Robert woke up. The reverberation caused by it was, of course, tremendous, enough to fill everyone stationed in the North with joy. Aside from the fact that he was the Grand Duke’s beloved, the mere fact that he single-handedly dealt with two demons made his worth exceptional. All eyes were focused on what Robert would do as he rose from his seat.
However, he himself was being held back by Adele and Adrian, unable to move. It was just a day after waking up, and in fact, he couldn’t move right after awakening.
How rare is it to die and then wake up? His will to depart immediately was swiftly crushed by the two women’s insistence. It wasn’t just words; seeing Adele draw her sword left Robert with no choice but to remain still.
“Did you really think I would let you go? If you truly think so, then try cutting me down.”
“…I also oppose departing immediately. I cannot let you go.”
His physical recovery was complete. Yet, the worries of the two women were far from over. Adrian’s transparent eyes glimmered with a hint of madness, and upon hearing her calm voice, he could no longer say anything. It was also an opportunity to confirm what he had gained this time.
So, perhaps it would be alright to move a little slowly.
That said, he had no intention of delaying indefinitely. Supported by Adele, Robert stood up to organize the current situation. Contacting… he had an overwhelming desire to reach out to Miragen, but he didn’t know how Kaitel would react if he did it now.
There was no method without risks. If he managed to get in touch with Miragen in any way, the possibility of Kaitel doing something was high. After pondering briefly, Robert sighed and grasped Adele’s hand to stand up.
“You could stay lying down.”
“There’s no time for that. Resting is one thing, but we need to decide how to move from here, don’t we? We’ve already delayed quite a bit… it may be too late by the time we reach the capital.”
It’s been a week. Even if he used that time for recovery, he couldn’t deny the fact that it was wasted time. If he couldn’t move around to make up for this gap, it would be better to prepare perfectly with Adele in the North itself.
As Robert smiled lightly at the concerned gazes, he gently brushed Adele’s hand. He could now do such things naturally. Miragen, Adele, and Adrian were all the same in this regard. Though how the three women would accept their future relationships was uncertain.
Gradually getting used to it would probably be the best approach. If they carried on like this, perhaps it would feel natural for the four of them to live together in the future. He wished that day would come soon. Sharing all these thoughts and just indulging in such light fantasies.
They were almost there. As Robert took a small breath, the cold air filled his lungs. He was worried about Miragen, but there was nothing he could do. Even if he rested, it wouldn’t exceed three days at most; within that time, they had to prepare everything and advance to the capital.
The new ones have come in. I’m worried about Miragen, but there’s nothing I can do. Even if I take a break, it’ll only be at most three days; we must prepare everything and march towards the capital within that time.
“First, I need to see Mr. Lothos. He probably handed over command while taking care of me.”
“…I won’t deny that. But are you planning to take all the soldiers? If the Crown Prince shows no signs of movement, it might be better to disband them.”
At those words, Robert shook his head firmly. Even if they disband the troops, if they can’t catch the Dead Dragon, everyone will die. And most importantly.
“The Imperial Palace will likely be completely destroyed by the time we arrive. It’s probably best to assume there’s no chance of recovery. We will be severely lacking in manpower. Either way, we’ll likely be the ones fighting on the front lines.”
Robert wiped the dust off the table and then gazed toward the area where the Imperial Palace was located, his lips twitching.
“Soldiers are needed after we capture the Dead Dragon. If the capital is in a state of near annihilation, the forces to rebuild it will probably come from the North. At this point, there’s no point in safeguarding the North any longer.”
“That’s… true.”
Once branded as traitors, the only way out is through betrayal. Even if there was no intention, it had to be done. It was probably a confirmed future that the Empire’s territory would shrink. Even if they capture the Dead Dragon, it would take considerable time to recover from the resulting damage.
Adele, understanding Robert’s words, quietly nodded. Having realized this was the only way, there was only one thing left to do.
“I will summon the troops. That should be enough, right?”
“That’s sufficient.”
As Robert turned his gaze, dark clouds permeated the sky.
#
It hadn’t been long since greed for titles like King and Emperor surfaced. That desire had dissipated long ago.
How many truly yearn for the things within their grasp? Kaitel silently chuckled. The dragging corpses of soldiers were annoying, but that was not a concern.
After all, everyone in the Imperial Palace today would be dead.
“Crown Prince, what on earth—!”
As the flames engulfed the Imperial Palace, the officials began to trickle in one by one. Isn’t it better this way? There’s no need to go find them to kill them directly.
Those wearing masks have all been dealt with. A group that fancies itself an “illusion” had done nothing useful. It was about time to eliminate them all.
And as for Robert, it seemed he had handled things well. That was enough. Without Robert Taylor, this world would once again belong to him.
All over again—? It was a fleeting question that brushed through his mind, but as a red light flickered in his eyes, calmness returned.
Calmness returned with a sway.
