Rakuin no Monshou - Volume 1, Chapter 6: Battle of Zaim Fortress

❗[Current Writing Contest-WebNovel Spirity Awards 2025 Fantas]❗Flain grew up in a futuristic world. When he was born his parents didn't want him because he didn't live up to their expectations and so he ended up very badly.Flain was employed as a slave. He was forced to mine radioactive iron deep in the mines. It was drilled into his head that he existed only to obey orders.Young Flain was obedient. He doubted some of it but knew nothing else. For years, he never saw a single ray of light; light was only spoken of among the others as a legend.The routine was the same: in the morning, he would take a nutrient tablet and water. Then he would mine all day, sleep eight hours, and repeat.Flain worked like this from childhood until he was ten years old. He even found a friend, but that friend died of radiation poisoning right in front of Flain. Flain couldn't stop mining. He kept mining with tears streaming down his face.Before bed, Flain cried. “I will become the strongest. I will kill you all, and you will become my slaves.”Flain stopped crying, stared blankly at the rocky ceiling, then looked ahead. A manic grin appeared on his face, one that would often adorn it from that moment on.At the age of ten, Flain was assigned to a military camp due to his endurance in the mines and his survival against radiation.In the camp, Flain was trained. The regime was much looser; he even had an hour of free time each day. However, Flain didn't make any more friends. Even during his free time, he trained with a smile. He would achieve his goal at any cost, even if it meant training himself to death.Experiments were conducted on Flain. He lost his hair, two long gray arms grew on his back, and a third red eye appeared. Flain became a mutant.Flain was then sent to war. He fought with sharp katabas. He performed quite well in the war, earning himself command of ten soldiers and becoming a small commander.But one day, everything changed.Flain then dies, is swallowed by darkness, and Flain refuses to die, thus appearing as a skeleton in a fantasy world.

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

“You’re under me,” Raymond said coldly. “And whether you accept it or not, Candy Chucks—you’re mine now.”He said her full name slowly, deliberately.Candy’s heart slammed against her ribs as his gaze dropped to her lips, dark and unreadable.His hand came to the back of her head, fingers tightening—not to kiss her, but to remind her who held the power.“I’m nobody’s property,” she snapped, jerking away. “Not yours. Not anyone’s.”His lips curved into a dangerous smile.“We’ll see.”____________Candy Chucks’ life ends the day her father sells her to a ruthless mafia lord to settle a deadly debt.Raymond Monster is cold, feared, and unforgiving—and once he claims something, he never lets go.Trapped in his world of violence and power, Candy fights to keep her freedom… until she uncovers a devastating truth about her past—one that proves her entire life was built on lies.Was she ever meant to be free… or was she always his?

Perfect. That’s what people call Princess Elysia. Blessed with rare red fire magic and trained by the best, she’s the shining jewel of the kingdom of Arvandor. But perfection has a price. When the ruthless Demon Queen Malvoria sets her sights on Elysia, all hell breaks loose—literally.As Malvoria’s army lays waste to Arvandor, Elysia’s life is shattered. Her beloved father, the king, is slain, and her once-peaceful home becomes a battlefield. Forced to flee with her girlfriend, Zera—the fierce daughter of her magic teacher—and her mentor, Lady Seraphina, Elysia’s journey of survival begins.But Malvoria wants more than just a kingdom. She wants Elysia, and nothing will stand in her way. As Elysia’s hidden powers awaken, an unexpected and dangerous attraction sparks between her and the demon queen.