“The Empire has sent a Grim Reaper.”
First off, this statement is contradictory.
The Empire was famously known for not sending Grim Reapers to other kingdoms; they never sent them, only accepted them.
The Empire is already the overlord of the continent.
From the Empire’s omnipotent position, there was no reason to send a Grim Reaper to convince or request cooperation.
Of course, if you asked whether the Grim Reaper only had the purposes of persuasion and cooperation, the answer would be no.
They might request material exchange or suggest surrender if they didn’t want to face war.
But the Empire thought differently.
“Why should I?”
If someone truly wanted to exchange or didn’t want a war, they should come personally.
Why should the ‘Empire’ and the ‘Emperor’s’ resources and personnel be wasted?
It’s a somewhat arrogant mindset, but the Empire could afford that arrogance quite easily.
If a Grim Reaper were dispatched from the Empire, it would be for one of two reasons.
One reason is when a representative of the Empire is sent to manage a ‘vassal’ or a kingdom that has been ‘destroyed.’
And the other reason is…
“Long time no see!”
When they arrived as a Grim Reaper (死神), not a diplomatic envoy (使臣).
■
Contrary to the many people’s expectations that they would invade or sneak in, the Empire proudly crossed the borders under the banner of the ‘Reaper Corps.’
There was no point in trying to stop them.
The Empire’s Knights were several times stronger than the knights of other kingdoms, and more importantly, their combined strength was equivalent to an entire nation.
“Super cute, right?”
“Isn’t that just a little kid?”
“Is the Empire trying hard with a child?”
“Shh! That’s a Nymph!”
“I know. That’s an Outsider named Leo…”
People gathered around the Grim Reaper Corps, confidently walking through the capital.
Despite the name of the Empire, the lack of tension was largely due to the small child among them.
Too cute in appearance and too young to be a ‘formidable enemy.’
Her bright smile made those who saw it smile as well, and her cheerful laughter lifted the spirits of everyone around.
“Move aside!”
“You can’t block the road!”
“Do you really want to die? Move, I said!”
However, the knights of Talikal, who already knew of her strength, were sweating coldly as they controlled the crowd.
The Outsider ‘Leo.’
An immortal who does not die and the great Spirit Sorcerer who single-handedly destroyed the Proton Kingdom, the Empire’s Sword.
One of Leo’s aliases was the famous ‘Knight Slayer.’
The nightmare for knights, who had been shredded by countless knight blades.
The knights worked hard to keep control, fearing unnecessary casualties, but it wasn’t easy to manage.
Despite my best efforts to control the situation and avoid unnecessary sacrifices, things were not easily kept in check.
Currently, in Talikal, there are not only the residents of Talikal but also numerous people present.
These individuals pose issues on both social and political levels, making simple control impossible.
Without using force, I couldn’t control them all.
At that moment, a ball rolled over in front of the Grim Reapers.
Following the ball, a young child came running, thumping along.
With the crowd so thick, the little one couldn’t be stopped as they waddled between people’s legs.
“M-Mina!”
“Yeah?”
The child named Mina, chasing after the ball, stumbled and fell over a stone.
The little child stood in front of Leo, blocking him with their entire body.
Suddenly, the atmosphere surrounding Leo turned icy.
“Ah…”
The opponent was the Empire.
Their name and power reached the skies, and they could invoke the laws of the Empire anywhere, anytime.
It was useless even if one refused.
“If you refuse, the nation will be turned upside down.”
Sre.
And Leo, being a ‘Marquis’, had now come to this land bearing the name and meaning of the ‘Empire.’
Thus, this child was a sinner obstructing the Empire’s path.
When the Golden Knight next to Leo drew his sword, Leo alternated his gaze between Mina and the knight, bursting into laughter.
As cheerful laughter erupted in the now frozen venue, the knight halted his drawn sword.
Leo bowed his head and picked up the ball.
“It’s dangerous to play ball here.”
“S-Sorry…”
“No, it’s okay! That can happen!”
Mhm. Leo smiled gently, extending a hand to help Mina up.
Booom~
“…?”
At the same time, the wind spirit healed Mina’s wounds on her arms and legs.
Even the small scratches that were there before were taken care of.
After returning the ball, Leo used the wind to safely send Mina on her way, waving his hand.
Mina stood there dazed for a moment before bowing her head.
“Let’s go!”
“Marquis, but that child obstructed the Empire. Deserved punishment…”
“What does it matter? It’s not like we’re wearing them out.”
I dislike rigidity.
“Plus, this could be a bit fun!”
“…?”
A dragon with glacial powers.
And a professor… no, Lady Lily.
There’s amusement in abundance.
■
[Relbangon]
[Oh]
[Turning on the broadcast that didn’t exist]
[Lilha]
[ㄹㅎ]
[Rilaliralira]
[Wow hahaha]
[Leo is currently in Talikal ¿]
[Leo, on the Empire’s side, is seriously scary]
[Is this a rematch between Lily and Leo?]
