‘Ruslan, listen well.’
‘Y-Yes, Brother?’
‘The beginning of the great Imperial Empire was accompanied by a brilliant light. But light shines more brilliantly because there is ‘darkness’.’
‘……’
‘In the underground of the Imperidium, an ancient demon exists. The fragments of malice that have appeared in the empire, including Karia, are all part of him. I am now going to confront that demon.’
‘W-What are you talking about? I don’t understand at all…’
‘Then that settles it.’
You do your job.
“…What on earth is going on?”
Hah…
In the Imperial Palace, Dark Chamber.
Prince Ruslan, seated on a massive golden throne, clutched his head, recalling his conversation with Duke Huangyeol.
What in the world happened?
His brother, who was like the sky of the empire, perhaps even greater than ‘father’, had vanished with the words that he was going to subjugate a demon.
It’s not that I don’t understand.
No matter how clueless Ruslan might be, he at least knew the happenings within the empire.
He was aware that a demon lay dormant beneath the palace and that numerous people were trying to deal with it.
‘And not to mention, father…’
The problem was Duke Huangyeol’s expression.
‘I have never seen it before…’
That mighty and, in a way, frightening brother.
The brother who always wore a calm expression full of confidence was, for some reason, wearing a fearful expression.
Of course, it wasn’t a full-on shaking or terrified expression, but that degree of reaction was eerily out of character.
“…Do what I have to do.”
What do I have to do?
Is it simply to lead the empire in place of my fallen father?
It didn’t seem like that was what he meant…
Kuhgung!
“……”
You must not enter!!
Stand aside!
These rude people…
We cannot let even one step into the Prince’s presence!
Push through!!
Kugugugung!!!
“…Perhaps.”
Step aside.
Kwagagagagang!!
The door that sealed the dark chamber burst open.
The imperial knight order guarding the chamber lay wounded and sprawled, while about seven outsiders rushed in.
Fortunately, no knights had died, but the situation was still dire.
Among the crowd, a very familiar face emerged.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“…Lily Elbrite.”
“Have you made your decision?”
Lily Elbrite.
The scoundrel who recklessly came to the Empire and negotiated with my brother.
She committed a crime so grave that it wouldn’t be surprising if she were sentenced to the harshest punishment, yet that woman audaciously discussed the ailment of my father, the Emperor.
‘You say you can heal him?’
How could she possibly do something that even the Saintess of the Empire couldn’t?
“How presumptuous! Absolutely presumptuous!”
“So, what is your decision?”
“…I want a definitive answer.”
Koo-woong!
“…Can you really save my father?”
Everyone, except Lily, was taken aback by Ruslan’s emotional question.
They all knew that Lily had struck some sort of agreement with the Empire, but they were unaware that it was to save the ‘ailing Emperor.’
Lily nodded.
“Of course, if you want it. But I will need you to grant me a favor in return.”
“…Huh. Fine. Follow me.”
Ruslan stood up from the throne, lifting his short legs.
The fallen knights shouted, “Your Majesty! You must escape!” but he had already made up his mind.
‘I will do what I must. Brother.’
“But, only you are allowed. No one else.”
■
[Oh]
[What’s going on?]
[What’s happening?]
[???]
[Let’s kill the Emperor]
[When did this happen?]
[Is there chaos up above? Lily? LOL]
As Ruslan and I made our way down to the hidden chambers of the royal palace.
There were numerous magic circles placed throughout the path, humming as if they could explode at any moment, but they didn’t activate due to Ruslan being in front.
Among them, I inspected a magic circle made up of twenty overlapping magical formulas etched into the wall.
“This is quite a sophisticated spell.”
The aura is impressive, and the level of magic is abnormally high.
This magic circle alone could easily surpass the level of an average Lower Demon.
Even though it doesn’t operate on magic itself, it could wipe out any ranker outside the top ten.
Ruslan nodded as if it were obvious.
“After all, this is where the greatest technology of the Empire has been mobilized. Even for the Three Lords, it would be impossible to intrude without royal blood.”
“Not even the Spirit Lord or the Magic Lord?”
“That’s right! So be careful and follow closely. We need to save my father, and it would be troublesome to die in a trap.”
“Where is Duke Huangyeol?”
“…….”
Ruslan faltered.
I would prefer to analyze this magic, but given its high level, it seems that Lasty should come in person to proceed.
There’s not enough time for me to investigate.
“…My brother went to deal with the Demon.”
“Are you talking about the Demon Race that’s underground?”
“Yes! That terrifying demon!”
Thud thud!
Ruslan confidently stomps his feet.
He seems intent on not losing the battle of intimidation… but honestly, it’s such an obvious way of walking.
