“You’re being too much!”
“If you dare speak casually about that person again, even if you’re the Empress, I’ll kick you out!”
“How about it? You said that yourself.”
A giggling doll-like girl.
Even though no blood flowed through her body anymore, and the girl before him wasn’t using any abilities, Serrek’s body wouldn’t move according to his will.
“…Did I say something like that?”
The content shown by the Master of Blood was shocking enough.
The girl, Lasty Erbenus, smiled faintly.
“Yeah.”
“…That’s impossible. How could I say such a thing?”
Serrek himself was a diligent subordinate and advisor to His Majesty the Emperor.
The task given to him was only to strengthen the Empire under that person’s command.
Personal feelings were a luxury that shouldn’t be held.
“Really? Then you can go find the Pharaoh right now. You’re done with your work, right?”
“That’s…”
“Why? Can’t you meet him?”
“……”
How frustrating.
Though he put on a facade of nobility, pretending to understand the truths of the world, he was merely a child with the mindset of a girl.
If Lady Lily hadn’t put restraints in place, he would have suffered long ago.
He should leave immediately to refute her words, but…
‘……’
Why couldn’t he move his feet?
It’s personal sentiment.
Words spoken by the absurdly fake Serrek of the past.
Even if it’s the ‘real’ him.
‘…It must be buried.’
He was a subordinate of His Majesty the Emperor, after all.
“…It’s frustrating.”
■
“Good work, Serrek.”
“Of course, it was my duty.”
About a week passed since Lasty had visited.
Serrek had come to the Empire of Desertum.
The emotions he harbored were merely personal feelings.
No matter what thoughts he had, he couldn’t let his assigned tasks falter.
“I’m always grateful to you.”
“I’m simply thankful. For saving my life and reviving the Empire like this.”
“That’s right.”
Silence.
Silence filled the temporary audience room of Desertum.
There had been moments like this in the past, but never had it been this quiet.
Serrek waited patiently for the next words, as the conversation always began with the great Emperor, the Pharaoh.
But for some reason…
‘…Why am I like this?’
Unable to endure the silence, Serrek dared to meet the Pharaoh’s eyes.
“……”
“……”
That person… was strangely awkward today.
“…Is the work manageable?”
“It’s nothing compared to the past. Lady Lily’s Elbrite isn’t as renowned or as vast as the territory.”
“Lady Lily’s Elbrite isn’t that great in terms of fame and territory, you know.”
“Compared to Deserthum, it’s a trivial size. Still, that Lily might soon swallow the continent.”
“Does His Majesty the Emperor think Lady Lily will do that?”
“I don’t want to admit it, but the capability is indeed a fact. Though, due to her personality, she probably won’t.”
“I see.”
“It’s only natural.”
“Lady Lily has sealed numerous ancient beasts and even crushed the wings of the Celestial Race and Demon Race.”
“Right now, she has weakened for some unknown reason, but she could easily have the continent at her fingertips if she desired.”
“Yeah, that’s only natural.”
“Lily has changed a lot. If it were the past, she wouldn’t have accepted such clumsy words.”
“……”
“Even though it’s only natural.”
“…Just for today.”
“What?”
“For some reason, I want to deny the obvious.”
“This isn’t about self-esteem tied to the Empire I dedicated my life to nor loyalty from serving the Pharaoh for a long time.”
“Yeah, perhaps it’s truly trivial…”
“‘Just for today, more than anyone else, I…’”
“……”
“What’s with you?”
“…Ah, it’s nothing. I misspoke.”
“Let’s set that aside. Let’s treat it as usual.”
“Must be because of Lady Lasty that I got a bit strange.”
“A short break will make it better.”
The two suns within the Pharaoh’s golden mask gaze at Serrek.
“…Speaking of which, you haven’t seen your restored body, have you?”
“That’s right.”
“Follow me.”
The Pharaoh rises from the statue.
As Serrek follows the Pharaoh deep underground, a familiar space appears before them.
“This is…”
Familiar furniture, cozy walls and ceiling, and even gifts.
In this overly familiar space, Serrek hesitates for a moment, glancing around.
A space perfectly recreated to look just like the past.
“Is… this my room?”
“That’s right. Exactly.”
Serrek looks at the Pharaoh in surprise, but the Pharaoh seems uninterested, focusing only on his own body, which is in the middle of restoration.
‘…Why are you avoiding me?’
However, the opponent is Serrek, who has stood by the Pharaoh’s side for many years.
He knew enough to realize that the Pharaoh was acting.
In fact, he probably knew him better than even the Pharaoh himself.
Serrek shifts his gaze to the Pharaoh’s body.
“…..”
Golden hair and a hearty impression.
