Robelian Chen Imperium.
The leader of the Eight Blades and known as one of the Three Lords along with Spirit Lord and Magic Lord.
Now that the Magic Lord has turned into an idiot, the only ones dividing the Empire are Duke Huangyeol and Spirit Lord, but Duke Huangyeol’s power and legitimacy are truly overwhelming.
He is the bloodline of the royal family, and although there is an emperor of the Empire, it hardly holds any significance.
The power of the Empire and the imperial decree start solely from Duke Huangyeol’s hands and mouth.
In contrast, after the fall of the Magic Lord, Spirit Lord has managed to recruit a few of her forces, but still can’t match Duke Huangyeol.
In effect, Duke Huangyeol is as good as the master of the Empire.
Above all, he is of the Celestial Race.
“……”
“Ugh… Thank you for your hard work.”
Can I really maintain my composure like that day again?
It’s not like I’m just a body abandoning it like the Forgotten Emperor; I’m a real Celestial.
Yena stretches and looks back at me.
“Today’s collaboration was fun. We just talked a bit, but I ended up seeing way more than I expected. Is it because it’s been a while since we last collaborated? Over two hundred thousand…”
“I need to go to the Empire.”
“…Huh? Yes?”
Creak.
After getting up from my seat, I went straight out of the castle.
It was that direction, right?
As I prepared to leave the castle, Yena hurriedly ran out from within.
Speedy as an assassin, indeed.
“W-Why so suddenly to the Empire?”
“Didn’t you say itself? The fundamental issue of the kingdom lies with the Empire.”
The Empire just sits back and allows actions like these kingdoms’ checks and tax hikes.
No, they’re not just sitting back; they’re outright exploiting it.
While one might tolerate them profiting from the turbulent economy, their head, Duke Huangyeol, is cunning.
Surely, he will take action against the kingdoms harmed by the Kraken to make them part of the Empire.
Even if nothing goes wrong, he will make sure it goes wrong enough.
‘If it’s that Duke Huangyeol…’
“I just happen to have business in the Empire, so I’ll be heading there anyway.”
“What about the broadcast? You turned it off earlier; should I turn it back on?”
“The broadcast isn’t really necessary?”
I’m not going to fight; I’m going to talk.
Even if I speak the truth, they won’t believe it, but there’s no need to show every detail that should remain hidden.
Yena pauses and nods her head.
“Well then, at least do a recorded broadcast.”
“A recorded broadcast?”
“Visiting the Empire. The viewership impact might be enormous, and it would be a shame to let it go. You can edit out the unnecessary parts later and upload it.”
“Hmm… That could work.”
“It might be okay.”
“I don’t think it’s bad.”
“Just when I was running out of things to upload on NewTube, I started posting some past videos little by little, and it turned out well.”
“If I bring editing material, White Autumn or the editors will like it.”
“But how will you go? By portal? Or will you fly?”
“Well, obviously…”
Flap.
“Wow?”
“Of course, I’ll go on a dragon.”
■
“…Who’s coming?”
In the capital of the empire, Imperidium, the head of the magical barrier keeping the sky secure doubted his eyes and ears.
The magical barrier, an impeccable sanctuary that perfectly protects the empire’s sky, had detected an unidentified object.
That unidentified object was…
“It’s a dragon. A dragon with ice attributes, but it doesn’t seem to be fully grown yet…”
“No, not the dragon. I mean the one riding it. Are you sure?”
“Dragon or not.”
It was truly absurd to even think about it as anything less than a pinnacle creature, except for the demon race—which the empire took for granted.
Because there are six powerful beings in the empire who can easily make dragons seem trivial.
The magical barrier officer replied with a tense expression.
“Yes, it matches exactly with the details we’ve received.”
Blue hair and blue eyes.
A snowy white saintess robe and a stunning beauty that stands out even from afar.
“Lily Elbrite has come to the empire? And she’s flying over the capital?”
It’s ridiculous.
The magical barrier was a divine fortress created by the former Magic Lord and Spirit Lord, who once were friends. Together they devised a powerful barrier to protect the empire, which still stands strong today.
No creature could invade without permission, and it could even stop a meteor from a great mage; you couldn’t enter unless you used the designated route.
Screeeech─!
“…Not there?”
A dragon boldly pierced through such a magical barrier.
The dragon wandered across the sky as if it owned the capital.
─Wow! It’s a dragon!
─Look over there! It’s a dragon!
─Mom! Look!
