Playing As The Hero King At The End

Brynhildr stood once more within the Akashic Records, the infinite library of human history. Her golden eyes scanned the endless shelves of knowledge as she waved her hand, summoning countless holographic windows. Each window displayed a figure from history—kings, conquerors, and legends. But one question burned in her mind: Who would be her next candidate?

Her previous choices—Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, and Solomon, the Wise King of Magic—had been anomalies. Gilgamesh had been a wildcard, while Solomon had been deliberately guided into her path. For the third candidate, Brynhildr would have to dive deeper into the annals of human history, spanning over seven million years, to find the perfect individual.

Since the first two candidates were kings of humanity, she decided to narrow her search to the most legendary monarchs. With a flick of her wrist, the virtual windows rearranged themselves, filtering out all but the most renowned rulers.

The first image to emerge was that of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China.

In 221 BC, after conquering the six warring states, King Zheng of Qin declared that "Lord" or "King" was insufficient to reflect his grandeur. He ordered his ministers to devise a new title. After much deliberation, they proposed "Tai Huang," citing his unparalleled achievements in unifying the land and surpassing the legendary Five Emperors.

But Qin Shi Huang was not satisfied. Believing himself to be "virtue surpassing the Three Sovereigns and achievements surpassing the Five Emperors," he combined the characters for "Sovereign" and "Emperor" to create the title "Huangdi. " Thus, he became the first emperor in Eastern history, declaring himself the "First Emperor."

Brynhildr marvelled at the sheer scale of warfare in the East during this period. While the West considered battles involving tens of thousands of soldiers massive, the East routinely saw conflicts with hundreds of thousands of troops. The scale, strategy, and technological advancements in weaponry were all superior in the East.

Brynhildr mused that if the world's landmasses had been connected without natural barriers, Qin Shi Huang might have conquered the world. Had he possessed a complete world map and known the true extent of the world, he might not have limited himself to the borders of his current empire. He would have continued to expand his territory, conquering foreign lands and enlarging his domain.

Of course, such a remarkable figure would be a candidate Brynhildr would consider. It was a pity that such a man, who could have led his nation to even greater heights of power and prosperity, became obsessed with immortality in his later years. His fear of death led him to seek the elixir of life, and his harsh policies and suppression of intellectual freedom ultimately destabilized the Qin Dynasty.

With his sudden death, the remnants of the six states suppressed during his reign rose in rebellion. The Qin Dynasty, which had once seemed invincible, crumbled within a decade. Like a brilliant firework, it dazzled the world momentarily before fading into obscurity.

Brynhildr had heard rumours that the gods had played a role in the fall of the Qin Dynasty. Qin Shi Huang's audacious quest for immortality—his attempt to ascend to godhood—had angered the divine. In their wrath, they orchestrated the rapid collapse of his empire as punishment for his hubris.

Despite its brief existence, the Qin Dynasty left an indelible mark on human history. Qin Shi Huang, however, remained a controversial figure. He was often labelled a tyrant for his harsh policies, such as burning books and burying scholars, as well as his massive construction projects, such as the Great Wall, the Epang Palace, and his mausoleum.

But was this the truth? Or was there more to the story? Brynhildr knew the only way to uncover the truth was to dive into the historical records stored within the Akashic Records.

"Um, Sister Brynhildr, I think I'll stay behind this time," a timid voice interrupted her thoughts. It was Gray, her younger sister.

Brynhildr nodded calmly. She understood Gray's hesitation. The previous two experiences had been overwhelming, and Gray was still shaken. She was also afraid of causing trouble or getting caught in another precarious situation.

"Sister, may I join you instead?" Another voice chimed in. Randgríðr, Brynhildr's fourth sister, silently observed from the sidelines.

Brynhildr glanced at her. Randgríðr's eyes sparkled with anticipation, and Brynhildr could sense her eagerness. Unlike Gray, Randgríðr was more composed and reliable.

"Of course. Having you with me will make things easier. Unlike Gray, who's practically useless," Brynhildr said bluntly.

"Ouch!" Gray winced, clutching her chest in mock pain. Brynhildr was never one to mince words, even with her sisters.

