There are different kinds of domains divided into three categories in Remembering World: the Ascendancy, Fragments and Refinement Domain.

The Domain of Ascendancy contains materials that can enhance a person’s skills and talents using items such as gemstones and amulets. They were usually found in areas near human settlements.

The Domain of Fragments contains artifacts in jewellery form imbued with powerful attributes. They were located around historic war zones.

Last was the Domain of Refinement. They contain materials used for enhancing weapons and armour. Like Ascendancy, they were built near settlements with a large human population.

Domain Subjugation is a popular line of work among mercenaries and adventurers alike. WarCry was stated to be the most influential guild in the kingdom. According to Reed, they earn their living through continuous subjugation of the Fragments and Refinement domains around Evermore. They would either work with a client or sell materials at the local market.

He also mentioned the tricky part when it comes to Domain Subjugation. The drops, enemy types and the structure of a domain would occasionally change to serve as a challenge for explorers. Unlike in the game where it has the same structure and enemies but different drops depending on schedule, the domains in this reality cannot be cleared in repeated patterns.

It was once stated in Remembering World that nymphs were responsible for this deception to get human greed under control. As claimed by Evermore Times, approximately one in every four explorers is constantly killed in a domain subjugation. While this could be avoided by shopping from merchants, they sell these items at very high prices depending on rarity.

The Domain of Seclusion was a different domain type than the three. It could be formed using illusion magic by a person with magic knowledge or someone who obtained the specific materials to make it themselves. They weren’t designed with grand double doors in the mountains but were usually found in secluded areas with passageways. Domains of Seclusion were often used to serve as hide-outs for convicts and criminals. However, there were instances where a Domain of Seclusion can suddenly form naturally; through having strong emotions. Seclusion domains contain people’s important memories. Some who have formed it by accident wouldn’t even realize it instantly.

A Domain of Seclusion is a vulnerable realm. Unlike the three material domains where monsters are real, this domain would only spawn their remnants outside its master’s control. Nymphs do not have the power to interfere with its laws as the domain is done by humans.

The negative emotions of humans attract negative energy, thus the manifestation of monsters transpires. The more intense their emotions are, the more powerful monsters spawn inside their domain. The domain can be closed if the owners find the way back outside, if they close it using magic or if they die inside of it.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

The wall sconces lit up as the three of us walked further down the hallway inside the domain. Its interior was far different from those in the village. Aside from the well-furnished furniture, it resembled a home owned by someone with a higher status instead of a commoner.

Changing Zathrian’s fate as Diabolos Apocalypsis completely altered every little thing that ties him to this realm. It looked different from the game, where it showed Zathrian’s home and important memories from his childhood, his days in the chivalry academy and even his failed proposal to Runathea Goldenhart. But now that it wasn’t him anymore, the domain was showing us things related to the new culprit.

“Stop.” Maximilian’s arm moved in front of me. We were still following the blood tracks.

“What is it?”

He put his index finger to his lips. “I hear something, over there.” He pointed at the dark. Several footsteps were coming from that direction. Charmy hid in his hair while I summoned my grimoire. “Get ready and stay close to me.” He added.

Green creatures standing at about four feet tall appeared before us. About twenty goblins were blocking our way. I could hear the loud beating of my heart. This would be my first fight against these types of creatures. Goblins are monsters that can be found everywhere on the continent, commonly in caves and forests. Even as remnants, they are as powerful as the real goblins from the outside world. They are also common monsters to find inside a domain.

Maximilian charged with his claymore while I supported him from behind. His temporary stay in Yuria allowed him to master the aero element so I used agni magic to pair with his whirlwind attacks. Together we created a special attack called the flaming vortex, slaughtering all the goblins into oblivion. It was brutal and disgusting, but in order to keep fighting, I had to get used to it.

Once Maximilian stays further in Evermore, he will be able to master the earth element. In Valencourt, he will master aqua and agni in the deserts of Galicia.

“You should travel with me and Charmy. Your skills are amazing.” He said.

I unsummoned my grimoire, snickering. “Are you saying that just to be nice? My skills aren’t in perfect shape yet.”

