Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 99

The ground beneath her feet collapsed, and Juliana quickly stepped back in alarm.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

A deafening noise filled the air as the earth split apart.

“Prince Vi!”

Lochlan, Albert, and Anita rushed forward, sensing the danger. But as they came close to Braeden, a powerful force pushed them away with such strength that they were thrown far into the distance.

Groaning in pain, they struggled to their feet. But the ground continued to crack and split apart uncontrollably.

A deep rumble echoed across the mountains. It sounded like the snowy peaks were crying out in agony. If this continued, the great mountain range would collapse and bury the human world.

With trembling hands, Juliana reached into her clothing and pulled out a small item wrapped in a handkerchief. It was the ornament with a red gem that Braeden had once given her.

She had always known this jewel was not ordinary. It contained a power strong enough to restrain divine energy.

Maybe this could distract him.

Juliana still believed it was not too late. Braeden’s eyes were now clouded in darkness, as if he had completely lost control. But she had not given up hope.

Her hand shook as she held the jewel tightly and stepped forward.

The ground had not split too wide yet, so reaching him was still possible. But it could widen at any moment, and every step forward was dangerous.

Even so, Juliana kept moving.

As she approached, she felt the same force that had thrown his followers back. It now pushed against the jewel in her hand with overwhelming strength.

No. I won’t let this happen. I will not give it up.

She shook her head firmly and tried to summon the divine power within her to protect the gem.

But the wild energy surrounding Braeden finally tore it from her grip.

The jewel flew into the air and shattered, scattering like sand in the wind.

No!

Juliana cried out and reached for it, desperate to hold onto it, but it was no use.

She had not known that the gem was actually a condensed fragment of the Archdemon’s thoughts, formed over thousands of years. It was only natural that it would try to return to its original master.

Juliana felt hopelessness consume her.

“Enoch, you were wrong. I failed again.”

Her face twisted in pain as she remembered the conversation she had shared with Enoch in the Sanctuary.

Had he truly been a god who turned back time to save the world from destruction? Why had he chosen her for something so important?

These thoughts didn’t match the urgency of the moment, but they shook her deeply.

I lived only for revenge. I was selfish and cruel. I only cared about my own safety. So why did he choose me?

Even now, she cared more about saving Braeden than about saving the world. Her heart ached for him. He looked so broken and lost.

Maybe even that was her selfishness. Maybe it was just because she loved him too much to let go.

“Braeden, blame me if you want. But please.”

Juliana found strength once again. She was not afraid of death. What truly terrified her was the thought of losing him.

She remembered how her divine power would grow stronger whenever they touched.

Maybe this could work.

Even if it failed, it didn’t matter. She had already died once. She had no regrets left.

If she died here with him, that would be enough.

The earth shook again, more violently than before. Deep down, she knew this would be the last time.

If the ground opened up completely like in her dream, she would never be able to reach him.

“Enoch!”

Juliana ignored the shaking ground and threw herself into Braeden’s arms. She held his face in her hands and kissed him.

His lips had no warmth. They were cold and stiff, like those of someone already dead. It felt like kissing stone or an ancient tree. There was no response, no feeling.

A choked sound rose in her throat as she tried to hold back her tears while their lips remained pressed together.

She missed his warmth more than she could bear. She never imagined she would be longing for it while kissing him. The pain was unbearable, as if her heart were being torn apart.

Tears rolled down her cheeks and froze in the cold mountain air.

She gasped through her sobs and tried to draw a response from him, but Braeden remained motionless. His body was rigid, completely unresponsive.

She now understood something deeply. A kiss was not just about pressing lips together. It only had meaning when feelings were shared.

All those passionate kisses they had shared before had only felt that way because they both loved each other. That truth now ached inside her.

I’m sorry. I must have come too late.

She could feel it clearly now. There was no emotion left in him. No warmth. Nothing.

So this was the end. She realized there was no use continuing and let herself pull away.

The mountain peak gave a loud crack as it collapsed. Snow exploded upward in a massive cloud and rushed over everything like fog.

Juliana stumbled, her strength fading. A wave of snow and wind slammed into her body.

She knew then she would be buried in the avalanche. Her time had come. She closed her eyes, ready for the end.

But then, someone grabbed her wrist.

Her eyes flew open.

“Juliana.”

Braeden’s voice was low and faint, but he had said her name. He held her wrist and pulled her toward him.

Just before the snowstorm could take her, she was pulled into his arms.

“That’s not enough,” he said with a strained voice. His expression tightened, and the black veil over his eyes flickered. Behind it, red light appeared and disappeared again and again.

“Eden.”

Juliana cried and placed her hand on his cheek. She kissed him again.

This kiss was not like before. The lifeless man who had not responded earlier was now reacting.

Every time their lips touched and parted, warmth spread slowly through his cold body. Their breath became visible in the freezing air, curling between them.

What began as a gentle, searching kiss became more passionate. Their lips moved together with growing urgency.

Juliana had never realized how deeply a kiss filled with emotion and longing could hurt. Even though her tears had frozen on her cheeks, she pressed closer into his arms without hesitation.

She did not know how long the kiss lasted.

Eventually, she felt his hand touch her cheek. Slowly, she opened her eyes.

She looked up and met Braeden’s gaze.

His red eyes, shining like precious stones, were looking right at her.

“Eden, I thought I was going to lose you.”

Her voice trembled, and the tears she had held back spilled down once more.

“But you didn’t, and that’s what matters.”

His gaze softened as he reached out and gently wiped her tears away.

His touch was careful, almost hesitant, as if he feared she might vanish like a dream.

“Are you back now? Are you alright?”

“Maybe.”

Braeden gave a short answer, then leaned in again and gently kissed her lips. His mouth moved across her face, leaving soft kisses on her nose, cheeks, forehead, and eyelids in no particular order.

During that moment, the fierce wind finally began to calm. The powerful shaking of the ground also came to a stop.

Though the Mount of Kankantier now lay in ruin, scarred and disfigured, the stillness that followed gave the illusion that peace had returned.

“My lord, are you alright?”

Lochlan, Albert, and Anita approached him. Their faces were marked with bruises and cuts, clear signs of the struggle they had endured while resisting the Archdemon’s power.

Braeden’s expression tightened when he saw the wounds on their faces.

“You have been through so much.”

They could have left him behind. No one would have blamed them for running when things turned so dire. But they had stayed. They had fought through the chaos and pain, remaining at his side until the end.

Braeden felt grateful for their loyalty, though he did not fully understand it. He could not comprehend why they had chosen to suffer for him. Still, he was at least clear-headed enough not to question them aloud.

He turned his gaze toward the Mount of Kankantier. The sight brought a heavy silence to his chest. After the avalanche, the mountain looked completely changed. Its height had lowered, its shape broken. The elegance it once held was gone.

Deep cracks stretched across the land. The earth was twisted and torn. Pale smoke rose from the open fissures. If the ground had split just a little more, the molten lava hidden beneath might have burst forth.

Part of him wanted to restore the Mount of Kankantier right then and there. He wanted to see it whole again. But he had not recovered enough strength. He knew that his condition was still unstable.

Thanks to Juliana, he had regained control for now, but he had no idea when the madness might return. It lingered close, waiting for a chance to take over him again.

“For now, let’s go back.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Without another word, they left the wounded Mount of Kankantier behind. Together, they traveled through space and returned to the Grand Castle.

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