Brynhildr set the coordinates to 221 BC when Qin Shi Huang declared himself emperor. The location was Xianyang, the capital of the Qin Dynasty.

"Let's go," Brynhildr said, activating the Akashic Records.

In an instant, the sisters were engulfed in a dazzling rainbow light. The world around them twisted and warped, and when the light faded, they found themselves not in Xianyang but on a battlefield.

Before Brynhildr and Randgríðr's eyes stretched to a gruesome battlefield. The ground was littered with corpses, and the earth was stained red with blood. The air was thick with the sounds of clashing weapons, war cries, and the thunder of hooves.

"Sister, weren't we supposed to be in Xianyang? Where are we?" Randgríðr asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Brynhildr frowned. "I set the coordinates correctly. This shouldn't have happened."

She scanned the battlefield, analyzing the soldiers' attire and weapons. Clearly, they were in the Qin Dynasty era—or rather, the period just after its collapse. This was the Chu-Han Contention, a brutal conflict between the forces of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, and Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty.

Brynhildr's gaze was drawn to a figure at the center of the battlefield. He was a towering man, clad in battle armour, wielding a halberd with effortless grace. His presence alone was enough to send shivers down the spines of his enemies.

This was Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King. Despite being vastly outnumbered, his forces fought with unmatched ferocity. They were like wild beasts, tearing through the enemy ranks brutally. Even disarmed, they used their fists, feet, and teeth to continue the fight.

But the odds were against them. Xiang Yu's forces numbered less than a thousand, while Liu Bang's army boasted over fifty thousand soldiers. Despite their valour, Xiang Yu's men were slowly overwhelmed.

As the battle raged on, Xiang Yu suddenly stepped forward, his halberd gleaming in the sunlight. The enemy soldiers hesitated despite their numbers. The sight of the Hegemon-King was enough to strike fear into their hearts.

"Kill him! Whoever takes his head will be rewarded with a lordship!" a commander shouted, trying to rally his troops.

The promise of wealth and status spurred the soldiers into action. They charged at Xiang Yu, raising their weapons high.

But Xiang Yu was unfazed. With a single, devastating swing of his halberd, he unleashed a wave of energy that cut through the enemy ranks like a scythe through wheat. Dozens of soldiers fell, their bodies cleaved in two.

The battlefield fell silent momentarily, the surviving soldiers frozen in terror. Xiang Yu's display of power was beyond human comprehension.

Brynhildr's eyes gleamed with interest. This man... he could be the one. Xiang Yu's strength, charisma, and indomitable will make him a perfect candidate for her plans.

But before she could act, something unexpected happened. A strange portal appeared on the battlefield, and from it emerged a group of soldiers clad in black armour. Their equipment was unlike anything Brynhildr had ever seen—advanced, futuristic, and utterly out of place in this era.

Who were they? And what was their connection to Xiang Yu?

The black-armoured soldiers moved with precision and discipline, sending a ripple of unease through the battlefield. Brynhildr's sharp eyes immediately noticed the insignia on their armour—a symbol of the Qin Dynasty.

But how was this possible? The Qin Dynasty had fallen decades ago, and their equipment was far too advanced for this era. The sleek, full-body armour and strange, glowing weapons they carried were unlike anything Brynhildr had ever seen.

As the black-armoured soldiers approached Xiang Yu, they saluted him with the utmost respect, as if they recognized him as their leader.

Brynhildr's mind raced. What is going on here?

The black-armoured soldiers carried a large, ornate box with them. Xiang Yu approached it with a single decisive strike and shattered the box open. Inside was a figure clad in black robes, its face hidden beneath a hood.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the figure's eyes glowed a deep red, and strange mechanical sounds emanated from its body. Cables, like tendrils, shot out from the figure and attached themselves to Xiang Yu.

Brynhildr's eyes widened in shock. What is this? Some kind of... transfer?

As the cables detached, Xiang Yu's body slumped to the ground, lifeless. The figure in black robes stood up, revealing its face—it was Xiang Yu, but not the same man. This version of him was cold, mechanical, and devoid of life.

