Ch.157The Return of the First Emperor (1)

“What is this…”

Achievement. To accomplish something, suffering is necessary.

However, the abilities of this person named Ruide Christopher were too good, far too good.

Moreover, it seems he’s also blessed with good fortune when it comes to people.

“It’s impossible to directly resurrect someone who has died. But if we go back to the moment before they die and prevent their death, the future will be altered. That’s the result of my research.”

The 5th Magic. Time Regression.

When I was about to start researching it properly, it was already completed.

Ella had done it.

While I was busy destroying the empire and doing all sorts of foolish things, Ella had diligently focused on her research and completed the 5th Magic.

All I did was check whether this magical formula could actually be realized.

“You really are a genius.”

When I said this out of the blue, Ella’s cheeks turned red.

“Was I… a little helpful?”

“Tremendously.”

“Thank you!”

“I’m so grateful I want to give you my territory.”

Ella shook her head.

“I’m just happy that you’re pleased, Lord Ruide.”

The magic was complete.

I could go to any time I wanted.

Now all that remained was deciding where to go.

‘…Honestly, it’s so easy it feels almost empty.’

Until just a moment ago, I was sunk in depression. But now that’s been healed. I’ve seen hope.

‘If I need to change one thing in the past, it would definitely be that moment. When Irene decided on war.’

Whether by reporting to Victoria or by some other means, I must stop it.

If I can just prevent the war with the Empire, everything else won’t happen.

‘…But this is Irene we’re talking about?’

Would stopping just that one moment be enough?

Irene is honestly an unpredictable being.

If she thinks ‘I must absolutely go to war with the Empire,’ then it will happen eventually.

After all, she is the heir to Windsor and will become the Duchess.

‘Then…’

Ruide continued his train of thought while biting his nails.

‘I need to eliminate the reason why Irene decided on war.’

The conclusion was clear.

All problems stem from the war with the Empire.

“Then let’s activate it now…”

“No. There’s something I need to do first.”

“Pardon?”

“Ella, wait here. …It probably won’t take long.”

Ruide decided to ask Irene directly.

His destination was the 4th Defense Line.

Windsor Castle.

**

“I present myself to the family head.”

Everyone fell silent when Irene appeared.

She looked the same as always. She didn’t look at all like the mastermind behind everything that had happened.

“It’s been a while.”

“Prince Damon. I regret what has happened.”

“You haven’t forgotten our promise, have you?”

“Did I make such a promise?”

“Enough.”

The brief battle of nerves stopped at Victoria’s single word.

“Irene. Are all preparations complete?”

“Yes. I’ve gathered all of Windsor’s forces. Thanks to you handling the monsters at the front, we’re safe for the time being. And if there’s any unexpected threat, Rosalie can handle it.”

“I see.”

“Then, may I proceed with my task now?”

Irene placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.

“I will eliminate the remaining imperial blood.”

Amelia stepped forward, pushing Damon behind her.

“Sister.”

Irene gave a mysterious smile.

“Speak.”

“Stop this.”

“Ria.”

Irene took a step forward.

Amelia’s body trembled slightly.

“Are you still not awake from your childhood dreams?”

“That’s not it…!”

“Or perhaps you haven’t realized it.”

Irene lifted Amelia’s chin with a deep smile.

“That only Windsor can stand beside Windsor.”

“…!”

“I’m going to make Ruide the Emperor.”

Irene stepped back with her hands behind her back. She spread her arms as if embracing the world.

“That way, Windsor will finally awaken from its long role as guardian knights and grasp the world. How beautiful a world that would be.”

“S-Sister.”

Irene had always been far from normal.

She was an unusual person. Amelia knew that.

But she was never an evil person. Amelia could guarantee that.

An evil person doesn’t reach out to fallen Windsor knights and comfort them.

An evil person doesn’t console you when you’re depressed, feeling useless.

An evil person doesn’t spend three days and nights worrying about what to get for her youngest sibling’s birthday present.

Above all, her swordsmanship was clean.

That’s why Amelia respected her and wanted to be like her—

That righteous swordsmanship. That cold judgment. Yet that warm heart. All of it.

But now, in Amelia’s eyes, she looked more evil than anyone.

“In that world, those with the First Emperor’s blood are unnecessary.”

“…Sister.”

Amelia’s fists trembled.

“Now I—”

For the first time, Amelia properly looked into Irene’s eyes.

“I no longer respect you, Sister.”

*Shing*

Amelia drew her sword.

“Oh my.”

Irene put her hand to her mouth as if surprised.

“I understand clearly now. Irene Windsor… my sister. You are evil.”

“How troublesome.”

Despite saying this, Irene’s hand was on her sword.

“Dellin, the first Duke of Windsor, would be sad if she saw this scene. One of her descendants protecting someone with the blood of the man she hated most.”

“Your sister is, as you know, a fool who doesn’t understand such things. But even this fool knows one thing: what matters is the present.”

Amelia took a deep breath and shouted.

“I’m going to beat you to a pulp and knock some sense into you!”

Amelia’s strength was her ridiculously abundant mana.

The characteristic of mana is that it responds to emotions.

Amelia’s mana release, more intense than ever before, shook Windsor Castle as if it might collapse.

