*
The first time Emperor Rock heard the name Licht was through a report from the Imperial Guard.
He was aware that Pina Grancia and Licht were getting close at Grand Hertz Academy.
“…So, Your Majesty, the one who saved the princess’s life is in critical condition.”
He hadn’t been informed about the extent of their relationship or what feelings they had for each other.
“What’s their name? What did you say their name is?”
“Licht, a man wearing a black knight helmet.”
A few days ago, when his beloved daughter Pina, who wouldn’t hurt a fly, had even asked the royal family for help to save a man.
“Is it the same man I heard about last time…?”
“It seems to be the hero from another world for sure.”
“A hero… and also a close friend of Pina.”
He frowned. Having seen countless heroes and Demon Kings through the wars, he had his doubts.
“Gold, what if I refuse?”
“The princess will be heartbroken.”
Most of them were just fools with big mouths.
Dennis and the Celestial Demon were among the few exceptions; most were intoxicated with the idea that they had been chosen for something great.
“That person has saved the princess’s life multiple times.”
“Isn’t it more appropriate to behead you for not obeying my command instead?”
“Your Majesty… Please grant us permission.”
People define their own worth, and the Demon Kings from the Hero Church seemed trustworthy at first.
He had already seen more than enough disgusting heroes and Demon Kings.
Some had deceived the Empire’s people into thinking they were heroes chosen by the gods, committing crimes.
“I refuse. I will not allow it.”
With Queen Bellin’s life uncertain, he was cornered. Whether Licht lived or died as a hero was of no concern to him.
“…If I show you this, Your Majesty will believe me.”
Then a card appeared before the emperor’s eyes.
“What is this…?”
It was the Queen of Hearts, seized from the Magic Hat.
“…Bellin.”
“Yes, it seems this was also retrieved by Licht.”
Unlike the designs of other playing cards, it depicted a queen with wolf ears.
“It’s certain. That card contains Bellin’s soul. How is that possible?”
“I received it from the princess, who had it until a moment ago.”
Emperor Rock immediately rose from his throne to inspect the object Gold had brought. His eyes sparkled like Pina’s as he confirmed the card’s authenticity.
“We were unaware until now. I apologize, Your Majesty.”
In truth, Rock had concealed the possibility of the queen being alive for fear of his daughter being hurt.
“The corrupted Holy Sword binds the soul. This can be revived.”
Although the corpse was not found, he vowed not to torment himself with hope after seeing his daughter, who had turned white due to stress, faint in the past.
“That, more importantly… is the hero intending to die after retrieving this?”
He had imposed a gag order to conceal the queen’s death. Because it was almost certain she had been robbed by the Hero Church, her death was almost a given.
“Yes, Your Majesty. The princess earnestly requested it.”
“…To open the royal vault? Goodness.”
He smiled, almost shedding a tear.
No matter how he thought about it, the card contained his wife’s soul. It seemed that it could not be fully revived just yet,
“The Dragon Heart transplant… I’m not sure if it exists.”
The disaster that had occurred in his absence wasn’t important; what mattered was how the Demon King of Truth, who often created clones, had retrieved that.
“Wolves, listen!! Open the vault now and bring a way to save our benefactor’s life!!”
He thought it might be the ability of the man Licht. A true hero, not just an empty-suited one.
Due to having encountered many Demon Kings, Rock could judge. If he just killed the Magic Hat, his wife would be released from the card, just like the Head.
“Your command, the golden wolf shall obey, Your Majesty.”
The moment the emperor’s order was given, several layers of locks in the palace went clatter, and the thick golden doors opened, revealing precious artifacts and masterpieces.
“The steel wolf will follow Your Majesty’s will!”
“The copper wolf will also move for the Empire’s benefactor.”
“The silver wolf, glory to the Grancia Empire.”
The rest of the Imperial Guard charged in, searching for the necessary materials and relevant books to raise the success rate of the surgery Pina was undergoing.
“Licht… Licht.”
After sending off the guard, Rock sat back on the throne, slowly examining the card.
“What kind of relationship could you and my daughter possibly have to go this far…?”
He muttered to himself, confused about whether it was reality or a dream.
He first heard about how Licht had saved Pina’s life multiple times in this report, and,
“I must meet him once.”
The fact that he had even saved Bellin was the same. The emperor was slowly changing his long-held biases against heroes.
