539 – Emperor’s Declaration 2
What Ishtar was doing was nothing less than gambling.
If the Emperor ignores the state religion…
If he were to kill the Warrior on the spot…
If he had no semblance of face whatsoever…
If he were a tyrant who worshipped only his own violence…
The Emperor would kill the Warrior the moment he dared to oppose him.
The current Warrior, chosen by the one true god, Sofemia of the Sun, was a being of far greater persuasion and disturbance than someone like Jezel, the second revolutionary.
‘If my predictions are wrong, the Emperor will kill me here…?’
The Warrior’s journey would thus come to an immediate end.
A pointless death.
Yet she had a reason to be greedy.
‘Oknodie. That child’s insight is vastly superior to mine. It’s terrifying to think about when they began planning all this…’
Thinking back, Oknodie was at the root of all these circumstances.
The revolutionary’s death and Jezel dragging the Emperor out of the palace for a peaceful revolution were all thanks to Oknodie’s intervention in defeating the revolutionary.
The justification to attack the Emperor also arose because Oknodie had willingly become a princess and tarnished the Emperor’s reputation.
What about herself?
Had she not attended Professor Destroyer’s lecture, this piercing insight wouldn’t be coming to light.
But even the reason she attended Professor Destroyer’s lecture was fueled by her competitive spirit ignited by Oknodie’s 38 credits in 13 lectures.
Thoughts of opposing the Emperor?
That too originated from something Oknodie had said during the uninhabited island auction in the summer vacation.
It was all Oknodie.
Always Oknodie.
This was all planned by Oknodie.
Her judgment might be flawed, but there was no doubt about Oknodie’s judgment.
An absolute trust towards Oknodie, her rival whose skill left no room for doubt.
‘They didn’t kill me.’
That trust was rewarded.
Even as the Emperor revealed all the hidden tales from Professor Destroyer’s lecture time, he did not kill her.
She won at this gamble.
The citizens of the Empire now realized the backstory of the revolutionary—the third of the three great evils.
The blue token used for food exchange.
The suicide of the merchant lord who had overseen the distribution of blue tokens and contracted with the previous hero, Ni’alatotep.
The revenge of the revolutionary, who was a descendant of the merchant lord.
Who was it that provided food to the merchant lord? Who used him to create the foundation? Who planned to sacrifice unnecessary refugees for demon god relics and to exterminate demon god worshippers?
How was the revolutionary’s father disposed of? What was the Emperor using them for? How did the food crisis, which led to all these incidents, even occur?
All the truths were displayed for the world to see.
But as the story unfolded, Ishtar was increasingly engulfed by fear.
‘Why are they not stopping this?’
The remarks were clearly disadvantageous for the Emperor.
It should be me, anxious to stop it by any means…
“Ho ho ho. You truly are entertaining, Emperor. The story you present is simply the strangest.”
The murmurs of Jibsa Jang Okashii-ne were lost on Ishtar’s ears, stressed to their maximum.
Her entire focus was on the Emperor.
So when the Emperor began clapping, Ishtar fell deeper into confusion.
“Excellent. To utter the faults of the greatest benefactor, the Emperor, while holding the status of the Warrior— I sincerely commend your judgment.”
Even in this situation, the Emperor made no attempt to strike Ishtar down.
“However, do you know the self-destructive risk your story has created?”
“Self-destruction…? No one more dangerous than you, Emperor—ah!”
Exist.
Just one person, a figure who couldn’t help but stir discomfort among the people.
Not just the public, but even I, the Warrior, couldn’t help but wonder what kind of moron this is.
“If your story is true, what kind of person was the previous hero Ni’alatototep?”
“Why did he allow the revolutionary’s father to die?”
“Was the previous hero stealing the treasure the Emperor coveted, leading citizens to be sacrificed?”
That was right.
The previous hero, Ni’alatototep.
The trust people held in him began to crumble.
– The Emperor is the Warrior’s ally.
– Then why tarnish the revolutionary’s name?
– So they used sacrifices for their allies instead?
-…!
– Using troublesome refugees “efficiently” and weaving together the disloyal to provide services for the Warrior. The Emperor and Warrior would not suffer losses on this board, thus fulfilling their role as allies, wouldn’t they?
This was a mutual destruction that could bring no benefit to Ishtar!
“If the previous hero colluded with the Emperor, then why is the current Warrior opposing him?”
“Must have changed their mind.”
“Who knows what schemes are at play? They’re both wicked, capable of birthing the three great evils!”
As the Emperor approached closer to evil, the Warrior’s image simultaneously tainted with it.
As the Emperor became despised, so too did the Warrior’s image begin to be loathed by the people.
“If it turns out this way, if the Emperor steps down, then the Warrior must step down as well, right?”
“More than that, it’s absurd to make the church supporting such an evil Warrior the state religion.”
“We can’t trust a Warrior serving such a dubious god!”
The absolute faith in the one true god, Sofemia of the Sun, began to crumble due to none other than the chosen Warrior, Ishtar.
“Ah, ahhh…! No, this isn’t what I meant! I didn’t want this outcome…!”
“It’s too late. Fool of Sofemia. Regardless of what your foolishness arose from, you’ll have to pay the price for this reckless choice of mutual destruction.”
The Emperor did not kill her.
That was because there was no need to.
Moreover, killing her could have been seen as a salvation.