Amelia lowered her stance, gripping her sword with both hands. Just as Irene’s eyes narrowed.

“Stop.”

Victoria waved her arm in the air.

In that instant, Amelia’s mana, which seemed about to explode, vanished completely.

Amelia sank to her knees from the immense sense of loss.

“Damon Kairos.”

Victoria’s indifferent gaze swept over Damon.

“Will be spared.”

Irene said with a smile.

“You’re sparing him?”

“I won’t say it twice.”

“Understood.”

Irene bowed her head.

“Well then, I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

Irene turned and disappeared.

The sound of her low heels gradually faded away.

And no one here noticed.

Someone had snuck into Windsor Castle using invisibility magic, simply to avoid being scolded by his mother. More precisely, he had followed Amelia.

‘Amelia is alive.’

Ruide had been watching this entire scene.

**

“How…?”

Amelia is alive.

Rosalie had said that Amelia was dead.

“…Betrayal?”

That was the first word that came to mind.

Why would they hide the fact that Amelia was alive?

‘Or perhaps, there was something to be gained from Amelia’s death.’

What happens when Amelia dies?

It’s Ruide. His own anger.

He would likely go berserk, and in fact, he did blow up the Institute.

Everything has a reason.

Who would want his anger?

The answer was obvious.

“…Irene.”

It could only be her.

“Ah, Rui.”

Irene’s room.

As if she had been preparing, she greeted him wearing pajamas.

“Have you recovered well?”

“…Yes.”

Irene put her hands under Ruide’s armpits and lifted him up.

“I think what happened to Amelia is unfortunate.”

“…Sister.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t you have something to tell me?”

Her face was still smiling.

Irene always smiles easily.

Ruide had never found this strange.

He had simply attributed it to her personality.

“Not at all.”

“Really?”

“I don’t hide anything from you—”

But now he realized.

“Nothing at all.”

Irene doesn’t force a smile because of her personality.

“…Aren’t you sad at all?”

“Hmm? I am sad.”

“I don’t think that’s the face of someone who’s sad.”

All this time, she’s been imitating a smiling face to appear ‘normal.’

There’s no doubt. Irene—

“Is that so? By the way, about the Empire.”

She doesn’t understand what emotions are.

“…I actually know.”

“Hmm?”

“That you lied.”

“Lied?”

In fact, he might have known for a long time.

Ruide Christopher’s mind is exceptionally sharp.

With just a little information, he can deduce a great deal.

But he pretended not to know.

He didn’t want to admit that Irene was this kind of person.

But now—it seems time to acknowledge it.

“You orchestrated all of this, didn’t you, Sister?”

“……”

“You were the one who instigated Amelia’s assassination.”

Lucius may not be exceptional, but he’s not a foolish emperor.

Someone like him would surely know what would happen if Amelia died.

Yet Amelia was attacked.

And by an absurd being called a dragon, no less.

Which means—

“You also hid the fact that Amelia didn’t actually die.”

Ruide clenched his fist.

“It was all you, wasn’t it?”

Irene put Ruide down. She crouched to meet his eye level.

It was still the same smile. Still the same gentle smile.

“Why do you think I did such a thing?”

“Because you wanted me to destroy everything.”

Irene put her finger to her lips.

“That’s correct.”

“……”

It would have been better if she had at least denied it.

Ruide gave a bitter smile.

“Why? Why on earth would you do such a cruel thing? What for?”

“You said it yourself.”

“…Sister could have done it directly.”

“Because it’s lonely alone. Ruide, I’ll tell you now.”

Irene’s face turned red.

It was the face of a girl confronting her first love.

He understood immediately.

That ecstatic smile she’s wearing now is not fake.

“You’re neither like Amelia nor the family head—”

Irene lovingly stroked Ruide’s head.

“You take after me. So, when everything is over, I’m sure you’ll be able to understand me.”

“……”

“What could be better than being acknowledged by family who shares the same blood?”

“Different.”

Ruide answered sharply.

“I’m different from you, Sister Irene.”

“You may not understand now—”

Irene spoke as if excited.

“But with time, surely—”

“That day will never come.”

Ruide’s voice rose.

“Because I’m going to undo everything.”

Hearing those words, Irene’s expression instantly hardened.

Just as Ruide had detected Irene’s lies, Irene had detected Ruide’s sincerity.

“Ruide.”

Just as Irene was about to say something.

*Click*

Someone opened Irene’s door and entered.

A cute-looking maid with twin tails.

It was Ruby.

She approached Irene somewhat angrily, yet with dignity.

“Speak.”

Irene tilted her head.

“Right now.”

Ruby spoke coldly.

“The imperial army is advancing toward Windsor Castle. They will arrive in half a day.”

How could the Empire, with half its territory collapsed, have such strength?

And half a day? The information is too late.

Ruide was puzzled in many ways. But he didn’t voice his confusion. More precisely, he couldn’t.

Ruby was now emanating killing intent toward Irene.

“As you wished, the First Emperor leads them. And the family head will personally go out to meet him.”

He had never seen Ruby this angry before.

He could clearly hear Ruby grinding her molars.

“Are you satisfied now, Irene?”