“So are mine! But people are quick to call me a hero.” He returned the claymore on his back. “Achieving perfection isn’t important as long as you’re winning your battles. That’s what makes people look up to someone, just like me to you. Believe in yourself that you can do it, like how I believe in you. Now, shall we proceed?”

I nodded my head. I should get really used to the way he talks.

The more we followed the blood tracks, the more we saw this person’s life. A bedroom door led us to a childhood room, where a little boy could be seen playing alone with his toys. “Let’s go through that door.” Maximilian pointed at another door leading to another room. A library. There was the same child but probably older. He was sitting next to another boy who looked quite familiar.

Maximilian waved his hand to their faces. “I don't think they can see us.”

“They can't. We’re inside someone’s memories.”

He crossed his arms, a habit of his. “I can’t believe he would hide inside a domain. We have to find him as soon as possible.”

“He may have created this unintentionally or not. The only way to find out is to catch him. Look, they’re leaving!” I pointed out. The kids opened the door across the library. We followed them before it closed.

We found ourselves in a schoolyard in the next scenario. The same two kids got older in their academic uniforms, both having a conversation with girls their age. It seemed like we were inside an ordinary private academy.

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“Is he showing us these memories?” Charmy asked.

“If so, then he might show us the reason why he terrorized the Capital. Let’s keep moving.” Maximilian replied. “The blood tracks are leading us to that carriage. Let’s get in!” He pointed to the carriage standing in the middle of the yard. We followed behind him.

The carriage door returned us to the same hallway. We noticed the walls had a series of paintings installed as we kept walking. Each artwork tells a story about the little boy until he turned into an adult with a wife and child.

“He looks familiar…” I uttered. I know I’ve seen him before.

“Do you know his name?” Asked Charmy.

“I’m trying to remember.” I could’ve identified him better if he was at least shown in the game, which I’m sure never even mentioned him.

A herd of orcs blocked our way this time. Maximilian swung his claymore and sliced their limbs with sharp aero attacks. Because they were scattered around us, I struck them with lightning magic for guaranteed critical hits. It didn’t take long before we could resume our way after our path was cleared. I could feel myself running out of mana once again.

“This is the end.” Later on, Maximilian stopped walking. In front of us was a plain wall with a painting of a mansion turned upside down. It was a typical Evermorean higher-class residence.

“Why is it flipped? Did the orcs do it?” Charmy examined the painting. Maximilian rotated it out of curiosity, only for the floor to start shaking “Uh-oh. Max, what did you do?” There was panic in her voice. She went to hide back in his hair.

“I… flipped the painting?” When I understood what was going to happen, I clung to his arms tightly. “Lili? Charmy? What’s going on?”

“We’re going down!”

“What? AH!!!” Maximilian took me in his arms as the floor crumbled. We fell high from the skies and landed on a pile of flowers. “Hey, you okay?” It was the first thing he asked.

“Yeah,” I landed on top of him, I looked up and his face was only inches away from me. Very much surprised, I pushed him and stood up instantly. We couldn’t look at each other out of embarrassment.

How could he smell like mint and lavender?

“Do you guys hear that?” Thanks to Charmy for breaking the awkward tension.

Wedding bells greeted our ears. The next memory was a wedding. The boy grew up as an adult and married the girl from his previous memory. His childhood friend was also there with the girl he was talking with. My breath hitched in my throat upon realization. “Father?”

If this man’s childhood friend was Duke Van der Horst, then the woman beside him should be Lilivienne’s mother!

“Lili, I found a door. Let’s go?” Maximilian still wouldn’t look at me, his ears were red.

“Yeah, I-I’m coming!”

I took a last look at Lilivienne’s mother before entering the next memory. I could see the resemblance between the two. She seemed kind and sweet. This makes me wonder if it was part of the reason why Lilivienne fell into depression when she died.

Agonizing cries filled our ears in the next memory. We moved out of a large crate box in the middle of a road. It was raining hard but the cries were louder than the rain. We could see Regalopolis from where we stood.

“It’s coming from over there!” Charmy pointed at the foot of the hill. There was a destroyed carriage near the riverbanks. Evermorean Knights were present at the scene. We went down to see the incident.