“I will ask.”
The sword, shimmering ominously, was not to be taken lightly. Hadn’t he already taken down the entire knight order guarding the Imperial Palace? There was no one left with the skill to obstruct him. Even if someone did try, he could simply unleash the demons. Even if Robert managed to capture two of them, he still had two left.
“Will you follow me?”
He pressed the blade against their necks and began counting. Two, three. A slow response came as he decapitated those who hesitated—those willing to follow and those asking for death. The latter he did not kill separately.
Would he grant such a thing to those craving death? He simply severed their arms and legs and tossed them somewhere. If they chose not to follow, the cost would be pain. Now, with his eyes suffused with a red energy, Kaitel muttered quietly.
His mind was in chaos, yet for some reason, it was hard to suppress the boiling impulse within. Something was there. However, before he could grasp what it was, he had something to do. Since when did he want to become the Emperor? He didn’t know, but it was right to kill the Emperor now.
It was all merely driven by that one impulse. Without a reason, simply obeying a command that spoke from deep within. Kaitel’s vacant eyes scanned the burning Imperial Palace.
The place he had watched over since childhood now looked simply horrific. The humans fallen around him were all corpses he had killed.
Among them was his master. Who had taught him knowledge and, at times, the duties of a knight. Weaklings do not perish. The Crown Prince always puts the nation and the people first.
Then, where were his people? In the emptiness, the suddenly emerging emotion caused Kaitel to stop in his tracks, right in front of the door where his father stood.
“…I…”
What was he doing? As the last bit of reason struck him, he looked around in confusion when something whispered in his mind. Of course, he couldn’t hear it.
That was the last thing Kaitel could say. From the fading consciousness, something else ignited once again, not Kaitel.
The red light no longer sparkled in his eyes. Only the golden irises were stained crimson, settling in as if they had always been red. As Kaitel, who had closed his eyes, opened them, calmness descended. It was a perfect silence where even the groans of the fallen could not be heard.
He liked this. It was Kaitel, but now there was a being that was no longer Kaitel smiling. As light poured in through the automatically opening door, dark smoke, like flames, wafted from his body. Damn the moon, Kaitel muttered, blocking the light with his hand as he moved forward.
Before him sat the Emperor, who was his father.
No, not his father anymore. After all, he was just a creature created by the Goddess. Kaitel, who no longer burned with light, brushed off the remnants of his old self and gazed at the Emperor. The Emperor was indifferent. As if he had known this would happen, all his retainers around him lay dead.
“Ninga. After all, I was just a creation made by the Goddess.” Kaitel, no longer ablaze with light, brushed off his body and gazed at the Emperor. The Emperor remained indifferent, as if he had expected this outcome; all the retainers around him were in a state of deadness.
“Hmm… As expected, you’re quite clever. Did you know this would happen?”
“Since when have you been pretending to be my son?”
“Pretending, huh? Were you suspicious of something strange? I actually find it rather enjoyable. So, you were aware that you were being toyed with by me.”
The Emperor did not answer, but his cloudy eyes were filled with regret. From that emotion, Kaitel seemed to realize something, chuckling softly. He had only just caught on. After all, being a descendant of the Goddess, maybe he resisted to some degree. But now, it was all too late.
“Kaitel—no, being who impersonates Kaitel. Who on earth are you!”
“I thought I had a vague idea, but it seems denying it intentionally is more convenient.”
It was not a reaction common among those who follow the Moon, and thus did not even pique his interest. Dragging his sword, Kaitel slowly walked toward the Emperor. As he approached, and stepped on the stairs beneath the prince, the Emperor kept his eyes fixed on Kaitel with a fierce stare.
Finally, when he reached him, Kaitel, who had been quietly gazing at the Emperor, smirked and brushed his hand near the Emperor’s heart. He could faintly feel Kaitel’s remaining consciousness. Well, that’s not something he needed to concern himself with. This was too enjoyable to resist.
Destruction was his instinct. Just as humans breathe, Kaitel exhaled a thick breath, driven by his innate instincts. He was starting to feel a bit bored with the Emperor, who still had not said a word.
“If you won’t answer…”
Scrape—
Kaitel casually kicked the neatly severed head, pushing the cooling body aside. As the body rolled down the stairs with a thud, a new owner stepped toward the vacant throne. How many times had he actually sat here now?
There was no longer any excitement. But wasn’t this a little different this time?
Finally, the time when all ‘conditions’ were met.
“The fact that the timeline hasn’t collapsed yet means there’s still a slight breath of life left. Or perhaps the Goddess is up to some trickery.”
It was the only possibility that he might die, but conversely, it meant that everything would finally come to an end once he managed it himself. Kaitel, not hiding his crimson aura, stared into the void. To be precise, it was the Dead Dragon staring into the void.
“I shall wait.”
Robert Taylor. The Dead Dragon chuckled lowly.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