“I know your purpose. It’s because the Empire hasn’t dealt with the demons, right? Coming here is just foolishness!”
“That tone doesn’t suit you, just speak comfortably.”
“Shut up!”
[LOL]
[The prince is so cute!]
[Are we going to save the emperor?]
[Can we really leave the alliance like this?]
[Can’t we just let the emperor die?]
[It’s chaotic.]
[They’re already entering from above; is that fine?]
“It’s fine. I’m planning to join later anyway. I’ve already made the Path of Light.”
I replied in the chat, keeping my voice down.
Currently, the alliance was in a frenzy due to the unexpected meeting with Prince Ruslan, but it was a situation that needed to be addressed.
Originally, I planned to meet quietly like before, through slander, but given the current circumstances, there was no need to hide.
‘Anyway, I was going to reveal it.’
The ailing emperor and the young prince.
And although they didn’t share blood, there was the Duke Robelian Huangyeol, who was a brother figure to the prince.
If we could just wake the emperor, we could understand how the celestial duke would remain in the human world after the war ended, as well as what his true intentions were.
Furthermore, just by helping the ‘prince’ treat the ’emperor,’ my influence and standing with the prince would also rise sharply.
No matter how much the duke tried to use the prince as a mere puppet, he couldn’t do it forever.
Ruslan repeatedly clenched his fists while saying, “Ha, ha! How ridiculous! Ridiculous!”
“Even if the swords are absent, do you really think the Empire looks… ridiculous? That’s a foolish choice! That arrogance will devour you!”
“Shall we go back then?”
“H-Huh?”
“Time will eventually bring the downfall of the Empire anyway.”
Why did he even come for a subjugation?
As I turned my back without hesitation, an increasingly flustered Ruslan shouted.
“Are you really leaving?!”
“Yes.”
“But you said you’d save my father! And if you don’t capture the demons, there will definitely be a problem—”
“It won’t completely fall apart.”
The ‘final disaster’ just turns the area into uninhabitable land.
The demons might find that uninhabitable land ‘a lot,’ but most of it will of course become the Empire’s territory.
“I have confidence in defending my own land. Well, it’s a bit disappointing for His Majesty though.”
“You’re lying… that must be a lie. W-We need to hurry back, my father is waiting for us…”
Toe-tap. Toe-tap.
“Ah, you’re not trying to catch the Demon, are you? I’ll tell you the information I’ve discovered. Isn’t that the reason you brought the army here!!”
Tap. Tap.
“Th-That…!!”
[Lolololol]
[Is this for real?]
[Ruslan is going to cry, cry for sure]
[But if the Empire falls, it’s actually a win, lol]
[Lily is leaving, Ruslan is staying here]
[Lololololol]
Various monstrous sounds echoed from behind.
Pleading cries, angry shouts, logical arguments.
After walking for a long time without turning back, I heard a sound that should never be heard.
Thump.
“?”
“…I’m sorry. Please. Please save my father. I’m begging you.”
“Are you kneeling?”
The sky of the Empire, the bloodline of the Huang family?
No one can make the bloodline of the Huang family kneel.
If anyone does kneel, it would be only the highest of the bloodline, the Emperor or Duke Huangyeol.
I expected this situation, but I didn’t think the prince would actually kneel.
“…….”
However, Ruslan, who carries the blood of the Huang family, was kneeling on both knees, looking up at me earnestly.
“…I can’t do anything anymore. My father has collapsed, and I don’t know what my older brother is thinking. The swords, the Saintess, no one is here. So please help me. If you do, I’ll help you with anything.”
“What do you want so much that you’re willing to do this?”
“The prosperity of the Empire…”
……
“I just want my father to open his eyes again. That’s all.”
“……”
His face looked a bit serious.
It may not just be that Duke Huangyeol chose Ruslan as his assistant because he was easy to manage.
“Alright. I will help you.”
“If you help, can you use the authority of the Emperor’s assistant to get the royal Holy Artifacts… uh, huh?”
“What are you doing? Hurry up and guide me. Get the Holy Artifacts ready.”
“Umm….”
[Got the Holy Artifact]
[Getting what needs to be gotten, Lily]
[Whoa]
[Info: Entering the Alliance…]
■
“…This person is the Emperor of the Empire?”
“Y-Yes…”
A conqueror who has swallowed 70% of the continent, possessing wealth and unparalleled power.
The great Emperor blessed by God lay on a splendid sickbed, radiating an unpleasant level of Holy Power.
The Emperor’s illness was severe poisoning.
“It’s a wonder he’s still alive.”
The cause of poisoning was magic energy of Intermediate rank or higher.
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