The man was hugging his deceased wife in a pool of blood. The way the carriage was destroyed, it didn’t look like it was from an accident.

“They were attacked by bandits,” said Maximilian, looking at the knights holding a machete. “Bandits were a big problem in Yuria before I got there. They would ambush travellers heading to Aetheris.” He added, mentioning the empire’s capital.

We looked for the next door as we walked further down the hill until we found an abandoned cottage. Maximilian opened it for the next memory, in which the funeral of the man’s wife was being held, as anyone would expect. Duke Van der Horst was there with his wife, a toddler was clinging to her legs innocently. It was Alasdair. My eyes softened as I watched his younger self. I hope he and Father were safe.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

“What are you doing, you two?” I asked in a serious tone. Charmy and Maximilian were about to enter an empty casket not far from the funeral.

“Uhm, well… this is the door to the next memory, believe it or not,” Maximilian claimed, amused. He wasn’t awkward towards me anymore. “Let’s go!”

Several years seemed to pass in the next memory. It was set in the largest orphanage house in the countryside. The man aged a bit and was handing clothes and toys to children. The next memory was the same. The man—now middle-aged—was seen donating goods to the temple.

“He seems like a good man. What led him to turn into a demon god and destroy the kingdom?” Charmy wondered.

“We will know later on.” Maximilian opened the temple’s double doors from the inside, where we found ourselves in a very familiar place.

“The Van der Horst mansion…” I whispered.

It was the day of my ball. We found ourselves in the function hall. The guests were enjoying themselves at the hour of social dancing.

“Lilivienne, was that you?” Charmy pointed to my past self dancing with Zathrian in the middle of the floor. My face heated up from embarrassment.

“Uh, I think we should look for the man—“

“Who is he?” Maximilian blurted. “The guy you were dancing with?”

“Oh, nothing! Just a family friend…” I thought the plan was to watch the culprit’s memory, not mine!

“I see…” He nodded his head. “You don’t look compatible together.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing! I said we should look for the culprit. Look, he’s right there!” The man we were watching was at the corner talking to a lady in a nice dress. It slowly dawned on me about who he was. I met him once that day since coming to this world, making me unable to remember him until this moment. However, the lady’s face was new to me. I don’t remember who she was.

It was fast, but she passed something to the man’s hand and closed his palms before walking away. Chills went down my spine. I knew what it was.

That time during the celebration, two forsakers had infiltrated my party successfully right under my nose. Did this even happen in the game? How did I let myself become so reckless?

“Lili, are you okay?” Maximilian looked at me worriedly. I took a deep breath. This world keeps returning to the plot no matter the changes I make, with no concern about who might get involved. Death may come to find me to put an end to my uncertain fate, but I deserve to live this life on my own terms just like anyone. I could be protesting against the higher being of this world, but it only gives me more reasons to become stronger to fight for my survival.

“I’m okay. L-Let’s go to the next memory…”

We entered the door towards the kitchen where it brought us to the next memory. We slowly witnessed the changes that happened to the man. The black magic coming from the necklace was what brainwashed him to follow the Forsaken Order. He would abduct orphans to work for the cult and participate in human trafficking in exchange for weaponry that could be crafted with black magic. He also funded most of their crimes to destroy Evermore for sealing Astaroth—their so-called god—to bring the kingdom under their power, with the biggest terrorism they ever committed being the attack on Regalopolis.

Using his life savings, he was even ordered to excavate ancient tombs and domains for artifacts and grimoires containing dark spells. These crimes were just as similar to what Zathrian had done in the original story. The consequences of his crimes even after he went missing for most of the story were still evident for a very long time.

“That was the final boss… I think!” I exclaimed. Maximilian pulled out his claymore from the neck of the minotaur we just defeated in the same hallway where the previous monsters had appeared.

We walked to the end of the hallway until we saw a huge double door. The three of us looked at each other with one thing in mind. It was the end of the domain and the blood tracks. We were about to find out the identity behind Diabolos Apocalypsis.

Maximilian opened it quietly and we were welcomed by the person who I’d been expecting to see.