Brynhildr's mind reeled. Is this... a mechanical replica? A homunculus?

The implications were staggering. In an era where such technology should not exist, someone—or something—had created a mechanical duplicate of the Hegemon-King.

The mechanical Xiang Yu moved with unnatural precision, its movements sharp and calculated. The black-armoured soldiers fell in line behind it, their loyalty unwavering.

Brynhildr's mind raced with questions. Who created this? And why?

The mechanical Xiang Yu turned its glowing red eyes toward Brynhildr and Randgríðr. In a deep, mechanical voice, it spoke:

"Cease... your interference."

Brynhildr's lips curled into a smirk. This just got interesting.

Xiang Yu abandoned his flesh and implanted his soul into a mechanical body. 

Why did he do this? 

Was it because his original body was diseased and nearing its limit? 

But that doesn't seem to be the case. 

It was likely to gain greater power and an extended lifespan. 

As future humans sought to break the limits of their short lifespans, one method was to implant their consciousness (soul) into machines to achieve immortality. 

Upon closer inspection, Brynhildr noticed that this mechanical body wasn't purely a product of technology or magic (immortal energy) but a fusion of both. 

Who crafted this mechanical body for Xiang Yu? How did they acquire such technology? Did they receive support from Eastern immortals or gods? 

"Sister, over there—!" 

Randgríðr pointed to the river, where the water was behaving strangely. 

The river's surface was churning violently, and the disturbance was rapidly approaching. 

It was as if something massive was surging toward them. 

"That's—!" 

An ordinary human might not have been able to see it clearly from this distance. Still, Brynhildr's sharp eyes caught sight of it, and she was momentarily stunned. 

There was indeed something massive rushing through the river—a creature known in the West as a "magical beast" and in the East as a "demon." 

It appeared to be a giant water serpent, churning the river and creating massive waves that threatened to engulf everyone on the shore. 

The waves would sweep hundreds of people into the river if they didn't move. 

Was the creature targeting them, planning to devour them? 

Its frantic movements suggested it was eager to attack. 

Brynhildr's gaze returned to Xiang Yu, who had also sensed the approaching threat. 

He raised his halberd above his head, twisting his body slightly as if preparing to throw it. 

The next moment, the air exploded with a loud bang, and a thick mist enveloped Xiang Yu. 

The fog was caused by the intense compression of air from the force of his throw. 

The halberd, now released from Xiang Yu's grip, tore through the air with a sharp whistling sound. 

The friction with the air caused the halberd to glow red, leaving a trail of orange light in its wake. 

The halberd's sheer speed split the river, creating a deep fissure in the water that extended toward the charging serpent. 

Before the serpent could react, the halberd struck it, tearing its body into countless pieces and scattering blood and mist across the river. 

This was the power of Xiang Yu's mechanical body. With a single strike, he demonstrated strength comparable to a demigod. 

But Brynhildr knew this was only a fraction of Xiang Yu's power. 

He was still unfamiliar with his new body, and this was merely a test of his abilities. 

Suddenly, Brynhildr noticed that the serpent wasn't the only threat. 

More magical beasts emerged from the river, devouring the serpent's remains and charging toward Xiang Yu. 

This puzzled Brynhildr. 

The eyes of these beasts were filled with madness as if they were drawn to something irresistible near Xiang Yu. 

Was it some divine elixir? Perhaps something within Xiang Yu's mechanical body attracted these creatures. 

Under Xiang Yu's command, everyone began to retreat toward the portal. 

He stood alone by the river, ready to face the oncoming horde of beasts. 

As the beasts closed in, Brynhildr realized her earlier assumption was wrong. 

These creatures weren't targeting Xiang Yu—they were after the portal itself. 

What could drive them into such a frenzy on the other side of the portal? 

Xiang Yu clenched his fist and delivered a powerful punch toward the charging beasts. 

The air trembled violently, and space itself seemed to distort. 

The beasts collided with an invisible barrier, howling in pain as they were crushed by the unstable space. 

Weaker creatures died instantly, while stronger ones were severely injured. 