*
I felt a chilling sensation from my toes to my knees.
“So what exactly is your relationship with my daughter?”
What kind of relationship, you ask? They weren’t even exactly comrades—it was too awkward to call him a male friend.
“Why can’t you answer? Lee Soo-hyun.”
The emperor wore a warm smile. It felt a little like meeting a friendly uncle.
‘If I say something wrong, it feels like my head will roll.’
Bitter water filled my mouth. The killing intent enveloped my whole body.
If I called him father-in-law, I felt like an ultimate move would fly my way. After all, Pina could be nearby.
“…We’re just friends.”
The situation was perilous, and my heartbeat started to sync up. I couldn’t put her in a difficult position.
We weren’t dating, so what was I going to call him—father-in-law? It would be suicide for a commoner without a noble title to demand marriage from a princess.
“Hmm, just friends… But you went so far as to risk your life fighting the Demon King.”
“That was because it was the right thing to do.”
Was that the right answer? The corners of Rock’s mouth lifted, and the tension dissipated.
“Oh, a rare young man in these days.”
His expression completely softened. I thought I might have survived this encounter. But still, isn’t he a bit too powerful?
“According to the Imperial Guard’s report, you’re called the Hero of Conviction, Lee Soo-hyun.”
“…But I’m not like that.”
“Oh, of course not. One’s worth is not determined by others!”
From a fearsome emperor just moments ago, he now resembled a warm middle-aged man.
“It’s good to converse harmoniously. You’re also friends with our Pina!”
Perhaps it was due to being Pina’s father that he found resemblance—since he had the same black hair, strength, and characteristics.
“Your Majesty, may I ask if there’s another reason you summoned me?”
If he wanted to congratulate or reward me, he wouldn’t test me like this. I posed the question in my mind.
“I suppose you’ve heard about the recent northern incidents, Lee Soo-hyun.”
The monster invasion, perhaps? I had heard it when that pillar-man blurted out the backstory of the northern grand duchess.
“The Apostle sent by another Demon King is bringing monsters into the northern territory.”
“Should I handle that?”
That was what I had noted down. If I went north, I might even meet Asha Aureus.
“Right. It seems you can resist the Demon King’s powers.”
It might even allow me to obtain permission for Nex and Schartines to marry. I listened attentively to his words.
“…Actually, I want to go too.”
He opened his mouth with a slightly anxious expression.
“Our Pina seems to be the focus of the Hero Church, so we can’t act hastily.”
It seemed the Head had heard what he said when he fought against me.
If the Hero Church was after Pina, he might be hesitant to raise an army to sweep them away.
“It almost cost us Bellin before.”
Was it related to how he lost the queen? It made sense if it was because he couldn’t protect what was precious while trying to wipe out the remaining remnants of the Hero Church.
“Then can I go with Senior Nex, Your Majesty?”
“Asha said that wouldn’t do. I’m sorry.”
Such a disappointment! I thought it would be much better to go together with Schartines and Nex to get permission for the marriage. Perhaps they still needed to resolve their grievances.
‘It will surely be difficult to mend things between Asha Aureus and Nex…’
But it was fine. I knew the background. If I could at least bring her back to the Empire from the north, I could raise our Affection Level to some extent.
“Instead, I’ll assign Drake to go with you, so go together.”
“I will obey, Your Majesty.”
I knelt again to show my respect. But it was fine since I was going with my mentor. I’d handle the Head as well, making it difficult for the Demon Kings to focus on Pina right away.
“I will dedicate myself to finding the traitors hiding within the Empire. Now that my ignorance is lifted, I can find them.”
If I slowly pushed back the Hero Church while leaving Pina in the Empire…
“Dad, that was bad.”
It was then that I felt a presence to the side. A cute person with a swaying white tail.
“Pina, I’m so sorry.”
A woman presented the complete opposite image of the black wolf king; next to her was a white wolf with snow-white fur.
“Did you really have to torment Licht?”
“You’re bringing home a guy from outside; what father wouldn’t give him a test, my daughter?”
“You never even told me…”
At some point, Pina had clung to my side. When did she arrive?
“Licht, get up.”
“Pina, even so, this is the emperor’s court.”
She pulled me up as I knelt. Why was she suddenly acting like this? Right in front of Rock, she wrapped her tail around my leg and supported me.