If she were to die here…
She, the Warrior, the chosen of Sofemia, would be recognized as innocent due to the Emperor’s murder.
She could end her story with a tragic death, standing against the wicked Emperor.
The Emperor did not allow this opportunity.
“Do not worry. Your wish has been granted. Warrior, I will abdicate the throne.”
“What?!”
“Therefore, you too must relinquish your task as the Warrior. The state religion shall no longer be a monotheism.”
Even the throne, which could be dropped without worry, he proclaimed he would relinquish by his own will.
The courage of Jezel, the courage of Son Ohchun, the courage of Ishtar.
The response of the people, the past of Professor Destroyer, the legacy of the revolutionary.
All of it undoubtedly had an impact.
Yet still, none of it felt satisfying.
A gut instinct told her that the Emperor’s choice stemmed from something beyond ‘such trivial matters.’
“Listen, children of the Empire. From this day forth, the Emperor of the Empire shall be succeeded by a worthy heir, and I hereby declare my liberation from my long task.”
“The price for what you have done…!”
“Are you truly alright with this?”
The smile beyond the veil thickened.
“If I were not the Emperor, I would no longer be bound by face. Yet, even so, shall I allow myself to be pressured here? Have you thought this through?”
“Ugh…”
“Indeed, though your thoughts may be short, you’re not entirely foolish, are you?”
The Emperor vanished with a blatant sneer.
Even as his loyal attendant disappeared alongside him, no one could blame anyone.
The succession of the throne.
Was that truly a possibility?
How many sacrifices would follow?
Everyone remained skeptical, yet mustering courage and standing tall, an astonishingly minimal sacrifice brought forth a change of time.
“As declared by my late father, from this moment on, I, Pake Hiuqmag, have become the Emperor of the Empire. I proclaim here that the disgraceful deeds that occurred under the late Emperor’s rule will not be repeated in my era; the Revolutionary Army shall disband and return to their daily lives!”
Ishtar felt the familiar sting.
No matter how desperately she tried, the humiliation when she could not gain even a glimpse of the opponent’s gaze.
The same humiliation Oknodie had always imposed on her was now felt against the Emperor.
‘It hurts… but now I’m used to it.’
If it were the first time, she would have been unable to bear this humiliation and anger or fall into self-hatred, but now she had learned to get back up, clutching her aching belly.
‘Because I’m used to it, I can bear it.’
The shaken mentality of Ishtar recovered.
She gazed at the person who would take the Emperor’s place, now absent.
As expected, Jezel cried out towards the new Emperor.
“Nothing is over yet. Pake Hiuqmag. There’s a testimony you must hear!”
“Witness to the duel, Zelji. You achieved the extraordinary feat of toppling the late Emperor. Before we celebrate that, shouldn’t we avoid erasing it?”
“If you are to celebrate, first, you must explain the assassination orders you directed towards the princesses!”
“Assassination orders? Are you spreading slander without even a basis?”
“I have no proof. But I do have witnesses!”
Parting the crowd was the second princess of the empire, Masugaki.
Her eyes were filled with intense anger.
“Pathetic big brother. I’ve known you were a coward for a long time, but you’ve crossed the line this time♡ Not only did you mess with me, but you also meddled with Oknodie; that’s just too much♡”
“Are the victim’s tears your proof? Such a flimsy trick, go and prattle on in the imperial court. The position of Emperor is far too serious to indulge the petty whims of someone jealous of the throne. The people should disband now!”
Even at the command of Pake Hiuqmag, the high officials hesitated, glancing about.
The commander of the Revolutionary Army, Son Ohchun.
Before his audacity, the officials dared not step forward, and only those not of the Empire’s upper echelons could fulfill the young prince’s orders.
As the face of the humiliated prince twisted in rage, one of the members of the Empire’s nineteen higher ranks, Vargas the Iron Arm, declared.
“I, Vargas the Iron Arm of the ten greatest martial masters of the Empire, declare that I shall follow the will of the Revolutionary Army, not the young prince!”
“Iron Arm!!”
“Do not raise your voice, young Emperor. The late Emperor did not manipulate national affairs with loud words.”
To the one who declared the succession of the throne, Pake Hiuqmag, Vargas openly rebelled.
Then he locked eyes with Ishtar.
“I said I would observe how the reckless act of overthrowing the Emperor would end. You’ve performed miracles by actually pulling off that reckless act. Regardless of whether it was due to the Emperor’s concession or abandonment, the fact remains you created an opportunity.”
“Vargas…”
“Thus, I will hammer this in again. If there’s an attempt at force before the Revolutionary Army willingly disbands, the new Emperor must turn me, Vargas, into an enemy.”
The harsh gazes of the citizens poured onto Pake Hiuqmag, who referred to himself as the Emperor.
“So, Warrior, you too shall temporarily delay your act of relinquishing your duties as a Warrior.”
“…If that is the will of Iron Arm, then gladly. This Warrior, Ishtar, shall stand by the Revolutionary Army and oppose the legitimacy of the ascension of the next Emperor, Pake Hiuqmag!”
In a way, she voiced her intent to assist the future of the Empire, resolving to put aside her rivalry.
‘To witness Oknodie’s grand plan reach its end, I cannot back down!’
What only the individual did not know was that Oknodie’s grand plan was now set in motion.