[Gasp]
[Wait, is the Empire sending the Grim Reapers…?]
“Sending…?”
“What is this? Hahaha!”
“This situation is getting hilarious.”
“Are we about to go to war?”
In the splendid Audience Room of the king, important figures from each Kingdom and Outsiders gather.
Normally, this would be a crucial time to gear up for the Raid starting tomorrow.
But with the arrival of the Empire’s Grim Reaper delegation, a huge variable has been introduced to all the hunting parties.
“Leo. And the Empire.”
With Dragons now interfering in the Lions’ hunting grounds, the original game board had to be flipped and a new one set.
Creeeek…
And now.
The luxurious, heavy doors opened, and the Dragons entered.
Leo, dressed in splendid clothing, was flanked by four golden Knights, standing like guards around her.
Especially, as Leo glanced around and then waved at me.
“Hey!”
“Haha!”
“So cute!”
“Did you really come to fight?”
“Don’t forget to greet the Professor!”
“Is that the Leo who ran away from grad school?”
“Hahahahahaha!”
[???: You better become a grad student.]
“Not fighting, huh?”
“Leo is always adorable.”
“For real, the Nymph character is killing it.”
“Wow, that’s insane!”
“Leo seems stronger now.”
“Wow…”
“What’s that on Leo’s arm?”
I also waved my hand slightly, and Leo nodded.
Then, looking at everyone, he said,
“Long time no see, everyone!”
A cheerful greeting.
Though no one spat curses at that smiling face, the response wasn’t very positive.
That’s only natural.
Leo, who is aligned with the Empire, is definitively an enemy and the main reason for wrecking the Raid.
And Dria, the host of this gathering, received the greeting.
“Welcome, Outsider Leo. It seems you’ve come this time under the Empire’s banner.”
“That’s right!”
“Seeing you come with the Grim Reaper delegation, it doesn’t seem like you came here just for kicks. What is the Empire’s intention?”
Dria immediately got to the point.
In response, Leo didn’t beat around the bush and directly spoke.
“It’s simple! Our Empire has decided to ‘execute the Dragon that is causing the continent’s downfall!'”
“What?”
“The Empire is intervening…?”
“That’s impossible! A scheme to invade the Kingdom!”
[¿]
[?]
[Whoa.]
“The Empire is doing a world-boss Raid?”
“Hahahaha!”
“This is getting serious!”
“Is this really happening?”
“Are we really doomed? If the Empire participates, there’s nothing left for us!”
“That’s insane!”
“Wow.”
“Who’s all coming?”
“Can we actually handle this?”
Leo’s bombshell announcement plunged the room into chaos.
The Empire doesn’t make empty claims.
When the Empire says they are the strongest, they are indeed the strongest, and when they say they will do something, it will surely be done.
“You’ll definitely get it done.”
“And the Empire had more than enough power for that.”
“I won’t accept any rebuttals! We will actively hunt down the dragons, and additional troops that haven’t arrived yet are also scheduled to enter through Talikal.”
“Wait! Who decided that? Sending soldiers into enemy territory?!”
“Well…”
Leo turned his head towards the nobleman who had made the noise.
His hair turned pure white.
As Leo revealed his true form, merged with the Light Spirit, the chaotic hall was instantly overwhelmed.
“That’s the Empire’s intention.”
“……”
“And… well, of course, we’re not just going to rampage. The Empire isn’t coming to conquer.”
The Empire is a sovereign ruler, not a coward who sneaks in deceitfully.
[Are you saying Yena is a coward right now?]
[Lol?]
[Yena targeted, oh no!]
[Leo: “Assassins are all cowardly bastards.”]
[Leo: “Such low-level losers.”]
[Whoa.]
[This might stir up some controversy!]
[Leo has the right to say that, lol.]
[Yena must be furious, haha!]
[That’s a fact!]
[Yena at home, breathing, confused, lolololol.]
[Info: Yena is currently broadcasting.]
[Lololololololololololol.]
The Empire doesn’t speak in falsehoods.
So Leo’s final comment must be true.
But…
‘Is it really right to just let the Empire through?’
Dria and the high-ranking officials of the Kingdom were deeply troubled.
‘If we use force… No, can we even stop them with force?’
The opponent is Leo, regarded as the strongest among the Outsiders.
A monster who destroyed the Kingdom single-handedly.
We have many forces, including Lily, on our side, but if additional troops arrive as she said, the story changes.
If the Eight Swords even show up…
‘Even if we manage to stop them, this place will turn to ruins.’
Seeing the cold atmosphere in the hall, Leo nervously fiddled with his hands.
“I’m really not going to do that. Really.”
“…I believe you.”
“Yes! And Lady Lily!”
“Me?”
At Leo’s words, everyone’s gaze was drawn to me.
With sparkling eyes, Leo asked.
Pure eyes that showed no malice at all.
“Can I watch the hatchlings later?!”
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