“I won’t talk to Dad anymore.”
“Pina? What are you saying…?”
“And we’re not just friends.”
A sense of impending doom washed over me. She seemed completely oblivious to the implications of her words, and I tried to cover her mouth before she dropped an atomic bomb.
“…He’s my boyfriend.”
The water had already spilled. She made a shocking statement before I could even react.
“Pina, if you say that, the emperor will misunderstand!!”
“Why…? He’s a male friend, isn’t he? Kai Nel is just a friend… but you’re my precious person…”
“Uaaaaagh!! Pina, stop it!!”
A tremendous coldness surged over me. After hearing that incredible statement, Rock’s face turned icy as he turned his back.
“…It must be a misunderstanding on my part, Lee Soo-hyun?”
“Yes, Your Majesty! Pina and I have no relationship at all!!”
I tried to speak quickly, suppressing my frustration. Clenching his teeth, Rock’s voice trembled as he rushed to fix things.
“No, you’ve already intertwined to the point of being mingled…!”
Oh no, Pina had dropped the bomb. While I was trying to explain to the emperor, she had forcibly removed my hand from her mouth.
“Ha ha. It seems I’ve brought a madman to my palace.”
gulp, I couldn’t help but swallow. Today seemed like a funeral day for me. What kind of route did I take for Pina to make such a catastrophic statement?
“Pina, for goodness sake… tell the emperor it’s a misunderstanding now…!!”
“…The fact that we shared a magical circuit is true, Licht.”
She belatedly confessed, but it seemed Rock hadn’t heard and walked behind his throne.
“You… you dare…”
With a bang, the emperor grabbed a battle axe hanging on the wall. Its long handle made it resemble a halberd.
“You touched my Pina—!!”
He hoisted the massive axe with one hand, swinging it down toward me. The blade of the wind aimed to sever my breath in an instant.
‘I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die.’
A sonic boom generated purely from brute strength.
So, this is the original concept of the Void Slash. Seeing it for the first time left me so shocked I couldn’t even scream.
‘Meditation, Recollection…!!’
I had to bring forth my meditation and flee the palace with Pina right away. A hole appeared in the ceiling as we escaped.
“You little rat…”
The wind slash, having lost its target, tore through the massive entrance I had entered.
*
After Licht took Pina away.
“Your Majesty, please maintain your dignity!”
“Dignity? Do you think I care about that?! Aaaagh!!! Issue a wanted order, yes! A wanted notice!!
Rock, who was tearing at his hair, stomped his foot.
“No, what if my Pina never comes back to the palace at all!!”
Worried that his daughter might despise him more, he could do nothing but continue to swallow his rage.
“What the hell should I do? Gold…!!”
Seeing the emperor’s fury, a guard clad in golden armor rushed out.
“It’s best to stay still, Your Majesty.”
Gold stopped the wolf king. He had always known that this day would come.
“Your Majesty, you’re aware that the Inrang tribe is such a kind of race…”
For the first time, he saw the cold, emotionless princess defy her father.
“No matter how much one loves a single person, is she not too young for that, Gold?”
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault, Your Majesty.”
After returning the axe to its original position, Rock sat heavily back on the throne and sighed deeply. Wolves are generally monogamous.
“I need to prepare my mind! Moreover, that girl doesn’t know the weight of a wolf’s love yet..!”
Wolves take love seriously. Once you love someone, it never changes. But what if humans were different?
He became seriously concerned about whether his daughter might be entangled with a bad man and exploited for her love as a leash.
Should something bad happen, it might lead to her making an extreme choice due to loneliness after breaking up with a human male.
“If she happens to have gotten caught by a bad man… what am I to do?”
“Your Majesty, you saw it with your own eyes.”
And even the emperor knew that Pina’s emotional reserve was empty. This worried him, as Rock feared she might cause trouble since she hadn’t realized her feelings for love.
“Still, I cannot concede!”
If it had been Queen Bellin Grancia, he could have acknowledged Licht, but there are times when an unfamiliar father-son-in-law dynamic is awkward.
“That man is a thief. The world’s most miserable thief.”
From his perspective, it was similar to a thief suddenly appearing to steal away his precious daughter.
The emperor felt dizzy at the thought that his daughter’s words had intertwined them beyond recognition.