Brynhildr's eyes widened in shock. 

This level of power was beyond that of an ordinary demigod. 

She had only seen such strength once—in the Greek hero Heracles. 

Despite Xiang Yu's overwhelming power, the beasts showed no signs of retreating. 

They continued to charge toward the portal, driven by an inexplicable madness. 

"What… is over there?" 

The last beast, a horned serpent and the strongest of the horde spoke these words before dying. 

Brynhildr listened intently, wondering if Xiang Yu would answer. 

"The Qin Empire," Xiang Yu replied, leaving Brynhildr shocked and confused. 

The beast's eyes closed as it took its last breath. 

With a stomp of his foot, Xiang Yu caused the ground to shake violently, burying the remains of the beasts deep underground. 

He then turned and walked toward the portal, where his original body stood. 

Suddenly, Xiang Yu's gaze shifted toward Brynhildr. 

His eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, seemed to pierce through the fabric of space and time, sending a chill down her spine. 

He smirked as if he had discovered her presence before disappearing through the portal. 

As the portal's light faded, Brynhildr rushed forward, attempting to follow him. 

But to her surprise, the portal was like a mirage—she passed through it as if it were air, remaining in the same place. 

"What's going on?" Brynhildr muttered, her voice filled with confusion. 

She tried adjusting the timeline to enter the portal earlier, but the result was the same. 

Even when she entered alongside Xiang Yu's soldiers, they disappeared while she remained. 

"This shouldn't be happening," Brynhildr said, her frustration growing. 

She was supposed to be able to follow the portal's path, but something was preventing her from doing so. 

As she pondered the situation, the ground began to tremble once more. 

This time, it wasn't caused by Xiang Yu—it was the sound of thousands of horses and soldiers approaching. 

The army of Han, led by Liu Bang, had arrived. 

"Xiang Yu, it seems heaven has abandoned you!" one of Liu Bang's generals shouted, his voice filled with fear and triumph. 

The Han soldiers surrounded Xiang Yu's lifeless body, their weapons drawn but their hands trembling. 

Despite being an empty shell, Xiang Yu's body still exuded an aura of dominance, causing the soldiers to hesitate. 

No one dared to strike the first blow, fearing the consequences. 

"Attack!" the general ordered, but the soldiers remained frozen. 

Finally, the archers were called forward, and a volley of arrows was unleashed toward Xiang Yu's body. 

Just as the arrows were about to strike, a powerful energy erupted from Xiang Yu's body, deflecting the projectiles and sending them flying back toward the soldiers. 

Screams filled the air as the Han army was thrown into chaos. 

But before they could regroup, Xiang Yu's body disintegrated into dust, leaving nothing behind. 

The soldiers stared in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened. 

Brynhildr, watching from the sidelines, understood. 

Xiang Yu had manipulated his body to intimidate his enemies one last time before its destruction. 

She paused the timeline, freezing the world around her. 

The vibrant colours of the scene faded into monochrome as she accessed the Akashic Records system. 

This time, she summoned one of Xiang Yu's famous generals to learn more about the man himself. 

She chose Fan Zeng, a renowned strategist and politician who had served as Xiang Yu's chief advisor. 

According to history, Xiang Yu's distrust of Fan Zeng led to his downfall. 

He might have unified the empire if Xiang Yu had heeded Fan Zeng's advice. 

Brynhildr initiated the summoning process, but to her surprise, the system returned an error: 

『Unable to detect this individual's soul.』

This could only mean one thing—Fan Zeng's soul had been completely obliterated, leaving no trace for the Akashic Records to retrieve. 

Brynhildr's expression darkened. 

What could have happened to warrant such a drastic measure? 

She tried summoning other figures from Xiang Yu's inner circle, but the result was the same. 

『Unable to detect this individual's soul.』

『Unable to detect this individual's soul.』

『Unable to detect this individual's soul.』

One by one, the names returned the same error. 

It was as if their souls had been erased from existence. 

"Sister, could it be that entering the portal somehow shielded them from the Akashic Records?" Randgríðr suggested. 