The residents of the capital pointed and gawked at the dragon, thrilled by the sight, but the head of the magical barrier was sweating bullets.
Isn’t that… dangerous?
The residents living comfortably in the peaceful capital felt no crisis even with a dragon appearing.
Most of them had never felt a sense of danger in their lives and always lived in safety.
But right now, it was a very risky situation.
The breath used by the dragon disassembles mana and erases everything within the beam.
The minions, who can withstand not only magic but also any reasonable physical attacks with their tough skin.
At least it’s safe since two of the Empire’s Six Swords are here, but the problem is that woman on the dragon.
The woman riding the dragon is a monster capable of defeating even the Six Swords.
No, the moment the magical barrier was breached, the red alert was already issued.
“…They’re not really invading, are they?”
“Commander! Should I receive orders? Do we intercept according to the manual?”
“Absolutely not! The opponent is Lily Elbrite! If we provoke her, it could lead to a bigger mess!”
“But the manual says…”
“There’s a separate manual regarding Lily! It conflicts with the first one, but for now, we need to observe!”
“……”
It’s complicated.
According to the manual regarding the barrier and invasion, it would be right to attack Lily immediately.
Lily is already the ‘invader’ who attacked the Empire and must be held accountable.
However, the recently issued manual on Lily Elbrite states, ‘If we are not attacked first, we must not retaliate.’
I can’t say what should take priority, but one thing is clear: the decision made by the commander is not simply based on ‘merely’ his authority.
“What on earth should I do…”
“Commander! We have a message from the royal family!”
“Bring it quickly!!”
The head of the magical barrier hurriedly stood in front of the magic sphere brought by a member.
As a commander, he was of a relatively high status, so he thought the royal family’s representative would come to receive it, and he took a formal posture.
“…!!”
Bang!
In an instant, he widened his eyes and bent his knees with a loud sound.
The magic sphere emitted a golden light.
─Head of the Barrier, Esther.
“The Empire’s great shield! I, Esther, the head of the magical barrier, answer the call!”
It’s Duke Huangyeol.
Not some representative, but Duke Huangyeol himself appeared!
‘How could the great one…’
It’s serious enough that I didn’t even dream that he would reveal himself to someone as humble as me.
The member who brought the magic sphere also gulped and held it respectfully with both hands.
─As you know, there are those who illegally invaded the Empire’s sky.
“That’s right!”
─It seems they have this as their goal… but I’m a little busy right now. Could you handle it instead?
─Y-Yes?
The opponent is Duke Huangyeol, the pinnacle of the Empire, and once a command is given, it cannot be refused or even considered for refusal.
Normally, I would have naturally complied with the order, but in my panic, words came out scattered.
Boom!
Esther immediately buried her head into the ground.
“I was crazy! I will comply with the command!!”
─No, no. It’s understandable that you would have doubts. You are a skilled barrier manager, but not particularly strong, are you?
“……”
Didn’t that barrier fail because you couldn’t manage it properly?
Of course, he’s an existence that can’t be stopped, but given that the barrier was breached, it wouldn’t be surprising if Esther lost her head over it.
Esther’s throat tightened at the horrific thought.
─It’s not that I’m telling you to fight. Yes. We should see this as a short audience.
“Oh, understood. I will do my best to not become a disgrace to the Empire!”
─I believe you will do well for the future of the Empire. Then I will trust you and leave it to you.
Thud.
The mana of the magic formation disappeared.
After about a minute of complete mana depletion, my body finally relaxed.
It feels like a storm has just hit.
“Thank you for your hard work…”
“What the hell is happening here?”
Esther took a deep breath and staggered to her feet.
Those ten years in that brief moment felt like a lifetime.
If something like this happens even once more, I seriously might have to consider retirement.
─I’m heading that way!
─Keep looking over here!
─Surprisingly cute, huh?
But the real problem is just beginning.
“Lily. Wait, do I just have to bring that person?”
“Yes… First, connect with the mana link to create a communication line. Quietly extract him without anyone noticing.”
“Understood.”
As the barrier team hurriedly moved, Esther slumped down into a chair, her strength sapped.
From the chair, she could see the gliding dragon and Lily all in one glance.
They don’t seem to have any intention to attack, but…
“…So, what have they been up to since earlier?”
■
“Is it fun?”
“Yeah!”
The wind blows.
Without any interruption, Sre and I glide freely above the enemy’s camp.
Hmm.
“I’m having fun too.”
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