Every story had to come to an end. Whether it was a fairy tale ending with its characters finding happiness or a heroic saga where the demon king was slain and the hero triumphed, proclaiming the greatness of virtue—the pages had to inevitably turn to a close. 0

However, unlike characters in a book who vanished after fulfilling their roles, those who lived in reality did not simply reach an ending. Even after defeating their enemies or achieving their life’s goals, they had to continue burning through their days, waiting for death’s scythe to fall—an end that came equally for all mortals. 0

Laila, the Empress, was no exception. Even after the final battle had long passed, she remained bound to a relentless schedule, just as harsh as before. Perhaps because she was “One Beloved by the World,” she could sit for hours in an uncomfortable position without suffering from cramps or aches. But aside from brief moments for sleep and bodily needs, she dedicated every waking second to governing the empire. 0

Laila let out a weary sigh as she tossed aside the document in her hands. “Honestly, I’m starting to think that making Arcadia a Holy Empire was the worst mistake I could have made. I did this to myself.” 0

The pile of paperwork on her desk only seemed to grow...0