Is It Normal for the Protagonist to Die

"Didn't I tell you long ago? I can't stay with you for much longer."

"I'm just a human, with a lifespan of barely a hundred years."

"It's alright. You'll forget about me soon enough."

Xia Lun·Morian smiled as he spoke to the young girl by his bedside.

He could feel his life force dwindling, the vitality slowly seeping out of him.

After all, he was already a hundred and thirteen years old—an astonishing age for a human.

But in the end, he couldn't escape the fate of death.

"No… don’t… Xia Lun, don’t leave me alone… How could I ever forget you? How could you ask me to forget you? You’re all I can think about, you bastard…"

A silver-haired girl knelt by Xia Lun’s bed, tears streaming down her face. Her features were so exquisitely delicate, as if carved by an artist, yet now she wept uncontrollably, a sight that tugged at the heart.

The pair of folded, dark-red bat wings behind her revealed her identity—she was no human.

How strange. He had never seen her cry before.

This was the first time.

She was the Demon King, after all—powerful, elegant, cold, and proud. Tears didn’t suit her at all.

He had spent most of his life awakening her emotions, coaxing smiles onto her face.

Seeing her cry like this now felt like such a waste.

Xia Lun’s trembling right hand reached out. "Aina…"

"I'm here." Aina quickly grasped his hand. "I’ll always be by your side. I won’t let you leave me…"

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she forced a strained smile.

"That’s… really reassuring." Xia Lun lifted his hand, gently brushing her cheek. "But… I’m sorry. You should still try to forget me."

At last, his hand slowly fell.

"No… no! Xia Lun! Open your eyes! Open them right now!"

Aina clutched his hand tightly, her voice breaking as she screamed.

"I command you to get up! Yes, get up and kiss me, just like before…"

"Just one kiss on the cheek…"

"Huh…?"

"Xia Lun… why aren’t you saying anything?"

"Your hand is so cold…"

"This is a prank, right?"

"Please don’t scare me like this, it’s not funny at all…"

Aina sobbed helplessly. No matter how much power she possessed, she was powerless now.

"I’m the Demon King!"

"If you die, I’ll go conquer humanity!"

"Did you hear me, Xia Lun? You’re the Hero—you’d come to stop me, wouldn’t you…?"

"Please… please don’t leave me…"

……

Xia Lun could no longer hear the outside world, nor feel any warmth.

His consciousness was fading.

So this was what death felt like?

How strange… it felt oddly familiar.

Aina was still calling his name.

He wanted to answer her.

But it seemed impossible now.

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry.

He was leaving her alone…

The promise of staying together forever… he couldn’t keep it.

……

He didn’t know how much time had passed. In this endless void, there was no concept of time.

Eternal silence was the only theme here—no consciousness, no sound, no touch, no color.

Amidst the boundless chaos, a pure white soul-flame flickered to life.

At first, it was just a faint ember, but then it suddenly blazed, like a rock thrown into a still lake, sending ripples of life spreading greedily.

His long-lost consciousness began to gather once more.

Who… am I?

Aina. Aina Kislilian.

No, I’m not Aina. Aina is the most important person to me—my wife, my love, my everything.

Her name was the first thing that came to mind…

Xia Lun. Right, I’m Xia Lun, Xia Lun·Morian. That’s my name.

Where is this? So dark… so cold…

Suddenly, Xia Lun felt an overwhelming pull, dragging his consciousness uncontrollably toward some unknown destination.

Then, like a faint electric shock, an indescribable sensation of pleasure surged through him.

Sensation—

All his senses flooded back into his soul.

He could feel his body again, flesh and blood filling the emptiness that had once been his soul. Xia Lun became aware of his own existence once more.

So warm.

His heartbeat, like a powerful drumbeat, reignited the engine of life.

Finally, Xia Lun opened his eyes.

The long-lost sensation of light made him squint.

Where was this?

Above him was an unfamiliar ceiling made of neatly arranged logs, rustic and natural.

The faint scent of wood lingered in the air.

Xia Lun slowly sat up and looked around.

He was in a wooden cabin. His bed was covered with a thick, warm white fur—perhaps from some beast… or monster.

He had no memory of this place.

"Aina…"

The first thing Xia Lun did upon waking was call that name.

But the room was empty—for now.

Xia Lun pushed himself up with his hands, rising unsteadily.

The interior was simple and tidy—just a bed, a table and chairs, and an old-fashioned fireplace.

Through the window, he saw a world of ice and snow, the howling wind driving snowflakes against the glass, making it tremble with a cold, crisp sound.

In weather like this… going outside would be dangerous. Best to stay inside for now.

The fireplace still held some embers, glowing a comforting red, filling the room with warmth.

On the table nearby was a mirror, reflecting Xia Lun’s current appearance.

He wore only a fur loincloth, revealing a lean, muscular physique—powerful and well-defined.

His short black hair was neat, his face sharp and handsome, his deep blue eyes like distant stars.

Young, strong, and striking.

"Is this… me? I’ve returned to my youth?" Xia Lun touched his face, staring at his reflection in disbelief.

He remembered dying as an old man, hunched over, barely able to walk without a cane.

Now, he had somehow been restored to his prime—this was nothing short of a miracle!

"And this extraordinary strength… What in the world happened?"

Xia Lun clenched his fist. He had never felt so powerful, as if overflowing with energy.

Creak—

The door opened.

A figure he knew better than anyone stepped in, bringing the winter storm with her.

Silver hair like a flowing galaxy, a doll-like face, crimson eyes, and those unmistakable dark-red bat wings—there was no doubt.

It was Aina. His wife. The love of his life.

At this moment, Aina was wearing a pristine white fur coat, seemingly made from the same material as her bedding, with a dark gray hood draped over her head, dusted with a layer of snowflakes.

Her expression, however, was stern, and she carried a bamboo basket in her hand. She shook her head lightly, scattering the snow from her hair, before placing the basket on a nearby table.

"Aina!" Xia Lun·Morian exclaimed excitedly, stepping forward with arms outstretched, eager to embrace her.

Yet, to his surprise, Aina sidestepped nimbly, evading his hold.

She lifted her gaze, her eyes icy as she asked, "Sir... may I ask who you are? Why are you in my home?"