"That's impossible," Brynhildr replied, her voice tense. "The Akashic Records encompass the entire universe. Nothing can hide from it. The only explanation is that their souls have been completely destroyed." 

But the sheer scale of the destruction was staggering. 

Brynhildr expanded her search, scanning the records for anomalies during the late Warring States period and the Qin Dynasty. 

What she found sent a chill down her spine. 

Millions of souls had vanished during the construction of the Great Wall, a project initiated by the First Emperor of Qin. 

Could the First Emperor have been pursuing immortality through some dark ritual, sacrificing countless lives? 

If so, how had the Qin Dynasty fallen so quickly? 

Brynhildr adjusted the timeline, attempting to travel back to the Great Wall's construction period. 

But as she initiated the jump, something went wrong. 

The vibrant colours of the Akashic Records flickered and faded, leaving her stranded in the same timeline. 

The world around her shifted, and she found herself standing by the river again, but the scene was different this time. 

The portal was still open, and Xiang Yu's mechanical body stood nearby. 

But his original body was nowhere to be seen. 

"Sister, look!" Randgríðr pointed toward the river, where a steamship was docked at the shore. 

Further down the river, more ships were transporting goods upstream. 

"This… this is impossible," Randgríðr whispered. "This is supposed to be 202 BC, not the 18th century." 

Brynhildr's heart raced as she realized the truth. 

The Industrial Revolution had begun over two thousand years ahead of schedule. 

But before processing this revelation, she noticed something even more alarming. 

The Akashic Records system was no longer responding. 

"Sister, they can see us!" Randgríðr exclaimed as the black-armoured soldiers turned their weapons toward them. 

Brynhildr's mind raced. 

How had they been pulled into this timeline? 

And what was the true nature of the Qin Empire? 

As the soldiers closed in, Xiang Yu stepped forward, his mechanical body radiating an aura of power. 

"Welcome to the Qin Empire, Valkyrie Brynhildr," he said, his voice filled with amusement. 

Brynhildr's eyes narrowed. 

This was no longer a simple historical observation—they had become part of it. 

Brynhildr's heart pounded as she faced Xiang Yu, her mind racing to comprehend the situation. 

The Akashic Records had failed her, and now she was trapped in a timeline that defied all logic. 

"What is the purpose of all this?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil. 

Xiang Yu smirked, his mechanical eyes glowing with an eerie light. 

"You've been sent here as a gift," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. 

"In history, I had a beautiful consort named Yu Meiren. Since I never encountered her in this timeline, I've decided to make you my Yu Meiren." 

Brynhildr's expression darkened, but before she could respond, Xiang Yu continued. 

"But I've changed my mind. I'll take your sister instead." 

Randgríðr stepped forward, her face pale but resolute. 

"If it means my sister can leave, I'll stay," she said, trembling slightly. 

Brynhildr clenched her fists, torn between her duty and her desire to protect her sister. 

But before she could decide, Xiang Yu raised his hand, and a mysterious mark appeared on both Brynhildr and Randgríðr. 

They were both instantly transported from the timeline, leaving Xiang Yu standing alone by the river. 

As the portal closed behind them, Brynhildr returned to the Akashic Records, her mind reeling from the experience. 

But one question remained unanswered: 

What was the true nature of the Qin Empire, and what role did Xiang Yu play in its creation? 

In the distance, beyond the portal, a massive tree stretched into the heavens, its branches piercing the clouds. 

This was no ordinary tree—it was the World Tree, a symbol of creation and the connection between realms. 

In Norse mythology, it was known as Yggdrasil, the tree that held the nine realms. 

In Eastern mythology, it was the Fusang Tree, the dwelling place of the sun and the gateway to the heavens. 

But this tree was different. 

It was an actual World Tree, a manifestation of the universe's core. 

And it was under Xiang Yu's control. 

As Brynhildr and Randgríðr were expelled from the timeline, they saw the tree's immense power. 

Its roots extended deep into the earth, while its branches reached toward the stars, connecting the mortal world to the divine. 

But what did this mean for the future of the Qin Empire? 

And what role would Brynhildr and Randgríðr play in the events to come? 

Only time will tell.