His muscular skin looked like a sculpture, and the bronzed skin tone stirred strange emotions within him.
What stood out even more was the golden tattoo engraved on his shoulder.
It felt as if he was staring at the sun, and Serrek stood dazed for a moment.
How long has it been since they last faced each other?
“Serrek.”
Emotions surge.
At the same time, emotions are pushed away.
“Serrek.”
The only emotions he can have are loyalty and devotion.
Any other feelings are a luxury. So he must shake them off…
“Serrek!”
“…Eh?!”
…So close!
The face is near!
“What are you doing that has you so lost in thought?”
“Th-that… um…”
“What?”
“It’s… too close…”
“……”
Before he knew it, the Pharaoh’s golden mask and Serrek’s golden mask were pressed against each other.
Just a slight lean, and they would touch.
The Pharaoh hesitated for a moment, then quickly pulled back.
Was it a misunderstanding?
His statue-like face seems a little flushed.
“…Uh. Um. Right.”
“……”
“Let’s call it a day for now. I’ll let Lily know.”
“Yes…”
Swoosh…
Serrek’s body turns to sand and scatters.
Serrek, with his soul half destroyed.
Since the Pharaoh is holding him in sand form, she has a limited time to maintain her physical body.
At best, about five hours a day.
Even that is practically minimal since she has to assist Elbrite.
The Pharaoh stared at the spot where he had vanished for a long while before leaving.
■
Click.
“…So! Other than that, abusing rank battles is a no-go… Hm?”
“Pharaoh?”
“Lily, I have a favor to ask.”
After meeting Serrek, I was discussing rank battles with Leo in Elbrite’s Dean’s Office.
To be precise, Leo had barged in claiming he had gained enlightenment.
“What kind of favor?”
“Something personal…”
“That Guy Uncle!”
“…That Guy. Can you step out for a moment? I have something to discuss with the Dean.”
The Pharaoh, seemingly in pain from Leo’s shout, clutched his mask.
Leo pondered for a moment and then looked at me.
I nodded as well.
“It won’t take long. Just wait outside for a bit.”
“Okay! Sure thing!”
Leo lumbered out the door.
I glanced at the dim aura seeping through the door and gave a faint smile.
“Since I’ve already received the desert, is there anything else you want?”
“It’s not about asking for something. It’s a personal request, to be precise.”
“What is it?”
“……”
The Pharaoh hesitates.
For a great Emperor, known for his decisive actions, this seems rather hesitant.
The Pharaoh is usually bold and straightforward, but right now he seems a bit passive.
Even with a High-Class Demon before him, he throws punches without hesitation because he’s the Pharaoh.
But I’ve seen this behavior quite often recently.
“Whenever it’s about Serrek, I feel like people turn into fools.”
Honestly, I have no idea where the proud majesty of the Emperor he always boasted about has gone.
“Serrek.”
Serrek?
“…Can’t we do something about Serrek’s soul?”
“…What?”
I tilted my head in confusion as if I heard something strange.
No, it definitely was something strange.
Serrek’s soul is being maintained under the Pharaoh’s power, and if he doesn’t pay attention, it could scatter and disappear at any moment.
Of course, he wouldn’t actually want that, so he must be thinking of handing over Serrek to me, who has expertise in souls, for restoration.
So what the Pharaoh is saying right now is…
“Are you saying you’re going to let go of Serrek?”
“That’s right.”
“Why?”
It’s totally different from Serrek being under the Pharaoh and the monsters in my “Space of Despair.”
If I wanted, Serrek would have to follow my commands anytime, and even if the Pharaoh didn’t want it, he would have to refuse his orders based on my will.
‘Of course, I wouldn’t actually do that.’
The difference between ‘can’t do’ and ‘won’t do’ is worlds apart.
Why on earth is he trying to push through and sever the connection with Serrek, whom he cares for so much?
“Because it’s perfect.”
“……”
“I’m imperfect and can barely keep this physical body. I don’t know when I’ll regain my strength. Even right now, aren’t you just a rookie compared to how you were in the past?”
“We’re all rookies here, aren’t we?”
“You’d be much better than me. It doesn’t make much difference whether you’re under me or me under you. You’re holding onto my soul anyway.”
“There’s a difference. A big one.”
This is a matter of utmost importance for Serrek.
“If Serrek heard this, she’d be greatly disappointed. That the Emperor was trying to abandon her.”
“…Whether she’s disappointed or not doesn’t matter.”
“You’re too concerned, for someone who says that.”
So perhaps that’s why the Pharaoh, who rarely asks for favors outside the desert, has come to me like this.
The Pharaoh glares at me.
“Are you going to help or not? Just answer that.”
“Hmm…”
I pondered for a moment, then smiled.
“I don’t want to.”
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