out.
Eyes shut tight.Body shaking.
“Yuka,” I whispered.“Open your eyes.”
Slowly…slowly…
She opened them.
And saw the universe for the first time in a thousand years.
Her breath hitched.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
“I’m… free…”
Her smile—a genuine, pure smile—was worth every second of my journey.
I patted her head.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
—GRRRRLLL.
My stomach betrayed me, growling like a demon.
I froze.
She burst into laughter.
“I’ll cook for you, my lord,” she said, wiping her tears.“While we talk about how I survived here alone.”
I laughed too.“Thank you… I’m starving.”
But before she moved, I asked:
“Yuka… that arrow.What was that?”
She avoided my gaze.
“A-ah… that?Just a little anger…for leaving me alone for centuries.I knew you could dodge it, haha.”
(If that was a little anger,then if she got seriously mad,I’d be in critical condition.)
NOTE FOR READERS:Yuka is currently stronger than me because she remained at full power for centuries.She never left the palace.Never slept.Never weakened.
I’m only at 70% of my full power.And unlike the original Crish,I’m inexperienced in real combat.
If the previous Crish reached even 50%,he would surpass Saigo and Yuka easily.
But right now?
I’m still growing.
Still learning.
Still rising.

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HELL’S PARADISE — THRONE HALL
I sat on my throne—trying to look kingly while my stomach cried for mercy.
Yuka placed food before me, her eyes glowing proudly.
I picked up my first bite—
When Saigo’s voice suddenly exploded inside my mind:
“My lord—we have intruders.”
The throne hall fell silent.
My eyes narrowed.
Yuka’s aura flared.
The peace that lasted centuries…
Just ended.
To be continued…